Immortal Dao Sect, Main Courtyard, Five Elements Peak.
At the top of a five-colored shroud that stretched into the clouds lay a vast courtyard filled with tall trees and a beautiful river, accompanied by a series of vibrant landscapes. At its very center stood a grand building of crimson wood, a symbol of nobility.
Inside, there was a jade bed, translucent like ice crystal. Sitting cross-legged upon it was a young man of surreal beauty.
He had black hair that cascaded smoothly down his back, skin whiter than snow, and features so delicate they were even more beautiful than a woman's.
His name was Fei Yutian, the new disciple of the Immortal Dao Sect, who had instantly risen to the rank of chief disciple.
Not because of talent—his talent was ordinary. His comprehension? Equally ordinary.
So why?
Because he was beautiful... His immortal-like appearance charmed even the most gifted individual to emerge in the sect in recent years. Thus, under the envious stares of countless disciples, he alone was granted a shroud of his own.
"My talent is so useless..."
Fei Yutian, who was cultivating the Emperor's Five Elements Technique, sighed in shame.
Even while lying on a bed that increased cultivation speed a hundredfold, he hadn't managed to sense Qi after two full days.
Had it been a genius, in those two hundred days they would have surely reached the third level of Qi Accumulation.
"Don't give up!"
Fei Yutian cried within his heart and continued cultivating.
But no matter how many hours passed, nothing happened.
This only made him more frustrated—filled with loathing toward himself.
"Other than a handsome face, what good am I?"
He scorned himself and eventually stopped cultivating.
Even with determination, Fei Yutian was still mortal—he needed food.
Hours of cultivation without eating or drinking was exhausting.
His face weary, Fei Yutian walked over to a table piled with fruits of five different colors: blue, brown, green, orange, and white.
He grabbed one of each and shoved them all into his mouth at once, as if they were mere candies.
"This tastes amazing!"
A strange mixture of flavors burst within him—first the burning of fire, then the blandness of water, transforming into the richness of earth, then into the freshness of plants, and finally dissolving into the lightness of wind.
A bizarre combination, yet to Fei Yutian, who ate them all together, it had an oddly appealing taste.
After finishing the exotic fruits, he returned to the jade bed, determined once again to sense Qi.
Knock! Knock!
Just as he was a step away from the bed, he heard a knock at the door.
He frowned in displeasure. He hated interruptions, but he still had to answer.
Could it be someone from the upper ranks? Most likely!
"Who is it? Senior Sister?" Fei Yutian thought. Straightening his posture, he placed a polite smile upon his face.
Reaching the door, he took out a token from his pocket and deactivated the protective formation.
Every chief disciple had one—it prevented disturbances during cultivation and blocked the spiritual sense of powerful individuals from invading their privacy.
The moment he disabled it, the door opened automatically.
Before him stood a breathtaking woman with long silver hair cascading like a waterfall, crimson eyes gleaming like blood-red jewels, and an expressionless face, as though her emotions had been sealed away.
She wore a white robe and carried a sword at her waist.
This was none other than the most talented fairy in the history of the Immortal Dao Sect—Nangong Yue.
Upon seeing her, Fei Yutian immediately clasped his hands in greeting.
"This junior greets Senior Sister. What brings you here?" he asked respectfully.
Nangong Yue didn't answer right away. She merely stared at him, as though her gaze could pierce through his entire being.
"You are utterly worthless," she said, disappointed.
"Forgive me for failing your expectations," Fei Yutian replied softly.
He, too, felt worthless—especially given his special position in the sect.
"Senior Sister, why did you make me a chief disciple? My talent and cultivation don't qualify me for such a place."
He had always wondered about this.
The main theory was his appearance, but he rejected that thought. He didn't believe this cold Senior Sister cared about such things.
…
"Your Five Elements Root. That is one of the reasons." Nangong Yue explained, her tone still indifferent.
Her words caught Fei Yutian by surprise.
"Senior Sister, why would you care about such a trashy root?" he asked, arching a brow.
"The cultivation technique I passed on to you… I want to see if anyone can actually practice it." For the first time, Nangong Yue's voice carried a trace of emotion.
"So I'm just a puppet?" Fei Yutian's expression darkened, his eyes turning cold.
"You're not." Nangong Yue shook her head, then continued: "And even if you were, wouldn't that still be better than living your whole life as trash?"
"I'd rather be trash than have my life controlled by others!" Fei Yutian argued, clenching his fists.
Nangong Yue remained silent, observing him, studying the young man before her.
After a few minutes, she broke the impasse:
"I don't understand your words, nor your pride. Even if I did, it wouldn't matter."
Having said this, she stepped closer to Fei Yutian.
"If you dislike it, then surpass me. Until that day comes, you'll have no choice but to remain under my control."
"I refuse!" Fei Yutian growled through clenched teeth, his determination burning.
"You have no choice." Nangong Yue smiled faintly. With a single wave, five radiant streams—like miniature rivers—appeared in her hands.
Fei Yutian's body trembled at the sight. It was as though he were staring at a piece of himself.
"W-what is that?" he asked, his voice shaking.
"The True Qi of the Five Elements. It can nourish your spiritual roots, fully unlock the first stage of the Emperor's Five Elements Technique, and immediately push you into cultivation. A good deal, don't you think?" Nangong Yue teased.
"Now, the choice is yours: continue cultivating the technique I've given you and grasp the chance to reach unimaginable heights… or be demoted to an outer disciple, where with your poor roots, great achievements will be nearly impossible."