53: The first sounds of the Five Elements and the surging undercurrents

The wooden plaque carved with the character "Yun" was like an Imperial Sword, hanging on the lintel of the D-7 Courtyard.

The name "Outer Sect Disciple Mutual Aid Society" was now semi-officially established.

The effect was immediate. Bottom-tier Disciples who were previously waiting and watching, or fearing retaliation from the Law Enforcement Team and Five Elements Courtyard, now set their minds at ease and boldly joined the Mutual Aid Society's exchanges. The entrance of the Ding Zi Courtyard truly began to bustle with activity.

Wen Youyi organized the exchange activities in an orderly fashion. He held regular small sharing sessions where Wang Wu, Senior Brother Li, and others explained teamwork techniques and analyzed difficulties in common missions. He also established a "Mutual Aid Corner" for Materials, where Disciples could use attribute Materials they didn't need to exchange for "Special Edition" Formation Plates or obtain specific technical guidance.

The entire Mutual Aid Society was filled with a positive and upward atmosphere. Many bottom-tier Disciples who had been long suppressed and regarded as "trash" found a sense of belonging and value here. Their cultivation might not improve quickly, but their mission efficiency and survival capabilities increased significantly.

A faint but resilient new force was quietly gathering at the bottom of the Outer Sect.

Meanwhile, Wen Youyi handed over more of the daily management to Wang Wu and the others, while he devoted himself entirely to the construction of the "Miniature Five Elements Circulation Field."

A space was cleared in the courtyard. Wen Youyi carefully took out the five refined basic Formation Bases.

The metal Formation Base representing the "Metal Phase" had a restrained sharp aura.

The wood core Formation Base representing the "Wood Phase" was full of vitality.

The water drop Formation Base representing the "Water Phase" was moist and gentle.

The fire feather Formation Base representing the "Fire Phase" was hot and flickering.

And as the core, the "Earth Phase/Star" main Formation Base, based on the star core fragment, was heavy and mysterious.

Following the principle of Five Elements mutual generation—Metal generates Water, Water generates Wood, Wood generates Fire, Fire generates Earth, and Earth generates Metal—he arranged the five Formation Bases into a circle, with the star core main Formation Base in the center.

"Brothers, protect me!" Wen Youyi's expression was solemn.

Zhao Iron Pillar and the other three immediately scattered around, on full alert, while maintaining a connection through the "communicator," ready to deal with any sudden situation.

Wen Youyi took a deep breath, condensed Spiritual Qi at his fingertips, and lit up the five Formation Bases in sequence!

"Buzz—" "Sizzle—" "Splash—" "Whoosh—" "Rumble—"

The five Formation Bases lit up in different colors in sequence, emitting different soft hums! The five-colored lights of metal-white, wood-green, water-blue, fire-red, and earth-yellow (intermingled with starlight) complemented each other, and the Qi between them began to pull and collide violently!

It was very unstable! Energy turbulence overflowed, and the entire Formation circle was shaking violently, as if it would collapse at any moment!

Sweat appeared on Wen Youyi's forehead. He mobilized his Mental Energy to the fullest, guiding the energy flow according to the sequence of Five Elements mutual generation, trying to smooth out the violent conflict.

Metal energy flowed into the Water Phase Formation Base, Water Phase energy nourished the Wood Phase Formation Base... The energy was like a rowdy wild horse, running with difficulty along the set path under his exquisite guidance.

Once, twice... just as Wen Youyi felt his Mental Energy was about to be exhausted and the Formation was about to collapse—

"Buzz!!!"

A harmonious and pleasant resonance sounded!

The five-colored lights no longer conflicted but fused perfectly, forming a stable, slowly rotating multicolored light wheel! In the center of the light wheel, the star core fragment shone brightly, shedding clear light like a stabilizing pillar, stabilizing the entire circulation!

A stable Five Elements energy field with a diameter of about three feet was successful!

Within this energy field, the Spiritual Qi of the five attributes of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth reached a delicate balance, endless and circulating. Although the range was small and the energy level was not high, its characteristics of "stability" and "self-circulation" were of great significance!

"It's a success! I feel so comfortable staying in here!" Zhao Iron Pillar said in surprise. Although he didn't understand the Five Elements, he could feel the harmonious and mellow atmosphere within the field.

Wang Wu sensed it carefully: "The Spiritual Qi seems more docile, and... it seems that the perception of 'the net' has blurred a bit more?"

A bright smile appeared on Wen Youyi's tired face. That's right, this Miniature Five Elements Circulation Field itself possessed a certain "order" attribute, naturally repelling the chaotic "the net"!

Although the effect was far inferior to the "Star Domain," this was undoubtedly a new direction! A direction that did not rely on the power of the star core fragment itself, but used rules to build a stable environment!

However, just as the Ding Zi Courtyard achieved a key technical Breakthrough and the Mutual Aid Society was flourishing, the enemies in the dark finally couldn't hold back.

The night was deep.

Several core members of the Mutual Aid Society were attacked by unidentified persons on their way back to their respective residences from the Ding Zi Courtyard! Although no one died, everyone was injured and warned to "stay away from the Ding Zi Courtyard"!

At the same time, rumors began to appear in the Mission Hall targeting the Mutual Aid Society, slandering the methods they spread as having "hidden dangers" and that long-term Cultivation would "damage the Foundation."

More troublesome was that the Five Elements Courtyard, which had been silent before, finally had a heavyweight figure speak out. An Inner Sect Disciple named Fire Cloud Child (the Chief of the Five Elements Courtyard's Fire Hall) publicly expressed "understanding" for the bottom-tier Disciples' pursuit of progress, but expressed "concern" about the "widespread dissemination of certain so-called 'techniques' of unknown origin and without rigorous verification," calling for the Sect to strengthen supervision.

Open attacks and hidden arrows came one after another!

Obviously, the existence of Wen Youyi and the Mutual Aid Society had touched the Foundation of the old interest patterns, inviting a more fierce counterattack.

Looking at the injured members and the intensifying negative public opinion outside, Wen Youyi knew that simple defense was no longer enough.

He had to take the initiative and use an indisputable, fair, and square victory to crush all doubts and suppression!

His gaze turned to the Mission Hall's jade wall, to that mission that had been hanging high for a long time and no one dared to take—

The [Clearance of Blood Wolf Valley] mission!

(End of Chapter)