Volume One: The Calamity of the Lich Chapter 153: The Three Pure Ones Journey to Buzhou, Qingxuan's Mirror Severs the Corpse

“All right, my two brothers, up ahead lies Mount Buzhou! In a moment, make sure not to commit any offense.” As they were about to reach Mount Buzhou, the Grand Pure One suddenly halted and admonished Yuanshi and Tongtian at his side.

While speaking, he intentionally or otherwise swept his gaze toward the direction of the Heavenly Court. The meaning was clear, and the two immediately understood.

“Rest assured, elder brother, we know what to do!” The two promptly promised the Grand Pure One.

Only then did he look at his younger brothers with satisfaction, smiling, and together they soared toward Mount Buzhou.

When the three arrived at the Azure Lotus Dao Courtyard, the Grand Pure One, having once witnessed this place, showed no expression. But Yuanshi and Tongtian were visibly shocked.

“These are all spiritual roots! And so many I’ve never even seen before!” From outside, seeing the courtyard full of spiritual roots, Yuanshi couldn’t help but swallow quietly.

At this moment, the voice of Ao Qing reached them. The Grand Pure One quickly stepped forward.

“Daoist Ao Qing, the three of us brothers have come seeking Senior Qingxuan for an important matter. Would you kindly announce us?”

Knowing Ao Qing’s might, the Grand Pure One dared not put on airs, instead addressing Ao Qing with a warm smile.

Ao Qing, hearing this, instructed them to wait and returned to the Azure Lotus Dao Courtyard.

Soon, Ao Qing reappeared before the three.

“Esteemed guests, my lord invites you in.”

He then turned and led them inside.

Within the courtyard, Qingxuan sat alone atop a high platform, his gaze sharp upon the newcomers.

“We, Grand Pure One, Jade Pure Yuanshi, and Supreme Pure Tongtian, pay our respects to Senior Qingxuan!” The Grand Pure One quickly stepped forward and offered his greeting upon meeting Qingxuan’s eyes.

“That’s enough. It seems you’ve already taken Daoist Hongjun as your master. In that case, you are juniors to me as well! Whatever you wish to say, speak plainly. I would not want Hongjun blaming me for making things difficult for his disciples.”

With a wave of his sleeve, Qingxuan lifted the three to their feet, his face expressionless.

“You jest, senior!”

“Senior, I heard from my teacher that you once took one of the Four Immortal-Slaying Swords from the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation?”

At this point, Tongtian could no longer restrain himself and stepped forward to inquire.

Qingxuan, hearing this, turned his attention to Tongtian.

“Oh? So Hongjun has finally handed the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation to you! Yes, it’s true—the Sword of Slaughter was indeed taken by me.”

Qingxuan sighed, his expression complex as he looked at Tongtian.

But Tongtian only heard confirmation that the Sword of Slaughter was in Qingxuan’s possession, missing the deeper implication.

“Then, senior, what must I do to obtain the Sword of Slaughter from you? I now hold the formation diagram and the other three immortal swords. I greatly wish to witness the formation’s full power, for even my teacher spoke only vaguely of it.”

Impressed by Tongtian’s boldness, Qingxuan took fresh measure of him.

All knew Tongtian never admitted defeat, but they did not realize that it was at this moment his unyielding spirit was forged. For a moment, Qingxuan found himself admiring him.

“Oh? You have such ambition. Do you know how many great beings perished when the Demon Ancestor first laid down the Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation? Your cultivation has only just reached the perfection of the Great Luo Golden Immortal. How dare you utter such bold words! Do you understand that this drive is your greatest strength, but could also be your downfall?”

Qingxuan’s face was solemn as he looked at Tongtian, speaking with meaning.

Yet, hearing this, Tongtian showed no sign of backing down. Instead, he spoke stubbornly.

“I beg you, senior, to grant my request. Perhaps my present strength is unworthy in your eyes, but only by maintaining the heart of a strong one can I go farther. I believe, one day, I will reach your level!”

The Grand Pure One, hearing this, broke into a cold sweat and quickly stepped forward to apologize.

“Forgive my third brother, senior, he is impulsive. Please do not take offense.”

He then glared at Tongtian. “Third brother, step back. Do not speak carelessly before senior!”

Tongtian, though feeling aggrieved, finally retreated a few steps.

But Qingxuan was not angry; instead, he laughed heartily.

“It’s no matter. In fact, I appreciate Tongtian’s candor.”

Tongtian’s eyes lit up at these words.

“Then, senior, are you willing to give me the Sword of Slaughter?” he asked eagerly, staring at Qingxuan.

Qingxuan, seeing this, waved his right hand, and countless restrictions descended, sealing the entire Dao Courtyard.

Only then did Qingxuan regard the Three Pure Ones.

“Hongjun should have already taught you the method of severing the Three Corpses, has he not?”

The three did not know why Qingxuan would bring this up or veil the area, but they nodded.

“Do you know that the method of severing the Three Corpses has significant flaws?”

Qingxuan looked at them with deep meaning.

“Does senior mean that one must use three objects of the same origin as vessels for the Three Corpses?” the Grand Pure One asked curiously.

“No. While that is a part of it, it is not the greatest flaw. The purpose of severing the Three Corpses is to cut away all impurities, to make the primordial spirit purer and more attuned to the Dao of Heaven. Am I correct?”

Qingxuan revealed the crux.

“You are right, senior. But is there something wrong with this?” the Grand Pure One asked. Yet as soon as he asked, a glimmer of realization dawned on him.

This had always been his concern. Otherwise, as someone who had long reached the perfection of the Great Luo, how could he not yet have severed his corpses?

“It seems you are clever and have already grasped it,” Qingxuan observed, but after this remark, he gave no further hint.

“Senior, is there a way to remedy this flaw?”

Qingxuan simply shook his head.

“This method has both advantages and drawbacks. For now, it is the most suitable path of cultivation. Severing goodness, evil, and obsession may influence a cultivator, but it best accords with the Dao of Heaven, making it easiest to comprehend the Dao. It is both your fortune and your...” He did not tell them that this path also lowered their ultimate potential, but his words implied that if they did not follow this method, they might never progress further.

“As for the Sword of Slaughter that Tongtian mentioned, to me it is of little consequence. Yet you must understand that, for the Primordial World, this sword is not necessarily a blessing. Mishandled, it could bring ruinous trouble. Do you still insist on your desire?”

Hearing this, Tongtian hesitated. He pursued power and was obsessed with the sword, but he was no fool.

After Qingxuan’s words, how could he not understand?