CHAPTER 950: CHAPTER 480: MERIT (PART 2)

Fang Zhixing and the others had no objections.

The attendants immediately made way, pushing aside the passersby, forcefully carving out a narrow path on the crowded street.

Fang Zhixing and his group marched forward, unhurried and composed, unobstructed all the way.

In no time, they reached the Star-picking Tower.

The place was bustling with people forming a long line, and armored guards were patrolling nearby.

"What’s going on? Are these people also here to see the meteor shower?" Gu Xiaoxiao was dumbfounded.

Firefly Fairy gave a meaningful glance to someone beside her.

Immediately, an Upper Immortal protector stepped out from the crowd and swaggered to the end of the long line, suddenly releasing a hint of terrifying pressure.

"Upper Immortal?!"

The cultivators around couldn’t help but look over, their breaths catching.

The guards at the entrance also changed their expressions drastically, receiving him with caution.

Before long, the Upper Immortal protector returned, reporting, "Miss, today there’s an auction being held inside the Star-picking Tower, hosted by Du Wan, who has invited many immortals, including several Upper Immortals."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaoxiao and Zou Yunxiang hesitated, smiling wanly, "Since the place is occupied already, we might as well..."

Firefly Fairy interrupted, "Elder Duan, go tell Du Wan to clear the top floor immediately; I want to watch the stars."

Without any hesitation, the Upper Immortal protector turned and left.

Shortly after, two figures rushed out from inside the building, heading straight to Firefly Fairy.

One was old, the other middle-aged, and they looked remarkably similar.

They were Du Wan and his son Du Feiyun.

Du Wan cupped his hands, "Miss, your presence here is an honor. I apologize for not welcoming you earlier. Please, feel free to reprimand me."

Firefly Fairy said calmly, "Ignorance is no excuse, Uncle Du. Please carry on with your activities. I’m just here to enjoy the meteor shower."

Du Wan smiled, "What are you saying? A mere private auction is nothing compared to Miss enjoying the stars."

Du Feiyun looked at Firefly Fairy with burning eyes, unable to resist speaking, "Miss, the meteor shower won’t occur until late at night. It’s still early now, why not join the auction and see if there are any interesting treasures?"

Firefly Fairy glanced at the sky. It was sunset, the evening glow filling the heavens, so she nodded, "Very well."

"Please, come!" Du Wan and his son enthusiastically led the way.

Fang Zhixing walked slowly, his gaze lingering on Du Wan, scrutinizing him carefully.

Honestly, it was the first time he had ever seen a Merit Immortal!

There wasn’t a trace of calamity on Du Wan; he was an entirely different kind of existence.

Calamity is essentially an upgraded version of fate.

To establish one’s fate is highly related to destiny.

But what exactly was the fundamental difference between the two?

Buzz~

Suddenly, Fang Zhixing’s mind buzzed, and streams of information surged forth, displaying frame after frame.

"This is..."

Fang Zhixing paused his breath—he had received a Memory Inheritance!

He had successfully read a portion of the information contained in that drop of blood!

In the images, there was a wide river, with turbulent waves and fierce winds.

The river mirrored a sky full of stars, with meteors descending from above, and both banks set ablaze, raging fires reflecting off the river.

At this moment, a ship sailed from afar, sometimes drifting with the currents, other times riding the waves.

The image abruptly stopped.

Yet, Fang Zhixing gained countless insights.

"If this river is a river of fate, then the turbulent waves, fierce winds, mountain fires, and meteors are all calamities within the world."

"And that ship is merit, floating upon the river of fate, forging ahead amidst the countless calamities."

"Calamities can be man-made or natural, but merit is always man-made."

"Calamities belong to the Dao of Heaven, while merit belongs solely to the human path."

"Cultivating calamities means cultivating the Dao of Heaven."

"Cultivating merit means cultivating the human path!"

"The Dao of Heaven takes from the excess to make up for the deficiency. Therefore, in the face of calamities, all beings are equal, and everyone has calamities."

"The Dao of man, to diminish the insufficient and benefit the abundant. Therefore, merit is destined to belong to a select few, not everyone has it."

Fang Zhixing exhaled a breath of turbid air, achieving great insight.

"Calamity and merit, like water and boat, water can carry the boat, yet it can also capsize it."

"The boat cannot leave the water, but when merit is perfected, the boat can ride the wind and soar, ascending to the heavens!"

