Chapter 40: Dividing the Merits

Di Jun, the Eastern Emperor, Fuxi, Nuwa, and the others were each unrivaled prodigies of the primordial world—supreme in bloodline, talent, and origin, all among the very pinnacle of this realm. For such twenty-one mighty beings to join forces in forging a supreme treasure, it was unthinkable that they would create a mere ordinary artifact; this was destined to be extraordinary.

In the blink of an eye, five hundred great aeons passed.

Emperor Cang gazed forward and saw before him a total of three thousand glyphs, each one radiant with resplendent light, emanating boundless mystery and authority, as if they were innate treasures birthed at the dawn of the primordial world, brimming with endless Daoist resonance.

All three thousand characters converged, coalescing in the air into a single bamboo scroll.

The combined might of the twenty-one great beings was inconceivable. The moment the scroll, formed by the three thousand runes, took shape, the void rang out with sounds like rolling thunder—manifestations of the Dao. Auspicious colors spontaneously blossomed in the emptiness, while aloft in the heavens, primordial pure energy gathered and transformed into celestial blossoms and talismanic seals, descending from above. Each celestial blossom was subtly entwined with runes of the Dao, marking them as extraordinary treasures of this world. Across the expanse of land, endless golden lotuses emerged continuously from the depths of the earth.

For a time, celestial flowers rained down, golden lotuses welled up from the ground, and boundless auspicious radiance filled the skies.

The twenty-one mighty beings all looked upward. As they expected, above their heads appeared a dazzling, multicolored cloud of merit, radiating the majestic power of the Great Dao. At the same time, a tranquil and harmonious aura permeated the air.

“A seven-colored cloud of merit?”

Witnessing this spectacle, all twenty-one were visibly moved.

Once they’d recovered from their surprise, each could not help but reveal a look of delight.

For the act of establishing the primordial Daoist script as a collective, it was an epochal deed of incalculable merit, and now, at this very moment, the manifestation of the seven-colored cloud was a clear reward for their achievement.

To be granted such a boon was a blessing none present could ignore.

As they prepared to act in unison to divide the cloud of merit—

Suddenly, before anyone could react, the cloud of merit split into several portions.

The largest portion, still shimmering with faint seven-colored divine light, spontaneously merged into the Great Dao Bamboo Scroll before them.

Of the remaining merit clouds, five portions formed, each a three-colored cloud.

One of these three-colored merit clouds descended directly onto Emperor Cang.

The other four portions were evenly distributed among the remaining twenty-one great beings.

Many of the mighty present saw a three-colored cloud of merit fall upon Emperor Cang and their expressions shifted.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches, Fuxi, and Nuwa were less surprised.

For they understood well that the creation of the Great Dao Bamboo Scroll was in large part due to Emperor Cang’s efforts.

However, the other great beings were astonished.

Who could have imagined that after exerting their utmost to refine such a divine artifact, the merit they received would not even surpass that of a junior from the Wu tribe?

Yet all assembled were lofty beings, understanding well in their hearts that the Dao is fair and impartial. Since the Dao had apportioned merit thus, there must be a reason behind it.

This could only mean that this Wu tribe chieftain before them was far from ordinary.

With this realization, all present regarded Emperor Cang with a newfound gravity and respect.

...

“Fellow beings!” Kunpeng, one of the twenty-one, spoke, his gaze burning as he regarded the Great Dao Bamboo Scroll. “We have all witnessed what just occurred—our joint creation of the three thousand primordial glyphs has brought us immeasurable merit.”

“The merit we have received has been apportioned by the Dao itself; none can dispute this.”

“However,” Kunpeng continued, “the Great Dao Bamboo Scroll we have refined together, from its very inception, has already reached the grade of a top-tier postnatal spirit treasure. Now, having absorbed a seven-colored cloud of merit, though it has not gained the mysterious yellow merit to become a primordial merit treasure, anyone with eyes can see that, among all supreme merit treasures, it is second to none—no lesser than most innate spirit treasures of the highest order.”

“A treasure such as this, naturally, is coveted by all.”

Kunpeng smiled and said, “With twenty-one of us here, to whom should this treasure rightfully belong?”

It had to be said—

Emperor Cang and the Twelve Ancestral Witches had managed to assemble this alliance of gods, but it was fragile at best.

Not everyone’s motives were pure; some harbored their own ambitions, seeking benefit rather than genuinely caring for the fate of the world.

Emperor Cang, however, was unconcerned, having long considered this matter.

He respectfully addressed Kunpeng: “Senior Kunpeng, you may not know—establishing the primordial Daoist script is indeed an act of great merit, but is codifying the laws of the world not also so? If we join forces to refine the Stele of Heavenly Law and use its authority to stabilize the land, surely the merit gained will be no less than what we have just received.”

“Senior Kunpeng may rest assured!”

Kunpeng pondered in silence for a moment, then said, “Even if we do succeed in refining the Stele of Heavenly Law and endless merit descends—”

“That would make two supreme merit treasures.”

Kunpeng shook his head. “But with twenty-one peerless Daoists present, even two treasures are not enough to divide fairly!”

“There is no issue here,” Emperor Cang replied. “Once both merit treasures are complete, we can together appeal to the Great Dao for arbitration. The Dao is impartial; its allocation is surely trustworthy.”

“In addition,” he continued, “should the Dao face difficulty in settling the matter, I have devised a few modest strategies to assist our alliance in gaining further merit. While perhaps not as grand as the founding of script or law, the benefits will be vast and will not disappoint you, Senior Kunpeng.”

“What do my esteemed peers think?”

Di Jun, the Eastern Emperor, and the others, though they coveted the Bamboo Scroll, were not insistent. Upon hearing Emperor Cang suggest Daoist arbitration, they were reassured and relinquished their concerns.

Seeing Kunpeng still intent on competing for the treasure, Di Jun spoke: “Since the Dao will arbitrate, what have we to fear? Let it be settled thus!”

“We shall join forces to refine the Stele of Heavenly Law, and when it is complete, great merit shall descend as well!”