The Wonders of Merit, First Signs of Success

The aftermath of Long-Eared Dingguang Immortal's utter destruction in body and soul continued to reverberate across Golden Turtle Island.

That thunderous scene before the Immortal-Slaying Platform, along with Master Tongtian's silent acquiescence, was like the harshest winter wind, blowing away the arrogance and indolence that had long pervaded the sect.

Xuan Chuan could clearly sense that the vast, murky blood-cloud of Karmic Force hanging over Jiejiao seemed to have... faded by the faintest, almost imperceptible trace.

Though the change was so slight it could nearly be ignored, like a drop of clear water falling into an ink-black pool, it was indeed a positive sign!

It proved that clearing out the sect's internal rot could directly affect the foundation of the entire sect's destiny!

This only made him more resolute in his path.

After establishing authority came the need to establish trust—and, more importantly, point the way forward. Punishment and restraint could not be emphasized blindly; the disciples also needed to see tangible benefits and hope.

That day, he once more summoned the disciples at Myriad Immortals Plaza.

Unlike the surging uproar when the harsh sect rules had been announced last time, although many disciples had gathered this time, they stood in orderly ranks. Most watched in silence; there was less resistance in their eyes, and more awe and curiosity.

Xuan Chuan did not stand above them. Instead, like the countless disciples, he stood amid the plaza.

His gaze swept over the crowd as he slowly spoke, his voice calm yet carrying a convincing force:

"Fellow disciples, strict sect rules are the way to preserve ourselves. I trust you have all come to understand this in recent days."

The crowd remained silent. Recalling Long-Eared Immortal's fate, all of them felt a chill in their hearts.

"However, the Heavenly Dao maintains balance. Where there is punishment, there must be reward."

Xuan Chuan changed tack. "I have summoned you here today not to punish you, but to share a method that may help us eliminate Karmic Force, improve our cultivation, and perhaps even...

win the favor of the Heavenly Dao, giving us one more measure of protection in the coming great tribulation."

At those words, many disciples raised their heads, curiosity appearing in their eyes. Eliminate Karmic Force? Improve cultivation? Even win the favor of the Heavenly Dao? Was there truly such a wondrous method in this world?

"This method is—accumulate virtue and perform good deeds, thereby gaining Merit!" Xuan Chuan declared, enunciating every word.

"Merit?"

A low murmur rose from below. To many Jiejiao disciples, this term was both familiar and unfamiliar.

It was familiar because they often heard of it, yet unfamiliar because they had never truly attached importance to it.

In the mainstream understanding of the Primordial World, where the strong devoured the weak and resources were fought over, doing good and accumulating virtue was often seen as something only those of low cultivation,

with no hope on the Dao Path would do. To cultivators pursuing power and immortality, it seemed somewhat... illusory, even laughable.

Sure enough, disciples immediately scoffed and mocked in low voices:

"Merit? Heh heh, what use is such an illusory thing?"

"Could it be that Eldest Senior Brother wants us to imitate mortal good men and spend every day handing out porridge and medicine?"

"The path of cultivation lies in seizing Heaven and Earth's fortunes, fighting for that sliver of opportunity. Doing good and accumulating virtue? That is far too pedantic!"

Xuan Chuan took in everyone's reactions without anger, merely explaining calmly:

"Do you know that Karmic Force entwining the body is like bearing shackles? It not only hinders cultivation, but also draws calamities upon oneself.

Merit, meanwhile, is the Heavenly Dao's reward and recognition for acts of kindness, protecting living beings, and following Heaven's will and the Dao! Its wondrous uses are endless!"

He raised one finger. "First, Merit can offset Karmic Force! This is a rule of the Heavenly Dao. When Merit gathers upon one's body, Karmic Force naturally dissipates! This treats the root of the problem!"

He raised another finger. "Second, Merit can protect one's body!

Those who possess Merit are untouched by all evils, rarely disturbed by heart demons, and can obscure malicious prying when divining Heaven's secrets. In times of peril, they may even gain a thread of life from the Heavenly Dao!"

