Chapter 36: Merits and Virtues of Demon Removal, Goodness and Good Fruit

As they spoke, they saw Emperor Jun and Tai Yi approaching from outside.

Upon seeing the Three Pure Ones, Emperor Jun smiled and said, “Fellow Daoist Taiqing, since parting at the Purple Heavenly Palace, your Dao has advanced.”

“Fellow Daoist Di Jun is too polite. Has your cultivation not also improved greatly? Moreover, this current purification of demonic Qi is an undertaking of great merit. Once the demonic qi is fully cleansed, I believe that when the heavens bestow merit, Fellow Daoist will also ascend further in cultivation.” Laozi stroked his beard as he replied with a calm smile.

“Haha, indeed. The demonic qi is like a lingering illness plaguing the Flood. Removing it benefits all living beings. When the time comes, Heaven shall rain down merit and virtue, and all of us may share in the blessing,” Di Jun said frankly, not attempting to conceal his intentions.

With a few more pleasantries exchanged, they walked into the compound together.

…

Xuan Qing listened quietly, slowly realizing that purging demonic qi was indeed a great meritorious deed.

He turned to Tongtian and asked, “Senior Uncle… does purging the demonic qi, and eliminating remnants of the Demon Race, all grant merit and virtue?”

“Naturally,” Tongtian replied. “Anything that benefits the Floodwasteland earns merit. Demonic qi corrupts the land, and devilish cultivators are a blight upon it. Slaying them and cleansing the land of their taint brings great virtue. That is why so many guests from the Purple Heaven, and even scattered cultivators, have rushed to the West. It is an opportunity for immense merit.”

Only then did Xuan Qing understand why so many cultivators had gathered. The true reason was the prospect of merit. This time, those at the heart of the undertaking were East Wanggong and West Wangmu. One discovered the demonized dragon vein, the other purified it, thus striking at the root of the demonic qi.

Alongside them, Di Jun, Tai Yi, and the moon goddess Xi He and her companions formed the second core group. As incarnations of the Great Sun and Tai Yin and wielders of the Sun and Moon Essence Wheels, they were capable of purifying vast regions of demonic qi.

These figures were the pillars of the current campaign. The remnants of the Demon Race and the devil cultivators born from the demonic qi were the source of merit for the many scattered cultivators and Purple Sky Guests. By hunting them, one could obtain virtue.

Xuan Qing’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Merit… so it is truly merit…”

“What is it? Do you wish to obtain merit?” Tongtian teased, eyes glinting. “Then you must do three things: First, purify the demonized dragon vein. Second, cleanse the demonic qi. Third, slay devil cultivators and demonic beasts. Only by undertaking these tasks can one earn merit. Well then, little Xuan Qing… which path will you choose?”

Xuan Qing responded with joy, “Senior Uncle, I can purify demonic qi. When I entered the Western lands just now, the air was thick with demonic miasma. But the Purification Gourd in my body emitted a divine light that dispersed it. I can use this gourd to cleanse the demonic aura and earn merit!”

He was visibly elated. He had not expected the Purification Gourd, born from the gourd vine, to possess the power to purify demonic qi, nor that doing so would earn virtue.

It was now clear why Laozi had sighed in reflection when the gourd was first conceived—why he had hinted that this was Heaven’s way of returning a favor. Back then, Xuan Qing had not understood, but now, seeing the demonic miasma engulfing the West, he finally grasped the significance of this “chance.”

Laozi, stroking his beard again, nodded in satisfaction. “Disciple, you saved the dying gourd vine with great effort, restored its origin, and gave it new life. That kindness has now borne good fruit. The Purification Gourd, it birthed is a treasure capable of purifying demonic qi. This alone grants you great merit. However, the gourd, though powerful, is but one tool. Against the vast sea of demonic qi, it is still limited. How much merit you gain depends on how well you wield it.”

Xuan Qing lowered his head, then looked up and said, “Master… what if I give the Purification Gourd to you? With your cultivation, you could purify even more demonic qi and gain more merit.”

Laozi smiled gently. “Silly child. Your filial piety moves your Master. But against the ever-rising tide of demonic qi, the gourd’s power alone cannot reverse the tide. Even if I held it, the difference would be slight. Moreover, I have little use for further merit. You should keep it and purify as much demonic qi as you can. This is your opportunity, your journey.”

At these words, Xuan Qing fell silent. At last, he nodded in understanding.

…

In the blink of an eye, several years passed.

Xuan Qing gradually grew familiar with the compound. He relied on the Purification Gourd daily, absorbing and cleansing demonic qi.

However, no matter how much he purified, the rate of demonic qi generation far outpaced his efforts. What he had cleansed over the years was but a drop in the ocean compared to the boundless corruption still spreading across the West.

It was then that he understood his Master’s earlier words. Even if Laozi himself used the gourd to its utmost, it could not stem the flow of demonic qi released by the demonized dragon vein. Worse still, devil cultivators were constantly corrupting healthy veins, spawning new sources of filth.

Thus, this was no simple purification—it was a battle. A continuation of the Dao-Demon war.

Only by annihilating the devil cultivators, destroying the remnants of demonic sects, and purging the demonized dragon veins could the land truly be cleansed. These, however, were far beyond the ability of a single gourd to accomplish.

So Xuan Qing followed the larger forces, contributing what he could. Though his role was small, he still accumulated merit bit by bit.

In truth, he was fortunate. With the Purification Gourd, he only needed to cleanse qi from a safe distance. In contrast, many scattered cultivators had no such treasure. They were forced to venture into the heart of the demonic aura, risking their lives to slay corrupted cultivators for the sake of merit.

Many perished. Even a few Purple Sky Guests had fallen amidst the tainted lands.

…

Now, as Xuan Qing sat recovering his strength and circulating his essence, he was suddenly stirred by a sharp hissing sound and a surge of malignant aura.

A thick wave of demonic qi swept through the compound.

On high alert, Xuan Qing called out, “Uncle Yuanshi… Devil cultivators! They are attacking!”