Discussion on the Path of Slaying Corpses (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

Sage's Path!

These four words struck like a thunderclap, echoing once more through the great hall!

The method of Slaying Three Corpses discussed earlier was already a path to enlightenment.

But what would be taught next was... the Sage's Path!

What was that? Was it a supreme mystery surpassing the method of enlightenment?

Was it the final step toward that ultimate realm?

In the eyes of the Three Thousand Cultivators, a blazing fire of longing ignited.

Hongjun said nothing more. His figure gradually faded, finally dissipating atop the high platform.

Within the Purple Cloud Palace, a tumult erupted.

The crowd rose one after another, voices buzzing with discussion.

Some debated the enfeoffment of East King Duke and West Queen Mother, others speculated on the content of the next lecture, but most were eager to return and attempt the method of Slaying Three Corpses.

Slaying Three Corpses required an Innate Spiritual Treasure.

These three thousand years would be just enough time to seek out such treasures and comprehend the method.

The Three Pure Ones were the first to rise and leave. Laozi's expression remained calm, his steps unhurried.

Yuanshi's brow was slightly furrowed, as if still lost in thought.

Tongtian, on the other hand, looked eager to try, clearly deeply intrigued by the method of Slaying Three Corpses.

Dijun and Taiyi followed closely behind.

Their faces were solemn, speaking in low tones as they walked, evidently discussing their next moves.

Minghe departed alone, his expression dark, yet a strange light flickered in his eyes.

Kunpeng moved swiftly, almost as if fleeing, his thoughts unknown.

East King Duke and West Queen Mother were surrounded by the crowd, receiving congratulations.

Both wore smiles, returning the greetings one by one, but deep in their eyes lay an excitement and unease they could not hide.

Houtu rose alone, nodded slightly to Nuwa, then turned and left.

Her silhouette remained solitary, but her steps were firm.

Randeng walked slowly, his gaze deep. He cast one last look at the six Cushions, then turned and departed.

The great hall gradually emptied.

Xuande and his six companions still did not rush to leave.

Once most had gone, Xuande rose and looked at the six around him.

"Daoist friends, please hold a moment."

Nuwa, Fuxi, Zhenyuanzi, Hongyun, Jieyin, and Zhunti all turned to him.

Xuande said, "This time listening to the Dao, the method of Slaying Three Corpses is profound and subtle.

This Humble One believes that rather than returning to ponder alone, it would be better to study together, cross-referencing our insights.

Would you, Daoist friends, be willing to accompany This Humble One to Mount Sumeru for a discussion, to jointly explore this path?"

Hongyun's eyes lit up: "Yes, yes! Studying together is surely better than fumbling alone!"

Zhunti nodded as well: "Daoist brother speaks sense. The method of Slaying Three Corpses is something we have all heard for the first time. If we can comprehend it together, we will surely achieve twice the results with half the effort."

Zhenyuanzi smiled and nodded: "This Humble One was just thinking the same. A parting from the Purple Cloud Palace means three thousand years apart. This is a fine chance to gather more with you, Daoist friends."

Fuxi looked at Nuwa. Nuwa smiled softly and said quietly, "Brother, shall we go and impose on them for a few days?"

Fuxi laughed: "Then impose we shall."

Jieyin spoke slowly: "Good. All Daoist friends heading together to Mount Sumeru to jointly study the Great Dao—this Humble One could not ask for more."

The seven agreed and walked out together.

Leaving the Purple Cloud Palace, the gray Chaos stretched before them as before. Looking back, the ancient hall floated silently, as if unchanging through the ages.

The seven mounted their Escape Light and flew toward the Primordial Wilderness.

With two experiences behind them, crossing the Chaos this time went much more smoothly.

In less than two hundred years, the light of the Primordial Wilderness's border appeared ahead.

Crossing the boundary, the familiar Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth rushed toward them. The seven all took a deep breath, savoring the aura of this realm.

