Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Profound Origins of Basic Combat Techniques

The heavens and earth were shrouded in darkness, with massive stars hanging overhead and an ancient, desolate aura permeating all around. If not for the translucent ring in his hand, symbolizing the presence of the White entity, still flashing with flowing light in the darkness, Lan Tian would have truly believed he had arrived at some nameless depth of the universe.

From the sky poured a torrential rain, and in the distance, a towering spire reached into the clouds, standing imposingly with a faint aura of oppression. Around the giant tower, the starlight dimmed, the rain withdrew, and even the energies of the cosmos naturally parted to either side, unable to approach in the slightest.

Lan Tian gazed ahead, utterly transfixed. It was as if the entire world had vanished, leaving only this heaven-defying tower that seemed to drain all color from the universe.

After a long while, the voice of White echoed forth.

“This is the Secret Realm of the Absolute Heaven Tower. One tower is a secret realm unto itself, standing on a great star at the southern frontier of the Yuanlan Empire. It is the most iconic structure of the Yuanlan Empire; indeed, it is only because of this tower’s existence that the Yuanlan Empire manages to maintain its meager foothold among the middle-tier interstellar nations. Without it, given the Empire’s foundation, it would not even rank among the elite of the lower-tier cosmic states.”

“There are legends that this Absolute Heaven Tower is a relic left behind by a peerless being of the cosmos. Yet, in truth, over countless eons, the tower has always stood atop that great star, allowing countless seekers from across the universe to enter and study its teachings, never once showing any sign of having a master.”

“There have even been supreme powerhouses from the top ranks of the middle-tier nations who attempted to uncover the tower’s secrets and take it for themselves, but never has news emerged of anyone succeeding. The tower remains eternally immovable, unchanged through the ages.”

“So, you mean to say, this scene actually exists somewhere in the universe?” Lan Tian clicked his tongue in amazement. From White’s account, he understood that the Absolute Heaven Tower was undoubtedly extraordinary, but he still couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “Why suddenly simulate the Absolute Heaven Tower in this virtual game?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s so you can train in the Basic Combat Arts! Why else would I bother?” White replied.

“Wait, so you mean the Basic Combat Arts originated from this Absolute Heaven Tower? Weren’t they created by the God of Battle?” Lan Tian was stunned.

“The Basic Combat Arts were certainly not created by my master; he too learned them from the Absolute Heaven Tower,” White confirmed. “Though called ‘basic,’ that doesn’t mean their power is meager. On the contrary, their might is immense—when mastered to higher levels, they possess unimaginable and terrifying potential!”

“Wow... You people of the universe are really straightforward. Something this powerful, and you just call it the Basic Combat Arts? If this were back on Earth, it would’ve been called some sort of Divine Skill or Heavenly Scripture long ago...” Lan Tian was speechless. He inwardly thought how misleading the name was; he had almost dismissed the Basic Combat Arts as some common, low-grade technique.

“No, you’re mistaken. The name ‘Basic Combat Arts’ didn’t come from us, but from the Absolute Heaven Tower itself,” White shook his head and explained. “Any cosmic cultivator below the Planetary level is eligible to enter the tower. Once inside, the method for cultivating the Basic Combat Arts will automatically emerge in their mind, guiding them step by step, floor by floor. Only by passing each trial can they advance to the next level.”

“One more thing—the Absolute Heaven Tower allows each person only a single entry in their lifetime!”

“Just once in a lifetime? That’s harsh! And you said those below the Planetary level can enter. What about those above?” Lan Tian inquired.

“Those above the Planetary level cannot enter. If anyone tries to force their way in, it means certain death,” White replied coolly.

“But wait, didn’t you say once a supreme powerhouse tried to take the tower? He couldn’t enter either? Would entering mean certain death for him too?” Lan Tian’s confusion only deepened after White’s explanation.

“That individual did try to take the tower and failed—he then attempted to break in, but was also repelled. The specifics are unclear to me, but rumor has it that while he survived, he lost half his life and fled in terror, never to be seen again,” White answered. “Since then, the Absolute Heaven Tower has become famous overnight, a forbidden ground for the mighty and a paradise for cultivators below the Planetary level. It’s also become the standard by which talent and comprehension are measured throughout the Yuanlan Empire and its neighboring cosmic nations. The higher the level one can reach, the greater their gift for cultivation!”

“You must know, sometimes comprehension is a hundred or a thousand times more important than innate talent!”

“Alright, I understand. So, the main function of the Absolute Heaven Tower is to pass on the Basic Combat Arts, and everyone climbs floor by floor, using their progress as a measure of their cultivation insight,” Lan Tian nodded at last. “That about sums it up, right?”

“Essentially, yes. But aside from the Basic Combat Arts, the tower holds even more advanced inheritances. However, most cultivators simply lack the necessary insight. Over ten thousand years before my master had his mishap, there was news of a peerless genius from a lower-tier cosmic nation who, with only Nebula-level cultivation, managed to force his way to the fifth floor and obtained an advanced combat technique!” White’s tone suddenly grew excited.

“You have no idea what it means to reach the fifth floor! That genius, because of his feat, was immediately taken as a direct disciple by an ancient superpower. He became the talk of the universe, and his home nation was promoted from low-tier to mid-tier status as a result!”

“You should know, even my master, who attained the level of Creation, managed only to reach the third floor at the peak of his Planetary stage—thus learning only the third layer of the Basic Combat Arts. Even that was considered an exceptional display of insight.”

“As for how many levels the Absolute Heaven Tower truly has, no one knows, for to this day, no one has ever reached the top.”

Lan Tian was left speechless, his heart surging with excitement. He longed to attempt the real Absolute Heaven Tower himself, eager to see how high he could climb.

Of course, for now, he could only dream.

“So, according to you, the most I can obtain is the third layer of the Basic Combat Arts?” he asked with a hint of regret.

“Wrong again. The inheritance of the Absolute Heaven Tower follows its own rules. Once outside the tower, only the first layer of the Basic Combat Arts can be passed on—nothing more. In fact, anyone who’s entered the tower is forbidden to speak of anything beyond the first layer; to do so brings certain death!” White shook his head, giving Lan Tian a look as if he were a fool. “If it were so easy to share, then why did the one who reached the fifth floor and obtained the advanced technique cause such a sensation? If he could have simply taught others, wouldn’t everyone be able to reach the fifth floor? Did you think the Absolute Heaven Tower’s rules would be so carelessly flawed?”

“Uh... that does make sense. Alright, you win again...” Lan Tian was left intellectually outmatched, unable to argue further.

Still, he was not willing to give up so easily. His mind raced, and suddenly his eyes lit up as he thought he’d found a loophole. He hurriedly asked, “Wait a minute, White! When your master created you, he must have already been incredibly powerful—surely he had entered the tower himself. But you’ve never been inside, so how can you simulate it? And you’ve made the Absolute Heaven Tower sound so mysterious—can you really recreate it?”

“...Who told you I truly simulated the Absolute Heaven Tower? Did I say that?” White paused, then replied awkwardly, “All I did was roughly recreate the exterior. As for the inside, of course, that’s all my imagination...”

“Haha, well, that’s fine—no need to be embarrassed. With something as mysterious as the Absolute Heaven Tower, it would be strange if you could simulate it perfectly,” Lan Tian laughed heartily at White’s rare awkwardness, feeling suddenly refreshed and buoyant.