CHAPTER 50: CHAPTER 50: FROM NOW ON, PLEASE CALL ME HE DASHANREN!_1

"Additionally, there’s some good news."

Wang Xiu smiled. "After learning about Landlord He’s charitable deed of slaughtering pigs to aid the disaster victims, the sect elders called a meeting last night. They’ve granted you permission to practice the sect’s cultivation techniques and to enjoy the status of an Outer Sect disciple.

"Of course, all this is contingent upon the continued stable progress of your relief efforts and the successful resettlement of the refugees without any incidents. Otherwise, the status given by the sect can just as easily be withdrawn."

He Daren was stunned.

What the hell! If the praise from the refugees had brought me a fleeting moment of joy, then becoming a disciple of the Sanqing Immortal Sect—even just an Outer Sect disciple—is a joy doubly multiplied! After all, unlike some sects that sell positions for money, the Sanqing Immortal Sect is extremely principled, despite its economic hardships. Disciples of the sect, unless on a mission, are not permitted to simply enter the mortal world and disturb the peace of the common folk. Likewise, wealthy merchants from the towns below can’t buy cultivation techniques.

In this world, cultivation techniques are akin to firearms and explosives from the previous world; they are to be controlled exclusively by cultivation sects. No matter how wealthy a merchant is, they can’t just purchase these techniques, or it would throw everything into chaos. Over hundreds of years, the number of wealthy merchants granted the treatment of an Outer Sect disciple and allowed to practice the Sanqing Immortal Sect’s techniques could be counted on one hand.

I never imagined I’d become one of these lucky individuals—what a delightful surprise! A Qi Refinement Realm cultivator, barring any accidents, can generally live a life free of sickness and calamity to be over a hundred years old. Compared to my own father, who kicked the bucket in his fifties, that’s twice the lifespan! If I’m lucky enough to reach the Foundation Establishment Stage, my lifespan could extend to over two hundred years. As long as I don’t court death, I could enjoy two centuries of glory and riches under the protection of the Sanqing Immortal Sect.

Yup. Outliving seven or eight generations of descendants is absolutely within the realm of possibility! As long as I live, you will all only ever be young masters!

"Senior Brother!" He Daren looked at Wang Xiu, his eyes welling with tears. "I’m so moved! I feel like slaughtering a few thousand more pigs just to calm down."

Are you kidding me? At this rate, this master of his will slaughter all hundred thousand or so pigs sooner or later.

Wang Xiu said resignedly, "Let’s go. Back to He Manor."

Gazing reluctantly at the disaster relief porridge stall, He Daren said, "Senior Brother, why go back to the manor? I want to watch for a while longer."

Wang Xiu rolled his eyes. "Why go back? To bury your father!"

Good grief. The man was so engrossed in his charity work that he had even forgotten about his own father. Wang Xiu couldn’t help but facepalm. If they didn’t find a good place to bury Old Landlord He soon, his body would truly start to grow mold.

---

「Three days passed in the blink of an eye.」

The disaster relief and land reclamation efforts, under the supervision of Wang Xiu and the steward, proceeded in an orderly manner. As for He Daren, he was great at cheering enthusiastically, and he certainly looked cool whenever he pulled out his money.

At dusk, they were at Wangbei Tower.

A luxurious restaurant in eastern Maple City, it was one of the tallest buildings in town. From its railing, one could overlook most of the city’s northern district.

At this moment, inside the largest private room of Wangbei Tower, Wang Xiu and He Daren stood side by side, surveying the north of the city. The previously barren land had been almost completely reclaimed. Countless spirited people were now planting seedlings, sowing seeds, and weeding, their faces full of smiles as the area bustled with activity.

In just three days, they had transformed from malnourished, vacant-eyed refugees into a community of people beaming with enthusiasm and hope for the future. If the bran and coarse rice porridge had given them a chance to live at the cost of their dignity, then the task of reclaiming and planting the land allowed them to earn that dignity back with their own sweat and labor.

