28: The Great Ceremony of Primordial Incarnation, the Five Elements Manifest Their Power

The White Cloud Sect's Xiantian Realm Grand Ceremony was held at the Heaven-Gazing Platform on the main peak of Qingmeng Mountain. The massive white jade plaza was inscribed with the Innate Eight Trigrams Formation, and a bronze cauldron at the formation's eye burned with raging flames. Amidst the swirling green smoke, the Elders from various sects sat on the viewing platform. Elder Zhao's seat was on the east side; he held a teacup, his gaze sweeping across the entire venue with a sinister look.

Lin Yang's 'special guest' seat was next to the Star Moon Sect's viewing platform. This was an invitation 'reissued' by the White Cloud Sect three days prior—anyone with eyes could see they intended to publicly make things difficult for him at the ceremony and make him look bad in front of everyone.

"Young Master Lin, today's grand ceremony has a 'Sparring and Display of Skills' segment, where Geniuses from various sects will come on stage to demonstrate. You need to pay close attention," Su Qingyue's voice came from beside him. Today, she was dressed in the Star Moon Sect Saintess' ceremonial robes, her silver-glowing skirt fluttering lightly in the wind.

Lin Yang nodded, his gaze falling on the center of the plaza. At this moment, a green figure swept onto the stone platform; it was Lu Shaoyou of the Xuantian Sword Sect. He was dressed in a dark green close-fitting outfit, carrying three spirit swords on his back, their sword tassels wrapped with red, blue, and yellow silk ribbons respectively. This was clearly the mark of a practitioner cultivating the 'Metal, Water, and Fire' Elements simultaneously, already considered top-tier talent among the younger generation.

"I hear Young Master Lin cultivates all Five Elements. I, Lu, am untalented, but I wish to spar a few moves," Lu Shaoyou cupped his fists in greeting, his tone carrying a hint of arrogance. He deliberately emphasized the words "Five Elements cultivation," clearly intending to use this to gain fame.

Elder Zhao, on the viewing platform, clapped his hands and laughed, "Good! Young people sparring and exchanging pointers is exactly in line with the spirit of the grand ceremony! Young Master Lin, do you dare to accept the challenge?"

Lin Yang rose and swept into the plaza, his dark close-fitting outfit gleaming coldly in the sunlight: "Please enlighten me."

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Shaoyou's eyes. His three spirit swords simultaneously unsheathed: the Metal sword transformed into a sharp ray a zhang long, directly slashing at Lin Yang's face; the Water sword condensed into ice to lock his feet; and the Fire sword shot out flames a zhang high. The three elemental Spells intertwined into a net, exuding an astonishing Aura.

"Cultivating three Elements simultaneously indeed has some merit." Lin Yang remained unhurried. His left palm condensed Wood Element True Essence, instantly turning the ice lock into steam; his right fist, wrapped in a Metal Element sharp ray, precisely struck a weak point on the Metal sword, causing the spirit sword to hum with a 'clang'; at the same time, his internal Fire Element True Essence erupted, surprisingly igniting Lu Shaoyou's flames in reverse, forcing him to retreat repeatedly.

"Impossible!" Lu Shaoyou was furious and shocked. He simultaneously activated his three elemental True Essences: the Metal sword changed its move, stabbing towards Lin Yang's heart; the Water sword transformed into an ice cone, attacking his throat; and the Fire sword ignited the air, forming a Qi wave. This 'Three Absolutes Formation' was his trump card technique, having once defeated a Senior Brother in the Late Stage Xiantian Realm.

Lin Yang's feet moved like the wind. Earth Element True Essence raised an earth wall from the ground, blocking the ice cone; Wood Element True Essence transformed into vines, entangling the Metal sword; finally, he used Thunder Blast Kill to ignite the remaining flames, causing a reverse impact. With a 'bang', Lu Shaoyou's three spirit swords were simultaneously knocked away, and he himself was sent flying by the Qi wave, landing messily.

"Thank you for the concession." Lin Yang stood still, his Five Elements True Essence flowing smoothly, his breathing steady.

The entire venue fell silent, then erupted in thunderous applause. A Genius cultivating three Elements simultaneously was actually crushed by someone cultivating all Five Elements—such a scene had never been witnessed! The Elders of various sects all turned their heads, their gazes towards Lin Yang filled with astonishment.

Elder Zhao's face was extremely grim, and his teacup creaked under his grip.

Just then, a white figure swept onto the stone platform; it was Bai Wanqing. Today, she had changed into a plain white sword uniform, holding a long sword that was entirely pure white: "Young Master Lin's Five Elements cultivation is exquisite. Wanqing wishes to spar another round."

Lin Yang was slightly startled, but then he saw Bai Wanqing give him a subtle look, signaling him to cooperate. The two exchanged over ten moves. Bai Wanqing's swordplay seemed fierce, but in reality, she held back at every turn, secretly guiding Lin Yang to display more of the Five Elements' wondrous uses—the Metal sword breaking momentum, wood vines trapping enemies, water drowning seven armies, raging fire waves, and earth shield defense. Each move drew exclamations from the entire audience.

Finally, Bai Wanqing 'exhausted' herself and retreated, declaring loudly, "Young Master Lin's Five Elements cultivation has reached the Transcendent Realm! Wanqing is impressed!"

On the viewing platform, Shen Shuanghua clapped her hands and chuckled softly: "What an excellent Five Elements cultivator! With such talent, Young Master Lin, how about joining my Misty Immortal Palace?"

Su Qingyue immediately stood up: "Lin Yang and my Star Moon Sect have long-standing ties, so he will naturally join my Star Moon Sect!"

The two sects began to argue over Lin Yang, making the scene lively for a while. Lin Yang, however, noticed that when Bai Wanqing retreated to the edge of the platform, she quietly slipped him a Jade Slip, on which was carved "There's a trick in the Five Elements Spirit Pool."

His heart tightened. He looked at the spirit pool on the north side of the plaza—that was the venue for the 'Spirit Pool Tempering,' the final segment of the grand ceremony, currently glowing with five-colored spiritual light. The chaos star core in his Sea of Consciousness vibrated violently, warning of danger.

But as he looked at the arguing crowd on the viewing platform, a cold arc curved at the corner of his mouth. His reputation as a Five Elements cultivator was established; next, it was his turn to take the initiative.