The Second Sermon at Zixiao Palace

The war between Zifu Prefecture and the demon race ended with Dong Wang Gong suffering a crushing defeat and losing much of his strength.

After this battle, the demon race's prestige rose even higher, completely establishing its position as the hegemon of the Primordial World.

Countless rogue cultivators and minor races came to join them, and the Sun Star was crowded with visitors every day.

Dong Wang Gong, meanwhile, retreated into the East Sea's Zifu Prefecture, licking his wounds. For the time being, he no longer had the strength to contend with the demon race.

The Primordial World seemed to have entered a relatively peaceful period, but all the Great Powers knew that this was merely the calm before the storm.

The Witch Race quietly developed beneath Buzhou Mountain, its strength unfathomable. Though the demon race had won, it had also forged a mortal grudge with Zifu Prefecture, while friction with the Witch Race grew deeper by the day. The other Great Powers silently watched from the sidelines, devoting themselves to cultivation and waiting for the next sermon at Zixiao Palace.

Within the Dao Field of Fengqi Mountain, the years passed in tranquility.

After Nuwa and Fuxi digested what they had gained from listening to the Dao at Zixiao Palace last time, they often preached the Dao to Qingxuan and answered his questions.

With two Grand Unity Golden Immortals on the verge of breaking through personally guiding him, along with the Primordial Spirit Gathering Array as a super cheat, Qingxuan's cultivation advanced at an astonishing pace. He had already touched the threshold of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, making Fuxi frequently sigh that the younger generation was formidable, while Nuwa had long since grown accustomed to it and was even somewhat pleased.

On this day, the three of them were discussing the Dao when they suddenly sensed something and looked up at the sky at the same time.

That familiar, boundless Sage's Might once again spread across the Primordial World. Purple Qi came from the east for thirty thousand li, golden lotuses surged forth, and ethereal immortal music drifted through the air.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun's calm yet majestic voice resounded deep within their Primordial Spirits.

"The hundred-thousand-year period has arrived. The second sermon at Zixiao Palace is beginning. All those with destiny may come and listen."

The second sermon had begun!

"Let's go."

Nuwa and Fuxi exchanged a glance, their expressions calm yet carrying a trace of solemnity.

They knew that this sermon would likely touch upon the Slaying Three Corpses method Qingxuan had mentioned in his thoughts.

"Master, Martial Uncle, take care!"

Qingxuan waved goodbye, his thoughts already running wild.

The second sermon is here! The main event, the Slaying Three Corpses method, is about to appear!

That old thief Hongjun is about to start digging his pit. He's just waiting for everyone to jump in.

How should I warn Master and my big brother-in-law that the Slaying Three Corpses method is a trap?

Nuwa and Fuxi exchanged a smile. They had learned all about the Slaying Three Corpses method from Qingxuan's thoughts long ago.

Forget it. If all else fails, Master can follow the Path of Hunyuan again.

Although the Slaying Three Corpses method cannot be cultivated, it would still be good to listen to its principles. After all, it is also a great Dao method pointing directly to Hunyuan, and it has considerable value as a reference.

Nuwa and Fuxi had already decided on their purpose for this journey: they would only listen to the method, never fall into its practice, and use it as a reference rather than copy it outright.

The two transformed into streams of light and once again entered the boundless chaos, making their way toward Zixiao Palace with practiced ease.

When they arrived, the positions of the meditation cushions inside Zixiao Palace were unchanged. The Three Pure Ones, Jieyin and Zhunti, and Ancestor Hong Yun were already seated in peace.

The atmosphere inside the palace, however, seemed even more delicate than the first time.

After a hundred thousand years of digestion and consolidation, everyone's cultivation had advanced. Their auras sensed one another, and undercurrents surged.

Hongjun arrived as scheduled and began the sermon without the slightest exchange of pleasantries.

The content this time was indeed far more profound and mysterious than the first sermon, pointing directly to the path beyond the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.

The words of the Great Dao rang through Zixiao Palace like great bells and drums. Golden lotuses sprang from the earth, heavenly flowers rained down, and endless Dao Charm enveloped everyone.

All the Great Powers held their breath and focused their minds, comprehending with all their strength for fear of missing a single word.

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

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

"They are formed from living beings' obsessions, desires, and innate nature, obstructing the path of the Great Dao.

"To attain Hunyuan, one must slay the Three Corpses, understand one's mind and see one's nature, and one's Dao attainment will naturally take shape..."

The Slaying Three Corpses method!

