Tongtian Does Not Sever the Corpses

"They actually didn't question it at all."

"Hongjun tricked us? What was he after?"

Hearing Lu Chen's inner thoughts, a flicker of doubt appeared in Tongtian's eyes.

"The Dao of Three Corpses severs one's goodness, evil, and obsession in turn, using Dharma treasures as vessels... One corpse is the initial stage, two corpses the later stage, and severing all three corpses is the peak of the later stage.

Manifest the three thoughts into three corpses, then nurture the three corpses to their pinnacle and merge them back into oneself, and one may ascend to the Saintly Dao..."

Hongjun chanted, and the sound of the Dao instantly spread throughout Zixiao Palace.

Strange phenomena arose one after another within Zixiao Palace.

Heavenly flowers rained down, while golden lotuses surged from the earth.

The path of the Quasi-Saint was far too profound for Lu Chen. Even with his exceptional foundations and talent, he could not truly compare to old monsters like Tongtian, who had cultivated for who knew how many years. After all, their accumulated foundations lay there, and this sermon by Hongjun had specifically been delivered for these three thousand guests of the mortal world.

His main purpose in coming here was to absorb those lotuses of mana, stockpiling mana in preparation for Great Luo.

As the sound of the Dao permeated the hall, the mighty figures each displayed different forms. Some revealed benevolent faces that sought to save all living beings, while others displayed vicious faces of utter ferocity.

The sound of the Dao ceased, and the sermon had just ended.

"Sever!"

Laozi gave a low shout and offered up the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda above his head. Slowly, an elderly man in white robes with a kind and benevolent face condensed into form.

This was Laozi's good corpse.

Immediately afterward came Yuanshi, who used the Jade Ruyi as a vessel to sever his good corpse.

Then, several mighty figures with deep accumulations severed their corpses one after another using Dharma treasures.

"Third brother, you?"

Laozi and Yuanshi frowned slightly, looking at Tongtian beside them in confusion.

They were confused because Tongtian had not severed a corpse.

They believed that Tongtian's refusal to sever a corpse was absolutely not due to insufficient cultivation. Though Tongtian's cultivation was a sliver weaker than theirs, he was certainly stronger than some fellow Daoists who had already severed their corpses.

Then there was only one answer: Tongtian did not wish to sever a corpse.

"What is wrong with Master? The Green Duckweed Sword is right beside him—why isn't he severing a corpse? Could it be that he saw through the flaw in severing the three corpses?"

Lu Chen slightly opened his eyes and saw that Tongtian's cultivation was still at the peak of Great Luo. Doubt quietly arose in his heart.

"There is a flaw in severing the three corpses!"

Tongtian's gaze shifted slightly. He slowly rose to his feet and bowed to Hongjun.

"Tongtian has a doubt trapped in his heart. I hope the Saint will answer it."

"Speak."

"Does this method of severing the three corpses have any flaws?"

Tongtian spoke bluntly, directly voicing Lu Chen's inner thoughts.

"It has none."

Hongjun shook his head.

"Third brother, hurry and apologize to the Saint!"

Laozi and Yuanshi stared at Tongtian in alarm and hastily rebuked him.

They knew that Tongtian could sometimes be stubborn and reckless, but they had not expected him to be this reckless—to dare question the Dao-proving method passed down by the Saint!

Then they rose and bowed to Hongjun. "Saint, my third brother was born with a somewhat reckless temperament. I hope the Saint will not stoop to his level."

"Why does this master seem a little off?"

"Damn it, I overdid it just now!"

Hearing Lu Chen's inner thoughts, Tongtian's heart tightened. His expression remained unchanged as he respectfully bowed to Hongjun.

"I hope the Saint will not hold it against this junior."

"No matter. Sit down. If you have any further doubts, speak freely. I shall answer them for you."

Hongjun waved his hand, and an invisible force pressed the Three Pure Ones back into their seats.

After sitting down, Tongtian looked toward Lu Chen. Anxiety gnawed at him inwardly.

"Will you just say it, brat? What flaw does severing the three corpses have?"

