Lu Changqing Paid No Mind to Xing Tian

Lu Changqing paid no mind to Xing Tian's wariness. With a slight nod, he went straight to the point. "How many treasures has Fellow Daoist Houtu brought this time to exchange for merit?"

The moment he said this, Xing Tian grew even more vigilant, fearing that this transaction was actually a scheme to seize their treasures.

Houtu, however, did not hesitate. She calmly took out numerous magic treasures and Spiritual Roots. "Please forgive the laugh, Fellow Daoist. I was in a hurry on this trip and only brought these magical artifacts, spiritual items, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures."

Having grown accustomed to seeing ordinary magic treasures these past few days, Lu Changqing examined them carefully. Then his eyes suddenly lit up. "A Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure?"

As an Ancestral Witch of the Witch Clan, Houtu truly made extraordinary offerings. Though there were not many items, their quality was exceedingly precious.

"This is called the Primordial Violet Gold Hairpin. It was born of heaven and earth and can break formations, pierce armor, and strike directly at the primordial spirit."

Houtu introduced it calmly.

Although the Witch Clan could not wield magic treasures due to their lack of primordial spirits, they possessed a considerable collection.

Lu Changqing accepted the treasure with satisfaction, while he handed the remaining lower-grade spiritual treasures, spirit fruits, and other items over to Kunpeng for appraisal.

"Great Master, including that Top Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, these can be exchanged for a total of twelve million merit."

Kunpeng reported while suppressing the ache in his heart.

Giving away ten million merit just like that truly left him unable to remain calm.

Lu Changqing secretly rejoiced.

This amount of merit was not particularly astonishing, but it was far better than what those impoverished cultivators had brought before.

If a few more wealthy customers like this came along, why would he need to worry about merit failing to circulate?

He readily took out a golden cloud condensed from twelve million merit and handed it to Houtu. "Please keep it safe, Fellow Daoist."

Houtu accepted the Merit Golden Cloud, and delight flashed through her eyes. "Fellow Daoist Changqing is generous indeed."

This merit was enough to elevate her primordial spirit cultivation by another level.

She could hardly wait to notify her brothers and have them come exchange treasures as well.

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

There really were people in this world willing to exchange merit for spiritual items!

And such a good thing was right before his eyes?

Xing Tian stood there dumbfounded for a long while, unable to recover his senses.

His earlier suspicions instantly vanished without a trace.

He hurriedly pulled out all kinds of treasures he had collected, piled on a smile, and stepped forward.

"Fellow Daoist Changqing, what do you think of the treasures I have here?"

Kunpeng watched Xing Tian's blissful expression from afar.

He let out a sour sigh.

If only he had known, he should have gathered more treasures!

Then he remembered that if he served the Great Master for several more tens of thousands of years,

he would be able to obtain fifty million merit.

Together with that strand of Primordial Violet Qi,

achieving the Dao and becoming a saint would be as natural as water flowing into a channel.

Kunpeng immediately put on a fawning smile.

He moved closer to Lu Changqing, who was refining artifacts.

"Does the Great Master have any orders?"

Lu Changqing casually tossed the newly refined Postnatal Merit Spiritual Treasure behind him.

The treasure landed steadily atop a small mountain nearby.

Although the Merit Magic Treasures piled high on the mountain were not of great rank,

they made Kunpeng's eyes redden and his heart race.

Heaven knew how badly this pauper wanted

even a few of the items the Great Master regarded as insignificant.

Lu Changqing glanced at the merit value, which had barely changed.

He muttered in dissatisfaction.

"Only this little was consumed?"

Kunpeng nearly drooled when he heard that.

Comparisons truly drove people mad.

What others discarded like trash

was something he could only dream of obtaining.

The Great Master was truly favored by destiny!

After Houtu departed,

most of those who came to Wuji Heaven were ordinary cultivators,

while mighty figures of the Primordial Wilderness were few and far between.

Until one day,

the Witch Clan and Demon Clan erupted into conflict,

and Houtu actually used a magic treasure to kill a Great Sage of the Demon Clan.

Once the news spread, the Primordial Wilderness was shaken.

The Witch Clan had no primordial spirits,

so by all reason, they should have been utterly incapable of wielding magic treasures.

Houtu's actions proved that she had broken through her shackles

and successfully cultivated a primordial spirit.

As news of Houtu obtaining a primordial spirit spread,

the secret that she had broken through her limitations only after exchanging for tens of millions of merit also spread like wildfire.

For a time,

the mighty figures who had been watching from the sidelines were all moved,

while ordinary cultivators rushed toward Wuji Heaven in droves.

Meanwhile,

Daoist Randeng, who belonged to the same generation as the Six Saints, learned of the matter.

