Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Zhuo Hansheng had been defeated at Xuzhuang’s hands in just a few short rounds.

He emerged from the divine light, his face still etched with astonishment. A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. He was utterly unwilling to accept a defeat like this, having yet to unleash his full capabilities. But in the next instant, he quashed those feelings.

’Now that I’ve been defeated, making excuses would not be looking down on my opponent, but on myself.’

Yet, in that daze, a strange, almost laughable feeling began to bubble up, impossible to suppress.

’What "Dinghu One Zhuo"? It seems it’s just a flattering title from my peers in the two branches. As the heir to True Monarch Guangcheng’s lineage, outsiders are hardly shy with their adulation, all to give me face...’

’... Is it possible that I, Zhuo Hansheng, am nothing worth mentioning when faced with the true cultivation geniuses of the myriad realms?’

Even though he prided himself on his firm Dao-heart and instantly dispelled the absurd notion, his face could not help but turn a shade paler.

Jin Yuanzai, watching from the side, frowned slightly. ’Five-colored brilliance... a Five Elements Taoist Skill? Not a Tai Su Taoist Technique?’

The Tai Su Orthodox Sect’s reputation in the surrounding realms was anything but ordinary. After arriving in the Guangyuan Realm, Jin Yuanzai had made a point of learning about it. While it was impossible to grasp the profound intricacies of the Tai Su Taoist Technique, he had at least heard of its core tenets.

Yet in the duel between Xuzhuang and Zhuo Hansheng, besides his exquisite Swordsmanship, he had only revealed that flash of five-colored brilliance. With the Daoist cultivation of the onlookers, it wasn’t hard to deduce that the divine light was of the five elements. But just how many Five Elements Taoist Skills existed in the world?

The moment Xuzhuang defeated Zhuo Hansheng had been momentarily obscured by the Sword Array. After the Five-Colored Divine Light shattered the array, the final exchange was over in a flash—so swift that even Jin Yuanzai’s Dharma-eyes couldn’t catch the details before it concluded.

He had no way of knowing its origins or its mysteries!

’Forget it,’ Jin Yuanzai thought. ’Since I can’t figure it out now, I’ll just have to be extra careful if I ever have to face him.’

Since he couldn’t find an answer, Jin Yuanzai could only let the matter go. By now, Zhuo Hansheng seemed to have collected his scattered thoughts. His expression returned to normal as he cupped his hands toward Xuzhuang. "Fellow Daoist Xu, I have learned much from this."

After speaking, Zhuo Hansheng hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I must be so bold as to ask, Fellow Daoist, if you might return my Lingxu Sword."

"The Lingxu Sword was a gift from my honored master. It is of great personal significance, and I cannot afford to lose it. Of course, should you agree, I will certainly not let you suffer a loss. I am willing to offer something of equal value as compensation."

Xuzhuang was slightly taken aback by his words, then his expression turned apologetic. The Five-Colored Divine Wheel suddenly unfolded behind him. With a clear chime, the Lingxu Sword shot out from within it, returning to Zhuo Hansheng’s sleeve in an instant.

The Five Elements Primordial Divine Light!

Xuzhuang had cultivated this Taoist Skill for a long time, reaching a profoundly high level. Even a concept as complex as the generative cycle of the five elements was something Zhou Jun could grasp with Xuzhuang’s guidance; for Xuzhuang himself, it was second nature.

𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

But the deeper level, the realm of the Five Elements Fused as One, had always felt just within his grasp, yet remained shrouded in mist, tantalizingly out of reach.

It was not until Xuzhuang fully mastered the *Five Elements Primordial Union Art*, bringing it to a level on par with his Tai Su True Inheritance, that he finally, naturally, comprehended this realm. The Five Elements Fused as One, containing all things, capable of infinite transformations, able to suppress anything that existed within the five elements.

From that point on, the Five Elements Primordial Divine Light could merge into one. Not only could it transform freely and replicate the individual mysteries of the original Five Elements Divine Lights, but it also began to exhibit some of the "all-sweeping" power that Xuzhuang had originally envisioned for it.

In fact, according to Xuzhuang’s own deductions, the Five Elements Primordial Divine Light still had limitless potential for advancement. At a minimum, it should be able to consolidate all the wondrous applications of the five elements into a single form, eliminating the need for further transformations. Moreover, it should be able to leverage the generative cycle of the five elements to amplify the might of its various abilities, pushing them to an even higher realm.

But perhaps his current cultivation was still too shallow to reach that realm. Or perhaps the more profound secrets of the Five Elements Primordial Divine Light lay with Zhou Jun, or within the original form of the *Five Elements Primordial Union Art*—that Supreme Dao Technique on par with the Tai Su True Inheritance...

Xuzhuang had no clear ideas on the matter for now. Regardless, after he mastered the Five Elements Fused as One, the Five Elements Primordial Divine Light had already become one of his most formidable techniques.

Although the Lingxu Sword was a Magical Treasure Flying Sword, it was, in essence, a five-element artifact. Once swept up by Xuzhuang’s Five Elements Primordial Divine Light, it was instantly suppressed within. Even with Zhuo Hansheng’s cultivation, he couldn’t hope to budge it in the slightest.

If Xuzhuang had wanted to keep it for himself, he could have easily done so, but he had no such intention. Had it been spoils from a life-or-death struggle, that would have been another matter.

But this was merely a sparring match. Forcibly taking Zhuo Hansheng’s Flying Sword would mean having to tame it, and it would also needlessly antagonize Dinghu Mountain. It was simply not worth it.

Since Zhuo Hansheng had raised the subject so quickly, Xuzhuang didn’t hesitate to return the Lingxu Sword. "You jest, Fellow Daoist," he said lightly. "I have no intention of keeping it. There is no need to speak of compensation."

Taking back the Lingxu Sword, Zhuo Hansheng felt a sense of relief. Hearing Xuzhuang’s words, however, his expression grew stern. "I admire your magnanimity, Fellow Daoist. But I am not in the habit of owing others. Compensation is a must."

Be that as it may, even Zhuo Hansheng didn’t have many possessions on him comparable in value to a Magical Treasure Flying Sword. He mulled it over but couldn’t decide what to offer.

Just as Xuzhuang was about to refuse again, someone interjected, "There is no need for you two young friends to trouble yourselves further."

Da Ji Zhenren walked forward and lightly patted Zhuo Hansheng’s shoulder. "Young friend, you were fighting on behalf of my Divination Dao lineage. Any loss incurred should rightly be my responsibility."

He pondered for a moment, then took a bronze alms bowl from his sleeve. "Young Friend Xu," he said in a deep voice, "you are the victor of this match. I had prepared a different prize for you, but since this is to be compensation on behalf of Zhuo Hansheng, let’s use this instead. Do you find it sufficient?"