If not for Great Master, how could the Primordial Wilderness be what it was today?
We would never have been able to attain the Hunyuan Dao!
Great Master's name would surely be remembered for generations!
Ming He and Kunpeng praised him repeatedly.
"All right."
"Go open up new worlds."
"I'll leave the great task of pioneering to Fellow Daoist Ming He."
After King Father of the East and the other two finished speaking to Ming He,
knowing that Great Master valued those who persevered, they did not linger any longer.
They threw themselves directly into the work of opening worlds.
Ming He was responsible for overseeing the great pioneering endeavor.
***
On Shouyang Mountain.
Rumble—
A golden light stretching ten thousand zhang shot into the heavens, while endless laws enveloped the mountaintop.
Vast Saintly Might spread through the void.
All living beings beneath heaven and earth were shaken.
Lu Changqing also raised his eyes, looking somewhat surprised.
"Laozi's cultivation has broken through again."
"He's progressing rather quickly."
"Fine. The higher his cultivation, the more efficient he'll be at work."
He murmured indifferently.
***
Inside the Eight Sceneries Palace.
Laozi's heart surged with excitement. If not for preserving a Sage's dignity,
he would nearly have burst into loud laughter.
He was only one step away from the Hunyuan Limitless Great Luo Golden Immortal realm!
As long as he accumulated a little more merit, he would surely attain the Dao.
Wouldn't he then be catching right up to the Dao Ancestor?
At the thought of this, Laozi was thrilled beyond measure.
All of this was thanks to Wuji Heaven, thanks to Fellow Daoist Changqing!
He truly brought opportunities to everyone with all his heart!
Although opening worlds was rather arduous,
the thrill of his cultivation breakthrough completely dispelled his exhaustion.
He could hardly wait to open countless more Great Thousand Worlds.
To accumulate even more merit.
And reach the Hunyuan Limitless Great Luo Golden Immortal realm in one stroke.
***
Deep within the chaos beyond the heavens.
Hongjun could no longer remain seated.
This was simply absurd!
Laozi had actually already cultivated to the ninth level of Hunyuan!
How long had it been? If Laozi caught up to his cultivation, where would his dignity as a master go?
He absolutely could not let them continue acquiring merit on such a grand scale.
If he still cultivated step by step, who knew when he would break through?
Yet he also found himself in a difficult position—Lu Changqing had previously come to invite him, and he had firmly refused.
If he went there of his own accord now, wouldn't he be slapping his own face?
He could not appear personally.
Then inspiration struck, and he thought of a way to exchange treasures for merit.
He immediately sent a voice transmission to summon the two young attendants, Hao Tian and Yao Chi.
"Great Master!"
The two respectfully saluted him.
With a wave of Hongjun's hand, a Five-Needle Pine, one of the Ten Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Roots,
appeared before them.
There was also a Chaos Spiritual Treasure, its pressure vast and its spiritual charm flowing.
Hao Tian and Yao Chi were instantly stunned.
What did the Dao Ancestor mean by this?
Inside the Violet Firmament Palace.
Hao Tian and Yao Chi were both shocked by the Dao Ancestor's actions, their faces filled with confusion.
The Five-Needle Pine, one of the Ten Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Roots.
And a Chaos Spiritual Treasure.
Why had the Dao Ancestor suddenly taken out these things?
Hongjun looked at the two and instructed, "Take these two items to Wuji Heaven in your own names and exchange them for merit."
"Do you understand?"
Hongjun's expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was quietly pleased.
It was inconvenient for him to show himself, but if Hao Tian and Yao Chi went instead, no one would know it was his arrangement.
This could be considered foolproof.
Hao Tian and Yao Chi were even more bewildered.
The Dao Ancestor wanted them to take treasures to Wuji Heaven to exchange for merit?
Could it be that even the Dao Ancestor needed to sell off treasures now?
Or perhaps... Wuji Heaven simply offered too much?
Hao Tian could not understand whether the Dao Ancestor had some other deeper intention.
In the past, the Dao Ancestor had always remained seated in the Violet Firmament Palace and had shown little goodwill toward that Longevity Immortal Venerable.
Why did he suddenly want to exchange treasures for merit?
Yao Chi, meanwhile, was astonished by Great Master's profound wealth.
That treasure possessed an overwhelming aura and vast Dao charm. It clearly surpassed a Primordial Supreme Treasure.
It was actually a Chaos Spiritual Treasure.
Great Master had actually hidden such a precious treasure. It was truly shocking.
"Great Master, why must we go in our own names?"
Hao Tian asked cautiously.
Hongjun glanced at him. Naturally, he could not tell the truth.
Otherwise, where would his dignity as Great Master go?
Thus, he said calmly, "This is the will of heaven."
