49: Chapter 49 Land of Inheritance

The light of Chaos receded like a tide, or perhaps it seemed to merge into the boundless depths behind the slowly opening hall doors.

As everyone's vision readjusted, the scene that met their eyes was no longer the magnificent and ancient square in front of the Five Elements Hall outside the doors.

They were currently standing at the entrance of a wide, towering passageway that seemed to be paved with the purest Five Elements Origin crystals.

The passageway stretched straight ahead toward a hazy halo at the end of their vision. On the crystal walls on both sides, countless flowing Dao marks naturally formed, recording the interactions of the Five Elements, the movement of stars, and even scenes of the creation of the world and the evolution of all things. Just a single glance was enough to feel an infinite Dao rhyme rushing toward them, shaking their spirits and almost making them lose themselves.

What permeated the air was no longer the peaceful and vast Dao rhyme from outside the doors, but a more condensed, more primitive "Ancestral Qi" that seemed to point directly to the Origin of the Dao.

With every breath, not only was their cultivation slowly increasing, but their understanding of the Five Elements, the Void Realm, the Five Elements Returning to Ruins, and even the Dao they cultivated was improving rapidly.

This place was simply thousands of times better than any known blessed land!

"Is this... the interior of the Five Elements Hall?"

"What rich and pure Ancestral Qi! Cultivating here for one day is worth a year of bitter cultivation in the outside world!"

Everyone was shocked into silence, and even the heavily injured Yan Potian struggled to sit up, greedily breathing in the pure energy in the air, a flush of unnatural redness rising on his pale face.

Lin Wan stood at the very front. The Void Token in his hand, which had transformed into the Origin of Chaos, had its light restrained and floated quietly above his palm, resonating with the passageway and this entire space as if they were one.

The Void Dao Seed mark on his forehead was also slightly hot, transmitting a sense of yearning, closeness, and a hint of guidance.

He could feel that at the end of the passageway, deep within the hazy halo, something was calling to him.

It was not the vast Sect will from before, but something more concrete, more intimate, as if it were a presence connected by blood and sharing the same Dao path.

Was it the true core Legacy of the Five Elements Sect? Or... the remnant of some supreme existence who left this Legacy behind?

"Let's go."

Lin Wan put away the Void Token and stepped into the crystal passageway first.

Han Lingtian and Xu Feng followed closely behind, and Liao Chen, Yan Potian, and the others also struggled to keep up.

Once they reached this point, previous grudges and precautions seemed insignificant in the face of such a heaven-defying Opportunity.

In everyone's heart, there remained only a longing for the unknown ahead and excitement at the possibility of obtaining the supreme Legacy.

The passageway was long, as if it had no end.

But no one felt bored, because with every step taken, the Dao marks on the surrounding crystal walls would evolve into different scenes—sometimes ancient ancestors offering sacrifices to the Five Elements, sometimes gods and demons battling to shatter stars, or sages preaching with flowers falling from the sky... These were all scattered fragments of the Five Elements Sect's glorious history and supreme Dao, intoxicating and awe-inspiring.

After traveling for about an hour, the hazy halo ahead suddenly became clear and bright.

The passageway seemed to have reached its end.

The moment they stepped out of the passageway, the view suddenly opened up.

What presented itself before everyone's eyes was a hall... whose vastness and magnificence could not be described in words.

No, perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it a "world."

The "dome" of the hall was not a solid object, but an endless, slowly rotating nebula of Chaos, within which billions of stars were born and destroyed, emitting eternal light that illuminated everything.

The "ground" was also not substantial, but misty, constantly changing five-colored clouds; walking on them felt soft yet solid, as if stepping upon the Laws of the Dao.

Between this "Chaos starry sky" and the "Five Elements cloud ground," countless "islands" of various sizes and shapes were suspended.

Some of these islands were entirely crimson, flowing with magma and flames—these were the "Li Fire Islands"; some were covered in dense primeval forests, vibrant with life—these were the "Yi Wood Islands"; some had rushing great rivers and vast wetlands—these were the "Xuan Water Islands"; some had towering metal Ore mountains, with sharp Qi soaring into the sky—these were the "Geng Metal Islands"; others were made of thick yellow earth, bearing all things—these were the "Wu Earth Islands."

