Chapter Forty: Severing the Corpse

The most common method for severing the three corpses is to use innate spiritual treasures. The quality of the treasure used directly determines the cultivation and power of the severed incarnations. Generally, cultivators will select their most supreme treasures for this task.

As for the Ancestor of the Universe, his finest treasures are the Universe Cauldron and the Primordial Heaven-Measure Ruler, both supreme innate treasures. However, to sever corpses using such treasures means allowing one’s thoughts of good and evil to be entrusted to the treasure, consuming its very origin to shape the incarnations. While innate treasures can usually recover their lost essence, supreme innate treasures are much harder to restore—sometimes, it is nearly impossible for them to fully recover.

For the Ancestor of the Universe, though he possessed two supreme treasures, it was hardly worth damaging them for the sake of severing corpses. In fact, using even a top-tier innate spiritual treasure is already considered extravagant.

When it came to top-tier innate treasures, the Ancestor of the Universe was hardly lacking: the Universe Diagram, the Northern Profound Water-controlling Banner, the Twelve-Petaled Lotus of Karmic Fire, and the two divine swords—Abyss and Doomsday—all of these were excellent choices for severing corpses. To cut away the three corpses of obsession—good, evil, and self—he needed to select three top-tier treasures. But which to choose?

In terms of the path he excelled at, the Universe Diagram was a fine choice, especially suitable for severing the Good Corpse or the Self Corpse.

Considering the profundity of the Dao, the Abyss Sword embodied the Dao of Darkness and Death, while the Doomsday Sword represented Slaughter and Destruction—both of which were more profound and powerful than the Water Dao of the Northern Profound Banner or the Fire Dao of the Twelve-Petaled Lotus. Thus, they were more suitable for severing the Evil Corpse.

Regarding the Dao of Darkness and Death, the Ancestor of the Universe had gained some understanding through the achievement of a cosmic world in Stellar Transformation, but as for the Death Dao itself, he had little insight. However, due to his Blood Sea avatar, he had a deeper comprehension of the Dao of Slaughter and Destruction. Thus, using the Doomsday Sword to sever the Evil Corpse was undoubtedly the most appropriate.

As for the Self Corpse, he found himself momentarily at a loss. Though the Water and Fire Daos were both powerful, neither of the corresponding treasures seemed the best choice. After all, he could not use two treasures to sever the Self Corpse. So, which treasure should he choose?

After pondering for some time, the Ancestor of the Universe’s thoughts gradually cleared. His eyes brightened, a smile played about his lips, and he nodded. He then summoned the Universe Diagram, which floated above his head, settling beside the rightmost of his Three Flowers.

“Sever!” With a low command in his heart, the Universe Diagram released its origin power, radiating a hazy light that touched the leftmost of the Three Flowers above his head. Instantly, the golden flower trembled and bloomed. A point of light shone, absorbing the essence of the Universe Diagram, and in the blink of an eye, it manifested as a Daoist in a gray-white robe who stepped down to the side.

Watching this Daoist, who summoned the Universe Diagram into his hand with but a thought, the Ancestor of the Universe rose with a smile and cupped his hands in greeting. “Fellow Daoist!”

“Fellow Daoist, we are but one and the same. Call me Daoist Primal Origin,” the gray-white robed Daoist replied, smiling as he returned the salute.

“Primal Origin?” The Ancestor of the Universe was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes shone with delight. “The genesis of creation, the beginning of the One, the very foundation of a world. Is not the Dao of Space most wondrous in forming a world? With but a word, you have pierced the essence—how marvelous!”

Daoist Primal Origin smiled and replied, “Fellow Daoist, your understanding of the Dao of Space is already profound, merely limited by your current cultivation. Now that you have severed the corpse and become a Quasi-Saint, comprehending the Dao of Space will only become easier. The act of severing corpses is no longer an obstacle for you. Once the three corpses are severed, the Great Dao itself is within reach!”

“The Great Dao within reach? Haha… The Dao of Space is not so easily mastered,” the Ancestor of the Universe shook his head with a smile, then gazed toward the outside of the Universe Palace, his eyes seeming to pierce countless layers of space and fall upon the Sea of Blood. “Now, it’s time to pay a visit to the Sea of Blood and sever the Evil Corpse first.”

