At that moment, Tongtian Cult Master spoke calmly.
After everyone had left, Yunxiao looked at Tongtian Cult Master and cupped her hands. "Master, what instructions do you have for your disciple?"
Tongtian Cult Master looked at Yunxiao and snapped, "Go to Penglai Immortal Island and ask that traitorous disciple of mine—is that how he cultivates in seclusion? Tell him this humble Taoist said that if he cannot bring fortune to our Jie Sect this time, this humble Taoist will punish him severely..."
Yunxiao could not help sighing and hurriedly cupped her hands. "Yes, Master!"
With that, Yunxiao bowed and withdrew from Biyou Palace, mounting a cloud and flying straight toward Penglai Immortal Island.
Upon reaching Penglai Immortal Island, Yunxiao saw the very scene Tongtian Cult Master had just witnessed. Only then did she understand why Tongtian Cult Master had suddenly lost his temper. Li Xiao had angered him.
Yunxiao rolled her eyes and flew forward. "Fifth brother, is this how you cultivate in seclusion?"
Li Xiao glanced up at Yunxiao, then habitually reached out and patted her plump backside.
Mm! Such a good feel—astonishingly springy...
"Ah..."
Yunxiao had not expected Li Xiao to make such a sneak attack. She cried out, her pretty face instantly flushing red. She hurriedly leaped away and put some distance between them, glaring at Li Xiao with anger and embarrassment. "Fifth brother, you..."
Uh? That was just a habitual motion... Li Xiao was also incredibly awkward. He gave Yunxiao an embarrassed grin and said, "Well... well, Junior Sister Yunxiao, don't be angry. Don't be angry..."
"Hmph, it does not matter if I am angry. But Master is angry—that is when you will really be in for it, fifth brother!"
Yunxiao glared fiercely at Li Xiao and said irritably.
For some reason, Yunxiao was not truly angry with Li Xiao. Instead, it felt as though a little deer had taken up residence in her heart, pounding wildly. More than anything, she felt shy.
Damn it, I forgot to use the Chaos Bead to block it... Li Xiao cursed inwardly, looking at Yunxiao awkwardly as he gave a sheepish laugh. "Well... Junior Sister Yunxiao, Master is angry?"
"Master saw you cultivating in seclusion like this. How could he not be angry? Master said that if you cannot make up for the Jie Sect's fortune, he will punish you severely this time!"
Yunxiao looked at Li Xiao with annoyance, though there was concern between her brows.
After all, fortune and merit were not so easily obtained!
Fortune? Heh, Master thinks he can stump me with this? Easy!
At that moment, Yunxiao heard Li Xiao's inner voice.
"Easy? Senior Brother Li Xiao really knows how to brag..."
Yunxiao froze for a moment, then shook her head slightly. Clearly, she did not believe Li Xiao could obtain merit and fortune.
Li Xiao looked at Yunxiao. "Well... Junior Sister Yunxiao, you go on ahead. This humble Taoist will go obtain some merit right away, so that old man Master does not use this as an excuse to make trouble..."
"Hmph..."
At that moment, a heavy snort rang out from above Penglai Immortal Island.
The owner of that voice was none other than Tongtian Cult Master.
"Damn it, Master, are you some kind of peeping maniac..."
Li Xiao jumped in fright and shrank his neck. He hurriedly cupped his hands toward Golden Ao Island. "Well... Master, your disciple meant that you are mature and steady. Well... your disciple is going to obtain merit..."
With that, Li Xiao hurriedly mounted a cloud and fled into the distance.
Yunxiao froze. After hesitating for a moment, she also left Penglai Immortal Island and headed straight for Golden Ao Island.
After entering Biyou Palace and meeting Tongtian Cult Master, Yunxiao cupped her hands. "Master!"
Tongtian Cult Master waved his sleeve and set down layer upon layer of restrictions. "Yunxiao, what did you hear?"
"Well... this disciple heard fifth brother say that merit was a small matter, that he could obtain it in minutes..."
Yunxiao said with a grin.
Tongtian Cult Master rolled his eyes furiously and curled his lips. "Hmph, that traitorous disciple knows neither heaven nor earth. Does he think merit is as common as cabbage? Just because he says he can obtain it, he can? Honestly... Fine, letting him go out and hit a wall will do him good. It will temper his temperament..."
Yunxiao nodded in agreement.
After all, merit was simply too precious in the prehistoric world!
Yunxiao might have believed Li Xiao regarding other matters, but merit was far too scarce and precious in the prehistoric world. How could it possibly be obtained so easily?
On this point, Yunxiao did not believe him.
Yet both Yunxiao and Tongtian Cult Master held a faint sense of anticipation in their hearts.
After all, Li Xiao's inner voice had not been wrong even once so far...
Merit Once More—All Saints Were Dumbfounded
By the shores of the East Sea, at the ancestral land of the human race.
Li Xiao had been among the human race for some time now.
After all, Li Xiao himself was an innate human, so he had easily integrated into their ranks.
Moreover, Li Xiao was Tongtian Cult Master's fifth personal disciple, so he was highly welcomed among the human race and respectfully addressed as an Immortal Exalted One.