He raised a third finger. "Third, Merit can aid cultivation! Using Merit to refine one's mana can make one's foundation purer and more stable;

using Merit to comprehend the Great Dao can yield twice the result with half the effort! One may even incorporate Merit into the forging of magical treasures, creating an Acquired Merit Spirit Treasure that kills without being tainted by karma!"

With every point he made, the discussions below grew quieter. Many disciples' expressions shifted from doubt to contemplation, and some eyes even began to shine faintly.

If Merit truly possessed such wondrous uses, then it could not be underestimated! The points about "offsetting Karmic Force" and "killing without being tainted by karma," in particular, were immensely tempting to Jiejiao disciples burdened with deep Karmic Force!

"However, Merit does not come from nothing." Xuan Chuan guided them at the right moment. "It requires putting deeds into action, protecting the weak, and following the Heavenly Dao.

Upon our Primordial World's lands now lives a race called the Human Race. Created by the Holy Mother Nuwa, they are frail by nature, yet favored by the Heavenly Dao and bound to great destiny!"

His gaze turned toward the Eastern Sea Coast. "At present, many Human Race tribes along the Eastern Sea Coast are often attacked by demonic beasts and struggle to survive.

I intend to organize a group of fellow disciples to go there, help them resist the demonic beasts, teach them simple means of survival, and safeguard their flourishing and reproduction.

This accords with the Heavenly Dao's virtue of cherishing life, while also allowing us to accumulate Merit and reduce Karmic Force. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone!"

He looked around at the crowd. "This journey is entirely voluntary."

For a time, the scene fell silent.

The ideal was good, but asking a group of immortals and gods accustomed to standing high above others, who regarded mortals as ants, to voluntarily protect the weak was ultimately difficult for them to swallow their pride over—or rather, they were simply unaccustomed to it.

Just then, a bold voice rang out:

"Eldest Senior Brother's words are most excellent! I, Zhao Gongming, am willing to go!"

Zhao Gongming strode out and came to Xuan Chuan's side. Facing the crowd below, he declared in a booming voice, "Cultivation is the cultivation of the heart! Blindly striving to outdo others and fighting fiercely can never be the proper path!

Protecting living beings and accumulating Merit can aid oneself, aid others, and help Jiejiao stabilize its destiny. Why not do it? My Luofu Cave lineage is willing to follow Eldest Senior Brother!"

Zhao Gongming had long enjoyed considerable prestige within the sect. The moment he stated his position, the deadlock was broken.

Immediately afterward, another clear female voice sounded:

"My Three Immortals Island is likewise willing to send disciples to assist Eldest Senior Brother in carrying out this deed of Merit."

Yunxiao had arrived at some point and stood to one side. Her voice was soft, yet carried an unquestionable resolve.

Qiongxiao and Bixiao stood behind her. Though neither spoke, their stance was already clear.

Even Zhao Gongming, the foremost disciple of the Outer Sect, and the Three Xiao Ladies, the outstanding figures of the Inner Sect, had voiced their support. The minds of those disciples who had originally remained on the fence immediately began to stir.

In particular, many Outer Sect disciples and some Inner Sect disciples whose Karmic Force was not deep, or who had long been dissatisfied with the sect's atmosphere, spoke up in response one after another.

"I'm willing to go!"

"Count me in!"

"Protecting the Human Race and accumulating Merit—it is the right time for it!"

Of course, some disciples, such as Qiu Shou Immortal and Golden Light Immortal, still watched coldly from the sidelines, sneers of disdain on their lips. They believed Xuan Chuan's actions were merely grandstanding and beneath his status.

Xuan Chuan did not care. With Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao Sisters taking the lead, there were already enough people for the first group.

Looking at these fellow disciples whose enthusiasm had begun to stir, he felt somewhat relieved.

The theory had already been put forward. Next, he needed real, tangible results to prove that this path was the correct one!

The Eastern Sea Coast would be the new starting point for him to test the Merit Path and further unite and transform Jiejiao's strength!