Viscera Quenching, Schemes in Elemental City

Within the clan's meditation chamber, Yu Yuanchen slowly concluded his cultivation. The faint electric arcs winding around his body slipped back into him like swallows returning to their nest. Feeling the increasingly majestic and solidified Peak Level 63 soul power within him, as well as his vigorous Qi and Blood flowing endlessly like liquid mercury, there was little relief in his eyes.

After more than two years of arduous effort, Flesh Quenching and Marrow and Bone Quenching had completed their initial tempering, laying down a solid foundation. But this was merely the beginning of the path of Body Tempering. Whether it was the further refinement of flesh or the deeper strengthening of marrow and bones, both required years of patient effort. There was no rushing it, nor could it be rushed. He could sense that progress in both areas had entered a gradual phase.

The next step—and an even more dangerous one—Viscera Quenching, left him feeling unprecedentedly troubled.

The viscera were the center of the body's life activities, storing essence, qi, and spirit. Compared to flesh, marrow, and bones, they were far more delicate and vulnerable. At first, he had tried applying the Qi and Blood Compression and Flushing Method, which he had used to temper his marrow and bones, to his viscera. Yet the results had been negligible. Several times, a slight lapse in controlling the force had even triggered a reverse surge of Qi and Blood, causing a faint pain in his internal organs. If not for his formidable physique and his timely restraint, he might already have been injured.

"This method is too forceful. It is unsuitable for the fragile five viscera and six bowels." Yu Yuanchen frowned in thought. "I need to change my approach. Viscera Quenching must prioritize nourishment and balance, not brute-force impact."

His thoughts drifted. Combining the vague medical theories from his previous life with his understanding of the Soul Master system in this life, a bold concept gradually took shape in his mind.

"The body's five viscera—the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—belong respectively to the Five Elements: fire, wood, earth, metal, and water. This is the mystery of life's operation, the foundation of energy circulation." He pondered silently. "If I want to temper the five viscera efficiently and safely, perhaps this is where I should begin."

But a problem immediately arose. He was a pure Lightning Attribute Soul Master. Was he supposed to introduce the power of the other four attributes into his body? That would be no different from destroying his own foundation. With attributes in conflict, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"No, I absolutely cannot introduce foreign attributes." Yu Yuanchen's eyes brightened as he grasped the key point. "What I need is not the true power of fire, wood, earth, metal, and water, but the 'characteristics' or 'artistic conceptions' represented by those five attributes!"

He began analyzing them one by one:

"The heart belongs to fire and governs the blood vessels. Its nature is to rise, to warm, and to surge upward. I do not need Fire Attribute soul power, but could I make my Lightning Attribute soul power and Qi and Blood imitate that artistic conception of 'vitality, warmth, and propulsion' to nourish and temper the heart?"

"The liver belongs to wood and governs regulation and discharge. Its nature is free growth, development, and flourishing. Lightning Attribute power can also contain Life Force—spring thunder heralding the Awakening of Insects. Could I imitate the artistic conception of 'growth, expansion, and unblocking' to temper the liver?"

"The spleen belongs to earth and governs transformation and transportation. Its nature is heaviness, support, and generation. Could lightning imitate the artistic conception of 'stability, transformation, and nourishment' to temper the spleen?"

"The lungs belong to metal and govern qi and respiration. Their nature is clarity, restraint, and descent. There seemed to be few pure Metal Attribute Soul Masters in this world. Wind Attribute Soul Masters, on the other hand, possessed the qualities of 'lightness, swiftness, and flow,' which better matched the lungs' function of governing qi and respiration. Perhaps I could use the artistic conception of 'wind' to correspond to the lungs, imitating its qualities of 'rising clarity, dispersal, and solemn descent' for tempering."

"The kidneys belong to water and govern the storage of essence and fluids. Their nature is moist descent, coolness, and concealment. Thunder and rain are accompanied; after a thunderstorm, sweet rain often falls. Could I comprehend a trace of the artistic conception of 'moistening, dormant concealment, and accumulation' from thunder, and use it to temper the kidneys?"

His thoughts suddenly became clear! He did not need to become a Soul Master of every attribute. He needed to become an exceptional "imitator" and "learner"! By observing and studying the unique qualities and patterns of change displayed by the soul power and Qi and Blood of Wind, Fire, Water, Earth—and perhaps Wood Attribute Soul Masters he would need to seek out in the future—when they circulated their power, he could work backward and imitate them. In doing so, his Thunder Power, whose essence contained both Destruction and creation, could develop different forms emphasizing gentleness, growth, solidity, clarity, and moisture, allowing him to safely and effectively temper his five viscera!

