Chapter 237: Self-Realization of the Ultimate Meaning

The most critical factor was that the cultivation speed for unlocking the body's hidden potential was vastly inferior to the path of immortal cultivation taught by Immortal Venerables.

As Li Fan reviewed the information in these books, he discovered that the difficulty of developing the body's hidden potential increased exponentially once its power neared that of the Golden Core realm. It was as if an invisible shackle had been added, making even the slightest progress demand an exorbitant price. For the same amount of effort, the gains from immortal cultivation far surpassed those from developing the body's hidden potential. Furthermore, immortal techniques could draw upon the energy laws of heaven and earth. How could their immense power be compared to abilities derived solely from the body's inherent strength? What was 'rebirth from a drop of blood' compared to the power of a Nascent Soul cultivator, whose personal domains could become indestructible and who could achieve true immortality?

In summary, based on the research and conclusions of many cultivators, the art of developing the body's hidden potential might possess special methods capable of rivaling the immortal path. However, this was only possible if one was outside the greater environment of the Xuanhuang Realm.

“It's just like how the power of firearms and gunpowder is suppressed in this world. The same applies to the art of developing the body's hidden potential.”

Li Fan had once experimented with firearms brought from Da Xuan into the cultivation world. Their explosive power was reduced to barely one percent. What were once lethal weapons instantly became child's toys. They truly became a pile of scrap metal, just as Kou Hong had predicted.

“The Xuanhuang Realm is the world of the immortal path.”“Any power system outside of the immortal path is suppressed to varying degrees.”“It's as if the Heavenly Dao is consciously rejecting external forces.”

Corroborating this with his past experiences, Li Fan arrived at this conclusion. However, Li Fan had already harbored a faint suspicion before this. Thus, he wasn't particularly surprised.

“Though it lacks sustaining power, it should be sufficient to help Tianyang break through his predicament.”“However, simply relying on the power of the body's hidden potential to enable a mortal to overcome a Golden Core cultivator within six years… is still somewhat insufficient.”“Body Transformation into Another's Autonomy…”“Building the Dao Foundation with Myself…”

Li Fan slowly pondered the relevant possibilities in his mind. To be honest, the ancient Body Transformation technique of 'Body Transformation into Another's Autonomy' and the contemporary method of 'borrowing the wonders of heaven and earth to build the Dao foundation' achieved nearly identical results. Both involved borrowing from external objects to nourish oneself. Moreover, on Yinyin Island, Reverend Yin had once explained to Li Fan the possibility of establishing one's foundation through oneself. This made Li Fan wonder if 'Body Transformation into Another's Autonomy' could also apply to transforming into oneself—'Body Transformation into Self-Autonomy'?

This would entail completely separating consciousness from the physical body. First, one would treat their own body as an external object, then gradually achieve a complete integration of self and object. When 'Body Transformation into Other Objects' is cultivated to its extreme, it can achieve the unity of self and object. So, if 'Body Transformation into Self-Autonomy' were cultivated to its extreme, wouldn't that imply achieving complete mastery over one's own body? This was almost identical to establishing one's foundation through oneself. Once a cultivator could fully master their own body, they could then unleash the infinite hidden potential within. What terrifying power would then erupt?

This was the breakthrough method Li Fan envisioned. And once successfully tested in the simulated world, Li Fan might even be able to replicate it in the real world. Of course, the difficulty of this undertaking would undoubtedly be immense. Li Fan was not someone of extraordinary talent, so achieving this goal hastily would be impossible. Only through repeated attempts could it ultimately be realized. Fortunately, his circumstances truly provided him with sufficient capital to experiment repeatedly without apprehension.

“In the real world, I'll use my clone to practice the method of unlocking the body's hidden potential.”“I'll accumulate experience, and once I feel confident, I'll activate the simulated world and try it on Tianyang.”

With a fixed plan in mind, the clone, which had been idling away its days, immediately sprang into action. Meanwhile, Li Fan's main body adopted a three-pronged approach: cultivating, studying formation arrays, and delving into the 'Heavenly Physician Immortal Scripture'. Simultaneously, he held the second Dao Transformation Stone in his palm, performing the Dao Transformation Divine One Secret Art to absorb its mysterious energy and fortify the blue crystal within his sea of consciousness. With his mind divided into four tasks, Li Fan felt he had reached the limit without compromising efficiency. While he could further divide his consciousness for other matters, doing so would inevitably slow down his mental processing speed, resulting in diminishing returns. He would have to wait until his spiritual sense grew stronger in the future to resolve this issue at its root. Dispelling all distracting thoughts, Li Fan fully immersed himself in cultivation.

Time slowly flowed, entering the fifteenth anchor year.

On the deserted island, Ye Feipeng, exasperated after sparring with Xiao Heng and still losing to his killing move, 'Water Dragon Chant,' was quite upset. With a disgruntled expression, he distanced himself from the others and walked alone to the beach. Gazing at the boundless sea, he secretly began to scheme.

“Damn it, if this keeps up, not only Xiao Heng, but even Su Xiaomei will surpass me. And Zhang Haobo as well. He truly is someone who achieved Dao Integration in his previous life. I thought that after I seized his fortune, he would simply become a mortal. I never expected that by approaching him then, I would actually attract the attention of that ancient, undying skull, allowing him to re-embark on the immortal path. Hmph, if I had known, I should have been more ruthless and simply killed him back then. Then I wouldn't have this uncontrollable jolt in my heart every time I see him now. Still, thankfully, this treasure won't fall into your hands in this lifetime.”

Ye Feipeng instinctively touched his chest. There, a translucent, light-blue water bead continuously helped him absorb pure water-attribute spiritual energy from his surroundings, thereby enhancing his cultivation. Ye Feipeng naturally knew this blue water bead was the Azure Sea Bead. In his previous life, it was precisely with its aid that Zhang Haobo, with his Golden Core, managed to defeat Chiyan and successfully achieve Dao Integration. In this life, he imitated Zhang Haobo, constantly pursuing and mitigating wind disasters in an attempt to attract the attention of the Congyun Sea. Through his unremitting efforts, he finally succeeded. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to be happy.

“Even with such a treasure assisting me, my cultivation speed still can't match those anomalies on the island. Could it be that I, Ye Feipeng, am truly this mediocre?” The more he thought about it, the angrier Ye Feipeng became, inevitably falling into deep self-doubt.

After a long pause, he took a deep breath and comforted himself, “Calm down, you need to calm down. What does it matter if my cultivation speed is a bit slow? My greatest advantage is my foreknowledge as a reincarnator.”

Ye Feipeng looked up at the distant sky, his gaze flickering. “Heavenly Fiend Sword Intent… The premonitions constantly emanating from the Azure Sea Bead recently must be related to this. Yet, my heart tells me that place is extremely dangerous, and I've been hesitant to commit to exploring it… No more of this!”

A resolute expression appeared in Ye Feipeng's eyes. “The path of cultivation inherently demands taking risks. If I lack even this much courage, how can I possibly scheme for Dao Integration in the future?”

Displaying a speed utterly disproportionate to his physique, Ye Feipeng moved like a phantom, treading waves and riding the wind. In the blink of an eye, he left the deserted island behind.