So Everyone Began Persuading Them

So everyone began trying to persuade them.

As for giving up on creating worlds?

That was impossible.

No one wanted to miss out on something as easy as earning merit.

It was just that they had once been free to create worlds as they pleased.

Now they had to rush to meet deadlines, so naturally they were unaccustomed to it.

However.

Upon hearing this, Lu Changqing shook his head and said with a righteous expression:

"I arranged things this way for your own good!

Could you earn merit this easily before? No, right?

Now that I've given you such a wonderful opportunity, you still don't cherish it. It truly pains me."

"It's only a thousand years. An ordinary mighty expert would take tens of thousands of years just to nap. Isn't time the least valuable thing to you?"

Hearing this.

Countless living beings were left speechless.

That... seemed to make some sense.

Even the Six Saints were somewhat bewildered.

On careful thought, it really was true.

Wasn't time the least valuable thing to them?

Cultivating for a thousand years would barely increase their cultivation.

Now they could exchange a thousand years for merit—

By that logic, weren't they the ones profiting?

"Lu Changqing, you really know how to twist words.

But no matter how you argue, it cannot conceal the fact that you are exploiting the living beings of the Primordial Wilderness."

Just then, a voice resounded throughout the Primordial Wilderness.

All living beings raised their heads.

They saw heavenly flowers raining down, golden lotuses blooming from the void, billions of rays of rosy light flowing, and endless divine radiance intertwining.

Hongjun the Dao Ancestor appeared, and his first words were a rebuke.

His eyes gleamed. Ever since Lu Changqing had laid down those rules, he had secretly rejoiced, believing an opportunity had arrived.

This was the perfect chance to strike at Lu Changqing's prestige!

Thus, he came in person and sternly declared:

"Lu Changqing, you are unworthy of being a Sage! Do you think you can do whatever you please just because you have abundant merit?

The living beings of the Primordial Wilderness will never allow you to oppress them!"

Hongjun spoke righteously, his face filled with moral indignation.

Yet inwardly, he thought, Once I expose Lu Changqing's scheme before everyone, the masses will surely see his true face!

This would not only shake the living beings' trust in Lu Changqing, but also restore his own prestige.

After hearing him out, Lu Changqing looked utterly baffled.

"Hongjun, shouldn't you be staying in the Purple Cloud Palace? Why did you come out here to cause trouble?"

What does this have to do with you?"

Hongjun straightened his back and declared loudly, "These are words of justice! Today, I will demand an explanation on behalf of all living beings under heaven!"

Lu Changqing could not even be bothered to raise his eyelids. He said indifferently, "Heavenly Dao, strike him."

Boom!

The moment his words fell, a world-destroying bolt of lightning suddenly descended from above the Ninth Heaven.

Hongjun had never expected him to attack without warning.

What shocked him even more was that the Heavenly Dao actually cooperated so readily.

In the blink of an eye, he was charred black inside and out, green smoke rising from his entire body!

Hongjun was completely stunned and nearly burst into tears.

"Heavenly Dao, whose side are you on?

Why are you only striking your own people?

I was here first. We're supposed to be on the same side!"

The living beings of the Primordial Wilderness had long since grown accustomed to such a scene.

They watched expressionlessly, without the slightest ripple in their hearts.

They even thought Hongjun was somewhat foolish.

Was this his first day knowing Lu Changqing?

Even the Heavenly Dao favored him, and he still did not know that?

The Six Saints also cast pitying looks his way.

After striking down the nuisance, Lu Changqing paid him no more attention.

If Hongjun still failed to recognize the situation, he would not mind rewarding him with a few more heavenly lightning bolts.

Fortunately, Hongjun finally saw the reality of things and silently retreated to the side.

Lu Changqing continued speaking to the masses:

"Why don't you understand my painstaking intentions?

Other than giving you merit, have I ever harmed you?"

As he spoke, he even revealed an expression of profound grief.

Upon hearing this, everyone could not help scratching their heads and thinking it over.

It seemed... he really had not.

Every single thing Sage Changqing had done was a great act of kindness.

He had sent down three days of merit rain and taught them the method of becoming a Sage.

Which of those was not an opportunity that all living beings dreamed of?

Seeing everyone deep in thought, Lu Changqing pressed his advantage and said:

"The more worlds you create, the more merit you receive.

Those capable should do more work. It is fair and reasonable."

"Where else could you find something this good?

I am clearly bestowing grace far and wide! If not for this, where would there be so many opportunities to earn merit?

It is all for your own good!"

Hearing this, quite a few living beings nodded repeatedly.

They gradually became moved.

That was right. Wasn't the Sage arranging things this way because he cared about them?

They had actually wanted to slack off. They truly should not have done so, for they had let down the Sage's painstaking goodwill!

