BTTH: I have a key to travel to Wu Dong Qian Kun.

Chapter 5: Deriving the Eight Extremes Collapse

"Since you have become my disciple, I will teach you well," Elder Yao said, raising his ghostly hand and gently touching Xiao Tian's forehead. "Close your eyes and concentrate; I will impart this to you!"

Xiao Tian felt a slight pain in his head as a flood of information poured into his mind, making it throb slightly.

"Eight Extremes Collapse: High-Level Profound Rank close combat battle skill, renowned for its immense attack power. When fully mastered, its attacks contain eight layers of force. The eightfold accumulation makes its power comparable to a low-level Earth Rank battle skill!"

As his head gradually cleared and he reviewed the information, Xiao Tian couldn't help but marvel, "I can't believe I got the starting village battle skill from 'Battle Through the Heavens'—Eight Extremes Collapse!"

At this moment, Elder Yao began to explain, "I remember someone once begged me in tears to accept this skill. I was so annoyed by his persistence that I finally agreed. But even so, this skill is far stronger than the best battle skill your Xiao family currently possesses."

Saying this, he glanced at Xiao Tian.

Elder Yao expected Xiao Tian to be shocked and then to show deep admiration. Instead, Xiao Tian said dissatisfied, "Master, after all that, you're only giving me a Profound Rank skill? I thought you would at least give me an Earth Rank skill!"

"What is your current cultivation level?" Elder Yao rolled his eyes. "With your current strength, even if you had an Earth Rank skill, you couldn't use it. Moreover, you should master this skill first before asking for more."

"Yes!" Xiao Tian nodded, not worried about Elder Yao leaving him as long as he had the red liquid.

"Alright, it's getting late. Get up early to practice tomorrow," Elder Yao said, then transformed into a wisp of light and disappeared into the black ring.

Xiao Tian went out for dinner and then returned to his bed.

As he fell asleep, moonlight streamed in through the window, bathing his body.

The moonlight rippled like water, gathering in the stone talisman inside Xiao Tian.

He suddenly found himself in a pitch-black space—silent, cold, and devoid of any light.

Having read "Wu Dong Qian Kun," he knew this was the stone talisman's space.

Sure enough, with a faint sound, a glowing figure appeared before him.

To his surprise, the glowing figure looked exactly like Xiao Tian, but it was lifeless, more like a statue.

Xiao Tian knew this was the stone talisman's derivation ability activating.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Suddenly, the figure moved, demonstrating a set of fist techniques—Eight Extremes Collapse.

Notably, the figure's execution was even more perfect than Elder Yao's teaching. If the original had eight layers of force, this version had nine.

As the figure continued practicing, it seemed to hint at a tenth layer forming. But before it could complete, the figure dimmed and stopped.

"It seems to be running out of energy," Xiao Tian thought. "No matter, I'll master the nine-layer version first. As for the tenth layer, I'll need to cultivate my Dou Qi further to continue deriving it. I wonder if the ten-layer Eight Extremes Collapse can rival a real low-level Earth Rank skill!"

Shaking his head, Xiao Tian began following the figure's movements to practice the nine-layer Eight Extremes Collapse.

After what felt like a long time, Xiao Tian finally stopped.

He had completely learned the technique under the figure's guidance. Of course, he had only memorized the moves; he still needed to practice them himself.

"That's enough for today," Xiao Tian thought, and he exited the stone talisman space.

"Whoosh!"

As he returned, Xiao Tian's eyes snapped open in his bed.

Only his soul had entered the space.

Xiao Tian sat up cross-legged and formed hand seals, entering a cultivation state.

...

The next day, Xiao Tian ended his practice early and left his courtyard, heading to the back mountain.

Upon arriving, Elder Yao appeared.

He told Xiao Tian, "Though Eight Extremes Collapse doesn't demand high Dou Qi, it requires significant physical strength. With your current body strength, you can only manifest one layer of hidden force. If you try all eight layers, your arm might break before you hurt your enemy. So, you need external stimulation."

"Master, I'm ready," Xiao Tian said firmly.

"Good!" Elder Yao's right hand formed an invisible whip from his soul power.

"Snap!"

With a flick of Elder Yao's hand, the whip lashed Xiao Tian.

Elder Yao controlled the strength within Xiao Tian's tolerance, but it still caused intense pain.

"Snap!"

Another lash made Xiao Tian's body go numb.

After fifty lashes, Elder Yao stopped. "That's enough for today. You need three intact Purple Leaf Orchid plants, the older the better, two Bone Cleansing Flowers, and one first-tier wood element demon core. I'll prepare a foundation-building elixir to prevent internal bleeding from causing serious injury."

"Master, are you an alchemist too?" Xiao Tian asked in "surprise."

Elder Yao smiled, "Haha, your master has many skills!"

Xiao Tian asked, "May I know your name, Master?"

"My surname is Yao," Elder Yao replied.

"Yao?" Xiao Tian feigned surprise. "I've heard of a high-level alchemist, Medicine Sovereign, who disappeared decades ago. Could you be...?"

"You even know that," Elder Yao sighed. "Yes, I am the Medicine Sovereign."

"Master, do you think I have the talent to be an alchemist?" Xiao Tian asked.

Elder Yao examined him and said, "You meet the conditions. Get an alchemy cauldron, and I'll teach you alchemy."

"Alright," Xiao Tian nodded, thinking, "I'll have to borrow money from my future wife, Xun'er."

He didn't mind borrowing money from a girl, as they would be family in the future. Using her money temporarily was no big deal. He planned to give her billions, even tens of billions, in the future!

(End of Chapter)