Heavenly Dao Merit

The first to apply were the Stone Spirit Race. They were not creatures of flesh and blood, but beings formed from the spiritual essence of mountain rocks. They were tall, possessed astonishing strength, and boasted excellent defensive and offensive capabilities. Their only drawbacks were their slow movement speed and the fact that there were very few of them who had just awakened their intelligence—a mere two individuals.

Lin Yan saw that they were honest and simple-minded, and skilled at nurturing mineral veins, so he gladly accepted them. Even if they couldn't nurture mineral veins, having them serve as gatekeepers for the Canyon Home would be a fine use for them later on.

Next were several Crimson Blood Ginsengs, commonly known as Ginseng Dolls. They were essentially Ten Thousand Year Old Ginsengs in physical form; although they had not yet taken human shape, they looked like children. They could communicate with plants and trees, and their ability to stimulate the growth of Spirit Plants was even superior to that of the Jade Spirit Deer. Furthermore, they were particularly adept at caring for spirit roots.

They possessed no defensive means or powerful Attack Capability, and it was a mystery how they had survived in this land teeming with fierce beasts. However, with their addition, the spirit roots within the community finally had professionals to look after them.

In addition to these, some solitary Spirit Beasts were also absorbed into the community by Lin Yan. Each of these Spirit Beasts possessed a unique skill, and for these Spirit Beasts with technical expertise, Lin Yan was one to never turn anyone away—the more, the better.

Lin Yan assigned different tasks to these new members based on their abilities and racial talents. The Earth Dragon Community did not support idlers; hadn't even the noble Kirin Young Master been serving as the community's free muscle all this time?

After purifying the areas most severely eroded by baleful energy, the ecological environment of the entire outer canyon underwent a earth-shaking transformation. As spiritual energy continuously revived and spread, more and more places began to be reclaimed by greenery. On Lin Yan's Mini Ecology Simulator, the gray areas that had once occupied most of the screen began to be replaced by green.

As the environment outside the canyon improved, the creatures within the Earth Dragon Community gained a much wider living space. In the past, leaving the canyon always meant worrying about being ambushed by fierce beasts; they had to walk carefully every step of the way.

Now, when they stepped out of the canyon, not only did they not have to worry about their own safety, but they actually began to actively search for traces of fierce beasts. And whenever a trace was discovered, that Kirin Senior of immense strength would rush over and wipe them out directly.

More importantly, the world outside the canyon was simply too vast. Innate Beings all revered freedom. While the canyon was nice, it was too small; it was fine for short-term living, but staying cooped up in such a tiny space for a long time always felt somewhat stifling.

However, if they were told never to return to the canyon again, they would not be willing either. After all, the spiritual energy in the canyon was the densest for ten thousand miles around; one day of cultivation there was worth a hundred days outside.

Lin Yan, for his part, strongly encouraged them to go out and walk around more. After all, he had long regarded this area on the outskirts of the canyon as his own Territory. Both the palm and the back of the hand were flesh; as long as it was his territory, it had to be developed.

Moreover, if the community members stayed cooped up in the canyon all day, they produced no value other than consuming the canyon's spiritual energy. It was better to encourage them to go out more; after all, as long as they were walking outside, they were effectively improving the environment there invisibly.

As the Territory expanded, traveling back and forth frequently became troublesome. Restoring the ecological environment of a region was a long-term process that required people to be stationed there long-term to continuously maintain the still-fragile ecosystem.

Therefore, after "consulting" with the community Elders, Lin Yan decided to adopt a management style of "zonal responsibility with periodic rotation."

The community members were divided into several teams. Each team was led by an Elder—such as one of the Earth Dragon subordinates, the Deer King White Horn, or the Sparrow Queen Zhi Nan—to form a mixed management team of different races. They were then dispatched to several key areas, responsible for daily patrols, ecological maintenance, and guarding against possible surprise attacks from sporadic fierce beasts.

Once the rotation group's term ended, they could rotate back into the canyon for a period of Rest.

