Acquired Merit Supreme Treasure

Pan Xuan's Heavenly Enlightenment Wisdom Light needed time to recover, and the Twelve Ancestral Witches were in no hurry.

Houtu's primordial spirit had only just been born, so she needed even more time to stabilize her foundation and carefully comprehend this unprecedented change.

Within Pangu Hall, the Ancestral Witches sat in a circle, watching Houtu close her eyes and focus as she sensed the newly born spiritual light slowly growing within her Niwan Palace. They were all overcome with emotion.

"How many eras has it been..." Di Jiang spoke softly, a rare trace of reminiscence appearing on his resolute face.

"Ever since our birth, we have known that the Witch Clan has no primordial spirits.

This is the destiny Father God left us, and an impassable chasm we could never cross.

Yet we never imagined that one day, primordial spirits would actually be born within our Witch Clan."

The power of time stirred faintly within Zhu Jiuyin's cloudy old eyes, his voice hoarse and distant:

"Though Houtu's primordial spirit is weak, it is incomparably pure.

Given time, it will surely grow to an unimaginable level.

When that day comes, Houtu's path will reach farther than any of ours."

Zhu Rong grinned. "It is a good thing if Sister Houtu can go farther!

The stronger our Witch Clan becomes, the happier I am! Once Sister Houtu breaks through that realm, let's see who still dares look down on our Witch Clan!"

For once, Gong Gong did not bicker with Zhu Rong. He merely nodded silently, his eyes full of relief.

Houtu slowly opened her eyes. A crystalline gleam had appeared within those dark brown pupils—the light of a primordial spirit, something the Witch Clan had never possessed before.

Looking at her brothers, she said softly, "Brothers, Houtu has achieved this today entirely because of Brother Pan Xuan's Heavenly Enlightenment Wisdom Light. I will remember this kindness forever."

Pan Xuan was about to say something when Di Jiang suddenly rose to his feet, his expression turning solemn.

"Brother Pan Xuan, Sister Houtu, please wait here a moment." As Di Jiang spoke, he turned and walked toward the depths of Pangu Hall.

Seeing this, the other Ancestral Witches seemed to recall something, and their expressions also became solemn. Zhu Rong scratched his head and muttered:

"Is Brother Di Jiang going to retrieve that thing?"

Gong Gong nodded. "Sister Houtu has given birth to a primordial spirit. It is indeed time to bring that thing out."

Xuan Ming said coldly, "After waiting countless eras, the day has finally come."

Pan Xuan was puzzled, not knowing what the Ancestral Witches were discussing, but it was not appropriate for him to ask.

He merely watched quietly as Di Jiang walked into the dark passageway deep within Pangu Hall and vanished from sight.

Houtu seemed to see his confusion and said softly, "Brother Pan Xuan, you may not know this.

When we Twelve Ancestral Witches were nurtured within Pangu Hall, aside from the essence blood and physical bodies we each possessed from birth, there was also a treasure that came into being alongside us."

"A treasure?" Pan Xuan was slightly startled.

Houtu nodded, a trace of reminiscence flashing through her eyes. "Since the day it came into being, that treasure has been enshrined deep within Pangu Hall.

We all knew it was extraordinary, but because the Witch Clan had no primordial spirits, we were never able to refine or use it.

Over these many eras, it has remained asleep there, waiting for one destined for it."

Pan Xuan's heart stirred, and he vaguely guessed what it might be.

A moment later, Di Jiang emerged from the passageway. He held something in both hands.

It was a ruler.

Its body was approximately three feet six inches and five fen long, its entire form the color of chaos. It was neither gold nor jade, neither wood nor stone, yet it emanated an indescribably profound aura.

Traces of black-yellow energy flowed faintly along its surface.

Golden merit light flickered upon it, while an intent of laws and measurement spread outward.

It was as though all lengths and heights, good and evil, right and wrong beneath heaven and earth could be measured by this single ruler.

The instant the ruler appeared, its aura enveloped the entirety of Pangu Hall.

Pan Xuan felt the vast righteous energy and merit black-yellow energy within his body tremble faintly, as though resonating with the ruler.

"This is..." Pan Xuan's eyes widened.

Holding the ruler in both hands, Di Jiang spoke with mountain-like solemnity. "This is called the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler, an Acquired Merit Supreme Treasure.

It was nurtured into existence alongside us within Pangu Hall. Even we do not know much about its origins.

We only know that it contains the power of merit and the Dao of laws and measurement. It is extraordinarily profound, with immeasurable might."

Pan Xuan was shaken.

He had heard the name Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler in memories from his previous life.

Legend had it that the Three Pure Ones possessed the Heaven-Earth Black-Yellow Exquisite Pagoda, an Acquired Merit Supreme Treasure unparalleled in profundity and impervious to all techniques.

The Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler was an Acquired Merit Supreme Treasure as renowned as the Heaven-Earth Black-Yellow Exquisite Pagoda. Yet he had never expected it to be in the hands of the Witch Clan.

Holding the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler, Di Jiang walked before Houtu and solemnly offered it to her:

"Sister Houtu, ever since this treasure came into being, it has been enshrined within Pangu Hall.

