Chapter 85: The Number One Under Heaven, Three Corpses Reveal Fate (5k Chapter)

Red candles burn without extinguishing; dark yin refines the nascent soul.

Within the eastern cemetery, murky yin qi gathered from all directions, igniting the white candles surrounding Xiong Ba, while at the same time, the red candle before him blazed fiercely.

This red candle represented his primordial soul.

The Yin Mountain sect draws yin qi from eight directions to refine the nascent soul; yin reaches its peak and gives birth to yang, making it an unconventional path of xuan cultivation.

Precisely because of this, this lineage often encounters wandering spirits and dead souls, perceives life and death, senses fortune and misfortune, thus becoming a profoundly mysterious path.

“Refining yin to forge true yang… Yin Mountain Sect truly has its unique insights.”

Zhang Fan hid in the shadows, observing; with his current cultivation, he could discern certain details.

At this moment, strands of yin qi flowed into Xiong Ba’s abdomen; his clothing suddenly swelled, and intense heat radiated from his back, even turning his sweat into mist.

This was the manifestation of [Refining Yin into Yang].

As recorded in the Emperor Neijing, the abdomen is yin, the back is yang; strong yang brings longevity, weak yang leads to early death.

Modern people, due to lifestyle and dietary habits, accumulate excessive dampness and cold in their bodies, causing yang deficiency, which triggers various health issues—such as women suffering from uterine cold and spleen weakness, insomnia and acne, men experiencing hair loss and lack of stamina, and so on.

This is the manifestation of yang deficiency.

In Daoist tradition, there is a health practice: if yang is insufficient, borrow it from heaven—during summer, especially the hottest days of the year, remove clothing and expose the back to the sun, absorbing energy from heaven to accumulate yang qi and expel accumulated dampness and cold; the body naturally becomes light and healthy, and the face turns rosy and radiant. (Control time and intensity to avoid sunburn.)

This is like adding firewood to a flame, making the fire stronger and burning away all internal evil dampness and cold.

Thus, traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes “nourishing yang in spring and summer, surpassing winter in late summer”; if yang qi is fully cultivated in summer, one is less likely to fall ill in winter—this is the origin of treating winter illnesses in summer.

Hum…

At this moment, the white candles surrounding Xiong Ba flickered violently, and the red candle before him dimmed; the yang qi radiating from his back could not sustain itself, scattering instead of condensing.

“Huh? He cannot gather yin qi?”

Zhang Fan paused, then saw the truth.

Though this boy cultivates the orthodox Yin Mountain method, whether due to innate talent or physical limitations, he cannot sustainably gather yin qi, and even the small amount he gathers converts with extremely low efficiency.

Regardless of the cause, such a person, in plain terms, lacks cultivation talent—at least in the Yin Mountain method—unlike Zhang Fan, who can break through even while sleeping.

“Sigh… it still won’t work.”

Xiong Ba ceased cultivation, staring at the dim red candle before him, letting out a long sigh, utterly dejected.

He was born into the Yin Mountain Xiong family, yet due to his lack of cultivation talent and ability, he could only become a disciple of an elder from the Gu family—Gu Yuming.

Know that although the Gu and Ming families also belong to Yin Mountain, they are subordinate to the Xiong family.

Thus, Xiong Ba’s situation was obvious—he could not cultivate the Xiong family’s most core method.

The key point is, even Gu Yuming failed to guide him; recently, after an accident, he became completely comatose and has yet to awaken.

Otherwise, Xiong Ba would not have come alone to the cemetery he feared most, practicing secretly at dawn.

Yet success lies in technique, not in hard labor.

Some things are destined from birth; effort alone is not enough.

“I am truly a disgrace to the Xiong family…” Xiong Ba hung his head in despair.

As a disciple of Yin Mountain Sect, yet possessing no talent whatsoever in his sect’s cultivation path—let alone spreading his ancestral teachings—he cannot even stand still in progress; calling him a disgrace seems fitting.

“Even from the same ancestor, individual differences exist,” Zhang Fan silently sighed.

This boy before him was far inferior to Xiong Qianshan, whom he had met last night; though the latter was nothing special either, by comparison, he already seemed like an elite.

Goods compared to goods are discarded; people compared to people are crushed.

Seeing this, Zhang Fan lost interest and turned to leave.

Fate talismans and spirit transmission illuminate the nine springs; the three souls pay homage to the Jade Emperor, and the seven po listen to the spirit chapters…

At this moment, a faint chanting voice drifted in.

“Huh!?”

