Panel Fourteen: The Five Elements Body-Tempering Technique

After purification, not only did her potential increase, but all aspects of her physical abilities improved dramatically, and there was even a chance of awakening innate skills.

Sangsang did not expect the Purification Pool to record the results automatically, making any additional tests unnecessary. She hurried over to take a look, but as she took a step forward, her body shot several meters ahead, almost slamming her head into the wall.

The elf, Boya, hooked a finger around the back of Sangsang’s collar and lifted her up. “It seems speed is your innate gift.”

“Thank you,” Sangsang replied as she steadied herself and smoothed the wrinkles on her clothes. “Honestly, I feel like every aspect of me has improved equally.” Because the growth had been so balanced, nothing stood out, so she hadn’t noticed her increased strength and nearly fell.

Yaslan quickly typed: “You’re right. All your enhancements are roughly twentyfold, with only your vitality higher due to the world’s essence—thirtyfold.”

“Thirtyfold?” Sangsang cried out in surprise. “That means my natural lifespan is ten thousand years!”

“You forgot to convert planetary time to interstellar standard time,” Boya patted her head. “Your current natural lifespan is about a thousand years, aligning with the average for advanced human civilizations.”

Everyone’s eyes were on Sangsang. She lowered her head to avoid their gaze. “That’s still really good.” A ten-to-one time conversion meant ten thousand years in galactic terms.

Senna changed the subject. “Don’t be disappointed. Balanced affinity in all disciplines means you have a universal spirit body. You may lack an advantage in one area, but as a Saintess, you won’t need to fight often. Just be careful when choosing your guardian knight.”

“Is balanced affinity not good?” Sangsang asked.

Senna pondered. “It’s not bad. You can cultivate any discipline, which makes it easier to attract followers.”

Sangsang could tell he was not entirely sincere and wanted to ask more, but Yaslan interrupted.

“The purification potion’s concentration was 1,799. The world’s essence allowed you to advance beyond your level, and your genes have been remodeled. Your body is in a rapid growth phase and needs abundant nutrition. The nutrient pod is ready. Come with me.”

With the topic shifted, Sangsang, who feared she’d remain short and stunted, was delighted to hear she could grow quickly. She hurried after him, her steps light and almost childishly gleeful.

When Sangsang emerged from the nutrient pod, her body had matured to that of a twelve-year-old. Staring at the familiar yet strange girl in the mirror, she couldn’t help but pinch her own plump, youthful cheeks.

Soft and smooth—the feel matched the look perfectly.

Before the age of twelve, Sangsang had lived a pampered life, her skin flawless thanks to careful care. But compared to her current face, glowing with a natural pearlescent luster, her past self seemed rustic by comparison.

The purification hadn’t just improved her skin; it had enhanced her beauty. Her brows were more defined, her eyes brighter, her lips redder, her teeth whiter, and her two little canines had naturally been smoothed down. Oh, and her hair was glossier and silkier too.

When Yaslan entered, alerted by a reminder, he found Sangsang still admiring herself in the mirror.

“Genetic remodeling can give you a new face, but aside from a healthier complexion, your features haven’t really changed,” Yaslan said, arms crossed. “It’s been over half a month since your trial training, purification, and recovery. Do you want to start physique training now, or would you prefer a few days to get used to your new body?”

“Half a month?” Sangsang did the mental math. A temple half-month was twenty-five days, which converted to over two hundred and thirty days in galactic time—more than half a year gone in a blink. Sangsang dismissed the water mirror. “I’ll start now. There’s no better way to get used to my body than practical training.”

Yaslan nodded and handed her an e-book.

“You didn’t awaken an innate skill, and your energy affinity is universal—perfect for a Saintess. The Saintess’s duty is to gather followers and faith. Universal affinity means you have no weaknesses, but for you personally, that’s not ideal. No weaknesses also means no defining strengths, so you may never master physique training. If you want immortality, you’ll have to devote more effort to spiritual cultivation. But your soul is also universally attuned, making advancement harder than for others.”

Sangsang’s elation instantly stilled. After a moment of silence, she looked up. “Teacher, I understand. We shouldn’t stop training just because we may never master physique cultivation, right?”

“Correct. And don’t stress. A universal spirit body is still superior to a single-affinity body. You don’t have to worry about energy conflicts.” Satisfaction flickered in Yaslan’s eyes. “The technique I chose for you is the Five Elements Body Refinement. It’s the foundational practice from the dawn of the Divine Court. Despite its name, it covers all energies, making it ideal for your universal spirit and the easiest method for accumulation. Purity issues from mixed energies can be handled with purification techniques—I can help with that for now.”

Sangsang nodded in understanding, not mentioning that her body could purify energies on its own.

Physique cultivation developed internal energy, ranging from pure body cultivation to hybrid approaches that balanced spiritual and artifact-based disciplines. Of course, most practiced both.

The Five Elements Body Refinement was the foundational technique, encompassing forty-nine sets of movements: twenty-four basic skills covering blade, sword, spear, staff, fist, foot, and palm techniques; seven foundational internal energy methods to strengthen skin, muscles, meridians, organs, bones, brain, and senses; and eighteen basic spells including metal, wood, water, fire, earth, thunder, wind, ice, darkness, and void. The result was comprehensive enhancement with no particular specialty—offensive power was average, and the basic spells’ attacks could almost be ignored. The sole advantage was universal energy compatibility.

Foundational techniques covered nearly every route for internal energy circulation and were considered the most complex. Most modern techniques were derived from this source.

Sangsang had a good memory, supple body, and precise energy control. But even so, mastering all forty-nine sets took her over half a month—nearly a year in galactic time. She had refused all invitations, avoiding social events and devoting herself entirely, practicing even in her dreams.

“Very good.” Yaslan handed Sangsang a small golden branch with two tiny leaves. “This is the Arboreal Token. Starting tomorrow, you’ll activate it to enter the Arboreal Realm for training. Once you feel you’ve truly mastered the Five Elements Body Refinement, your foundational course will be complete.”

Senna, who hadn’t tracked her progress, was incredulous. “She mastered the Five Elements Body Refinement in just a month?”

Yaslan replied, “It’s just the foundational technique. Isn’t a month enough?”

Senna rubbed his brow. “That may be true, but the Five Elements Body Refinement is like mastering forty-nine separate foundational techniques!”

Yaslan replied, “Is mastering forty-nine in fifty days something to be proud of? Some people can master one in a matter of hours.”

Senna looked as though he had a toothache and shrugged. “Fine, I’ve never been a genius, so I won’t compare. But she’s only learned the basics and not a single spell. She’ll just get beaten up in the Arboreal Realm. Isn’t this too hasty?”

“The Arboreal Realm is a training ground for students, protected by the Law of Life. What danger is there? Besides, spells are just techniques for manipulating energy. Her control is already so refined that she can create her own skills,” Yaslan explained. He paused, then turned to Sangsang. “From now on, you’ll train in the Arboreal Realm thirty hours a day. The rest of your time will be spent here learning professional skills for the clergy.”

What? No time set aside for rest? After purification, the body only needs energy, not sleep. Best to get used to it now.

“I understand,” Sangsang said, bowing her head.

“Picking on a child—how cruel,” Senna muttered, casting a pitying glance at Sangsang and glaring at Yaslan as if he were a monster.

But study was not for others; it was to make herself stronger.