Chapter 21

The old man chuckled, seeing Gu Xuyao submit, he was delighted.

"Ah, kid, my request isn't too high. For you, it's actually a good thing." As he spoke, the old man patted Gu Xuyao's shoulder. "You, just continue to cultivate to the Root Entry stage using the极限修炼 (extreme cultivation) method."

The old man spoke casually, but Gu Xuyao's face darkened when he heard it.

"Senior, you make it sound easy, but I have experienced the pain brought by extreme cultivation. It's not an easy thing. Besides, I am not a naturally gifted person. The two lucky extreme breakthroughs I had were already fortunate. Cultivation becomes increasingly difficult as one's cultivation level rises. Now, if I condense my immortal root and attempt another extreme breakthrough..."

Gu Xuyao was not afraid of death, but he didn't want to die from over-cultivation. Such a death would be too meaningless.

However, the old man didn't care about Gu Xuyao's thoughts. Seeing his reluctance, he simply turned over and fell asleep.

"Senior..." Gu Xuyao called softly, but the old man showed no reaction. Soon, snoring could be heard.

Sighing inwardly, Gu Xuyao had no choice but to submit.

"Senior, if I agree to your request, under your careful guidance, what are my chances of surviving the extreme breakthrough?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the old man immediately jumped up.

"Hehe, so you agree? Hahaha, don't talk about chances. Just follow me in cultivation. Remember, the biggest taboo in extreme cultivation is hesitation and fear. Determination and resolve will help you overcome most difficulties. Finally, you just need a bit of intelligence, and extreme cultivation won't be difficult."

The old man's words made sense. Gu Xuyao suddenly realized that before he knew about extreme cultivation, he never considered whether he might die from it. Now that he knew, he was afraid.

"Perhaps Senior Sister Yixia didn't tell me for this very reason. After all, I was already in too deep at that time."

As Gu Xuyao thought this, the old man grabbed his wrist.

"Hmm, the bone refinement has been effective. You're not completely useless, kid. Let me tell you, in our world of physical cultivation, so-called potential isn't just about those naturally gifted people who shine at a young age. Many people have physical potential that can be developed. Heaven is fair. I ask you, did you participate in the Dao cultivation test?"

Gu Xuyao instinctively nodded.

"The results weren't terrible, but they were worse than average, right?"

Gu Xuyao nodded again.

"Hehe, that's it. Although nothing is absolute, based on your current state, you do have potential to be developed. After two extreme breakthroughs, your potential is gradually awakening. Compared to ordinary cultivators, you are already more excellent."

When the old man said that Gu Xuyao was more excellent than ordinary cultivators, Gu Xuyao was somewhat dazed. He had never thought such a thing would happen to him. The blow he received at age nine was still vivid in his mind. Gu Xuyao had always believed that he lacked talent and had to work twice as hard to catch up with others.

Now, hearing the old man's words, the world seemed full of light, and the shadows of his childhood were almost completely dispelled.

"However, don't be too happy. Physical potential can only be gradually developed through continuous extreme cultivation. If you don't undergo extreme breakthroughs, the potential that has been stimulated will gradually fade as your cultivation level rises. This means that having potential also means you will suffer more."

Sure enough, the old man quickly poured cold water on Gu Xuyao.

However, this did not dampen Gu Xuyao's high spirits. For him, such praise was enough to make him happy.

"Senior, since it is a gift from heaven, I will not waste it. Please teach me how to perform extreme cultivation. I will use the extreme breakthrough method to enter the Root Entry stage!"

The old man nodded in approval. Though his face was unclear, Gu Xuyao felt that the old man suddenly became kinder.

"Good! It's your determination I want. I won't repeat the pain and consequences of extreme cultivation. We physical cultivators are straightforward. I will immediately teach you how to condense your immortal root!" Unlike the dirty old man, he now exuded a sense of authority and strength.

Unfortunately, after saying this, the old man disappointingly lay down again.

"Ah, tired, tired. Lying down is more comfortable. My feet are itchy..." As he spoke, he began to scratch his toes.

Seeing this, Gu Xuyao didn't know what to say and could only watch silently.

After a while, the old man sighed contentedly after scratching his toes and began to get to the point.

"The first realm of physical cultivation is the Root Entry stage. As the name suggests, Root Entry means the immortal root enters the body. This realm is divided into three levels, each representing the state of the immortal root after it enters the body." As he spoke, the old man snapped his fingers, and a skeletal frame made of primordial energy appeared in front of Gu Xuyao.

