Insisting on one’s own way.

Instinctively, Zhou Bao felt there was a deeper meaning to what the Taoist in grey said. However, he could not figure it out at that moment.

“One’s own way? What is my way?”

“Extreme Realm of Force, Vacuum-shattering! This is my way!” Zhou Bao’s thoughts raced all over the place. All along, his target was these two. But all along, he rarely used his own way while fighting enemies. His punching skills, be it the Four Immortal-killing Swords, Furnace of Immortality or the Seven Wonderful Techniques, proved all very useful. When used together, they defeated any adversary with ease. Most importantly, his never lacked enthusiasm about fighting, nor was he the kind of muscle men in the comics who loved fighting. Hence, whenever he felt like a lack of energy or that the fight might deplete a huge amount of his stamina, he backed out at that instant. This was the same as him giving up on everything when fighting against the devil tribe and the whole Void Universe when in the Heaven Realm World. He did such things all along.

And because of that, he never put forth his best when practicing the Extreme Realm of Force and the Vacuum-shattering Way. Since he left his true potential untapped, his progression stunted.

“Then what is he talking about now? On one hand, he wants me to insist on my own way, but on the other he passed the last technique of the Seven Wonderful Techniques on. Does he not know that after I perfect it, I will be unable to use my own powers when facing enemies?”

Zhou Bao found him suspicious, but did not show so with his body language. “This is the Heaven and Earth Secret Technique? It is indeed powerful, but it will prove more difficult to practice successfully as compared to the previous six.”

“The Seven Wonderful Techniques each have their own charms. When combined together, their powers exceed many expectations. If I were you, I would choose a place to concentrate on single-minded practice and only come out when I’m at least nearing the Earthly Immortal’s way. You’ve killed one of the Jade Emperor Sage and captivated the other. Now, the Emperor targets you!”

“So this is why you desire working with me? One is the Heavenly Fairy Weapon the Jade Emperor Sage eyes and the other is the murderer of the Emperor’s son. The enemy of an enemy is my friend.”

“You can say this is the foundation of our partnership!”The Taoist in grey smiled faintly. “You are a Tribulation Taker. As long as you’re careful and not interfere with everything, no one in the Immortal Realm can manipulate you, not even the Jade Emperor Sage himself! He is now focused on the upcoming Dharma Ending Tribulation and attaining my real body, which is why he would not have the resources to come after you. This is the best chance for you to hone your newfound skills!”

“Then, last question. When will the Dharma Ending Tribulation be here?”

“Nobody knows. Before the tribulation arrives, there will be all sorts of signs. For example, Tribulation Takers like you who have an obvious strange fate will appear. Some Divine Sense masters may also sense changes in heaven and earth. This is similar to a strong person suddenly becoming weak and feeble. These are all signs that can help others to prepare. However, humans are unable to predict when exactly the tribulation will come. Even ancient Celestial Immortals like Taoist Jin could not predict it. Tribulations always come at the most unexpected times. The Necromancer’s Tribulation last time took everyone by surprise. Nobody knew that a bunch of mediocre necromancers could cause such astronomical chaos!”

“The Necromancer’s Tribulation is the human world’s affair, you also know about that?” Zhou Bao’s interest piqued.

“For men like myself that have lived for several eras, not all tribulations affect us. However, we are immensely interested in all of them and will even take time to study them to derive their regularity. This is a habit and caution, and has aided us to live for a few eras more!”

“Those who don’t die despite old age are all thieves. This saying should be applicable to what you just said, no?” Zhou Bao laughed. “Since that’s the case, I’ll take my leave. Nothing can be certain before the Dharma Ending Tribulation. I have to find a place and focus on practicing.”

The Taoist in grey did not request Zhou Bao to stay. He brought his oversized sleeves close to him and sent Zhou Bao out of the imaginary Purple Heaven Palace.

“Is this the young man that you have high expectations of?” After Zhou Bao left, a shadow appeared behind the Taoist in grey. “He seems interesting, but not at all outstanding.”

“He is not the one. The thing I eye is his Seven Wonderful Techniques. I am interested in this name he thought of. His ability to finish practicing the Techniques, which will grant him the ability to suppress strong Earthly Immortals enable him to enter the path towards the heavens and become a Celestial Immortal!”

“Even if he becomes a Celestial Immortal, what then? Don’t tell me it was because he was bred in the Treasure-snatching Rock’s space by you! Although that much is true, he does not have this awareness. He will not stand at your side just because of this relationship!”

“I don’t need him to stand at my side, all I need him to do is to aid me when he has undergone the Dharma Ending Tribulation!” The Taoist in grey laughed. “Based on his typical character, realizing my goal proves elementary!”