It was the ultimate evolution of the Five Elements attributes.

And in the center of all the islands, at the lowest point of the Chaos starry sky and the highest point of the Five Elements cloud ground, floated the largest and most peculiar "island."

It was not composed of a single attribute, but possessed all Five Elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—perfectly fused to form a massive, constantly rotating, and endless "Five Elements Wheel"!

In the center of the wheel stood a simple, ancient, nine-story high platform that seemed to be carved directly from Chaos stone.

At the peak of the high platform, a soft yet supreme light of Chaos could be vaguely seen, floating quietly like a heart, beating slowly, emitting a majestic Dao rhyme that caused the entire "hall world" to pulsate with it.

That was the final core Legacy of the Five Elements Sect—the Five Elements Dao Platform!

The light at the peak of the Dao Platform was the Legacy itself!

Everyone's gaze was firmly drawn to the light of Chaos at the peak of the high platform, their breathing ragged, their eyes burning.

The Dao rhyme contained within that light far exceeded everything they had seen, heard, or imagined in their lives!

If one could obtain it, achieving Immortal Ascension on the spot, or even transcending this realm, would likely not be an empty boast!

"Five Elements Dao Platform... core Legacy..." Han Ming muttered to himself, the greed in his eyes almost becoming tangible, but his injuries were not light, and knowing the strangeness of this place, he dared not act rashly.

Yan Potian, Liao Chen, and the others were also emotionally stirred, but they all maintained a final shred of reason.

Since this was a place of Legacy, there must be trials; it was absolutely impossible for it to be obtained easily.

Sure enough, just as everyone's hearts were surging, a gentle, calm voice that seemed to be able to peer directly into people's hearts suddenly rang out from within the Chaos starry sky:

"Latecomers, being able to collect the Void Tokens, complete the Dao deficiency, open the hall doors, and arrive here means you are all destined, and also capable."

The voice did not come from any specific place but resonated throughout the entire hall world, as if this world itself were speaking.

"This place is the final Legacy ground—the 'Five Elements Return to Void Realm'—which I, 'Five Elements Dao Venerable,' evolved by merging my own Dao Fruit with the ten thousand years of accumulation of the Five Elements Sect."

Five Elements Dao Venerable! The founding Ancestral Master of the Five Elements Sect, the supreme existence who was rumored to have long ago transcended this realm!

He had actually left his own Dao Fruit Legacy here?!

Everyone was shaken to the core, almost unable to resist kneeling down.

Even Lin Wan felt a sense of awe from the depths of his Soul.

"The peak of the Dao Platform is the source of the Legacy transformed from my 'Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed.' Obtaining it allows one to inherit my Dao lineage, master the Five Elements, control the Five Elements Returning to Ruins, and potentially transcend."

Five Elements Guixu Dao Seed! A higher-level, more primordial existence than the Void Dao Seed! It was the crystallization of the Five Elements Dao Venerable's lifelong Dao Fruit!

"However, while the Legacy requires destiny, it also requires virtue, perseverance, and Heart-Nature. To obtain the Legacy, one must pass three trials."

"The first trial is the 'Heart Refining Road of the Five Elements.' Step onto the Five Elements islands, experience the Five Elements Heart Refining, clarify your heart and see your nature, and only then will you know your own Dao."

As the voice fell, the countless single-attribute islands (Li Fire, Yi Wood, Xuan Water, Geng Metal, Wu Earth) suspended all around suddenly shone brightly, each extending a five-colored cloud bridge that converged at everyone's feet, forming five paths leading to islands of different attributes.

"Choose one path to enter, and the Heart Refining will begin. The time limit is three days. If you do not emerge within three days, or if your Heart-Nature collapses, you will be trapped in the island forever, turning into Five Elements essence to nourish this realm."

The voice was flat, yet it contained unquestionable rules.

Everyone looked at each other.

Heart Refining of the Five Elements? It sounded like a trial targeting Heart-Nature.

But the outcome of being "trapped in the island forever, turning into essence" made everyone's hearts turn cold.

"Everyone, let us rely on our own Opportunity."

