63: Severing the Three Corpses: The Difficulty of Cultivation

The young Daoist paused his steps and bowed, saying, "I am Master Ziyang from the Jiuyun Daoist Temple. This person beside me is my disciple."

Immortal Master.

Su Chen nodded, a look of surprise in his eyes. A Daoist who could use this title must certainly be a Cultivator at the Saint level.

He had not expected to encounter a Saint in a place like this.

Su Chen also bowed and said, "I am Su Chen."

Su Chen!?

Master Ziyang was immediately startled. He had come from the Jinghong Empire, so naturally, he was incredibly familiar with this name.

Su Chen was a big celebrity within the Jinghong Empire; it could almost be said that everyone knew of him.

Rumor had it that Su Chen was only in the Return to Origin Stage, but from his own interaction, he feared Su Chen was far more terrifying than the Return to Origin Stage.

He was a Cultivator at the Middle Stage of the Saint King, and for someone to be unfathomable to him, such a person was likely already extremely terrifying.

Su Chen asked with interest, "Daoist, what brings you here?"

Master Ziyang did not shy away from the question. He looked at the old man beside him and said helplessly, "My disciple lost his sanity while Severing the Middle Corpse and has been walking in this direction. I had no choice but to follow him."

The Middle Corpse!

Su Chen's eyes narrowed slightly. He had not expected that this old man was a Cultivator on the verge of a Breakthrough to become a Saint.

The Three Corpses were divided into the Upper Corpse, Middle Corpse, and Lower Corpse.

The Lower Corpse was the Corpse of Desire, the Middle Corpse was the Corpse of Wisdom, and the Upper Corpse was the Corpse of Life and Death.

Being able to attempt Severing the Middle Corpse meant this old Daoist had some capability. If he could pass through it, then Severing the Three Corpses could be considered more than half successful.

The core of Severing the Three Corpses was to sever obsessions, and this process was one of seeking life through death, like a pupa transforming into a butterfly.

Just like his Severing the Middle Corpse, it meant the complete loss of wisdom, becoming mentally dull.

If he could not achieve enlightenment and regain his wisdom, he would likely become a true fool.

Each of the Three Corpses concerned life and death.

The Lower Corpse and Middle Corpse would not lead to actual death, but failing to pass the Upper Corpse would result in true death.

Master Ziyang glanced at his disciple. Seeing that he did not seem to intend to continue walking, he found a rock to sit on, looking at the stream flowing slowly in front of him with a melancholic expression.

"The Heavenly Dao is heartless!"

"Cultivating the Dao, cultivating the Dao, the road is filled with layers of obstacles."

A Breakthrough from the Return to Origin Stage to the Dao-Entry Realm required passing the Heavenly Tribulation; if one could not pass, there was only a dead end.

For those in the Dao-Entry Realm wanting a Breakthrough to Saint, Severing the Three Corpses was even more terrifying. From ancient times until now, this Severing of the Three Corpses had blocked countless Cultivators.

Seemingly recalling the memories of his own time Severing the Three Corpses, he became somewhat sentimental.

Su Chen smiled and said, "Is this not a test? Without experiencing hardships, how can one obtain powerful cultivation?"

Master Ziyang was stunned for a moment upon hearing these words, then he laughed loudly, "It is I who was clinging to appearances."

As he spoke, he looked toward the old Daoist again, his expression calm.

"Severing the Three Corpses is inherently three tribulations. He could have chosen not to undergo these three tribulations. Since he chose to walk this path, whatever the outcome, it is within reason."

After speaking, he no longer dwelled on these matters.

He believed that since his disciple chose to Sever the Three Corpses, he must have been prepared for the worst outcome long ago.

Before long, the old Daoist once again walked blankly into the distance. He stepped directly into the cold stream water but remained completely indifferent to it.

The tiny bit of wisdom remaining in his eyes was guiding him to walk forward.

Master Ziyang also stood up and bowed to Su Chen, "I shall take my leave first."

Su Chen nodded and made a gesture of invitation.

He watched the direction in which the two were leaving; it seemed to overlap with his own, both heading toward Pingyang City. However, Su Chen did not choose to travel with them; everyone had their own path to walk.

Just like that, he walked for another three months and finally arrived at Pingyang City.

Among the Five Great Cities, the scale of Pingyang City was slightly inferior to Bright Moon City.

Following his memories, he arrived at the Ning Family. That childhood friend was from a Collateral Branch of the Ning Family and had lived in Bright Moon City since childhood, managing business there, but was later recalled by the Ning Family for other reasons.

"Young Master, may I ask who you are looking for?" The guards at the Ning Family entrance saw that Su Chen was handsome and dignified, so they asked politely.

Su Chen spoke, "Please trouble yourself to pass a message to Ning Yan, and say that an old acquaintance is looking for her."

Ning Yan!

The faces of the two guards suddenly darkened. One of them spoke, "Young Master, what business do you have with Young Miss Ning Yan?"

Although Ning Yan was from a Collateral Branch, she was still considered a Young Miss within the Ning Family, though her status was not particularly high.

Su Chen said indifferently, "Just tell her I am from Bright Moon City."

Bright Moon City?

The expressions of the two guards relaxed slightly. It seemed that this should have nothing to do with the Xu Family.

"Young Master, please wait a moment!" Saying this, he turned and left, returning after quite a while.

"Young Master, please follow me."

Su Chen followed, and soon they arrived at the Ning Family's reception hall. Inside sat a dignified woman. She wore a cyan robe, had a gentle temperament, and clean features, looking just like a neighbor's little sister.

When Ning Yan saw Su Chen, a look of confusion immediately appeared on her face. Su Chen had an extraordinary temperament and was an exceptionally handsome man. She asked herself and realized she had never known such a person in Bright Moon City.

Seeing his childhood friend, Su Chen felt a wave of emotion in his heart. He had not expected that after so many years, Ning Yan would have changed so much, with almost no trace of her former self.

If he hadn't known that the person was Ning Yan, he would have suspected that he had recognized the wrong person.

A girl changes eighteen times as she grows up.

Su Chen shook his head and smiled, "What, you don't even recognize me?"

As he spoke, he took out a light purple stone with the character 'Yan' carved on it. This was something they had found when they were playing in Bright Moon City.

They thought this stone looked very nice, so they broke it into two halves, one half carved with the character 'Chen' and the other half with the character 'Yan'. Then, the two of them exchanged stones; at that time, it was meant as a token of affection.

Su Chen had come here partly to see an old friend, and partly because he had feelings for Ning Yan back then, but due to his youth and ignorance, he just didn't know how to express them.

After growing up, his Family was constantly facing crises from other families in Bright Moon City, so Su Chen did not continue to dwell on this relationship and had always been thinking about improving his strength.

Now that he was free, Su Chen suddenly wanted to come and see her, which could also be considered giving closure to his feelings from back then.

After Ning Yan saw the stone in Su Chen's hand, a blank expression immediately appeared on her face, but she quickly reacted, and her face was filled with joy.

"You are... Su Chen!"

As she spoke, she even took off the small purple stone from her waist and placed it on the table.

Looking at Ning Yan's stone, Su Chen was also stunned. He had not expected that Ning Yan had actually kept this stone; after all, so many years had passed, and Su Chen had thought she had long since lost it.

Su Chen nodded and said with a smile, "Long time no see!"

Looking at Su Chen's smile, Ning Yan did not know why, but tears welled up in her eyes. Especially when she thought of the fate she was about to face, she felt even more incredibly sad in her heart.

However, Ning Yan still forced a smile and said, "Su Chen... it's really great to be able to see you again."