Zixiao Palace's Second Sermon

The battle between Zifu Prefecture and the Demon Race ended with Dong Wang Gong's tragic defeat and a significant loss of power.

Following this battle, the Demon Race's influence grew even stronger, definitively cementing their position as the overlords of the Great Desolation.

Countless rogue cultivators and small tribes flocked to join them, making the Sun Star a bustling hub of activity daily.

Meanwhile, Dong Wang Gong retreated to Zifu Prefecture in the East Sea, licking his wounds and unable to contend with the Demon Race for the time being.

The Great Desolation seemed to enter a period of relative stability, but all the mighty beings knew this was merely the calm before the storm.

The Witch Race was developing quietly beneath Buzhou Mountain, their strength unfathomably deep; though victorious, the Demon Race had also forged a deadly enmity with Zifu, and their friction with the Witch Race was deepening; other powerful beings watched silently, focusing on their cultivation, awaiting the next Preaching the Dao at Zixiao Palace.

Within the Fengqi Mountain dojo, time flowed peacefully.

After digesting the gains from the last Preaching the Dao at Zixiao Palace, Nuwa and Fuxi often preached and answered Qing Xuan's questions.

With two Grand Unity perfected experts on the verge of breakthrough personally guiding him, coupled with the Primordial Spirit Gathering Array as a super cheat, Qing Xuan's cultivation advanced at lightning speed. He had already touched the threshold of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, often causing Fuxi to sigh, "The younger generation is formidable," while Nuwa had long grown accustomed to it, even feeling a sense of gratification.

One day, the three who were discussing the Dao suddenly felt something and looked up at the sky simultaneously.

That familiar, vast, and boundless aura of a Sage once again permeated the Great Desolation. Purple energy flowed from the east for thirty thousand miles, golden lotuses surged, and ethereal immortal music drifted.

The calm yet majestic voice of Dao Ancestor Hongjun echoed in the depths of their primordial spirits.

"The ten-thousand-year period has arrived. The second Preaching the Dao at Zixiao Palace is about to begin. All those with destiny are welcome to attend."

The second Preaching the Dao had begun!

"Let's go."

Nuwa and Fuxi exchanged glances, their expressions calm yet tinged with solemnity.

They knew well that this Preaching the Dao would likely touch upon the method of Slaying Three Corpses that Qing Xuan had mentioned in his thoughts.

"Farewell, Master, Martial Uncle!"

Qing Xuan waved them off, muttering to himself.

[The second Preaching the Dao is here! The main event, the method of Slaying Three Corpses, is about to debut!]

[That old scoundrel Hongjun is starting to dig pits, just waiting for everyone to jump in.]

[How should I remind Master and Big Brother-in-law that Slaying Three Corpses is a trap?]

Nuwa and Fuxi exchanged a knowing smile; they had already learned about the various aspects of the Slaying Three Corpses method from Qing Xuan's thoughts.

[Never mind, if all else fails, I'll have Master retrace the path of Primordial.]

[However, even if Slaying Three Corpses isn't meant for cultivation, it's still good to listen to the principles. After all, it's a Great Dao method that points towards Primordial, and its reference value is still very high.]

Nuwa and Fuxi had already made up their minds. Their purpose was clear: to hear the method, not to fall into its trap; to draw inspiration, not to copy blindly.

The two transformed into streams of light and plunged back into the vast chaos, heading to Zixiao Palace with practiced ease.

When they arrived, the cushion positions within Zixiao Palace remained the same. The Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Hongyun were already seated peacefully.

However, the atmosphere within the palace seemed even more subtle than the first time.

After ten thousand years of digestion and settling, everyone's cultivation had improved. Their auras sensed each other, and undercurrents surged.

Hongjun arrived as scheduled, without any pleasantries, and began his lecture directly.

The content of this lecture was indeed more profound and mysterious than the first, directly addressing the path beyond Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

The true words of the Great Dao resounded like great bells, shaking the Zixiao Palace. Golden lotuses sprang from the ground, heavenly flowers rained down, and infinite Dao rhymes enveloped everyone.

All the mighty beings held their breath, concentrating with all their might, fearing they might miss a single word.

When he reached the crucial point, Dao Ancestor Hongjun's voice became ethereal as he expounded the supreme method for achieving Quasi-Sage:

"...The Three Corpses are the Good Corpse, the Evil Corpse, and the Self Corpse.

They are formed from sentient beings' obsessions, desires, and inherent nature, obstructing the path of the Great Dao.

To prove Primordial, one must slay the Three Corpses, clarify the mind and see one's true nature, and the Dao cultivation will naturally be achieved..."

The method of Slaying Three Corpses!

The minds of the mighty beings were shaken, especially the top-tier powers like the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Tai Yi, and Zhenyuanzi, whose eyes shone brightly, as if they had seen a guiding light on their path!

