Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 665: The Meritorious Deeds Industrial Era, Helping You Become an Immortal Without Worries_1

"Extra! Extra! The Lingyuan Hermit has once again launched the Automatic Muyu Virtue Works Machine. Each strike can earn you 1 virtue point!"

"Rumor had it that the Lingyuan Hermit had kicked off the second Virtue Reform. The Virtue Boundless Release Life Machine has gone into increased production, providing up to 1 virtue point per second to the entire clan at its fastest."

"The latest 'Metaverse concept' was here, with virtual virtues such as electronic incense burning and electronic sky worshiping soon to be funded."

This was an era of virtue, especially after someone gave it a significant push. Within just a few decades, it had entered an era where everyone practiced Cultivation.

Cultivators who originally cultivated mana became the discarded relics of the old era, while Cultivators of the new era, those who cultivated virtue, took center stage.

The reason for their obsolescence was simple. Firstly, the 'Complete Evil to Complete Good Skill' was widespread; anyone literate could cultivate it. Secondly, there were no entry barriers. More importantly, requirements for aptitude, resources, and so on, no longer existed.

In the past, the resources consumed daily by a single Jie-crossing Period Cultivator would have been enough to sustain a small Sect for hundreds of years. Without sufficient resources, one's Cultivation level could not improve. Even with ample resources, if one's aptitude was lacking, breaking through by simply amassing resources was impossible.

Cultivating virtue was different. As long as you underwent the Cross-robbery and possessed enough virtue, you didn't have to worry about being unable to improve your abilities. The trials of the Cross-robbery were related to one's virtue and strength. The higher the virtue, the simpler the trials would be. Of course, the greater one's strength, the more severe the trials would be. However, for those cultivating virtue, virtue was equivalent to strength. This typically caused the trials to be in their simplest form. So, unless one was actively courting death, basically no Cultivators (of virtue) would die from these trials.

As for the entry-level trials, they were usually mundane tasks like sweeping floors and chopping wood—very simple. This had led to the proliferation of Cultivators (of virtue) throughout the Qiandao Realm.

Moreover, because of the accumulation needed by these new Cultivators (of virtue), coupled with their far greater spellcasting abilities compared to the traditional Cultivators (of mana), the productivity of the Qiandao Realm had exploded.

Originally, everyone focused on combat spells, so all spell points were concentrated on offensive, defensive, and corresponding combat skill trees. Later, when virtue became the mainstream, everyone discovered that activities like maintaining ecological balance and assisting animals and plants could also yield virtue, and even count as trials. After that, more abstract methods emerged. Concepts like animal protection and plant conservation came to the fore, proving quite effective for "brushing" virtue. This had led to all sorts of productivity-increasing spells being developed, such as the Mother Pig Care Magic, which could prevent sows from having difficult labor.

As the saying goes, "Heaven and earth are ruthless, treating all creatures as straw dogs." So, in theory, delivering and caring for piglets were also considered good deeds. Rescuing and releasing creatures could also earn virtue points. Although capturing and then releasing would increase one's sin-force, they only accounted for virtue, not sin-force.

Therefore, Wang Linchi had created a series of bizarre virtue-brushing machines. As long as you purchased a technology patent from him—that is, a spell program—everyone could become a tycoon with nine-digit virtue. Not to mention Merit-golden Light; given time, even a Virtue Golden Body could be "brushed" out.

The Qiandao Realm indeed did not have much liquid capital, but it could incur debt and draw on credit. Anyway, with this setup, even a newborn infant was guaranteed to be a Golden Core Stage Cultivator (of virtue) at a minimum. As for Cultivators at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, hundreds had already emerged. They were currently executing a grand plan: for the Qiandao Realm to impact the Green Nether Fairyland.

Everyone knew one thing: the Green Nether Fairyland was undoubtedly the domain of traditional Cultivators (of mana). Therefore, if these Cultivators (of virtue) from the Transcendance Tribulation Stage were to ascend, they would certainly be considered outliers.

So, under Wang Linchi's deliberate guidance, the Tao Tian League conceived a brilliant plan: to bring the entire Qiandao Realm with them upon ascension. This way, their Cultivators (of virtue) could band together for mutual support, and if they could buy enough time, they could rapidly advance by accruing virtue.

The idea was very good, but the problem was that implementing this grand plan required sufficient funding. The funds could only be virtue; what else could they possibly be?

