Of the three corpses, the Obsession Corpse was the hardest to slash out.
But the Good Corpse and Evil Corpse were relatively much easier.
If he could first slash out two corpses, it would be equivalent to gaining two combat forces of different bodies yet one mind with himself.
Then, upon returning to the Three Immortal Islands, the three could join forces to activate the "Three Talents Array" and refine the remnant True Spirit of the Destruction Demon God.
Once successful, he could use the Laws of Destruction contained within that True Spirit to undergo a complete transformation.
He would use the Laws of Destruction to obliterate the three corpses and truly set foot upon the path of Hunyuan.
At that thought, Bei Ming's heart stirred slightly, and evil thoughts emerged like shadows.
Which of the three corpses emerged first had always varied from person to person.
With a thought, Bei Ming raised the Xuan Yuan Controlling Water Flag. Waterlight swirled around it, flowing with endless profound mystery.
Following the Method of Cutting Corpses taught by Hongjun, he entrusted his evil thoughts to it and softly uttered a single word:
"Slash."
In an instant, spiritual light blazed within Zixiao Palace, and an eerie aura surged from the flag.
Then, a Daoist who bore a seventy-percent resemblance to Bei Ming appeared, with a few more traces of arrogance and cold sternness between his brows.
As soon as he appeared, he cupped his hands toward Bei Ming. His Dao sound was clear and bright.
"Daoist Xuan Yuan greets Fellow Daoist."
Immediately afterward, Daoist Xuan Yuan turned toward Hongjun and bowed deeply.
"Poor Daoist Xuan Yuan pays homage to Saint Hongjun."
At the same time, Laozi on the other side also successfully slashed out One Corpse.
Spiritual light Gathered, and a white-bearded elder with a kind and benevolent expression slowly emerged, his bearing serene.
He first cupped his hands toward Laozi, then turned to Hongjun and solemnly saluted him.
These "three corpses" were not mere incarnations, but existences possessed of independent wills—half autonomous, half dependent.
Now that they were in Zixiao Palace and faced a Saint, they naturally did not dare show any disrespect.
Hongjun sat on the cloud bed, his expression as still as an ancient well. He merely nodded slightly and spoke indifferently.
"My Dao has its inheritors. There is no need for excessive ceremony."
Afterward, Dao Rhyme spread outward. Daoist Xuan Yuan and Laozi's Good Corpse both transformed into spiritual light and returned to their original bodies.
Bei Ming closed his eyes for a moment and carefully sensed the changes within himself.
Sure enough, after slashing out One Corpse, his entire aura had grown markedly stronger.
However, just as he had expected, there had been no fundamental breakthrough in his comprehension of laws.
Yet his thoughts had become increasingly clear and lucid. His future cultivation and enlightenment of the Dao would surely yield twice the result with half the effort.
As for the Xuan Yuan Controlling Water Flag, although it served as the treasure entrusted with one of the three corpses, it could still be used as usual.
After all, so-called "entrustment" did not mean transforming a Spirit Treasure into the three corpses themselves.
Although the many other Great Powers had not managed to slash out the three corpses at this time, quite a few still experienced surging auras and broke through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal peak.
By the time of the next lecture, several more Quasi-Saints would surely appear, and the structure of the Primordial Wilderness would change accordingly, truly ushering in the era of Quasi-Saints.
At the ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortal realm, every step forward required the expenditure of endless years.
Yet now, having listened to Hongjun preach the Dao within a Saint's Daoist arena, everyone had advanced and broken through in merely a few thousand years.
The preciousness of such an opportunity made the Great Powers present feel a faint sense of attachment and emotion.
Hongjun's gaze slowly swept across the crowd, his expression still indifferent.
"After One Yuan Meeting, the Third lecture will begin. It will also be the final lecture. At that time, I shall impart to you all—the Dao of Saint."
Once he finished speaking, he swept his sleeve robe. The gates of Zixiao Palace slowly opened, and amid the flowing Dao Rhyme, his figure gradually faded until it vanished completely.
The Cultivators in the hall all rose to their feet. Some looked excited, others solemn, and all respectfully cupped their hands in salute.
A moment later, light flashed as the Great Powers used the dodge technique to depart. Zixiao Palace gradually returned to silence.
