Chapter 2

After gaining insight into Slaying the Three Corpses, his opportunity had been ignited.

The insight transformed into golden radiance before Li Er's eyes, displaying the changes in the laws. It was guidance even more direct than an epiphany.

He believed this insight could help him overcome his bottleneck.

In the Primordial World, obsessions and the self were difficult to sever.

Li Er began integrating his insights into the Dao. Within the Eight Sceneries Palace, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged madly into his body, and his aura instantly soared.

At a certain moment, Li Er's inner energy suddenly dissipated after its explosive surge.

Greatly shaken, he opened his eyes and gradually awakened.

He began considering what his obsession was and concluded that it might be the human race.

He understood that the original Laozi, during the Investiture of the Gods, had relied on the divine ability One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, yet had not truly severed the third corpse.

He began imagining the changing tides of Earth Star, imagining Laozi Li Dan founding Daoist teachings in another form. Only then had he truly severed the third corpse.

Li Er realized that he was different from the former Laozi. His obsession was far more direct.

He decided to sever his obsession today, perhaps cutting out the third corpse ahead of time.

He sat within the Eight Sceneries Palace, surrounded by light and Dao essence. At times, it resembled towering waves; at others, dense spiritual mist.

He had spent a thousand years here comprehending the Dao and slaying corpses, attempting to sever the obsession of the Self Corpse.

He was not anxious. Instead, he would gather all his obsessions until his Dao heart became completely clear.

At last, spiritual radiance emerged in his eyes. He formed a Dao-severing hand seal carrying the essence of Yin-Yang Taiji, and the Taiji Diagram appeared behind him.

In a murmuring voice like sleep-talk, he used the Taiji Diagram as the image of Yin-Yang Taiji and attempted to sever the third corpse.

At this moment, the Taiji Diagram churned endlessly before Li Er, forming an illusory blade.

As the blade fell, brilliance burst forth. The yin-yang fish of the Taiji Diagram continuously contracted, gradually transforming into a figure—one of Li Er's Three Corpses, the Self Corpse.

Its appearance was extremely similar to Li Er's, yet its age was indeterminate. The faces of an old man, a middle-aged man, and a youth intertwined and shifted across its features.

No matter how its form changed, its inner aura remained of the same origin as Li Er's.

Li Dan wore a Yin-Yang Taiji Daoist robe, his eyes shut as he emanated an astonishing aura.

Suddenly, he slowly opened his eyes, as if yin and yang were shifting within them. "This humble Daoist is Li Dan. Greetings, true self!"

Facing the Self Corpse Li Dan's greeting, Li Er laughed heartily. "Sever the Three Corpses to realize the true self—only today do I know that I am myself! This humble Daoist is Laozi. Greetings, fellow Daoist!"

The Eight Sceneries Palace was a Daoist sanctuary specially established by Laozi within Mount Daluo. Its fortune was among the finest of all immortal mountains and blessed lands.

As the foremost of the Three Pure Ones and the senior brother of the Daoist sect, Laozi held an extraordinary status.

The sanctuary was named the Eight Sceneries Palace because Mount Daluo contained eight great wonders.

Yet today, after Laozi severed the Three Corpses, another sight emerged outside the Eight Sceneries Palace—the Primordial Chaos Scene of Yin and Yang Uniting.

This phenomenon resembled the Primordial World at the beginning of Heaven-Opening, revealing the chaotic state of heaven and earth at their inception.

This new scene brought forth by Laozi's breakthrough completely activated the numerical limit of the Eight Sceneries Palace, bringing it to its true peak.

This change immediately drew the attention of countless Quasi-Saints throughout the Primordial World.

Many Quasi-Saints felt intense shock and amazement, crying out, "Could it be that Laozi at the Eight Sceneries Palace has severed the third corpse?"

This news immediately sparked widespread attention and heated discussion. Even Jieyin and Zhunti in the western lands could not ignore it.

Laozi was undergoing an unprecedented challenge—Slaying the Third Corpse.

Only mighty Quasi-Saints truly understood the terror and difficulty of this process.

Since the lecture at the Purple Firmament Palace, after Dao Ancestor Hongjun transmitted the Dao to all beings of the Primordial World, not a single person had succeeded in severing all Three Corpses.

Many had doubted the Quasi-Saint realm: did the method of Slaying Three Corpses truly exist? But today, Laozi proved its existence through his actions.

