Wealth, Companions, Method, and Place; Zhen Yuanzi's Decision

This was quite a coincidence. On top of that, he and Zhen Yuanzi got along exceptionally well. Seeing that Zhen Yuanzi had yet to sever his corpses and become a Quasi-Saint, Dao Xuan had some thoughts.

As the saying went, there were four essential elements to cultivation: wealth, companions, methods, and place! Zhen Yuanzi undoubtedly fit the role of a "companion."

Of course, this "companion" did not refer to a Dao companion in a romantic relationship, but rather a "companion on the Great Dao"—a fellow cultivator who could support one another through hardship and help each other forward on the path of cultivation.

Such a "Dao companion" was even more important than one bound merely by love.

Of course, Dao Xuan and Zhen Yuanzi had only just met, and their relationship had not yet reached that point.

But looking across the Primordial World, Dao Xuan felt that there was likely no one with a temperament as good as Zhen Yuanzi's.

He could treat others with sincerity. That alone was enough to move Dao Xuan. After all, even he admitted he could not match him in that regard.

To keep his many secrets, Dao Xuan had concealed a great deal during his exchanges with Zhen Yuanzi.

Even when they discussed the Dao, the Four Symbols Dao he spoke of was actually only one part of his true Great Dao—the World Dao.

Yet Zhen Yuanzi had held nothing back.

Of course, although Dao Xuan had revealed only part of his Great Dao, the Four Symbols Dao was still no weaker than Zhen Yuanzi's Earth Dao.

He merely felt somewhat guilty. This could be considered a form of Dao Xuan's conscience.

Though he had actually contributed more than enough, he held himself to an even higher moral standard.

Thus, seeing that Zhen Yuanzi was about to sever his corpses, Dao Xuan could not help stopping him.

Naturally, Dao Xuan would not reveal everything he knew. He merely spoke of some of his own insights into the Three Corpses Severing Method.

At the same time, he took the opportunity to mention a key point: the three Innate Spiritual Treasures needed for Three Corpses Severing were best if they came from the same origin.

Yet even so, Zhen Yuanzi fell silent after hearing this.

"Difficult. Too difficult!"

Zhen Yuanzi said, "According to you, Dao Brother, if one uses three Innate Spiritual Treasures of the same origin to sever the corpses, then after all Three Corpses are severed and reunited, the conflict between them can be reduced to a minimum. But..."

Zhen Yuanzi shook his head repeatedly. "There may be quite a few Innate Spiritual Treasures in this world, but they are not truly abundant. Finding three with the same origin is even harder. Moreover, the Innate Spiritual Treasures used for severing corpses cannot be too weak."

"I had originally intended to use my Earth Book and whisk to sever my good thoughts and evil thoughts respectively. As for my self-obsession, I had not even found a suitable treasure yet. But after hearing you, Dao Brother, I see that using the Earth Book to sever a corpse poses no problem. Yet the whisk is merely a mid-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, so I fear it may not suffice..."

Hearing this, Dao Xuan burst into laughter. "What are you worrying about, Dao Brother? What is so difficult about this?"

"Hm?"

Zhen Yuanzi looked at him in surprise. "Please enlighten me, Dao Brother."

Dao Xuan nodded. "Have you forgotten the gourd I gave you, Dao Brother?"

"That gourd?"

Zhen Yuanzi's eyes immediately lit up.

Dao Xuan said, "If that gourd is refined with enough Innate Wutu Essence and turned into a corresponding earth-element treasure, there will be no problem."

"At that time."

Dao Xuan smiled. "Dao Brother can use the Earth Book to sever your good corpse and the gourd to sever your evil corpse. As for your self-obsession, there is no need to worry. As far as I know, Dao Brother possesses a treasure that can serve the purpose. It is simply a question of whether you can bear to part with it!"

"I have a treasure that can sever my self-obsession?" Zhen Yuanzi was somewhat bewildered.

But after thinking carefully, Zhen Yuanzi suddenly widened his eyes and stared fixedly at Dao Xuan. Only after a long while did he say, "Could it be..."

Dao Xuan nodded.

Zhen Yuanzi's expression changed again and again, darkening and brightening by turns. Clearly, he could not make up his mind.

Following Dao Xuan's words, Zhen Yuanzi naturally understood at once what treasure Dao Xuan meant.

It was none other than the Ginseng Fruit Tree growing in this courtyard!

The Ginseng Fruit Tree was a spiritual root, but was it not also a supreme treasure?

It was just like the Pure World White Lotus Dao Xuan had obtained. Before its life force was severed, it was a spiritual root; once plucked and refined, it became a magic treasure.

Thus, Dao Xuan had said that the treasure was available, but Zhen Yuanzi might not be willing to part with it.

Naturally, Zhen Yuanzi could not bear to.

The Ginseng Fruit Tree was his companion spiritual root, and one of the ten great spiritual roots of the Primordial World.

From the time he was born until now, the tree had borne batch after batch of fruit for him to enjoy, never once ceasing!

Now, in order to sever his self-obsession, how could he bear to let this spiritual root perish?

But—

Dao Xuan's words had made something clear to him. Deep in the unseen currents of fate, he sensed that his self-obsession had to be borne by the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

The Ginseng Fruit Tree was the most suitable treasure for him to entrust with his self-obsession.

Other than this, even if he searched the entire Primordial World, he likely would not find another treasure capable of replacing the Ginseng Fruit Tree to sever his self-obsession.

And even if he successfully used another Innate Spiritual Treasure to house his self-obsession and severed the corpse—

His path to proving the Dao would likely end there, leaving him unable to take the next step: Three Corpses Reunification!

At this thought, Zhen Yuanzi's face turned pale. Looking at Dao Xuan across from him, he felt bitterness fill his mouth.

How was he supposed to choose?

On one side was the spiritual root that had accompanied him since birth. Although it had never developed its own spiritual intelligence—

And thus, in a sense, could not truly be considered a living being.

Even so, Zhen Yuanzi could not bear it.

But on the other side was his path to the Great Dao!

Zhen Yuanzi thought and thought.

Suddenly, he gritted his teeth and looked at Dao Xuan. "Dao Brother, tell me—if I give up Three Corpses Severing, is there another way for me to prove the Dao?"

Dao Xuan looked at Zhen Yuanzi, his gaze deep and distant, but he remained silent for a long time.

In the end, he still did not understand Zhen Yuanzi well enough. He had assumed that once Zhen Yuanzi learned the Ginseng Fruit Tree could also be used to sever a corpse, he would most likely agree for the sake of proving the Dao.

But he had not expected Zhen Yuanzi to make his decision so quickly. For the sake of the Ginseng Fruit Tree, he had chosen to abandon the path of Three-Corpse-Slaying Dao-Proving.

So resolute!

For a moment, Dao Xuan could not tell what he was feeling. Admiration? Approval? A sense that he himself was inferior? Or something else?

In the end, it all became a single word: "Yes!"

At that moment, Zhen Yuanzi's eyes lit up once more.

"Truly?" he asked.

"Truly."

"Hahahaha!"

Zhen Yuanzi laughed heartily again and again.

Only after a long while did his laughter subside.

"Thank you, Dao Brother!"

Zhen Yuanzi said to Dao Xuan, "But I will not walk the path of Three Corpses Severing!"

"For the Ginseng Fruit Tree?" Dao Xuan asked.

"Mhm."

"Very well."

Dao Xuan smiled lightly. "Then let me tell you one more thing, Dao Brother."

Zhen Yuanzi asked, "What is it?"

"Besides Three Corpses Severing, there is another method of proving the Dao. Perhaps it is better suited to you, Dao Brother," Dao Xuan said slowly.