"Phew..."
Lu Yang exhaled deeply, finally recovering from his recent speculation: "Damn it, just how many good things did the World-Honored One snatch back then?
Cleared the path himself, only to turn around and sever it? Simply a thief of cultivation!
The Golden Core chapter of the Precious Life Perfect Form Scripture was actually very simple. The entire text talked about one thing, or rather one Great Dao, which was the [Dharma Body].
"What is the foundation of a cultivator's existence in the world?"
"Nothing else, only spiritual power, techniques, and dharma body."
"Spiritual power is the beginning of nature, the proof of one cultivation realm. Techniques is the foundation of guarding the Dao and the symbol of wisdom. Dharma body is the root of life, the raft for crossing the [Sea of Bitterness]!"
In short, spiritual power, techniques, and dharma body were the foundation of the cultivator as a group, the basis of the cultivation path. The Golden Core chapter of the Precious Life Perfect Form Scripture taught cultivators how to master one of them, the [Dharma Body]! Once mastered, its value was greater than any so-called Dao Fruit!
This point could also be seen from the performance of the two.
A mere Dao Fruit, even if destroyed, wouldn't cause any permanent impact on lower cultivators. At most, the path to advancement would be blocked, and they would switch to another path.
However, the [Dharma Body] was different.
Spiritual power, techniques, and Dharma Body, as the three foundations of a cultivator's existence—if any one had a problem, it would immediately affect the entire cultivator community!
When Si Sui perished, the Body Cultivators of the world immediately declined. Only the Pure Land barely retained some scraps, most likely stripped from Si Sui's corpse by the World-Honored One.
From this, one could see the preciousness of the Dharma Body.
And the mid-Golden Core of the Precious Life Perfect Form Scripture was based on this.
"To achieve mid-Golden Core with this method, one must find the dao of the [Dharma Body], then occupy it with one's own Dharma Body, and finally turn it into one's own use..."
Thinking of this, a corresponding description instantly emerged in Lu Yang's mind: "[Seeking the Dao]..."
The Golden Core realm cultivation described by Immortal Venerable Taiyin to him—Seeking the Dao, Chasing the Dao, Attaining the Dao—actually corresponded exactly to the Ancient Method cultivation path at this moment!
"First [Seeking the Dao], finding the Dao of the [Dharma Body]. Then Chasing the Dao, pursuing the Dao of [Dharma Body] with one's own Dao, swallowing it step by step until finally turning it into one's own use, which is [Attaining the Dao]... Whether Foundation Establishment or Golden Core, all can be summarized in these six words."
Thinking and thinking, Lu Yang gradually frowned.
Nothing else, it was simply too complicated.
Six simple words could explain the cultivation of the Foundation Establishment realm and also the cultivation of the Golden Core realm, even describing the entire cultivation path.
No wonder the Ancient Method died out.
Such obscure and difficult things obviously required one-in-ten-thousand cultivation talent.
Being eliminated by the simple and direct Grotto-Heaven Method was simply too normal.
"Fortunately, I am that one-in-ten-thousand cultivation prodigy..."
With this thought, Lu Yang suddenly thought of another thing:
"Sisui's Great Dao..."
At this moment, Lu Yang thought of the Celestial Court's Six Qi Dao Fruits. Could the Nascent Soul Great Dao that Immortal Venerable Taiyin sought bitterly but couldn't get in the previous life be the [Dharma Body]?
In an instant, his heart pounded!
In the previous life, Sisui's remnant thought used my hand to Void Attain the Dao Fruit through the [Dao Opening Diagram], and then used this to draw out Sisui's main body's Nascent Soul Great Dao.
He remembered the operation process of Void Attainment!
Moreover, he actually possessed the Celestial Court Six Qi Dao comprehension required for Void Attainment. These things wouldn't disappear because of [The Book of a Hundred Lifetimes] resetting!
In other words, I can actually repeat the old trick, trying to find Sisui's Nascent Soul Great Dao in the Sea of Bitterness. Although that Great Dao is now broken, a starved camel is bigger than a horse. As long as I can get my hands on it, I can rely on it to break through to the Ancient Method mid-Golden Core!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang immediately raised his head.
No need for preparation; he was very familiar with the process from the previous life. In just a few breaths, the six concepts condensed into a bright light in his palm.
The light was no bigger than a thumb, shaped like a pill.
However, held in his palm, it reflected infinite illusory colors, flickering on and off as if breathing, explaining the Great Dao principles between heaven and earth.
Strictly speaking, this is actually not Void Attainment.
