Chapter 71: The Division of Saintly Titles in the Palace of Purple Clouds

Upon hearing Hongjun expound the Great Way of Severing the Three Corpses, the many mighty figures within the Zixiao Palace fell into deep contemplation.

Emperor Jun pondered in secret: “The Dao Ancestor Hongjun speaks of proving the Dao through strength. As descendants of Pangu, everything concerning Pangu is well documented and verifiable. Combining the two, this method must be without doubt and certainly true.”

“However!” Emperor Jun shook his head repeatedly, “Proving the Dao through strength is far too arduous. Even the Nine Revolutions Mystic Technique inherited by the Twelve Ancestral Witches, combined with the Nine Revolutions Origin Technique of the Three Pure Ones, together constitute only a portion of the path of proving the Dao through strength. Who knows how many other secret arts and peerless divine abilities are involved? No matter one’s heritage, success is nearly impossible.”

“It seems this is precisely why the Dao Ancestor Hongjun could speak of it so openly to us!”

“And what of the path of proving the Dao by Severing the Three Corpses?”

Emperor Jun quietly weighed his thoughts. As the Lord of Heaven, an unrivaled hero in the prehistoric world, Emperor Jun found it hard to believe that anyone in such an age would willingly impart a path to enlightenment, hard-earned through untold hardship, to all others. If he were in Hongjun’s position, he would never do such a thing.

Thus, Emperor Jun was more wary than trusting of the method of Severing the Three Corpses.

He reflected: “The three corpses disturb the mind and hinder progress in cultivation. If one severs the corpses—whether good or evil—it is possible. Yet, how can a cultivator make great leaps forward? It is all due to obsession. Only with the obsession to attain the Dao can one achieve enlightenment, become an emperor, become an ancestor!”

“If both good and evil obsessions are entirely severed, is that not to lose the very root of sentient life, leaving only power or law akin to the Heavenly Dao or the Great Dao?”

“Though the Dao Ancestor claims that upon becoming a Saint, one can perfectly reunite the obsessions of good and evil, the path to sainthood is incredibly difficult. Each stage of the Severing the Three Corpses method is harder than the last. If one cannot become a Saint, does that not mean they are forever left with only force and law, losing their true self?”

Emperor Jun and the Eastern Emperor pondered in secrecy.

Both believed that while severing the corpses of good and evil might be feasible, to sever the corpse of obsession was absolutely inadvisable.

Of course, at this moment, nothing was truly desperate. Emperor Jun and the Eastern Emperor were not inclined to rashly follow the path imparted by Dao Ancestor Hongjun unless absolutely necessary.

…

Where there was skepticism, there was also trust.

The Three Pure Ones, as true descendants of Pangu, possessed profound roots, great merit, and immense fortune. Wherever they went, they were favored by the heavens.

Protected by the Heavenly Dao and the Great Dao, unless they walked astray themselves, they had no fear of being targeted or schemed against by others.

Moreover, what kind of place was Zixiao Palace? Even Dao Ancestor Hongjun would not dare spout falsehoods in such a place, on such an occasion!

Thus, the method of Severing the Three Corpses must be largely true.

Lord Morality pondered, “Though it is true, Dao Ancestor Hongjun used it to attain the Dao; we Three Pure Ones may not be able to use the very same method to become Saints. It must be improved upon!”

“First, using the Nine Revolutions Origin Technique and the Nine Revolutions Mystic Technique as a foundation, cultivating both internally and externally, forging an impeccable foundation and unfathomable power—this should offer some added hope.”

“Second, the Dao Ancestor spoke of proving the Dao with spiritual treasures, but there remain flaws. If the treasure's nature is incompatible, or if it lacks the potential to be unified, how can the three corpses be merged in the future to achieve enlightenment and sainthood?”

“The Dao Ancestor did not touch on this point. Is he testing our ability to comprehend?”

“As the head of the Three Pure Ones, I alone wield the mysteries of my two brothers. Perhaps I can sever three incarnations of myself—the Three Pure Ones. With the emergence of the Three Pure Ones, the three corpses are formed. When the three corpses unite, I become Pangu!”

