CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42, MERIT REFINING TREASURES

Within the Yuqing Palace, Tongtian was seated in the principal seat, with Bai Jin sitting below on a cushion.

Tongtian cast a subtle glance towards Taiching Peak and Yuqing Peak. What have Duobao and the others told them? Why have both of my elder brothers suddenly gone into closed-door cultivation? No, I must quickly send this one off.

Tongtian spoke, "The wondrous use of Merit is boundless; it can transform into the Merit Divine Wheel, guarding both body and soul.

You can also refine it into Merit Divine Artifacts, killing without incurring karma.

I have already passed on to you the method of refining Merit Divine Artifacts. How you choose is up to you. Different choices will lead you on different paths; proceed with caution."

Bai Jin hesitated and then asked, "Master, may I integrate the Merit into the four Qingtian Swords?"

Tongtian shook his head and replied, "Impossible! Innate Spiritual Treasures possess their own Innate Undying Spirit Light; infusing them with Acquired Merit will only cloud the Innate Power of the Innate Spiritual Treasures."

"Yes, Disciple understands," responded Bai Jin respectfully.

Tongtian continued, "Nuwa has attained sainthood, and you have received quite an amount of Merit; choose wisely."

"Yes! Disciple will certainly weigh the options carefully, but Master, could you offer me some advice?"

"Do you know my philosophy for teaching disciples?"

"Education without discrimination?"

"Free-range!"

Bai Jin: "⊙﹏⊙" I really want to change my Master.

With a chuckle, Tongtian said, "Go! Your senior brother and junior sister are still waiting outside."

"Disciple takes his leave~" Bai Jin respectfully bowed and walked towards the outside.

...

The gate of Shangqing Palace creaked half-open, and Bai Jin emerged from within, immediately spotting two figures seated under a distant tree.

Bai Jin, smiling and apologizing with a bow, said, "I didn’t realize senior brother and junior sister were waiting outside; this junior brother’s dullness has delayed Master’s time a bit, please do not take it to heart."

Jin Ling said cheerfully, "I don’t mind at all! I was just idling anyway."

Duobao rose from the ground and said expressionlessly, "Junior brother, Master is contemplating Saint Dao; it is best if you visit less often from now on."

After saying that, he walked proudly into Shangqing Palace, and the doors of the palace closed with a thunderous sound.

Bai Jin looked at Jin Ling, puzzled, and asked, "Junior sister, what’s with senior brother? Why is he behaving as if he’s second only to Heaven? He’s so full of himself!"

Jin Ling shook her head, "I don’t know! Hasn’t our eldest senior brother always been like that?"

Bai Jin nodded in agreement, "Eldest senior brother is indeed forceful!

I’ve just received teachings from Master and have gained some insights, so I’ll take my leave from senior brother."

Jin Ling giggled, "Senior brother, take care!"

Bai Jin rode the wind and drifted away downwards.

Moments later, Duobao emerged from the Shangqing Palace, the palace gates slamming shut behind him, shining with Upper Pure Immortal Light, thoroughly sealed.

"Ha ha~" Duobao couldn’t help but laugh out loud, delighted. Master has also approved my method; I am indeed a genius.

"Eldest senior brother~" A faint voice rang out.

Duobao turned around, his face beaming with joy as he said, "Junior Sister~ What’s the matter?"

Jin Ling got up, looked at Duobao calmly, and said, "Elder Brother, I was the one who came first."

Duobao laughed and said, "Thank you for letting me go first, Junior Sister."

Jin Ling pointed at the sealed Shangqing Palace and said in a melancholy tone, "Elder Brother, could you explain to your little sister what’s going on right now?"

Duobao turned his head to look at the Shangqing Palace, shining with Upper Pure Immortal Light, and was immediately perplexed, suddenly realizing he might have inadvertently blocked his Junior Sister’s path to seek guidance.

Jin Ling gazed at Duobao with a hint of melancholy and revealed two small canine teeth when she opened her mouth.