Zhang Fan halted and looked; he saw Xiong Ba muttering incantations, as if switching to another lineage, his hands forming a seal—nine verticals, one horizontal—clearly the [Lion Seal].

“This is not Yin Mountain’s technique!” Zhang Fan’s eyes narrowed, and he re-examined the boy before him.

This boy, born into the great Yin Mountain family, secretly cultivates another sect’s technique!?

“The three paths depart from eternal night, the five sufferings release all transgressions. The sea of karma calms its waves; hearing the Dharma, one ascends to human and heavenly realms…”

As the haunting chant echoed, the white candlelight flared suddenly; yin qi surged and converged, purifying around Xiong Ba, transforming into light, ethereal qi that flowed into his body.

Simultaneously, chanting voices seemed to ring through his surroundings; in a haze, countless spirits appeared, reverently bowing and listening to teachings.

“This is…”

“Taiyi’s Soul-Transcending Method—Yin Mountain’s nemesis!?” Zhang Fan’s gaze sharpened into a thread—he could hardly believe it.

Know that all beings in the world are bound by the suffering of life and death; upon cessation, all desire rebirth in ultimate bliss.

Buddhism, as a western metal doctrine, especially emphasizes the Western Pure Land; our Daoist tradition, as an eastern wood doctrine, especially emphasizes the Eastern Pure Land of Eternal Life.

The Three Officials Sutra states: in the Eastern Ultimate Heaven, at the Gate of Deliverance from Suffering, lies a Land of Eternal Bliss—where there is only heaven, no hell—a perfect place for cultivation, enabling one to escape hell, avoid the four births and six destinies of cyclic rebirth, forever free from suffering, ascending directly to human and heavenly realms, transcending to a pure land, filled with boundless joy, coming and going without attachment.

This is the Eastern Eternal Bliss Pure Land—the Eastern Ultimate Mysterious Palace—spoken of in Daoist tradition.

This is also the domain of [Taiyi Deliverer of Suffering], the master of the nine-headed lion.

The Taiyi method, the soul-transcending technique, takes [Taiyi Deliverer of Suffering] as its master, capable of erasing karmic offenses, calming murky yin, guiding souls, and subduing demons and evil spirits…

This lineage is precisely Yin Mountain Sect’s nemesis.

Zhang Fan never imagined that this boy, born into Yin Mountain and possessing no talent, secretly cultivated the soul-transcending technique of the Taiyi method.

Among countless Daoist lineages, the fame of the Taiyi method rivals that of the Northern Emperor method.

Yet, over the long river of time, this lineage has grown mysterious and obscure, fading into near disappearance; only three or five individuals in the world possess its true transmission.

“Where did this boy learn this?” Zhang Fan wondered.

He found the Taiyi soul-transcending technique strangely familiar, yet he was certain… he had never seen it before.

Previously, he had only encountered references to it in the [Dao Secret Records], which stated: once soul-transcending is achieved, one can transform countless ghosts, demons, and spirits, wielding immense, unfathomable power.

For such a secret technique, Zhang Fan could only envy it.

He knew such methods could not be touched without destiny; one might not even be allowed to see them.

Clearly, this boy was a destined one, having received true transmission by fate.

Even Zhang Fan’s chance to witness it today was a tremendous blessing.

“Cough… cough…”

At this moment, Zhang Fan’s heart stirred; he coughed twice and stepped out from behind a tombstone.

“Who… ghost or human?”

Xiong Ba, like a startled bird, snapped out of cultivation, eyes wide as copper bells, flashing sharp intelligence, ears raised like antennas, staring fixedly at Zhang Fan.

“You… who are you?” Xiong Ba said with extreme caution, his panic revealing the guilt of a thief.

“Are you a disciple of Yin Mountain Sect?” Zhang Fan squinted, scanning Xiong Ba.

“Nonsense… I’m not.” Xiong Ba’s face flushed red.

“I not only know you’re a disciple of Yin Mountain Sect, I know your surname.” Zhang Fan smiled.

“S… what surname?”

Xiong Ba’s panic revealed his admission—he was indeed a Yin Mountain disciple.

“Not Ming, then Gu.”

“Hahaha, do you even bother making up lies?” Xiong Ba laughed at Zhang Fan’s guess.

“So you’re an Xiong.”

“… ”

“H… how did you know?” Xiong Ba stammered, eyes filled with shock.

“Tsk tsk… a disciple of the Yin Mountain Xiong family, secretly cultivating the Taiyi soul-transcending method—quite something.”

“Y… you’re not making this up!” Xiong Ba’s eyes flickered with panic.

“Won’t admit it? Shall I call your family elders to confirm?” Zhang Fan threatened.

