What happen to the transcendents being able to turn into elementals (water)? Has that part of their abilities just been obliterated due to budget?

It is definitely a folly of many cultivation donghua, where the higher realms seem to showcase epic abilities and cool cgi at the start, then when the MC reaches that realm it seems like they arent grasping/using the full scope of that realm. If you are willing to suspend belief, you could say that even though as a transcendent he has such abilities, that since he is facing such a strong enemy that he is naturally cautious.

Yeah i just think he has outgrown that particular ability now that he acquired the other elements

Lol forgotten about it seems

Havent read the novel, but the author tends to forget things like this (experienced it from reading Tunshi Xingkong, Swallowed Star) lol

Looks like XY family has been targeted by the demons. But it's not going to be easy for both side.

did the quality drop compared to season 1?

i think it is lowered.. or i just raised my standards after watching doupo cangqiong haha

haha same lol xD

Might be, the studio is rather small, with only this as a project and 2 other IP in the works