Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

A month and a half later.

On the pinnacle of Tongtian Mountain.

The mysterious sky is within reach.

The biting wind howls like a knife, relentlessly slashing at the rocks as hard as iron.

The harsh environment leaves no room for any life to exist.

However, at this very moment.

A flash of light passes by.

Zhang Jing's figure suddenly appears.

The violent wind hits him, yet it feels like a spring breeze caressing his face, only able to softly rustle his sleeves and a few strands of his black hair.

The Jade Talisman emerges before his eyes.

[Taoyin Sea Dragon Tao Intent (83/1000)]

A complex expression appears on Zhang Jing's face.

Two months!

He didn't expect that he would stay in the seventh void for a full two months.

"As the level of the void increases, although the speed of obtaining the spiritual pith drastically improves, the strength of the Spirit Gods guarding the ladder to ascend to the heavens also becomes increasingly terrifying."

"Perhaps, the time spent in the subsequent voids will be longer. I hope that the legacy I sensed before is in the ninth void."

Zhang Jing muttered inwardly.

Somehow.

At this moment, he was suddenly unsure about reaching the tenth void.

"Should I increase the experience value of my Pure Yuan Breath Visualization Method first? Once this skill transforms into Dharma Seeds, the effectiveness will be far superior. By then, the speed of understanding Tao Intent should greatly increase."

Zhang Jing's eyes flicker slightly.

However, thinking of the spiritual pith needed for this process--

I'll think about it again after reaching the eighth void.

He dismissed the idea.

With his current rate of obtaining spiritual pith, there's simply not enough for the River of Time Golden Sand needed to upgrade his skills.

All of it needs to be devoted to understanding the Tao intent of the Taoyin Sea Dragon.

Otherwise, it would just be wasting months of time.

It's no wonder Zhang Jing is so cautious.

After all, there're only six months left till the mini-void of the Ten Thousand Gods closes.

Regaining his senses.

He takes another look at the majestic Tongtian Mountain.

It's a pity that I've been here for two months and haven't seen even one senior from the inner institute.

Zhang Jing looks at the Spirit Pith Board, which clearly shows that there are seventy-nine internals in the seventh void.

"It must be because this Tongtian Mountain is too big."

Zhang Jing thought regretfully.

The next moment.

A tens of fathoms long dark Sea Dragon appeared and flew straight towards the ninth ladder not far away.

...

Time passes slowly.

Calm is restored to the seventh void's ladder of ascension.

The dark Sea Dragon had disappeared without a trace.

Suddenly out of nowhere.

As if coordinated, numerous presences appear in various corners of the Tongtian.

Counting, there are exactly seventy-nine.

Halfway up the mountain.

Looking at the Sea Dragon's powerful aura disappearing, a man in a purple robe breathes a sigh of relief, the relieved smile on his face evident.

"Phew~ Finally gone. No need to worry about awkwardness anymore."

"With the need to conceal my aura and hunt Demon Spirits during these two months, the feeling of being restrained was rather uncomfortable."

That's right.

Even before Zhang Jing had entered the seventh void.

The various disciples of the inner institute here noticed his unusual progress on the ladder of ascension and were naturally worried about how to face him once he entered the seventh void.

Being able to enter the seventh void already demonstrates their strength.

Even the worst amongst them have comprehended three to four perfect Taoism Rhymes and are individuals that other inner institute members would have to address as "Senior Brother" when they see them.

If they run into Junior Brother Zhang Jing, wouldn't that be awkward?

It could even potentially affect their Dao Heart.

As a result.

Someone ingeniously came up with a method:

If he really enters the seventh void, everyone simply hides a bit, out of sight, out of mind!

At most, the efficiency of hunting Demon Spirits would be slightly lower.

This is why Zhang Jing could not see any of his inner institute senior brothers.

It's not because Tongtian Mountain is too big.

It's simply because they didn't want to see him.

...

And right now.

The Eighth Void Heaven.

