Refining the Dao into Godhood: A Tale of the Jie Sect
Chapter 164 - 161 [Merit Golden Lotus, Phoenix Clan’s Scheme] (Subscription Request)

Chapter 164: Chapter 161 [Merit Golden Lotus, Phoenix Clan’s Scheme] (Subscription Request)

The West is barren, with few living beings, and they do not have the merit of opening the heavens like The Three Pure Ones, nor the merit of establishing doctrines, which is not enough for both of them to become saints together.

Therefore, in order not to be left behind by The Three Pure Ones, and to turn the effect into the cause, calculate against Hong Yun, and eliminate karma, they consecutively made forty-eight grand vows.

Most of these grand vows are related to the rejuvenation of the West; only by allowing the West to prosper could Heavenly Dao possibly repay the merit they owed.

For people like Lieshan, Xuanqing, and Chi Jingzi to promote the recovery of spiritual energy in the West is a good thing for the West, but it might not necessarily be good for the two of them!

"Senior brother, what should we do?"

Zhunti Daoist appeared helpless: "What they are doing is good for the West, otherwise, Heavenly Dao would not bestow so much merit! But they have done what should have been our responsibility! It might be difficult for us to repay the karma we owe to Heavenly Dao! Should we intervene and stop them?"

"No need!"

Jieyin Daoist shook his head and sighed, "Since Heavenly Dao has acknowledged their merit, how can we, as saints, act against it?"

"Since we are determined to rejuvenate the West, we should naturally be magnanimous. How can we face the living beings of the West in the future if we stop them today?"

"Just a small amount of merit; as saints, we can certainly repay it in other ways!"

"However..."

"These disciples from Chan Sect and Jie Sect, as well as members of the Human Race, Dragon Clan, and Witch Clan, since they have come to our West, it would not be right for us not to interact with them!"

"The human Lieshan, Chan Sect’s Chi Jingzi, and Jie Sect’s Xuanqing, these three must be the guides of this operation!"

"Let’s go meet them!"

Compared to Zhunti Daoist, Jieyin Daoist had a more far-reaching vision; as long as it benefited the West, cooperating with the Xuan Sect was not out of the question.

A saint’s thought can roam the vast universe, and cover infinite timelines; at this moment, under the pull of karma, he saw a glimpse of a possible future... a future where the Western World could prosper in Primordial times!

His gaze involuntarily fell on the flag written with "Prosper the West": "If the West can truly prosper, what do a little karma and merit matter?"

Before his words fell, he and Zhunti Daoist immediately stepped forward, a step spanning a light-year, accompanied by a sky full of purple aura, instantly appearing before Xuanqing and the others.

"Greetings to the two saints!"

Xuanqing and others, realizing their presence, respectfully greeted them without being overly humble or presumptuous.

"Disciple, you are too courteous!"

With a smile, Zhunti Daoist nodded and slowly said, "Some of you are highly accomplished disciples of Yuanshi or favorites of Tongtian; willing to come to this barren land of the West, your uncle is truly honored!"

Both he and Jieyin Daoist were registered disciples of Daoist Ancestor Hong Jun, and were of the same generation as The Three Pure Ones; calling Xuanqing, Chi Jingzi, and others as his nephews was indeed appropriate.

However, the familiarity of Zhunti Daoist still made Xuanqing slightly uneasy.

A smiling tiger is the most terrifying!

And Jieyin Daoist also slightly nodded: "Fellow nephews, not sparing any effort to repair the spirit veins of our West, is indeed fortunate for me and the West!"

"Uncle is too courteous!"

Chi Jingzi quickly spoke up: "In fact, we are also here to help the Earth Emperor ascend to his position."

Hearing this, Jieyin Daoist’s gaze swept over Lieshan, then smiled and said: "I do not judge by intentions but by deeds; no matter what your purposes are, the ultimate result benefits our West! I wonder if you nephews would be interested in going to Mount Sumeru to hear my brother and I expound on the Great Dao of the West?"

"This..."

Chi Jingzi was somewhat tempted.

Listening to the saints preach has its allure, and these two saints of the West, despite their reputations, were genuine saints!