Lu Yang pinched the "Dao Fruit" in his hand, thinking in his heart: The [Dao Opening Diagram] is just a trap. This thing should actually be a road guide.
With it, one can find Sisui's Nascent Soul Great Dao.
Immortal Venerable Taiyin... that good Senior Sister of mine has coveted this for a long time, but always worried about being possessed by Sisui's remnant thought after Void Attainment, so she dared not attain it.
But the current me doesn't have that concern.
Because this is [Heavenly Being's Remnant Consciousness]!
Being here, let alone Sisui's remnant thought, even Sisui's main body couldn't sense it. How could he possibly possess him through Void Attaining the Dao Fruit?
There is no time to lose!
The next second, Lu Yang looked up, eyes moving slightly. The [Sea of Bitterness] opened. Needless to say about his mobility, he acted without hesitation at this moment.
In an instant, he had already stepped into the [Sea of Bitterness].
But soon, a look of surprise appeared on his face. Watching the surging concept water rushing towards him, yet naturally breaking and scattering around him.
Is it because of my Dharma Body...
Lu Yang realized in his heart. At this moment, he was almost equivalent to a humanoid Dao Fruit. Dao Fruits could roam freely in the [Sea of Bitterness], so naturally, he could too.
With this thought, Lu Yang immediately strode forward.
Rumble!
Inside the [Sea of Bitterness], the loud noise of terrifying waves was incessant. Lu Yang calmed his mind and took a step. The turbulent seawater turned into a flat lake under his feet.
Just like walking on flat ground, he walked slowly and firmly in the [Sea of Bitterness]. The pill-like road guide in his hand pointed out the way ahead for him, preventing him from being distracted by other waves, allowing him to move forward with single-mindedness, walking step by step towards the depths of the [Sea of Bitterness].
Gradually, he saw it.
As the road guide in his hand became brighter, the [Sea of Bitterness] churned, parting in all directions, revealing a Great Dao located beneath the seawater.
At first glance, it looked like a person.
Or rather, that was a humanoid Great Dao, unimaginably vast. Lu Yang estimated that even if he filled his Dharma Body in, he would probably only occupy a corner.
Lu Yang subconsciously floated towards the direction of the Great Dao.
However, the next second, he head-butted right above the Great Dao, as if hitting an air wall, making a crisp "clang" sound.
What the hell!?
Lu Yang shook his body, then realized: "Great Dao mismatch... That's right, this Great Dao was taken as his own by Sisui long ago."
[Dharma Body] has an owner!
Perhaps once, this Great Dao could be shared by all Golden Core Perfected Lords cultivating the [Dharma Body] with Ancient Method, but now it was Sisui's thing.
To enter, one must have Sisui's permission!
Maybe this is also a backup plan Sisui left for himself, specially prepared for the remnant thought? Who cares... I picked it up, so this thing is mine!
Especially since this Great Dao seemed to be a must-have for Immortal Venerable Taiyin.
Wonder what expression that good Senior Sister of his, plotting here and there, would show when she finally found out the thing had long been intercepted by him...
I really want to see!
While thoughts turned in his mind, Lu Yang placed the road guide on the broken Great Dao. The next second, that invisible obstruction vanished without a trace.
Lu Yang stepped directly into it without hesitation.
Rumble!
At this moment, Lu Yang urged his Dharma Body with all his might, swallowing like a whale and drinking like a bull, frantically devouring the power of the [Dharma Body]. Not long after, his expression changed.
"Holy crap..."
Immediately after, he couldn't wait to pinch his fingers to calculate, his expression becoming increasingly shocked: My lifespan... After initially mastering the [Dharma Body], my lifespan actually increased? And exceeded the thousand-year lifespan limit of a Golden Core Perfected Lord!?
But soon, Lu Yang regained his composure.
Thinking carefully... this is also normal. After all, birth, aging, sickness, and death are originally pinned on this stinking skin bag called the Dharma Body. Since Si Sui died and the Dharma Body was damaged, causing the lifespan of cultivators to be damaged along with it, what's the problem? Or rather... perhaps this was the result the Saint Sect's old monster wanted to achieve!
Thinking of this, Lu Yang couldn't help but click his tongue in admiration.
After Sisui died, cultivator lifespan dropped drastically. Even Golden Core Perfected Lords only have a thousand years of life. To live forever, one must keep the Grotto-Heaven from falling.
But with Grotto-Heaven not falling and the body merging with Dao Fruit, the Dao path is almost cut off...
No wonder Sisui had to die!
After all, if he didn't die, the layout of the Saint Sect's old monster would be hard to implement. If everyone lived forever, who would pursue Grotto-Heaven not falling?