Now, not only were their bodies alive, but their Spirits had been rekindled as well!

"Senior Brother," He Daren said, his face filled with reluctance. "Can’t you stay for a few more days? I feel like I’ve learned so much from you. If you leave, I’m afraid I won’t be able to manage all these people."

Wang Xiu shook his head. "The rites are complete, and a senior sister from the sect has been urging me to return. If I delay any longer, I’ll miss my mission deadline. As for the land reclamation in the north, the old steward is overseeing it. Just listen to his advice on all matters."

The steward added, "I will assist you with all my might. Rest assured, young master!"

He Daren corrected him, "It’s Master now!"

Watching the comical duo, one old and one young, Wang Xiu smiled, summoned the Black Tortoise Mirror, and flew out of the restaurant.

However, just as he flew out, preparing to leave, a deafening shout rose from below.

"Farewell, Daoist Master!"

"Farewell, Daoist Master!"

"Farewell, Daoist Master!"

...

Wang Xiu’s body trembled slightly. He looked down and saw that the crowd of people had all stopped their work to gaze up at him. They didn’t kneel. Instead, they formed a Taiji Yin-Yang seal with their hands and bowed in his direction—a gesture that was neither humble nor arrogant, but filled with fervent faith.

At that moment, even Wang Xiu, who prided himself on his steadfast spirit, felt his blood run warm as a comforting heat spread through his chest. He knew that these people had truly come back to life. No, that wasn’t right. They were no longer refugees. They were citizens of Maple City with their own land and hope, indistinguishable from anyone else.

BOOM!

The very moment the hundred thousand people bowed in salute, a muffled thunderclap echoed in the sky. It was followed by the appearance of myriad golden rays of light above the northern district. Bathed in the endless golden radiance, Wang Xiu appeared majestic and flawless, as if he had achieved ascension—a true immortal from the heavens!

The next second, the golden light burst and rained down in droplets, merging into Wang Xiu’s body. In an instant, his cultivation at the Foundation Establishment Eighth Heaven soared, breaking through the Ninth Heaven and pushing even further, stepping into the Core Formation Stage.

Looking at the Nascent Soul spinning smoothly in his Dantian, Wang Xiu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

He had originally thought he would break through to the Core Formation Stage at the Thunder Sect, while listening to that old fellow Ji Yan brag. He never expected to be pushed to the next stage by merit. It was certainly a surprise. However, the amount of merit this time was indeed outrageous, considering he had saved a hundred thousand people. Not only had he saved their lives, but he had also awakened their hope and courage to survive. Such merit was certainly no less than what one would gain from slaying several Golden Core Stage or Nascent Soul Stage demons and monsters, if not even more.

The reason his cultivation level only rose by two minor realms was because increasing one’s cultivation is merely an incidental benefit of merit. Its true function is to enhance one’s aptitude and improve one’s fortune.

"Holy shit!" a cry of astonishment rang out from Wangbei Tower.

Although most of the Merit Rain had been absorbed by Wang Xiu, a small portion had entered the bodies of He Daren and the old steward. The old steward didn’t understand cultivation, but the power of the merit performed a Yi Jing Washing Marrow on him. It would be no problem for it to prolong his life by twenty or thirty years.

As for He Daren, he had only just managed to memorize the Basic Breathing Technique the day before and had not even succeeded in drawing Qi into his body. But at this moment, it was as if he had taken a potent elixir. His cultivation level began to skyrocket.

Qi Refinement First Heaven!

Qi Refinement Second Heaven!

Qi Refinement Third Heaven!

...

His cultivation finally stabilized at the Qi Refinement Sixth Heaven. He felt refreshed, as if filled with boundless energy.

"Don’t stop me!" After feeling the benefits of the merit, He Daren’s eyes turned red with greed. "Slaughter the pigs! We’re going home to slaughter the pigs! We’ll go to the neighboring city to sell meat for disaster relief, following the same process! From now on, don’t call me Landlord He or Master He! Call me He the Great Benefactor!"