We Twelve Ancestral Witches all lack primordial spirits and cannot refine this treasure. We could only watch helplessly as it slept for countless eras.

Now that you have given birth to a primordial spirit, becoming the first of our Witch Clan to possess one, this treasure shall be entrusted to you."

Houtu looked at the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler, a complicated light flashing through her eyes.

She did not accept it immediately. After a moment of silence, she said softly:

"Brother Di Jiang, this treasure is indeed extraordinarily profound. If it can be refined and used, it will certainly greatly increase the strength of our Witch Clan. But..."

She paused, then looked at Pan Xuan, her eyes full of gentleness and resolve:

"But my primordial spirit has only just been born and is still like an infant. My foundation is unstable, and my cultivation has yet to break through. How could I possibly refine such a supreme treasure?

If I forcefully refine it, I fear I would be wasting a priceless treasure and instead delaying the release of its true power."

Di Jiang frowned slightly and was about to speak when Houtu continued, "Moreover, I was only able to give birth to a primordial spirit because of Brother Pan Xuan's Heavenly Enlightenment Wisdom Light.

This kindness and bond weigh heavier than Mount Tai. And this Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler..."

She gently brushed her hand over the ruler's surface. The black-yellow energy upon it flowed faintly, and the golden merit light brightened somewhat, as though it had sensed something.

A trace of realization flashed through Houtu's eyes. "I can feel that this Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler is extremely compatible with the merit black-yellow energy within Brother Pan Xuan's body.

Only in his hands can it unleash its greatest power. Giving it to me instead would be like burying a pearl in the dust."

Pan Xuan froze, then hurriedly said, "Sister Houtu, this is a treasure Father God bestowed upon you. How could Pan Xuan dare..."

Houtu shook her head and interrupted him. "Brother Pan Xuan, do not refuse.

When I, Houtu, make a decision, I never take it back. This treasure is destined for you, so it should be yours."

She looked at Di Jiang, then at the other Ancestral Witches. "What do you all think?"

Zhu Rong was the first to speak, saying bluntly, "Sister Houtu is right!

Her primordial spirit has only just been born, so she truly cannot use this treasure. Brother Pan Xuan is our brother too, so giving it to him is no different!"

Gong Gong also nodded. "Brother Pan Xuan's Merit Profound Yellow Dharma Aspect needs the power of merit and black-yellow energy.

Since the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler is an Acquired Merit Supreme Treasure, it complements his divine ability perfectly. There is no one more suitable to use it."

Xuan Ming said coldly, "It does not matter who receives it. What matters is whether it can strengthen our Witch Clan.

With this treasure in hand, Pan Xuan's strength will surely increase greatly. That is a good thing."

Jumang, Rushou, Qiangliang, Xizi, Shebishi, Tianwu, and the others also nodded in agreement.

Zhu Jiuyin pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "I can see that there is indeed karmic entanglement between this treasure and Pan Xuan.

It has slept in the hands of our Witch Clan for countless eras. Perhaps it was waiting for Pan Xuan's arrival. Giving it to him is right."

Di Jiang remained silent for a long while, his gaze shifting between Pan Xuan and Houtu.

At last, a faint smile appeared on his resolute face, and he nodded. "Good.

Since Sister Houtu has this intention and none of you brothers object, then the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler shall be entrusted to Brother Pan Xuan."

He turned toward Pan Xuan, holding the ruler in both hands as he solemnly offered it over:

"Brother Pan Xuan, this treasure has slept in the hands of our Witch Clan for countless eras, and no one has ever been able to refine it.

Now you have come. You possess a primordial spirit and the Merit Black-Yellow Body. This treasure and you are a match made by heaven.

May you wield this treasure to protect our Witch Clan and spread the might of our Witch Clan."

Pan Xuan looked at the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler, his heart churning with indescribable emotion.

He knew the weight of this treasure.

An Acquired Merit Supreme Treasure, an existence as famous as the Heaven-Earth Black-Yellow Exquisite Pagoda, enough to drive any great power in the Primordial World mad with desire.

Yet the Ancestral Witches and Houtu had handed it to him without the slightest hesitation.

This trust, this bond, weighed more than ten thousand jun.

He took a deep breath, extended both hands, and solemnly accepted the Primordial Heaven-Measuring Ruler.

The moment the ruler entered his hands, a warm current surged from its body into him.

It echoed with the vast righteous energy, power of merit, and black-yellow energy within his body, like old friends reunited after a long separation.

The black-yellow energy along the ruler's surface flowed faintly, and the golden merit light brightened, illuminating the entirety of Pangu Hall.

Feeling this resonance, Pan Xuan came to understand.

Houtu was right. This treasure truly was destined for him.

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the Twelve Ancestral Witches before finally resting on Houtu. He gave a deep bow:

"Thank you, Brother Di Jiang. Thank you, Sister Houtu. Thank you, brothers and sisters.

Pan Xuan will not fail your trust. I will surely use this treasure to protect our Witch Clan and advance and retreat together with all of you."

Houtu smiled faintly and raised a hand in a gesture of support. "No need for thanks."

Her voice was gentle as water, yet carried an unquestionable firmness. "We are family."