At first, he was only half-convinced.

But when he saw that Houtu had indeed cultivated a primordial spirit,

and heard that Primordial Heavenly Venerate had entered seclusion immediately after helping Lu Changqing open up a world,

even entrusting the Chan Sect to his care for the time being,

he could not help but speculate, Could Yuanshi have obtained great merit as well?

Could this truly be an opportunity?

The more Ran Deng thought about it, the less he could sit still.

He had to make the trip himself!

After hurriedly giving the Twelve Golden Immortals a few instructions,

he left Kunlun Mountain and headed straight for Wuji Heaven.

Along the way, he happened to encounter King Father of the East, who was traveling with his retainers.

As fellow attendees of the Purple Sky Palace's teachings,

Ran Deng naturally recognized this Head of Male Immortals.

However, most cultivators of the Primordial Wilderness did not take that title seriously.

"Fellow Daoist King Father of the East, it has been some time. Have you been well?"

Ran Deng greeted him politely on the surface.

"Fellow Daoist Ran Deng, rather than cultivating quietly at Kunlun, where are you headed?" King Father of the East replied with a smile.

Ran Deng did not have a good reputation among those of his generation.

His shameless manner of pursuing opportunities at any cost

was practically comparable to the Two Saints of the West.

Faced with the question, Ran Deng changed the subject.

"Have you heard the recent rumors circulating through the Primordial Wilderness, Fellow Daoist?"

King Father of the East immediately understood—

this old fox was surely after merit.

But he could not say so outright.

What if the exchange failed? Would he not become a laughingstock?

"How can such absurd words be believed so easily?

"It must be a trap arranged by the Witch Clan and Fellow Daoist Changqing!"

Seeing King Father of the East speak so decisively,

Ran Deng followed his lead.

"Fellow Daoist is perceptive! Such baseless nonsense

would only be believed by ignorant fools!"

Doubt arose in King Father of the East's heart,

but none showed on his face.

"Where does Fellow Daoist intend to go next?"

Ran Deng gazed into the void.

"Just wandering around.

"And you, Fellow Daoist?"

King Father of the East stared into the distance and replied calmly, "I intend to visit the Demon Clan Heavenly Court. I fear our paths differ."

Ran Deng nodded knowingly. "In that case, let us part here."

"Farewell."

At the bottom of the Nine Nether Blood Sea.

Ancestor Minghe suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing within them. "Houtu actually attained a primordial spirit through merit?"

He pinched his fingers and calculated. Great Dao runes swirled around him as he murmured thoughtfully, "The Heavenly Secret is obscure, yet an opportunity seems to be hidden within."

After pondering for a moment, Ancestor Minghe summoned the Asura Clan Leader and gave instructions before tearing through the void and departing.

Though he did not know whether Kunpeng's words were true, since it was an opportunity, he naturally had to go and see for himself.

At this moment, Di Jun had already arrived outside Wuji Heaven. He called out loudly, "Fellow Daoist Changqing, Di Jun has come to visit!"

Lu Changqing, who was chewing on a spirit fruit, broke into a grin at the sound. "Another mighty figure has come visiting!"

He casually tossed aside half the spirit fruit and called out, "Please come in, Fellow Daoist!"

Kunpeng, watching from the side, clicked his tongue inwardly. Only the Great Master could waste spiritual items so extravagantly.

Di Jun entered with a smile and praised, "Fellow Daoist, your cultivation has advanced with remarkable speed. It is truly admirable!"

He also nodded in greeting to Kunpeng.

Kunpeng silently returned the gesture and stood still without speaking.

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

Di Jun froze. He had come to recruit him and had not prepared any lavish gifts.

But after a moment's thought, he took out the spiritual treasures and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures he carried with him, feigning generosity. "I only brought these in my haste. Fellow Daoist, feel free to choose whatever you like."

With a sweep of his sleeve, Lu Changqing collected them all.

Di Jun's heart ached slightly. Just as he was about to mention recruitment, he saw Lu Changqing take a bite of an innate spirit fruit before tossing it away in disgust. "Disgusting!"

Di Jun stared in disbelief—that was an innate spirit fruit!

Kunpeng gave him a knowing look and gestured toward a corner.

There, bitten spirit fruits lay scattered across the ground in heaps, while piles of Merit Magic Treasures gleamed brilliantly nearby.

Di Jun's voice trembled. "Th-those are..."

Kunpeng said proudly, "How could you possibly understand the Great Master's interests?"

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

Di Jun's mind shook violently—this was simply a monstrous waste!

"A total of five million eight hundred thousand merit," Kunpeng reported.

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

Di Jun accepted it in a daze and descended the mountain in a muddled state.

Halfway down, he suddenly snapped awake. Ecstatically putting away the merit, he sped back toward the heavenly court.

