Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Inside the Lucid-Drizzle Fairy Wall.

Just after passing the trial.

Zhang Jing realized that the scenery before his eyes changed abruptly.

An indescribable fresh and ethereal fragrance was faintly hovering around his nose.

Resounding next to his ears were the sonorous sounds of spectral animals and magical deer, crisp and melodious, as if it was a beautiful melody that should not exist in the human world.

This is---

Zhang Jing couldn't help but look around.

Suddenly, his gaze froze.

He saw a large leaderboard, displaying thousands of names, densely packed.

In just a moment.

Zhang Jing reacted.

This should be the well-known True Spirit List.

His expression became serious instantly, scanning the list bit by bit.

[First: Wan Shan (Nine Auspice Daoist Institute)]

[Second: Lai Feiyun (Hidden Origin Daoist Institute)]

...

[Two hundred and seventy-sixth: You Yuanming (Dragon Lake Dao Institute)]

...

[One thousand seven hundred and thirteenth: Nong Xingzhou (Dragon Lake Dao Institute)]

...

Zhang Jing looked from the top to the bottom of the list, when finding the names of two Senior Brothers from the Dragon Lake Dao Institute, his face unconsciously showed a hint of surprise.

Not because of his Senior Brothers' rankings,

But because of the number of Dao Institutes displayed here - over a thousand.

"Over a thousand nations like Nanli! And if talking about territory, Nanli alone is comparable to the largest countries in my previous life. And surely, there must be Dao Institutes without disciples on the list!"

"What about the Upper Realm?"

"How big... is this world exactly?"

...

Luodu Island.

Outside Cave No. 23 West.

Usually, this place is quiet since not many people pass by.

But today,

The situation is completely different.

Hundreds of figures in green robes are neatly standing in the open space in front of the cave, their loud noises unending.

Despite waiting here for several hours.

Without exception,

The expressions on these people's faces are not only without a trace of impatience, they're rather filled with excitement and anticipation, their eyes blazing like fire.

At the front of the crowd,

Six team leaders, headed by Senior Brother Li, stand quietly, their eyes full of anticipation.

Behind them,

Several dozen squad deacons are standing equally quietly.

Zhang Yangchu, as well as the familiar Senior Brother Yan, are among them.

Next to Senior Brother Li, there is a giant white deer lying down.

"I heard that Senior Brother Zhang Jing surpassed many Inner Academy brothers in a Secret Realm this time. He's really a well-deserved Chief of the Thousand Law Pavilion!"

"It's more than that, I heard over eight hundred Inner Academy brothers from three Daoist Institutes were all suppressed by Senior Brother Zhang Jing."

"How come I heard it's over thirteen hundred Inner Academy brothers?"

"I heard Brother Zhang is handsome."

"Does Senior Brother Zhang Jing have a Tao Monk?"

The whispering voices reached Lu 38's ears, sounding like thousands of bees buzzing. Yet, it didn't find it annoying at all.

Lu 38 heard everything clearly.

All of these voices were praising their master.

Although it could not understand what exactly these people were saying, it understood one thing.

That is, their master did something great this time.

Even someone said that their master is the future number one person in the Inner Academy!

Thinking about this,

Lu 38 squints his eyes happily.

Having been in the Dao Institute for a while, it had grown into a knowledgeable deer. It naturally understood what the Inner Academy meant.

That's where the respected immortals reside!

Entities powerful enough to change the course of rivers and move mountains with a single thought.

And their master will be the leader of these powerful entities in the future.

So, as Lu 38, the first deer under the master, how prestigious would it be by then?

At this moment,

Lu 38 felt extremely fortunate about the wise decision he made back then to beg the master to take him as a mount, and revered his own brilliant decision to kneel in a crucial moment.

This kneel!

It directly kneels out a bright future for him, kneels out an honor to the ancestors.

...

Time slowly passed.

A bright rainbow light filled with immense momentum streaked across the sky. After appearing to detect something, it abruptly halted in midair before slowly descending in front of the crowd.

The rainbow light dissipated.

Revealing a figure in a purple robe this was Zhang Jing.