“No… no…” Xiong Ba leapt to his feet, waving his hands frantically.

“Heh heh… I’ll keep this secret for life.”

Watching Xiong Ba’s panicked expression, Zhang Fan smiled; a voice echoed in his heart.

“Where did you learn this Taiyi soul-transcending method?” Zhang Fan changed the subject and asked.

“This…” Xiong Ba hesitated, looking troubled. “Your elders…”

“I’ll tell you…” Xiong Ba’s expression changed, quickly interrupting Zhang Fan.

“I… when I was a child, during my altar initiation and ancestral worship, I learned it in our family’s ancestral hall.” Xiong Ba gritted his teeth.

“Huh? Your family’s ancestral hall?” Zhang Fan’s expression turned strange.

“Beneath our ancestral hall lies a ghost… a very fierce ghost… he secretly taught me this method…” Xiong Ba lowered his voice.

“A very fierce ghost?” Zhang Fan pondered.

Yin Mountain Sect’s method of refining yin and commanding ghosts is unmatched; it is said they can manipulate spirits to gain advantage, avoid misfortune, and snatch life from death.

“That ghost secretly taught me this method, saying that once I cultivate it, a great destiny awaits me…”

“He also said…” Xiong Ba hesitated, then fell silent.

“What did he say?” Zhang Fan couldn’t help asking.

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“He also said… once I cultivate this method, the Xiong family will one day be mine.”

“Huh!?” Zhang Fan froze.

“Just ghost talk… ghost talk can’t be trusted…” Xiong Ba shook his head.

His status in the Xiong family is evident from his name alone.

In the Yinshan Xiong family, all direct disciples are named according to generational characters; this generation’s direct disciples all bear the “Qian” character, such as Xiong Qianxing and Xiong Qianshan.

But he is outside the direct line—even his Master was chosen from the Gu family, an elder. This shows how marginal his position in the Xiong family is, let alone his complete lack of talent in Yinshan lineage techniques.

Such individuals, by convention, usually leave to establish their own households shortly after coming of age, and within two or three generations, they have little to do with the Xiong family.

In fact, Ming Yunxia’s grandfather, Ming Chengjun, was once the same—except he had extraordinary fortune; after leaving the Ming family, he achieved something else entirely, even unlocking the Ming family’s ultimate secret: Ghost Gate Divine Needle.

“You… you mustn’t tell anyone, or if the family finds out, I’m dead.” Xiong Ba couldn’t help but look at Zhang Fan, nearly begging.

He always felt this sudden stranger wasn’t a good man—damn straight, he wasn’t.

“Don’t be afraid… I also know some of the Taiyi Duwang Technique. I just noticed your cultivation is misguided, so I couldn’t help but offer some guidance.” Zhang Fan shifted tone, revealing a kind smile.

“You know it too?” Xiong Ba paused, then scrutinized Zhang Fan with suspicion.

“You don’t believe me?” Zhang Fan glanced sideways. “If you don’t, recite every detail of your Taiyi Duwang cultivation—I’ll verify it with you.”

“Fine.”

Xiong Ba nodded, thinking this was indeed a good method. He immediately sat cross-legged, facing Zhang Fan, and began discussing the Dao.

Time flew by; before they knew it, the sun had risen in the east—it was already past eight in the morning.

Boom…

Above the Dongjiao Cemetery, a turbid yin energy surged, transforming under the mystic chanting into light, ethereal qi, floating like clouds, dissolving like illusions.

“He… he really knows it… and he’s far better than I am…”

At this moment, Xiong Ba stood at a distance, staring blankly at Zhang Fan, who had entered meditation. His eyes held disbelief—this man had not lied to him.

“Could I really be a genius? I only practiced once and already achieved such miraculous results?”

Yet inside Zhang Fan’s heart, a voice cried out: he had merely tried a few fragments of the method Xiong Ba revealed—and had already entered the threshold.

The Taiyi Method is renowned for its difficulty, no less challenging than the Bei Di Method.

Originally, Zhang Fan had spent immense effort mastering the Bei Di Method—but today, upon first encountering the Taiyi Method, he had entered it directly. The speed was so fast, even he found it unreal.

“Could it be… I was truly born for the Dao?!”

As soon as the thought arose, Zhang Fan immediately stabilized his mind, expelled distractions, and silently absorbed the fragments of the method Xiong Ba had just shared.

“The Eastern Ultimate Green Splendor Mysterious Palace, purple mist and radiant light pierce the void. A thousand lotus flowers reflect the jeweled throne, nine-headed lions emerge from the clouds…”

Mystical chants drifted as if from empty space. Zhang Fan’s hands formed seals, unmoving. Around him, strange incense surged; his internal true yang surged powerfully, and lion-like roars echoed, shaking all directions.

