Light-Tracing Sundial Reversal

Nine streams of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi hung above the rift like nine startled Flood Dragons, churning and circling the pool.

The Essence of Ren Water went to Zhou Yu, and the Essence of Jia Wood went to Chen An.

The remaining seven—Essence of Yangming, Essence of Bing Fire, Essence of Geng Metal, Essence of Wu Earth, Xun Wind, Zhen Thunder, and Mystic Yin—had no one to claim them. Yet they did not disperse. They circled slowly in the air, each revealing its own nature.

When Heaven and Earth Essence Qi chose a master, nature came first. Kindred natures drew together; opposing natures parted. This was a fundamental truth of the Heavenly Dao, one human effort could scarcely defy.

Innate essence qi sprang from the source of the Great Dao and held orthodox Dao seeds within it. In choosing a master, it required more than a compatible cultivation method: one's Dao Heart, destiny, and spirit had to answer it too.

The Essence of Yangming was the most domineering.

It hung in the air like a miniature sun, turning slowly. With every revolution, countless fine golden lines spread outward like ripples.

Suddenly, it dipped and drifted toward Zhao Canghai.

Zhao Canghai stood west of the pool with his hands behind his back. He had looked perfectly at ease, but his expression changed in an instant.

He was already an accomplished cultivator of the Qi Eating Realm. The True Qi within him resonated with heaven and earth and formed a cycle of its own. Yet the moment the Essence of Yangming drew near, a stabbing pain struck between his brows.

"Not good!"

Zhao Canghai barked the warning and retreated three steps. His sleeves billowed as a stream of deep-blue True Qi surged from the crown of his head, forming a curtain