The group closed their eyes once more and examined their inner flow carefully. After searching through every fiber of their being, they finally sensed a force unlike anything they had ever encountered before.
Yet it was strange—it didn't directly strengthen their Path energy.
Since they couldn't discern its nature, none of them knew what exactly had improved. Relying only on experience and intuition, they began testing themselves one aspect at a time—strength, speed, focus—whatever came to mind.
Watching them frown in deep thought, Sylvester leisurely poured himself another cup of tea. After taking a small sip, he said calmly, "Ahem, try sensing your elements."
"Elements?"
Upon hearing the hint, they each released their Path energy, forming elemental manifestations.
March 7th gathered the moisture in the air into a cluster of hexagonal ice crystals.
Yanqing shaped his into an ice sword, its blade forming gradually from the hilt upward.
In Stelle's palm, dark-golden energy condensed into an unstable, tangled orb of light.
As for Yunli… she sat down on a bench to rest.
Watching the faint flicker of the light orb in her hand, Stelle began to understand. A knowing smile curved her lips.
She flung the orb straight at March 7th.
"Waaah—what are you doing?!"
March 7th yelped, both startled and confused. Yet at the same time, something clicked inside her—a spark of realization on the verge of clarity. Her little head nearly overheated from overthinking.
She hadn't expected Stelle to attack her. That orb was formed of Imaginary power; if it struck her, it could easily form a cage of confinement—making her whole body freeze in place!
Boom!
Stelle extended a finger and made the sound effect of an energy burst with her mouth.
Just before the Imaginary orb hit March 7th, it suddenly expanded, but instead of dissipating, it transformed into a wide, grinning mask.
"?"
March 7th blinked in confusion. What in the world did that mean?
Then, in a flash, it hit her. How could Stelle control the Imaginary orb with such precision?
Mastering that element was among the most difficult feats possible.
Unless…
She glanced down at the longbow in her hand, then at Stelle.
A theory began to form in her mind.
I get it!
She beamed and asked excitedly, "Is this the other special effect it grants?"
Stelle planted her hands on her hips and grinned. "That's right! Exactly that!"
Seeing their exchange, Yanqing's eyes flickered in realization as well.
The speed of his ice sword's formation suddenly accelerated. The half-formed sword fused together instantly—then shattered into tiny crystals—then reassembled again, cycling endlessly.
Finally, he gasped aloud.
"So that's what it is!"
"Aiya, what is it exactly?! Can't you two just say it clearly already?"
Yunli huffed loudly, cheeks puffing into round pouches on both sides of her face.
At that moment, she regretted the elemental path she'd chosen.
She never thought she'd be excluded from something like this. Had she known, she would've gone with fire instead.
Sylvester watched their reactions, smiling as he raised the teapot. Clear tea streamed gracefully into a porcelain cup.
To the people of this world, such a phenomenon was completely foreign—after all, their elements couldn't normally interact.
March 7th, Stelle, and Yanqing exchanged knowing glances. After silently confirming their shared thought, they smiled together.
"It's elemental control."
"Precisely!" Sylvester clapped his hands, laughing in delight. "That is a power unique to that other world. There, people not only strengthen their energy through training but also quantify their mastery over the elements—sharpening combat techniques and amplifying strength in the process."
"And that enhancement of elemental manipulation is called—Elemental Mastery."
"It can really be enhanced directly?"
Hearing the explanation, Yunli's eyes widened in understanding—and shock.
Normally, control over an element was like handwriting: no matter how skilled or clumsy, improvement came only through diligent practice.
It wasn't just a matter of skill—it was also a matter of comprehension. In other words, a matter of the mind.
Yet this ability could actually be improved through an external power?
But the truth was right before her eyes—there was no denying it.
And though the improvement wasn't immediately visible, it was by no means insignificant.
Take Imaginary confinement, fire's burning, or wind's erosion—though not direct damage and somewhat dependent on chance, no one dared to ignore their effects.
For instance, if you were frozen mid-battle by an Imaginary confinement—well, you might as well start thinking about your next life, because this one's already over.
If an increase in Elemental Mastery could make such effects trigger every time, then even if you weren't invincible, only someone vastly stronger could possibly beat you. A mere ten or twenty percent power gap wouldn't cut it—you'd need multiples.
Not to mention, there were entire fighting styles focused not on direct damage, but on amplifying secondary elemental effects like burning or erosion.
If those fighters gained access to such a boost—it would be like giving wings to a tiger!
Thinking of that, Yunli's heart surged with excitement… and just a little bitterness.
What am I supposed to master with a physical element?
Sure, some might count bleeding or laceration alongside burning and erosion—but could she really use Elemental Mastery to enhance her ability to injure without killing, to slowly weaken and torment her foes?
Ah…
Maybe she really should dismantle her cultivation and start over—with fire this time. With her grandfather's guidance, she'd surely grow strong quickly.
But… that would mean throwing away years of training.
Still, watching others benefit while she stood by helplessly—that stung even more.
Yanqing twirled the ice sword in his hand, running mental simulations. "I can feel it—not only has my control over ice improved, but the ice I create is far colder. This kind of power boost is completely different from our normal systems, yet it's incredibly lethal!"
"Indeed," Sylvester said, sipping his tea again before continuing. "This ability both amplifies one's control and greatly intensifies the elemental reaction itself. With enough Elemental Mastery, even those who don't specialize in continuous damage can make their damage-over-time effects rival direct attacks! And beyond that…"
He finished half his cup and went on, "There's also elemental reaction. If you can achieve it, your skill effects could be increased by more than double!"
"E–Elemental reaction?"
Everyone exchanged bewildered looks. They had thought they'd already covered every possible idea, yet there was more?
Just how many surprises did this bow still have in store?
And what on earth was elemental reaction? Why had they never heard of it before?