Lu Changqing Didn't Mind Xing Tian

Lu Changqing paid no heed to Xing Tian's wariness, giving a slight nod before cutting straight to the point: "May I ask how many treasures Fellow Daoist Houtu has brought this time to exchange for merit?"

At these words, Xing Tian grew even more alert, fearing this transaction was a ploy to seize their treasures.

Houtu, however, did not hesitate, calmly producing a host of magical artifacts and spiritual roots: "You'll have to forgive me, Fellow Daoist. I came in haste and only prepared these Dharma artifacts, spiritual objects, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures."

Having grown accustomed to ordinary treasures over the past few days, Lu Changqing examined them closely, then his eyes lit up: "A Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure?"

As an Ancestral Witch of the Witch Clan, Houtu's offerings were indeed extraordinary—few in number, but of the highest quality.

"This item is called the Primordial Violet Gold Hairpin. Born of heaven and earth, it can break formations, pierce armor, and strike directly at the Primordial Spirit," Houtu explained calmly.

Though the Witch Clan could not wield magical treasures due to lacking a Primordial Spirit, their collection was vast.

Lu Changqing accepted this treasure with satisfaction, leaving the rest—lesser-grade spiritual treasures and spirit fruits—to Kunpeng for tallying.

"Great Master, including that Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the total can be exchanged for twelve million merit," Kunpeng reported, barely suppressing his heartache.

Parting with ten million merit in one go was hard for him to stomach.

Lu Changqing inwardly rejoiced. While this merit wasn't staggering, it far surpassed what those destitute cultivators had offered before. If a few more wealthy patrons like this showed up, why worry about merit circulation?

He cheerfully produced a golden cloud of condensed merit worth twelve million and handed it to Houtu: "Fellow Daoist, please keep it safe."

Houtu accepted the Merit Golden Cloud, a flash of surprise in her eyes: "Fellow Daoist Changqing is generous."

This merit was enough to elevate her Primordial Spirit cultivation to the next level. She couldn't wait to notify her elder brothers to come and exchange.

Xing Tian, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines, saw the Merit Golden Cloud flowing in Houtu's hand and gaped in shock.

Could it be that someone in this world would actually trade merit for spiritual objects?

And such a golden opportunity was right before his eyes?

Xing Tian stood frozen, unable to snap out of it for a long while. His earlier suspicions vanished in an instant.

He hastily pulled out his own collection of treasures, plastered on a fawning smile, and sidled up:

"Fellow Daoist Changqing, take a look at my goods here!"

In the distance, Kunpeng watched Xing Tian's smug demeanor and sighed sourly.

If only he'd known, he would have scrounged up more treasures!

But then he thought about serving the Great Master for a few more tens of thousands of years, earning fifty million merit. With that Primordial Violet Qi, achieving Dao and becoming a Saint would be as easy as water flowing.

Kunpeng immediately switched to a sycophantic grin and sidled up to Lu Changqing, who was refining artifacts: "Great Master, is there any task you'd like me to handle?"

Lu Changqing casually tossed a newly refined Postnatal Merit Magic Treasure behind him, and the item landed steadily on a nearby hill.

The mountain of Merit Magic Treasures piled there, though low in grade, made Kunpeng's eyes burn with envy.

Heaven knew how much this pauper longed for just a few of those treasures the Great Master deemed worthless.

Lu Changqing glanced at his merit count, which had barely changed, and muttered in dissatisfaction: "I've only used this much?"

Kunpeng nearly drooled at the words.

Truly, comparing people only drives you mad. What others discarded like trash, he couldn't obtain even if he begged.

The Great Master was indeed favored by heaven!

After Houtu departed, most of those who came to Wuji Heaven were ordinary cultivators, with very few great powers of the Primordial Wilderness.

Until one day, when a conflict erupted between the Demon and Witch Clans, Houtu actually used a magic treasure to slay a Great Sage of the Demon Clan.

When the news spread, the Primordial Wilderness was shaken.

The Witch Clan originally had no Primordial Spirit, so in theory, they could not wield magic treasures at all.

Houtu's action proved she had broken through the shackles

and successfully cultivated a Primordial Spirit.

As news of Houtu gaining a Primordial Spirit spread, the secret that she had exchanged ten million merits to break through her limits also leaked out.

In an instant, the great powers who had been watching were stirred, and ordinary cultivators rushed to Wuji Heaven even more eagerly.

At the same time, Daoist Randeng, a contemporary of the Six Saints, learned of this.

At first, he was half-convinced and half-doubtful, but when he saw that Houtu had indeed cultivated a Primordial Spirit, and heard that Primordial Heavenly Venerate had immediately gone into seclusion after helping Lu Changqing create a world, even entrusting the Chan Sect to him temporarily, he couldn't help but speculate: Could it be that Primordial also obtained great merits?

Perhaps this really is an opportunity?

