At First, I Really Didn't Plan to Become a Sage Through Merit

Xie Xiu transmigrates into the body of a baby in an immortal cultivation world and is adopted by a nameless old man.

From then on, he resolves to become the greatest evil cultivator under heaven.

"Master, what does the lotus mark on my palm have to do with becoming the greatest evil cultivator under heaven?"

"It's an Ascension Order. As long as you become the greatest evil cultivator under heaven, you'll be able to become an immortal."

"Why is my evil cultivation power golden?"

"That's what high-level evil cultivation power looks like."

"I knew I was exceptionally talented. By the way, Master, I've figured out how to become the greatest evil cultivator under heaven. I've decided to kill every evil cultivator. Then I'll be the only evil cultivator left in the world, which would make me the undisputed greatest evil cultivator under heaven, right?"

"…"

Countless years later.

In the Immortal Realm, Xie Xiu, who calls himself the Evil Immortal Emperor but is known as the Holy Immortal Emperor, arrives holding a soul banner that shines with golden light.

"Oh no, it's the human race's Holy Immortal Emperor! He's about to bring out his Imperial Banner of Humanity!"

Xie Xiu flies into a rage. "You fools! This is the Ten Thousand Souls Banner, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner!!!"

Countless more years later.

Seeing that the lotus mark on his palm is finally full, Xie Xiu laughs with delight. He reaches into the river of time and crosses the ages to bring his master back to life.

"Master, do you see? I've killed every evil cultivator under heaven and become the greatest evil cultivator under heaven."

His master looks at his disciple, whose golden wheel of merit shines through the ages behind his head, whose lotus of merit illuminates the past and future beneath his feet, and whose golden robe of merit encompasses the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. The disciple has attained sainthood through merit, and his master can't help feeling conflicted. "Oh no. I think I tricked him a little too badly back then."