The minds of all the Great Powers trembled. The Three Pure Ones, Di Jun and Tai Yi, Zhenyuanzi, and the other top Great Powers were especially radiant-eyed, as if they had seen a beacon illuminating the road ahead!

This method was clear and straightforward. It seemed that one could become a Quasi-Sage simply by following its steps, and might even glimpse the Sage realm!

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

One had to use an Innate Spiritual Treasure as a vessel in order to sever an avatar!

"...The strength of the Three Corpses one slays is closely related to the Spiritual Treasure serving as their vessel.

"The stronger the Spiritual Treasure, the stronger the Corpse that will be severed. When they merge into one true self in the future, one's Dao foundation will also be more stable..."

Upon hearing this, many Great Powers subconsciously looked at the Spiritual Treasures in their hands and began calculating.

However, Hongjun stopped at this point.

He did not continue to explain the most important key: how to merge the Three Corpses into one after slaying them all, nor did he mention the fatal point that only Spiritual Treasures of the same origin could merge perfectly!

Nuwa and Fuxi felt a chill in their hearts, and cold sweat even broke out across their backs.

If Qingxuan had not exposed this beforehand, they would probably have been immersed in the joy of obtaining a supreme method like the other Great Powers, completely unaware of the earth-shaking trap hidden behind this seemingly perfect method!

They observed carefully and saw that the Three Pure Ones wore confident smiles, clearly having immense faith in their foundations and Spiritual Treasures. A sharp light flickered in Di Jun and Tai Yi's eyes as they were already planning how to gather powerful Spiritual Treasures. Jieyin and Zhunti looked even more bitter, obviously troubled by their lack of Spiritual Treasures. Ancestor Hong Yun wore a bewildered expression, seemingly still not fully understanding it. Kunpeng's gaze was sinister, revealing his longing for Spiritual Treasures...

Nearly everyone had been captivated by the profundity of the Slaying Three Corpses method, overlooking its most crucial link.

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

They made up their minds. They could comprehend and draw upon this method to understand their minds and see their natures and temper their Dao realms, but they absolutely would not casually use their important Innate Spiritual Treasures to attempt to slay Corpses, much less pursue the so-called "slaying of all Three Corpses."

After finishing the framework of the Slaying Three Corpses method, Hongjun turned to other profound principles of the Great Dao. The content remained incomparably deep, and the Great Powers gained tremendously.

Thirty thousand years passed in the blink of an eye.

The second sermon ended.

The Great Powers awoke from their Dao comprehension, each wearing a delighted expression. They felt as though the path ahead had suddenly become clear.

The Slaying Three Corpses method in particular had given them hope of rapidly increasing their strength.

Hongjun's gaze swept over those below. Amid their expectant looks, he slowly spoke.

"This sermon has ended. The next sermon will take place in a hundred thousand years."

After the sermon ended, Hongjun did not leave. Instead, he looked at the Great Powers below.

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

Everyone was overjoyed. They had not expected Hongjun to answer their questions.

Lao Tzu was the first to rise from his meditation cushion and bow respectfully.

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

"A Sage's Primordial Spirit is entrusted to the Heavenly Dao. A Sage is immortal, imperishable, untouched by Karma, and indestructible through countless tribulations. Therefore, all beneath the Sage realm are ants!"

The words "all beneath the Sage realm are ants" caused everyone's expression to change.

Primordial rose to his feet next.

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

"There are three methods of becoming a Sage. The first is Attaining Dao through Strength. Great God Pangu took this path back then, focusing on the power of the laws, cultivating them to perfection, and breaking through his shackles. Unfortunately, Great God Pangu failed."

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

The crowd indeed muttered inwardly. Even Great God Pangu had failed. Could they possibly be stronger than Pangu?

"The second is the Slaying Three Corpses method. Slay all Three Corpses and merge them into one, and one can become a Sage.

"The third is Attaining Dao through Merit. By using immeasurable merit to forcibly obtain the Sage's throne, one can also become a Sage."

Everyone began muttering inwardly.

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

Tongtian immediately rose and asked,

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

Hongjun cast a casual glance at Tongtian.

"Of the three methods of becoming a Sage, Attaining Dao through Strength is the strongest. It can prove one to be a Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal. A Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal is a Sage, but a Sage is not a Primordial Grand Unity Golden Immortal. The Slaying Three Corpses method comes next, and Attaining Dao through Merit is the weakest."

After answering Tongtian's question, Hongjun said no more. With a wave of his hand, he sent everyone out of Zixiao Palace.

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