The Sage's Path!
Those four words rang through the hall once more like a thunderclap!
The Method of Severing the Three Corpses he had taught earlier was already a method of attaining the Dao.
And next time, he would teach... the Sage's Path!
What was that? Some supreme mystery that went even further than the method of attaining the Dao?
Was it the final step toward that highest realm?
In the eyes of the Three Thousand Cultivators, flames of longing blazed.
Hongjun said nothing more. His figure gradually faded, then vanished from the high platform.
The Zixiao Palace erupted into a clamor.
Everyone rose to their feet and began talking excitedly.
Some discussed the titles bestowed on King Father of the East and West Queen Mother. Others speculated about the contents of the next lecture. But most were eager to return and try the Method of Severing the Three Corpses.
Severing the Three Corpses required Innate Spiritual Treasures.
These three thousand years would be just enough time to search for spiritual treasures and comprehend the method of Severing the Three Corpses.
The Three Pure Ones were the first to rise and leave. Laozi's expression remained calm, and his steps were unhurried.
Yuanshi furrowed his brow slightly, as though he were still pondering something.
Tongtian looked eager to give it a try, clearly fascinated by the Method of Severing the Three Corpses.
Dijun and Taiyi followed close behind.
The two looked grave. As they walked, they spoke in low voices, evidently discussing what to do next.
Minghe left alone, his expression dark, though a strange light gleamed in his eyes.
Kunpeng hurried off, almost as if he were fleeing. No one knew what was on his mind.
King Father of the East and West Queen Mother were surrounded by the others, who congratulated them one after another.
The two smiled and returned each greeting, but deep in their eyes lay unmistakable excitement and unease.
Houtu rose on her own, nodded slightly to Nuwa, then turned and left.
Her back still looked lonely, but her steps were firm.
Randeng walked slowly, his gaze deep. He took one last look at the six meditation cushions, then turned and left.
The hall gradually emptied.
Xuande and the other six still showed no hurry to leave.
Once most of the people had gone, Xuande rose and looked at the six beside him.
"Fellow Daoists, please wait a moment."
Nuwa, Fuxi, Zhenyuanzi, Hong Yun, Jieyin, and Zhunti all looked toward him.
Xuande said, "The Method of Severing the Three Corpses we heard today is profound and subtle.
"Rather than each of us returning home to study it alone, I think we should research it together and compare our insights.
"Would you be willing to come with me to Mount Sumeru, so we can discuss this Dao together?"
Hong Yun's eyes lit up. "That sounds great! Studying together has to be better than muddling through on your own!"
Zhunti nodded as well. "Our elder brother speaks wisely. This is the first time we have heard of the Method of Severing the Three Corpses. If we study it together, we will surely make twice the progress with half the effort."
Zhenyuanzi nodded with a smile. "I was thinking the same thing. We will be apart for three thousand years after leaving the Zixiao Palace. This is a perfect chance to spend more time with you all."
Fuxi looked at Nuwa. She smiled faintly and said softly, "Brother, shall we impose on them for a few days?"
Fuxi smiled. "Then we'll be imposing on you."
Jieyin said slowly, "Good. To travel with you all to Mount Sumeru and study the Great Dao together is more than I could ask for."
Once the seven had agreed, they set off together.
Outside the Zixiao Palace, the hazy Chaos remained unchanged. Looking back, they saw the ancient, unadorned palace floating silently, as if it had stood there since time immemorial.
The seven summoned their Escape Lights and flew toward the Primordial Wilderness.
Having made the journey twice before, they passed through the Chaos much more smoothly this time.
In less than two hundred years, a glow appeared ahead: the boundary of the Primordial Wilderness.
As they crossed it, the familiar Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth washed over them. The seven drew deep breaths, taking in the atmosphere of this world.
"We're finally back!" Hong Yun stretched mightily. "After spending three thousand years in the Chaos, I can say the Primordial Wilderness is still the best!"
Zhunti smiled. "Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, the way you say that, you'd think you'd suffered terribly in the Chaos."
"How did I not suffer? There was nothing in the Chaos—not even anyone to talk to! If I hadn't had you all with me, I'd have died of boredom!"
Everyone laughed.
As they chatted, the lands of the West gradually appeared in view.
The West had improved considerably over the past three thousand years.
The Earth Veins they had repaired with their own hands flowed quietly beneath the ground, releasing increasingly rich Spiritual Energy.
Wild grasses and shrubs now covered many hillsides that had once been barren.
From time to time, they could even spot spirit beasts moving through the forests. They were still scarce, but compared to the desolate, devastated landscape of the past, the difference was like night and day.
Looking down, Zhunti said with a sigh, "The West is slowly recovering. Give it a little more time, and it should be better still."
Jieyin nodded, his sorrowful expression touched with comfort. "The Earth Veins are stable. Now all that remains is to leave it to time."
The outline of Mount Sumeru gradually appeared on the horizon.
The towering divine mountain stood in silence, and the Bodhi Tree on its summit shone with a faint, clear radiance, as though welcoming them home.
The seven lowered their Escape Lights and landed before the mountain gate.
As they passed through it, the familiar feeling of home washed over them. Xuande took a deep breath, feeling perfectly at peace.
"Please, fellow Daoists."
He led the others into the mountain. They passed through a pine grove and around a ridge, soon arriving beneath the Bodhi Tree.
The ancient tree stood as sturdily as ever, its branches spread wide as faint points of light drifted down.
Several meditation cushions lay beneath it, as if they had been waiting for the seven to return all along.
The seven took their seats beneath the Bodhi Tree.
A gentle breeze swept by, and the leaves rustled. Far-off mountain ranges rose and fell beneath swirling mists, like a scene from a celestial realm.
"What a fine place." Fuxi looked around and praised it. "Mount Sumeru truly lives up to its reputation. It's peaceful and free here, far removed from worldly strife."
Nuwa nodded as well and said softly, "Though Spiritual Energy here is not as rich as in the East, there is a different kind of serenity."
Jieyin said slowly, "The West is barren, nothing like the fertile East. That you fellow Daoists would come here to discuss the Dao is a blessing for Mount Sumeru."
Hong Yun waved a hand. "Fellow Daoist Jieyin, you're being too formal! We're old friends. There's no need to talk about whether we'd abandon you!
"Besides, Mount Sumeru is a fine place—peaceful and free. It's much better than those noisy places!"
Zhunti smiled. "Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, if the people who enjoy noisy places heard you say that, they'd be furious."
Hong Yun grinned. "Let them be. I'm not afraid of them."
Everyone laughed.
After the laughter died down, the mood gradually turned serious.
Zhenyuanzi spoke up. "The Method of Severing the Three Corpses we heard today is profound and subtle. I have some questions. Do any of you feel the same?"
Fuxi nodded. "I do. In particular, what does the word 'sever' mean? Does it mean cutting them off completely, or merely separating them?
"If they are cut off completely, would goodness, evil, and Obsession simply disappear? Would a cultivator still be a whole person?"
Hong Yun scratched his head. "I've been thinking about that for ages! If you sever your good thoughts, wouldn't you become a bad person?
"If you sever your evil thoughts, wouldn't you become a Sage? But even Sages have evil thoughts, don't they?"
Zhunti pondered. "Perhaps this 'severing' is not the same as cutting something off. Maybe it means... transcending? So that good thoughts, evil thoughts, and Obsession no longer bind one's heart?"
Jieyin said slowly, "I believe Fellow Daoist Zhunti is right. The Dao of Nirvana does not mean total annihilation, but rather transcending beyond it. Perhaps Severing the Three Corpses is the same."