Liao Chen pressed his palms together and was the first to choose a cloud bridge leading to the "Wu Earth Island." He stepped onto it, and his figure was instantly enveloped by earthy yellow light and disappeared.

He cultivated Buddhist Cultivation Techniques, which were upright and heavy, aligning with Wu Earth.

Yan Potian gritted his teeth and chose the "Li Fire Island."

Han Ming hesitated for a moment and chose the "Xuan Water Island" (ice is a variant of water).

The other Loose Cultivators also made their choices according to the attributes of their own Cultivation Techniques.

Han Lingtian looked at Lin Wan: "Junior Brother Lin, which one do you choose?"

Lin Wan's gaze swept over the five cloud bridges, but in the end, he did not choose any of the single-attribute ones.

He looked up toward the center, at the massive "Five Elements Wheel" island that possessed all Five Elements and was slowly rotating.

"I choose... that one."

He pointed to the Five Elements Wheel.

"What?!" Han Lingtian and Xu Feng were shocked.

The Five Elements Dao Venerable only said to step onto the Five Elements islands; he didn't say to step onto the Five Elements Wheel in the center!

Moreover, the aura emitted by that wheel was far more complex and dangerous than the single islands!

"Junior Brother Lin, be careful!" Xu Feng said urgently.

"It is fine." Lin Wan shook his head, his gaze firm. "My Dao is the Five Elements Returning to Ruins, which inherently includes the Five Elements; how could I be limited to a single attribute? That Five Elements Wheel is the true path."

He seemed to faintly feel that the Legacy at the peak of the Five Elements Dao Platform was not calling for a successor of a single attribute, but for someone who could truly command the Five Elements and comprehend the Five Elements Returning to Ruins.

And the Five Elements Wheel might be the true, hidden trial.

No longer hesitating, Lin Wan moved, not stepping onto any cloud bridge, but transforming directly into a chaotic dark silver sword light, shooting straight toward the Five Elements Wheel island in the center!

"Junior Brother Lin!" Han Lingtian and Xu Feng could not stop him in time and could only watch helplessly as Lin Wan's figure submerged into the massive, slowly rotating wheel interwoven with five-colored light and disappeared.

"This... sigh!" Xu Feng stomped his foot.

Han Lingtian fell silent for a moment, a flash of determination in his eyes: "Junior Brother Lin has his own plans. We cannot fall behind. Xu Feng, you choose 'Geng Metal Island' (Sword Cultivator is compatible with the Metal Element), and I will choose 'Yi Wood Island' (Qingyun Sect Cultivation Technique favors the Wood Element). Take care of yourselves, and in three days, regardless of success or failure, we will meet here."

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

The two of them each chose a cloud bridge and stepped onto it.

In the blink of an eye, at the entrance, only the floating islands, the extending cloud bridges, and that vast, eternal starry sky of Chaos remained.

...

Lin Wan felt as if he had passed through a viscous yet incredibly warm "membrane." The next moment, he was in a strange space composed entirely of five-colored light, constantly flowing and changing.

This was the interior of the Five Elements Roulette.

There were no specific landscapes, only endless five-colored radiance of gold, cyan, blue, red, and yellow, surging in like a tide from all directions, washing over his body, and even more so, washing over his mind and spirit, his Dao Foundation, and his very being.

These Five Elements lights were not attacks, but the purest, most primordial power of the Five Elements, containing the supreme Profound Truth of the Five Elements generation and restriction, rotation, and even the final "Five Elements Returning to Ruins." They attempted to invade Lin Wan's body and resonate with his own Five Elements Qi, Return-to-Ruins Sword Intent, and Void Dao Seed, or rather... assimilate them.

At the same time, scenes of illusions surged into his Sea of Consciousness along with the washing of the Five Elements light.

He saw himself incarnate as a speck of dust, experiencing earth, fire, wind, and water, feeling the virtue of the earth in bearing, heaviness, and nurturing all things (Earth Element Heart Refining).

He then incarnated as a seedling, struggling to grow amidst wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, realizing the power of life's vitality, tenacity, and upward growth (Wood Element Heart Refining).

