The Possibility of Returning to the Origin, Chaos Green Lotus

The energy of merit descended like five dazzling, supremely brilliant beams of profound golden light.

Falling from the nine heavens, they precisely and unerringly enveloped the five figures—Jieyin, Zhunti, Hongyun, Zhenyuanzi, and Xuande!

Vast, pure, and warm power of merit surged into their bodies.

It scoured their Dharma bodies, nourished their Primordial Spirits, and elevated their Dao attainments!

The sorrowful bitterness on Jieyin's face faded entirely, replaced by a radiance of purity and fulfillment.

The Dao resonance of extinction around him merged with the newborn merit, his aura climbing step by step.

In an instant, it broke through the shackles of the mid-Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal stage, reaching the late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal stage!

Zhunti's eyes blazed with a surge of wisdom light; the wondrous, conditioned arising Dao within him seemed ignited by the infusion of merit.

It grew more agile and profound, his aura likewise soaring straight up, crossing the middle stage and arriving at the late stage!

Hongyun laughed heartily, his red robes seemingly dyed a profound golden hue by the merit.

His already deep foundation of merit swelled once more.

His comprehension of the Four Symbols Dao smoothly broke through its bottleneck, and his cultivation boldly stepped into the late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal stage!

The Earth Scroll above Zhenyuanzi's head hummed, reflecting the descending merit in mutual radiance.

His insight into the Earth Dao reached a new height under the merit's enhancement.

The Wutu Essence Qi became purer and heavier, and his cultivation steadily entered the late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal stage as well!

As for Xuande, he was enveloped by the thickest beam of merit light.

A sea of profound golden merit poured into his body, blending seamlessly with his original merit source.

His aura did not show the same obvious stage breakthrough as the other four; it remained at the late Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal stage.

But his presence grew deeper, heavier, and more harmonious.

Like a boundless ocean—calm on the surface, yet harboring incalculable potential within.

His foundation, his reserves, his mastery over the Dao of Merit—all were elevated by this limitless merit to a terrifying degree far surpassing his peers!

What shook Xuande's heart even more was that, at the peak of the merit infusion, the source of the Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus within his Purple Mansion's Primordial Spirit spontaneously trembled faintly.

It transmitted a unprecedented throb of interwoven "longing" and "satisfaction."

He clearly sensed that his true body seemed... capable of absorbing even more merit!

Not merely to elevate his cultivation, but after accumulating enough foundation, it might... undergo an essential evolution!

A thought that stirred his heart surged within his mind:

If merit were sufficient, could his own Twelve-Petal Merit Golden Lotus

possibly... reverse to the primordial, and transform toward the higher-grade Twenty-Four Petal Creation Green Lotus, born from the sole mature seed of the Chaos Green Lotus?

Or even reach the status of the Chaos Green Lotus itself!

This thought made his heartbeat race.

The Thirty-Six Petal Chaos Green Lotus—that was the status of a Chaos Supreme Treasure, the entity that had nurtured Pangu himself!

Though he knew this would surely require an unimaginable sea of merit and opportunity, at least he now saw a direction, a possibility to transcend the limits of his own origin!

The infusion of merit continued for a long time before gradually ceasing.

The auspicious clouds and propitious vapors slowly dispersed, and the will of the Heavenly Dao quietly faded away.

The profound golden light swirled around the five figures, their auras all more than a notch stronger than before.

They exchanged smiles, each seeing in the other's eyes joy and confidence in the future.

After enduring long ages and expending countless efforts, the great vow to repair the Western Earth Veins had finally been initially fulfilled!

Though the surface prosperity of the land would still require a much longer time to nurture, the foundation had been reshaped, and vitality had been rekindled.

The West had finally welcomed its rebirth!

After the Heavenly Dao merit dissipated, the five all hovered silently in midair, feeling the surging, majestic power within their bodies and the subtle, indescribable clarity that followed their Dao advancement.

Zhenyuanzi was the first to open his eyes.

The Earth Scroll above his head slowly retracted its radiance; the Wutu Essence Qi around him was now more condensed and weighty than before.

He stood like a steady, towering divine mountain, yet with an added warm luster from the fulfillment of merit.

