Primordial Era: From the Creation Lotus to the First Disciple of the Three Pure Ones

Chapter 74 The Three Pure Ones Preach the Dao

Lao Tzu first spoke of the "Tao of Taiyi".

He began by explaining how to gather the five vital energies within one's chest and forge an immortal foundation, then elaborated on how to draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to temper the five internal organs, corresponding to the five elements, so that the physical body and primordial spirit could initially transcend the mortal realm, achieving an immortal body and endless lifespan.

He also explained how to comprehend the laws of heaven and earth, condense the rudiments of the three flowers on the top of the head, achieve initial enlightenment, and lay the foundation for future path in the Dao. His words were profound yet simple, elaborating on the key points, hidden dangers, and breakthrough methods of each stage of Taiyi Scattered Immortal, True Immortal, and Golden Immortal.

Ao Guang listened with rapt attention, and many of the unclear points in his cultivation suddenly became clear. He gained a new understanding of the fusion between his own dragon bloodline and the Four Symbols Pearl. He felt that his mid-stage Taiyi realm was completely stable, and he even saw the path to the later stage.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable then spoke of the "Great Luo Way".

He explained how to transform the three flowers on the top of the head from the illusory to the real, thoroughly condense the Dao fruit, make the primordial spirit immortal, the true spirit undimmed, and initially transcend the long river of fate.

It also explains how to expand one's inner inner world, evolve the laws, and make one's magical power inexhaustible, resonating with heaven and earth.

It further emphasizes the importance of "one unifying principle," warning against trying to do too much at once and failing to grasp the essentials. One must choose one's own core principle to go far. Its voice is majestic and grand, like the laws of heaven, leaving no room for doubt.

Sun Wuzhen listened, scratching his head and cheeks, sometimes suddenly realizing something, sometimes frowning and deep in thought.

When he first entered the Great Luo, he could not fully understand many of the mysteries, but the explanations of the Primordial Ancestor pointed him in the right direction. In particular, he gained a clear understanding of the condensation and sublimation of his own "Great Dao of War," thus avoiding going astray.

The Tongtian Sect Leader added at the end that "the art and the way should be combined."

He did not elaborate on specific realms, but rather used swordsmanship and formations as examples to explain how to perfectly combine supernatural powers, magic techniques, and spiritual treasures with one's own Dao, so that the means become an extension of the Dao, rather than simply tools for killing.

His words are sharp and incisive, yet full of wisdom, emphasizing the flexibility and adaptability that "everything can be a sword, and every method can defeat the enemy."

Qinglian listened most attentively.

Although he had reached the Great Luo Perfection, his three masters explained the Dao of Taiyi and Great Luo from different perspectives, which enabled him to have an unprecedentedly thorough understanding of these two great realms.

Many previously overlooked details and potential fundamental flaws are now being addressed and solidified.

His foundation became increasingly solid and perfect, as if it had undergone the most meticulous polishing, laying an incomparably solid foundation for his future breakthrough to the Quasi-Saint realm. The Ninth-Rank Creation Azure Lotus slowly rotated in the auspicious clouds, scattering its clear light, resonating with the Dao's divine pronouncements, becoming even more vibrant.

After systematically explaining the Taiyi and Daluo Dao to Qinglian and her disciples, Laozi glanced at Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang and said calmly, "Wuzhen, Ao Guang, your cultivation is still shallow. The Path of Quasi-Saint is profound and unpredictable, and you cannot bear it at this moment. Forcing yourself to learn will be of no benefit and will only disturb your Dao heart. You should step back and properly digest what you have just heard."

With a gentle flick of her sleeve, a soft yet irresistible force carried Sun Wuzhen and Ao Guang out of the Sanqing Palace. The palace gates closed silently, leaving only Qinglian behind.

The atmosphere inside the main hall suddenly became even more solemn and profound. An invisible Daoist aura permeated the air as if it were a tangible force, causing the space itself to distort slightly.

The gazes of Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian, the three Daoist masters, all fell upon Qinglian.

"Green Lotus," Lao Tzu spoke slowly, his voice seemingly carrying the aura of chaos.