"If this method succeeds, not only will the path of Body Tempering hold great promise, but my understanding and control of Thunder Power will reach an unprecedented height!" An uncontrollable excitement surged through Yu Yuanchen's heart. This was undoubtedly a difficult road filled with the unknown, but if he could make it work, the gains would be immeasurable.

His objective became clear. He needed to observe and study how Soul Masters of different attributes circulated their energy. And on the continent, where could be more suitable than Elemental City, which gathered the five great academies of wind, fire, water, earth, and lightning?

Elemental City was now home to five major academies. Thunder Academy needed no explanation. It was closely connected to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and its teaching core focused on developing and applying Lightning Attribute power. Blazing Fire Academy specialized in the Fire Attribute, Skywater Academy commanded the Water (Ice) Attribute, and Godwind Academy studied the Wind Attribute. The original Earth Attribute academy—Boulder Academy—was now in a somewhat delicate position.

The Elephant Armored Sect was ambitious and had always sought to swallow Boulder Academy, using its deep Earth Attribute foundation to strengthen itself. Boulder Academy itself was not united either. Some of its upper ranks and students had already been secretly infiltrated and recruited by the Elephant Armored Sect. Yet Boulder Academy's old dean and most of its core teachers and students still upheld the academy's independence and traditions, unwilling to become an appendage of the Elephant Armored Sect. With the subtle support of the other four academies—especially Thunder Academy, Godwind Academy, and the others, which had long been on poor terms with the Elephant Armored Sect—Boulder Academy continued its difficult resistance, maintaining its superficial independence. But the struggle beneath the surface had never ceased.

As for Plant Academy, which represented the Wood Attribute, it was located within the Star Luo Empire and was not part of Yu Yuanchen's current plans.

After he told his Grandfather, Yu Boxuan, and his father, Yu Mingfeng, about his idea for tempering the five viscera and his plan to travel to Elemental City, the two were once again shocked by the grandson's—son's—wild yet rigorously logical thinking.

Yu Boxuan pondered for a long while, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. "Observe and learn the power characteristics of Soul Masters of every attribute, then use that to work backward and temper yourself... Chen'er, this idea is truly brilliant! Though the road ahead is unknown, if you accomplish something with it, it will be an undertaking worthy of founding a new school!"

He stroked his beard and continued, "Elemental City is a mixed bag. If you go alone, you may conceal your identity, but it will not be easy to gain deep access to the core teachings and outstanding students of each academy. I have a close personal relationship with Lei Dongtian, the current headmaster of Thunder Academy. He could be considered half a registered disciple of mine. How about I write a letter recommending you to Thunder Academy to serve temporarily as an instructor?"

"An instructor?" Yu Yuanchen was slightly stunned.

"That's right." Yu Boxuan smiled. "With your current Soul Emperor cultivation level, your understanding and control of Thunder Power—especially the mysteries of Thunder God Power—you are more than qualified to serve as a teacher at Thunder Academy. The Five Elements Academy have always maintained a tradition of exchange. Sparring and visits between teachers are common. With that as a bridge, you can reasonably observe at close range, make contact with, and even exchange insights with teachers and outstanding students from the other academies. It will be much more convenient and safer than exploring on your own."

Yu Mingfeng also nodded in agreement. "Father is right. The identity of a teacher is excellent cover, and it will allow you to understand the teaching systems for each attribute's power more systematically. Perhaps it will better help you comprehend the different attributes' artistic conceptions."

Yu Yuanchen considered it carefully and found his Grandfather's suggestion truly seasoned and thorough. Entering under the identity of a teacher would not only prevent suspicion, but also grant him greater authority to access core knowledge. It was indeed countless times better than being an auditing student or a mere outsider.

"Your grandson understands. I will follow Grandfather's arrangement." Yu Yuanchen cupped his hands and accepted.

"Good! I will write to Lei Dongtian at once. Make your preparations, and you can depart for Elemental City in a few days." Yu Boxuan was decisive and efficient. "Remember, the purpose of this journey is insight and accumulation. Unless absolutely necessary, do not reveal your full strength or your trump cards. Elemental City's situation is complicated, especially the conflict between Boulder Academy and the Elephant Armored Sect. Be careful to avoid it. Do not become too deeply involved."

Yu Yuanchen nodded solemnly, anticipation shining in his eyes. Elemental City would be the next stop on his path of Body Tempering and exploration of the true essence of thunder. He was very curious: when thunder of Destruction began attempting to imitate the "gentleness" of other attributes, what dazzling sparks would it produce?