Chapter 20: Elemental Mastery

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Li Shan's understanding of the elements deepened. He recognized the importance of gaining control over the five fundamental elements. Rather than delving deeper into advanced seals, he decided to broaden his elemental proficiency, a decision that would prove valuable in the long run.

The third element he set his sights on was earth. Li Shan applied the same technique he had used before, and in just a few days, he had a firm grasp of manipulating the earth element. He supplemented his knowledge with basic seals, such as the Spike Seal, which allowed him to create lethal spikes from the ground, and the Burrow Seal, which enabled him to bury opponents beneath the earth's surface.

Amid his training, he noticed others around him achieving success in casting the order seal. However, Li Shan remained focused on his elemental journey, paying little heed to their progress. He was on a quest to harness the elemental forces, and his determination burned brighter than ever.

The next element on his list was wood—a versatile and unique element that offered control over plants and trees. It had the added advantage of being an excellent tool for scouting, as he could utilize tree roots to gain insights into the environment. In battle, he could employ ivy and other flora to both attack and ensnare his adversaries.

Lastly, he turned his attention to the metal element. Unlike the others, metal was a challenging and unyielding element. It lacked the dangerous volatility of fire but also the fluidity of water. Instead, it resembled solid rock, presenting a formidable obstacle. It took Li Shan weeks to establish a connection and effectively utilize the order seal.

Metal elemental attacks required the practitioner to carry their chosen metal material with them, as finding suitable metal in the environment was often difficult. Gao, for instance, wielded a steel spear, benefiting from his innate affinity with iron. In contrast, Li Shan struggled to control the metal element. Each elemental affinity came with its unique seal, and for metal, it was the Levitate Seal. This seal allowed him to levitate his weapon into the air, but controlling it was a different matter altogether.

Li Shan had chosen a sword as his primary weapon. When he attempted to levitate it, the sword trembled and shook, displaying a lack of stability. The inherent imbalance of such a heavy object required a significant expenditure of energy. Li Shan could feel the strain on his energy channels, even after a short practice session. His limits were continually tested as he worked to control the unwieldy metal element.

Master Ren, seated at a small table with a cup of tea, welcomed Li Shan into his room. He listened attentively as Li Shan explained his struggles with the metal element.

"Metal is an element of balance," Master Ren began, sipping his tea thoughtfully. "It has a singular focal point, which, in your case, is your weapon. The advantage of this is that you can manipulate your weapon with precision and finesse. Whether you need to pierce through a fireball or defend against an oncoming attack, your weapon can serve as a versatile tool. However, as with any element, metal has its own challenges."

Master Ren paused for a moment, considering Li Shan's predicament. "Regarding the issue of weight," he continued, "levitating heavy metal objects can indeed be challenging. This is why many metal elementalists opt for lighter weights. For example, a needle is a popular choice. Some even go as far as to craft their weapons with lightweight materials. Take Gao, for instance. His spear is made partially from balsa wood, a remarkably light material. By hollowing out the inside of his weapon and using less metal in the spearhead, he has reduced its overall weight. This allows him to levitate it for a longer duration. So, you see, there are ways to adapt to the inherent heaviness of metal."

Master Ren leaned forward, his eyes intent on Li Shan. "As for the issue of stability in the air," he continued, "that's one of the greatest challenges of mastering the metal element. Even experienced metal elementalists face this hurdle. The key is constant practice. Over time, you'll develop an instinctual feel for your weapon. You'll sense when it's shifting or wobbling, and you'll make subtle adjustments to maintain stability. It's like learning to ride a bicycle—challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature."

Master Ren continued to share his knowledge with Li Shan, shedding light on the intricacies of the metal element. He explained that while metal had its own unique challenges, it also had a simplicity that set it apart from other elements.

"Metal has a fundamental nature," Master Ren said, "and it remains constant even as you progress. The core principles—increasing the weight of your weapon and improving its stability while levitating—are the foundations of metal manipulation. In essence, you'll be continuously honing the same skills throughout your journey."

As Li Shan absorbed this information, Master Ren went on to provide some fascinating insights into the advanced levels of other elements. "In contrast," he explained, "other elements like fire offer a wider range of possibilities as you advance. For instance, in the higher echelons of fire manipulation, one can learn to create burning tornadoes crafted entirely from fire itself. This level of mastery opens up new avenues of power and versatility."

Master Ren paused, reminiscing about an old friend. "I once knew a remarkable individual," he began, "who held a unique place in the Xifa City Bureau. He had mastered the metal element, and his weapon of choice was unlike any other—a chain."

Li Shan's curiosity piqued, and he asked, "A chain? Was it made from a special, lightweight metal?"

