The Power of the Five Elements

Only after enduring the Three Disasters, Nine Tribulations, and Ten Calamities can one's cultivation path be considered complete, and they will be qualified to sever their corpse and prove their Dao as a Quasi-Saint.

In the Primordial World, Grand Unity Golden Immortals are as numerous as stars, yet countless have fallen during the Ten Calamities. Many cultivators, though they survived the tribulations, were unable to reach the realm of Quasi-Saint due to flaws in their Dao Foundation.

It came too quickly.

I haven't even reached Grand Perfection as a Golden Immortal, and the Three Disasters have already descended ahead of schedule!

Tai Cang took a deep breath, his mind already clear on the karma. He spoke to Zhao Gongming and the others on the periphery, "Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, please retreat quickly. The power of my Three Disasters might affect you all."

Without another word, he sat down cross-legged to adjust his breathing and await the descent of the calamities.

Retreat quickly!

Get a thousand miles away!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Gongming and the others immediately flew back. Just as Tai Cang had said, the might of these Three Disasters was heaven-shattering, and even they felt a fatal threat.

This is impossible!

He's only at the middle stage of Golden Immortal, how could he trigger the Three Disasters?

The Twelve Golden Immortals of the Heavenly Origin Sect, who had just arrived, wore expressions of shock. According to common sense, the Three Disasters, Nine Tribulations, and Ten Calamities would only trigger when one reached perfection in their realm, and only after successfully passing the tribulation could they break through.

They had initially thought Tai Cang had reached Grand Perfection as a Golden Immortal. They never expected him to trigger the Three Disasters while still in the middle stage of Golden Immortal. If he successfully passed, wouldn't that mean he could condense a Golden Immortal Dao Fruit in the middle stage?

Tai Cang!

Cihang clenched his fists, his eyes filled with shock and pressure. Having been defeated by Tai Cang before, he had gone into seclusion to cultivate diligently, hoping to gain revenge at the Three Sects' gathering. Now, it seemed Tai Cang had already far surpassed him.

It's coming!

The first disaster—the Fire Calamity!

Amidst gasps, the thunderclouds above Siguo Cliff transformed into a sea of crimson fire, with flames and lightning locking onto Tai Cang below.

Tai Cang, standing on the ground, looked grave. As he gazed at the roaring Fire Calamity, his heart felt heavy. This was a disaster that had caused countless Golden Immortals to perish. Could he, at only the middle stage of Golden Immortal, withstand it?

Junior Brother, what are you waiting for? Respond quickly!

Suddenly, anxious shouts from Zhao Gongming and the others echoed from outside.

The Fire Calamity descended.

Tai Cang remained motionless, which greatly worried everyone.

Should I intervene?

Can the Three Disasters be shattered?

A sharp glint flashed in Tai Cang's eyes, and he suddenly looked towards the outside. "Senior Brother Zhao Gongming, can these Three Disasters be shattered?"

As soon as he said this, the cultivators from both the Heavenly Origin and Interception Sects present twitched at the corners of their mouths.

Isn't this common knowledge?

Why would Tai Cang, who seemed so knowledgeable, not know this?

Yunxiao quickly explained, "Junior Brother, the Three Disasters can indeed be destroyed. We cultivators are not body refiners; we don't need to resist them head-on."

So that's how it is!

Tai Cang suddenly realized, a look of embarrassment on his face.

He hadn't expected the novels he read in his previous life to be so misleading. Resisting the Three Disasters head-on was like dancing with death; a slight mistake could lead to demise.

He didn't consider himself some destined protagonist with an immortal body.

With this thought, Tai Cang looked up at the Fire Calamity that was now within reach. With a thought, his Wooden Sword flew out from his dantian.

Clang—

Gripping the hilt, Tai Cang swung his sword, unleashing Shangqing Sword Qi, which collided with the Fire Calamity with a roar.

Crack—

A shattering sound rang out, and the Fire Calamity broke apart.

The sword qi, its momentum undiminished, shot straight into the sky, piercing the center of the thunderclouds.

Rumble—

Thunder roared, the thunderclouds dissipated, and the Fire Calamity was completely annihilated.

How is this possible!

He broke the Fire Calamity with a single sword strike!

This scene caused the cultivators from both sects to cry out in surprise, their faces full of astonishment.

That was one of the Three Disasters that instilled fear in all!

How many Golden Immortal cultivators feared it immensely, even fighting to the death against it.

And now?

This Fire Calamity, which had made countless Golden Immortals tremble, was extinguished by Tai Cang with a single sword strike!

The Fire Calamity is nothing more than this!

The thought had barely crossed everyone's minds before it was immediately dismissed.

Was the Fire Calamity weak?

Impossible!

The terrifying pressure they felt moments ago clearly hinted at the threat of death.