Nüwa's eyes curved into crescents as she said in a crisp voice, "Bei Ming, congratulations. You were the first to slash a corpse and become a Quasi-Saint.
"Speaking of which, what exactly is the state of a Quasi-Saint?"
Bei Ming pondered briefly before explaining, "The strength is greater. Even when facing a group of Great Luo Golden Immortals, one can suppress them with ease.
"Unless they wield supreme treasures or rely on certain extremely powerful Formations, even Great Luo Golden Immortals with a numerical advantage would find it difficult to contend against a Quasi-Saint.
"However, there is no qualitative leap in the cultivation of laws.
"But one can clearly sense the empowerment of the Heavenly Dao. In the future, comprehending laws will be much smoother than before."
Fuxi's expression turned serious as he slowly said, "It is already no easy matter for one's strength to improve so greatly.
"As for the cultivation of laws, it must ultimately proceed step by step.
"Saint Hongjun preached the Dao to the Primordial Wilderness. That merit alone is enough to make him the Dao Ancestor of the Primordial Wilderness."
Nüwa nodded lightly, anticipation flickering in her eyes.
"The next lecture concerns the Dao of Saint. Does that not mean that the method to become a saint will be completely revealed?"
Bei Ming said calmly, "If you wish to comprehend the Dao of Saint, you should enter the Quasi-Saint realm as soon as possible.
"With your talents, you already broke through to the Great Luo Peak while listening to the Dao just now.
"Enter seclusion and cultivate diligently. Before the next lecture, you will surely have a chance to slash out One Corpse and achieve the Quasi-Saint realm."
Nüwa nodded solemnly. "May your auspicious words come true, Fellow Daoist. In that case, we shall not delay any longer."
"Mm." Bei Ming nodded slightly. His robes fluttered in the wind as he spoke succinctly. "I shall take my leave as well."
After entering the Primordial Wilderness, the three went their separate ways.
Nüwa and Fuxi transformed into streaks of light and returned to Mount Qixi. Rosy light lingered among the mountains and rivers, and the two did not pause before entering their Cave Abode to cultivate in seclusion.
Bei Ming leaped into the air, broke through the Clouds, and flew toward Changbai Mountain, leaving trails of Dao Rhyme in his wake that faded into the boundless Primordial Wilderness.
Elsewhere.
Laozi likewise described his current feelings and condition to his two younger brothers.
Yuanshi narrowed his eyes slightly and said calmly,
"Looking throughout Zixiao Palace, only that Bei Ming was able to slash a corpse at the same time as Eldest Brother.
"This man is no ordinary figure. I have a faint premonition that we will have many dealings with him in the future. Whether those dealings will end well remains difficult to say."
Tongtian was quite open-minded, and his eyes instead glimmered with excitement.
"The road of cultivation is long, and we three brothers are family.
"If we can encounter someone beyond our doors who is both friend and foe, would that not be a joyful thing?"
Previously, the Three Pure Ones had traveled through the Primordial Wilderness together and encountered quite a few Great Powers.
Yet there were very few who could truly catch their eye.
In terms of origins and strength, only the Twelve Ancestor Wizards could make the Three Pure Ones take them seriously.
But in conduct, the Wu Clan did not cultivate the Primordial Spirit and was engrossed in contending for supremacy. They had no common language with the Three Pure Ones, and both sides remained fixated on the question of who possessed the Orthodox Lineage of Pangu.
The other Great Powers could sit with the Three Pure Ones and discuss the Dao, but none were worthy of being regarded as true opponents. They simply could not stir that sense of urgency within their hearts.
But now, Bei Ming had appeared.
His cultivation matched Laozi's and even surpassed Yuanshi and Tongtian, allowing the Three Pure Ones to feel a long-forgotten trace of excitement and anticipation.
After returning to Kunlun Mountain, the Three Pure Ones did not waste a single moment. They immediately entered meditation and secluded themselves to cultivate.
Nothing major occurred between Hongjun's Second Lecture and Third lecture.
The many Great Powers all exerted themselves, wondering whether they could attempt to Slash Corpse before the next lecture on the Dao of Saint.
Of course, some did not enter seclusion. Instead, they went out in search of Innate Spiritual Treasures suitable for slashing corpses.
During this time, some battles broke out. Some obtained Spirit Treasures, some were severely wounded and lost their opportunities, and some even died and disappeared...
Before you continue