“Taiyi saves the suffering, liberates the dead… He’s incredible…” Xiong Ba’s eyes widened. He no longer saw Zhang Fan as a bad man—his eyes now held awe and reverence.

Only one who cultivates great compassion can master this method, guiding all departed souls to liberation.

…

Meanwhile, in the Xiong family ancestral hall.

An elderly man with snow-white hair was burning incense to honor the ancestors…

Suddenly, an ancient jar at the very top of the altar shook violently, covered in talismans and bound by chains, linked to the ancestral tablets.

Hum…

At that moment, the candle flame before the ancient jar surged violently, blazing brightly, radiating brilliance.

“What’s happening?” The white-haired elder leapt to his feet, staring fixedly at the flickering flame, shock flashing in his cloudy eyes.

In moments, the ancient jar calmed again, the flame dimmed, returning to its usual state.

“Father…”

At this moment, a man dressed in Daoist robes stepped out from outside the hall, his brow heavy. He approached and bowed to the elder.

“Ten years… that monstrous spirit stirred again?” Xiong Guanchen’s aged brow furrowed deeply into a “ Chuan ” shape.

“The ten-year fortune… when Xiong Sanqi said this monstrous spirit would bring our family ten years of great fortune, could it now be changing?!” Xiong Baofeng, stroking his old master’s shoulder, couldn’t help but speak.

Xiong Sanqi was his generation’s fellow disciple—though not direct lineage, he was unquestionably the strongest of the Xiong family’s third generation.

But after leaving this monstrous spirit with the Xiong family years ago, he vanished without a trace.

Back then, Xiong Sanqi had warned: leaving this spirit would grant the Xiong family ten years of great fortune; anyone who tampered with it would face heavenly retribution—clan collapse and death, imminent.

His act was equivalent to repaying the Xiong family’s life-giving grace, severing all ancestral ties.

“Xiong Sanqi… he truly was a prodigy—not direct lineage, yet the strongest…”

“In our family’s last hundred years, no one has matched him… pity he couldn’t be used by the Xiong family,” Xiong Guanchen sighed.

He was, after all, Xiong Sanqi’s own uncle—but this nephew had never been easy since childhood, wandering far away in his youth, associating with people he shouldn’t have.

“Back then, he followed that man, dominating the southeast, sweeping through seven provinces with no rivals… how many troubles did he cause?”

Xiong Baofeng unconsciously glanced at the ancient jar at the top of the altar.

“Father, if he were still with us today, trouble would come one after another.”

At this point, Xiong Baofeng’s lips moved, then he spoke: “There’s always been rumor that the man back then came from Wuwei Gate—he was the reincarnated successor of the Three Corpses Daoist.”

As soon as he spoke, the silent ancestral hall plunged into deathly stillness, like a ten-thousand-zhang icy pool, not a ripple stirred.

After a moment, Xiong Guanchen let out a long sigh, shaking his snow-white head.

“No…”

“Why?” Xiong Baofeng couldn’t help asking.

“That man cultivated the most monstrous of all: the Divine Demon Sacred Embryo… but the Three Corpses Daoist did not.”

“Do you know why the Three Corpses Daoist became the greatest martial artist eighty years ago?” Xiong Guanchen shifted tone, revealing a long-buried secret.

“Why?” Xiong Baofeng asked again.

“Because he cultivated the greatest wonder of all techniques…”

“Three Corpses Mirroring Fate!!!”

“If that man were the reincarnated successor of the Three Corpses Daoist, he must have cultivated this method,” Xiong Guanchen murmured.

Divine Demon Sacred Embryo and Three Corpses Mirroring Fate are both legendary internal alchemy methods.

Yet Three Corpses Mirroring Fate is called the greatest wonder of all techniques.

Back then, during the Jiazi Purification of Demons, the Three Corpses Daoist fought Chu Chaoran atop Mount Dongyue, died in battle, and since then, this method vanished—nowhere in heaven or earth could it be found again.

“This method is that powerful?!”

Such a secret—even as the Xiong family patriarch, Xiong Baofeng had never heard it before.

“The greatest of all is no joke. His supremacy lies not only in power, but in destiny…”

“Destiny?”

“Yes… in the vast universe, only one person is destined to cultivate this method…”

“That person must become the greatest of all!”

“The greatest of all… Three Corpses Mirroring Fate?” Xiong Baofeng’s gaze grew distant, muttering the name to himself.

(End of Chapter)