Fang Zhixing’s emotions churned, unconsciously finding himself in the third-floor auction hall.

At this moment, the hall on the first floor was packed to the brim, crowded with people.

The boxes and private rooms on the mezzanine level were similarly filled with distinguished guests.

As the Firefly Fairy suddenly visited, one of the esteemed guests in a box was quietly asked to leave.

"Miss, please have a seat." Du Wan offered with a sycophantic smile, personally serving hot tea.

The Firefly Fairy said, "Uncle Du, you’ve worked hard, please go attend to the guests."

Du Wan and his son excused themselves.

Seeing this situation, Gu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but mutter, "Du Wan is at least an Upper Immortal, right? In our Eight-direction Pavilion, he could be a core elder. Why is he so humble?"

Zou Yunxiang chuckled and said, "Upper Immortals are indeed the pinnacle of strength within the White Light Star Ring, unmatched in dignity. But in our White Light Star Ring, Tribulation Immortals are the majority, while Merit Immortals are in decline, hence they have to keep a low profile."

Gu Xiaoxiao curiously asked, "In other places, are Merit Immortals very strong?"

Zou Yunxiang nodded and said, "My father once said, the entry threshold for a Merit Immortal is lower than that for a Tribulation Immortal, and it is relatively easier to advance. Therefore, as long as conditions are suitable, Merit Immortals can emerge in large numbers.

Actually, in the Mu Chen Immortal Domain, more than half of the places are bustling with humanity, with many powerful Merit Immortals.

In other Immortal Domains, it’s even more remarkable. Humanity holds a dominant position, Merit Immortals reign as kings and emperors, even enslaving Tribulation Immortals."

Gu Xiaoxiao listened, her face full of incredulity.

In no time, the auction officially began, personally hosted by Du Wan.

He opened a brocade box, inside was a misty white mist, emanating a chill.

Upon closer inspection, the box contained a powdery crystalline substance, resembling an ice sculpture in the shape of a flower.

"This first auction item is quite fascinating. It is a ’Frost Flower’ at the Nine Difficulties level of calamity, belonging to the Cold Ice Series, capable of freezing immortals."

Du Wan introduced enthusiastically.

Soon, those seated began shouting bids, raising prices, creating a lively scene.

But the Firefly Fairy, Fang Zhixing, and others, naturally, had no interest in these common items, merely watching the commotion.

One auction item after another was brought out.

"Fellow Daoists, now you are seeing this immortal treasure, which is the highlight of tonight’s auction."

Du Wan spoke eloquently, unveiling a red cloth, instantly revealing an ancient copper mirror.

The crowd craned their necks to look, murmuring among themselves.

"What kind of mirror is this?"

"Just a mere mirror, what’s so peculiar about it?"

"The mirror’s surface is so mottled, it can’t even reflect a face."

...

Inside a box, Fang Zhixing curiously asked, "Can any of you discern the origins of this copper mirror?"

Zou Yunxiang shook his head, responding, "I only noticed that the mottling on the mirror surface is rich in pattern, somewhat familiar, as if it’s a Star Nebula Map."

Gu Xiaoxiao clicked her tongue and said, "Why engrave a Star Nebula Map on a mirror?"

The Firefly Fairy’s eyes flickered, and she suddenly spoke up, "Could it be the ’Star Pupil Mirror’?"

The crowd was bewildered.

Without waiting for the Firefly Fairy to explain, Du Wan laughed heartily and said, "Someone may have already discerned the origins of this copper mirror, let me briefly introduce it.

This item is the ’Star Pupil Mirror’, as the name implies, activating this immortal treasure can turn the surrounding stars into your eyes, the Star Eyes, through which any planet’s outer scenery can be observed."

He said this while placing his hand behind the Star Pupil Mirror, infusing it with an enormous amount of Merit Immortal power.

Suddenly, the Star Pupil Mirror shone brightly, with the Star Sea Map on the mirror surface gleaming.

Du Wan explained, "Wherever the Star Pupil Mirror is placed, it will display the Star Sea Map near that planet, with no limit in range. The more immortal power you input, the larger the Star Sea Map becomes, with no end."

Then, he pointed to Du Wan Star.

The Star Pupil Mirror flashed, a beam of light rose above, from blurred to clear.

Immediately, the crowd saw the quiet starry sky, floating meteorite belts, and some smaller-sized interstellar immortal beasts...