As the foremost of the Three Pure Ones and the senior brother of the Daoist sect, he had walked ahead of them all. It was a deeply shocking matter.

Not only were the many Quasi-Saints across the Primordial World stunned, but Yuanshi and Tongtian on Kunlun Mountain were equally astonished.

They knew that Laozi was powerful, having faintly suppressed every member of his generation from the very beginning.

Now that Laozi had become the first to sever the third corpse, this advancement made them sincerely convinced, and they calmly accepted him as their true leader.

Not long after Hongjun attained the Dao, Laozi had also begun to outpace everyone else. He broke through the shackles and distracting thoughts in his heart and severed the third corpse.

This advancement signified a genuine leap in strength, widening the gap between him and Tongtian and Yuanshi even further.

Even when facing Yuanshi and Tongtian, Laozi displayed his own strength and majesty, making both of them sigh at their own shortcomings.

But they quickly regained their confidence and realized that Laozi's breakthrough was also an opportunity for them.

They could learn from Laozi's experience and might even use this chance to break through themselves.

Thus, Yuanshi and Tongtian went together to Laozi's Eight Sceneries Palace to seek guidance.

Meanwhile, amid the Heavenly Dao Order in the depths of chaos beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, Hongjun also sensed it.

Although he had known that Laozi was about to take this step, the actual result still exceeded his expectations.

He also began to consider whether this breakthrough would affect Laozi's establishment of a sect.

At the same time, Nuwa noticed Laozi's movements as well.

Although she knew Laozi attaining the Dao and becoming a Saint was only natural, seeing him successfully sever the third corpse still filled her with unease and anxiety.

Nuwa had originally believed that by creating the human race and attaining sainthood through merit, she could surpass Laozi. But now, it seemed that this was not the case.

She had even wanted to use her own advantage to scheme a Saint Karma for herself, but Laozi had decisively rejected the opportunity to owe karma.

This made Nuwa even more tense and uneasy, and she felt deeply worried about the challenges to come.

Nuwa was caught off guard by the outcome: Laozi, who had just rejected the karma she had hoped for, had directly severed the third corpse—the Self Corpse.

This was a powerful method of attaining the Dao. It suggested that even if Laozi gave up the human race opportunity, he could still Attain Dao through Slaying Three Corpses, and his potential surpassed ordinary Attaining the Dao through Merit.

Her feelings were complicated. She hoped Laozi would succeed, yet feared losing the Saint Karma because of it, perhaps even causing more trouble.

Even a great deity like Nuwa was shocked by Laozi's achievement. Other mighty Quasi-Saints found it even harder to remain calm.

Attaining the Dao through Slaying Three Corpses was like a legend—visible but unattainable.

Now that Laozi had accomplished this feat, he naturally drew the eyes of countless Quasi-Saints.

The rulers of the Wu Yao Tribes, along with other powerful figures, were also filled with mixed emotions.

They had ties with Laozi, but when faced with his achievement, they had no choice but to acknowledge the enormity of his talent.

Although the Three Pure Ones had always kept a low profile, their strength and potential had always been feared by others.

Laozi maintained his poise. Though storms raged in the outside world, he remained detached and unworldly.

The changes within the Eight Sceneries Palace made Yuanshi and Tongtian realize that Laozi Li Er's realm had risen.

They understood that the foremost of the Three Pure Ones always remained true to himself, regardless of the circumstances, unaffected by the outside world.

Facing their arrival, Li Er treated them calmly and led them into the Eight Sceneries Palace.

They knew Laozi's character well and respected his detached, tranquil, and non-action-oriented manner.

They congratulated Li Er on successfully Slaying the Third Corpse and looked forward to discussing their insights into cultivation with him.

Although they understood that insights into Slaying the Three Corpses were difficult to convey in words, they still cherished this opportunity and hoped to gain some inspiration from Li Er.

Li Er was also willing to share his insights. Although he knew they might not be of much help to Yuanshi and Tongtian, he was still willing to share this experience.

Although the Three Pure Ones did not need to be overly concerned with gains and losses between brothers, Li Er also understood that even biological brothers needed clear accounts.

In his view, as long as one remained true to oneself, everything would follow its natural course.

Though the winds and clouds outside changed, the bond between the Three Pure Ones remained as deep as ever.

