BTTH : Wandering Soul

Xiao Yan was unaware of his physique or even the fact that he was using dou qi method. He woke up in the dream realm filled with endless darkness like every time. But this time he felt a profound change in his understanding of the space. Soon the mysterious figure emerged, illuminating the void in red and icy blue colors.

Its words which were foreign to Xiao Yan, now started to resonate with him. As he watched the same picture of two opposite's combining to create a perfect balance, something ticked in him. He thought what would happen if the opposite extremes were interchanged. Following his thoughts, the center of two fishes representing the yin yang symbol started to travel to each other's place. And the symbol essentially remained same.

As the image of the two opposing forces intertwined before him, Xiao Yan felt a sudden clarity. The perfect balance of the Yin-Yang symbol wasn't just about coexistence but about the fluid nature of opposites. Yin and Yang were not fixed—they were interchangeable, endlessly cycling and adapting. Fire could destroy, but in the coldest depths, it brought life. Ice could harm, but to the scorched and weary, it healed. The realization struck him deeply: the nature of an element wasn't absolute; its purpose changed depending on the perspective of those who wielded it.

Xiao Yan's thoughts deepened as he observed the shifting forces. Yin and Yang weren't merely opposites; they were complementary, each defining the existence of the other. There could be no shadow without light, no warmth without cold. Destruction gave birth to creation, and in creation lay the seeds of destruction. He realized that what seemed opposing forces were, in truth, part of a greater whole—one could only reach true balance by embracing both. Strength wasn't found in resisting one side, but in harmonizing their endless cycle of transformation.

With this realization new information started to enter his mind. As he focused on it he realized that it was a dou technique related to the harmony between yin and yang.

This was basically the first dou technique he was going to practice. Due to already understanding the nature of yin and yang, he quickly grasped the basics and started practicing it. He took a strand of fire with his soul power from the scorching hot red side, and used the technique on it. After some time, the red fire started to change its color to white. Gradually the red flame fully disappeared, in its place only frosty white flame remained.

Xiao Yan was extremely delighted. Without waiting any second he started to go towards center. He used the same technique on both sides as he was walking. The scorching hot temperature decreased while the intense cold temperature increased. With a smile pastured on his face he kept walking, constantly using his dou qi to balace two opposite extremes. But about halfway to the center he couldn't continue as his dou qi was depleted.

This technique consumed too much dou qi if temperature were too extremes. So he had no choice but to increase his cultivation. But he was happy, as the major problem was solved. He only needed to reach the center and he'd be free. Finally escaping this damn place.

So he trained hard, using newly acquired dou technique in battles. His proficiency increased as he kept fighting intense battles.

During this time, his soul had strengthened exponentially. The relentless torture, combined with the void's constant attempts to consume his consciousness, pushed his soul to grow in ways he could never have imagined.

Not only his soul power increased to that of a 5th tier alchemist, his soul resilience became exceptional. His increased soul perception helped him in combat as well, as he could now concentrate on multiple enemies at same time. He only needed a bit guidance and he could progress in alchemy faster than anyone, at least until he reached 5th tier.

With now the measure obstacle in his path gone, he trained vigourously, trying to increase his endurance as well as cultivation. After an indeterminate length of time he finally reached dou zhe 5th stage. For umpteenth time he started to go towards the center, hoping finally he'd be successful now. But again he seemed to be just 10 steps away from the center when he couldn't continue anymore.

His cultivation speed decreased a lot after reaching dou zhe 5th stage. After what felt like an eternity he finally reached 6th stage. Now he resolved himself to reach the center no matter what.

Finally, eyes brimming with unwavering determination, he began his march toward the center of the space, where faint energy fluctuations danced in the air.