Chapter Seventy-Three: The Elemental Body of the Five Forces

Cang Ling’s voice was icy cold, the murderous intent she emanated sent a chill down Hu Mo’s spine. What was going on? They were practically strangers—how could there be such deep-seated hatred between them?

“She’s my subordinate. Regardless of whether she’s male or female, good or bad, she’s mine to deal with as I see fit. That’s my stance.” Hu Mo’s aura gradually rose. Though it could not compare to even a fraction of Cang Ling’s, his unyielding will was unmistakable and powerful.

Lin Nan stood there in a daze, watching Hu Mo. The tall man’s frame completely shielded her, blocking out Cang Ling’s intimidating presence.

Cang Ling’s brow furrowed tightly. This was the first time Hu Mo had seen her so agitated. Their gazes met several times, neither backing down in the slightest. Only then did Hu Mo realize that Cang Ling truly meant business this time.

“Are you sure you want to protect her? Do you even know who she is? Do you think anyone who possesses the Water Elemental Body could be simple? She has tremendous power, yet she stays by your side as a mere pawn. Do you really think that’s plausible? Even I can’t see through her strength—do you believe that’s a trivial matter?” Cang Ling’s expression was severe, and with every word, the murderous air around her intensified.

“But that’s still no reason for you to kill her! You said it yourself—you’re not allowed to kill in this world. Otherwise, why didn’t you kill those people last time?” Hu Mo retorted loudly, his demeanor growing more resolute.

For some reason, Lin Nan gave Hu Mo a feeling of deep familiarity. Had Cang Ling said these words when they first met, Hu Mo might have agreed with her. But now, he simply couldn’t. Perhaps it was the loneliness and sense of alienation he’d once perceived in her—a resonance that echoed powerfully within his heart.

Cang Ling’s forceful aura faltered for a moment, replaced by a nameless frustration. In truth, she didn’t really want to kill Lin Nan. She only wanted to use her authority to force her to confess her reasons. Yet Hu Mo’s reaction threw her off-balance, stirring emotions she found difficult to control.

“Move aside!” Cang Ling suddenly lashed out, sending Hu Mo flying with a slap and placing her hand directly on Lin Nan’s head.

Hu Mo’s body fell into the pond without suspense. Under the searing flames of primal chaos, all the water in the pond evaporated instantly.

“Tell me, who are you really?” Cang Ling’s gaze remained locked on Lin Nan, her eyes gleaming with a faint, chilling light.

“What’s the point? Aren’t you just like everyone else, afraid of my Water Elemental Body?” Lin Nan’s voice was low, her eyes meeting Cang Ling’s unwaveringly.

Hu Mo felt as though every bone in his body had come apart. This blow from Cang Ling was nothing like her previous, half-hearted efforts. If not for his recent surge in cultivation, he would have been seriously injured.

“Hey, don’t—”

“Silence. Sleep!” Cang Ling snapped coldly, striking Hu Mo again. His head spun and he collapsed at the bottom of the pond.

“Damn, this woman’s really ruthless!” That was Hu Mo’s last coherent thought before he blacked out.

By the pond, only Cang Ling and Lin Nan remained, standing across from each other—locked in confrontation or perhaps conversation.

The bright moon hung in the sky. A sliver of moonlight slipped through the window, falling softly across Hu Mo’s face. The gentle light caressed him like a mother’s hand.

He slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Cang Ling, gazing down at him with unexpected tenderness. Only then did he realize the sensation of being caressed had been real—her delicate hand was gently stroking his face, her expression intent and focused.

“You’re awake? Hah, I didn’t expect you to be so fragile,” Cang Ling said with a smile, withdrawing from the side of the bed.

“Wait!” Hu Mo suddenly grabbed her hand, his voice urgent. “What about her? What happened to her?”

“Her? You mean that little girl with the Water Elemental Body? Hah, what if I told you I killed her—would you believe me?” Cang Ling peered at him with a sly smile, watching as his expression grew colder.

“Are you serious? Why—why would you do that? Just because she has the Water Elemental Body?” Hu Mo’s tone was as cold as hers, as if a precious treasure had been torn from his grasp. The pain wasn’t quite heart-rending, but it came close.

“Yes, precisely because she has the Water Elemental Body. Should I explain to you what that means?” Cang Ling gently pried his hand from her arm and spoke coolly.

“Go ahead. I’m listening.” Hu Mo seemed to be suppressing his anger with great effort, determined to keep his emotions in check.

