Xu Taiping, who had already walked directly beneath the Green Jade Archway, immediately looked up upon hearing Abbot Jiaye's words.
Sure enough, three lamps hung above the archway.
On those three lamps were inscribed the words Heaven, Earth, and Man, in that order.
Xu Taiping murmured:
"Could these be the legendary Three Powers Lamps?"
Abbot Jiaye answered:
"Indeed, these are the Three Powers Lamps."
Xu Taiping suddenly frowned.
"But I heard that once the Three Powers Lamps are lit, although they can grant the person who lights them an endless supply of True Essence, Divine Essence, and Qi and Blood Power, that person will perish in both body and soul once the lamps go out."
Xu Taiping had also heard the legends of the Three Powers Lamps.
Abbot Jiaye answered:
"That is why the person who lights them must either leave before the lamps go out or enter the second level of the Yaochi Sacred Land before then."
"In the past, many forces entering the Yaochi Sacred Land would choose someone prepared to die to light the lamps and open the gate."
Understanding dawned on Xu Taiping's face as he nodded.
Abbot Jiaye then added:
"But setting aside the backlash from the Three Powers Lamps, merely reciting the scripture and lighting them is beyond the abilities of ordinary cultivators."
"For while you recite the scripture and light the lamps, the slightest stray thought will cause the lit lamps to go out."
"And your Primordial Spirit will likewise shatter when the lamps go out."
"Although you will not die even if the lamps go out within this Minor World, the number of times you can enter it is limited, after all. Do not waste them."
Xu Taiping nodded and said:
"You need not worry about that, Abbot Jiaye."
As soon as