Eighty, joyful.

After a night of wild abandon, Su Wan didn't wake until the afternoon of the next day. Jiang Mochen had changed her into pajamas, but he was nowhere to be found.

Su Wan got up and walked into the living room. On the table were some fruit and biscuits, but the door had been firmly locked from the outside by Jiang Mochen, making escape impossible.

She stared blankly, returning to the living room and sinking onto the sofa. The factory was about to open, and she couldn’t simply vanish at this critical time.

[The following section references a novel: “After Binding the Bootlicker System, I Took Away the Handsomest, Roughest Man” – Chapter 80, Joy.]

The content of this chapter is brief; other sites may still be updating, and the rest will be automatically restored. The following content is unrelated to this novel.

Chapter Twenty-One, Part Two: On the Three Paths to Enlightenment

At this moment, the Supreme One listened intently to the Dao Ancestor’s teachings on the “Way of the Three Corpses,” cultivating his own Jade Pure Person. Though he had not practiced the “Way of the Three Corpses” himself, he verified all that could be verified, continuously improving.

As for the others present, all listened closely to the Dao Ancestor’s lecture on the “Way of the Three Corpses.” Even Yuanshi and Tongtian, whose cultivation was already profound, found that much of the teaching resonated, interconnecting in their understanding.

Others, such as Nuwa and Fuxi, also made significant progress. These top-tier gods and demons were already at the early or middle stages of quasi-sainthood. After previously hearing Hongjun’s teachings on attaining quasi-sainthood, they had already advanced. Now, as they listened to the “Way of the Three Corpses”—a method for rapidly ascending to higher realms—they absorbed and cultivated the teachings eagerly, as though drinking sweet dew.

Not only these quasi-saints, but many of the gods and demons among the audience listened with such rapt attention that their auras grew purer, some even showing signs of imminent breakthrough.

As Hongjun’s lecture on the “Way of the Three Corpses” delved deeper, dissecting and explaining the subtleties of cultivation, those gods and demons at the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm became increasingly entranced. Following Hongjun’s guidance, they began to practice, and although they might not succeed immediately, familiarizing themselves with the method would greatly benefit their formal cultivation later. Thus, regardless of the outcome, they all practiced along for now.

However, those whose cultivation was below the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm found themselves in a different predicament. Many wore expressions of frustration, pain, and regret. Lacking sufficient cultivation, it was all but impossible for them to comprehend the “Way of the Three Corpses,” which could only be practiced by quasi-saints. Even to get a head start like some others, one needed at least to have reached the peak of the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.

Otherwise, the mysteries involved would be utterly incomprehensible.

Yet this situation was critical. Here, the path forked: those unable to understand the “Way of the Three Corpses” would find it nearly impossible to ascend to quasi-sainthood in the future—it would be as difficult as reaching the heavens. Conversely, those who grasped it would see their chances of ascending within the ranks of the quasi-saints, or even beyond, greatly increased. Thus, the strong would become stronger, while the weak, if they failed to progress, would see the gap between them and the others widen irreparably.

The Supreme One naturally understood this. After this sermon, the “Way of the Three Corpses” would become widespread throughout the Great Desolation, and a new era belonging to quasi-saints would dawn. Those unable to comprehend would inevitably be left behind.

“After this sermon, a new era may well be upon us…” the Supreme One thought to himself. He continued to use the essence and profound truths in Hongjun’s “Way of the Three Corpses” to verify his own path, enhancing his Jade Pure Person. He was already nearing the late stage; barring unforeseen events, he would reach it after this sermon.

As for the Shangqing, the Shangqing Qi condensed atop the Human Flower grew ever denser, forming a faint silhouette that would soon take full shape.

The Supreme One focused his mind, concentrating solely on listening, verifying, and cultivating his own Dao and divine powers. At this time, cultivation progressed faster; through verification, his progress outstripped solitary practice.

Still, advancing a single minor realm every thirty thousand years could hardly be called fast.

In this way, another five thousand years slipped quietly by.

The Dao Ancestor Hongjun now ceased his explanation of the “Way of the Three Corpses.” Though less than three thousand years remained in this sermon, he had already covered all that needed to be said.

During the remaining two thousand years or so, Dao Ancestor Hongjun began to expound on the Path to Quasi-Sainthood. This time, his focus was on the ultimate principles and profound truths of the consummate stage of quasi-sainthood—teachings meant to prepare for the third sermon.

At present, only the Three Pure Ones could comprehend some of it. Aside from them, perhaps Fuxi could understand a bit; the others—Nuwa, Emperor Jun, Hongyun, and so on—found it difficult to grasp. Their cultivation was not yet sufficient, and they would need time to digest what they had heard.

So, two thousand years passed.

A light sound rang out from the Supreme One’s crimson Auspicious Cloud; the Jade Pure Person had advanced to the late stage of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm, now just a hair’s breadth away from equaling his true form.

As for the Shangqing, having verified the Dao Ancestor’s teachings on the consummate stage of quasi-sainthood, he too gained new insights. The Shangqing’s silhouette appeared atop the Human Flower, and soon would fully condense.

With these breakthroughs, the Supreme One had gained immensely, drawing closer to that ultimate realm.

Yuanshi, Tongtian, and Fuxi also benefited. After Dao Ancestor Hongjun lectured for another five hundred years, he ceased.

At a certain moment, he slowly opened his eyes. With that, all the Dao aura and mysteries within the Zixiao Palace vanished abruptly. All gods and demons opened their eyes, gazing at the Dao Ancestor seated high above.

“Pangu split the heavens and shaped the Great Desolation, yet the Way was incomplete. I wielded the Jade Talisman of Creation to become a saint, and vowed to teach Dao to all living beings three times—each session lasting thirty thousand years, for a total of ninety thousand years. Thereafter, I will merge with the Dao itself. Thus, after thirty thousand years, my final sermon will take place…”

“In the next sermon, I shall teach the Way of the Hunyuan Saints. If you have any questions now, you may ask, and I will answer.”

Suddenly, Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke with indifference.

As his words fell, the gods and demons exchanged glances, hesitating to speak.

Among the eight supreme beings, the Supreme One rested with eyes closed; Yuanshi and Tongtian glanced at their eldest brother but did not speak.

Emperor Jun pondered a moment, then bowed to Dao Ancestor Hongjun. “May I ask, Ancestor, is there a method to attaining enlightenment?”

This question echoed in the hearts of many present. All eyes turned to Dao Ancestor Hongjun, awaiting his reply.

After a moment’s thought, Dao Ancestor Hongjun nodded slightly. “There are three thousand paths, all leading to the attainment of Hunyuan. Yet, as I have perceived from the Way of Heaven, there are three primary methods for proving the Dao and becoming a saint. The first is to prove the Dao through strength—splitting heaven and earth, breaking chaos, like Pangu; this brings the greatest power.

“The second is the Method of the Three Corpses, which I created. By severing the three corpses—good, evil, and obsession—the cultivator’s Dao heart becomes clear, and their practice reaches the consummation of quasi-sainthood, just a step away from Hunyuan. When the three corpses merge as one, sainthood is achieved, with power second only to the first method.

“The third is proving the Dao through merit. What is this? By accumulating infinite great merit, one wins the recognition of the Way of Heaven, which bestows sainthood. This method grants slightly less power.”

…