"Go when I tell you to go."
Hao Tian and Yao Chi could only accept the order.
Hongjun watched the two leave the Violet Firmament Palace and quietly awaited the arrival of merit.
A Chaos Spiritual Treasure and a Top Grade Innate Spiritual Root.
They should be worth quite a bit of merit, shouldn't they?
Judging by Lu Changqing's generosity, he certainly would not be stingy with merit.
This even gave Hongjun a hint of anticipation.
***
Outside Wuji Heaven.
Hao Tian and Yao Chi entered directly, with no one stopping them.
The moment they entered, the two felt as though they had arrived in an immortal realm.
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth rushing toward them was actually tens of millions of times denser than that of the Violet Firmament Palace.
Every pore on their bodies seemed to relax.
Why was the spiritual energy within Wuji Heaven so dense?
How had this been achieved?
Even the Violet Firmament Palace could not compare in the slightest!
A look of astonishment appeared on Hao Tian's face.
He had once believed the Violet Firmament Palace to be the supreme sacred land of the Primordial Wilderness, but compared to Wuji Heaven, it was like a thatched hut beside a palace.
They were utterly incomparable.
The two walked forward in stunned silence and soon saw vast stretches of Chaos Stone.
How vast were they?
They covered the entire ground!
"What?!"
"They actually used Chaos Stone to pave the ground?"
"How could they waste it like this?!"
Hao Tian said indignantly.
Yao Chi pointed into the distance with trembling fingers. "What is that?!"
"Isn't that Sage Laozi's Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda?"
"Why is it hanging beneath the eaves like a wind chime?!"
"What?!"
"They used the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda as decoration?"
Hao Tian could not believe it. Looking closely, the corner of his mouth began twitching violently.
It was actually real!
This was simply insane!
This was far too excessive!
Not only that, all the greenery around the hall consisted of Innate Spiritual Roots!
Not only had the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda become a decoration,
many Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures
were also casually hung upon this magnificent palace.
If they were not decorations, then what were they?
What kind of extravagant place was this?!
The two no longer wished to think about the Violet Firmament Palace. It simply could not be mentioned in the same breath as this place!
"The palace ahead should be where the Longevity Immortal Venerable resides."
Yao Chi said softly.
The one she indicated was precisely the palace adorned with the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda.
Anyone who could use a Merit Supreme Treasure as decoration
must surely be the Longevity Immortal Venerable.
Moreover, the Dao charm within that hall was profound and mysterious, while its pressure was vast.
An immortal aura seemed to flow through the palace.
The two straightened their clothes, adopted solemn expressions, entered, and bowed. "Greetings, Longevity Immortal Venerable!"
Lu Changqing's brows twitched slightly. Weren't these two little attendants under Hongjun?
Why had they come to his Wuji Heaven?
Could it be that Hongjun had finally come around and was willing to earn merit?
"Did Hongjun send you here?"
Lu Changqing asked.
Hao Tian and Yao Chi were about to say yes when they recalled the Dao Ancestor's instructions and hurriedly waved their hands. "No!"
"We came of our own accord to exchange for merit!"
As they spoke, they presented a Five-Needle Pine. It was one of the Ten Top-Grade Innate Spiritual Roots, radiating hazy spiritual light and countless streams of auspicious energy.
The Five-Needle Pine was the only Innate Spiritual Root that could be used for artifact refinement.
If refined by a skilled hand, it would surely become a peerless treasure.
Yet Lu Changqing showed little interest and merely smiled. "This pine looks lively enough. It'll do nicely planted outside the gate as scenery."
Upon hearing this, Hao Tian's wrist trembled, and he nearly dropped the Chaos Spiritual Treasure in his arms.
What had he just heard?!
A Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root was actually going to be used as decoration?
What a waste of a heavenly treasure!
This was what it meant for a pearl to be cast into darkness!
As mixed emotions surged within him,
He then took out another Chaos Spiritual Sword. "This is the Sword of Destruction!"
The Sword of Destruction!
It had been the accompanying supreme treasure of the Demon God of Destruction among the three thousand Demon Gods of old, possessing unparalleled might.
It contained the supreme Great Dao of Destruction.
With a single strike, it could split apart the heavens and earth of the Primordial Wilderness.
Shattering mountains and rending the earth was nothing extraordinary.
These two items were indeed far from ordinary.
Kong Xuan, standing to one side, secretly clicked his tongue.
A Chaos Spiritual Treasure!
A Top-grade Innate Spiritual Root!
Both were rare treasures of the world!
How could two young attendants have brought them?
Weren't they afraid of attracting covetous eyes?
In the Primordial Land today, Quasi-Saints emerged in great numbers.
Grand Unity Golden Immortals were as numerous as blades of grass.
