Taking advantage of this opportunity to discuss the Dao had come at just the right time. The Dao Cultivation of all three had been acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao, and the Dao of yin-yang, karma, and light they expounded happened to align with what the Primordial Wilderness needed at this moment. That was why this resplendent merit spanning a thousand li descended.
Such pure Merit should be stored away and used to fuel one's comprehension of the Great Dao, benefiting one's Dao Foundation and nourishing one's path.
If one sought quick gains and forcibly absorbed it to raise one's cultivation, it might seem like a shortcut, but in truth, it was no different from cutting off one's own future.
Qing Huan decided how to use it without the slightest hesitation.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan!"
Jieyin put away his smile, his expression turning solemn as he bowed to Qing Huan.
"Though this Heavenly Dao Merit descended upon the three of us together, its origin lies in Fellow Daoist's original proposal to discuss the Dao.
Without Fellow Daoist, how could my junior brother and I have encountered such an opportunity? Fellow Daoist planted this good cause, and only then did we brothers obtain its fruit.
This time, the two of us from the West truly owe Fellow Daoist an enormous Karma!
Should Fellow Daoist ever have need of us, my junior brother and I will surely do everything in our power to repay it."
Jieyin saw matters clearly. This karmic entanglement was plain to see, and he had to take the initiative to acknowledge it.
Benefits were certainly good, but for cultivators, bearing Karma was even more fundamental.
Zhunti also nodded solemnly.
Three hundred li of Heavenly Dao Merit was worth far more than an ordinary Innate Spiritual Treasure. Being able to acknowledge this Karma from such an opportunity related to the Great Dao also meant that they would have a deeper connection in the future with Fellow Daoist Qing Huan, whom even Dao Ancestor Hongjun thought highly of.
(I'm making up the exact measure of Merit here since I don't know how it should be calculated. I'll simply describe it in terms of hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of li. Becoming a saint requires one hundred million li of Merit, and Merit is not easy to obtain in the Primordial Wilderness. I hope you all understand. Thank you for your support.)
"Heh heh."
The corner of Qing Huan's lips rose into a meaningful smile as he calmly accepted the bow.
"Since Fellow Daoist Jieyin is so reasonable and straightforward, I will not stand on ceremony."
Qing Huan had already made his calculations. Given his current Dao Cultivation, there were only a handful in the Primordial Wilderness who could truly threaten his life—none but the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who resided high above in Purple Cloud Palace.
The two from the West valued Karma. Though they sometimes played dumb, so long as he did not court death himself, neither of them could renege on this Karma. Otherwise, the Seven Symbols Treasure Umbrella in his hand would not recognize anyone.
"The Twelve-grade Golden Lotus of Merit!"
Qing Huan's thoughts raced, his target perfectly clear.
This treasure was one of the foremost defensive treasures in the Primordial Wilderness. Standing upon its Lotus Platform rendered one Invulnerable to All Laws, granting absolute defense. It could also absorb and store Merit, suppress the Luck of an entire region, and possessed endless wondrous uses.
It would perfectly make up for his current lack of a supreme-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure...
As for whether the two from the West were willing, that was not for them to decide.
Giving them a High-Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure as compensation would suffice.
He had to settle this Karma cleanly and decisively.
However, the Twelve-grade Golden Lotus of Merit and the Eight Treasures Merit Pool were still in Dao Ancestor Hongjun's possession. Only after the third lecture at Purple Cloud Palace would they be bestowed upon Zhunti and Jieyin.
Qing Huan calculated that once the third lecture ended, he would immediately demand repayment from these two for the Karma of this Dao discussion.
As for the Heavenly Dao Merit?
The Primordial Wilderness had only just opened. Most of the first batch of Innate Deities born into it still did not understand its true uses.
After all, the Merit obtainable by the first batch of Innate Deities was limited... even the Three Pure Ones had never received any...
Perhaps only when Nuwa created humanity and became a saint, causing boundless Merit to descend from the heavens, would Heavenly Dao Merit truly be valued by the living beings of the Primordial Wilderness.
"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan."
Zhunti's voice pulled Qing Huan from his thoughts. Looking at the dense mass of creatures below, their eyes filled with yearning, a gleam flashed through his own gaze.
"The three of us have discussed the Dao here, thereby forming a fated connection with all the beings and things in this place.
