Feng Buzhi controlled the [Steel-Hardened Keratin] on the surface of his skin.
When he first gained control of [Steel-Hardened Keratin], it was only the size of his palm. But after continuously absorbing the Weird in the Abyss, it had now grown to the size of a basketball.
Feng Buzhi moved the [Steel-Hardened Keratin] to his arm.
Perhaps because his mental realm had advanced, Feng Buzhi found that his control over [Steel-Hardened Keratin] had improved by a level. He was still some way from being able to manipulate it at will, but it was good enough.
Soon, Feng Buzhi used [Steel-Hardened Keratin] to form a line of metallic-looking text near his shoulder.
The shadow subconsciously read it aloud. "The Bodhi tree is not a tree; the bright mirror is not a stand. Since nothing exists, where could dust settle? What does what you wrote mean?
"Wait, how did you do that?
"How can you control the Weird's power so precisely?"
As the shadow spoke, an exasperated expression appeared on his face again. He looked extremely frustrated.
The shadow said gloomily, "What a waste of your talent for controlling the Weird. If you'd chosen blood, wouldn't that have... No, with your talent for controlling the Weird, you should have chosen your brain as your Mutation Organ!"
"Skin-type Mutation Organs generally don't require much control over the Weird. Your talent's going to waste."
"What a shame, what a shame!"
"The type of Weird you fused with your skin is related to steel. Let me think..."
As he spoke, the shadow covered his head and crouched down, seemingly of his own accord. He wore a pained expression and began trying to remember again.
After a long while, the shadow spoke. "A lot of my memories are missing, but I still thought of a Fourth Rank path that suits you. It's called Weapon Shifter."
"Weapon Shifter?"
The shadow nodded. "It's a powerful Fourth Rank path. Your body's surface can transform into all kinds of weapons, or even unexpected ones. The better your control over the Weird's power, the stronger you'll be.
"It suits both your Mutation Organ and the nature of your Weird extremely well. And this path still has room to grow. Breaking through to Fifth Rank shouldn't be a problem. Whether you can break through to Sixth Rank or higher is up to you."
Feng Buzhi asked, "You seem to be mentioning the word 'path' for the first time. What does it mean?"
The shadow looked puzzled. "Have I never said it before?
"Oh, I really don't think I have. That's because you've refused to go to the Abyss Altar and fuse with the Weird for so long. There'd have been no point in telling you.
"Fine, I'll explain it now. A path is a route for growth.
"Generally speaking, after forming a Mutation Organ, if you grow without a plan, you'll get stuck at Third Rank at best. Some people can't even reach Third Rank and remain trapped at Second Rank. Unless they remove the Weird inside them, they'll never make any more progress.
"Growth routes that can take you to Fourth Rank and beyond are called paths.
"The Weapon Shifter path I just told you about only goes up to Fourth Rank, but that doesn't mean your potential ends there. Even without a path for what comes next, as long as you don't do anything too outrageous, you should be able to reach Fifth Rank.
"So, do you understand how valuable this path I've given you is?"
Feng Buzhi said, "It sounds pretty good."
The shadow glared at Feng Buzhi. "It's not just pretty good—it's excellent. It's a good thing you ran into me. Otherwise, there was a good chance you'd have wasted your talent.
"Now I'll explain the details of this path. Let's start with the basic principle.
"Usually, a person's body can only fuse with one type of Weird, because a person's soul can only match one type.
"So here's the question: what happens if you put another type of Weird into that person's body?"
Feng Buzhi replied, "The two types of Weird might conflict, or they might fuse."
The shadow looked surprised. "Huh? You know that? Did you gain some kind of knowledge inheritance in the Abyss?
"Fine, as long as you understand. Paths rely on fusing different types of Weird.
"Your initial Weird and Mutation Organ may differ from someone else's, but by fusing with specific types of Weird and materials, you can follow similar paths of growth. The effects will vary somewhat depending on your initial Weird. Some will be stronger, some weaker.
"For example, your Mutation Organ is your skin, and your Weird is related to metal. That makes the Weapon Shifter path an excellent fit.
"The first three Ranks of the Weapon Shifter path are a little weaker, but reaching Fourth Rank brings a qualitative change.
"First Rank is Shapeshifter. You need to collect Rotting Weird and take it with a shapeshifting worm. Both are common. They'll make your skin easier to reshape. Once you reach First Rank, you must transform your Weird into Shapeshifter Weird before breaking through to Second Rank.
"Second Rank is Bloated One. The materials are just as easy to obtain. They'll thicken your skin, making you look a little swollen.
"Third Rank is Bastion. One of the materials is the blood of a magic insect, which is rather rare. Your skin can transform into a special kind of shell, like a chrysalis, with astonishing defensive power. Since your Weird has a metallic attribute, your defense might be several times greater still.
"Fourth Rank is Weapon Shifter. The required materials and Weird are relatively difficult to obtain, but if you start keeping an eye out now, you should have gathered most of them by then.
"Have you heard of a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis? Going from Third Rank Bastion to Fourth Rank Weapon Shifter is a process that turns the ordinary into the miraculous. By then, your whole body will undergo a transformation!
"With your potential, Fourth Rank is only the beginning. You'll keep growing stronger, become a pillar of the Human Race, and then..."
He seemed to get carried away talking. Before he knew it, the shadow was already imagining the future alongside Feng Buzhi.
Feng Buzhi finally interrupted him.
Feng Buzhi said, "It sounds pretty good. I'll keep it in mind."
The shadow's words abruptly stopped. He stared at Feng Buzhi in disbelief, then grew angry.
The shadow snapped, "Keep it in mind? You're saying you'll keep it in mind?
"I've given you the right answer. Can't you just follow it?
"Could you stop messing with my head?
"Do you think it's rubbish just because I made it sound easy? Every path was worked out and summarized through the repeated experiences of countless people. Some were even obtained by people who endured untold hardships during the Deep Abyss Trial.
"You have no idea how precious this path is!
"I know you're strong and talented, but aren't you a little too self-important?
"After going through the Deep Abyss Trial, didn't you learn your lesson?
"If you keep recklessly doing whatever you want, the gap between you and the other races will only keep growing!"
The shadow kept earnestly trying to persuade him. Feng Buzhi nodded perfunctorily, still thinking about the Weapon Shifter path the shadow had described.
It wasn't that he was considering following that path.
His future had already been decided. He would cultivate the [Muscle-Tendon Transformation Classic] internally and the [Vajra Indestructible Divine Art] externally. Pursuing the Weapon Shifter path would only mean taking a needless detour.
Still, there were parts of the Weapon Shifter path worth learning from.
For example, the changes to the body. Feng Buzhi thought that if he wanted to recreate his Abyssal state of having two heads and four arms in the real world, this path might offer some useful ideas...
Before you continue