The more Randeng thought about it, the more restless he became.

He had to go himself!

He hastily gave a few instructions to the Twelve Golden Immortals, then left Kunlun Mountain and headed straight for Wuji Heaven.

On the way, he happened to encounter East King Duke, who was leading his Retainers.

As a fellow listener at the Purple Cloud Palace, Randeng naturally recognized this Head of Male Immortals.

But most cultivators in the Primordial Wilderness didn't take that title seriously.

"Fellow Daoist East King Duke, you look well?"

Randeng greeted him with surface-level politeness.

"Fellow Daoist Randeng, why aren't you cultivating in seclusion at Kunlun?

Where are you headed?" East King Duke replied with a smile.

Randeng had a poor reputation among his peers, that habit of disregarding face for the sake of opportunity

was almost comparable to the Two Saints of the West.

Faced with the question, Randeng changed the subject:

"Recently, there have been rumors in the Primordial Wilderness. Have you heard of them, Fellow Daoist?"

East King Duke immediately understood—

this old fox was definitely after the merits.

But he couldn't say it outright;

what if he failed to exchange them and became a laughingstock?

"How could one believe such absurd words?

It's probably a trap set by the Witch Clan and Fellow Daoist Changqing!"

Seeing East King Duke's firm stance, Randeng went along with the flow:

"You see clearly, Fellow Daoist! Such nonsense—"

Only the foolish would believe that!

East King Duke grew suspicious, but his face betrayed nothing: "Where does Fellow Daoist plan to go next?"

Ran Deng gazed into the void: "Just wandering around. And you?"

East King Duke stared into the distance, speaking calmly: "This trip takes me to the Demon Clan Heavenly Court. I'm afraid our paths diverge."

Ran Deng nodded in understanding: "In that case, let us part here." "Farewell."

At the bottom of the Nine Nether Blood Sea.

Old Ancestor Minghe suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. "Houtu actually attained Primordial Spirit through merit?"

He pinched his fingers in divination, Dao runes swirling around him, lost in thought: "The Heavenly Secret is murky, yet it seems a hidden opportunity lies within."

After a moment's deliberation, Minghe summoned the Asura Clan Leader to give instructions, then tore through the void and departed.

Though he didn't know if Kunpeng's words were true or false, since it was an opportunity, he naturally had to go and see for himself.

At that moment, Di Jun had already arrived outside Wuji Heaven, calling out: "Fellow Daoist Changqing, Di Jun has come specially to visit!"

Lu Changqing, who was munching on a spirit fruit, broke into a smile: "Another great power paying a visit!"

He casually tossed aside half a spirit fruit and called out: "Fellow Daoist, please enter!"

Kunpeng, watching from the side, clicked his tongue in amazement—only the master would waste spiritual treasures like this.

Di Jun entered with a smile, praising: "Fellow Daoist's cultivation advances with astonishing speed, truly admirable!"

He also nodded in greeting to Kunpeng.

Kunpeng silently returned the greeting and stood still without speaking.

Lu Changqing got straight to the point: "How many treasures did you bring to trade for merit?"

Di Jun was taken aback; he had come to recruit, not bearing lavish gifts.

But after a moment's thought, he took out his personal spiritual treasures and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, feigning generosity: "I only brought these in haste. Fellow Daoist, feel free to choose."

Lu Changqing swept his sleeve and took them all.

Di Jun's heart ached slightly, and he was about to bring up recruitment when he saw Lu Changqing take a bite of an innate spirit fruit, then toss it away in disgust: "Tastes awful!"

Di Jun was dumbfounded—that was an innate spirit fruit!

Kunpeng shot him a knowing look, gesturing toward the corner.

There, a mountain of half-eaten spirit fruits lay piled high, alongside gleaming heaps of Merit Magic Treasures.

Di Jun's voice trembled: "Those... those are..."

Kunpeng said proudly: "The master's pleasures—how could you possibly understand?"

At that moment, Lu Changqing was pouring one hundred thousand merit into a Postnatal Spiritual Treasure.

Di Jun's mind reeled—such a waste of heavenly gifts!

"Total: five million eight hundred thousand merit," Kunpeng reported.

Lu Changqing casually condensed a Merit Golden Cloud and handed it over: "Your merit."

Di Jun took it dazedly and stumbled down the mountain.

Halfway, he suddenly snapped awake, joyfully stowed the merit away, and sped back to the Heavenly Court.

Late at night, Ran Deng sneaked to the foot of the mountain.

Just as he was about to send a message, he saw East King Duke descending with his retinue.

The two exchanged awkward glances.

East King Duke said hastily: "This Seat is by no means one to believe rumors lightly, but I truly feel a connection with Fellow Daoist Changqing."

Ran Deng smiled knowingly: "Fellow Daoist, why explain? We understand each other without words."

East King Duke snorted coldly: "Who shares your ways!" He took the lead and sent a voice transmission inside.

