Refining Treasures with Merit

Inside Yuqing Palace, Tongtian sat high in the seat of honor while Bai Jin sat cross-legged on a cushion below.

Tongtian cast a furtive glance toward Taiqing Peak and Yuqing Peak. What had Duobao told them? Why had both of his elder brothers suddenly gone into seclusion? No, he had to send the one below him away quickly.

Tongtian said, "Merit has endless wondrous uses. It can be transformed into a Merit Divine Wheel to protect the body and guard the soul.

"It can also be refined into a Merit Divine Artifact, allowing one to kill without becoming tainted by karma.

"I have already passed the method of refining Merit Divine Artifacts on to you. How you choose is up to you. Different choices will lead you down different paths, so proceed with caution."

Bai Jin hesitated before asking, "Master, can I incorporate merit into the four Qing Tian Swords?"

Tongtian shook his head and said, "No! Innate Spiritual Treasures possess their own indestructible innate spiritual light. Incorporating acquired merit would instead obscure the innate power of an Innate Spiritual Treasure."

"Yes! This disciple understands." Bai Jin answered respectfully.

Tongtian said, "Nuwa has attained sainthood, and you received no small amount of merit from it. You must choose carefully."

"Yes! This disciple will certainly weigh it carefully. But Master, could you give me some advice?"

"Do you know what my philosophy of teaching disciples is?"

"Teaching without discrimination?"

"Free-range!"

Bai Jin: "⊙﹏⊙" I really want to change masters.

Tongtian chuckled and said, "Go! Your senior brother and junior sister are still waiting outside."

"This disciple takes his leave~" Bai Jin respectfully cupped his hands in salute, rose, and headed outside.

With a creak, the gates of Shangqing Palace opened halfway. Bai Jin stepped out and immediately saw the two people sitting beneath a distant tree.

Bai Jin smiled, cupped his hands, and apologized, "I did not know Senior Brother and Junior Sister were waiting outside. This junior brother is slow-witted and delayed Master for a while longer. Please do not take offense, Senior Brother and Junior Sister."

Jinling said with a grin, "I don't mind! I had nothing better to do anyway."

Duobao rose from the ground and said expressionlessly, "Junior Brother, Master is comprehending the Saintly Dao. You should come less often in the future."

After saying that, he held his head high and strode proudly into Shangqing Palace. With a rumble, the gates of Shangqing Palace shut.

Bai Jin looked at Jinling in confusion. "Junior Sister, what is wrong with Senior Brother this time? Why does he look like heaven is first and he is second? He is unbearably smug!"

Jinling shook her head. "I don't know! Hasn't Senior Disciple Brother always been like this?"

Bai Jin nodded in agreement. "Our overbearing Senior Disciple Brother really is something else!

"Master just imparted the Dao to me, and I have gained some insight. This senior brother will take his leave first."

Jinling said with a smile, "Take care, Senior Brother!"

Riding the wind through the air, Bai Jin drifted gracefully down the mountain.

A short while later, Duobao emerged from Shangqing Palace beaming with joy. With another rumble, the gates of Shangqing Palace closed, Shangqing Immortal Light flashing over them as they sealed completely.

"Haha~" Duobao could not help laughing happily twice. Master approved of my method too. I truly am a genius.

"Senior Disciple Brother~" A faint, ghostly voice sounded.

Duobao turned around with a radiant smile. "Junior Sister~ What is it?"

Jinling rose to her feet, looked at Duobao, and said calmly, "Senior Brother, I was here first."

Duobao said with a smile, "Many thanks to Junior Sister for yielding to me."

Jinling pointed at the sealed Shangqing Palace and said faintly, "Senior Disciple Brother, could you explain to your junior sister what is going on now?"

Duobao turned to look at Shangqing Palace, which glimmered with Shangqing Immortal Light, and instantly froze. Only then did he realize that he seemed to have cut off his junior sister's path to seek instruction from their master.

Jinling stared faintly at Duobao, parting her lips to reveal two small canine teeth.