One day, Li Xiao summoned a clansman.
The clansman hurriedly cupped his hands toward Li Xiao. "Immortal Exalted One, why have you summoned me?"
Li Xiao pointed toward the sky. Dark clouds densely covered the heavens. With a deafening crack, a fiery serpent streaked across the sky before finally striking a towering ancient tree.
"Whoosh..."
The tree was immediately set alight, bursting into blazing flames.
The man's face turned pale in fright, and he could not help taking several steps back.
Yet as he looked at the raging flames on the tree, his eyes were filled with curiosity. Turning to Li Xiao, he asked, "Immortal Exalted One, this is..."
"This is fire! It can provide light, cook food, keep one warm, drive away wild beasts, and has countless wondrous uses..."
Li Xiao pointed at the open flame and spoke calmly.
"Fire can provide light, cook food..."
A strange gleam flickered in the man's eyes.
Then the man left.
He began spreading fire among the human race. Whenever the fire went out, he drilled wood to make another.
The emergence of fire greatly advanced human civilization. Humans no longer lived like fur-clad, blood-drinking beasts and began eating cooked food.
Driving away wild beasts, providing light, keeping warm, and more...
The man comprehended the true essence of fire and came to be known as Suirenshi.
On the day Suirenshi attained the Dao, an incomparably enormous Golden Cloud of Merit flew in from the horizon, lowering an equally enormous Golden Pillar of Merit Light.
Eighty percent of the Golden Pillar of Merit Light entered Suirenshi's body. His cultivation rose as if he had boarded a rocket, soaring rapidly until he broke into the realm of Grand Unity Golden Immortal on the spot.
The remaining twenty percent of the merit flew toward Li Xiao.
Li Xiao waved his sleeve and collected it.
Within Biyou Palace on Golden Ao Island, Tongtian Cult Master saw the Golden Cloud of Merit. He was first stunned, then overjoyed. Muttering to himself, he said, "That brat really did obtain merit. Even the fortune of my Jie Sect has increased considerably along with it..."
Could he truly obtain merit? Was it not merely a blind cat stumbling upon a dead rat?
Tongtian Cult Master was filled with doubt.
The Saints of All Heavens merely glanced toward the ancestral land of the human race and did not pay much attention.
After all, the prehistoric world was vast beyond measure, with countless living beings. Someone obtaining merit was hardly a strange occurrence.
But what happened next gradually drew the attention of the Saints of All Heavens.
One day, Li Xiao summoned a man and pointed at a bird's nest in a tree. "Look, even birds and beasts have nests. Humans should imitate them!"
The man seemed thoughtful and left.
After an unknown period of time, the man used tree branches and trunks to build a crude thatched hut.
From then on, the human race no longer lived in damp, dark caves, but dwelled in houses instead.
The man came to be respectfully known as Youchao Shi.
On the day Youchao Shi attained the Dao, another incomparably enormous Golden Cloud of Merit flew down from the sky. The Golden Cloud of Merit lowered a thick Golden Pillar of Merit Light that connected heaven and earth.
Eighty percent of that merit entered Youchao Shi's body. His cultivation likewise rose rapidly, charging straight into the realm of Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
The remaining twenty percent of the merit once again flew toward Li Xiao.
Li Xiao similarly waved his sleeve and collected it directly.
Within just a few years, the Heavenly Dao had bestowed merit twice in succession. This drew the attention of the Saints of All Heavens.
Within Biyou Palace on Golden Ao Island, Tongtian Cult Master sat on his cloud bed, excitedly slapping his thigh as he burst into laughter. "That brat truly can obtain merit and fortune! This humble Taoist is truly delighted, hahaha..."
Within Eight Views Palace on Shouyang Mountain, Taishang Laojun had been refining pills when he suddenly saw a Golden Cloud of Merit drifting toward the ancestral land of the human race. He froze and frowned. "Who is this? To obtain such immense merit twice within only a few years..."
As he spoke, Taishang Laojun focused his gaze toward the ancestral land of the human race.
As a result, Taishang Laojun saw that a portion of the merit had entered Li Xiao's body.
"Li Xiao?"
Taishang Laojun was slightly startled. A strange light flashed repeatedly in his eyes as he muttered, "This child is extraordinarily remarkable. Not only does he possess unparalleled fortune and managed to find the Nine Revolutions Arcane Arts, he can even obtain such merit. He is truly rare..."
Within Jade Void Palace on Mount Kunlun, Primordial Heavenly Venerate also looked toward the ancestral land of the human race after seeing the two instances of merit. When he saw Li Xiao, his brows furrowed deeply, his old face darkening to the extreme. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Hmph, Li Xiao actually possesses such schemes. To obtain merit twice in succession is truly impressive. What a pity... he is not this humble Taoist's disciple..."
Within the Palace of Nuwa, Empress Nuwa sat upon her cloud bed. Seeing this scene, she was also slightly stunned. Her delicate brows lifted, and a flickering light shone in her beautiful eyes as she muttered, "Li Xiao, this child is truly extraordinary..."
In the Western World, atop the golden summit of Mount Sumeru.
Before you continue