Five Elements Technique!

Upon seeing this nearly palm-thick ancient Martial Arts text, Su Mu’s heart burned with excitement. Previously, he had obtained portions of the Five Elements Technique from Yuan Wuming and the other Black Mountain Army Protectors like Gao Feng.

But it was only one Chapter among them, not the complete version, and it lacked the most crucial Visceral Tempering Method.

A complete Sixth-Grade Martial Arts manual is a treasure of exceptional value throughout the Qingyun Three Counties. If used properly, a single Sixth-Grade Martial Arts technique would be enough to establish a major force in the land of the Three Counties and to alter its power structure.

Be it the Five Great Powers of Cyan Cloud or the four great powers of Changfeng and Cang River, it is precisely these Sixth-Grade Martial Arts that serve as their true foundation.

Just like the Five Extremes Realm elder of the Hongmen Martial Arts Hall in Changfeng County—even though he is old, his strength as a Middle Third Grade Martial Artist is far from what ordinary Lower Three Grades Martial Artists can compare to.

Moreover, Su Mu had made some speculations earlier based on Yuan Wuming, but hadn’t yet verified them.

Only when there’s a true Five Extremes Realm Martial Artist holding the fort is there qualification to draw the attention of the Three County Government Office. Great Yan officials are protected by the destiny of the Great Yan Dynasty. Third Grade cannot be killed.

Unless one’s rank surpasses the official by Three Grades, killing is prohibited, and one would inevitably suffer a backlash from the Great Yan’s destiny: at best, a heavy injury; at worst, instant death on the spot.

Ordinarily, the prefect of a county is Seventh Grade; the Demon Slayer Director in charge of supervising local officials is also of Seventh Grade. As for the County Magistrate and County Captain, they are merely Eighth and Ninth Grade officials.

If a Five Extremes Realm Martial Artist is willing to risk everything, it is enough to severely injure, or even slay, all but the Seventh Grade officials within the county administration.

Because of this, Middle Third Grade Martial Artists command extraordinary status in ordinary counties. Local government offices will often turn a blind eye to the affairs of forces with Sixth-Grade Martial Artists—this is something Seventh-Grade Martial Artists can hardly match.

If a complete Sixth-Grade Martial Arts manual were to appear at the White Jade Gang’s auction, not to mention what astonishing sky-high price would be fetched, it’s no exaggeration to say that it would stir up a bloody storm in a county.

At this moment, Su Mu quickly flipped through the Five Elements Technique in hand: Metal Element Chapter, Wood Element Chapter, Water Element Chapter, Fire Element Chapter, Earth Element Chapter!

All five Chapters are there, and the Visceral Tempering Method is not missing!

"Five Elements Complete... The one on Purple Shirt’s body is whole!"

After skimming through at extreme speed, a look of ecstasy appeared on Su Mu’s face. He reluctantly put it back into the Sumeru Ring. If it weren’t that this was not a suitable place for Martial Arts comprehension, Su Mu might not have been able to resist sitting down on the spot.

The sound of cicadas was noisy. A figure darted swiftly through the woods, behind him Black Forest Mountain blazed into the sky—the fire set by the three masters burned throughout the night without rest.

Zhao Pingyuan of Canghe County tried to use the hand of the Judge to eliminate Su Mu. Now, Qingyun City is far from peaceful; after tonight’s event, another great storm is likely on the horizon.

And if he were to return to Cyan Cloud now, he might also risk exposing his identity.

"Back to Qingshui Town first."

Not long ago, when he parted from Li Zhihe, Li Zhihe had told him to keep a low profile for a while. Su Mu knew well that bringing down Zhao Pingyuan, who was also a Demon Slayer Director in this county, would not be easy. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Su Mu pushed open the small courtyard on Spring Rain Street. Before his eyes flashed scenes of Qinghe’s greetings. Now, he was yet again alone.

"Once this is truly over, I will go to Qingzhou Academy."

Back inside, Su Mu cleared all distractions and devoted himself to comprehending the Five Elements Technique in his hand. Each character imprinted itself in his mind—he was utterly engrossed, sometimes frowning, sometimes beaming—every word sinking into Su Mu’s memory, never to be forgotten in this lifetime.

Rustle!

The sound of pages turning made his heart and mind unconsciously more tranquil.

"Five Elements Technique, drawing in the spiritual qi of the Five Elements to temper the body. The elements revolve, the cycle never ends: upright, balanced, and peaceful!"

After a thorough reading, Su Mu exhaled a long breath, his pupils shining brightly.

The "Five Elements Technique" had existed since Pre-Qin times as a Sixth-Grade Martial Arts. The creator of the cultivation technique was now impossible to trace. Passed down for thousands of years, or perhaps longer, the Martial Arts exuded the spirit of ’uprightness and balance’ throughout.

From what Su Mu now understood of Martial Arts, the Five Elements Technique was extremely suited for solidifying the foundation—throughout, it emphasized steady progress and the need for gradual advance.

"But it seems... it has no outstanding features."

This was Su Mu’s feeling after a careful reading—the Five Elements Technique had only a single Martial Technique attached once mastered to Great Success, and nothing special besides that.

But at present, Su Mu only possessed this one Sixth-Grade Martial Arts; he’d never studied others of the same grade, so this was just his feeling, lacking anything to compare to.

"A single Five Elements Technique is already enough for now."

Su Mu’s deep eyes flashed with burning ambition and anticipation. He needed only a complete Sixth-Grade Cultivation Technique to help him further infer and perfect the Profound Demon Five Transformations. When he proceeded to Qingzhou, he would naturally acquire more and better cultivation techniques.

"Begin with comprehending the Fire Element Chapter first."

Second comprehension. In his meditative state, a flame appeared in Su Mu’s mind, and in the darkness a single ember arose.

At the third comprehension, the flame transformed into a bird of fire. The heat on Su Mu’s skin rose ever higher; the air around him began to twist and blur.

At the fourth, with a breath, the firebird flapped its wings and entered his body. Su Mu adjusted to a specific breathing posture. Streams of fiery heat coursed through his meridians, finally gathering in the heart beneath his chest.

Buzz!

A layer of red light suddenly appeared on Su Mu’s body.

Fire Element Divine Skill (entry-level 1%)

Comprehension: 118 (Dragon-and-Phoenix Level)

Previously, to reach entry-level with the Gold Element Divine Skill, Su Mu had needed seven comprehensions; now, only four were needed to achieve entry-level in the Fire Element Divine Skill, one branch of the Five Elements Technique.