Min-Su and Jin went to the lobby on their guest residence inside the tower. They wouldn't be distracted here. Then Jin placed the book on the table. It was a thick book with a very interesting title: "The surprising world of elements"

It was clearly intending to grab its reader's attention and it didn't fail to do so. Jin and Min-Su had great expectations from the start. Jin opened the first page and from there, they began to read:

[Element as a word has two meanings. Many people misunderstand both. Especially young cultivators who have preconceived notions. In this book, I will try to explain what the elements really are and make a small glossary of the most well-known ones.

...

When one speaks of the elements, they first think of the five origins, the two glorious and the four beyond.

The five origins refer to Fire, Water, Earth, Wind and Lightning. They are what makes our world what it is and we can observe them as natural forces just about everywhere. The sky we see, the ground we walk upon, the water we drink, the sun rays that warm us... No one is unaware of them, mortals included.

The two glorious are Light and Darkness and they gives us a perception of our world. If one tries, it is possible to associate everything with those two. Even something like a table. A table during the day is a table illuminated by the light of day while during the night, it is covered by the darkness of night. Everything has a relationship with light and darkness.

Finally, we have the four beyond. They are the forces shaping our reality itself: Life, Death, Time and Space. They are interlinked with each other yet remain separated. But more than anything, there can't be any existence without even one of them.

This is what people think of when elements are mentioned.

And they are wrong!

Because what matters is the second meaning of the word. An element is a part of a whole. Just like a whole is composed of element. Our world is composed of elements and all things are elements composing our world. This is how a cultivator must understand the meaning behind the elements. Many of our predecessors had been restricted in their thoughts due to misunderstanding this truth.

As such one has to consider everything surrounding him as an element. It does not mean that cultivator can pick everything as his element of choice though. There aren't natural treasures for everything. You won't find a natural treasure with the element of a table in it... Not like anyone would want it anyways.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

The point is not to restrict yourself in your choices.

There are more than the basic elements of the first definition out there and many things are actually unable to be formed through them. The best example would be the consciousness. It is an element. One that some consider as important as the four beyond. Yet, it isn't considered an element in the words of the first definition. Yet it is. Proving that the second definition is the truth.

Consciousness, Feelings, Soul... There are many things unrelated to the eleven primary elements. Which is why, us of the next generation, have decided to create a 12th classification, the unclassified. It will contain everything that isn't part of the eleven elements.

...

When picking your element(s), you must first understand what it means. As you reach the peak of the ninth stage of spiritual accumulation, you will need to infuse at least one element into your core. It is the principle of getting closer to nature and the forces of the world.

Picking more than one will not get you closer though.

What it will do however is enabling you to enter into contact with the world at a deeper level. A level in which you will be able to manipulate the element of our reality. The choice you will make will not make it impossible for you to use another element so, no need to be overly worried about this. Even if you were to pick a fire-related element, you would still be able to use a water-related element. However, its might would be different.

We will not go into calculus in this book but one should be aware that choosing an element will give him a higher familiarity with said element. It will be easier to sense the element and to use it. It will result in a stronger prowess overall. As such, a cultivator pursuing strength must pick wisely and cultivators pursuing special occupations even more so!

...

With 12th categories of elements to pick from, one might feel disoriented and the choice might seem too difficult. Not due to being impossible but because of the sheer number of possibilities. Many sects will not leave this choice to their youths and force them onto a predetermined path but you, reader, shouldn't pick such.

While a predetermined path is one that has already been treaded upon and will bring the benefits of past experiences, it will also deprive you of freedom. The freedom of creativity...The Surprise!

What you should strive to find isn't a combination everyone knows, that many have walked and left records of, but instead, one that suits you.

As you will reach the tenth stage, you will have already walked for a few years as a cultivator. At that time, you should already be aware of your qualities. Your strengths. And your weaknesses. You need to pick a combination that will either grow your strength or overturn your weaknesses.

...

The answer you are looking for was always there within you. The element(s) that you desire, that you are attracted to, you should be aware of it already. What is it that makes you who you are?

Make sure to give the world a good surprise! ]

After those words, there were pages upon pages detailing combinations, their pros and cons, as well as the related known natural treasures.