The Eastern Ocean.
The Deep Sea Palace lay ten thousand leagues under the sea. The pressure here could crush a mountain.
The Deep Sea King (a Shark-man) sat on his coral throne.
"The surface world is burning," The King laughed. "Let them fight. We are safe here."
Suddenly, the water darkened.
Above the palace, the Eternal Night Fleet hovered on the surface.
Mo Tian stood on the deck.
"Water Pearl."
He didn't dive. He didn't swim.
He used the Earth Pearl (Purple Nether Flame core) and the Fire Pearl.
"Boil."
He unleashed his heat into the ocean.
The water didn't just get warm. It flash-boiled.
Steam exploded into the sky.
Ten thousand leagues down, the temperature spiked. The coral bleached. The fish died. The Deep Sea Palace turned into a pressure cooker.
"What is happening?!" The King screamed, his skin blistering.
"The ocean is boiling!"
Mo Tian dove into the steam. He moved like a comet of fire through the water.
He crashed through the roof of the palace.
The King attacked with a trident. "Tidal Wave!"
Mo Tian caught the trident.
"Sword Art: Metal Breaker."
He shattered the weapon. He grabbed the King by the gills.
"The Pearl," Mo Tian demanded.
"In... in the clam..." The King pointed to a giant shell.
Mo Tian threw the King aside. He opened the shell.
The Water Pearl sat there, blue and cool, unaware of the heat.
Mo Tian grabbed it.
[Acquired: Water Pearl] [Progress: 4/5]
He had them all. Metal, Wood, Water, Fire. And Earth (already integrated).
The ocean cooled as he retracted his flame.
He floated in the ruined palace, surrounded by boiled seafood.
"Five Elements gathered," Mo Tian's eyes glowed with five different colors.
[System Mission Complete.] [Objective: Gather the Five Pearls.] [Reward: Chaos Nascent Soul Formation Method.]
He kicked off the sea floor, shooting toward the surface.
"Now," Mo Tian broke the surface, flying into the sky. "I have the ingredients. It's time to cook the baby."
(Note: Nascent Soul literally means "Infant Soul").
But as he ascended, the sky turned red.
The Heavenly Dao Sect had finally stopped watching.
Elder Grandmaster (Nascent Soul - Peak) stood in the clouds, blocking the sun.
"You have stolen the foundations of the world," The Grandmaster's voice shook the ocean. "You go no further, Demon."
Mo Tian stopped. He held the Heaven-Splitter. He juggled the four pearls.
"Old man," Mo Tian laughed, his aura destabilizing reality around him. "I'm just getting started."