Chapter 27: Kill the Corpses to Recover Your Cultivation

“My disciple… In the cultivation method I devised for you, it is explained that after reaching the Daluo Realm, one must ascend to the Hunyuan Realm. In other words, after condensing the Daluo Dao Fruit, the next step is the Hunyuan Realm. However, breaking through directly from Daluo to Hunyuan is extremely difficult. Even with my master’s background and aptitude, it would be a formidable task.”

Laozi paused, then continued with solemnity.

“That is why the method of beheading the three corpses was created. This method makes the breakthrough to the Hunyuan Realm relatively easier. Every time one beheads a corpse, their cultivation increases beyond the Daluo level—though it does not yet reach Hunyuan.”

As Laozi revealed this secret, Xuanqing felt enlightenment wash over him. The so-called “beheading of three corpses” was, in truth, a profound method to lower the difficulty of breaking through the bottleneck between Daluo and Hunyuan. By severing the three corpses—representing obsession, desire, and ignorance—one accumulates a solid foundation, preparing to ascend to Hunyuan in a single leap.

Xuanqing sighed quietly, then asked, “Master, can I also cultivate this method of beheading the three corpses?”

“Of course,” Laozi replied. “When you reach the Daluo Realm, I shall teach it to you. In this current prehistoric world, breaking through to Hunyuan directly is near impossible. Only by relying on this ingenious method can one proceed.”

Xuanqing nodded, then turned to glance toward the place of seclusion. “Master… will those guests from Zixiao Palace also cultivate this method?”

“They will—eventually. But not yet. The method of beheading the three corpses is considered a supreme secret art of our Xuanmen. It was passed down to us in advance, so that our disciples may cultivate it first. Once we’ve taken the lead, it will be shared with the other Zixiao guests.”

Laozi smiled, gently stroking his beard, his tone filled with reverence.

Indeed, Hongjun Daozu had shown special favor by imparting the technique to the Three Pure Ones first.

Xuanqing fell into thought. Drawing on memories from his previous life, he began piecing together hidden truths.

Laozi observed him thoughtfully before nodding in approval. “Disciple, your cultivation has now reached the Taiyi Realm. However, due to the damage sustained by your physical body, it is difficult to continue advancing. It is time to choose innate spiritual objects to begin the Method of Patching the Heavens, to improve both your aptitude and foundation.”

“Master, I never imagined that reaching the Taiyi Realm would cause such harm to my body. I have also been considering integrating innate items to practice the Method of Patching the Heavens and repairing the damage,” Xuanqing replied with some frustration. Although innate treasures existed, he did not wish to choose blindly.

Laozi sighed as well. “This must be done carefully. You must choose innate items that resonate with your essence and are of the highest quality. During this time, focus on practicing the Nine Revolutions Profound Art. Once I have selected the appropriate spiritual items, you may resume cultivation.”

“Yes, Master. I shall begin refining the Nine Revolutions Profound Art and cultivating my divine abilities.” Xuanqing nodded, comforted by the fact that his master would surely choose only the best for him.

Just then, Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian emerged from their seclusions.

They, too, had begun to behead their corpses—but intriguingly, each corpse bore a resemblance to themselves.

Yuanshi Tianzun’s corpse appeared carried by stars, manifesting as an aged man much like Laozi. Tongtian, carried by a sword, took the form of a middle-aged man, resembling Yuanshi.

Xuanqing watched, puzzled. Why do they resemble themselves after beheading a corpse?

Tongtian stretched, clearly invigorated. “Brother, our cultivation has finally recovered a bit. But the Hunyuan Realm is still a distant dream.”

“Do not speak carelessly,” Yuanshi Tianzun chided as he stroked his beard. “Now that we have begun beheading our corpses, it is destined—we shall reach the Hunyuan Realm in time.”

Laozi nodded. “Yes. This is but the beginning. With diligence, we shall gain much more.”

The three-spoke freely, making no effort to hide their conversation from Xuanqing. From just a few sentences, he grasped many hidden truths. Tongtian said his cultivation had recovered, not advanced. That could only mean one thing—before this, their cultivation had already reached astonishing heights.

This world, Xuanqing mused, is far from the prehistoric world described in those novels of my past life.

“Eh? Xiao Xuanqing,” Tongtian called, grinning, “now that you’ve reached the Taiyi Realm, your body must be in poor shape, no?”

Xuanqing pulled a bitter face. “Once I complete the Nine Revolutions Profound Art, my body will recover. Besides, Master is choosing innate spiritual objects for me. With their integration, I need not worry about future damage.”

“That’s good. Still, our Method of Patching the Heavens has high requirements. You must be selective,” Yuanshi Tianzun advised seriously. As the junior recognized by Hongjun himself, Xuanqing had to be treated with care.

Tongtian interjected, “Brother, I do have a set of top-grade Five Element spiritual treasures that could help Xuanqing restore his body.”

“Only top-grade?” Yuanshi frowned, clearly unimpressed. “That is not enough. Besides, Xuanqing is refined from elixirs. Spiritual treasures, being large instruments, lack compatibility. What he truly needs are innate spiritual roots to aid his cultivation.”

Laozi agreed. “Indeed. I intend to select the finest spiritual roots to fuse into his body.”

They are wealthy and powerful, Xuanqing thought to himself. A set of top-grade spiritual treasures is barely worth their notice. Laozi even wants to find the best innate roots for me…

After a short discussion, the Three Pure Ones instructed Xuanqing to focus on cultivating the Nine Revolutions Profound Art and divine abilities until a suitable innate treasure could be found.

Naturally, Xuanqing complied. To build a solid foundation and reach greater heights, every step must be taken to the extreme.

Thus, he devoted himself to practicing the Nine Revolutions Profound Art and refining his supernatural powers.

Over the centuries, he mastered many techniques. Now, he was practicing a unique escape art: the Five Elements Escape Technique.

With this art, he could vanish into water, slip into trees, pass through stone—moving with astonishing speed, as though no obstacle existed.

Bang! Xuanqing crashed into a rock, repelled by an invisible barrier.

He turned with a frown. “Uncle… your restriction again?”

Tongtian sighed. “Xiao Xuanqing, what are you thinking? I have been teaching you all these years, yet you have not practiced any powerful offensive spells. Instead, you pour your heart into escape techniques—this Five Elements Escape, flying arts, evasive maneuvers…”

Indeed, Yuanshi’s divine art, Star Shift, used starlight to warp through space. Laozi’s Yin-Yang Golden Bridge channeled Yin and Yang energy to enable flight. Tongtian’s technique, Man-Sword Unity, summoned divine swords for both flight and combat.

But Xuanqing? He only cultivated arts for evasion.