After a period of trial, everyone gradually grew to love this lifestyle of rotating guard duty.

The vast space outside the canyon allowed them to gallop and fly freely. And when they were tired of wandering outside, or felt they were nearing a breakthrough, they could return to the canyon to cultivate in peace.

Every community member had a nest exclusive to them within the canyon, and this nest was their true home.

The model of division of labor and periodic rotation proved highly effective. It not only allowed the ecological environment outside the canyon to be managed effectively but also allowed the various races within the Earth Dragon Community to slowly integrate with one another.

The Earth Dragon Community gradually transformed from a mere settlement into a "nascent civilization" with vast territory and multi-racial joint management.

Just as the governance of the Earth Dragon Community was getting on the right track and the ten-thousand-mile territory was full of life, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred in the heavens and earth.

On this day, the clear sky suddenly became incomparably limpid, and an indescribable sense of solemnity and majesty shrouded the four directions. Immediately following this, beams of soft golden light descended from the nine heavens into the Earth Dragon Community without any warning.

"What is that?" Lin Yan, who was discussing the wonders of the Earth Movement Technique with Mo Xuan, suddenly raised his head, a trace of confusion appearing in his eyes.

Before he could even react, he saw an immensely thick, solid beam of golden light instantly enter his body.

"What is this..." Lin Yan exclaimed.

However, after the golden light entered his body, it did not cause him any harm. Instead, it began to continuously cleanse his Physical Body and nourish his Primordial Spirit.

The Earth Spirit Seal, which had been floating in his Sea of Consciousness, let out a series of joyful hums after being enveloped by the golden light. The mountain and river patterns on the seal seemed to come alive, radiating an even more profound light.

It was not just Lin Yan; Mo Xuan, the nine Earth Dragon subordinates, Deer King White Horn, Sparrow Queen Zhi Pu, Bee Queen Jin Ji, Bamboo King Qingxin... every Community Member who had contributed to the restoration of this land, whether they were inside the canyon or at a camp thousands of miles away, was "ambushed" by the golden light at this very moment.

"Huh? This seems to be Heavenly Dao Merit? I actually obtained Heavenly Dao Merit."

Mo Xuan, enveloped by the golden light, suddenly cried out in surprise. At this moment, auspicious qi rose around him, and brilliant seven-colored rosy clouds shone brightly. His Kirin Bloodline seemed to have been somewhat purified within this Merit Golden Light.

"Boss! This golden light feels so comfortable!" Lin Er rolled his massive body excitedly in the golden light. As the golden light entered his body, his Origin Power was greatly enhanced.

Lin San, also enveloped by the Merit Golden Light, appeared much calmer. He remained nestled in place, absorbing the Merit Golden Light with all his might. The earthy-yellow luster on his scales became solid and heavy at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The other Earth Dragon subordinates also had their own gains, feeling as if they had all become a bit smarter.

As for Spirit Beasts like Deer King White Horn and Sparrow Queen Zhi Nan, their cultivation progress had originally been very slow due to the limitations of their Origin. But now, after being covered by the golden light, not only did their cultivation soar, but the grade of their bloodlines and souls also seemed to have improved to a certain extent.

Merit Golden Light is the reward from the Heavenly Dao to those creatures that are beneficial to the development of the Primordial World. Only by doing things recognized by the Heavenly Dao will the Heavenly Dao reward one with Merit Golden Light.

However, over these years, Lin Yan had considered himself to have done many things beneficial to the Primordial Heaven and Earth, yet he had never once received a reward from the Heavenly Dao. He had not expected to be rewarded by the Heavenly Dao this time.

"Has the Heavenly Dao finally noticed me? Or is it that, just like my Earth Dragon Community, various assessment functions are beginning to be perfected?"

"But regardless of the reason, this Merit Golden Light is definitely a good thing, like a Ten-Complete Great Tonic Pill. Since it's a good thing, then naturally, the more, the better."