Chapter 1106: The Elemental Tide |
The scenery inside the valley was even more serene. The land was level, covered in grass and shrubs but no tall trees. The open view allowed one to take in the entire valley almost at a glance.
Ling Mian had visited this valley before. Back then, it was just a barren place. Some had suggested it could become a future settlement, since the surrounding peaks could shield it from sea winds and help regulate the temperature.
But now, something had changed.
At the heart of the valley stood a wooden structure. It was large and imposing, but clearly built for practicality rather than aesthetics; it was made of thick timbers and it had a rough yet sturdy look.
Strangely enough, the moment Ling Mian laid eyes on it, his heart began to race. It was as if something inside the building was calling to him.
The line stretched toward the building's front entrance, with people entering through the front and exiting through the back. One person was admitted every three minutes or so; it was not necessarily a slow pace, but there were indeed many people, and so the line moved slowly.
The closer he got, the faster and stronger his heart beat. By the time he stood just a few steps away, he could clearly hear the thump-thump-thump in his chest. His gaze locked onto the structure, unable to look away.
At last, it was his turn.
As he stepped into the building, darkness swallowed him instantly, as if a moonless night had instantly fallen. It was an odd sensation, like being submerged in an endless void.
Startled, Ling Mian almost took a step back, but then quickly steadied himself. Determination filled his eyes.
Ever since he was a child, he had dreamed of becoming strong, like the heroes who had once saved him. Only thanks to their strength had he survived and made it here with the villagers. His parents had died at the hands of demons, or so he'd been told. He wasn't exactly sure who his parents had been. But he knew one thing: He had to grow stronger. Strong enough to never let those monsters take away his loved ones again. Strong enough to protect others, just like them.
Step by step, he moved forward. Though the world around him remained dark and his heart beat wildly, his steps never faltered. In fact, each stride became more resolute.
Then, suddenly, a golden beam of light shone down from above.
Instinctively, Ling Mian halted and looked up.
The sudden brightness made his eyes ache, but he adjusted in just a moment, and then, he saw the source of light clearly. It was not the midday sun, but a large book that somehow stood suspended in midair. The cover of the book shone with a golden luster, and the light radiated from it.
His heart pounded even harder. What… what is that?
He stared blankly at the book. Then the light grew stronger, enveloping him entirely.
***
Somewhere on the shore…
Yan Yi stood by the sea. Her turn had come.
Moments earlier, she'd witnessed something magical.
Before her stretched a crystal-clear sea. It was incredibly transparent, so much so that if it hadn't been for the gentle waves, it would have been invisible. She could see vibrant, multicolored fish swimming around.
The sea had always been clear, but now, it felt different from before, and… it glowed.
This must be the Elemental Sea Big Brother Ling Mian talked about. She wasn't sure if she could awaken elemental power, but she hoped she could.
She was excited, and also a little nervous. And then, she remembered something. I can't swim. What if I drown?
"Yan Yi, you're next. Based on our experience, just walk into the Elemental Sea until your head is submerged. If you don't have any elemental affinity, we'll pull you out," said a gentle-looking young man. He was in his early twenties and was one of the staff assigned to this area.
"Okay." Yan Yi nodded and stepped forward.
The water felt nice and warm, the perfect temperature for taking a good bath. The gentle warmth eased her nerves. As she walked forward, the depth increased, and the water reached her chest, her shoulders, and then her neck.
Feels so nice… Yan Yi's eyes slowly closed as she.
She paused for a moment, and then—splash! Something suddenly pushed her from behind, and she plunged underwater.
Startled, she wanted to scream but then instantly realized she was underwater and clamped her mouth shut.
A faint white glow began to shine from her body. At the same moment, the colorful fish she had seen earlier began to gather around her. One by one, they bit at her clothing—not to harm her, but to pull her gently deeper into the Elemental Sea.
She tried to flap her arms in a feeble attempt to get back to the surface, but a moment later, she gave up. Not because she was drowning and lacked the power to struggle, but because… strangely, she felt no discomfort. She didn't even feel the need to breathe. It was just calm, warm, and pleasant.
A few moments later, the aquatic world around her started shining with light of every color and hue. Then, all the smaller fish vanished.
Yan Yi blinked.
Suddenly, a large red fish swam into view.
It was huge, more than ten times the size of the others. Its scales shimmered with a faint golden hue, and it had long red whiskers that brushed against her face.
She instinctively reached out and touched it. Its body felt hot to the touch and very smooth. Curiously, the fish didn't pull away or avoid her touch. Instead, with no warning, it turned into a streak of red light and… plunged into her body!
Yan Yi gasped in shock, but then realized that nothing else was happening. It was just that her body felt somewhat lighter.
Before she could entirely process what happened, a second large fish arrived. This one was a bluish green.
It too brushed her gently with its whiskers, then suddenly lunged forward.
Thud!
The green fish slammed into her… and pushed the red fish out of her body! But the red one refused to give in and immediately dove back in, pushing out the green one. The two fish then began to fight, using her body as the battlefield. Or maybe it was the prize?
"Stop it! No fighting!" Yan Yi started scolding the fish, not even realizing that she was actually speaking underwater. As the two fish were butting heads in front of her, she raised her hands and patted their heads gently.
Amazingly, the two fish stopped. Then, in the next instant, they turned into two rays of light and slammed into her simultaneously.
Yan Yi let out a startled cry as she was engulfed in their glow; then, both disappeared into her body.
***
Those waiting for their turn watched from afar. The staff responsible for safety also kept a close eye on the sea.
When Yan Yi vanished beneath the waves, the sea suddenly began to glow.
That glow meant only one thing: Someone's elemental affinity was confirmed. The young man watching brightened immediately and leaned forward in anticipation.
A deep hum rang out from the center of the Elemental Sea. Then, an extraordinary scene unfolded. The calm waters surged skyward, forming a towering waterspout—a majestic column of light and water.
The young man froze. Then, his eyes widened in shock.
"This is… the Elemental Tide!?"