Inside the library of the outer courtyard of Canaan Academy, two elderly men with white hair but ruddy complexions were utterly shocked.
"Such a young Dou Wang! Young friend, which powerful family in the Central Continent do you come from?"
No wonder the two elders were so astonished. Even Mang Tianchi back then possessed talent no more than this, perhaps even slightly inferior. Aside from being a descendant of a powerful family in the Central Continent, the two elders couldn't imagine where Lin Feng came from.
Lin Feng exchanged a glance with Vice Dean Hu Qian, then stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Elder Qian, Elder Bai, this young man, Lin Feng, is a native of the Gama Empire in the Northwest Continent. In my youth..."
"Incredible! Incredible!" After hearing Lin Feng's story, Elder Qian exclaimed, feeling somewhat fortunate. The academy had provided protection for a prodigy in both alchemy and Dou Qi cultivation in his youth; once he grew up, the academy would enjoy at least another century of glory.
As for the two of them, their lifespans were nearing their end, and they had to rely on years of seclusion to reduce the depletion of their life force. "You mean Dean Mang Tianchi? That fellow hasn't returned to the academy for almost a century; I wonder if he's still alive.
Besides, if he were properly trained, the academy might one day have its own seventh-grade alchemist. Only then would Canaan Academy's alchemy department dare to truly announce its existence, unlike now, where the highest-ranking alchemist in the Black Corner Region isn't even from the academy. "
After exchanging a glance, Elder Bai continued, his expression tinged with regret.
"However, you actually possess a rare five-element physique, what a pity. Judging from your fluctuating aura, your cultivation technique problem remains unresolved."
"Elder Bai, are you familiar with this physique? Do you know of a solution?"
Lin Feng, seeing Elder Bai immediately recognize his problem, while marveling at the terrifying power of a Dou Zong expert, also felt a surge of joy, hoping that his cultivation technique problem might be solved this time.
However, Elder Bai shook his head under Lin Feng's expectant gaze.
"The reason I've heard of this physique is because when I was adventuring in the Central Plains with Qianmu, there was a person with the Five Elements Physique who was renowned far and wide."
Elder Qian nodded and continued,
"Back then, that person was known as the Five Elements Venerable, famous for his powerful combat strength and Dou Qi. With only the strength of a five-star Dou Zun, he actually overwhelmed a seven-star Dou Zun from the Soul Hall, leaving him powerless. The Central Plains were shocked."
The two elders' eyes held a hint of longing. Whether they could break through to the Dou Zun realm in their lifetime was still uncertain, let alone that they had heard of someone who could fight beyond their level at the Dou Zun realm when they were young. How could they not admire him?
"Where is this Five Elements Venerable now? Please teach me, elders!"
Lin Feng said excitedly, bowing slightly. Since this Five Elements Venerable could cultivate the Five Elements Physique to the Dou Zun realm, he must have already solved the problem of cultivation methods. If he could find him, perhaps Lin Feng's problem could also be solved.
But the elders' next words made Lin Feng's heart sink.
"Gone, not even ashes. It's said that the Soul Palace was furious and sent an expert of unknown rank, whose appearance was unknown even to them. Those nearby only saw a black hand appear, obscuring the sky, and the Five Elements Venerable, along with his sect and residence, vanished."
As they spoke, a hint of fear crossed the faces of the two elders, making Hu Qian wonder if the "nearby person" they mentioned was these two.
"In the years that followed, the Soul Palace in Central Continent feared them like a tiger, and blackness spread across the land. Sensing the danger, we two quickly returned to the Northwest Continent."
"It's said that the Pill Tower organized an alliance to counterattack, which restored peace to Central Continent."
Then, as if remembering something, the two elders said to Lin Feng,
"Perhaps you, young man, will one day become famous in the Pill Tower, where alchemists abound!"
Lin Feng didn't hide his confidence in himself, despite the elders' expectations, but he was somewhat distracted. He had thought the problem of the cultivation technique was solved, but his glimmer of hope was instantly shattered.
The two elders, Qianmu Bailie and his companion, were both experienced and shrewd; they could easily see through Lin Feng's thoughts and offered words of comfort.
"Young man, there's no need to be discouraged. It's rumored that the Five Elements Venerable greatly admires younger generations and often leaves his insights in nameless caves. Perhaps you'll have a chance to meet him in the future."