Master Ren nodded. "Indeed, the chain was crafted from a lightweight but sturdy metal alloy," he confirmed. "Yet even so, it weighed at least a hundred kilograms. Every move he made would leave him drenched in sweat. But what made his fighting style truly remarkable was its effectiveness. His chain could create a dizzying whirlwind of attacks, and in the next instant, he could command it to bind and imprison a foe. It was a sight to behold."

Li Shan was intrigued, but he had a question. "Did he ever attempt to use multiple weapons, like swords, for instance?"

Master Ren nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, he did," he replied. "In an attempt to diversify his fighting style and increase his agility, he once experimented with using five swords simultaneously. Each sword weighed around ten kilograms, and he levitated them with his metal mastery. However, he found it exceedingly challenging. Managing multiple weapons simultaneously required an extraordinary level of focus and control. Even the slightest deviation in movement would alter the trajectory of the weapons, leading to missed attacks or defense opportunities. Using more than one weapon with the metal element is a formidable task, indeed."

As another year passed, Li Shan's dedication to mastering the five elements was evident in his remarkable progress. While others among his classmates chose to focus solely on a single element, Li Shan continued to train diligently in all five. This decision meant that his advancement in each element was slightly slower compared to his peers, but it also set him apart as a uniquely versatile mystique practitioner.

With time, Li Shan's proficiency with the metal element had grown immensely. He had learned to levitate and control his sword with remarkable precision, overcoming the challenges of stability and weight. But he didn't stop there; he had also made significant strides in his understanding and manipulation of the other elements—fire, water, earth, and wood.

However, as Li Shan reflected on his progress, he realized that in order to truly excel, he needed to refine his focus. The constant juggling of five elements had allowed him to gain a solid foundation, but it was time to specialize. He knew he couldn't become a master of all five elements simultaneously.

Li Shan's frustration grew with each passing day of training. He couldn't help but notice the glaring gap between himself and the recruits who possessed elemental affinities. After a year of rigorous practice, he still struggled to execute elemental attacks in combat, often taking more than 30 seconds to conjure even a basic offensive move.

For those with elemental affinities, the process was almost instantaneous. They simply focused their energy, and the elements responded with incredible speed. It was a stark reminder of how disadvantaged he was without an innate connection to any of the five elements.

The most vexing part of it all was the elusive concept of "connection." Li Shan had come to realize that mastering the use of elements required not only the knowledge of seals and techniques but also a profound connection with the element itself. Recruits with affinities seemed to effortlessly resonate with their chosen elements, slipping into a harmonious state that allowed them to manipulate the elements with ease.

Li Shan, on the other hand, struggled to achieve that elusive connection. It wasn't something that could be forced or hurried. It required him to attune his energy and spirit to the element, to feel it on a deep, almost spiritual level. And this was a process that couldn't be rushed with seals and formulas.

While elemental affinity users simply focused on their element, Li Shan had to first create a connection, a process that often took precious seconds. By the time he was ready to execute an attack, his elemental affinity counterparts had already unleashed their powers with lightning speed.

In combat simulations and training exercises, Li Shan couldn't help but feel the frustration welling up inside him as he watched others effortlessly outpace him. It was a harsh reality that he had to face every day.

Despite the challenges, Li Shan remained determined. He refused to be held back by his lack of affinity. He knew he had to push himself harder, to experiment with all five elements.

In the world of elemental mastery, individuals without innate affinities faced a unique set of challenges and choices. Unlike their elemental affinity counterparts, these individuals had to carefully consider their path of mastery.

One common approach among non-elemental users was to focus on a single element. By dedicating their time and effort to perfecting the manipulation of one element, they aimed to achieve unparalleled mastery over it. This path required relentless dedication, as they sought to increase their seal-casting speed and precision. The goal was to be able to conjure elemental attacks swiftly, often in a matter of seconds. Those who could execute powerful elemental moves with remarkable speed were highly respected among their peers.

However, there was another, more ambitious path that some non-elemental users chose to follow. These individuals, often driven by an unquenchable thirst for power, embarked on a journey to master multiple elements, sometimes even rare and dangerous ones. They were willing to sacrifice the speed of their seal casting for the potential to wield immense elemental power.

Unlike those who focused on a single element, these eclectic elemental masters were not deterred by the extended time it took to cast their seals. In fact, they aimed to use a multitude of seals in a single, intricate sequence, often numbering in the dozens. This approach resulted in prolonged seal-casting times, sometimes lasting minutes or even hours. Still, the sheer might they could unleash made them formidable forces to be reckoned with.

What set these individuals apart was their ability to work together as a group. By combining their mastery over different elements, they could create devastating elemental combinations that had the potential to annihilate armies or lay waste to entire cities. This level of elemental destruction was the pinnacle of seal mastery, and those who achieved it were held in the highest regard by the entire community.

Li Shan, aware of the formidable power and respect commanded by those who chose this path, decided that he, too, aspired to become one of these exceptional individuals.