Though Lord Morality trusted Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s path to enlightenment, his insight was profound. In but a fleeting thought, he discerned the flaws in the method of Severing the Three Corpses, filled in the gaps, and in his heart conceived the embryonic forms of three methods: Severing the Three Corpses to attain the Dao, Transforming One Qi into Three Pure Ones, and the Three Pure Ones Uniting with the Dao.

Were he not bound to the Heavenly Dao, Lord Morality’s talent would have promised limitless prospects!

Even relying solely on his own wisdom, he might one day attain enlightenment and sainthood.

…

Lord Morality mulled over his thoughts, planning to discuss his newly conceived methods with his two brothers upon their return.

Suddenly, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke, “The path to sainthood is of utmost consequence. If one has not yet become a Saint, one must not lightly impart one's own path, or great karma will ensue!”

Lord Morality respectfully inquired, “We Three Pure Ones are of one body. May we speak of the path to sainthood among ourselves?”

Dao Ancestor Hongjun shook his head: “The law cannot be passed to six ears!”

Lord Morality nodded respectfully and pondered, “What does the Dao Ancestor mean by this? Has he seen through my thoughts, believing that my path is mine alone and should not be taught to my brothers?”

“So be it, then!” Lord Morality thought to himself, “In that case, I shall wait until I have attained enlightenment, and then ferry my two brothers across as well!”

Hongjun smiled and said, “The methods of becoming a Saint are now complete. To fulfill the merits of my teaching, I shall take seven disciples from among the Daoists of Zixiao Palace, to succeed me in spreading the Dao throughout the prehistoric world and educating all beings!”

“Saints!”

Primordial Heaven Lord was shocked. “The Saint once said there are three ways to enlightenment. Now, only two have been taught; the method of becoming a Saint through merit has yet to be revealed.”

“Meri-based sainthood?” The Twelve Ancestral Witches, Fuxi, and Nuwa were all startled, recalling when Emperor Cang of the Wu tribe spoke of the path of becoming a Saint through merit at Mount Buzhou. Merits were classified as xuanhuang merit, seven-colored merit, tricolored merit, and golden merit, with xuanhuang merit being the most desirable for achieving the Great Dao.

For a mere great witch like Emperor Cang to have such insight was impressive. What deeper understanding might Dao Ancestor Hongjun possess?

Hongjun smiled, “To become a Saint through merit depends entirely on fate. Only those with great opportunity, great fortune, and great merit may become Saints!”

Before Primordial Heaven Lord could inquire further, Hongjun continued, “Among my disciples, there will be seven. These seven all possess great merit and determination and may become Saints!”

At these words, all the mighty ones in Zixiao Palace were shocked.

Hongjun said, “The first three are the Three Pure Ones, who possess great merit, great wisdom, and great determination—they may become Saints!”

Pausing, Hongjun waved his sleeve, revealing a supreme treasure—the Taiji Diagram, a primal treasure of creation. Smiling, he declared, “Morality shall be my chief disciple and may wield the Taiji Diagram. Additionally, I possess a strand of Primal Purple Qi, which can increase the chance of attaining sainthood by thirty percent. I bestow it upon Morality!”

As he spoke, Lord Morality received the Primal Purple Qi with great respect, bowing to Hongjun as his master.

In the same fashion, Hongjun accepted Primordial Heaven Lord and Tongtian as disciples, granting them the Pangu Banner and the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, respectively.

The Three Pure Ones, overjoyed at the acquisition of such treasures and the promise of sainthood—with Hongjun’s arrangement ensuring all was hidden from the heavens—saw only good fortune and accepted with gratitude.

Hongjun then announced, “Nuwa and Houtu both possess great fortune and will one day accumulate great merit. They may also be my disciples!”

“To Nuwa, I bestow the Map of Rivers and Mountains, the Red Embroidered Ball, and a strand of Primal Purple Qi!”

“To Houtu, I grant the Yin-Yang Millstone and a strand of Primal Purple Qi!”