Inside the Ruined Temple, the blue lamp flame was no larger than a bean.
After Kong Xuan withdrew, Gu Changqing did not rise. He remained seated beneath the clay Divine Statue.
His eyes were half closed, his mind already submerged in a vast sea of Dao.
[Detected: direct disciple Kong Xuan's full nine-inch incense offering has taken its place. Incense karma has been established.] [Special reward triggered: complete mastery of the Five Elements Art Law!]
The system notification sounded in his Sea of Consciousness.
There were no earth-shaking phenomena, nor any surging rivers of Law.
Yet in Gu Changqing's perception, the entire Ruined Temple, along with the underlying rules of this stretch of space-time, was silently rearranging itself.
In the corner, the essence of metal flowed of its own accord along the blade of an old, dust-covered axe, then fell still.
On a beam, beside withered spider silk, the green vitality of dead wood returning to spring quietly blossomed, then swiftly vanished.
Below the threshold, dew on the moss-covered stone steps reflected the sight of countless waters returning to their source, then evaporated without a trace.
Inside the incense burner, the flames of the purple-gray incense grew gentle, harboring the mysteries of fire's creation and extinction.
Even the cyan stone floor beneath his feet exuded the resonance of profound virtue bearing all things, enough to support an entire greater world.
Metal, wood, water, fire, earth.
These five fundamental Laws that formed the heavens and earth of the Primordial World held no more secrets in Gu Changqing's eyes at that moment.
They became the five fingers of a hand, which he could close or spread at will, evolving into myriad forms.
"Complete mastery of the Five Elements."
Gu Changqing murmured to himself and opened his eyes.
He looked toward