Chapter 14

Upon hearing East King Duke's words, Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, and Ming He were all stunned on the spot, utterly bewildered for a moment.

What on earth had happened to the primordial world?

East King Duke was a mighty figure of Purple Mansion Prefecture, the esteemed Head of Male Immortals, with three thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals and a million rogue cultivators under his command. He ruled over a vast force, yet he was actually willing to come here and serve as a mere guard?

And then there was Daoist Burning Lamp. He had been the vice-leader of Saint Primordial's sect, yet instead of cultivating properly within the Chanjiao, he had actually come here to serve as a guard?

This... could it be that their minds weren't quite right?

How could the vice-leader of a Saint's dojo be mentioned in the same breath as a guard at a Grand Unity Golden Immortal's dojo?

As for Kunpeng, he was even more astonishing. He was the Teacher of Ten Thousand Demons of the demon race, which was currently powerful and flourishing.

As a member of the demon race, he held an exalted position, second only to the four supreme beings and above countless others.

Yet with such a noble status, he had actually cast everything aside and willingly become someone else's mount?

Could these three really have something wrong with their minds?

East King Duke, Daoist Burning Lamp, and Kunpeng paid no attention whatsoever to the shocked expressions of Zhen Yuanzi and the other two.

How could these mortals understand the wonders of following the Great Master? They would never know that happiness which no one else could experience.

Once Zhen Yuanzi and the other two had somewhat recovered from their shock, their gazes shifted, and they suddenly saw the mountain of Merit Treasures piled up behind Kunpeng.

In an instant, the surprise in their hearts was replaced by delight.

Being able to see so many Merit Treasures with their own eyes proved that Lu Changsheng's so-called "great opportunity to exchange treasures for merit"

was most likely genuine.

With their doubts dispelled, the three of them stepped forward together and saluted.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Changsheng!"

At the moment Kunpeng first saw Hong Yun, a blood-red light had already surfaced in his eyes.

Killing intent quietly rose in his heart.

He had always believed that his chance to become a Saint had been lost because Hong Yun had softened his heart at the time and given his seat to Jieyin.

If not for that, how could those two monks have seized his Saint position?

What was even harder for Kunpeng to accept was that Hong Yun had later obtained the Primordial Violet Qi bestowed by the Dao Ancestor.

That was the true key that ignited his killing intent.

If he could obtain the Primordial Violet Qi and accumulate fifty million merit, Kunpeng was confident that he might have hope of becoming a Saint.

However, no one else had noticed these thoughts of his.

Even Hong Yun himself had no idea that Kunpeng harbored such a deep grudge against him.

In his view, he and Kunpeng had not interacted very much.

Naturally, there was no talk of any enmity between them.

Lu Changsheng knew all about the conflict between Kunpeng and Hong Yun.

He glanced at Kunpeng's bloodshot eyes and imposing killing intent, then smiled and nodded at the three of them. His gaze went straight to Hong Yun as he asked,

"Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, how much merit would it take for you to be willing to sell that strand of Primordial Violet Qi?"

Kunpeng's hatred over Hong Yun giving up his seat was not enough to make him commit murder.

The true cause that had drawn all this karma together was that strand of Primordial Violet Qi.

Hong Yun was stunned for a moment when he heard Lu Changsheng's words.

Although he had come to exchange for merit, he had never considered selling the Primordial Violet Qi.

That was the Primordial Violet Qi—the Chaos Supreme Treasure required to become a Saint.

Moreover, there were only seven strands left in the entire primordial world. Six had already been used by the Six Sages to attain the Dao, leaving only this one in his hands.

How could such a supreme treasure be sold so casually?

But Hong Yun had always been a good-natured man and could not bring himself to reject Lu Changsheng outright.

He thought that he might as well name an extremely high amount of merit and make the other party retreat in the face of difficulty.

Thus, he answered with a smile,

"I had never intended to sell this Primordial Violet Qi.

But since Fellow Daoist Changsheng wishes to purchase it, I would feel bad about refusing you.