The place of the Heavenly Ascension Stairs.

Two bright rays of light flash into existence, flickering rapidly.

The light gradually fades.

Revealing two figures in purple robes standing quietly. Their faces belong to none other than Liu Lizhi of the Legacy Pavilion and Yang Bai of the Thousand Law Pavilion.

"Junior Brother Zhang Jing will be here soon," Liu Lizhi says with a smile.

A thought clearly strikes him.

His gaze becomes complex, layered.

Anticipation, melancholy, and a trace of regret intertwine, a maelstrom of emotions leading to profound reflections.

In contrast.

Yang Bai next to him looks overjoyed.

He was the one who advocated contacting Zhang Jing earliest, inviting him to join the Thousand Law Pavilion.

Looking at it now, how wise that decision was!

What?

Junior Brother Zhang Jing didn't take the path of Array Symbols, but of the True Law Path?

Does that matter?

As long as he belongs to their Thousand Law Pavilion, it's good enough.

"Six more months. Let's see how far Junior Brother Zhang Jing can go!"

Yang Bai thinks to himself.

He's no longer surprised at Zhang Jing's ability to reach the Eighth Void Heaven—instead, he's filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Just how far can this monstrous junior brother go?

Soon after.

A dark sea dragon breaks violently through the void, gradually appearing in the Eighth Void Heaven.

"Taoyin Sea Dragon Tao Intent!"

Seeing this scene,

The same thought flashes through both Liu Lizhi's and Yang Bai's minds.

The next moment.

The two stride forward to meet it, without needing to coordinate.

"Junior Brother Zhang Jing, it's been a long time."

"Junior Brother Zhang Jing, welcome to the Eighth Void."

On the other side.

Zhang Jing seals away the Five Treasures Ling River, unwittingly follows the voices, and a faint smile forms on his face.

"Junior Brother pays his respects to Senior Brother Liu."

Having said that,

He turns towards the other figure in a purple robe.

Before Zhang Jing can speak, he hears the man jovially introducing himself:

"Junior brother, I've long been admiring you. I am Senior Brother Yang Bai, it was me who sent Junior Brother Qiu to invite you to join the Thousand Law Pavilion."

So this is the situation.

A flash of understanding crosses Zhang Jing's mind.

"Junior Brother pays his respects to Senior Brother Yang."

Seeing this, Yang Bai quickly steadies Zhang Jing by the arm, kindly saying:

"Junior Brother, you are being too formal. We are of equal status. In the future, I will have to call you Chief Senior Brother."

"Haha, Junior Brother Zhang Jing, there's no need to be so courteous. Your presence in the Eighth Void Heaven is enough for us to be considered equals. As Junior Brother Yang said, it's us taking advantage if anything."

Liu Lizhi chimes in.

Zhang Jing, unable to win the argument, helplessly agrees to the requests of the two senior brothers.

After some pleasantries,

Finally.

With the guidance of the two senior brothers,

Zhang Jing heads straight for the gathering place of the Dragon Lake Dao Institute.

He had originally thought of trying his luck at the Heavenly Ascension Stairs first, but he had to give up on it.

There would be plenty of opportunities later on.

...

Time passes leisurely.

Another month goes by in a blink.

In some continuous mountain range.

Roar!

A fierce roar abruptly sounds, igniting transparent, ripple-like waves that sweep all around, peeling back a thick layer of the ground to reveal the rough, bizarre stones beneath.

The ancient trees that cover the sky in the forest collapse thunderously.

Following the sound,

It is a Barbarian Bear Demon Spirit, standing upright like a small hill, emitting an intimidating aura.

The bear's eyes glimmer with an eerie light, and every strand of the hair covering its body gleams crimson red.

"Haha, what good luck Junior Brother Zhang has! When it's your turn, it's a treasure-bearing demon spirit!"

Across from the Barbarian Bear Demon Spirit.

Liu Lizhi bursts into hearty laughter.