Late that night, Ran Deng furtively made his way to the foot of the mountain.

Just as he was about to send a message inside, he saw King Father of the East arrive with his entourage.

The two looked at each other awkwardly.

King Father of the East hurriedly said, "I am absolutely not blindly trusting rumors. I merely feel that I share an affinity with Fellow Daoist Changqing."

Ran Deng smiled knowingly. "Why explain, Fellow Daoist? We both understand."

King Father of the East snorted coldly. "Who is in league with you?" He sent a voice transmission inside first.

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

"King Father of the East of Zifu Prefecture has come to visit!"

"Ran Deng of the Chan Sect requests an audience!"

Lu Changqing's eyes brightened—major customers had arrived!

King Father of the East deliberately stepped ahead, his smile warm and welcoming. "I have long admired Fellow Daoist's bearing!" The three thousand retainers behind him bowed in unison.

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

Lu Changqing went straight to the point. "How many treasures did you bring?"

King Father of the East was displeased. "I came to discuss important matters!"

Lu Changqing waved a hand. "To me, distributing merit is an important matter!"

He suddenly recalled that King Father of the East seemed to have perished during the great war between the Witch and Demon races—this fellow bearing the title Head of Male Immortals had been wildly ambitious, seeking to unify the Primordial Wilderness by recruiting Rogue Cultivators everywhere and plotting great undertakings.

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

At that time, the Primordial Land was ruled by the Witch and Demon races, but Zifu Prefecture had three thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals and two Quasi-Saints guarding it, making it a formidable force in its own right.

However, compared to the Demon race, which likewise sought to unify the Primordial Wilderness and had more than ten thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals under its command, Zifu Prefecture ultimately fell short.

King Father of the East was ultimately defeated and destroyed by the Demon race early on due to insufficient strength—without enough foundation, how could he contend against the greatest force in the Primordial Wilderness?

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

It would surely be better to have more guards.

Thus, Lu Changqing said, "I don't think you should discuss any grand matters with me.

"You people of Zifu Prefecture have quite a few hands. Why not all come to my Wuji Heaven and serve as guards?"

King Father of the East was about to fly into a rage, but Kunpeng's actions left him stunned—Kunpeng casually tossed a newly refined Merit Magic Treasure into a mountain-like pile of magic treasures.

King Father of the East looked closely and discovered that they were all Merit Magic Treasures! He was instantly dumbfounded. How could so many Merit Magic Treasures end up in the hands of a living being from the Primordial Wilderness?

Ran Deng also looked in the direction of Kunpeng's movement, and a sharp gleam flashed through his eyes—this proved that Lu Changqing had not lied. Treasures could indeed be exchanged for merit here.

The three thousand retainers and million Rogue Cultivators King Father of the East had brought also witnessed the scene. The Quasi-Saint Rogue Cultivator at their head was too shocked to speak.

Kunpeng tossed out another Merit Magic Treasure, shot King Father of the East and the others a contemptuous glance, and sneered under his breath, "A bunch of bumpkins!"

Hearing this, King Father of the East barely came back to his senses.

Before he could speak, the Quasi-Saint Retainer and the million cultivators already had blazing light in their eyes—what sort of profound background did someone who could casually throw away Merit Magic Treasures possess? If they could follow such an expert, perhaps they might even receive rewards. Would that not be far better than wasting their years in Zifu Prefecture?

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

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

These Rogue Cultivators had only followed King Father of the East out of helplessness to begin with. Now that they had encountered an expert who could casually discard Merit Magic Treasures, they naturally did not wish to miss this opportunity.

King Father of the East watched as the retainers who had just sworn to follow him unto death all defected to another in the blink of an eye, leaving him utterly confused—he had come to recruit talent, so how had all his subordinates been poached before he could even speak?

Seeing how sensible the people of Zifu Prefecture were, Lu Changqing readily announced, "Very good. Since you have entered my Wuji Heaven, I naturally will not treat you poorly.

"According to the rules: a Quasi-Saint receives one million merit every thousand years, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal receives one hundred thousand, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal receives fifty thousand, with the amount decreasing in turn!"

The Rogue Cultivators hurriedly knelt and repeatedly kowtowed:

"Thank you for your gift, Immortal Venerable!"

King Father of the East had originally still been **, but when he heard that his retainers only needed to serve as guards to receive such abundant merit every thousand years, he was left staring in utter disbelief.

Time in the Primordial Wilderness stretched endlessly, and time was the least valuable thing of all.

Grand Unity Golden Immortals could easily live for millions or tens of millions of years. To them, a thousand years was no more than the flick of a finger.

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

And now it was being casually handed out as payment for serving as guards every thousand years?

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

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