"The True Explanation of Dao Formation through Severing the Three Corpses"?
The moment Liu Ba heard that name, his entire body froze, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes.
Wasn't this the very secret technique he had longed to uncover?
He had assumed that since Zhao Ping knew nothing of it, obtaining any clue about this art would cost him much effort.
Who would have thought that the instant he stepped into the Hall of Soul Binding, he would hear its name?
Almost instinctively, he wanted to turn and question the one who had spoken.
But before he could take a step, a warm hand rested lightly on his shoulder.
Turning back, he saw Zhao Ping at his side, subtly shaking his head.
The message was clear: Do not approach.
Though confused, Liu Ba heeded Zhao Ping's silent warning and halted, instead fixing his gaze in the direction of the voice.
Soon, a gray-robed cultivator emerged from within the hall.
He carried in his hands an ancient beast-hide scroll. His face was grim, his aura chilling, radiating a hostility that warned others to keep their distance.
At that moment, Liu Ba's entire body stiffened.
He recognized him.
This gray-robed cultivator was none other than the culprit who, in the Xia Prince's mansion, had forced Liu Liu into despair, causing her to activate her soul imprint and destroy herself on the spot!
Rage erupted from the depths of his heart, nearly overwhelming his reason.
He wanted nothing more than to strike down his enemy here and now.
But logic screamed otherwise—if he lashed out recklessly, the man would crush him like an insect. His death would be meaningless.
Thus, he lowered his head, hiding the fury burning in his eyes.
Fortunately, the gray-robed man seemed not to notice him. After collecting his secret art, he strode out of the hall without pause, his icy presence fading into the distance.
Only then did Zhao Ping exhale with relief.
"Daoist friend," Zhao Ping explained, "good thing you listened to me just now. Otherwise, the consequences would have been dire. That man is Feng Wuyá—one of the most notorious madmen in Luo Feng City. It's said his hands are stained with the blood of fellow disciples. Best not to entangle yourself with him."
"We soul cultivators usually remain within the city, content to pursue quiet cultivation. But he is an anomaly—always running outside, causing chaos wherever he goes. And what's even more insane—he even carries his Life-Bound Soul Banner with him! He doesn't fear damaging it at all."
Hearing this, Liu Ba nodded slowly.
He had already "experienced" Feng Wuyá's ruthless methods firsthand back in Bluestone City.
So, that banner Feng carried… was not just any soul banner, but his life-bound one!
Sensing his inner turmoil, Zhao Ping consoled him:"Don't worry. Since the Hall keeps the True Explanation of Dao Formation through Severing the Three Corpses, the stewards must know its effects. Why not ask them directly?"
Liu Ba's mood lightened.
Yes—information came first.
A gentleman's revenge need not be rushed; ten years was not too late.
Without surpassing Feng Wuyá in cultivation, vengeance was but a dream.
But with his Myriad-Phase Body, Liu Ba had no doubt that one day, he would be stronger.
He already had Feng Wuyá's name. When the time came, he would make him pay.
Perhaps… that day would arrive sooner than he thought.
Suppressing his emotions, Liu Ba followed Zhao Ping to one of the stewards inside the hall.
"I wish to join Luo Feng City," he said calmly. "May I receive the Luo Feng Mantra?"
At once, the steward's face lit up with the same warmth and courtesy as the servants.
He led Liu Ba into a private chamber, patiently explaining every consequence of cultivating the method. Again and again, he confirmed Liu Ba's willingness before finally producing the manual.
The enthusiasm, the careful service—it all felt strangely dissonant to Liu Ba.
Still, he reined in his impatience, nodded firmly, and agreed to join Luo Feng City.
The steward smiled, handing him the manual. But before taking it, Liu Ba asked:
"Earlier, I overheard mention of a secret art—the True Explanation of Dao Formation through Severing the Three Corpses. I'm curious. Could you tell me its function?"
The steward chuckled."Of course. That art was created here in Luo Feng City, based on the foundation of the Luo Feng Mantra itself. One of our esteemed elders devised it."
"You already know—the Luo Feng Mantra allows you to abandon the flesh and refine the purest soul, binding it to a Soul Banner as your life-bound treasure. This secret art goes further: it allows you to refine other cultivators' souls into 'Pure Soul Bodies,' anchoring them into your banner for your own use."
"In this way, you can continually strengthen your Soul Banner, enhancing its natural spirit-gathering effects while also gaining additional combat power. But—" his voice grew serious, "this art does not automatically erase the souls' consciousness. You must manually destroy their minds to eliminate hidden dangers."
"And those refined souls—can they advance further in cultivation?" Liu Ba asked quickly. "Can they break through the bottleneck of mid Qi Refining?"
"No." The steward shook his head gravely."Unlike the Luo Feng Mantra, once a soul becomes a Pure Soul Body, its cultivation can only grow within limits. It can never break through bottlenecks. Perhaps there exist extraordinary methods to achieve more, but not within our reach."
Liu Ba thought of Liu Si, trapped within Qin Shuang's banner, forever stalled at the third level of Qi Refining.
The steward continued:"This art was originally created to deceive disciples of the Xuan Pin Gate, who sought to escape their masters' control. But since most of our disciples rarely venture outside, few ever practice it. Many in Luo Feng City don't even know it exists."
"If you wish to obtain this secret art, Daoist friend, you need only join Luo Feng City. After completing your first sect mission, you may return to claim it."
Suddenly, everything made sense to Liu Ba.
The True Explanation of Dao Formation through Severing the Three Corpses was intricately bound to the Luo Feng Mantra. Its original purpose had been to ensnare Xuan Pin Gate disciples!
So when Qin Shuang obtained it by chance, she mistook it for a sinister but standalone art.
Even Su Meier had seen its flaws, but Qin Shuang herself had not.
No matter how cunning or meticulous, Qin Shuang had made a fatal oversight.
Resolved, Liu Ba smiled faintly and said with gratitude:"No need, then. Just give me the Luo Feng Mantra. I will join Luo Feng City now."
The steward's smile deepened as he handed over a beast-hide scroll and a refined Soul Banner.
Liu Ba opened them immediately, eager to study.
On the scroll, each profound ancient character seemed to come alive, transforming into golden streams of light that burrowed into his sea of consciousness.
His awareness blurred.
The world itself seemed to drift away from him…