Duobao hurriedly said, "Junior Sister, listen to my explanation! I really didn’t do it on purpose."

Jin Ling tossed her Immortal Robe and said, "I won’t listen, I won’t listen. You’re the Elder Brother Disciple, there’s no need to explain to me." She stepped onto an auspicious cloud and flew downward.

"Junior Sister~" Duobao called out from behind, watching Jin Ling fly away and muttered to himself, "Fine, if you won’t listen, you won’t listen. Once Master and Second Master achieve their enlightenment, she’ll understand."

...

Bai Jin walked along a tranquil mountain path. Ever since those Outer Disciples had their cultivation sealed, Taiching Peak had suddenly become quiet. The disciples whose cultivation had been sealed were all holed up in their own palaces, cultivating their moral character, and at least for now, would not dare to cause mischief.

Bai Jin walked all the way back to his palace and sat cross-legged on the bed, meditating. The words of his Master still echoed in his mind: Merit is an extremely special power between Heaven and Earth; not only can Merit protect the Divine Soul, but it can also bring auspiciousness in times of disaster.

Merit can be refined into Merit Golden Pills, consuming them can enhance comprehension and briefly unite one with Heaven and Earth.

Merit can be used to forge Attack and Conquest Divine Artifacts, killing others without incurring karma, and it can also be used to create Defensive Divine Artifacts, repelling all kinds of evil and untainted by any laws.

There are many other wonderful uses, it’s like a panacea for all problems.

Most people, after acquiring Merit, use their Divine Soul to refine it into a Merit Golden Wheel to protect their Divine Soul, but Bai Jin plans not to refine it into that artifact, secretly having a different idea in mind.

Bai Jin stretched out his hand, and the Treasure Money appeared in his palm, round on the outside, square in the center with two adorable little wings, floating in the air.

Bai Jin, talking to himself, said, "This should succeed!" He closed his eyes and concentrated, and a golden cloud appeared above his head, swirling with immense auspiciousness.

The Treasure Money suddenly ignited an invisible flame of the Divine Soul, a thread of the Merit Gold Cloud separated and flew towards the Treasure Money, passing through the square hole in the middle of the coin, forming a square hole money with Xuanhuang color on the other side and falling down.

That thread of Merit was abruptly cut off, and the Treasure Money emitted a dissatisfied buzzing sound, seemingly reluctant.

Bai Jin ignored its tantrum and beckoned the Xuanhuang colored Merit Coin to fly over, and it landed in his hands.

The front of the coin depicted a Tao Palace with a small square hole located at the main door, as if the entrance to the Tao Palace was wide open. On the small signboard of the Tao Palace, one could vaguely see three characters, "Zixiao Palace." The back was surrounded by a circle of Tao patterns, appearing profound and full of a mysterious aura. Bai Jin himself did not know exactly what it meant, but as long as it looked grand, it was fine.

Bai Jin examined the Merit Coin he created, stroking his chin, thinking, "Is this infringing upon the rights of Taoist Master Hong Jun?! Perhaps I should ask Master later if this is okay?"

Bai Jin tossed the coin, and the Xuanhuang Merit Money flew up and merged into the hidden Merit Cloud above the Spirit Platform.

Bai Jin’s face lit up with joy; indeed, it could be stored in the Spirit Platform. He could feel that compared to ordinary Merit Clouds, the refined Merit Coins were more substantial, and therefore the effects they produced were also stronger.

Bang~

Bang~

Bang~

A series of knocks came from outside, and a cheerful voice called out, "Elder Brother, Bai Jin Elder Brother~"

Bai Jin retracted the Treasure Money with one motion, waved his hand, and the gates of the palace thunderously opened, revealing two figures outside, one a delicate and pretty Bai He Child, and the other being Shi Ji.

Bai Jin floated down from the bed, surprised and said, "Bai He, what’s wrong? Is Second Master looking for me?"

Bai He shook his head and said, "No! The old man has entered seclusion, I was bored, so I came to find the Elder Brother for some fun."