"This is your skeleton, and it will also be the shape of your future immortal root. The main purpose of bone refinement is to allow the immortal root to grow in your bone marrow, providing the most basic strength to permeate your entire body." The old man pointed in the air, and a red dot appeared on the forehead of the skeleton.

"Here is the forehead, the foundation of your immortal root. It is planted here and gradually permeates your entire skeletal system, eventually becoming deeply rooted and merging with you." After saying this, the old man snapped his fingers again, and the skeleton disappeared.

"Senior, how do I condense my immortal root?"

The old man stretched and turned over.

"The immortal root is not primordial energy, but it requires primordial energy to condense. The main materials for the immortal root are three: human will, human bone structure, and human soul." As he spoke, the old man began to scratch himself.

"Of course, not every immortal root requires all three materials. In fact, even with just human will, an immortal root can be condensed. However, if you want to achieve an extreme breakthrough, you must have all three materials." After saying this, the old man casually threw a pill to Gu Xuyao.

"This pill is called the Yimeng Pill. Do you see the small rooms in the back? Choose one, enter it, divide the pill into ten parts, take one part, and then go to sleep. You will naturally understand what to do when the time comes." The old man crossed his legs and swayed leisurely.

The pill floated in front of Gu Xuyao. Unlike the previous pills, this one was very large, about the size of Gu Xuyao's palm, and instead of emitting a foul smell, it gave off a refreshing fragrance that was soothing to the heart.

"Thank you, Senior, for your guidance. I will not disappoint your expectations." Gu Xuyao took the pill, feeling more determined than ever.

"Alright, enough of this nonsense. I don't want to hear it. Since you know, go in and work hard to find the three materials. When you find them, I will appear to help you condense your immortal root."

After saying this, the old man fell silent. Just as Gu Xuyao was about to say something, he heard a light snore.

After bowing, Gu Xuyao walked towards the prepared rooms in the back.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, this pill can only be taken ten times in a lifetime. That's why I told you to divide it into ten parts. Remember, when you take the tenth Yimeng Pill, regardless of how many materials you have found, you must condense your immortal root. Otherwise, even the gods cannot save you!"

Just as Gu Xuyao was about to enter the room, the old man's voice sounded from behind. Gu Xuyao wanted to ask more, but the old man's snore interrupted him. Gu Xuyao could only shake his head and push open the door.

The small rooms prepared in the training hall were for cultivators like Gu Xuyao to condense their immortal roots. The rooms were very simple, but compared to the thick layer of dust outside, they were relatively clean.

"It seems that the Taiheng Sect still has many new members. At least this room is full of signs of use..." The items were not neatly arranged, and with his previous hunter's eyesight, Gu Xuyao could see that they had been moved many times.

Sitting down casually, Gu Xuyao placed the pill on the table and carefully divided it into ten parts. He took a deep breath and immediately swallowed one part.

The pill entered his body like a cold spring spreading inside him. Gu Xuyao couldn't help but shiver, but before the goosebumps on his skin could fade, a strong drowsiness overwhelmed him.

Before he could lie down, Gu Xuyao's vision went black, and he fell asleep on the table.

Not long after Gu Xuyao fell asleep, the door to the training hall was pushed open again. The training hall was quite lively today.

"Yixia greets Senior Uncle." The one who entered was none other than the granddaughter of Sect Leader Ling Sanshi, Yixia.

The old man ignored her and continued to snore.

Seeing this, Yixia showed no reaction. She simply announced herself again and waited quietly.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay away from this place?"

The old man's tone was unfriendly, seemingly annoyed at being woken up.

"Senior Uncle, please forgive me. Yixia is here on the Sect Leader's orders to confirm whether Gu Xuyao has already begun his breakthrough to the Root Entry stage."

"The affairs of the training hall are my responsibility. Even Ling Sanshi has no authority here. Go away, don't disturb my sleep. Also, tell that old man to mind his own business and think about what happened a hundred years ago." After saying this, the old man began to snore again.

Yixia showed no expression throughout, and even the old man's unfriendly tone did not move her. When the old man finally dismissed her, Yixia silently bowed and quietly left, closing the door.

"Hmph, Ling Sanshi, I knew you had your eye on Gu Xuyao. Unfortunately, this extreme breakthrough and immortal root condensation is not something just anyone can achieve. I'll see what your expression will be when Gu Xuyao fails..."

The almost inaudible voice drifted like dust in the air, lingering in the training hall.