"You have reached the Great Luo Perfection stage. The next step is to inquire about the Quasi-Saint realm. In the Zixiao Palace, the Dao Ancestor spoke of three methods for attaining the Dao, but the most universal and fundamental is the method of 'Severing the Three Corpses.' Although you have heard of it, your cultivation was insufficient at the time, like trying to see flowers through fog. Today, we will explain the mysteries of 'Severing the Three Corpses' to you in detail."

Qinglian's heart tightened, and she respectfully bowed her head: "This disciple will humbly listen to Master's teachings!"

The Primordial Celestial Venerable spoke, his voice grand and majestic: "Severing the Three Corpses is not about severing good and evil, or the self, but about understanding one's true nature, separating and manifesting one's 'good thoughts,' 'evil thoughts,' and 'attached self-consciousness,' allowing them to exist independently, and then controlling and mastering them with supreme cultivation, thereby achieving a state of pure primordial spirit and flawless Dao heart. This is the foundation for peering into the primordial chaos and entrusting oneself to the void of the Heavenly Dao."

The Tongtian Sect Leader succinctly stated: "Severing a corpse requires a reliance, and an innate spiritual treasure is best. The principles contained within the spiritual treasure must be compatible with the characteristics of the corpse whose spirit you wish to sever. Only in this way can you successfully sever it and easily control it. The severed corpse is an independent incarnation, possessing part of the original body's cultivation and the power of the spiritual treasure, and its mysteries are boundless."

Next, Sanqing began to elaborate on each step, key points, dangers, and precautions of the corpse-slaying ceremony, drawing on his own insights.

Lao Tzu explains how to sense, capture, and separate the thoughts of good, evil, and self that exist in the depths of the primordial spirit.

The process requires utmost care, akin to performing the most delicate surgery on the primordial spirit; the slightest mistake could damage the very foundation of the Dao. He emphasized "acting without acting," conforming to the nature of the Dao, and not forcing anything.

The Primordial Celestial Venerable then focused on explaining how to choose a suitable innate spiritual treasure as a vessel for the corpse's thoughts, and how to refine the spiritual treasure with one's own Daoist essence to resonate with the corpse's thoughts, ultimately achieving the profound state of "the spiritual treasure receiving the thoughts, and the thoughts controlling the spiritual treasure." He further emphasized the mysterious connection and control between the three corpse incarnations and the original body after the corpse is severed.

The Tongtian Sect Leader explained it from the perspective of "destruction" and "construction," believing that severing one's corpse is also a process of breaking free from one's own shackles. It requires a resolute heart that is determined to forge ahead and seize a glimmer of hope in order to succeed.

He also shared techniques on how to enable the three corpses to cultivate different supernatural powers, comprehend different great principles, and ultimately return to the original body.

The Three Pure Ones preached from different angles, yet they all arrived at the same goal, revealing to Qinglian the supreme method of "severing three households"—the path to quasi-sainthood—as if unraveling an onion.

Qinglian listened with great excitement, completely captivated! Many key points that she had only vaguely understood in Zixiao Palace suddenly became clear to her!

He finally understood why severing the corpse required a spiritual treasure of the same origin or with compatible characteristics, why the fusion of the three corpses was so difficult, and why this method had the most solid foundation—it was as if a completely new door had been opened for him!

His Great Luo Perfection power involuntarily circulated within him, his primordial spirit became clear, as if he had already touched the rudiments of the three thoughts of "good," "evil," and "self," and could even faintly sense which of his treasures was more compatible with that thought. However, due to the lack of a truly compatible and complete spiritual treasure of the same origin that could be used to sever his corpse, he was unable to truly take that step.

But this sermon undoubtedly pointed him in the clearest direction and accumulated the deepest foundation.

Once the opportunity arises and a suitable spiritual treasure is found, one can attempt to sever the corpse and step into the quasi-saint realm in one fell swoop!

After a long while, the voices of the Three Pure Ones preaching gradually subsided.

Lao Tzu concluded by saying, "The method of severing the corpse is so profound, but remember, the method should not be lightly passed on, and the Dao must be comprehended by oneself."

"What I have said today you must carefully contemplate and integrate into your own path of cultivation. Do not be impatient." "Disciple understands! Thank you, Master, for your guidance!" Qinglian kowtowed deeply, her heart filled with gratitude and awe.

He knew that this sermon was of immeasurable value. His path to near-sainthood had been paved, awaiting only the right opportunity.