Hex Zui and Mu Ziqing waved dismissively. When they looked back, Ma Tian’Er was already gone, clearly not wanting Wang Meng to see her.

"Forget it," Hex Zui said. "Keep a low profile from now on. If you don’t have the skills, don’t try to be a hero. Otherwise, you’ll deserve it if you get killed."

With that, Hex Zui and Mu Ziqing left.

Wang Meng gave a wry smile. ’What was all that about? Still, they did come to help, at least.’

Wang Meng had no time to dwell on such things. He had an incredible amount on his plate. While others had to practice one Cultivation Technique, he had to practice five. As long as they were properly balanced, his innate Five Elements Heart Soul would link the Cultivation Techniques together and unleash their true combat potential.

He had to practice his Cultivation Techniques and learn Sword Techniques. Whenever he had a spare moment, he wanted to gain a comprehensive understanding of every type of Magic. Since arriving, Wang Meng had felt like an insatiable snake dropped into an infinite pile of food; there was simply never enough time in the day.

Wang Meng truly tuned out the world, dedicating himself single-mindedly to his Cultivation.

One year seemed like a long time, but for the new students, it passed in a flash. Everyone was bustling with their own preparations. Ning Zhiquan would occasionally try to organize a gathering, but Wang Meng was always busy. After he declined once, they stopped inviting him.

Wang Meng’s life wasn’t just fulfilling; one might even call it colorful. Even after practicing his Cultivation Techniques, he was never idle. He would enter his Godhood to get thrashed by Wangtian, and occasionally by Moo Shan. Their methods were completely different, but both could instantly defeat Wang Meng, leaving him in a state of exquisite torment.

This training had its perks. A person thrashed into shape by Wangtian and Moo Shan would develop a hide as thick as a fortress wall; there was truly nothing left that could scare him.

In the meantime, Wang Meng didn’t forget to participate in the academy’s challenges. ’How could I not take full advantage of such opportunities for actual combat? It would be a disservice to the good people of the Holy Hall!’

So, "Master Wang" diligently threw himself into the fray. Since his Five Elements Magic was not yet fully formed, the results were predictable. Inside the challenges, Wang Meng was beaten senseless time and again, and he had already gained a bit of notoriety for it.

It couldn’t be helped. Honest people were a rare breed these days. Fellow disciples would scheme and swindle just to pad their win rates. Then, suddenly, an "angel" appeared, one who specialized in gifting victories to others. In a place like this, what could be more wonderful?

Normally, no one would bother watching such abysmally low-level Magical Combat. However, thanks to Wang Meng’s lottery-esque handouts, a good number of students now waited for him to appear each day, especially those whose records were in the danger zone.

As soon as that particular anonymous challenger appeared, people would immediately swarm. When Wang Meng tried issuing challenges himself, the crowd grew even larger. They all expected him to pick a weaker opponent, but he would actually choose a stronger one. On top of that, he always used the garbage-tier weapons provided by the Star Alliance’s matchmaking. Sometimes he’d use a sword, and once he even tried using Talismans. You’d think he was just throwing in the towel, but he fought with fiery passion every single time, giving it his absolute all. He was just so damn earnest.

Thus, everyone concluded that this was a true "Master."

A genuine idiot!

The year passed, neither too quickly nor too slowly, and just like that, it was over. Wang Meng’s cultivation of his Five Elements Life Soul had also entered its most critical phase.

Just as the Hinayana Five Elements Technique had to be fused to become effective, Wang Meng now had to fuse the Cultivation Techniques he had obtained from the Five Elements Gate.

To be precise, it wasn’t a fusion of the Cultivation Techniques, but of the Five Elements Heart Soul.

Inside the Quiet Chamber, Wang Meng sat cross-legged, his palms facing the heavens. As his Cultivation Technique circulated unceasingly, a red glow appeared, followed by a flash of gold...

Within his Sea of Heart, each time a Heart Soul flared with light, his physical body glowed in response.

The Five Elements Life Soul began to revolve. Wang Meng savored the process. Cultivation was undoubtedly difficult, but from it, he drew an unparalleled fighting spirit.

One could even say that Cultivation was his passion; when a person is truly immersed in something, it never feels tedious.

This was the biggest change in him since arriving at the Cultivation Academy.

The Five Elements Life Soul revolved faster and faster. Gradually, the five colored lights began to mingle, yet they remained clearly distinct from one another.

Just then, a ray of golden light shot out from a crack in the Heaven and Earth Spirit Locking Array, slamming directly into the center of the revolving Five Elements Life Soul.

BOOM—

His Sea of Fate roiled. The five streams of light fused into one, circulating like a raging torrent. Wang Meng had finally achieved a breakthrough.

But as they always said at the Cultivation Academy, one’s level of Elemental Power wasn’t the most important thing here. What truly mattered was comprehension.

This was the very difficulty of a Five Elements Body: it could only display its true power when the Five Elements Balance was achieved. Throughout the past year, Wang Meng had suffered defeat after defeat, not because he was genuinely that weak, but because of his elemental imbalance. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

SHING—

Wang Meng’s eyes snapped open, shooting out a piercing glint of light. A smile graced the corners of his mouth.

’After all this time, I’ve finally made some progress.’ Wang Meng was genuinely happy.

Ninety-nine losses, zero wins.

’What a massive hole I’ve dug for myself. It’s as deep as a bottomless pit.’

"The year isn’t officially up until tomorrow, I think. The records should reset then, right?"

Wang Meng muttered to himself. One had to admit, "Master Wang" could be truly naive at times. Just then, his Star Ring flashed.

He infused it with Elemental Power, and a projection of Ning Zhiquan appeared. "Wang Meng, today is the last day of our first year. Come to the Jade Garden at eight. Something important has come up."

Regardless, Wang Meng was still a member of the Holy Hall; the group wouldn’t be complete without him.

Before, with the second stage of his Five Elements Technique still incomplete, Wang Meng hadn’t been in the mood for socializing. Now, however, he definitely wanted to go. He actually missed them and wondered how everyone was doing.

At the Jade Garden, it was clear that after a year of training, everyone had undergone a world-shaking transformation.

One had to admit, the Cultivation Academy truly did transform people.

The Jade Garden was one of the more high-end establishments at the Cultivation Academy; not just anyone was welcome, and not just anyone could afford it.

They were only able to be here because of one person: Ma Tian’Er.

The Holy Hall had produced two remarkable individuals: Ma Tian’Er and Li Tianyi. This was especially true for Ma Tian’Er, who had not only demonstrated an exceptional Wood Talent but had also caught the eye of the Empress, becoming a key prospect being groomed by the Empress Faction.

So naturally, the gathering of students from the Holy Hall revolved around Ma Tian’Er. People change.

Ma Tian’Er was indeed different than before. She radiated a surging vitality, a result of her Wood Attribute Cultivation Technique. It made the already sweet Ma Tian’Er seem even more pure.

Although some things had changed, Ma Tian’Er remained as courteous as ever and didn’t look down on her fellow disciples. A lot had happened over the past year, and she had been the one to smooth things over for them every time.

Ning Zhiquan and the others clearly treated Ma Tian’Er as their patron now. This went without saying for Hex Zui’s group, who were completely reliant on her protection. They didn’t actually see her very often, but they would never pass up a chance to suck up to her.

"Looks like everyone’s here. Junior Brother Ning, you can begin."