Then... one hundred million merit."

When everyone present heard Hong Yun's asking price, they understood each other without needing to say anything.

Clearly, Hong Yun intended to politely refuse Lu Changsheng through this method.

After all, even a Saint would have difficulty producing one hundred million merit.

Even Nuwa, who possessed the greatest merit, might not have such savings.

And even if she did, she would never use it to exchange for a strand of Primordial Violet Qi.

If even a Saint could not accomplish such a thing, how could Lu Changsheng, a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, possibly manage it?

Seeing Lu Changsheng frown slightly at these words, everyone became even more certain that even though he was an anomaly protected by the Heavenly Dao, he could not produce such an enormous amount of merit.

"Producing one hundred million merit at once is indeed too much.

If there were enough Primordial Violet Qi, that amount would be sufficient for two mighty figures to attain the Dao and become Saints."

Seeing Lu Changsheng furrow his brow, Daoist Burning Lamp also sighed softly.

East King Duke nodded in deep agreement.

Although Lu Changsheng could offer four hundred million merit every thousand years,

the two of them both guessed that he must possess some means of obtaining merit continuously.

If he truly had to produce one hundred million merit in a single go, it would indeed be difficult.

Kunpeng had followed Lu Changsheng the longest,

and he also knew his wealth the best.

In Kunpeng's eyes, Lu Changsheng was the Child of the Heavenly Dao.

As the Child of the Heavenly Dao, how could he lack one hundred million merit?

He thought that even if it were one billion—

Well, one billion might be a little too much.

But even if it were two hundred million, Lu Changsheng would certainly accept it without changing expression.

Ultimately, Kunpeng's horizons were limited.

It was like asking an ant to imagine the size of an elephant.

Would that not be wishful thinking?

"I think all of you guessed wrong. The Great Master is the Child of the Heavenly Dao!"

A confident smile lifted the corners of Kunpeng's mouth.

East King Duke and Daoist Burning Lamp were astonished when they heard this.

What surprised them was not the first half of his sentence, but the words "Child of the Heavenly Dao."

Just as they were about to ask further,

Lu Changsheng's voice interrupted them.

After pondering for a moment, he smiled at Hong Yun.

"As for one hundred million merit, we really do need to discuss it further."

As soon as Lu Changsheng said this,

East King Duke and Daoist Burning Lamp curled their lips, wearing expressions that said, "Just as expected."

Naturally, they also cast Kunpeng's words about the "Child of the Heavenly Dao"

to the backs of their minds.

"One hundred million merit is indeed too much. The Great Master must be planning to bargain."

Daoist Burning Lamp shook his head as he spoke.

"That's right. Who in the primordial world could afford such a sum?

If the Great Master truly wants the Primordial Violet Qi, he can only negotiate properly

and see how much the price can be lowered."

East King Duke thought the same.

After all, the Great Master clearly did want this strand of Primordial Violet Qi,

so bargaining was unavoidable.

Of course, there was nothing shameful about it.

Who could produce one hundred million merit?

It would already be remarkable if the Great Master could produce tens of millions.

At that moment, Kunpeng heard the two of them whispering.

Recalling the many occasions in the past when the Great Master had bargained like a god,

he could not help sighing.

"Bargaining is bargaining, but the way he does it is probably different from what you imagine."

East King Duke and Daoist Burning Lamp were both surprised by Kunpeng's sigh.

Before they could ask,

Hong Yun said with a smile,

"The price does indeed seem rather high,

but the Primordial Violet Qi is no ordinary object.

I would not be willing to sell it for even one less point of merit.

So, Fellow Daoist Changsheng, perhaps you should look at something else—"

Before he could finish,

Lu Changsheng interrupted him with a smile.

"You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist.

I mean—the price won't do!

It's too low!"

Too low?

One hundred million merit was still too low?

Could such words really have come from the mouth of a living being of the primordial world?

Other than Kunpeng,

everyone present wore looks of utter shock.

One hundred million merit was already an extraordinary amount.

