Chapter Forty-Two: A Ghost Immortal Is Still an Immortal

“Become an immortal?!”

Upon hearing this, Tu Junfang’s pupils constricted sharply. This was something he had never considered, nor dared to imagine. For him, merely completing the missing parts of their sect’s cultivation method was already an insurmountable challenge.

Therefore, after the shock, doubt appeared on his face. After all, from ancient times to the present, no one had ever conclusively proven that anyone truly became an immortal. At most, there were rumors of “suspected transcendence,” all of which were as elusive as bubbles.

“Heh, it seems you don’t believe me. Well then...”

This reaction did not surprise Xia Ye, nor did he mind. He smiled calmly and then offered a proposal.

“I am but a humble person, yet I have studied your Three Corpses Sect’s cultivation method to some extent. I will speak, and you listen. If you find my idea feasible, we can continue our conversation.”

“Alright.”

Tu Junfang nodded. Since this man was reputed as a “miraculous healer” and had even nurtured someone like Xia He, it wouldn’t hurt to hear him out.

So Xia Ye began to explain:

“As far as I know, your Three Demons Sect’s cultivation is based on ‘spiritual power,’ focusing on the ‘Three Corpses’ of the human body. Ultimately, it relies on ‘slashing the Three Corpses’ to reach the pinnacle of the method, after which there is nothing more to cultivate, correct?”

“Mm.”

Tu Junfang nodded in response.

“Looking back through history, even if your sect’s masters successfully slashed the Three Corpses, the final stage they reached was merely the ‘Realm of Tranquility’—a heart as still as water, detached from emotions. Though close to the Dao, it is only ‘close.’ The soul cannot truly transcend, making further progress extremely difficult. They merely become ethereal without true liberation. Is that not so?”

“...”

“Yes.”

“Then let me ask you, although unproven, the predecessors suspected of ‘transcending and ascending’ were all Daoist practitioners. What do you think makes the Zhengyi Sect’s ‘Golden Light Incantation’ and the Quanzhen Sect’s ‘Golden Core Method’ superior to your Three Demons Sect’s method?”

“Superior in... cultivating both life and spirit?”

That seemed to be the obvious answer.

“Exactly. But that is only part of it. Their true strength lies in purity and extremity, without detours or diversions. It’s constant cultivation—endlessly refining one’s life and spirit!”

When he said “endlessly,” Xia Ye emphasized the words.

“Hmm...”

Hearing this, Tu Junfang narrowed his eyes, looking thoughtful. Everyone understood this logic, but the simpler the principle, the deeper the mystery in cultivation; otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many variations among sects’ methods.

At that moment...

“Of course, I also understand that all sects’ methods were originally created by sages, directly pointing to the Great Dao, embodying its essence. But therein lies the problem. Such original methods are personal insights, and once passed down, it becomes difficult for descendants to touch the realm of their predecessors. After all, ‘enlightenment’ is unique and private...”

Xia Ye continued.

“Take your Three Demons Sect’s founder, or the founders of the past Three-One Sect. Each left behind legendary stories and then disappeared without a trace. No matter how talented their descendants are, they can never truly compare to their founders.”

“Hmm, you’re right.”

Tu Junfang nodded in acknowledgment. Following in the predecessors’ footsteps is easy to start but hard to break through, and once the foundation is set, one can only move forward on that path. Changing course recklessly is a path to ruin.

But...

“If we cannot rely on the legacy of our predecessors, and lack the extraordinary talent of our founders, how can we, the younger generation, move forward and embark on the path of cultivation?”

Thus, Tu Junfang began to seriously discuss the matter.

“Regarding this, it’s both difficult and simple. The key lies in ‘endless cultivation.’ This is the greatest problem in all sects’ methods today. The highest realm is already defined, and whether one can reach it or not, the destination is always visible...”

Xia Ye replied.

“That’s because beyond that end, how to cultivate further depends entirely on the predecessor’s own insight. Often, it’s just one step away from the heavens. If they cannot break through, they perish; if they do, they transcend and ascend. Either way, the subsequent method cannot be passed down!”

“So?”

“So, in my opinion, since you have already attained such a cultivation level—your Three Corpses foundation is solid, and you are attempting innovation—why not temporarily set aside the ‘slashing of the Three Corpses,’ whose end you have already seen? Based on your current foundation, try embarking on another path...”

“A path you can explore and comprehend on your own, with possibly limitless prospects!”

“Oh?”

Tu Junfang’s gaze sharpened.

“Looks like you already have some ideas?”

Xia Ye’s curiosity as a researcher was instantly piqued.

“Kind of. Regarding your ‘Three Corpses Method,’ I do have some ideas and can help you get started. If you agree, I will accompany you in research and exploration, helping you achieve success sooner.”

Xia Ye smiled faintly.

“Go on.”

“Hmm...”

Seeing Tu Junfang urging him, Xia Ye didn’t hesitate. After a brief pause, he asked, “You have studied the Three Corpses for many years. You should know... what exactly is a ‘ghost,’ right?”

“Ghost?”

Tu Junfang was momentarily stunned. Upon reflection, his eyes widened.

“You mean...?!”

“Exactly!”

Seeing Tu Junfang’s realization, Xia Ye nodded with a smile.

“Since ancient times, the world has believed that when a person dies, they become a ghost. In fact, it’s not so. After death, the soul dissipates quickly. What remains, the so-called ‘spirit’ or ‘ghost’ that resembles the person’s former self, is actually condensed from that person’s ‘Three Corpses’...”

“In other words, after death, the Three Corpses detach from the body and do not dissipate with the soul. They continue to wander between heaven and earth, becoming stronger or vanishing through natural fate, cycling endlessly!”

“So, you’re saying...”

At this point, Xia Ye looked at Tu Junfang with a serious expression.

“If a ghost can continuously grow stronger, never perishing for any reason, and even influence the entire world by itself, isn’t that... immortality?”

“!!!”

Tu Junfang was immediately shaken by these words.

“Furthermore, if the ghost’s original spirit hasn’t dissipated, but coexists symbiotically, even dominating and cultivating through the ghostly body, growing stronger together—if it can comprehend the secrets of the heavens during immortality, then could it not ‘become an immortal’?”

At this moment, Xia Ye smiled—a brilliant smile full of hope.

“From ancient times till now, no one truly knows what an ‘immortal’ is or looks like. If we measure by ‘immortality’ and ‘heavenly comprehension,’ then isn’t a ‘ghost immortal’ also an immortal?”

“Brother Tu, this is a path no one has ever trodden, yet it is backed by solid reasoning and worthy of exploration. If you’re willing...”

Xia Ye reached out his hand to Tu Junfang.

“Let us explore it together!”