Chapter Seventeen: The Power of the Five Elements

With Li Long, a man exceptionally sensitive to the water element within the Five Elements, or perhaps the inheritor of its power, the task of searching progressed much faster. He was like a living radar; once his affinity with water was triggered, he experienced a unique sensation, allowing him to perform simple acts such as underwater searches.

Li Long dutifully assumed the role of the radar. He channeled his true energy into his right hand, placed it into the water, closed his eyes, and concentrated. His senses followed the current, reaching every corner of the riverbed within a radius of several dozen kilometers—the utmost extent of his cultivation at this point.

A torrent of information streamed through Li Long’s mind, and after ten minutes, he finally found a clue.

He withdrew his hand, turned, and signaled for everyone to follow him. Then, like a dolphin, he dove into the river. The others hesitated not and plunged in after him.

Fish, water plants, boulders, sunken vessels—all flashed by as they sped through the water. After about ten minutes, they arrived at the location Li Long had sensed. Behind a pile of jagged rocks lay several objects resembling stones. They approached cautiously; nothing seemed amiss. Just as Li Long thought retrieving the objects would complete their mission, an abrupt change occurred. The objects emitted a "beep, beep, beep..."—like timed explosives, triggered by even the slightest disturbance. Evidently, the actions of so many people had set off the life-sensing devices within the bombs.

The timers showed five minutes until detonation, with the seconds ticking away. Hua Feng thought grimly: if they failed to disarm the bombs within five minutes, even if they escaped death, they would likely be deemed to have failed the mission. As one determined to end the nightmare that had haunted him for so long, he could not accept such a result. He had to act—and quickly.

"This is an infrared sensing mine. Whenever a group of humanoid lifeforms approaches, it automatically activates the self-destruct timer," Li Long said, perplexed. "I just can't understand why our commander would make such a dangerous bomb and use it as our mission target."

"Whatever the reason, let's deal with it first," Yang Tian said, preparing to dismantle the device. He was the group’s expert in explosives and bomb disposal.

"Wang Yue, go help him," Hua Feng instructed, taking precautions by sending Wang Yue, who had studied explosives thoroughly, to assist.

Yun Meng, Li Long, Hua Feng, and Shuang Ning watched Yang Tian and Li Long anxiously, silently praying for success.

A minute later, Yang Tian began to dismantle the wiring. After cutting a yellow wire, the second hand stopped. Yet before they could rejoice, the timer accelerated, now counting down from one minute.

Seeing this, Hua Feng decisively gestured: "Let’s use a collaborative technique we recently mastered from the Flying Dragon Manual—the Five Elements Formation. Each of us will take a position corresponding to one of the elements, with Li Long’s water position as the main attack. The rest of us will support him, forcibly decomposing the bomb. If we cooperate well, we will succeed. Positions, everyone—move!"

"I’ll guard the metal position," Hua Feng declared.

"I’ll guard the wood position," Shuang Ning said.

"I’ll guard the fire position," Yang Tian said.

"I’ll guard the earth position," Yun Meng added.

With all positions set, the five quietly operated the Five Elements Mind Technique, supplementing it with Tai Chi principles, focusing their power into the designated water area. As the formation took shape, they channeled their energy into the water. Soon, the bomb emitted a crackling sound, growing louder and louder. Just as it was about to be pulverized by their combined force, a man in black suddenly appeared from nowhere, injecting a surge of power into the formation. After a brief struggle, the formation destabilized. It broke, and the bomb detonated prematurely.

A thunderous explosion erupted. Grass and stones flew, and as Hua Feng was hurled through the water, he thought: This has gotten out of hand...

Of the five thrown by the blast, Hua Feng’s cultivation was the highest: King level, twenty-two steps. The shockwave carried them five hundred meters to the surface. Fortunately, none were separated, though each suffered injuries from the powerful explosion. Thanks to his strength, Hua Feng sustained only superficial wounds and was the first to regain consciousness. He quickly found Yun Meng, Li Long, Yang Tian, Wang Yue, and Shuang Ning. Yang Tian and Li Long were unconscious; Hua Feng immediately protected their vital channels with his energy.

