novelraw Chapter 17, Element 5
Chapter 17, Element 5
Like a seed sprouting in the morning dew, it grows into a sapling in almost an instant.
It is still growing.
Lush green branches began to sprout from the trunk, and the trunk grew rapidly under the nourishment of magic, growing into a small tree in just a moment in Lu Mingfei's perception.
No, it's not just magic that's nourishing it.
He could sense that in addition to magical power, there was a continuous flow of energy from the outside into his body, which further strengthened his newly emerging supernatural abilities. He had never felt this kind of energy before.
Is it unique to this world?
Lu Mingfei closed his eyes and sensed this energy, his brows furrowing involuntarily.
Four types? No, five!
Lu Mingfei could sense four extremely large amounts of energy flowing into his body from the outside, while the remaining energy was so small that it was almost imperceptible, but when combined with the four energies, it took the dominant position.
More importantly, it seems there's even more inside his body?
He could sense that even though the fifth type of energy was constantly flowing into his body, it was still far from enough because the amount in the air was so small.
But whenever the supply runs out, a faint energy emerges from the body.
Fill the gap.
Could it be that all hybrids possess this kind of energy?
Lu Mingfei opened his eyes and turned to look at Chu Zihang beside him. He saw that Chu Zihang was driving while keeping an eye on Lu Mingfei from time to time.
As soon as he opened his eyes, their eyes met.
"What happened?"
Lu Mingfei pursed his lips, hesitated, and then spoke.
"Senior brother, do you know... that hybrids have unique energy? You mean... you can't use skills without a mana bar, right?"
Lu Mingfei didn't know how to describe it either, since hybrids achieve extraordinary abilities through bloodline awakening, not through their own cultivation, so it's normal not to know.
Chu Zihang drove with both hands on the wheel, and after a moment of contemplation, he spoke.
"As a hybrid, I don't have those blue bars, but I think you're referring to the four elements: earth, water, fire, and wind, right?"
"Four elements? That sounds pretty Western fantasy. Shouldn't it be metal, wood, water, fire, and earth?" Lu Mingfei used his innate talent for talking nonsense.
"That's a metal element found only in traditional doctrines. These four elements are also the cornerstone of all the abilities of dragons and hybrids," Chu Zihang began to explain slowly. "And when a hybrid awakens its own bloodline, it has a high probability of awakening an ability called Word Spirit."
"Words of power, does it mean that words become law?" He immediately became interested.
"It's not that advanced, but the effect is similar." Chu Zihang shattered Lu Mingfei's delusion. "The power of the Word Spirit comes from the resonance between the dragon bloodline and the external elements. When a hybrid awakens, it can be activated simply by chanting dragon script. Its power is limited by bloodline and environment."
Lu Mingfei understood. It meant that you could only cast spells by following the template and chanting the so-called dragon script to cast spells like a mage. It sounded too rigid.
However, in Lu Mingfei's view, this might be the most suitable extraordinary system for this world, requiring only bloodline awakening to...
Wait a minute, Lu Mingfei, as a seeker of the Dharma, subconsciously sensed that something was wrong.
Logically speaking, the more active one's bloodline, the more likely it is to cause problems of losing control. However, only by awakening one's bloodline can one gain the ability of words. But... this is a dead end.
It's like the old adage that the dragon slayer will eventually become the dragon himself.
The more one exerts their initiative, the more active their bloodline becomes, and the greater the possibility of being corrupted and degraded by dragon blood. However, if one tries to control their bloodline, they will not be able to obtain power comparable to those Dead Servants. Even Dead Servants require higher-level bloodline holders.
What if the opponent is a real dragon?
Thinking of this, Lu Mingfei felt a chill run down his spine. He seemed to have discovered something extraordinary: the seeker of the Dharma still posed an uncertain threat like the Nirvana Corpse.
But in this world dominated by hybrids... are the masters truly hybrids?
After all, this isn't a tokusatsu set, a place where bloodlines matter, and there are no transformation devices here to allow someone to challenge opponents of higher levels.