There was only one explanation:

It wasn't that the Fire Calamity was too weak, but that Tai Cang was too strong!

"That's it?"

Tai Cang was also a little surprised.

The Fire Calamity was much weaker than he had anticipated.

He had shattered it with a casual sword strike, consuming only twenty to thirty percent of his spiritual power. Under the operation of his max-level Shangqing Tongtian Art, his spiritual power instantly recovered.

Rumble--

The sky trembled again, and dark clouds converged once more.

Countless water droplets condensed into a spring, and the pressure it emitted quickly surpassed the peak state of the previous Fire Calamity.

Water Calamity!

Tai Cang's gaze was like lightning as he flicked the wooden sword in his hand. "Let me see what you've got."

Siguo Cliff fell into dead silence.

The Nine Heavens Cang Water condensed in the sky, its terrifying pressure forcing cultivators from the two distant sects to retreat another thousand miles.

After steadying themselves, everyone's foreheads were beaded with cold sweat.

If the Fire Calamity had brought a threat of death, then the Water Calamity currently emanating was a pressure that instilled despair.

How could the Three Disasters be so terrifying?

I'm about to reach Grand Perfection Golden Immortal, how can I resist?

Discussions erupted one after another.

Those cultivators who were about to step into the Grand Perfection Golden Immortal realm were now filled with trepidation. Faced with such terrifying calamities, they had no confidence in their ability to resist.

In the blink of an eye, three hours passed. The Water Calamity in the sky finally finished brewing. With a world-shattering roar, the vast Nine Heavens Cang Water poured down like a Milky Way, rushing directly towards Tai Cang's location.

"About time!"

Tai Cang had been waiting for a long time. Seeing the Water Calamity descend, he immediately injected half of his spiritual power into the wooden sword. He swung his sword and shouted, "Shangqing Five Elements Slash!"

The Shangqing Sword Art contained five ultimate techniques: Five Elements, Yin Yang, Four Spirits, Three Talents, and Wuji. Thanks to the system's enhancement, Tai Cang had cultivated this sword art to its peak.

In an instant, a thousand-zhang sword qi shot up into the sky, colliding head-on with the Nine Heavens Cang Water. The sword qi was unstoppable, instantly tearing through the water curtain and soaring into the clouds. In the blink of an eye, it struck the source spring, causing the surging Cang Water to abruptly stop.

The Cang Water, divided by the sword qi, fell along both sides of Siguo Cliff into the canyon, creating bursts of roaring sounds. As the spring burst, the Water Calamity completely dissipated. The dark clouds dispersed, and sunlight bathed Tai Cang. He looked like a divine being descended to the mortal world, leaving the cultivators from the Heavenly Origin and Jie Sects watching from afar in stunned silence.

"Such powerful Shangqing Sword Qi!"

"Could Junior Brother Tai Cang have received the true inheritance from Third Uncle-Master?"

Cang Du arrived on a cloud, and after witnessing this scene, he couldn't help but sigh. Even as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, he had to admit that apart from his cultivation being slightly superior, he was probably no match for Tai Cang in other aspects.

"Senior Brother Cang Du!" everyone bowed and eagerly asked, "Senior Brother, was the Water Calamity as terrifying when you underwent your tribulation?"

Cang Du shook his head. "The power of the Three Disasters varies from person to person. Although the Wind Calamity I experienced was strong, it was far inferior to the Water Calamity that Junior Brother Tai Cang is facing now."

Hearing this, everyone felt a sense of relief. Several cultivators on the verge of Grand Perfection Golden Immortal secretly resolved to enter seclusion to undergo their tribulation as soon as this matter was resolved. After all, the cultivation time for the Three Sects was limited, and they had to quickly attain the Grand Unity Dao Fruit.

"The Wind Calamity is here!" A startled cry pulled everyone's thoughts back to reality.

Looking up, dark clouds churned above Siguo Cliff, and strong winds howled. The Wind Calamity was forming.

"The last tribulation!"

"Can Tai Cang get through it?"

As this thought flashed through their minds, Cang Du and the others looked towards Tai Cang's location. Even the three Sages in the Kunlun Mountains cast their gazes of concern.

Tai Cang was unaware of this.

Gazing at the gradually forming Wind Calamity in mid-air, he felt the spiritual power in his body recover completely. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he gripped his wooden sword, shouting, "Wind Calamity, come!"

"If I pass this tribulation, I will grasp the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit!"

Achieving Five Qi Towards Origin with the cultivation of mid-stage Golden Immortal was a realm he had never imagined.

But at this moment, Tai Cang was filled with anticipation.

Once he grasped the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit, his strength would undoubtedly reach a new level. Even if he faced an opponent at Grand Perfection Golden Immortal, as long as they hadn't attained the Dao Fruit, he would have the strength to fight.