Both Yang Tian and Li Long had reached the nineteenth level, so their protective energy shielded them from serious harm—only minor injuries.

At that moment, the black-clad stranger approached across the water, unmistakably an uninvited guest. Hua Feng remembered that this man had vanished at the moment of the explosion, and now he reappeared, unscathed. As he walked toward them, a blood-red aura emanated from his body, as if a demon had descended. Suddenly, dozens more appeared in flashes of light, blocking all routes of escape. Now everyone understood—there was no way out.

Hua Feng entrusted Li Long and Yang Tian to Yun Meng and Wang Yue, then strode forward alone. Wang Yue was about to protest, but saw the icy, confident look in Hua Feng’s eyes. For reasons unknown, he suddenly believed Hua Feng could handle it—an instinctive trust. Wang Yue shielded Li Long and Yang Tian, replying only with a look of brotherly faith.

No matter what, Hua Feng and his companions never abandoned a comrade, sharing life and death, hardships and adversity.

Hua Feng was furious. Seeing his brothers gravely injured and unconscious, he—who prided himself on remaining calm even as mountains crumbled—was consumed by rage. One thought filled his mind: If you dare harm my brothers, I will make you regret ever crossing me. Blood must be repaid with blood.

Gathering his energy, Hua Feng quietly invoked the Flying Dragon Manual, charging forward at astonishing speed, straight for the black-clad man’s face, determined to strike a decisive blow. The surrounding river water, influenced by Hua Feng’s velocity and the Flying Dragon technique, formed a massive dragon shape, with Hua Feng at its head, fist aimed directly ahead.

The black-clad man was startled by the water dragon, then instantly countered with lightning speed, deftly avoiding vital areas. A blood-red pillar of light shot skyward. When the radiance faded, the man had vanished, as though he had never existed. Hua Feng’s punch met only empty space. He stared thoughtfully at where the man disappeared, his floating body steady in midair, hair stirring without wind.

Knowing he had met a formidable foe, Hua Feng quickly regained composure and surveyed the battle. Shuang Ning was locked in fierce combat with the black-clad man’s subordinates. With her cultivation, the Flying Dragon Manual, and Yun Meng’s support, she could barely defend, rarely attack. Hua Feng saw that these enemies were at least top-tier human level, and their well-coordinated assault was gradually gaining the upper hand, steadily suppressing Shuang Ning and Yun Meng. Though only a dozen or so, given time, once their energy was depleted, defeat was inevitable.

Hua Feng wished to help, but the hidden enemy demanded his full attention; he dared not risk a single mistake.

As Hua Feng searched for traces of energy to no avail, the air rippled faintly. The black-clad man suddenly struck, kicking Hua Feng in the chest. He tasted blood and spat it out, feeling his body nearly come apart as he was sent flying. From this blow, Hua Feng judged the man’s strength—on par with the Ghost Mound: King level, mid-stage, thirty-five steps.

The gap in power was so vast he could not withstand even a single move. Had he not exerted himself fully, that kick might have ended him. Turning, Hua Feng saw Yun Meng and Shuang Ning faltering. He knew the only option was to relocate them first, so he could fight without distraction. Meanwhile, the black-clad man vanished again—Hua Feng suspected he now possessed the ability to slip into the void.

Seeing Hua Feng spit blood and fly back, Wang Yue seemed to make a decision. He laid Li Long aside, unleashed a powerful attack to drive the nearby enemies back several yards, and recited a mantra. A shield of energy formed, protecting all within.

"You go now! Wind, rise—move!" Wang Yue shouted, his voice full of tragic resolve and reluctant parting. He knew his brothers would understand.

Before they could react, Hua Feng, Yun Meng, and Shuang Ning were swept five kilometers away by the wind to the river’s surface. Though shocked at Wang Yue’s sudden display of King level, twenty-five steps, and the powerful spell he had mastered, they knew that against superior foes, Wang Yue’s chances were slim. Hua Feng would never let his brother sacrifice himself in vain. He instructed Yun Meng on what to do, then, without time to heal, rushed back to the battlefield, hoping he was not too late.