James Carter felt a stir in his heart. This ring was a symbol of heavenly court identity, and it also kept track of merit points. Gaining merit from killing the earth god meant that those rebellious fellows had already taken control of the heavenly court and changed the standards for merit. Killing an enemy would naturally increase merit. However much merit this immortal had in the old heavenly court, now that amount was added to James Carter.

However, several hundred thousand merit points were neither a lot nor a little, and James Carter didn’t pay much attention to it. In this Execution Platform, there were countless prisoners awaiting judgment—wasn’t this a land full of merit?

The second prisoner was brought up, this time a low-ranking soldier of the heavenly court. James Carter didn’t ask about his background, but following the example of the old earth god before, he asked, “Before your body and soul perish, senior, do you have any unfulfilled wishes? Perhaps I can help you accomplish one or two. Of course, as per the rules, what benefit is there for me if I help you?”

“What benefit do you want?” Though just a lowly soldier in the heavenly court, he must have been a renowned figure in the mortal world back in the day, carrying himself with a certain dignity. Facing death, he was exceptionally calm.

“Anything—cultivation techniques, or things you left behind in the mortal, spirit, or immortal realms, all are fine.” James Carter replied indifferently, “You offer a benefit, and I might help fulfill your wish. Fair trade, no deception.”

“What if you take the benefit but fail to fulfill my wish?” The soldier snorted coldly, questioning James Carter.

Chapter 10: What’s in it for me if I execute you? (Part 2)

“All of you are important figures, while I am but a mere mortal. I dare not boast.” James Carter maintained his calm tone, “What I can do, I will try to do; what I cannot, my abilities are limited, and I dare not promise. Besides, you have all entered the immortal registry—once you perish, it’s all over, no hope of reincarnation. The things you leave behind will be forever out of your reach. If you wish to leave something for your descendants, I will not force you—do as you please!”

His voice was not loud, but within the Execution Platform, it was easy for James Carter to make sure everyone heard him. Naturally, everyone present heard his words.

“In that case, I have no unfulfilled wishes. Go ahead!” The heavenly court soldier had no attachments, closed his eyes, and waited for James Carter to act.

“Every grievance has its source, every debt its owner. There’s no enmity between us, past or present. I am simply doing my duty, acting on orders. Forgive me!” James Carter did not insist. He had already made his offer—no guarantee to fulfill wishes, but no compulsion either. If they refused, James Carter would not be angry; after all, once the other died, their life essence would benefit him.

With a crack, the deadly blade flashed, and the heavenly court soldier fell on the Execution Platform. The merit value in the ring only increased by a little over a hundred thousand—apparently, this soldier’s status was even lower than the earth god’s.

But the soldier’s life essence was several times richer than the earth god’s. Absorbing it in one breath and refining it took several times longer than with the earth god. After just two people, James Carter already felt a huge change within his body. As he had expected, killing immortals was thousands of times more effective than killing mortals.

“I’ve roamed the world all my life, with no attachments and no wishes for a mere mortal like you to fulfill. No need for more words—do it!” The third one was very straightforward, not even waiting for James Carter to ask, and spoke up on his own.

“Every grievance has its source, every debt its owner. There’s no enmity between us, past or present. I am simply doing my duty, acting on orders. Forgive me!” The other was straightforward, and James Carter was even more so. He recited the formula, raised his blade, and finished it cleanly and efficiently. Other than adding a few dozen merit points to James Carter and altering his spiritual roots and meridians, nothing else was left behind.

“I have nothing more to say, just that if you have the chance in the future, kill a few more rebels.” The next mountain god was also unwilling to accept his fate. After speaking, he didn’t wait for James Carter to urge him and continued, “Before I ascended, I left a medicinal garden for my descendants. Unfortunately, I left in a hurry and didn’t have time to notify them. I’ll give it to you. It’s on Xiangyang Mountain. I set up a restriction there—you’ll have some trouble getting in.”

“Xiangyang Mountain medicinal garden?” James Carter’s mind stirred slightly, and he replied casually, “The Seven-Step Soul-Confusing Deadly Formation: three steps forward, two steps back, one to the left, one up, seven and a half turns, repeat seven times, water-element spiritual power required to enter, forty-nine steps in total—one misstep and there’s no mercy. Senior left quite a few good things there. Thank you!”

“How do you know?” Hearing James Carter recite it almost word for word, the mountain god could hardly believe his ears. What he thought only he knew was as if unguarded before James Carter—how could he not be shocked?

“I just know!” James Carter knew because two thousand years later, the garden was discovered, and dozens of Nascent Soul experts from a mid-tier sect died before someone finally got in using this method. Of course, James Carter wouldn’t explain this to the mountain god, but continued, “After ascending, unless you’re willing to sacrifice your cultivation and fall in rank, no one can send such a message to the lower realm. Senior, I promise this medicinal garden will not be neglected any longer. Rest assured!”

“The incantation to collect it is…” The mountain god stared at James Carter in astonishment and recited the incantation.

“Thank you, senior!” James Carter bowed in thanks once again.