Chapter 21

  Zhou Bofu successfully transformed his shape, approached the water and looked at himself, and found that he still had his former appearance. He was very pleased in his heart.

  At this time, his magical powers were already extraordinary, and he had the ability to measure even light speed with his divine thoughts. He simply compared the light on himself and knew that after transforming, his height was exactly 196.1257825 centimeters according to the root source world's measurements, omitting the decimal point, resulting in a height of 196 centimeters, which was one head taller than before. Recalling when he first saw Taiyi and Kunpeng's human forms, his original form wasn't the largest among the three birds, but after transforming, he became the tallest, surpassing the two by a line, with Taiyi being only 188 centimeters and Kunpeng also being 190 centimeters.

  At this time, Zhou Bofu was very pleased and happy in his heart. "Today, I finally transformed into a human form, from now on I can be called a monster. Previously, no matter how strong, as long as I didn't transform, I couldn't be called a monster. Now that the transformation is successful, I should take a Taoist name... ...it's settled, and hide my surname 'Zhou', just call me 'Bofu'."

  Bo Fu Dao Hao - or also known as Fei Hao, has been decided, and he began to summarize the gains and losses of his own skills.

  Concentrate your mind and spirit, reviewing the gains from listening to the Tao in Zǐ Xiāo Palace until the transformation of form. The five-colored divine light has already transformed into the wonderful Dào method, and various magical powers are also presented as wonderful methods. However, what to do next is divided into two kinds, and it's difficult for even Bó Fú to decide at this moment.

  Hongjun spoke of the Tao, dividing the great way of heaven into three thousand, all of which could be achieved. However, there are only two paths to cultivation: one is to refine one's body with the primordial energy of heaven and earth, using external forces to open up the mysterious pass, uniting heaven and man, refining essence into energy, refining energy into spirit, refining spirit back into emptiness, gathering three flowers, collecting five energies, ultimately achieving the great way. As for what happens afterwards, Hongjun hasn't spoken about it yet, but Bo Fu has read so many books on the Honghuang that he can be certain of one or two things: it's either proving the Tao through power and cutting off the three corpses to prove the Tao, or accumulating merit to prove the Tao, which is unrelated to the method of cultivation and doesn't need to be thought about.

  The second is the self-sufficient and self-reliant path, which uses one's own spiritual energy to temper oneself, absorbing the primordial energy of heaven and earth and transforming it into one's own strength. This is also a way to transcend the void, but I am for heaven and earth, still gathering the three flowers and collecting the five energies. The path ahead is the same, but with different approaches, we arrive at the same destination.

  As for how to proceed afterwards, Hong Jun did not elaborate, and it is unknown what differences there are with the way of unity between heaven and man. The only thing that can be confirmed is that the cultivation speed of unity between heaven and man has higher requirements for enlightenment and faster progress; whereas self-sufficiency has higher requirements for heart nature, but slower progress.

  At the same level, during combat, there is almost no difference, with unity between heaven and man exceling in prolonged breath, borrowing the primordial energy of heaven and earth to use. On the other hand, self-sufficiency relies on one's own divine abilities being fierce, controlling the primordial energy of heaven and earth to use. Both sides fully exert their magical powers, with unity between heaven and man being three parts oneself and seven parts borrowed; whereas self-sufficiency is seven parts oneself and three parts controlled, but during combat, it is half-and-half.

  Note: The translation may not be perfect due to the complexity of the original text and the nuances of Chinese language.

  Bo Yu thought for a long time and finally chose the path of self-sufficiency, not relying on external forces. The reason is simple: "I don't seek to be a saint, and I will eventually leave this world anyway. If I take the path of harmony between heaven and man, won't I still have to pay the price for those spiritual elixirs that increase my power?... Moreover, what if the primordial energy of another world is different from this one? Wouldn't I only be able to exert 30% of my magical powers before analyzing and utilizing that different energy?! It's better to take the path of self-sufficiency, where my attacks are swift and deadly. Even in a different world, I can at least exert 70% of my power. Although it may not be beneficial for my spiritual progress, my goal is not to become a saint anyway."

  The path forward had been decided, and Bo Fu sprang into action, only to discover that he was stark naked, unable to help but laugh. "Those other guys shed their skin or fur when they transformed, and could turn them into clothes. But me? I didn't even lose a single hair! Now I'll have to go find something to change into... Poor thing, the surrounding hundred miles had been ravaged by the Thirty-Six Heavenly Thunderbolts, not even a single hair was left. Guess I'll just have to streak."

  However, he was extremely fast and transformed into a flowing light that flew out for hundreds of miles. Suddenly, a spiritual energy pressed down on him, the treasure light shot up, as if a treasure had appeared.