Hao Tian and Yao Chi were merely at the late Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm.
Carrying such precious treasures, were they truly unafraid?
Then, recalling that the Dao Ancestor stood behind them, he understood.
Who in this world would dare touch the Dao Ancestor's belongings?
"Did Hongjun truly not instruct this?"
Lu Changqing asked again.
He knew full well that this had to be Hongjun's intention.
Otherwise, given their status, how could the two of them have obtained a Chaos Spiritual Treasure? This item was surely one of Hongjun's hidden reserves.
He had never expected that the old Daoist still possessed Chaos Spiritual Treasures.
And likely more than one.
Since he was willing to trade one for merit, he surely still had more in reserve.
How could Hao Tian and Yao Chi dare answer? They merely shook their heads.
Seeing this, Lu Changqing stopped asking and changed the subject. "As for the Five-Needle Pine..."
"Five million merit will do."
Hao Tian and Yao Chi immediately beamed with joy.
Five million merit!
Heavens!
When had they ever seen such an enormous amount of merit?
As expected of the Longevity Immortal Venerable—his generosity was truly extraordinary!
"As for the Chaos Spiritual Treasure, it is indeed a rare item."
"I'd say thirty million merit, then."
Lu Changqing spoke calmly.
With just a few casual words, he had named thirty million merit.
The two, still immersed in the shock of five million merit, were completely stunned upon hearing this.
They could not recover for a long while.
Thirty million?
Had they heard wrong?
Did the Immortal Venerable truly say thirty million merit?!
What an astonishing amount!
Seeing that they remained silent, Lu Changqing wanted to test the system's limits.
"It is only reasonable for a treasure like a Chaos Spiritual Treasure to cost more, isn't it?"
Surely the system would not object?
It seems they aren't satisfied!
"Then I'll add another ten million. How about forty million?"
Lu Changqing said directly.
Hao Tian hurriedly waved his hands, his tongue tangling. "N-No need..."
Lu Changqing smiled brightly. "So it really is still too little?"
"Since it is a Chaos Spiritual Treasure, it truly is precious!"
"How about fifty million merit?"
Hao Tian and Yao Chi were utterly dumbfounded.
They had long heard that the Longevity Immortal Venerable was a genius at bargaining.
Seeing it today, the reputation was indeed well deserved!
Before they had even finished speaking, the Immortal Venerable had rushed to raise the price.
This was far too terrifying!
Could merit be burning his hands?
Seeing that the system still gave no response, Lu Changqing continued, "Sixty million!!"
Hao Tian and Yao Chi trembled all over.
They were on the verge of tears.
Immortal Venerable!
Please stop adding more—they truly could not bear it!
They had never seen so much merit in their lives!
They likely would never encounter such an opportunity again!
At that moment, the system prompted: "Host, enough is enough. Sixty million for a Chaos Spiritual Treasure is already an overpayment!"
The system was also helpless. If it did not speak up now, this fellow might raise the price to a trillion.
He was trying to poke a hole in the heavens!
He might as well just give away all his merit!
Couldn't he bargain normally for once?!
Exhausting!
Seeing that the system had spoken, Lu Changqing stopped raising the price and quit while he was ahead.
He put away the two treasures and directly took out sixty-five million merit.
With a thunderous boom!
Golden light shone like a great sun hanging in the sky, dazzling Hao Tian and Yao Chi until tears streamed down their faces.
Yes! These were tears of overwhelming joy!
Their hands trembled as they hurriedly stored the ball of merit away.
"Many thanks for the Immortal Venerable's gift!"
"We... shall take our leave!"
Hao Tian's voice trembled as he spoke, and he pulled Yao Chi away in a panic.
Even after stepping out of Wuji Heaven, their legs remained weak.
Too much!
The Immortal Venerable had given them far too much!
In the end, their knowledge was too shallow.
The methods of immortals were indeed impossible to fathom!
Inside Wuji Heaven.
Watching their staggering backs, Lu Changqing gently shook his head.
"These two juniors still lack experience!"
Kong Xuan stared in stunned disbelief from behind.
Master!
It was not that they lacked knowledge—it was that your way of doing things was too outrageous!
So this was the bargaining genius renowned throughout the Primordial Wilderness?
His way of thinking truly was different from everyone else's!
This was the first time he had seen someone raise the price while bargaining.
Did he have so much merit that he had nowhere to spend it?
Forty million would have been enough, yet he insisted on giving another twenty million!
When it came to bargaining, only my master stood unmatched in the Primordial Wilderness.
Didn't even the Dao Ancestor fail to withstand him?
Inside the Violet Firmament Palace.
Hao Tian and Yao Chi returned in a daze to report back. Hongjun was also startled upon hearing the news.
Even his Dao heart could not help but tremble.
Before you continue