Even if the Heavenly Dao were here,

it probably would not dare say that one hundred million merit was too little.

East King Duke and Daoist Burning Lamp were likewise astonished.

They could not help turning to look at Kunpeng.

Kunpeng only shook his head and sighed.

"The Great Master has always been a genius at haggling.

He only ever purchases treasures at the highest price."

As for the Great Master's habit of "buying cheap goods at high prices,"

Kunpeng had long since grown accustomed to it.

He merely felt that the Great Master seemed to have a grudge against merit and would be uncomfortable unless he spent it all.

While everyone was still in shock,

Lu Changsheng casually produced two hundred million merit in Golden Clouds of Merit and declared with astonishing force,

"In my view, this strand of Primordial Violet Qi

is worth at least two hundred million merit!"

As soon as the two hundred million merit in Golden Clouds of Merit appeared,

golden light immediately illuminated the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

It was like billions of blazing suns merging into a single incandescent radiance,

nearly scorching the eyes of every mighty figure present.

Yet even though the light of merit was painfully dazzling,

it could not block the longing in their hearts.

They all breathed rapidly

and desperately widened their eyes,

staring fixedly at the two hundred million merit.

After all, this was the greatest wealth they had ever seen in their lives.

The Six Sages combined

might not even possess so much merit.

When Hong Yun saw that mass of two hundred million merit in Golden Clouds of Merit,

he could not help being stunned on the spot.

His mind went blank in an instant.

This was simply too generous.

He had no room to refuse at all.

He immediately took out the Primordial Violet Qi and every treasure he possessed, including the Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd, and handed them all to Lu Changsheng:

"Fellow Daoist Changsheng is truly generous. These extra treasures are all gifts for you!"

As he spoke, Hong Yun accepted the Golden Cloud of Merit and hurriedly put it away.

After storing the Primordial Violet Qi, Lu Changsheng did not directly accept the other treasures. Instead, he said boldly:

"I, this venerable one, do not like taking advantage of others."

"I'll exchange all these treasures for Merit at their original prices!"

Lu Changsheng's words left Hong Yun, Zhen Yuanzi, and Ming He stunned.

Did this fellow Daoist have some enormous misunderstanding about "taking advantage of others"?

Spending two hundred million Merit to buy a strand of Primordial Violet Qi, and he still thought he had taken advantage?

Could a normal living being truly have such thoughts?

Lu Changsheng ignored the three men's shock. He merely had Kunpeng, who had followed him all this time and had already become somewhat numb to Merit, count how much Merit the treasures could be exchanged for.

Soon, Kunpeng finished counting:

"Great Master, the total is ten million Merit."

Without the slightest concern, Lu Changsheng took out another ten million Merit in Golden Clouds of Merit and handed it to Hong Yun.

Such extravagance left Hong Yun and the other two completely dumbfounded.

Could a living being in the Primordial World really possess this much Merit?

Wouldn't one have to save the entire Primordial World to accumulate so much Merit?

Hong Yun accepted the ten million Merit in a daze.

Ming He and Zhen Yuanzi quickly recovered and hurriedly took out the treasures they had prepared for exchange, each seeking to trade them with Lu Changsheng for Merit.

However, the amount of Merit the two exchanged was far less than what Hong Yun received for selling the Primordial Violet Qi.

Zhen Yuanzi had many treasures, but few were top-grade, so he exchanged them for only ten million Merit.

Even so, he was already so excited that he kept grinning foolishly.

This time, Ming He gritted his teeth and went all out. He took out more than half of his wealth and exchanged it all at once for thirty-five million Merit.

Gazing at this vast amount of Merit, Ming He trembled with excitement. From time to time, he even pinched himself, afraid this was merely a dream and that everything would vanish upon waking.

After the three men put away their Merit, they all left Wuji Heaven in a daze.

Such a heaven-defying opportunity was something they had never even dared to imagine in their dreams.

Watching the three men's departing figures, East King Duke and Randeng finally understood Kunpeng's words, "Child of the Heavenly Dao."