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The treatise states: The harm caused by the Three Corpses (San Shi, three parasitic worms residing in the human body) relies on Yin Qi to form their bodies and responds to selfish desires to exert their functions. All those who become greedy for sensual pleasures and wealth, harbor likes and dislikes that arise internally and manifest externally, and do not repent until death, are all affected by these worms. Therefore, practitioners of cultivation must strive to eliminate the Three Corpses before taking medicine to seek longevity; this is the proper sequence of cultivation. The Huangting Jing (Yellow Court Classic) discusses the Five Zang Organs.

The treatise states: Superior scholars subdue them through moral cultivation, while inferior scholars remove them through medication. These are listed below.

The Yang Shu states: Within the human abdomen reside the Three Corpses, which pose a great danger to humans. The Three Corpses rely on Yin Qi to achieve spirituality and respond to selfish desires to function. Evil accumulates within the Zang-Fu organs. Unless one possesses clear heavenly mechanism and an unyielding mind free from turbidity, it is rare for one's heart not to be swayed. If one desires life, the Three Corpses grow; if one desires their destruction, they perish. Thus, the perfected ones say, "Desire what one does not desire, and do not desire what one desires," referring to the process of self-clarification. Those who attain the Dao quickly do so by removing the Three Corpses. First, they restrain external attachments to color, taste, fame, and profit; internally, they balance joy, anger, love, and aversion, maintaining a state of stillness and emptiness. In such a state, the Corpses have no place to hide and thus depart. It is also said: At midnight, rise and sit upright, privately chanting the names of Miao Ling—Peng Ju, Peng Zhi, and Peng Jiao—seven times (without letting the ears hear). Adhere to the methods of purity, utilizing movement and stillness appropriately, and remain awake during the day. This practice should also be observed on Jiazi and Gengshen days. Then Miao Ling will depart, the mind and spirit will stabilize, and the exquisite Qi of the Five Directions will enter the Spirit Platform (Lingtai), nourishing the Tongzi (Child Spirit). The Tongzi refers to the most refined essence of human spirit. When refined, one becomes a sage; when dissipated, one becomes foolish. Therefore, sages cultivate with truth and practice with diligence. If one can conquer oneself and inspire ambition, the Dao will be achieved within three years. The heart generates light, and long-term practice expands further (as described in the Zhuangzi as "a empty room generates white light"). Manifesting at the Spirit Platform involves calculating accumulated days and months, combined with the Three Yuan, Six Jia, and one's natal calculations. The Heavenly Maidens of Qiankun and the Six Jia present the colors and numbers of the Five Directions to the Tongzi, harmonizing with Heaven and Earth, which do not oppose; harmonizing with all phenomena, which do not reject. Requests are fulfilled as wished; the future is known, the past stored; appearing and disappearing, beyond naming. There are methods of advancement and retreat, calculations of odd and even multiplication and division, the Five Tones and Six Pitch Pipes, waxing and waning, addition and subtraction, analyzing the divine spirits. The Way of Heaven is hidden and thus speaks not, yet its actions reveal themselves. The capabilities of the Mystic Gate and the subtle arts of longevity are contained herein.