This method was clear and straightforward, seemingly allowing one to achieve Quasi-Sage by following the steps, and even glimpse the realm of a Sage!

Hongjun explained in detail how to sense the Three Corpses, how to condense the intent to slay them, and the most crucial step.

One needed to use an Innate Spiritual Treasure as a vessel to slay the avatars!

"...The strength of the Three Corpses slain is directly related to the Spiritual Treasure used as a vessel.

The stronger the Spiritual Treasure, the stronger the corpse slain, and the more stable the Dao foundation will be upon their future fusion back into one's self..."

Upon hearing this, many mighty beings subconsciously glanced at the Spiritual Treasures in their hands, calculating in their minds.

However, Hongjun stopped his lecture here.

He did not delve deeper into the crucial step of fusion after the Three Corpses were completely slain, nor the fatal point that only same-source Spiritual Treasures could achieve perfect fusion!

Nuwa and Fuxi felt a chill run down their spines, even breaking out in a cold sweat.

If Qing Xuan had not pointed it out in advance, they, like the other mighty beings, would likely have been immersed in the joy of obtaining a supreme method, completely unaware of the terrifying trap hidden behind this perfect method!

They observed closely and noticed that the Three Pure Ones wore confident smiles, clearly very assured of their own foundations and spiritual treasures. Di Jun and Tai Yi's eyes flashed with cunning; they were already plotting how to collect powerful spiritual treasures. Jieyin and Zhunti's expressions were more pained, clearly worrying about spiritual treasures. Ancestor Hongyun, however, looked completely bewildered, as if he hadn't fully grasped things yet. Kunpeng's gaze was sinister, revealing his intense desire for spiritual treasures...

Almost everyone was captivated by the profound mystery of the "Slaying Three Corpses" method, overlooking its most critical aspect.

Nuwa and Fuxi exchanged a glance, feeling even more fortunate in their hearts.

They had decided that while this method could be studied and referenced to understand their minds, see their true nature, and refine their Dao realms, they would absolutely not use their important Innate Spiritual Treasures to casually attempt slaying the corpses, nor would they pursue the so-called "Slaying of All Three Corpses."

After Hongjun finished outlining the framework of the Slaying Three Corpses method, he shifted to discussing other profound essences of the Great Dao. The content remained incredibly deep, allowing the many powerful beings to gain substantial insights.

Thirty thousand years passed in a flash.

The second sermon concluded.

The great beings awoke from their enlightenment, each with joyful expressions, feeling as if their path forward had suddenly opened up.

Especially the Slaying Three Corpses method, which gave them hope for rapidly increasing their strength.

Hongjun's gaze swept over those below, and amidst their expectant eyes, he spoke slowly.

"This sermon has concluded. The next sermon will be in one hundred thousand years."

After finishing the sermon, Hongjun did not leave but looked at the great beings below.

"If any of you have questions, you may ask me."

The crowd rejoiced, not expecting Hongjun to answer their questions.

Lao Tzu was the first to stand from his futon, bowing respectfully.

"May I ask, Ancestor Dao, what is a Sage?"

"A Sage is one whose primordial spirit is entrusted to the Heavenly Dao, thus immortal and indestructible, unbound by karma, and unyielding through countless kalpas. Therefore, all beneath a Sage are but ants!"

The statement, "all beneath a Sage are but ants," caused the expressions of everyone present to change.

Primordial then stood up.

"May I ask, Ancestor Dao, how does one become a Sage?"

"There are three methods to become a Sage. The first is Attaining Dao through Strength. Great God Pangu followed this path, cultivating the power of laws to perfection and breaking through limitations. Unfortunately, Great God Pangu failed."

Hongjun paused after speaking, as if giving everyone time to digest.

Indeed, the crowd was murmuring inwardly. Pangu himself had failed; could they possibly be stronger than Pangu?

"The second method is Slaying Three Corpses. When all three corpses are slain and merged into one, one can become a Sage."

"The third method is Attaining Dao through Merit, forcefully obtaining the position of a Sage through immeasurable merit, which also allows one to become a Sage."

The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves.

It seemed that among the three methods of becoming a Sage, only Slaying Three Corpses offered some hope.

Tongtian then stood up and asked.

"May I ask, Ancestor Dao, are there differences between the three methods of becoming a Sage?"

Hongjun glanced indifferently at Tongtian.

"Of the three methods of becoming a Sage, Attaining Dao through Strength is the strongest, allowing one to attain Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal. A Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal is a Sage, but a Sage is not necessarily a Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal. Slaying Three Corpses is second, and Attaining Dao through Merit is the weakest."

After answering Tongtian's question, Hongjun said no more and waved his hand, sending everyone out of Zixiao Palace.

"In one hundred thousand years, I will preach the Dao of Becoming a Sage."