The moment those words came out, the five Saints in the hall did not move.
They exchanged a look, and the heavy atmosphere instantly froze solid.
Jieyin broke the silence first. On that face of his, sorrowful all year round, a few more shades of gravity appeared.
Fellow Daoist Hongyun, we have come this time not only to settle cause and effect, but also because there is another matter on which we would like to seek your guidance.
We ask that Fellow Daoist not be stingy with your instruction.
Zhunti echoed him as well. He put away his usual scheming, and at this moment even seemed somewhat sincere.
Indeed. This concerns the path of Dao for all of us, so we hope Fellow Daoist Hongyun can point us through the maze.
Hongyun did not answer at once. He lifted his teacup and took a light sip, as if pondering something.
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavier still. The gazes of the five Saints all focused on him, waiting for his answer.
"Oh? What matter?"
Jieyin pressed his palms together and went straight to the point.
"Fellow Daoist must have noticed as well that not long ago, Tathagata failed in proving his Dao."
"He had abundant merit, deep foundations, and the full support of my Buddhism."
"But at the final juncture, the three corpses repelled one another. In the end, success collapsed on the very brink, and his origin was greatly damaged."
Jieyin paused, looking straight at Hongyun.
"This poor monk dares to ask: this Method of Slaying Three Corpses... is it, from the very beginning, a path that cannot be walked?"
After Zhunti finished speaking, he and Jieyin quietly looked at Hongyun together, waiting for his answer.
Saint Taiqing, Venerable Lord Yuanshi, and Nuwa also focused their gazes on