Moments later, at the Sea of Blood, the great formation that shrouded the outer space rippled, and then the space twisted and tore open like a black hole. The Ancestor of the Universe, clad in a green robe, stepped out. Having reached the Quasi-Saint level, his deep understanding of the Dao of Space did not yet allow for instantaneous movement, but tearing through space to travel was now a simple matter. The journey from Fangzhang Island to the Sea of Blood took no more than the time to drink a cup of tea.

Upon entering the great formation, the Blood Sea avatar, who was meditating atop the Lotus of Karmic Fire, opened his eyes.

With a single step, the Ancestor of the Universe stirred ripples in the space, and in the next instant, he appeared before his Blood Sea avatar.

The avatar silently produced the Doomsday Sword and handed it to the Ancestor.

Suspended in midair, the Ancestor of the Universe closed his eyes. Auspicious clouds appeared above his head, where the Three Flowers swayed gently. He then guided the Doomsday Sword toward the leftmost of the Three Flowers. The sword, emanating a dim red glow, lightly touched the flower. Instantly, the golden flower bloomed, a point of light shone forth, and, absorbing the origin power of slaughter and destruction from the Doomsday Sword, it swiftly condensed into a cold Daoist in a dark red robe.

“I am Daoist Doomsday,” declared the cold Daoist, sword in hand, as he looked at the Ancestor of the Universe, who had just opened his eyes and stood up. He bowed slightly in greeting: “Fellow Daoist.”

The Ancestor of the Universe smiled at him. “Well done! As expected of the Evil Corpse incarnation—your cultivation is much greater than that of the Good Corpse. From this day forth, you are not my Evil Corpse incarnation, but the Evil Corpse of Ancestor Minghe of the Nether River. Do you understand?”

Daoist Doomsday nodded silently, then slightly altered his aura and appearance. In the blink of an eye, he became the spitting image of Ancestor Minghe, as portrayed by the Blood Sea avatar.

“Haha… Excellent! Now this is the true Ancestor Minghe!” The Ancestor of the Universe gazed at Daoist Doomsday, unable to contain his laughter.

“When will you sever the Self Corpse?” Daoist Doomsday inquired, his tone cold and his face expressionless.

The Ancestor of the Universe, unperturbed, replied with a faint smile, “No rush. I still have preparations to make—I haven’t even chosen a treasure for the task.”

“Then you must hurry,” said Daoist Doomsday. “Once you sever the Self Corpse, my cultivation will also rise, reaching the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm. By then, in the Great Desolation, aside from Hongjun, there will be nothing to fear.”

The Ancestor of the Universe was momentarily stunned, then shook his head. “Without becoming a Saint, one remains an ant. The Three Pure Ones have already mastered the Dao of Three Corpses; it is only a matter of time before they achieve sainthood.”

“Then you must strive to attain the Dao of Primordial Unity as soon as possible. It should not be too difficult for you,” Daoist Doomsday urged.

“You certainly have great confidence in me,” the Ancestor of the Universe replied with a wry smile. “Enough talk. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, he waved his hand, tore open space, and stepped through it.

Back in the Universe Palace on Fangzhang Island, he dismissed the attendant Azure Cliff, instructing him not to let anyone disturb him, and closed the palace doors.

In the dimly lit hall, the Ancestor of the Universe summoned the Universe Cauldron. Within, chaotic divine fire blazed, and soon, a verdant willow appeared amid the flames—more accurately, just the trunk, which was the true body of the Immortal Yangmei, the Hollow-Hearted Willow.

Just then, the Ancestor sensed something. His brow furrowed, and a mechanical voice echoed in his mind—the voice of the Desolate World Dao System: “Congratulations, master, on successfully severing a corpse. You are awarded six thousand system points. Additionally, a new opportunity to transmigrate to the world of ‘Coiling Dragon’ is available. Initiating transmigration requires two thousand system points.”

“Coiling Dragon?” The Ancestor of the Universe was surprised. He could not help but ask, “Why does this transmigration require so many points? It’s four times what was needed for the last journey to the world of ‘Stellar Transformation.’”

The system’s voice remained as cold as ever: “The first transmigration was a discounted price. Does master wish to transmigrate now? Or should a clone be sent instead?”