Ran Deng shook his head with a chuckle and followed close behind.

"East King Duke of Zifu Prefecture has come to visit!" "Ran Deng of the Chan Sect requests an audience!"

Lu Changqing's face lit up with joy—big clients had arrived!

East King Duke deliberately took the lead, beaming: "I've long admired your bearing!" Behind him, three thousand Retainers bowed in unison.

Ran Deng simply cupped his hands: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist."

Lu Changqing cut straight to the point: "How many treasures did you bring?"

East King Duke frowned. "This Seat came to discuss a major matter!"

Lu Changqing waved a hand. "To me, scattering merit is the major matter!"

He suddenly recalled that East King Duke seemed to have fallen during the war between the Demon and Wu Races—this man, bearing the title of Head of Male Immortals, was ambitious to unify the Primordial Land, recruiting Rogue Cultivators everywhere and plotting a grand enterprise.

Gradually, Zifu Prefecture's power rose amid the chaos.

At that time, the Primordial Land was ruled by the Wu and Demon Races, but Zifu Prefecture, with three thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals and two Quasi-Saints stationed there, counted as a regional power.

However, compared to the Demon Race, which also sought to unify the Primordial Land and commanded over ten thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals, Zifu Prefecture ultimately fell short.

East King Duke eventually perished early at the hands of the Demon Race due to insufficient strength—without enough foundation, how could he contend with the Primordial Land's greatest power?

Thinking this over, Lu Changqing looked at East King Duke and the three thousand retainers and million Rogue Cultivators behind him, and suddenly felt that having only Kunpeng as a mount in his Wuji Heaven was far too lonely.

If he had a few more guards, it would surely be better.

So Lu Changqing spoke up: "I think you should stop discussing any major matters with me.

Your Zifu Prefecture has no shortage of manpower—why not have them all come to my Wuji Heaven and serve as guards?"

East King Duke was about to flare up in anger, but was stunned into silence by Kunpeng's actions—the latter casually tossed a freshly refined Merit Magic Treasure onto a mountain of magical treasures.

East King Duke looked closely and saw that they were all Merit Magic Treasures! He froze on the spot: How could so many Merit Magic Treasures end up in the hands of a single Primordial Land being?

Ran Deng also followed Kunpeng's movements, a gleam flashing in his eyes—this proved that Lu Changqing wasn't lying; treasures really could be exchanged for merit here.

The three thousand retainers and million Rogue Cultivators East King Duke had brought saw this too, and the leading Quasi-Saint Rogue Cultivator was struck speechless.

Kunpeng tossed out another Merit Magic Treasure, casting a contemptuous glance at East King Duke and the others, and muttered with a sneer: "A bunch of country bumpkins who've never seen the world!"

Hearing this, East King Duke barely pulled himself together.

Before he could speak, the Quasi-Saint Retainer and the million cultivators already had blazing light in their eyes—someone who could casually discard Merit Magic Treasures, how deep must their background be? If they could follow such a powerhouse, they might even receive rewards—far better than wasting years in Zifu Prefecture!

With that thought, the Quasi-Saint Retainer knelt first: "Immortal Master Changqing, I am willing to guard Wuji Heaven for you!"

The three thousand retainers and million Rogue Cultivators followed suit, shouting in unison: "Immortal Master Changqing, we are willing to serve you!"

These Rogue Cultivators had only reluctantly followed East King Duke to begin with; now that they'd encountered a powerhouse who casually discarded Merit Magic Treasures, they naturally wouldn't miss the chance.

East King Duke watched as the retainers who had just sworn to follow him to the death instantly defected to someone else, and was momentarily lost—he had come to recruit talent, but before he could even speak, his subordinates had all been poached?

Seeing that the Zifu Prefecture crowd was so sensible, Lu Changqing announced generously: "Excellent. Since you've entered my Wuji Heaven, I won't treat you poorly.

By the rules: Quasi-Saints receive a million merit every millennium, Grand Unity Golden Immortals a hundred thousand, Primordial Unity Golden Immortals fifty thousand, and so on down the line!"

The crowd of Rogue Cultivators hastily knelt and kowtowed repeatedly:

"Thank you for your grace, Immortal Lord!"

East King Duke was still reeling, but when he heard that his own retainers only needed to serve as guards to receive generous merit every millennium, he was utterly dumbfounded.

In the Primordial Land, time was long and the most worthless thing of all.

Grand Unity Golden Immortals could easily live for millions or tens of millions of years; a thousand years was but a snap of the fingers to them.

Yet a hundred thousand merit was an opportunity they might not encounter in ten million years.

And now it was being casually handed out as a millennium's guard salary?

While East King Duke was still in shock, Lu Changqing smiled at him and said:

"As the Head of Male Immortals, besides the million merit compensation befitting a Quasi-Saint, you may also choose any three items from that pile of Merit Magic Treasures."