Cultivate the
Luo Feng Art
, and one could never again practice any other technique?
And the reason… was the abandonment of the flesh?
Liu Ba was stunned by this revelation, momentarily at a loss for words.
Yet on reflection, the explanation seemed reasonable, even logical.
Both the
Xuan Yin Art
and the
Bloodfeast Art
relied fundamentally on the body.
The
Xuan Yin Art
emphasized dual cultivation, requiring the body as the cauldron to harmonize yin and yang, thereby condensing spiritual power. The
Bloodfeast Art
was even more straightforward—purely a body-refining demonic art, drawing strength by devouring the essence of flesh and blood. Without a body, such techniques were naturally useless.
As for the mysterious
Three Talents Art
, of which he had never heard…
A thought stirred in Liu Ba's mind. Since the other party was so talkative, why not seize the chance to probe for more information?
"Fellow Daoist speaks truly," Liu Ba nodded smoothly, following the man's lead. "The
Xuan Yin Art
and the
Bloodfeast Art
depend on the flesh, so they conflict with the
Luo Feng Art
. I understand that. But why is the
Three Talents Art
the same? Do their methods also require a body? What is so unique about it?"
"Unique?"
The middle-aged cultivator barked a laugh, as though he had heard the most ridiculous joke in the world. His face twisted with undisguised disdain.
"Fellow Daoist, is there anything about the
Three Talents Art
that is
not
unique?"
Once opened, his tongue would not stop. He spoke bitterly, words tumbling out in complaint:
"We here in Luo Feng City cultivate the Great Dao of the Soul. Strange, perhaps, but at least we live on the breath of heaven and earth, drawing in spiritual energy. It can still be considered a legitimate cultivation path.
"You of Bloodfeast Valley, though tyrannical, at least follow a clear principle—slaughter, devour, refine flesh into strength. Brutal, but comprehensible.
"But those profiteers of the Three Talents Pavilion?"
The man slapped his thigh angrily, voice filled with indignation.
"They do nothing all day but sit fat and content in their shops, selling wares! And simply by selling, their cultivation rises! Tell me, is there any justice left in this world? Any law of heaven?"
Sell… selling goods to grow stronger?
Once again, Liu Ba was shaken. His worldview was being overturned, reshaped again and again by the sheer absurdity of this demonic sect.
He had imagined countless possibilities for the Three Talents Pavilion's cultivation system—perhaps refining artifacts or alchemy, absorbing spiritual resonance in the process.
But never, not once, had he conceived that the truth could be so plain, so absurd—so shamelessly unreasonable.
What was this?
Wealth flows in, cultivation rises?
This made no sense at all!
"This… how is that possible?" Liu Ba played his part, feigning disbelief at just the right pitch, his expression suitably shocked. "How could selling goods improve one's cultivation? How do they manage it?"
"Hmph!" The man snorted, clearly sharing the same outrage.
"Is it not all thanks to that crooked
Three Talents Art
? Were it not that their method aligns with one of the true Dao Paths, their so-called cultivation would be nothing but a dead end—a fool's dream!"
Dao Path?
A new term entirely.
Liu Ba latched onto it instantly, curiosity burning, though he kept his face composed. With a look of dawning realization, he replied in agreement:
"Ah, I see… To be honest, I still think the Dao Path of Luo Feng City is the superior way."
The moment he spoke, the cultivator's eyes lit up. His gaze softened into one of sudden kinship, as though he had discovered a long-lost confidant.
"Exactly! Fellow Daoist!" he exclaimed, seizing Liu Ba's hand. "Those merchants of the Three Talents Pavilion follow the 'Wu-Shang' Path—reeking of coin, vulgar beyond compare! How could they rival our noble 'Wei-Jian' Dao Path?
"Tell me, is not the true way of cultivation here in Luo Feng City to devote oneself to cultivation and build one's own blessed paradise?"
B-build… a blessed paradise?
Liu Ba's mind buzzed, left utterly dumbfounded.
So the Dao Path of the
Luo Feng Art
… was construction?
Suddenly, memory struck him—his first entry into Luo Feng City, when this same man had conjured a manor with a Soul Banner. The second time, that manor had multiplied in scale.
Could it be… this was not mere vanity, but the very process of cultivation?
If so, then it explained why the cultivators here all delighted in using their Soul Banners to conjure grand residences.
Though such creations were illusory, for beings who had abandoned flesh and cultivated only the soul, what difference was there between illusion and reality?
Could this, indeed, be the very method of cultivation in Luo Feng City?
But then… what of the mysterious
True Explanation of Severing Three Corpses and Condensing the Dao
?
The more Liu Ba learned, the deeper his questions grew. While the other man spoke fervently, Liu Ba seized the chance to ask the matter he truly cared about.
"Fellow Daoist, to be honest, I once by chance obtained a fragment of a secret art called the
True Explanation of Severing Three Corpses and Condensing the Dao
. Might this art bear any relation to the
Luo Feng Art
?"
This time, disappointment met him.
The cultivator simply shook his head in puzzlement.
"The
True Explanation of Severing Three Corpses and Condensing the Dao
? I've never heard of it." He thought for a moment, but no recollection surfaced. "Forgive my ignorance, Fellow Daoist, but that name means nothing to me."
"However…" His tone shifted back to warmth, suggesting eagerly: "If you truly wish to know, you might ask the City Lord's people. They are learned and powerful. If your art is truly linked to the
Luo Feng Art
, they would surely know.
"You can also take that chance to request the
Luo Feng Art
for yourself. But, Fellow Daoist, mark my words: once you accept it, you must cultivate it. There is no turning back."
He smiled again, pride glowing on his face.
"Of course, it is no loss. By cultivating the
Luo Feng Art
, you cast off the burden of flesh, living safely within the city, free from the endless bloodshed of the outside world.
"And the process itself purifies the soul, erasing all imprinted marks.
"Many cultivators enslaved by the Mother-Child Technique of the Xuan Yin Sect dream of joining us, desperate to escape their masters' control.
"Alas, most have never even heard the name of Luo Feng City. And of those who do, too many fall prey to the tricks of the Three Talents merchants."
The man's eyes narrowed knowingly.
"Fellow Daoist, for you to enter Luo Feng City is already a heaven-sent fortune. If I am not mistaken, you yourself carry the Mother-Child imprint within your soul, do you not?
"In that case, why not switch to the
Luo Feng Art
and regain your freedom?"
What!?
Liu Ba's heart jolted violently.
By cultivating the
Luo Feng Art
, he could escape the Mother-Child Technique's control?
How was this not eerily similar to the
True Explanation of Severing Three Corpses and Condensing the Dao
?
Could there truly be a hidden link between the two?
Frowning, Liu Ba made his decision.
The City Lord's Manor—he had to go.
Even if it was a dragon's pool or a tiger's den, he had no choice but to face it.
"My thanks for your guidance, Fellow Daoist," Liu Ba said solemnly, bowing deeply. "I shall go now to the City Lord's Manor to seek audience with the lord."
"Hah, think nothing of it." The cultivator waved cheerfully. "The manor isn't far. If you don't mind, allow me to lead you there myself."