As Li Er shared his insights into Slaying the Three Corpses, he also drew closer to Yuanshi and Tongtian.

Before long, he ended the small talk and began explaining his understanding in detail.

However, after Yuanshi and Tongtian listened to Laozi's explanation, they found the content obscure and difficult to understand.

Although the Three Pure Ones came from the same origin, the nature of their primordial spirits and the Dao paths they followed differed.

This had been apparent ever since Dao Ancestor Hongjun bestowed treasures.

Laozi's supreme treasure, the Taiji Diagram, suited his Dao of balancing yin and yang; Yuanshi's Pangu Banner represented his ideal of creating heaven and earth; though Tongtian had not received an Innate Supreme Treasure, his Immortal-Slaying Four Swords and formation diagram displayed his Dao of decisive slaughter.

In Laozi's view, Slaying Three Corpses required severing one's deepest obsessions. Because Yuanshi and Tongtian followed different Daos, it was difficult for them to sever these obsessions.

But because of his Dao of balance, Laozi could easily sever the Three Corpses.

This theory applied not only to Yuanshi and Tongtian, but also to the other Quasi-Saint giants of the Primordial World.

As Pangu's Primordial Spirit, Yuanshi and Tongtian understood from Laozi's explanation that it would not be easy for them to sever the third corpse as he had, but they were not discouraged.

Instead, they believed that the Three Pure Ones were one. As Laozi's glory as their eldest brother, they too rejoiced in it.

In the end, the two expressed their gratitude to Laozi.

Li Er smiled faintly and waved dismissively. "It is only a trivial matter."

Just as he was about to continue, his brows suddenly furrowed slightly, as though he had sensed something.

At that moment, laughter echoed outside the Eight Sceneries Palace, refreshing to the ears.

Then a voice called out, "Jieyin and Zhunti have come to visit Senior Brother Li Er!"

They hoped that Senior Brother Li Er would not hesitate to offer guidance.

Hearing this, Yuanshi could not help but sneer. "Those two really know how to pick their timing!"

Tongtian coldly continued Yuanshi's words, mocking Jieyin and Zhunti for their skill at scheming. However, the two of them had yet to comprehend the method of Slaying Three Corpses.

They would probably have no choice but to leave disappointed.

Li Er merely smiled calmly, saying that he would see what their purpose was.

As soon as he spoke, the Eight Sceneries Palace Lamp flickered and illuminated the entire palace. The mountain gate then opened, and Jieyin and Zhunti entered.

Upon seeing Li Er, Jieyin and Zhunti confirmed their suspicions.

They asked, "Senior Brother Li Er, have you truly severed the third corpse?"

Before Li Er could answer, Yuanshi responded with a question, making Zhunti's expression turn awkward.

Thinking of how unfathomable Li Er had been before, it was not strange that he had now severed the third corpse. But just how terrifying he had become was beyond imagination.

As junior brothers, Jieyin and Zhunti also felt somewhat defeated.

However, Zhunti adapted quickly and began praising Li Er as the senior brother of the Daoist sect, saying that his Slaying Three Corpses had set an example for them.

He then tactfully asked whether Li Er would be willing to share his insights into Slaying Three Corpses.

At this moment, the system notification sounded as well: [The host is faced with a choice. Please make a decision immediately...]

Faced with the sudden system task choice, Li Er was startled when he heard it.

Two options appeared before him, and he needed to make his choice quickly.

Possessing the Innate Supreme Treasure Taiji Diagram, he naturally had no interest in ordinary Innate Spiritual Treasures.

The Taiji Diagram in his possession, the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda, and the Qiankun Cauldron were each treasures of the highest grade.

Moreover, the Innate Spiritual Treasures he had obtained on Treasure-Distribution Rock were also extremely abundant.

However, the Classic of Morality, as the peerless Daoist canon of future Daoist teachings, was far more valuable and important than a high-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

After the Investiture of the Gods, Laozi had used the Classic of Morality to sever the third corpse and gain the great fortune of Earth Star's changing tides.

The influence of this peerless Daoist canon within the Primordial World was enormous.

Achievements and status in the Primordial World could not be acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao merely by reciting certain words.

Just as many Quasi-Saint giants had listened to Hongjun preach at the Purple Firmament Palace, yet could not recite those Dao essence classics.