Cang Ling smiled faintly. “The Water Elemental Body is a forbidden existence—one of the Five Elemental Bodies. Before the division of the Xuan and Battle Continents, the Five Elemental Bodies appeared several times. Each time, the land was plunged into war and suffering. Don’t be so surprised. Listen and you’ll understand.”

“Those who possess the Five Elemental Bodies wield the true power of the five elements. The chaos water and fire you possess were granted by the Three Treasures—they’re different from the power of the Elemental Bodies. The Five Elemental Bodies go against the natural order, defying the gods of the five elements. As a result, these individuals are cursed from birth, beset by relentless misfortune that twists their very souls.”

“That’s why, in every generation, the bearers of the Five Elemental Bodies are the instigators of war and the source of calamity for the continent. They seek to conquer the mortal realm, then the divine. Though they fail each time, the cycle repeats endlessly. So, after the most recent appearance of the Five Elemental Bodies, all the warriors and cultivators of both continents agreed that such beings must be eradicated before they have a chance to grow powerful. This is the will of the gods.” Cang Ling’s voice was grave, her expression growing more somber with every word.

“What does that even mean? Who gave them the right to make such decisions? Who says all who possess the Five Elemental Bodies are evil?” Hu Mo’s anger flared. He hated nothing more than innocent lives being taken for supposed crimes, all in the name of ‘humanity’—these were the ones truly deserving of condemnation!

Cang Ling shook her head. “You’re still too naive. You haven’t seen the cruelty or ruthlessness of those with the Five Elemental Bodies, so you can’t grasp the gravity of the situation. You know the Xuan and Battle Continents were divided by the gods. But do you know how the war began? It started when a bearer of the Five Elemental Body seized control of the Xuan Continent and led its armies against the Battle Continent. Surely you’ve heard how many died in that conflict.”

“Perhaps you think I’m being too arbitrary, but these are the facts. The growth of the Five Elemental Bodies is truly terrifying—especially when they come together, their combined power becomes monstrous. In days past, the bearers of the Five Elemental Bodies fought against the five elemental gods themselves. Though they were defeated, the gods too were gravely wounded. To challenge the gods as mere mortals—could you do that?” Cang Ling’s gaze blazed as she fixed Hu Mo with her words, leaving him momentarily speechless.

“So even if I killed that little girl now, not a soul would object—in fact, many would applaud me. But you’re right, I cannot kill in this world. So, I didn’t kill her.” Cang Ling smiled faintly, tracing a line with her finger across Hu Mo’s face, leaving a vivid scratch.

“What? Are you serious? Where’s Lin Nan? Where is she now?” Hu Mo asked anxiously, instinctively clutching Cang Ling’s hand.

She shot him a fierce glare, pulling her hand free. “Trying to take advantage of your master? Have you lost your mind, you little rascal?”

Hu Mo stared in confusion, his foolish look making Cang Ling break into a smile.

“She’s in her room, of course. But I placed several seals on her to temporarily hide her powers. I won’t kill her, but if those sanctimonious crusaders find her, they’ll surely slay the demon and save the world. You’d best keep your distance—she’s cursed. Anyone who grows close to her meets a bad end. Let me tell you about her background.”

“She was born under disastrous circumstances—her mother died in childbirth, she survived. Her family was once wealthy, but within a year of her birth, her grandparents, uncles, and brothers all died mysteriously, and her father was murdered before her eyes. The family fell into ruin, left destitute. In the years that followed, anyone who showed her kindness perished, while those who wronged her suffered misfortune as well. Eventually, she was taken in by a tough widow—the mother of that Lin Hu. They lived together for over a decade, and to prevent others from suffering, they raised Lin Nan as a boy. The Adam’s apple was just a minor disguise. Yet her misfortune didn’t abate. She came to your side because, after Lin Hu tried to assault her in a drunken stupor, he was struck dead by a bolt of lightning—her curse at work.”

“Now you see? She’s an omen of ill fortune. If you want to test your luck, go ahead. As for tonight, same as always—don’t even think about sleeping!” With a playful air, Cang Ling tapped Hu Mo on the forehead and the navel, and his expression instantly soured as the chaos water and fire within him began to churn uncontrollably. Words could hardly describe the feeling.

All but thrown from the bed, Hu Mo landed on the floor. Cang Ling stretched lazily and promptly claimed his bed for herself.

Hu Mo looked at Cang Ling with pitiful eyes, but sorrow welled up within him. Now he understood the depth of Lin Nan’s loneliness and desolation. Compared to her, what had he suffered?

With a soft sigh, suppressing the turmoil inside him, he glanced at Cang Ling sleeping soundly in his bed and felt a sudden pang of guilt.

“Thank you, Master Cang Ling.”