Boom--

As if sensing Tai Cang's provocation, the Wind Calamity in the sky suddenly became ferocious.

In the blink of an eye, the green hurricane turned a light purple, sweeping across Siguo Cliff. Rocks cracked, and it seemed as if heaven and earth were about to be torn apart.

"Ziwei Gang Wind!"

The Three Sects cried out in alarm upon seeing this.

The Wind Calamity had actually evolved into Ziwei Gang Wind, a power that even Grand Unity Golden Immortals would struggle to resist.

Everyone's expression turned grave, holding their breath as they watched, none optimistic that Tai Cang could survive this tribulation.

Only Cang Du, with his Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation, stood firm, his Five Qi Towards Origin protecting him and resisting the Gang Wind's assault.

Screech--

Tai Cang's robes were torn to shreds by the Gang Wind.

The violent power battered his body, his skin turning bruised and cracked, bleeding profusely.

Ziwei Gang Wind...

They really think highly of me.

Tai Cang's expression shifted slightly, and he immediately activated the Shangqing Tongtian Art, his magic power transforming into a protective robe.

At the same time, he poured his magic power ceaselessly into the Wooden Sword, preparing for the strike.

Time slowly trickled by.

Dark clouds loomed over the back of Kunlun Mountains, the Gang Wind raged, and the piercing wind forced the two sects to retreat repeatedly. Even Cang Du had to temporarily avoid its sharp edge.

Boom--

A deafening roar shattered the silence.

The Wind Calamity condensed into a massive wind blade, slashing down at Tai Cang from the air.

"Good one!"

A sharp glint flashed in Tai Cang's eyes.

Having prepared for a long time, he leaped forward, his Wooden Sword emitting a dazzling radiance, sword intent surging around him.

"I am the sword!"

With a low shout, Tai Cang abandoned sword techniques, becoming one with his sword.

Sword Qi, magic power, and sword intent merged, transforming into a thousand-zhang giant sword that shot into the sky, colliding head-on with the wind blade.

A deafening roar echoed through the heavens, the back of Kunlun Mountains trembled, and countless boulders turned to dust under the violent power.

A full quarter of an hour passed before the earth-shattering commotion gradually subsided.

With a crisp shattering sound, the sharp wind blade suddenly disintegrated, turning into a sky full of pale purple light spots that scattered. The giant sword in Tai Cang's hand, its power undiminished, fiercely stabbed towards the Wind Calamity's eye—

The Wind Calamity's eye exploded in response, the rampant hurricane tearing apart the vast dark clouds, and the long-lost sunlight bathed the land. Tai Cang stood in mid-air, his long sword trembling slightly, undisguised joy in his eyes.

"It's done!"

He, at the Golden Immortal mid-stage, had directly confronted the Three Disasters and actually succeeded in one go!

Crack—

The Wooden Sword in his hand suddenly cracked inch by inch, turning into dust in the blink of an eye.

It couldn't withstand it in the end, could it?

Tai Cang chuckled lightly, casually dropping the sword hilt. He looked up, and a brilliant five-colored pillar of light descended from the sky. The surging power of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth poured into his body in an instant.

In that moment, the Five Elements Qi merged with his internal organs, and the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit in his sea of consciousness gradually solidified.

"Golden Immortal Dao Fruit!"

"Five Qi Towards Origin!"

Tai Cang's heart was filled with ecstasy. He immediately sat cross-legged in the void, fully refining this majestic power.

"He actually succeeded!"

"Junior Brother Tai Cang truly survived the Ziwei Gang Wind!"

Thousands of miles away, Zhao Gongming, Guangchengzi, and the others stared in disbelief. None of them had ever imagined that this Junior Brother at the Golden Immortal mid-stage could so forcefully break through the tribulation, and even begin to condense the Golden Immortal Dao Fruit.

This scene put immense pressure on everyone.

"Seclusion! I will not leave seclusion until I reach Grand Perfection Golden Immortal!"

"I should also trigger the Three Disasters now. The Golden Immortal Dao Fruit must be obtained!"

In an instant, the personal disciples of the Ren, Chan, and Jie Sects all departed. Even Zhao Gongming and the San Xiao hurriedly returned to their respective cave dwellings. Only Cang Du remained in the field. After a moment's hesitation, he flew towards Siguo Cliff.

In the void, Tai Cang's eyes snapped open.

With a clear shout, the magic power around him surged, and his cultivation instantly broke through to the Golden Immortal late-stage!

"The Golden Immortal Dao Fruit is formed, Five Qi Towards Origin is perfected, and now my cultivation has advanced further. Heaven truly aids me!"

"Junior Brother Tai Cang!"

Cang Du's call came from the ground.

Tai Cang looked in the direction of the sound, his eyes flashing.

A system task appeared in his mind—Defeat all personal disciples of the Ren Sect. And the Ren Sect had only Cang Du.