Seeing the reverence in everyone's eyes, Lu Changqing knew the overall situation had been decided.

He immediately raised an arm and shouted, adding more fuel to the fire:

"Don't you want to grow stronger? Don't you want to attain a Saint position like me?"

The living beings of the Primordial Wilderness were instantly filled with fervor.

Of course they did!

Countless people were thrilled, as if they had been injected with stimulants!

A few especially fanatical people even shouted:

"If you aren't actively earning merit, you're simply stupid beyond belief!"

The cheers rose wave after wave.

Lu Changqing nodded in satisfaction.

Then he raised a hand in signal:

"Alright, everyone, focus on your work!"

After saying that, he turned and returned to Wuji Heaven.

The living beings of the Primordial Wilderness were full of motivation and immediately threw themselves into the bustling endeavor of world creation.

Among the crowd, a mighty expert in a five-colored Daoist robe watched Lu Changqing's departing back, his eyes filled with admiration.

Within Wuji Heaven.

After returning, Lu Changqing put away his smile and frowned as he pondered how to spend merit more quickly...

Although infrastructure consumed merit, the pace was too slow.

Usually, spending one percent within a thousand years was already considered good.

And this time, the system had rewarded him with another two trillion merit,

Making up for all the progress he had previously made in spending it,

Which gave him a terrible headache!

Thinking back on it, Lu Changqing still felt frustrated.

He suspected the system was deliberately messing with him—

It restricted him at every turn when he spent money, yet was so generous when it came to income!

Sigh, what use was it to keep all this merit?

It can't even increase my strength...

In the end, Lu Changqing sighed.

Now that things had come to this, there was no use thinking too much about it.

He might as well continue looking for loopholes in the system and disperse his merit as quickly as possible.

"How about holding a competition? Let people of the same realm compete in the number of worlds they create within a thousand years.

I'll distribute merit according to their rankings and encourage them to create more worlds."

After pondering for a moment, Lu Changqing found the idea feasible.

It would allow him to reasonably spend merit while also stirring up the enthusiasm of the living beings of the Primordial Wilderness and improving efficiency.

—Work yourselves to death for me!

Lu Changqing's thoughts raced, but he quickly calmed down and asked the system:

"System, this doesn't violate the rules, does it?"

After deliberating, the system found no obvious problems,

But it still reminded him:

"It is allowed, but do not make the rewards too high."

Lu Changqing answered without hesitation:

"Then how about giving the first place ten million merit?"

The system fell silent.

Though it sensed something suspicious, it could find no apparent issue,

So it could only agree.

The corners of Lu Changqing's lips rose slightly.

He had long since made his plans.

He summoned one of his subordinates—

Kunpeng, King Father of the East, and Ran Deng were all in seclusion. Wuji Heaven needed people to manage it, so Lu Changqing had recently taken in several attendants.

Old Ancestor Shenmu was one of them and was usually responsible for running errands and delivering messages.

"Shenmu, issue an announcement and convey my intentions."

Old Ancestor Shenmu accepted the order, secretly delighted.

Even if he was merely delivering a message, it meant he had entered the Sage's sight and might be entrusted with greater responsibilities in the future.

After learning the contents, he was even more astonished.

He did not dare delay. He respectfully withdrew from Wuji Heaven and, with his Quasi-Saint cultivation, announced to the Primordial Wilderness:

"Decree of Sage Changqing of Wuji Heaven!

The living beings of the Primordial Wilderness all turned to look,

Wondering what arrangements the Sage had made this time.

"To encourage world creation, a world-creation competition will be held!

The rules are as follows: within a thousand years, those who create the most worlds will receive rewards!

First place for Great Thousand Worlds will receive ten million merit; first place for Middle Thousand Worlds will receive five million merit; first place for Minor Worlds will receive three million merit!

The leaders of all other world categories will each receive one million merit!"

The moment these words were spoken,

The Primordial Wilderness was shaken once more,

And all living beings erupted in uproar!

It was here!

The same familiar formula—

The Primordial Wilderness's foremost wealth-scattering prodigal had made another move!

Old Ancestor Shenmu did not forget Lu Changqing's final instruction and added:

"Other than first place, the remaining rankings will also receive merit rewards. The details will be announced later."

As soon as his words fell, the Sage's proclamation was complete.

In an instant, the entire Primordial Wilderness exploded into commotion.

"Heavens, how much merit must that be?"

The reward for first place was comparable to the merit of creating heaven and earth."

This was practically a heaven-sent opportunity!

All living beings were eager to try, their eyes blazing with fervor.

Even more felt pressed for time. The impatient had already begun attempting to create worlds, while those who had planned to wait and see had no choice but to act at once.

Driven by the competition Lu Changqing had initiated, the entire Primordial Wilderness boiled over.