"Lingyuan Hermit, what do you think about the Tao Tian League's renewed invitation for you to join them, with the promise that you would be directly appointed as an Elder if you accept?" a reporter from Pheme News asked.

"Well, I can only say that I am unworthy of such honor. Although the things I have invented have provided some insignificant help to the Cultivators in the Qiandao Realm, it's the Tao Tian League that truly provides them guidance, especially the Ascension Plan, which has lifted the ceiling for all Cultivators," Wang Linchi said, appearing to shift all credit to the leadership while implicitly rejecting the invitation to join the Tao Tian League.

The reporter pressed further, "What are your thoughts on the Ascension Plan?"

"That is naturally a turning point for us in the Qiandao Realm. We are currently capped at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, but we clearly have the potential to aim higher. Why should we limit ourselves here? So, I am completely in favor of the Ascension Plan proposed by the Tao Tian League," Wang Linchi said with a smile. "That's precisely why I sell all the Virtue Works Magical Tools and spell series I manufacture at cost price through the Tao Tian League, so that everybody can possess them."

This made the reporter nod. After flipping through his notes, he asked, "However, some people criticize you, Lingyuan Hermit, for intentionally profiteering. They argue that if you truly want to benefit all Cultivators, the Virtue Series of magical artifacts and spells should be distributed for free."

"I initially had that thought as well," Wang Linchi's expression turned solemn before he continued, "But I discovered that such an act would leave me without sufficient funds to continue developing new Virtue Series."

"What they are doing is not purchasing, but donating. If those critics are willing to swear a great ethical vow, to pour everything they have into providing the research and development funds I need, then I would gladly distribute them for free, provided the funding is sufficient." Wang Linchi was masterful at deflecting moral blackmail; he simply used ethics to counter-blackmail them.

"As for any other reasons they might have, they are all insufficient. The benefits my Virtue Series have brought to Cultivators are evident to everyone. What do you think would happen if development ceased due to a lack of funds?" Wang Linchi asked again.

"From my perspective, if you, Lingyuan Hermit, hadn't had sufficient funds for research and development after the first Virtue Works Magical Tool, I believe the virtue I receive daily from the hang up feature would be less than one percent of what it is now," the reporter replied without hesitation.

"Exactly. So, is there any issue with me selling the Virtue Series of magical artifacts and spells at low prices to obtain the necessary research and development funds?" Wang Linchi asked once more.

"There's no problem at all," the reporter responded, finding Wang Linchi's reasoning sound. He then checked his notes and said, "Today's interview must come to an end. Do you have anything else to say, Lingyuan Hermit?"

"Hahaha, I can only wish everyone more and more virtue, a smooth progression for the Tao Tian League's Ascension Plan, and continued success for Pheme News," Wang Linchi declared heartily.

"Then, thank you for your blessings, Lingyuan Hermit." After speaking, the reporter began to pack his things, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then rose to leave.

"Let me see you out," Wang Linchi said, politely escorting him.

After the reporter left, Wang Linchi sat back down and drained the cup of tea he had been drinking.

Phew~ With more people, there are always some odd ones about. Wang Linchi had long known that some people were targeting him, but he paid them no mind. After all, with the development of the Virtue Career System, it was natural for some to covet his Virtue Series and wish to seize it. However, he was now a Cultivator at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, so those envious individuals dared not act directly. Thus, they resorted to indirect pressure tactics like manipulating public opinion and leveraging their influence.

With its development, the Qiandao Realm had become somewhat similar to a modern society, though only in likeness, not a true transformation, as it still adhered to the rule of the strong.

There are always some ungrateful people in the Tao Tian League fixated on creating a monopoly. If it weren't for the fact that those at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage are preoccupied with the Ascension Plan, they probably would have been crushed long ago.

Indeed, the individuals envious of Wang Linchi's Virtue Series creations were primarily certain second-generation figures within the Tao Tian League. They perceived Wang Linchi as merely a Cultivator at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage with no backing, and thus schemed to cunningly acquire his creations by leveraging the formidable reputation of the Tao Tian League and the influence of their elders. Outright robbery was something they wouldn't dare attempt; if exposed, and Wang Linchi killed them, even the upper echelons of the Tao Tian League wouldn't dare to protest.

They believed their actions were very covert and well concealed, but Wang Linchi saw through their machinations completely. However, Wang Linchi was actually leveraging this internal conflict within the Qiandao Realm to mitigate some drawbacks of the Virtue Career System.