Perhaps their elucidation of the Dao could enable him to achieve insights and break through to a higher realm.

But remembering what Xuanqing had said, and glancing at Lieshan beside him, he declined: "This junior is currently responsible for instructing the Earth Emperor and is afraid I must disappoint my uncle!"

"However..."

"Lieshan likes to study Spirit Roots; these transformative trees of the West were in fact researched by Lieshan, with the help of this junior and Daoist Xuanqing."

"If uncle believes our actions are beneficial to the living beings of the West, may we request a Bodhi Seed or a section of the root of the Seven Emotions Bitter Bamboo?"

Seeing this opportunity, Lieshan immediately showed a look of anticipation; although it was Xuanqing’s idea, he was also very interested in studying these two types of top-grade Innate Spirit Roots.

"Agreed!"

Jieyin Daoist, after exchanging glances with Zhunti Daoist, nodded and effortlessly pulled out a section of bitter bamboo root from the void.

And Zhunti Daoist took out the "Seven Treasures Marvel Tree" and shook it, and with a flash of light, a Bodhi Seed appeared before everyone.

Chi Jingzi quickly reached out to catch it: "Then on behalf of Lieshan, I thank both uncles!"

"You are too courteous, nephew!"

Jieyin Daoist immediately showed a smile: "Although the West is poor, it is vast and sparsely populated. I also hope the Earth Emperor can lead the Human Race to migrate here!"

As he spoke, he looked over at Lieshan.

He thought for a moment, waved his hand, and conjured the "Twelve Grade Merit Golden Lotus" that suppresses the fortune of the Western Sect, instantly giving birth to three golden Merit Lotus Seeds: "This modest gift is for the Earth Emperor and the two nephews! All three of you bear great fortunes;if irrigated with merit, maybe a Merit Golden Lotus could be nurtured!"

"Of course, a one-of-a-kind Innate Spiritual Treasure and a Twelve Grade Merit Golden Lotus are impossible, but a Third Grade, Sixth Grade, and Ninth Grade Merit Golden Lotus are still possible!"

The three lotus seeds instantly fell into the hands of Chi Jingzi, Lieshan, and Xuanqing; although they were only seeds, they radiated an overwhelming vitality.

"Thank you, uncle!"

Xuanqing and Chi Jingzi promptly paid their respects.

"Thank you, Jieyin Saint!"

Seeing this, Lie Shan also nodded slightly and performed a bow to Jieyin Daoist before him.

Hearing this, Jieyin laughed and said: "My nephews, if you have time, feel free to visit Mount Sumeru! Our Western methods also directly point to the Great Dao!"

Having said this, he didn’t wait for everyone to reply before disappearing with Zhunti Daoist right in front of everyone.

Xuanqing hadn’t expected that there was a pleasant surprise, the "Twelve Grade Merit Golden Lotus" of the Western Sect, was actually able to cultivate a new Lotus Platform through Heavenly Dao Merit.

This was different from his "Twelve Grade Destructive Black Lotus" and "Twelve Grade Purifying World White Lotus", neither of which could cultivate new Lotus Platforms through their seeds.

No choice!

It’s decided by the properties of the Lotus Platforms.

In the Primordial world, he couldn’t find other "Power of Destruction" or "Power of Cleansing," but Merit was different—as long as one contributed to the heavens and earth, the Heavenly Dao would grant it.

However, these two Saints of the Western are no easy figures; before they were examined by Tongtian Sect Master, he dare not refine this Lotus Seed.

At the same time, he also warned Chi Jingzi and Lie Shan that if they wished to cultivate a Lotus Platform, it’s best to have Yuanshi Tianzun personally inspect them.

Of course, the transformation of the Western hadn’t ended, although the spiritual energy and ley lines of the West had recovered somewhat, they were still less than one-tenth of the East.

Xuanqing, Lie Shan, Chi Jingzi, along with the Human, Dragon, and Witch Clans, as well as disciples from Chan Sect and Jie Sect, had only done what they currently could do.

For the Western ley lines to rival the East, it required accumulated transformations over time, definitely not something that could be achieved in a meeting or two, or even three or four.