“That is indeed true. But what do you mean by insisting on one’s own way? Even if he does so, he may not necessarily break through the Earthly Immortal’s Realm and arrive at the Celestial Immortal Realm. But if he manages to perfect the Seven Wonderful Techniques, it will be no problem for him to enter the Earthly Immortal Realm at least!”

“Really? I said that?” The Taoist in grey rolled his eyes. “Perhaps what you said makes sense. But no matter what, he was born in the Treasure-snatching Rock, from which he left. It’s all good if he can walk a good path on his own, what do you say?”

“The way to heaven…how is that an easy path to walk? Old man, I’ve been hiding in the Treasure-snatching Rock for so many years and have seen so many Heavenly Fairy Weapons born and destroyed. The number of people who cross over to the path of the Earthly Immortals are a rarity, let alone that of the way to heaven!”

“The Dharma Ending Tribulation of this era is coming. All willpowers are focused on creating the strongest Sage of this era, the Omnipotent Sage. However, before the position is secured, anyone stands a chance to seize it. As the Tribulation Taker for the Dharma Ending Tribulation, he deserves this chance!”

“This is exactly why I’m worried. He practiced the Seven Wonderful Techniques and has a chance to become the Omnipotent Sage. Brother, if you see it, so can I!”

“The result depends on his fate. If it’s not present at that moment, then both of us are blameless!” The Taoist in grey squinted his eyes. “Let’s see how far he can go.”

“The Seven Wonderful Techniques and Heaven and Earth Secret Technique are indeed amazing!”

Zhou Bao appeared out of nowhere in the fourth layer of the Treasure-snatching Rock, which was in the hollow beyond the projection of the earth.

As of now, Zhou Bao’s spirit already returned to his sword’s incarnation. He blinked his eyes and tried to recollect the mystery of the Heaven and Earth Secret Technique that flowed in his heart. After an unknown period of time, he then inhaled deeply. He lifted his head and stared at the blazing sun before scanning the unnamed existence in the hollow. “Sir’s, I’m done here and I’ll be taking my leave!” As he spoke, his body flashed and broke through the fourth layer of the Treasure-snatching Rock. In the next instant, he ripped open the third layer. After breaking through that, he transformed into a streak of light and left the ruins of Rock Cliff Sect. Just as he exited, the bunch of practitioners who first entered Rock Cliff Sect arrived. They did not even notice the streak of light that he transformed into.

Zhou Bao anxiety and agitation rose. This was because after he attained the Heaven and Earth Secret Technique, he subtly understood something from it. Hence, he could not wait to find a place to practice the Heaven and Earth Secret Technique and to grasp this earth-controlling Divine Sense.

At that moment, the Seven Wonderful Techniques were all he pondered. He knew once he perfected the Heaven and Earth Secret Technique, his powers would increase tremendously. Even if he failed to become an Earthly Immortal, his combat capability would be sufficient for him to battle well-known, Earthly Immortals.

All he thought about was how to increase his combat capability and practice the Seven Wonderful Techniques. He already forgot the Taoist in grey’s advice about insisting on his own way.

“Kill the Jade Emperor’s second Crown Prince first and steal his fate and the inheritance from Huang Lei the Tribulation Taker of the Northernmost Sea macro world. Then, practice the Seven Wonderful Techniques and venture to Sword Master to vanquish the little sword spirit, Man Yujun. Collect all three Immortal-killing Sword Qis. And if I still have time, I’ll find the fourth one. If I practiced the Four Immortal-killing Swords too, I have nothing to fear even when facing a Celestial Immortal!”

Zhou Bao thought to himself confidently. Right now, the most important thing was to search for a safe place to practice. He was considered unfamiliar to the Immortal Realm and its people. If he desired information, he could look for Wang She. But if he wanted to find a safe place, Wang She proved an untrustworthy person to rely on. There is only one safe place, and that was Fifth Manor of Longevity Mountain.

Hence, he did not think much about it and soared straight towards the direction of the Fifth Manor. At the same time, he never stopped tearing the space.

After traveling a whole day nonstop, he finally reached Longevity Mountain. However, he was taken aback the minute he arrived. That was because the Fifth Manor was missing.

The Fifth Manor was really missing. After Zhou Bao entered the Longevity Mountain with no obstructions in his way, he realized that the mountain range where it was originally located was missing. Only an empty peak remained, with not the slightest trace of spirit.

Zhou Bao’s frown curved upwards, crinkling in excitement. Eventually though, it sank into a bitter smile. “Fifth Manor of Longevity Mountain, Qing Feng, and Ming Yue… no, it should be Immortal Zhen Yuan….seems like things are not as simple as I imagined.”

Outside the territory in the Taoist rite of Fifth Manor, Taoist Zhen Yuan grinned. “Kid, it’s just the Seven Wonderful Techniques, what’s there to worry about? Worrying does not pay for meals. I think you should calm down before we talk about anything else.”