The most critical factor was that training to unlock the human body's hidden reserves was far slower than cultivating the methodology transmitted by the Immortal Venerable.
As Li Fan studied these texts, he discovered that the difficulty of unlocking the human body's hidden reserves increased exponentially once a person’s power was equivalent to the Golden Core level.
At that point, it would feel like being chained down by invisible shackles, and every minuscule advancement would require an exorbitant price.
With the same expenditure of effort, the gains from immortal cultivation far surpassed what could be achieved through unlocking the body's hidden reserves.
Moreover, immortal techniques allowed one to command the energy and laws of heaven and earth. How could the human body's inherent strength ever compare?
What was regeneration from a drop of blood compared to the undying state of a Nascent Soul cultivator, who couldn't be killed as long as their grotto-heaven remained intact?
In summary, based on the existing research and deductions by many cultivators, the methodology of unlocking the human body's hidden reserves might allow one achieve power rivaling the immortal path.
But the prerequisite was that one had to leave the environment of the Xuanhuang World.
Just like how the power of firearms and gunpowder is suppressed in this realm, the methodology of unlocking the human body's hidden reserves suffers the same fate.
Li Fan had previously tested the firearms he had brought from Great Xuan to the cultivation world. They were reduced to nearly one percent of their normal firepower. Lethal weapons instantly became children's toys, reduced to worthless scrap metal as Kou Hong had described.
The Xuanhuang World is a world belonging to the path of immortality. Li Fan concluded, cross-referencing his previous experiences. Other power systems are suppressed to varying degrees, as if the Heavenly Dao consciously rejects external forces.
He had already harbored suspicions about this, so the confirmation didn't particularly surprise him.
Although this method isn’t sustainable in the long run, it should be enough to help Tian Yang break free from his predicament. Still, relying solely on the hidden reserves of a mortal body to defeat a Golden Core cultivator within six years would likely be insufficient.
Embodying external objects...
Building a foundation with the self...
Li Fan slowly contemplated the possibilities in his mind. Truth be told, the ancient Embodiment Transformation Dao Sect's Embodiment Transformation Technique shared remarkable similarities with the current methodology of "Borrowing the Curios of heaven and earth to build a Dao Foundation." Both utilized external objects to nourish oneself.
On Yinyin Island, Yin Shangren had once explained to Li Fan the possibility of Self Foundation. This inevitably made Li Fan wonder: Could the Embodiment Transformation Technique be used to embody oneself? To completely separate consciousness from physical form? To first treat one's own body as an external object, then gradually merge object and self?
Embodying external objects, when cultivated to its extreme, could allow one to achieve unity between object and self. If one could embody oneself and master it perfectly, wouldn't that mean achieving complete control over one's own body? This would be nearly identical to Self Foundation.
When a cultivator could fully master their own body and then mobilize the potential and reserves hidden within, what terrifying power might erupt forth?
This was the method Li Fan envisioned to break the deadlock. And if successful in the simulated world, there was no reason he couldn't replicate it in reality.
Of course, the difficulty would undoubtedly be extremely great. Li Fan wasn't some transcendent genius who could achieve his goal immediately. Only through repeated attempts could he ultimately succeed.
Fortunately, Return to Truth provided Li Fan with sufficient capital to conduct experiment after experiment without worries.
My avatar will try unlocking the human body's hidden reserves in the real world to accumulate experience. Once I feel somewhat confident, I’ll enter the simulated world and test it on Tian Yang.
With a firm plan in mind, the previously idle avatar immediately sprang into action.
Meanwhile, Li Fan's true self pursued three tasks simultaneously: cultivating, studying arrays, and delving into the Heavenly Physician’s Immortal Scripture .
At the same time, he held the second Dao Transformation Stone in his palm, executing the Unity of Dao Transformation and Mind to absorb the mysterious energy within, strengthening the blue crystal in his sea of consciousness.
After dividing his mind into four ways, Li Fan felt he had reached the limit of what he could handle without compromising efficiency.
He could, of course, split his consciousness further for other tasks, but doing so would inevitably slow his thought processes. There were more losses than gains.
Only when his divine sense grew stronger could he resolve this issue at its root.
Clearing his mind of distractions, Li Fan immersed himself completely in cultivation.
Time flowed steadily onward, arriving at Anchor Year 15.
On the desolate island, Ye Feipeng was seething with frustration. He had just sparred with Xiao Heng again and was still defeated by the same killing move, Water Dragon's Roar.
Scowling, he brushed past the others and headed alone to the beach. Gazing at the boundless sea, he began scheming in secret.
Damn it. If this continues, not only will I fall behind Xiao Heng, but even Su Xiaomei will surpass me.
And that Zhang Haobo is something else.
No wonder he achieved Dao Unity in his previous life. I thought stealing his providence would reduce him to a mortal.
Who would have thought that approaching him would catch the attention of that damned skull, setting him back on the immortal path?
Hmph, had I known, I should've been more ruthless and killed him outright back then. Then I wouldn't feel this uncontrollable dread every time I see him now.
But at least, this treasure won't be yours in this lifetime.
Ye Feipeng instinctively touched his chest.
There, a pale blue, translucent water droplet helped him absorb the surrounding water attribute spiritual power, boosting his cultivation.
Ye Feipeng knew full well that this blue water droplet was the Deepsea Pearl.
In his past life, it was with this very pearl's aid that Zhang Haobo had slain Crimson Flame at the Golden Core realm and successfully achieved Dao Unity.
Emulating Zhang Haobo in this life, he had relentlessly pursued and cut down stormfloods, hoping to attract the attention of the Congyun Sea.
Through unyielding effort, he had finally succeeded. Yet, he found no joy in it.
Even with such a treasure aiding me, my cultivation speed can't match those freaks on the island. Could it be that I, Ye Feipeng, am truly so worthless?
The more the fatty brooded, the angrier he grew, sinking into deep self-doubt.
After a long while, he took a deep breath and consoled himself. Calm down. You need to stay calm.
So what if my cultivation is slower? My greatest advantage is my foresight as a regressor.
Ye Feipeng lifted his gaze to the distant sky, his eyes flickering with thought.
Heaven-Scorning Sword Intent...
The premonitions the Deepsea Pearl keeps sending me lately must be related to this.
Yet my instincts are telling me that unimaginable danger lies there, making me hesitate to investigate...
I cannot continue like this! A look of fierce determination flashed in Ye Feipeng's eyes.
The path of cultivation was never meant to be walked without risk. If I lack even this much courage, how could I ever hope to achieve Dao Unity in the future?
Moving with a speed that defied his bulky frame, Ye Feipeng shot forward like a phantom, his feet skimming across waves as he rode the wind.
In the blink of an eye, he had left the deserted island behind.