All of a sudden its as if the whole crowd in front of the cave dwelling was muted. Surprised glances rained down on Zhang Jing like a heavy shower.

In a purple robe? That's the Inner Academy!

"Senior Brother Zhang Jing... welcome back to Luodu Island."

Upon seeing the purple robe on Zhang Jing, Senior Brother Li's face stiffened drastically, then quickly returned to normal as he hastily greeted him, with a somewhat restrained tone.

He originally wanted to say 'welcome home.'

But the purple robe representing his status in the Inner Academy, did not allow Senior Brother Li to utter the word 'home.'

That's because his status had changed.

The next moment...

The others also reacted, each of them echoing:

"Welcome, Senior Brother Zhang Jing, back to Luodu Island."

Their voices called out reverberating in the air.

Seeing this...

A hint of embarrassment surfaced on Zhang Jing's face.

Such a grand show was made that was quite out of line with his usual low-key style.

Shaking his head...

Zhang Jing reluctantly spoke up, his gentle voice softly ringing in everyone's ears, giving them a warm and comfortable feeling.

"Junior Brothers, there's no need for such a fuss."

This time, Zhang Jing didn't insist on being addressed as Senior Brother.

As right now, every word and deed of his represented the Inner Academy.

...

As time slowly passed...

The members of the Luodu squad gathered here began to disperse one by one, each of them wearing proud expressions.

At this moment...

Everyone had an intense premonition:

The day when their Luodu squad would top the Outer Academy was not far!

Right now...

"Senior Brother Zhang, are you planning on leaving Luodu Island now that you're back?"

Senior Brother Li asked thoughtfully.

Zhang Jing nodded, smiling.

"Yes. By tradition, the Dao Institute has assigned me a special cultivated Immortal Island, near Senior Brother You's island. If Junior Brother Li needs anything in the future, you can find me there."

Upon hearing these words...

Senior Brother Li's eyes lit up, and he bowed deeply to Zhang Jing, gratefully saying,

"On behalf of all the members of the Luodu squad, I express our gratitude for your care."

Senior Brother Li wasn't a child.

He obviously understood what Zhang Jing meant and the weight behind his words.

From now on, the greatest backing for their Luodu squad would be this future "Chief of Dragon Lake" in front of them!

"Junior Brother Li, you're being too polite, the Luodu squad has done me a great favor, it is fitting that I return the favor."

Zhang Jing responded with a smile.

"Well, Senior Brother Zhang, I have an impudent request."

Senior Brother Li looked at Zhang Jing, seeming somewhat embarrassed.

"You can just speak straightforwardly, Junior Brother Li, there's no need for formalities between us."

"I would like to name your current cave dwelling after you, Senior Brother Zhang, and keep it open for all the Outer Academy disciples to admire."

Having said this, he anxiously glanced at Zhang Jing.

"That's something that already belongs to the Luodu squad, Junior Brother Li, you can make your own decision about it." Zhang said, completely indifferent.

He knew very well what Junior Brother Li was hinting at, but... it didn't matter.

"Th... thank you for your grace, Senior Brother..."

Having received his consent, Senior Brother Li was so excited that he didn't know what to do, stuttering out words of thanks.

He couldn't believe it...

That his somewhat impertinent request was actually agreed to.

...

Only after Senior Brother Li had left...

Did Lu Thirty-Eight finally rise to his feet, his large eyes brimming with anticipation.

"Master, master, you now have an entire Immortal Island? Can I plant my spiritual medicines there?"

As his voice fell...

A faint smile appeared in Zhang Jing's gaze.

"Of course you can. I might even consider getting you a doe if you wanted."

Upon hearing this...

Lu Thirty-Eight first nodded excitedly, immediately followed by an intense shake of his head.

"Master, I don't want a doe, absolutely not! The Immortal Island must be huge, and as a single deer, I can't take care of everything. What if the doe steals and eats my spiritual medicines when I'm not paying attention?"

"We can't have that. Absolutely not!"

"You..." Zhang Jing couldn't help but hold his forehead, "Alright, alright, quickly go pack your things, we're moving to the Immortal Island today."