He looked around at the other four, a gentle smile on his face, and clasped his hands in salute:

"Congratulations to all Daoist friends. This merit is complete, and your Dao has greatly advanced. The Western Earth Veins have finally been reborn."

Hongyun also came back to his senses from the lingering aftereffects of the Merit infusion.

The four-colored radiance around him grew even more lively and agile, his entire face glowing red as he laughed with unrestrained delight:

"Haha! What a thrill! What a thrill! In all my years of cultivation, I've never felt such exhilaration!

Not only did we cure the deep-rooted ailments of the Western lands this time, but we also gained so much Merit, and my cultivation broke through—truly a tremendous blessing!"

The sorrowful expression on Jieyin's face seemed to fade considerably at this moment of perfect Merit.

In its place was a heartfelt peace and tranquility.

He pressed his palms together and said, "This achievement was entirely due to the full support of Daoist friends Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun, and further blessed by the Merit of Daoist brother Xuande.

My junior brother and I will hold this grace and virtue deep in our hearts."

Zhunti nodded repeatedly, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

After his breakthrough, his entire demeanor became more spirited, wisdom-light flowing in his eyes, and his words grew even more fervent:

"Indeed, indeed! Daoist brother Zhenyuanzi, Daoist brother Hongyun, for this kindness, the West will surely repay you in the future!

If ever you have any tasks in the days ahead, just send word, and we two brothers will rush to your side without delay!"

Zhenyuanzi waved his hand with a smile:

"Daoist friend Zhunti, you speak too seriously. Repairing the Earth Vein was my proper duty, and also a good deed benefiting all living beings in the Primordial Wilderness.

To gain Merit was already an unexpected joy.

Moreover, working alongside you all has greatly inspired my own path to the Great Dao—I have already gained more than enough."

Hongyun also put away his smile and said earnestly:

"Daoist friend Jieyin, Daoist friend Zhunti, we cultivators value fate above all.

Working together this time is a great karmic bond—speaking of repayment makes it feel distant!

When you have free time, I'll visit Mount Sumeru to drink tea and discuss the Dao with you—just don't find me annoying!"

Everyone burst into laughter at his words.

After a round of mutual congratulations and thanks, the atmosphere gradually calmed.

Zhenyuanzi glanced at the sky, then felt the still-unstable aura within himself, and said to the group:

"Though this Merit infusion and sudden breakthrough in cultivation are great joys, they also require time to carefully sort through insights and stabilize our realms.

Since the Earth Vein matter is settled, it's time for Hongyun and me to return to Wuzhuang Temple for a period of seclusion."

Hongyun nodded: "Yes, I need to go back and ponder things properly. When the Merit poured in just now, so many new ideas about the Four Symbols Dao suddenly surged into my understanding—I need to grasp them quickly, or I'm afraid I'll forget them later."

Hearing this, Jieyin inclined his head and said:

"What you two say is very true.

Consolidating the gains from a breakthrough is indeed the most urgent task.

My junior brother and I also need to return to Mount Sumeru for seclusion to solidify our progress."

Xuande had been listening quietly, and now spoke up:

"That is as it should be. In this repair of the Earth Vein, you two contributed the most, gained the thickest Merit, and your breakthroughs are well-deserved.

Return to your caves and focus on seclusion; once your realms are stable, we will gather again."

Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun said no more, solemnly bowing to the three in farewell.

Zhenyuanzi said: "Fellow Daoists, until we meet again. If anything urgent arises, send word at any time."

Hongyun also waved: "Until we meet again, until we meet again! We'll gather at Wuzhuang Temple another time!"

Two beams of light shot into the sky—one earthy yellow, heavy and steady; one fiery red, lively and blazing—soon vanishing at the edge of the horizon.

After watching them leave, Jieyin and Zhunti turned to Xuande. Jieyin said:

"Daoist brother Xuande, you also expended no small amount of energy this time. Though you didn't break through, the Merit entering your body still needs careful refinement.

Why not return with us to Mount Sumeru for a period of quiet cultivation?"

Zhunti added: "Indeed, Daoist brother. Your Merit Golden Light was a great help this time. If you can further refine what you've gained, there will surely be further progress."