He incarnated as a stream, rushing into the sea, experiencing tolerance, flexibility, nourishment, and the destruction of monstrous waves (Water Element Heart Refining).

He turned into a ball of flame, from a faint spark to a sky-burning blaze, feeling light, warmth, passion, and the destruction and tyranny after losing control (Fire Element Heart Refining).

He turned into a sharp sword, forged from Ore, realizing sharpness, uprightness, invincibility, and the coldness and loneliness after the slaughter (Metal Element Heart Refining).

Finally, the five experiences intertwined, rotated, and collided, eventually returning together to a chaotic "nothingness" and "extinction" that seemed to be the end of all things—that was "Five Elements Returning to Ruins."

During this process, Lin Wan's own Dao Heart, his understanding of the Five Elements, and his insights into Five Elements Returning to Ruins also underwent unprecedented impact and tempering. Those desires, fears, regrets, and obsessions buried deep in his heart were constantly magnified and manifested by this power of the Five Elements, attempting to shake his Dao Heart.

He saw the warmth of the Qingyun Sect mountain gate, the expectant eyes of Liu Ruyan, Chu Qingyao, and Lin Jingyun, and the trust and expectation of Peak Master Yue Lingyun and Han Lingtian (emotional bonds, the softness of Wood and Water).

He also saw the ferocious face of the Ghost Hand Daoist, the resentment of Elder Hanyue before his death, the crazy ambition of You Gu, and the cold killing intent of countless enemies (hatred and slaughter, the intensity of Metal and Fire).

He even saw the difficulties and obstacles he had faced along the way, the fear and unwillingness of being on the verge of death countless times, the desire for power, the pursuit of Immortal Ascension, and the yearning for transcendence (obsessions and desires, the bearing of Earth, which is also a burden).

Five Elements Heart Refining does not just refine attributes; it refines the human heart, the Dao Heart, and the "True Self" that sees through illusions and clearly perceives the original truth.

Lin Wan sat cross-legged in this sea of five-colored light, the guixu sword across his knees, his mind focused. He did not resist the impact of these illusions and emotions, but instead actively accepted, experienced, and discerned them. Using the "Five Elements Guixu Sword Scripture" as the foundation, the Void Dao Seed as the eye, and the life-and-death insights from his journey as the scale, he weighed this myriad of Five Elements phenomena, and also weighed his own heart.

What is real? What is illusion? What is I? What is Dao?

Time, in this sea of light, seemed to have lost its meaning.

Don't know how much time passed, the ceaseless washing of the five-colored light gradually became soft, and finally slowly calmed down. The illusions and emotions that surged into his Sea of Consciousness also retreated like the tide, leaving behind a clarity and thoroughness that had washed away the lead and returned to simplicity.

Lin Wan slowly opened his eyes.

In his eyes, the five-colored radiance flashed and disappeared, finally returning to a deep, chaotic silver-gray that seemed to be able to contain all things. The aura on his body became more restrained and steady, yet faintly resonated at a deeper level with the surrounding Five Elements Roulette and even the pulse of the entire "Five Elements Return to Void Realm."

He stood up, and the guixu sword emitted a joyful, light hum.

Five Elements Heart Refining, passed.

It was not just going through the motions, but truly experiencing a baptism and sublimation of the Soul. His understanding of the Five Elements, his insights into Five Elements Returning to Ruins, and the firmness of his own "Dao" had all reached a brand new height. Although his cultivation had not broken through, the solidity of his Dao Foundation and the clarity of his Heart-Nature had far exceeded the past.

"The first trial, passed."

He whispered to himself, his gaze looking into the depths of this sea of five-colored light. There, it seemed there was an invisible gate, slowly opening, leading to the next trial.

He stepped forward and walked on.

However, just as he was about to step out of this Five Elements Roulette space, that gentle voice belonging to the Five Elements Dao Venerable sounded again, but only he could hear it:

"Latecomer, your Dao Heart is pure, and your understanding of Five Elements Returning to Ruins has reached the threshold. However, the Legacy is not easily obtained. The second trial, 'Void Dao-Questioning Road,' is a test of your understanding of the Origin of the Void Realm, fate, and 'existence.' This trial has no fixed pattern, only asking the original heart. Stepping out of this door is the beginning. Be cautious."

