Merit

After the blood pill enters the mouth, the qi is slightly refined and immediately turns into a hot current that flows into the abdomen.

Huaiqing experienced the same pain Xu Qi'an had gone through. She felt as if she had swallowed not a blood pill, but a mouthful of magma. The scorching heat first exploded in her throat, "melting" her throat, damaging her vocal cords, and causing her to lose her ability to speak.

Then, it burns down the esophagus and into the stomach.

During this process, a small amount of the Blood Pill's power has already seeped into the bloodstream, flowing through the blood vessels to the limbs and bones, tearing the flesh apart from within.

This kind of pain is a thousand times, a hundred times worse than being slowly sliced to death. People below the Spirit Refining Realm will die instantly in such agony.

Huaiqing's consciousness rapidly became chaotic and confused, as he was immersed in immense pain.

Advancing to the Transcendent Realm using the Blood Pill requires enduring extremely terrible pain, enough to easily kill any Rank 4 cultivator. Advancing to the Transcendent Realm through a shortcut is a necessary price to pay.

Xu Qi'an had already informed Huai Qing of these things in advance.

She was mentally prepared, but she didn't expect the pain to be so terrifying and horrific.

Unbearable, utterly unbearable. Huaiqing's Primordial Spirit rapidly dissipated, like snowflakes melting into water, crumbling apart.

Fear was all that remained of her remaining consciousness.

The fear of death, the fear of pain, is like a child walking in the snow, longing for light to appear ahead.

"Hold fast to the original state and endure!"

In her hazy state, she heard a deep, gentle voice beside her.

The little girl in the snow saw the light she longed for.

Huaiqing suddenly regained consciousness and realized that he had rolled off the dragon bed at some point and was lying in Xu Qi'an's arms covered in blood.

Her rationality didn't last long, as she was overwhelmed by waves of pain.

"Be patient. What you need to do now is prevent your Primordial Spirit from collapsing," Xu Qi'an said in a deep voice.

"You... you got through it all," Huaiqing said weakly, his words muffled and incoherent.

She can't look in the mirror now, otherwise she'll be horrified by her own ugly appearance.

Huaiqing's cheeks were torn open, and streams of blood seeped out, as if impurities were being expelled from his body.

Her body was the same.

"For me back then, not surviving meant the execution of my entire family," Xu Qi'an said softly. "I had no choice, Huaiqing, and neither did you. If you couldn't survive, you would only die."

Huaiqing remained silent, desperately fighting against the collapse of his Primordial Spirit.

At this moment, a golden dragon emerged from her body, coiling around her like a python, "coiling" her dissipating Primordial Spirit and preventing it from dissipating.

Time passed second by second, Xu Qi'an silently protected her, erecting a barrier to envelop Huaiqing's screams and the aura of the Blood Pill, preventing any leakage.

Huaiqing's condition gradually stabilized only after the sandalwood incense inside the golden beast stopped burning.

Her body has shed its mortal form; every cell is brimming with vigorous vitality, endlessly regenerating, capable of regenerating severed limbs and moving mountains and filling seas.

In this era, the first extraordinary female warrior has been born in the Nine Provinces.

As the golden dragon dissipated, Xu Qi'an withdrew the barrier, grasped Huai Qing's blood-soaked hand, and channeled his energy into it.

"I did it?"

Huaiqing opened her eyes, and two sharp beams of energy pierced through the roof of the palace. This was because she was still struggling to perfectly control this power.

Congratulations, Your Majesty!

Xu Qi'an repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting, a smile on his face.

Huaiqing let out a soft breath, sat up cross-legged, beckoned over a clean towel, and carefully wiped her beautiful face.

After managing to tidy it up, she said softly:

Thank you.

"Why are you saying 'thank you' to me?" Xu Qi'an waved his hand with a smile, thinking to himself, "You're my sister-in-law, after all."

Huaiqing said softly:

Since there's no need to say "thank you," then Xu Yinluo doesn't need to keep referring to "Your Majesty" in private.

Although she always mentioned "Xu Yinluo," when she was in a good mood and there were no outsiders around, she would still call Ningyan.

Did she want me to call her by her maiden name, or Huaiqing? Xu Qi'an said:

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Huaiqing ignored him and said indifferently:

When will Li Miaozhen be promoted to the third rank?

Xu Qi'an replied:

"Tonight, she will gather the light of merit at the Bagua Platform of the Star-Gazing Tower and break through to the third rank in one fell swoop."

Huaiqing nodded, then asked:

What are the chances of success?

"According to Master Jinlian, Miaozhen has accumulated an immense amount of merit during her three years of wandering the martial world, but the resulting karmic backlash will also be enormous," Xu Qi'an said.

Should we go and observe tonight?

Huaiqing nodded.

After finishing their conversation, and with Huaiqing having successfully been promoted, Xu Qi'an glanced at the sky and decided to leave.

