God of Elements: Controls all things

As the three walked until midday, the sun had climbed high in the sky, and a feeling of heat slowly enveloped them.

"Where are we?" Wang Yijie asked first. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked around at the increasingly lush trees. The flat path under his feet was gradually becoming rugged and difficult to walk on, with more and more gravel and weeds.

Upon hearing this, Lin Mengyan took out a yellowed map from her bosom, lightly touched the markings on it with her fingertips, and replied softly:

"Based on the distance, we have already left the territory of Yuansu Village by more than 20 li. Further ahead is the outer edge of Black Wind Ridge. After passing this pine forest, we will be at the edge of Black Wind Ridge."

Shen Hanzhou's gaze fell upon a flat, wide stone slab amidst the weeds by the roadside, and he began:

Let's stay here for a while.

As soon as he finished speaking, he took the lead and strode over, lightly brushing the dust off the stone slab with his fingertips, his movements swift and decisive.

Lin Mengyan put away the map and nodded with a slight smile: "Alright, the sun is scorching, it's not too late to rest for a while before we go."

Wang Yijie followed, the chill from the Ice Blade in his arms slowly emanating, slightly relieving the heat on his body.

The three of them then sat down to rest.

The forest was unusually quiet, with only the chirping of cicadas and the rustling of leaves in the wind.

Shen Hanzhou closed his eyes to rest, but remained vigilant, his aura as deep and solid as a mountain. Lin Mengyan took out a water pouch and dry rations from her bag and gently distributed them to the two of them.

Wang Yijie lightly pressed his fingertips against his chest, as if silently familiarizing himself with the breath. Lin Mengyan noticed this and softly began to explain to him:

"Yijie, you've just entered the first rank of elemental master, and there are many things you don't understand yet, so let me tell you. The path of elemental master is divided into ten ranks, with a major hurdle every three ranks. Ranks one to three are beginner elemental masters, ranks four to six are intermediate elemental masters, ranks seven to nine are advanced elemental masters, and the tenth rank is the legendary peak elemental master, one in ten thousand."

Lin Mengyan paused, and seeing that he was listening attentively, she slowly continued:

"The level of an elementalist is not only determined by their rank, but also by their comprehension of elemental skills."

A novice elementalist, with a basic foundation, can at most comprehend one basic elemental skill, whether for attack or defense, which is the foundation for their survival.

As you progress to the intermediate level, your control over the elements will become increasingly proficient, allowing you to master two elemental skills: one primarily focused on control, and the other enhancing all attributes. These skills work in combination, which is why intermediate elementalists are far more powerful than beginners.

Brother Shen and I are both at the sixth rank and have already mastered three skills. If you can learn them sooner, your path ahead will be much safer.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hanzhou, who was standing to the side, added calmly:

"After reaching the intermediate level, one must break through the current realm to comprehend the fourth innate ultimate skill, whose power is enough to intimidate an entire region."

Wang Yijie listened quietly, gaining a clearer understanding of elementalists, and secretly kept these words in mind.

He looked up at the two of them and nodded solemnly: "Thank you for your guidance, Sister Mengyan. I will try my best to understand and master my own elemental skills as soon as possible."

Lin Mengyan smiled gently, about to softly comfort him, "Just take it one step at a time." But as soon as she finished speaking, Shen Hanzhou suddenly straightened up, his eyes, which had been tightly closed, snapped open and flashed sharply as he scanned the dense forest behind him.

The air suddenly froze.

A rustling sound came from the woods, like the footsteps of several people moving quickly through the grass, sometimes near, sometimes far.

Shen Hanzhou frowned slightly, raised his hand to make a shushing gesture, and spoke in a low and calm voice:

"Don't move yet, there are elemental fluctuations around us."

The smile on Lin Mengyan's face vanished instantly. She quickly stood up and stood to the side of Wang Yijie, her eyes warily fixed on the deep green pine forest. A halo of ice elemental light quietly rose around her.

Wang Yijie's heart tightened, and he subconsciously took the Ice Glass Blade in his arms and held it to his fingertips. A chilling aura emanated from his palm, instantly calming his restless heat.

He could clearly sense that the aura lurking deep in the pine forest was not that of docile birds and beasts, but rather a vibrant life force filled with violence and greed.

The rustling sound grew closer, mixed with heavy breathing and low growls, shattering the last tranquility of the forest.

The next second, three gray-black figures suddenly darted out from the depths of the pine forest and landed several feet away from the three people.

They were three men dressed entirely in black, their faces sinister, their eyes greedily sweeping over Wang Yijie and his companions. The leader was surrounded by faint, mixed elemental fluctuations of dark green and black, exuding a violent aura; he was clearly no benevolent person.

"They're from the Hall of Ashes!"

Lin Mengyan let out a soft cry, and ice elements instantly condensed at her fingertips, the chill spreading rapidly. Though her expression was cold, her tone betrayed a hint of seriousness:

"They make a living by plundering the source of elements, so we must not be careless."

Shen Hanzhou took a step forward, lightning elements swirling around him, purple lightning overflowing his entire body, his clothes fluttering slightly, his eyes cold and sharp as knives:

"I didn't expect that the Black Wind Ridge area had also been occupied by the people of the Ember Spirit Hall. It seems that we have run into their henchmen who are wandering around."

The leading cultist of the Ember Spirit Temple grinned maliciously, a purplish-black scar on his face twisting and writhing, exuding an eerie aura.

"You do have some knowledge. Now that you know our names, why don't you obediently hand over your elemental weapons and belongings?"

A tall, thin cult member to his left stared lewdly at Lin Mengyan, his eyes scanning her up and down, a lascivious smile playing on his lips, his tone flippant and malicious:

"Boss, this girl is absolutely gorgeous, fair-skinned, beautiful, and with such a great presence. If we could bring her back for the brothers to have some fun, and then extract her ice elemental essence, that would be the best of both worlds!"

"dream!"

As soon as Wang Yijie finished speaking, he slashed out an extremely transparent blade from the ice glass blade in his hand, striking the tall, thin cultist.

Although Wang Yijie's strikes carried a youthful impatience, each move was precise and aimed directly at the opponent's vital points.

The transparent, illusory ice blade, carrying a chilling aura, struck straight at the throat of the tall, thin cultist like a silent bolt of lightning.

"Um?"

The tall, thin cultist never expected that this seemingly weakest boy would launch the first attack, and with astonishing speed. His expression changed, and in his haste, he could only dodge to the side while raising his hand to block.

However, Wang Yijie's Ice Glass Blade was an ice-type treasure, and this strike concentrated all of his energy and spirit at that moment.

"Sizzle—"

The illusory image of the icy blade pierced through the tall, thin cultist's blocking arm in an instant, and chilling air rushed in through the wound. The cultist screamed in agony as his entire right arm was instantly frozen in frost, turning a terrifying bluish-purple color.

"court death!"

This sudden counterattack thoroughly enraged the leader. His eyes darkened, and with a wave of his hand, he shouted sharply:

"Cripple them! Keep the woman, and drain the life force from the rest!"

Before he finished speaking, the other two black-clad cultists also moved. They stepped forward at the same time, slowly moving their feet to form a circle around the three of them.

The leader of the cultists unleashed his full power, and the oppressive force made it difficult for Wang Yijie to breathe and move.