It is also said: Miao Ling (the Three Corpses) often ascends to report to the Heavenly Emperor on Gengshen nights, recording human sins, erasing one's name from the register of life, causing premature death. The Hun (Soul) ascends to Heaven, the Po (Corporeal Soul) descends to the springs. Only the Upper Corpse wanders on earth, becoming a malevolent spirit. Or, due to imprecise sacrifices of three animals during the eight solar terms, they bring disaster upon people, causing heart pain, invasion by evil qi into the chest, and shortening life. The Upper Corpse, named Peng Ju, resides in the head, specifically damaging the eyes, leading to dim vision, wrinkled face, bad breath, toothache, and tooth loss. The Middle Corpse, named Peng Zhi, resides in the abdomen, damaging the Five Zang Organs, causing weakness, forgetfulness, a propensity for evil deeds, consumption of flesh and blood of living beings, nightmares, fear, restlessness, and continuous sweating. The Lower Corpse, named Peng Jiao, resides in the feet, disturbing the lower orifices, agitating the Five Emotions, making self-control impossible. If the Three Corpses cause harm, they afflict descendants, spreading continuously. If Dao learners do not first remove the intestinal worms, merely taking good medicines, abstaining from grains and flavors, and diligently practicing breathing exercises to seek longevity will ultimately fail. One must understand that the supreme Dao requires investigating this harm. On every Gengshen day, stay awake all night, guarding until dawn. If feeling heavy and fatigued, one may sleep briefly but must wake frequently. This prevents the Three Corpses from reporting to the Heavenly Emperor. The Taishang Ke Lü states that on June 8th and Gengshen nights, the Northern Emperor opens the gates of sin, allowing ghosts to listen to complaints. If a person's sins reach five thousand, they shall die. One vigil of Gengshen subdues the Three Corpses; seven vigils permanently eliminate them. This allows the spirit to dwell peacefully, the body to endure, the Five Spirits to remain tranquil, and prevents disturbance and confusion. Additionally, before sleeping each night, click the teeth twenty-one times, place the left hand on the heart, and call the names of the Three Corpses three times, and they will cease to cause harm. Also, trim fingernails on Yin days, toenails on Wu days, and both on the 16th day of the seventh lunar month. Burn these nails to ash, mix with water, and ingest; the Three Corpses and Nine Worms will permanently disappear. Mugwort fragrance from Jiangnan is disliked by the Three Corpses; bathing in its decoction causes them to leave. On the 4th day of the third lunar month, take five sheng of peach leaves, pound them thoroughly, strip naked, sit in a wind-proof dark room, and allow the vapor to enter the abdomen from morning to evening; the intestinal worms will emerge. Among difficult-to-treat diseases, leprosy is the worst, followed by consumptive thinning. Once infected, it passes to descendants, hence called "Transmitting Corpse." To cure this, one must banish the Three Corpses and Nine Worms until all evil qi is exhausted, then administer various medicines. People suffering from this disease claim it is karmic retribution and accept death willingly; how deluded! Thus, superior scholars subdue them through virtue, middle scholars control them by keeping Gengshen vigils, and inferior scholars remove them with medicine.

To treat diseases caused by intestinal worms, such as carbuncles, ulcers, hemorrhoids, scabies, tinea, fleas, and lice, they should be removed quickly. Guan Zhong Wan Formula:
Guan Zhong (Cibotii Rhizoma, 1 liang 1 fen, primarily treats hidden worms); Bai Huo Lu (likely a variant or specific preparation, 3 liang, primarily treats roundworms); Shu Qi (Perillae Folium, 3 fen, primarily treats white worms); Wu Yi (Chrysanthemi Fructus, 1 liang 1 fen, primarily treats flesh worms); Lei Wan (Polyporus Umbellatus, 1.5 liang, primarily treats red worms); Bai Jiang Can (Bombyx Batryticatus, 1 liang, primarily treats diaphragm worms); Shi Can (Insectum Calotropidis, 1 liang 1 fen, primarily treats pinworms); Hou Po (Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex, 1 liang 1 fen, roasted until charred, primarily treats lung worms); Ye Lang Ya Zi (Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix or similar, 1 liang, primarily treats stomach worms).
Cut the above nine ingredients, stir-fry until yellow, grind into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of sophora seeds. Take 5 pills with starch liquid, twice daily. Gradually increase to 10 pills. After 15 days, accumulations will be expelled; after 60 days, hundred diseases will heal. Women taking it will regain fertility. Fasting and purification are required before taking the medicine, so that intestinal worms scatter and divine spirits assist.

Another Formula:
Qing Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix, 1 fen); Bai Bing Lang (Arecae Semen, 1 piece, sliced); Gui (Cinnamomi Ramulus, peeled, 1 fen).
Coarsely crush and sieve the above three ingredients. Take 3 qian bi per dose, decoct in one cup of water until reduced to 70%, strain, and take warm.