I've already made an appointment with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao to listen to music at a brothel in the afternoon. Afterwards, we'll have to arrange flowers and play with jade. It has to end before dusk because I need to teach Lin'an that night.

Oh, and when he came in the morning, he even took the time to feed Fu Xiang.

Time flies like an arrow; there's never enough time. Xu Qi'an sighed sincerely, saying:

"Your Majesty, I must take my leave now."

Huaiqing pursed his lips, slightly disappointed, but still nodded in response, somewhat unwilling, and said in a lukewarm tone:

Xu Yinluo lived a very carefree life after marriage.

"There's never enough time. That girl from Lin'an is so clingy; she wants to be with me every single day."

As soon as Xu Qi'an finished speaking, Huai Qing's face darkened, and he said emotionlessly:

No need to see me off!

He immediately transformed into a melting shadow and disappeared into the palace.

night.

A lonely, cold moon hangs high in the sky, with a few scattered stars dotting the night. The bustling capital city of the day has fallen asleep, with the occasional cry of a night bird echoing in the distance.

A crowd of onlookers gathered at the Bagua Platform of the Star-Gazing Tower.

Sun Xuanji and Protector Yuan beside him; Yang Qianhuan standing with his back to everyone and his hands behind his back; Chu Yuanzhen, a swordsman in a green robe with a strand of white hair on his forehead; Huaiqing, who has returned to his white palace dress embroidered with plum blossoms; Hengyuan, who is filled with bitterness and hatred; Asuluo, who is not afraid of his telepathic abilities; Miao Youfang, the unworthy disciple; and Li Lingsu, who is getting thinner and thinner and regretting her actions, and who is haggard because of her hatred.

Of course, there are also the key figures in this incident: Li Miaozhen and Daoist Jinlian.

Xu Qi'an sat at the table, looking at the youngest son of the Asura King:

"Once Miaozhen successfully advances to the next level, we will attack Aranya."

Asuro took a deep breath. "Good! I've been waiting for this day for a long time, ever since I returned to my place. Ever since I removed the Demon-Sealing Nail for you, I've been waiting for you to say these words."

The Buddhist School harbors a deep-seated hatred for the Asura race, claiming they were exterminated, and he also has a blood feud with the Asura for killing his father.

No one wanted to crush Aranya more than him.

Asuluo fought for the Great Feng in the battle of Yunzhou, not for the country and its people. What did the people of the Central Plains and the Great Feng court have to do with him?

He's placing a bet!

They bet on Xu Qi'an's rise to power, on the Great Feng's victory, and then launched a counterattack against the Buddhist School in the Western Regions.

He made the right bet.

Miao Youfang yawned and asked:

Why choose to promote someone at night?

With dark circles under her eyes, Li Lingsu said in a deep voice, "The night is good, the night is very good."

Finally, I can get some rest for one night.

Master Jinlian explained:

"There is no difference between day and night, it's just that I'm more energetic at night."

More energetic at night? Daoist, have you been spending too much time with cats? Your sleep schedule has become completely "cat-like"? Xu Qi'an glanced at Daoist Jinlian, deeply suspicious.

Noticing Xu Qi'an's gaze, Daoist Jinlian coughed, looked at Li Lingsu, changed the subject and attention, and said in surprise:

"You've already cultivated yourself to the point of having skin of copper and bones of iron?"

"You were forced to cultivate your Martial Dao to the sixth rank?" The crowd felt a pang of pity.

Li Lingsu ignored everyone and simply turned her head away sadly.

Miao Youfang said with delight:

"Brother Li, you might just become a fourth-rank expert who cultivates Martial Dao and Daoist magic, a top-tier individual below the extraordinary level."

Damn it, this is not something to be happy about. Li Lingsu felt no joy and gritted her teeth, saying:

"This is all thanks to Xu Ningyan's urging."

When he first established the village and recruited refugees, he was already at the eighth rank. The seventh rank of the Spirit Refining Realm cultivates the Primordial Spirit, which is basically no challenge for the Holy Son of the Heavenly Sect. After that, he was stuck at the Spirit Refining Realm and found it difficult to break through to the sixth rank.

"No need to thank me, it's only right for brothers." Xu Qi'an said sincerely.

Li Lingsu turned her head away again.

At this moment, Asuluo looked at Protector Yuan and clicked his tongue:

"You're still alive? Have you found out who issued the bounty? I think it was the emperor."

Huaiqing remained expressionless and said calmly:

"I think it's you!"

Li Lingsu shook her head:

"I don't think it's His Majesty, or Asuluo, but Xu Ningyan's sister. That girl looks delicate and charming on the surface, but she's actually very ruthless. And she was the one who embarrassed herself the most that night."

Xu Qi'an immediately retorted:

"Why don't you say it was you? Back in Jianzhou, you were far more shameful than her."

Having her old wounds reopened, Li Lingsu was overwhelmed with both old and new grudges.

"You scoundrel, I've put up with you for far too long."

Yang Qianhuan immediately chimed in:

"You scoundrel! I've put up with you for far too long!"