  Ba Mian didn't even bother to look for the treasure in his daily life, even though he knew that at this moment, many innate and acquired spiritual treasures were scattered throughout the vast wilderness. He just couldn't be bothered to find them, because he understood that when he left this world one day, he would still have to use his own strength to redeem himself for the treasure. It was really a bit unenthusiastic to go treasure hunting.

  Now the treasure is within a few feet of him, and he has become curious to take a look. In an instant, he has arrived at the place where the treasure is located, and with a wave of his hand, he uses the yellow light from the Five-Colored Divine Light to gather sand and dust, transforming it into a treasure armor that covers his body, and walks over to the treasure to take a look.

  Indeed, it's a good treasure. A banana tree grew between the mountain valley and stream, with an aura that was overwhelming, having four large leaves on top, each emitting different brilliant lights and auras. It turned out to be the first banana tree in the world, with each of its four leaves possessing the power of earth, water, fire, and wind, truly a rare and precious pre-heavenly spiritual treasure. At this moment, an old man was already standing under the tree, Bo Yu looked closely and found it was Laozi from the Three Pures, he exchanged greetings with Laozi and spoke: "It's been a long time since we met, Elder Brother Taicheng. I pay my respects. What do you plan to do with this treasure?"

  That Taicheng Laozi also deeply understood the way of prosperity and decline, never thought to get all the treasures, but since this kind of fate is inseparable, he nodded his head in response to Bo Fu's courtesy. Just as he was about to speak, both of them suddenly had a feeling and turned their heads at the same time.

  But then another person descended from the clouds, and upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a Blood River Sect member. Bo Fu had been thinking "where have I seen that Blood River Sect member's face before?" At this moment, seeing him again, he suddenly remembered where he had seen that face before...

  "Isn't this the infamous bandit Marcus? The protagonist of that war machine...... What a good face he has! Can stop children from crying at night! Haha!"

  Goodbye to this face, Ba Fu oil and then born a good feeling. The bloody highwayman, although he had a bandit face, was very kind in his words and deeds. He only heard him politely addressing Laozi and Ba Fu, and then praised the banana tree as a treasure. Next, he looked at Laozi quietly waiting for him to speak.

  Laozi saw this and was not very dissatisfied. He opened his mouth and said, "Today we have the opportunity to obtain this treasure, Baifu Dao friend can say a plan, how to divide the treasure is another matter."

  Bo Fu also smiled and said: "Brother Tai Qing Dao came first, so take two pieces away. I'll give one piece to each of us, Blood Hai Dao friend and me."

  Laozi nodded: "Good."

  The Blood Highwayman also laughed with joy: "Good."

  The three of them each took a leaf for themselves. The old man went to the earth and fire leaves, saying: "It's just that my dan furnace lacks something to fan the flames, this treasure is exactly what I need."

  Xue Hai Dao Ren took the wind leaf, Bo Fu took the water leaf, and the three of them pushed and pulled the bald banana tree for a while. Since Lao Zi was good at refining Dan, this thing could be planted in the Dan room, so they let Lao Zi take it away.

  Three people were about to bid farewell and leave when a person came from afar. After arriving, he beat his chest and stamped his feet, shouting: "What a pity! I'm one step too late."

  But it was that Zhunti Dao person...

  He saw this person's eyes turn, first greeted the three people, then said: "I knew that day when I saw this banana tree, I knew it was a treasure before heaven, and calculated that this thing had fate with me. Today, it is ripe and specially came to take the treasure, but did not expect to be one step late, what a pity."

  Next, Zhunti first saluted Taiching with a ritual gesture and said: "Brother Taiching is indeed a high-ranking Taoist with great virtues. Obtaining this treasure is truly a well-deserved honor. Congratulations to you, brother!"

  Then he bowed to Bo Xun and the Blood River people, saying: "The two Taoist friends are also great masters of divine power. Obtaining the treasure is indeed a heavenly number, but this treasure has a predestined relationship with me. I don't know which one can give up and help me, and form a good relationship. Another day, when you go to the Western Paradise, I will certainly welcome you with inverted shoes."

  Seeing this person spouting nonsense, the treasure was about to be snatched away. Ba Fu and the Blood River Sect disciples all sneered coldly. The Blood River Sect disciple didn't say a word, and after exchanging greetings with Lao Zi and Ba Fu, he left, deliberately flashing the two sharp swords at his waist as he walked.

  Zhun Ti didn't go after that bloody sea either. He just fixed his eyes on Bo Fu, a smile spreading across his face, and ignored the old man's slight shake of his head beside him.