Duobao hurriedly said, "Junior Sister, listen to my explanation! I truly did not do it on purpose."

With a flick of her immortal robe, Jinling said, "I won't listen, I won't listen. You are Senior Disciple Brother, so there is no need to explain yourself to me." She stepped onto an Auspicious Cloud and flew down the mountain.

"Junior Sister~" Duobao called after her, watching Jinling depart before muttering to himself, "Forget it, if she will not listen, then she will not listen. Once Master and Martial Uncle attain the Dao, she will understand."

Bai Jin walked along the silent mountain path. Ever since those Outer Sect Disciples had their cultivation sealed, Shangqing Peak had immediately become quiet. The disciples whose cultivation had been sealed had all withdrawn into their respective halls to cultivate themselves and temper their nature. At least for the time being, none of them dared come out and cause trouble.

Bai Jin returned all the way to his own palace and sat cross-legged on his bed in contemplation. His master's words still echoed in his mind. Merit was an exceedingly special power between heaven and earth. Not only could merit protect the soul, but it could also turn disaster into fortune.

Merit could be refined into Merit Golden Elixirs, which, when consumed, could enhance one's comprehension and briefly allow one to become one with heaven and earth.

Merit could be refined into offensive divine artifacts, allowing one to kill without being tainted by karma. It could also be refined into defensive divine artifacts, repelling all evils and leaving one untouched by all techniques.

It also possessed countless other wondrous uses. It was simply an all-purpose treasure.

After obtaining merit, most people used their souls to refine the power of merit into a Merit Divine Wheel to protect their souls. However, Bai Jin did not intend to refine one of those. A plan quietly formed in his heart.

Bai Jin stretched out his hand, and the Treasure Dropping Coin appeared in his palm. Round on the outside and square within, it had two adorable little wings growing from it as it floated in the air.

Bai Jin muttered to himself, "It should work, right?" He closed his eyes and focused. A mass of golden cloud appeared above his head, churning with countless auspicious vapors.

The Treasure Dropping Coin abruptly ignited with invisible soul-fire. A thread of the Merit Golden Cloud split off and flew toward the Treasure Dropping Coin, passing through its square central hole. On the other side, it formed into a mysterious yellow square-holed coin that fell down.

That thread of merit was immediately cut off. The Treasure Dropping Coin let out an unhappy hum, seeming deeply unwilling.

Bai Jin ignored its little tantrum. With a beckoning gesture, the mysterious yellow merit coin flew over and landed in Bai Jin's hand.

On one side of the coin was a Dao palace, its small square hole positioned at the palace gates as though the gates stood wide open. On the tiny plaque above the palace, three words could vaguely be seen: Zixiao Palace. The other side bore a circle of Dao patterns that looked profoundly mysterious and carried an enigmatic aura. Bai Jin himself had no idea what they meant. Still, they looked impressive enough.

Bai Jin examined the merit coin he had created himself and rubbed his chin. Would this count as infringing on Dao Master Hongjun's rights?! Should I go ask Master later whether it is allowed?

With a toss of his hand, Bai Jin sent the mysterious yellow merit coin flying into the Merit Golden Cloud above his head, where it vanished along with the cloud into his spiritual platform.

Delight appeared on Bai Jin's face. As expected, it could still be stored in his spiritual platform. He could sense that compared to ordinary merit clouds, the refined merit coin was more solid and thus more effective.

A knock came from the outer gate, followed by a cheerful voice from outside. "Senior Brother, Senior Brother Bai Jin~"

Bai Jin put away the Treasure Dropping Coin with a backhanded motion. With a wave of his hand, the palace gates opened with a rumble. Two figures stood outside: Bai He the Attendant, dressed like a little jade-carved child in pink, and Shi Ji.

Bai Jin floated down from the bed and asked in surprise, "Bai He, what is it? Did Second Martial Uncle send for me?"

Bai He shook his head. "No! Master has gone into seclusion. I was bored, so I came to play with Senior Brother."