Why not seize this opportunity to accept several disciples and pass down our teachings?"
Zhunti secretly rejoiced. The number of Innate Lifeforms here far surpassed that of the barren West; they were truly fine jade and excellent timber.
The moment those words were spoken, the creatures below erupted into commotion, then instantly fell silent. Every one of them was tense to the extreme.
"We beg for the seniors' favor! We are willing to serve at your side and wait upon you!"
Everyone spoke in unison, their gazes blazing as they focused upon the three great powers in the clouds, hoping for that faint chance at immortal fortune.
The Six-Eared Macaque was among them...
Qing Huan swept an indifferent gaze over those below. There were indeed quite a few Innate Lifeforms, but he had no desire to gather disciples indiscriminately.
Even if he accepted disciples, they had to be people who could bring him some benefit. If there were none, he would rather have none at all.
As for playing the role of a nanny or a compassionate bodhisattva, aiding the weak? That was not the direction of Qing Huan's path. In pursuing the Great Dao, how could he allow such matters to disrupt his Dao heart? So long as he transcended all things, he could become undying and indestructible.
"No need."
Qing Huan's tone was calm as he directly refused.
"There is no fate between us."
Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged a glance after hearing this, each seeing a trace of relief and delight in the other's eyes.
A compassionate smile appeared on Jieyin's face.
"So be it. Since Fellow Daoist Qing Huan has said so, my junior brother and I shall not stand on ceremony.
Quite a few of the beings here are indeed fated with our West."
He looked below, the satisfaction in his eyes nearly overflowing.
"In that case, do as you please, Fellow Daoists. I still need to travel through the lands of the Primordial Wilderness, so I shall take my leave first."
Before his words had even faded, Qing Huan's figure turned into a wisp of breeze and silently vanished into the cloudy mist atop the mountain.
"Senior brother! Our Western Sect has finally encountered its chance to flourish!"
Zhunti looked at the Innate Lifeforms below with their extraordinary potential, unable to suppress the smile on his lips any longer, as though he could already see the West's future prosperity.
Qing Huan had also gained greatly from this discussion of the Dao with Zhunti and Jieyin.
Not only had his understanding of the Yin-Yang Great Dao deepened, but he had also gained new insights into karmic entanglements and the laws of light. Indeed, the Great Dao was long, and any fellow traveler could be a teacher.
The two from the West did have their merits. As the saying went, one should learn from others' strengths to make up for one's own weaknesses...
Qing Huan headed south. As he leisurely swept across the sea of clouds above the South Sea, sensing something, his gaze was suddenly drawn to an enormous black reef below.
Upon that reef lay an enormous Spiritual Turtle!
Spiritual energy coiled around its entire body as it slowly yet steadily breathed in and out the essence of heaven and earth. Profound patterns faintly flowed across its shell, as though it were silently comprehending the laws of heaven and earth.
"Hm?"
Qing Huan's heart stirred, and his interest was instantly piqued.
In the Primordial Wilderness, Spiritual Turtles were auspicious beasts born of heaven and earth, rare by nature. This one before him was even a genuine Innate Lifeform!
A thought flashed through his mind—using the shell and spirit essence of such an Innate Spiritual Turtle to refine a defensive or divination-type Innate Spiritual Treasure would surely produce something extraordinary!
With a flicker of his body, Qing Huan silently descended onto the reef and stood before the enormous turtle.
The Spiritual Turtle had been immersed in comprehending heaven and earth when it suddenly sensed an incomparably vast pressure descend upon it, making even its soul tremble. It shuddered violently, its massive body shaking uncontrollably.
It's over!
Its heart went cold. After enduring long ages to finally give birth to a True Spirit and primordial spirit, was it going to die today and become material for a great power's treasure refinement?
"Th-this little turtle... greets Senior!"
The Spiritual Turtle's voice carried uncontrollable terror and sorrow. It struggled to lift its head, its eyes already wet as its four limbs pressed deeply against the cold reef and its head lay flat against the ground.
"I... I beg Senior to show mercy and spare... spare this little turtle's life!
In the future... this little turtle will surely repay you generously. Even if I must serve as Senior's mount, I will have no complaints!"
Every word from the Spiritual Turtle was filled with desperate will to survive.
Before you continue