Miao Youfang quickly stepped forward to smooth things over:

"Alright, alright, stop arguing. It was me who issued the bounty, okay? It was me who offered a reward of 17,000 taels of silver for Protector Yuan."

Everyone glanced at him:

You don't deserve it!

Miao Youfang: "."

Li Miaozhen opened her eyes at the opportune moment, saving Miao Youfang from embarrassment. "Daoist Master, I'm ready."

She has adjusted herself to her peak condition in all aspects.

Master Jinlian nodded slightly:

"I will help you with the selection process, but there's only so much I can do. Whether you succeed or not depends on you."

Li Miaozhen then glanced at Xu Qi'an; this guy had been protecting Huaiqing during the day.

Xu Baipiao, with a strong will to survive, whispered:

"I'll be watching over you, don't worry."

Huaiqing snorted inwardly.

Li Miaozhen closed her eyes and activated the Earth Sect's method for accumulating merit.

Every human being has karmic obstacles and merits. The Earth Sect's mental cultivation method simply gathers, materializes, and puts into practice the power of a person's merits.

Li Miaozhen traveled for three years after descending the mountain, upholding justice and helping the weak. Just how much merit did she accumulate?

Nobody knows.

Even for Master Jinlian, it would be difficult to make an accurate prediction.

Half an hour later, the people at the Bagua Platform saw a scattered golden light, like a swarm of fireflies, drifting from the dark distance.

Pure, gentle, and sacred, like the most beautiful power in the world.

"What a nice view."

Huaiqing said in a low voice.

A figure, seemingly real and only a step away from becoming tangible, rose above Li Miaozhen's head.

This is her spirit.

The spirit, like the physical body, sits cross-legged with its eyes closed.

Countless "fireflies" drifted in, covering Li Miaozhen's body, her hair, and her entire being, before slowly merging into her body.

In an instant, Li Miaozhen's spirit was enveloped by the sacred and vast power of merit.

"Unexpectedly, in just three years, she accumulated the merit that I could only accumulate in thirty years."

Master Jinlian shook her head and sighed:

"Ordinary people do good deeds within their means, and sometimes even depending on their mood. Therefore, even good people have a limited number of times they can do good. Lan Lian acts chivalrously without expecting anything in return, and her sense of public duty is urgent. This purity of heart is rarely seen in the world."

Blue Lotus, ahh~ The familiar melody echoed in Xu Qi'an's mind once again, and he mentally complained:

No, Daoist priest, please stop calling her Lanlian.

After an incense stick had burned, the merit power flowing from the horizon gradually diminished until it stopped arriving altogether.

At this moment, Li Miaozhen's spirit had solidified into a tangible form, radiating a sacred golden light.

The Yang spirit has been formed.

"Is this the power of merit shaping a Yang God?" Asura discerned something.

"Excellent!" Daoist Jinlian nodded.

"Only a golden body sculpted from the power of merit can bring the Earth Sect's merit-based Law Technique to its fullest potential."

He immediately showed a worried expression:

"Miaozhen's merit is more than enough to reach the third rank, but the corresponding karmic backlash should not be underestimated."

This can be called "merit and virtue," as benefiting one's community is considered merit and virtue.

Generally speaking, helping others and doing good deeds can accumulate merit, but this does not mean that helping others and doing good deeds is necessarily meritorious.

For example, a ruthless bandit was being pursued by the authorities and collapsed on the roadside, barely alive. A passerby rescued him.

The kind person took great care of him and saved the notorious bandit. After escaping death, the bandit turned around and went on a killing spree, causing the deaths of innocent people.

The notorious thief deserved to die, but escaped death because of the passerby's act of kindness. The passerby did a good deed and will also accumulate merit for saving a life, but the karmic consequences he will incur will be ten or a hundred times, or even more, than that merit.

Similarly, if a pedestrian saves a petty thief, because the thief's karmic burden is minimal, the merit will offset the karmic burden and even leave a surplus, thus accumulating merit.

Therefore, the Earth Sect may face the crisis of karmic backlash, but as long as one carefully accumulates merits, does not save evil people, and keeps merits in a "profitable" state, the danger of becoming possessed by demons can be eliminated.

Back then, Master Jinlian bewitched the emperor into practicing Daoism, causing decades of neglect of state affairs and hardship for the people. This karmic force directly transformed into nourishment for the Black Lotus, leaving Master Jinlian with no chance to make amends.

Although Li Miaozhen had been a chivalrous person for many years and saved countless lives, she also had people she had wrongly helped and saved. These karmic obstacles would not cause problems if she did not cultivate merit.

Once you cultivate the merits of the Earthly Sect, your karmic obstacles will backfire.

In the teachings of the Earth School, this is known as "karmic retribution."

Miao Youfang pointed at Li Miaozhen's brow and exclaimed in surprise:

It turned... it turned black.

A jet-black spot appeared between the eyebrows of the female warrior Fei Yan and quickly expanded.

P. S.: Typos will be corrected later.