Void Dao-Questioning Road? Asking the original heart?

Lin Wan's footsteps paused slightly, a flash of thought in his eyes, and then he returned to firmness.

No matter what the road ahead is like, since he has reached here, there is no reason to retreat.

With one step, his figure disappeared into that invisible gate.

...

Outside the Five Elements Roulette, under the starry sky of Chaos.

Three days passed in a flash.

On the five cloud bridges leading to the single-attribute islands, figures appeared one after another.

Liao Chen walked out of the Wu Earth Island, the Buddha light around his body more solid, his appearance solemn, and there was a touch of the earth's heaviness and compassion in his eyes.

Yan Potian walked out of the Li Fire Island, although his aura was still weak, the violent flames in his eyes were much more restrained, and he had a deeper understanding and control of the "Fire" Dao.

Han Ming walked out of the Xuan Water Island, his face still pale, but the gloom in his eyes seemed to fade a little, and the cold air around him was more pure and condensed.

Han Lingtian walked out of the Yi Wood Island, his aura deep and steady, and there was a bit more of an endless, tenacious Concept in his Sword Intent.

Xu Feng walked out of the Geng Metal Island, his sharpness restrained, his eyes sharp as swords, and he had a deeper understanding of the sharpness and decisiveness of the "Metal" element.

Besides this, only two Loose Cultivator Golden Cores walked out, their auras had increased, and their eyes were bright. The rest of the people who entered did not appear, and I fear they had, as the Five Elements Dao Venerable said, been trapped in the islands forever, turning into Five Elements essence.

Everyone looked at each other, all seeing the relief and lingering fear in each other's eyes. Five Elements Heart Refining is extremely dangerous, and those who can pass it benefit greatly in their Heart-Nature and understanding of their own attributes.

"Fellow Daoist Lin has not come out yet?" Liao Chen looked at the Five Elements Roulette, which was still slowly rotating with five-colored light flowing, and frowned slightly.

"Junior Brother Lin chose the Five Elements Roulette; I fear the trial is more complex and difficult." Han Lingtian said in a deep voice, with worry in his eyes.

Just at this moment—

"Hum—!"

The Five Elements Roulette suddenly accelerated its rotation, erupting with even more brilliant five-colored light! Within the light, a figure slowly stepped out from the center of the Roulette.

It was Lin Wan.

At this moment, he didn't seem much different from three days ago; he was still in that green robe, and still with that guixu sword. But if one looked closely, one could see that his eyes had become deeper and calmer, as if they could reflect the entire starry sky. The aura around him was integrated with this Five Elements Roulette and this heaven and earth, as if he were originally a part of this place.

He stepped out of the Roulette, his gaze swept over everyone, and he nodded slightly.

"Congratulations to everyone for passing the first trial." Lin Wan said calmly.

Everyone looked at him, their hearts filled with shock. They could feel that Lin Wan's change was greater than any of them; it was an essential, almost "Dao"-like closeness and sublimation.

"Junior Brother Lin, you..." Han Lingtian stepped forward, wanting to speak but stopping.

"It's fine, everything went smoothly." Lin Wan said, then raised his head and looked into the depths of the Chaos starry sky, at the chaotic light at the peak of the Five Elements Dao Platform, "The second trial, 'Void Dao-Questioning Road,' is about to begin. Everyone, shall we go together?"

His words seemed to carry a certain strange rhythm, faintly in harmony with the Dao charm of this world.

Everyone followed his gaze and looked, only to see that in the Chaos starry sky, where it was originally void, suddenly countless "nodes" shining with faint light lit up, connecting with each other, forming paths of light that were intricate, winding, and seemingly endless...

These paths were not solid entities, but were woven from pure spatial Laws, threads of fate, and even some more profound Concept of "existence," leading to the unknown depths, and also seemingly... leading to everyone's inner heart.

Void Dao-Questioning Road.

The trial, a test of understanding of the Void Realm, fate, and "existence."

This trial has no fixed pattern, only asking the original heart.

The true competition for the Legacy, now, has just begun.