Zhen Ren Qu San Shi Fang (True Person's Formula to Remove Three Corpses):
Gou Ji (Cibotii Rhizoma, de-haired, 7 liang); Gan Qi (Resina Semecarpis Anacardii, 2 liang); Wu Yi (Chrysanthemi Fructus, 3 liang).
Simultaneously roast the above three ingredients, grind into powder, mix with refined honey to form pills the size of sophora seeds. Take 7 pills with rice drink. After 21 days (3x7), the Three Corpses will naturally depart. Sometimes, matter resembling a small child is excreted; wrap it in silk, throw it into flowing water to the east, cry three times, and chant: "You are an earth ghost, I am a heavenly immortal. Act swiftly according to the decree! Return to the correct path, do not look back. Supreme Ritual." According to the Taishang Ritual, on Jiazi days, sweep the courtyard. At midnight, set up an altar. Place three cups of freshly drawn water on the altar—one East, one Center, one West. Burn Jiangzhen incense, White Resin incense, and乳香 (Boswelliae Carterii Resin). Face North, bow three times sincerely, and proclaim: "I, your descendant [Name] from [Location], bow and kneel. I respectfully invite the Supreme Sovereign Deity, Supreme True Person, Lords of the Northern Pole and Three Terraces, Lords of the Southern Dipper, Northern Dipper, Central Dipper, Eastern Dipper, and Western Dipper, Lords of Si Ming, Si Lu, Si Fei, Si Wei, Lord Wuji Yellow Old Man of the Central Palace, Sun Yuan Jun, Moon Yuan Jun, Divine Spirits of the Three Lights, Four Seasons, and Five Phases, Celestial Master, Six Jia, Parents. Please descend with mysterious influence and take your seats." Then prostrate and contemplate the descent of various deities. Rise and bow again: "May the gods use water to remove the Three Corpses and Nine Worms from my body, enabling me to learn the Dao, ascend to immortality, live long, and save the world. I humbly receive the divine grace." Kneel and pray to the Sun Lord and Moon Lady: "Please bestow divine water to remove Peng Ju, the corpse in my head." Drink the East cup. Pray again: "Bestow divine qi-water to remove Peng Zhi, the corpse in my abdomen." Drink the Center cup. Pray again: "Bestow divine water to remove Peng Jiao, the corpse in my feet." Drink the West cup. Bow again, turn right, enter the room, and sleep. Dreams will occur, such as seeing people crying or thanking you before leaving; these are signs of efficacy. If no sign appears, repeat on the next Jiazi day until signs appear.

Awakening combines with Yang Qi; sleep merges with Yin Qi. Much awakening strengthens the Hun; much sleep strengthens the Po. A strong Po leads to life; a robust Po leads to death. One must constantly restrain them. The Upper Hun is named Shuangling, courtesy name Fuyou; the Middle Hun is named Zhiguang, courtesy name Heming; the Lower Hun is named Youjing, courtesy name Dangxing. The Hun wishes to ascend to Heaven; the Po wishes to enter the springs. Returning to observe the Hun and Po follows natural law. Life follows the Hun; death follows the Po. The Hun loves ascending; the Po loves sinking. By emptying the heart and allowing Qi to flow, without overworking the Five Spirits, one naturally aligns with the Divine Dao. The Taiwei Lingshu states: On the evenings of the 3rd, 13th, and 23rd of each month, the Three Huns leave the body. One must retrieve them. Lie supine without a pillow, cross legs (left over right), place hands crossed on the heart, close eyes, hold breath for three breaths, visualize red Qi in the heart like an egg emerging from the heart upwards through the throat. Feel slight heat in the body, then call the names of the Three Hums, click teeth, and softly chant: "Shuangling extends life, Taiguang increases fortune, Youjing cuts off death." After three calls, recite the mantra softly, click teeth three times: "Taiwei Yuan Gong, Zhonghuang Shiqing, Neilian Sanhun, Sanshen Anning. Shenbao Yushi, Yuwo Jusheng. Bude Wangdong, Jianzhe Tianling. Ruoyu Feixing, Wei Yi Shangqing. Yubu Jike, Zi Yin Yujin."

On the last day (Hui), first day (Shuo), half-moon (Xian), and full moon (Wang) of each month, the Seven Pos do not guard well. One must consciously restrain them. Click teeth seven times and call once (women: fourteen clicks, two calls). "Shi Gu Fu, Shi Que Yin, Yao Zei Fei Du, Chu Hui Po Shi." After calling, chant: "Taishang Gaozun, Shanghuang Zhizhen, Wanshen Anzhen, Qipo Peishen. Bude Yuecuo, Yu E Wei Qun. Changju Shi Hou, Ju Hua Chengxian. Yong Shou Shenxing, Baowo De Zhen. Youxing Shang Gong, Tong Wei Huangbin."

Xia Yu's Method to Remove Three Corpses:
Mu Xiang (Aucklandiae Radix), Baizi Xiang (Platycladi Semen), Song Xiang (Pini Resina), Xiang Zi (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum, each 1 liang).
Grind the above four ingredients into powder using a wooden mortar. Form pills with honey. Store in porcelain. Burn in a pure room where one contemplates the spirit and dwells. Mix the herbs facing the King's direction. They may also be ingested.