Only stronger bloodlines can win, unless a being comparable to a pure-blooded dragon sides with the hybrids, but...
"Are there only these four elements?" Before voicing his thoughts, Lu Mingfei pressed on, "If what you're saying is true, even dragons themselves don't have energy in their bodies?"
"There is indeed a fifth element, which is also known as the spiritual element."
Chu Zihang nodded, completely disregarding Lu Mingfei's identity, and revealed all the information he had learned in Kassel.
"The fifth element, which can bridge the boundary between matter and spirit, is also known as the Philosopher's Stone. This is an artifact mentioned by the alchemy master Raymond Lule in his book (The Book of Nature's Mysteries - The Fifth Element). Dragons study the spirit, while humans study matter. The so-called Philosopher's Stone is a collection of the fifth element that can connect matter and spirit."
That being said, Chu Zihang himself had only seen such a thing in the documents from Kassel. It was said that its production was extremely small, and even ordinary hybrids could not come into contact with it, so they were unaware of its existence.
This kind of thing is mentioned from time to time in his alchemical mechanics books.
Upon hearing this, Lu Mingfei immediately became agitated.
Listening to the other party's description, Lu Mingfei realized that this was the real thing brought by the dragon blood. The so-called four elements were just things that came with the environment, but this was something that originated from within himself!
The Philosopher's Stone—just hearing that name makes it sound like a high-end product!
He wanted to obtain this thing, but looking at Chu Zihang's face, Lu Mingfei couldn't bring himself to ask for it.
Although he felt that as long as he mentioned this idea, the other party would find a way to get the item out of that Kassel College, Chu Zihang wasn't some blue fat cat.
Please, buddy, Lu Mingfei has a lot to lose.
And who knows what the consequences would be if such a precious thing were lost?
He can figure out a solution himself. It's nothing more than stealing or robbing; it's his own business. He'll take responsibility if something goes wrong, and he can always run away if necessary.
But Chu Zihang is different. He is a mixed-race person, unlike Lu Mingfei who has the path of a seeker of the law.
"Moreover, Chu Zihang has a loving mother who looks great in photos. It's one thing to drag his brother down with him, but it would be another if his brother's family got involved."
Lu Mingfei kept finding excuses for himself as he thought about that family photo.
If you think about it that way, he doesn't even know where his parents are, and he's still living at his aunt's house.
Okay, now we have one more reason.
After weighing the options, Lu Mingfei had already made up his mind.
........
"Senior brother, do you have a place to stay?"
Lu Mingfei's gaze swept across the street outside the car, lingering for a moment on the somewhat old houses, before turning back to Chu Zihang in the driver's seat and speaking.
"I want to find a place to stay now, I don't want to go back to my aunt's house."
"Okay, I have an empty house here."
Without asking any questions or expressing any doubts, Chu Zihang swiftly and decisively fulfilled Lu Mingfei's request, while Lu Mingfei had even thought of how to explain it.
I feel so uncomfortable at my aunt's house, and I feel so...uncomfortable at my own place...
"Aren't you going to ask why?"
"No need, this is your plan." Chu Zihang stopped the car and looked at Lu Mingfei. "Is there anything you need to get yourself?"
"Isn't that enough?" Lu Mingfei turned his head and closed his eyes. "Anyway, it's not important, so let's leave it at that."
...........
"Yes, that's good. I'll leave it to you."
The car didn't start, but Lu Mingfei could hear Chu Zihang take out his phone and say something before hanging up.
"Feel sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Lu Mingfei opened his eyes, his mind a little fuzzy.
He didn't apologize for anything; he didn't do anything.
I checked your information.
"Since you're moving out, you naturally need to resolve any potential problems." Chu Zihang waved his phone. "I checked your aunt's records and found that a large sum of money has been regularly deposited into her account for several years now. I think that must be your child support."
"I just asked the lawyer to check. Since this is legally considered child support, based on your previous behavior at school, it constitutes a failure to fulfill your parental responsibilities. You have the right to receive and recover the funds and assets that were taken from you..."
Lu Mingfei understood; this was a way for him to get his money back!