"Do good deeds, accumulate merit, and forge a Golden Body... this is indeed the true path!"
Immortal Zhenyuan sat cross-legged beneath the Ginsengfruit tree, preaching the Dao once again.
Nearly half of the myriad Immortal Gods in the square had risen and left, each holding a Treasure Bead, setting out to earn their merits. The disciples of the Chan Sect left first, not daring to delay the slightest for the upcoming contest.
Yu Yuan, however, was in no rush to act and instead sat quietly on his cushion, listening to Zhen Yuanzi explain the Dao of the Earth Immortals.
According to his understanding, since the beginning of Creation of Heaven and Earth, not many of the Innate Divine beings born at that time still survived, yet each one of them was incredibly formidable.
Not to mention those who achieved Sainthood.
Just considering those who had not become saints, such as the Minghe Ancestor, Immortal Zhenyuan, the Taiyi Rescue the Afflicted Heavenly Venerate, The Queen Mother of the West, etc., they not only attained Quasi-Saint Dao Fruits but also carved out their own unique paths.
For instance, the path of slaughter of the Minghe Ancestor, the merit (Earth Immortal) path of Immortal Zhenyuan, the merciful path of the Taiyi Rescue the Afflicted Heavenly Venerate...
Although these Innate Divine beings who forged their own paths were at the same level as other Quasi-Saint powers, they seemed to stand out distinctly, a cut above the rest.
Just as how the Kunpeng Ancestor overwhelmed Red Cloud Ancestor in the past, so too had Zhen Yuanzi overpowered him.
In terms of Spiritual Treasures and followers, Zhen Yuanzi wasn't much stronger than Red Cloud Ancestor.
His strength lay in the unique path he had forged for himself.
Yu Yuan, now with an Ancestral Witch Level physique and combat power comparable to Quasi-Saints, also needed to consider which path he should take from now on.
He listened very attentively, showing no intention to earn merits, to the puzzlement of Nanji Immortal, who felt confused and became quietly cautious.
During that incident atop the Palace of the Polestar in the Heavenly Court, Nanji Immortal had witnessed the cunning of this disciple of the Jie Sect and would not believe that he had given up on the competition.
His current calmness likely concealed another scheme!
As Nanji Immortal maintained his silent vigilance, Yun Xiao transmitted her voice to Yu Yuan, puzzled, asking, "Don't you want to compete for the Ginsengfruit? Why aren't you moving yet?"
Yun Xiao had overheard the conversation between Yu Yuan and Nanji Immortal, yet she showed no sense of the elder, even when Yu Yuan proposed using the Investiture of the Gods as a stake, she had no reaction.
Such a response couldn't simply be explained by a gentle nature, especially since the Investiture of the Gods was not Yu Yuan's possession, but a matter of Jie Sect's interests.
As one of the eight great disciples of the Sect Hierarch Tongtian, Yun Xiao showed no reaction to Yu Yuan's actions.
Either she was a bit slow to understand, or she had complete trust in Yu Yuan.
Believing that he would not forsake the interests of the Jie Sect!
Or perhaps, she believed that he would not lose!
Yu Yuan could feel this trust, although he did not know where it stemmed from.
Before this, he wasn't very familiar with this great-aunt of his.
He speculated that this trust might come from the Three Sects' discussion, or perhaps from the treasure contest on Wuyi Mountain, or even from the "Grilled Kunpeng Wings" incident on the Northern Continent...
Upon hearing Yun Xiao's query, Yu Yuan replied inwardly, "Didn't Immortal Zhenyuan speak about doing good and accumulating merit? I'm wondering, if one commits evil deeds, would it reduce one's merit?"
Yun Xiao: "..."
What kind of nonsensical question is that?
After a brief moment of pondering, she still transmitted back, "I've heard Immortal Zhenyuan's teachings on the Dao of Merit several times. The essence of his teachings is 'good deeds bring fortune, evil brings misfortune', which is probably what you're thinking.
As to whether Primordial Heaven and Earth operate in that way, I have not yet reached the Realm where I can see the workings of merit and karma, and cannot give you an accurate answer.
However, I can assure you of one thing, at least the Earth Immortal Realm operates according to the 'good deeds bring fortune, evil brings misfortune' principle."
Hearing this last part, Yu Yuan's eyes immediately brightened.
If the Earth Immortal Realm operated by this rule, then wouldn't the more evil he committed, the more merit he would earn?
Conversely, the more good deeds he did, the more merit he would lose!
"Thank you for your explanation, great-aunt."
Yu Yuan transmitted his thanks, then holding the Treasure Bead that kept a record of merits, left the Daoist site and swiftly went on his way in a random direction.
What he didn't notice was that, right after he left the Daoist site, several streaks of light swiftly followed.
...
The Earth Immortal Realm was boundlessly vast, with countless Primordial Clans residing in this world.
And among them, the Human Race was undeniably the protagonist.
They thrived here, establishing villages, towns, and nations.
Most Immortal Gods set their sights on the Human Race's settlements.
They believed that these mortals were weak and must have many areas in need of assistance.
These Immortal Gods had great faith in Immortal Zhenyuan's theory of "doing good deeds, accumulating merits," and in a short time, they all became "good neighbors."
Wherever there were humans in trouble, there they would be.
However, there are also some Immortal Gods who look down upon those trivial merits and desire to accomplish something grand, such as saving a kingdom or something of that nature.