His question just now had not truly been meant for Hongjun. The person he truly wanted to ask was Lu Chen.

He himself could hear Lu Chen's inner thoughts and knew that severing the three corpses had a problem, but his eldest and second brothers did not know. Nor could he speak of it, because he had no way to explain it—much less stop them from severing their corpses.

Tongtian had never considered doing so. First, he had no suitable reason that could convince the two of them. Second, those who blocked another's Dao, even blood brothers, would see their relationship shatter and turn into bitter enemies.

He could not stop Yuanshi and Laozi from severing their corpses. He could only hope to learn the flaw in severing the three corpses from Lu Chen and see whether there was a way to remedy it.

But Lu Chen would not say anything...

And as his master, he could not ask, either. Even if he asked, Lu Chen might not answer truthfully. Worse still, asking would expose his secret of being able to eavesdrop on Lu Chen's inner thoughts.

"Third brother, why did you not sever a corpse? Your Green Duckweed Sword is a top-grade innate spiritual treasure. Other than innate supreme treasures, it is already the finest."

Yuanshi's tone carried a trace of urging.

Facing Yuanshi's urging, Tongtian understood at that moment what it meant to have suffering one could not put into words.

Before he knew what flaw lay in severing the three corpses, he absolutely would not sever one.

He had a premonition that this flaw was likely connected to becoming a Saint.

Hongjun might have concealed something from them during his sermon.

"If there is nothing else, then disperse."

Hongjun gave Tongtian a deep look, then swept his Daoist sleeve. The gates of Zixiao Palace opened wide.

Laozi stopped Yuanshi, who still wanted to continue pressing the matter. "Enough, second brother. If third brother does not wish to sever a corpse, he must have his own thoughts. We cannot force him."

"Eldest brother is right."

Hearing Laozi's words, Yuanshi nodded.

He glared at Tongtian. "From now on, I will not concern myself with your cultivation."

"Has Master reached his rebellious phase?"

Seeing that Tongtian still refused to sever a corpse even after Yuanshi rebuked him, Lu Chen raised his brows slightly.

"Rebellious phase? What does rebellious mean?"

Though he did not know what Lu Chen meant by rebellion, Tongtian felt a trace of grievance after Yuanshi glared at him. A hint of urgency entered his gaze as he looked at Lu Chen.

"Good disciple, tell me about the flaw in severing the three corpses. Your master is truly worried to death!"

"What the hell? Why is Master looking at me like that? Uncle-Master glared at you because you refused to sever a corpse. What does that have to do with me? It is not as though you refused to sever a corpse because of me."

Seeing the urgency in Tongtian's eyes, Lu Chen looked utterly baffled.

"Eldest brother, second brother, let us return."

"Mm."

"Humph!"

Yuanshi gave a cold snort, his face frosty as he faced Tongtian.

This poor Daoist's heart is suffering!

Tongtian cried out inwardly and could only pretend not to see Yuanshi's cold expression.

He followed behind Laozi and left Zixiao Palace.

"This entire bottle is full of chaotic qi. Once it is all refined, who knows how much spiritual liquid it will produce."

After returning to Kunlun Mountain, Lu Chen did not mooch off Duobao's cave abode. He waved his claws and dug a pit large enough for one person.

Then he shrank his body and crawled inside, setting up several simple formations within the pit—some to conceal his aura, others defensive restrictions.

These formations were not meant to defend against anyone. They were merely meant to show that he was entering secluded cultivation and did not wish to be disturbed.

Along the way, he had felt that Tongtian's gaze upon him was strange, always carrying a kind of urgent yearning.

It was as though Tongtian sought something from him, or as though he possessed an answer Tongtian wanted.

So even if Tongtian wanted to learn or obtain something from him, since Tongtian had not asked before, he could wait until Lu Chen emerged from seclusion!

Heaven and earth were vast, but cultivation was greatest.

P.S. This is my first time writing a Primordial World story. If there are any flaws, please point them out in the comments. And while you are at it, please send some free votes my way...