428: Chapter 428 The Path of the Five Elements

"The Path of the Five Elements?" Yun Wuji focused his attention.

"It seems the Heart-Questioning in the Mirror Abyss was only the first round of screening."

Ye Tian felt the token in his breast pocket grow searing hot once more. The resonance clearly pointed toward three of the five paths: the crimson one and two others, corresponding to the attributes of the two taichu seals in his possession.

But the strongest pull came from the deeper yearning for Chaos behind the crimson light.

"Only after overcoming the heart's barriers are we qualified to choose the road ahead." Han Xiao set the Ghost Girl down, letting her lean against him as he began to treat the wound on his thumb web.

"Which one should we choose?" Shui Qingdie asked, her gaze falling on Ye Tian.

The others looked over as well.

Ye Tian looked at the five paths and remained silent for a moment.

"Our goal is the Ruins of the Order-Giver, the core of the Secret Realm," he said slowly. "The direction the token points to is primarily behind the Fire Path.

However, the Path of the Five Elements likely holds different opportunities and dangers for each route.

Perhaps... we need to split up."

He looked at everyone, his gaze calm. "The Mirror Abyss trial is over, proving that our Heart-Nature is at least sound and we are qualified to proceed alone.

On the Path of the Five Elements, each will depend on their own Opportunity.

If we walk together, the rule about tribulations doubling might still apply, and the target would be too large.

Moving separately is more efficient and might reduce the chance of triggering the overall difficulty."

"But Junior Brother Ye, your injuries..." Shui Qingdie said anxiously.

"It's fine," Ye Tian interrupted her, looking toward Qin Pojun, Xiahou Ba, and Han Xiao. "Brother Qin can take the Metal Path, Brother Xiahou can take the Earth Path, and Brother Han, perhaps you can try the Water Path with Miss Ghost Girl. The moist Yin-cold might be beneficial for her injuries.

Senior Brother Yun, the three of you should decide for yourselves.

Senior Brother Pei, Senior Brother Dongfang, your conditions are poor; you can come with me or choose a relatively safer path."

He arranged everything methodically, considering everyone's Cultivation Technique, injuries, and status.

Qin Pojun and the others fell silent.

They knew Ye Tian was right.

Getting this far together was already a stroke of luck; the road ahead would rely more on individual Opportunity and strength.

Their experience in the Mirror Abyss had taught them that some hurdles must be faced alone.

"Fine." Qin Pojun was the first to nod. He lifted his long spear and walked toward the fork shrouded in golden light. Stopping at the entrance, he turned back and cupped his fists toward Ye Tian. "Brother Ye, take care. We shall drink and spar again another day in the Imperial Capital."

"Take care," Ye Tian returned the gesture.

Xiahou Ba gave Ye Tian a fierce hug, then patted Pei Tieshan and Dongfang Xinghe. "I'm off! The Earth Path sounds sturdy! Ye Tian, don't you dare die ahead of me, kid! I still need to find you for a drink!"

With that, he shouldered his axe and strode toward the fork shimmering with yellow light.

Han Xiao picked up the Ghost Girl on his back, gave Ye Tian a slight nod, and walked toward the blue-lit Water Path.

Yun Wuji, Yu Miaoqing, and Feng Xuan discussed in low voices for a moment, gave Ye Tian a solemn salute, and chose the Wood Path surrounded by green light.

Wood governs vitality, which might be suitable for their recovery.

Soon, in the empty gray-white space, only Ye Tian, Shui Qingdie, Pei Tieshan, and the still-unsettled Dongfang Xinghe remained.

"Junior Brother Ye, I..." Shui Qingdie looked at Ye Tian, hesitant to speak. She didn't want to part ways.

"Senior Sister Shui," Ye Tian looked at her with a gentle gaze, "you have your own path. Your Cultivation Technique and illusions might find unique opportunities on the Water or Wood Paths.

Following me might not be the best choice. Besides, I need you to do something for me."

"What is it?" Shui Qingdie asked immediately.

"If you encounter Li Xuanxiao on the way," Ye Tian's eyes turned cold, "avoid him. You are not his match.

If... if you hear news about me, whether good or bad, do not be impulsive. Protect yourself. This Secret Realm is bizarre; only by getting out alive can anything be possible."