"Finally back!" Hongyun stretched lazily. "Three thousand years in the Chaos—still, the Primordial Wilderness is the best!"

Zhunti laughed: "Daoist friend Hongyun, you say that as if you suffered terribly in the Chaos."

Hongyun glared: "How did I not suffer? There was nothing in that Chaos, not even anyone to talk to! If not for you all keeping me company, I would have been bored to death!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Amid the chatter and laughter, the lands of the West gradually came into view.

The West was much better now than it had been three thousand years ago.

The earth veins they had personally repaired flowed quietly underground, releasing increasingly dense spiritual energy.

Many once-barren slopes were now covered in wild grass and shrubs.

Occasionally, a few spirit beasts could be seen moving through the forests—still rare, but a world of difference from the desolate scene of those years.

Zhunti looked down and said with emotion, "The West is slowly recovering. In a little more time, it should be even better."

Jieyin nodded, a trace of relief in his sorrowful expression. "The earth veins are stable now. All that remains is to leave the rest to time."

The outline of Mount Sumeru gradually appeared on the horizon.

That towering sacred mountain stood silently, the Bodhi Tree at its peak radiating a faint, clear glow, as if welcoming their return.

The seven pressed down their Escape Light and landed before the mountain gate.

Stepping through the gate, a familiar, homelike aura washed over them. Xuande took a deep breath, feeling only peace in his heart.

"Daoist friends, please."

He led the group into the mountain. Passing through a pine forest and rounding a ridge, they soon arrived beneath the Bodhi Tree.

That ancient, gnarled tree remained unchanged, its branches and leaves spreading wide, scattering specks of clear light.

A few cushions lay quietly beneath the tree, as if they had been waiting all along for their return.

The seven sat down beneath the Bodhi Tree.

A gentle breeze came, rustling the leaves. In the distance, mountain ranges stretched on and on, shrouded in mist like a fairyland.

"A fine place." Fuxi looked around and praised, "Mount Sumeru truly lives up to its reputation. Cultivating here brings purity and ease, free from worldly strife."

Nuwa nodded and said softly, "Though it lacks the dense spiritual energy of the East, it has a different kind of pure and tranquil atmosphere."

Jieyin said slowly, "The West is barren, incomparable to the East's abundance. That you Daoist friends would not disdain it and come here to discuss the Dao is Mount Sumeru's fortune."

Hongyun waved his hand. "Daoist friend Jieyin, you're being too formal! We're all old acquaintances—why speak of disdain or not!

Besides, Mount Sumeru is just fine—pure, free, far better than those noisy places!"

Zhunti smiled. "Daoist friend Hongyun, if those who love noise heard you say that, they'd surely argue with you."

Hongyun chuckled. "Let them argue. I'm not afraid anyway."

Everyone laughed.

After the laughter, the atmosphere gradually settled.

Zhenyuanzi spoke up. "This time listening to the Dao, the method of Slaying Three Corpses is profound and subtle. This poor Daoist has some doubts. Do any of you Daoist friends share the same feeling?"

Fuxi nodded. "This poor Daoist feels the same. Especially that word 'slay'—what does it truly mean? Is it to sever completely, or merely to separate?

If it is complete severance, then would good, evil, and obsession simply vanish? Would a cultivator then still be a complete person?"

Hongyun scratched his head. "I've been thinking about that question for a long time too! If you slay your good thoughts, wouldn't you become a bad person?

If you slay your evil thoughts, wouldn't you become a sage? But sages don't lack evil thoughts either, do they?"

Zhunti looked thoughtful. "Perhaps this 'slay' is not that 'slay.' Not severance, but... transcendence? Letting good thoughts, evil thoughts, and obsession no longer bind the original mind?"

Jieyin said slowly, "This poor Daoist believes that Daoist friend Zhunti's reasoning is sound. The path of nirvana is not utter annihilation, but transcendence above it. Slaying Three Corpses may be the same."