Hearing this, Lin Feng composed himself. He had endured so many years of training, yet he had lost control of his emotions today; it was truly inappropriate.
He slightly cupped his hands in thanks, "Lin Feng is here, thank you both for your guidance!"
"It's nothing. Since that's the case, let's go in and find a suitable cultivation technique!"
With that, Bai Lie waved his arm, hidden in his wide robe, and another spatial passage opened. Seeing this, Lin Feng nodded slightly to the three of them before leaping in.
After the spatial passage disappeared, Hu Qian smiled slightly at the two elders and suddenly spoke.
"Elder Qian and Elder Bai are certainly quick to speak today. In previous years, when you brought newly promoted elders and the top five students from the competition, you would just give them a few perfunctory words."
Qian Mu glanced at Hu Qian indifferently, as if asking if he was asking for a beating. After seeing Hu Qian's scalp tingle, he finally spoke.
"This kid's future achievements will at least be at our level, and perhaps even surpass it. It's normal for the two of us to say a few more words about such a prodigy."
Then, his tone changed, sounding rather disappointed.
"As for you, kid, you've been at the peak of Dou Huang for so many years, when will you break through to Dou Zong?"
Seemingly knowing that Hu Qian wouldn't be able to say anything, the two elders vanished in a flash after speaking.
"Sigh,"
seeing the disappointment in the elders' eyes, Hu Qian was also unwilling, but how could he break through the barrier of his realm that hadn't fluctuated for so many years? He then looked towards the pavilion, a faint expectation rising in his expression.
"Perhaps, my Breakthrough Pill will still depend on this kid!"
As for Elder Huo, heh, they had worked together for so many years, they knew each other well. Even if this old guy could really advance to the sixth rank this time, Hu Qian felt it was more practical to wait for Lin Feng, this genius, to refine the sixth-rank peak Breakthrough Pill.
"Tap tap tap,"
he walked slowly inside the huge pavilion, following the signs to the area marked with cultivation techniques. Lin Feng was suddenly shocked; never before had he felt so ignorant. With
a "boom,"
rows of bookshelves appeared, each starting with a Xuan-rank technique. Yellow-rank techniques didn't even qualify to stand here.
"Azure Wood Technique, Crimson Phosphorus Force, Black Shadow Technique"
—with just a quick scan, Lin Feng saw dozens of Xuan-rank techniques. He couldn't help but sigh slightly; indeed, the Lei Clan, one of the ancient imperial clans, possessed a foundation far beyond his imagination.
Then he thought of the Xiao Clan, another imperial clan, where even their patriarch's cultivation technique was only Xuan-rank. The sheer terror of this fact
sent chills down Lin Feng's spine. He shook his head, dismissing the matter from his mind, and strode towards the bookshelf displaying Earth-rank techniques.
"What a grand gesture!"
At least ten cultivation scrolls stood quietly on the shelf. Lin Feng quickly approached.
"Blazing Sun Burning the World Technique, a mid-level Earth-rank technique. Cultivation brings a strange burning aura and slightly enhances physical strength. Upon mastery, one can use their own battle qi as a guide to absorb a wisp of flame from the blazing sun, greatly increasing both their battle qi and the power of the flames. Under the sun's blessing, its power explodes."
"Dragon's Roar Tsunami Technique, a mid-level Earth-rank technique. Created by an ancestor observing the cultivation of an eighth-rank water-attribute dragon. Cultivation not only imbues one with dragon aura, greatly increasing the likelihood of attracting dragon-attribute magical beasts, but also carries the vastness of the ocean, making battle qi virtually inexhaustible. It also enhances physical strength."
"Thunderous Might Technique, a high-level Earth-rank technique. While nominally a martial arts cultivation method, it's actually a combination of martial arts and body refinement. With the clan's approval, I've specially placed it here. This technique requires a lightning-filled environment for cultivation; the stronger the lightning, the better the effect. It combines body refinement and martial arts tempering, and its speed is top-tier among its peers. If one can find the legendary Black Demon Lightning for cultivation, it can even rival the half-step Heaven-rank."
"Earth Element."
With so many Earth-rank techniques, which one will Lin Feng choose as his primary cultivation method?