It is said that during one of the Ginsengfruit conferences, an Immortal God secretly cast a spell to destroy a river dam, causing torrential floods to inundate the farmland, only to descend from the sky at the most critical moment to save the common people from peril.
Yet, not only did that Immortal God not receive any merit, but he also bore the burden of karma.
Afterward, Immortal Zhenyuan expelled him from the Earth Immortal Realm and sighed in public: "If evil is done with good intentions, then the deed is evil and the heart good. Although it is not acceptable, there is still a chance for redemption; however, if good is done with evil intentions, then the deed is good but the heart evil. Despite the good deed being commendable, the more one intentionally does good, the more wicked the heart becomes—it is absolutely unforgivable!"
...
Yuyuan wandered the vast expanse of the Earth Immortal Realm, searching for his target, or rather his prey.
He was preparing to resume his old profession, to commit another robbery and treasure snatch.
However, the situation now was different from his time in Eastern Emperor Heaven. After a slight pause, he still transformed himself, taking on the appearance of Vina Night's disciple.
Half an hour later, Yuyuan noticed a group of iron cavalry galloping towards a Human Race village.
The riders were all exceptional in martial prowess, and by their aura, they were likely Qi Refiners. The beasts they rode were also vast fierce creatures bearing formidable tusks and teeth, presenting a very ferocious sight.
These Qi Refiners stormed into the village and immediately gathered the villagers.
"Have you prepared this year's Green Spirit Ore?" a middle-aged man clad in profound armor sat atop a ferocious beast and demanded from the villagers with a hefty whip in hand.
However, to his surprise, the villagers, albeit scared, did not offer up the precious Spiritual Ore as usual but instead looked nervously towards the direction of the village entrance.
"Have you all gone mute? Why are you not speaking?! There are only two days left until the deadline. If you have not mined enough Green Spirit Ore, I think there is no need to wait for another two days!"
The middle-aged man spoke with a heavy harshness, as if he might act violently at any moment.
These Qi Refiners felt a natural sense of superiority before ordinary mortals.
Although they come from the same race, it's said once one steps onto the path of cultivation, henceforth separated from mortals, they have long since drawn a clear line between themselves and common folk.
At this moment, however, a daoist appeared at the entrance of the village, a towering figure dressed in a golden Daoist robe, incredibly handsome, slowly walking towards the group of Qi Refiners.
Yuyuan, hiding in the shadows, could not help but feel amused at the sight of this golden-robed daoist, nearly bursting into laughter.
This golden-robed daoist was an old acquaintance, one of the Primordial Five Bugs, the Six-winged Golden Cicada, self-titled Cicada Daoist.
Among the Primordial Five Bugs, the Six-winged Golden Cicada was especially notorious, lurking in the Blood Sea, preying on the souls of beings from the Six Paths with an insatiable appetite. It had a hard shell impervious to blades and spears and feared neither water nor fire.
In the past, it had also conspired with Mosquito Daoist to assassinate Yuyuan. Seeing they were no match, they fled and disappeared, and it was unexpected to now encounter them in the Earth Immortal Realm.
This scoundrel's past actions were nothing short of heinous, yet now in his hand, he held a Merit Treasure Pearl, evidently also here to perform good deeds and accumulate merit.
As expected, he darted forward, seized the iron whip from the middle-aged man, and stood like a wall between the villagers and the Qi Refiners.
"Eh..." The middle-aged man was startled and flicked his wrist gently. A surge of Spiritual Power spread along the whip, but upon encountering the hand of Cicada Daoist, it vanished without a trace.
"This guy's tricky!" The middle-aged man was shocked and wanted to retreat.
But the Cicada Daoist came today with the intention of "performing good deeds," so how could he possibly allow them to leave? He reached out and pulled the man off his mount, casually tossing him to the ground.
"Hiss..."
The middle-aged man cried out in pain as his face met a rock on the ground, smashing his mouth into a bloody pulp, teeth scattering all around.
Once he regained his composure, he bellowed in rage: "Kill them! Leave none alive!"
He commanded his Qi Refiners to eradicate the village.
The clanging of metal rang incessantly.
The group of Qi Refiners drew their weapons, some even summoning Flying Swords, intent on slaughtering the entire village.
The Cicada Daoist smiled cruelly, then waved his large hand, sending the group of Qi Refiners flying one by one.
All the Qi Refiners and their fierce beasts sustained broken bones and crushing injuries, unable to move another inch.
"Thank you, Immortal, for your righteous intervention!"
The villagers hurriedly came forth to express their gratitude.
There were also those who fearfully said, "Immortal, having injured the disciples of the Fiery Sun Sect, I fear they will hold us accountable in the future. Please stay and protect us!"
The Cicada Daoist did not respond. Just as he did not take the lives of the Qi Refiners, he ignored the villagers' thanks and pleas, turning to leave.
He performed acts of kindness for the sake of merit.
Anything without merit was none of his concern!
At that moment, a chilly voice rose: "You injured my Fiery Sun Sect's disciples, and you think you can just leave?"
The Cicada Daoist was momentarily stunned and looked towards the source of the voice. He saw a young man in golden robes approaching through the air, with hands behind his back, hair fluttering wildly, exuding confidence and self-assurance.
However...
The Cicada Daoist's smile grew wider.
A mere upper-level Profound Immortal dares to stop me?
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