Every living being gave it their all. Even if they could not claim first place, the rewards for the other rankings were just as tempting.

For a time, all beings scrambled to be first, hoping to receive Lu Changqing's gift of merit.

This was precisely the scene Lu Changqing had hoped to see.

Within the Heavenly Court, the two Demon Emperors' eyes shone when they heard the news.

Saint Changqing truly was generous. By holding such a contest, he was clearly delivering opportunities straight to us!

First place this time must belong to our Demon Clan!

Di Jun was filled with heroic ambition, and Tai Yi solemnly nodded in agreement.

At the foot of Buzhou Mountain, the auras of the Twelve Ancestral Witches surged. Gazing toward Wuji Heaven, sharp light flashed in their eyes.

Opening a Great Thousand World may not be easy, but first place among the Middle Thousand Worlds must belong to our Witch Clan!

Men, get to work!

With a single command from Di Jiang, countless members of the Witch Clan responded in unison, making even Buzhou Mountain tremble.

The other great powers were equally fired up.

Within Wuzhuang Temple, Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun cast aside their leisurely demeanor and began creating worlds—how could they miss such an easy chance to gain merit?

On Kunlun Mountain, Queen Mother of the West was also doing her utmost to open up heaven and earth.

Deep within the Blood Sea, Ancestor Minghe had already taken the lead and begun.

When it came to thirst for merit and obsession with attaining Sagehood, no one in the Primordial Wilderness could compare to him.

After hearing the news, he moved even faster, no longer leisurely but striving to create more worlds.

A frenzy of world creation swept through the entire Primordial Wilderness.

As time passed, many great powers achieved results.

Nearly every day, Merit Golden Clouds could be seen descending over the Primordial Wilderness, their golden radiance dazzling.

On the Moon Star, two clear female voices rang out:

"I, Moon Goddess Xi He, create a Middle Thousand World today. I ask the Heavenly Dao to bear witness!"

"I, Moon Goddess Chang Xi, create a Middle Thousand World today. I ask the Heavenly Dao to bear witness!"

It turned out that the sisters Xi He and Chang Xi had created worlds and were asking the Heavenly Dao to bestow merit.

As soon as their words fell, the two women anxiously looked toward the sky.

Before long, a Merit Golden Cloud appeared above the Moon Star, and two rays of golden light entered their bodies separately.

Feeling merit settle upon them, the two goddesses beamed with joy, their smiles like blooming flowers that seemed to illuminate the void.

"After refining this merit, we should be able to break through to the peak of the Quasi-Saint realm," Xi He said happily.

Chang Xi's face was full of longing. "My sister and I owe what we have today to Saint Changqing of Wuji Heaven."

"He truly is a Sage who holds the Primordial Wilderness in his heart."

"Wuji Heaven is now acknowledged as the supreme holy land... How wonderful it would be if we could enter it."

As she spoke, a faint blush rose on Chang Xi's face.

Not only great powers like Xi He and Chang Xi, but even the Six Saints had been creating worlds with all their might during this period.

To think that I, a dignified Sage, would be this busy!

Within Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi sighed as he circulated his Sage power, opening up a vast world.

Before long, a Great Thousand World took shape.

He asked the Heavenly Dao to bear witness and bestow merit. After refining and absorbing it, his cultivation improved.

The cycle repeated itself.

Even Primordial Heavenly Venerate had to admit that this feeling was truly wonderful! Thus, he continued devoting himself to the great undertaking of world creation.

The other five Saints were in much the same situation.

In short, the Primordial Wilderness was now bustling with activity everywhere.

All living beings were fighting with all their might to create worlds and gain merit! It even sparked an intense competition.

The two sides in this competition were the two great races that dominated the Primordial Wilderness—the Demon Clan and the Witch Clan.

At first, the two races did not interfere with each other, each focusing on creating worlds.

After a period of tireless effort, the Demon Clan Heavenly Court had achieved considerable results.

The two Demon Emperors decided to rest for a while and recover their strength.

However, they soon discovered that the Witch Clan had not only refused to rest, but had instead become even more frenzied in creating worlds.

This left the two Demon Emperors unable to sit still.

What did the Witch Clan mean by this? They were clearly trying to create several more worlds while the Demon Clan rested! Who would have thought that the seemingly rough Witch Clan could play such tricks?

How could the two Demon Emperors tolerate this? The Demon Clan and Witch Clan had already been competing against each other.

To fight for first place, they had to crush the other side.

Thus, the two Demon Emperors waved their hands—

No more resting! Keep going!

All Demon Clan members, give it everything you have!

We must not fall behind, much less lose to the Witch Clan!

Upon hearing this, countless members of the Demon Clan went all out as well, immediately beginning to create worlds without pause.