Chi Jingzi took Lie Shan back to the East, Candle Dragon and Jiufeng also left with their respective clans, but still, many beings chose to remain in the West.

The West is barren relatively speaking; compared to the small worlds outside of the Primordial, the spiritual energy here is much richer and there might even be possibilities for materials like Geng Metal to be born.

The disciples of the Xuan Sect look down on them, but some lower realm beings of the Human Race still see them as treasures.

Both the Dragon Clan and Witch Clan also had some clan members voluntarily stay, wanting to see if the land of the West would show new vitality in the future.

As for Xuanqing, he returned to Golden Turtle Island together with Daoist Duobao.

Now, he too couldn’t teach Lie Shan any more skills, with Chi Jingzi by his side, ensuring future security for this future Earth Emperor of the Human Race was enough!

After all...

Chi Jingzi is the true teacher for the Earth Emperor; he was somewhat overstepping during this time!

...

Undying Volcano.

Seeing the Dragon Clan and Witch Clan obtain Heavenly Dao Merit from the transformation of the West, which also cleansed much of their Karma, the influential figures of the Phoenix Clan became restless!

Mysterious Bird took the initiative to speak: "In the past, the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin clans were equally renowned. Now, the Dragon Clan has shown signs of prospering again; if we do not make some changes, we will only disappear into the long river of history!"

"What do you suggest we do?" Li Huang frowned and said, "Bind our fate with the Human Race? Or build good relations with the disciples of Chan and Jie Sects?"

"The former, the fate of the Human Race is already linked with the Witch and Dragon Clans, if we want to share it, the Dragon and Witch Clans probably won’t agree!"

"As for befriending disciples of Chan and Jie Sects, it’s not realistic either; did you forget that Roc and Kong Xuan both perished at Xuanqing’s hands?"

"The Chan Sect has Primordial Qilin as a mount for Saints, and Yellow Dragon is a direct disciple of Chan Sect, and that Yuanshi Saint doesn’t like those with fur and horns either!"

"What choices are left for us?"

"Joining the Heavenly Court, or Western Sect, or asking for Nuwa Saint’s intervention?"

Hearing this, Mysterious Bird couldn’t help but shake his head secretly, just as Li Huang said, one wrong step leads to another, the Phoenix Clan now had no room for choice!

After three lectures in Purple Cloud Palace, Nuwa was the first to become a Saint, they had eagerly pledged allegiance, but unexpectedly, Nuwa had no intention of establishing a doctrine.

Yet, they hadn’t approached any other Saints’ traditions, within Jie Sect, though there were a few from the Phoenix Clan, they were only marginal disciples!

The kind that no one would care about!

And while the Dragon Clan and Human Race were binding their fates, they chose to sit back and watch.

Even during Hao Tian’s Flat Peach feast, the two Daluo Golden Immortals of the Phoenix Clan sent there even rudely mocked Hao Tian.

Although Hao Tian didn’t say anything at the time, he was certainly dissatisfied with the Phoenix Clan already.

Mysterious Bird thought for a moment, then sighed lightly: "No matter what, let’s take proactive attempts first, doing something is better than doing nothing! Even if it ends in failure, it won’t be worse than it is now!"

"Whether it’s Heavenly Court or Western Sect, we can send some younger members to join; we also need to try to mend relations with the three schools of Xuan Sect!"

"Even if becoming allies isn’t possible, let’s not let the conflicts deepen any further!"

"As for the Human Race..."

"As the protagonist designated by Heavenly Dao, at least until the next catastrophe arrives, its luck will continue to increase, we must find a way to establish ties!"

"Now, the prestige of Lie Shan is growing continuously, showing signs of replacing the descendants of Fu Xi, becoming the leader of the Human Race; perhaps marriage could be a good choice!"

Hearing this, Li Huang scoffed: "Marriage? When did my Phoenix Clan become so humble? Do you think the Dragon and Witch Clans would sit back and ignore it?"

She didn’t believe that the Dragon and Witch Clans would want to see Lie Shan and the Phoenix Clan marrying.

Unperturbed, Mysterious Bird spoke in a resolute tone: "For this matter, I have plans! I will ask for a red string of marriage from Lady Nuwa!"

The Phoenix Clan must change!

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