Shui Qingdie bit her lip, her beautiful eyes misting over, but she knew Ye Tian was right.

She nodded heavily. "I understand. Junior Brother Ye, you must be careful. I... I choose the Water Path."

"Good. Take care."

Shui Qingdie took a deep look at Ye Tian, as if to carve his current appearance into her heart, then resolutely turned and walked toward the blue-lit Water Path.

Though she chose the same path as Han Xiao, the road would naturally branch off after entering; the trial would only target the individual.

Finally, only Ye Tian, Pei Tieshan, and Dongfang Xinghe were left.

"Junior Brother Ye, we're with you!" Pei Tieshan said immediately.

Dongfang Xinghe also nodded repeatedly. His mind was currently damaged, and he only felt a sense of security by following Ye Tian.

Ye Tian looked at the last remaining path before them, the Fire Path blazing with crimson light.

The token in his breast pocket was scalding hot, and the yearning of the chaos bead almost burst through his body.

"Then we go together." He stepped toward the crimson glow. "Let's go and see what this Fire Path is made of, and what exactly is hidden behind it."

The three figures vanished into the crimson light.

The gray-white space returned to silence.

The glows at the entrances of the five forks flickered slightly, with only the not-yet-fully dissipated gray Mirror Dust silently recounting the dangerous battles of the heart that had just taken place here.

The crimson light faded, and a wave of heat rushed toward them.

Before them was no longer an empty gray-white space, but a massive, winding corridor leading downward.

The four walls were made of dark red rock, coarse and hard, emitting a dry scent from years of baking.

The air was scalding, bringing a burning pain when inhaled into the lungs, and so thin it made one's chest feel tight.

Red light flickered deep within the corridor, accompanied by a low, continuous rumble, like the slow pulse of the earth's core.

Pei Tieshan let out a "whoa" as soon as he entered and quickly circulated his True Essence to resist the high temperature.

He primarily cultivated the Earth element and had average resistance to fire. Before long, his face was flushed red and he was dripping with sweat.

Dongfang Xinghe fared even worse. His mind was already damaged, and now, hit by the heat, his vision blurred. He could only stay upright by leaning against the rock wall, his face terrifyingly pale.

Ye Tian walked at the very front.

The scorching environment had the least impact on him. As his Chaos True Essence circulated, it quietly converted the invading heat.

However, his injuries had not yet healed. The wounds on his neck, shoulder, and leg throbbed in the high temperature, and every breath pulled at his internal organs.

He slowed his pace and looked back at the two of them.

"Can you hold on?"

"I'm... I'm alright," Pei Tieshan wiped away sweat and gritted his teeth. "It's just a bit roasting. This damn place is even more stifling than the inside of the Flame Cave!"

Dongfang Xinghe couldn't speak; he just managed a nod. He fished out two Heart-Clearing Pills from his pocket and stuffed them into his mouth. After closing his eyes to recover for a few breaths, he said hoarsely: "This heat... is unusual."

"It's not pure Earth Fire, but rather... naturally dissipated high-concentration Fire Spiritual Qi that has soaked in over many years."

"This corridor itself might be a solidified, stable Fire Spiritual Vein."

"A Fire Spiritual Vein?" Ye Tian's gaze swept across the surrounding rock walls. No wonder the Spiritual Qi concentration felt absurdly high, yet was too violent to absorb. "Can you determine the direction? Where does it lead?"

Dongfang Xinghe forced himself to concentrate and sense for a moment before shaking his head. "The veins are too solid; Divine Sense can't penetrate them. I can only sense... it keeps going down. There seems to be a massive... cavity deep inside."

"The source of the Fire Spiritual Qi should be there." He paused and added, "Junior Brother Ye, the Fire Spirit here is pure; it might be beneficial to you."

"But for the two of us, staying long will likely be harmful. We'll constantly consume True Essence to resist it, and it might even scorch our Meridians."

The meaning was clear: this was Ye Tian's "home field," but a "perilous land" for them.

"Stay close to me and try to conserve your True Essence." Ye Tian didn't hesitate and continued forward.

He couldn't abandon the two of them, so he could only speed up, hoping to pass through as quickly as possible.