Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Shang Yuan Qing Jing Cave Heaven.

Inside an immortal island cave mansion.

A not-so-spacious meeting room, which at the moment, is packed with dozens of people, giving it an overcrowded feel.

Among them, five cultivators in the Dharma Phase Realm emanate terrifying auras like a deep abyss.

An atmosphere of heaviness quietly diffuses.

However.

Behind the crowd.

A young man draped in a golden robe, a slight hint of pride on his face, has a faint trace of excitement gleam in his eyes.

A marked contrast to the expressions on the others' faces.

In the depths of his consciousness.

A voice suddenly rings out.

"Master, am I really able to participate in the Jiaoyun Realm event that my senior brothers mentioned earlier? Isn't it too soon?"

"After all, I've only been in the Upper Realm for less than forty years. It's been said that those who take part in the Secret Realm battle have each polished their talents in the Foundation Establishment Realm for one to two hundred years, making them incredibly terrifying."

The voice falls.

A phantom glow lights up momentarily.

In the end, an image of an elderly man, with only half his body visible, crystallizes.

"Under my guidance, you have successfully integrated the Tao Intent of the Five Elements into the Aurora Primordial Magnetic Dao Foundation, giving birth to a trace of the destructive force of the five elements' magnetic yin and yang. This makes you unmatched in the Foundation Establishment Realm, if not the strongest."

"You are guaranteed a spot in the top ten, possibly even taking first place!"

The elderly man's image speaks.

A hint of pride seeping through his aged voice.

"What about the All Heavens Beasts lineage? It's said that they will have talented cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm participating."

The young man inquires with doubt.

"They're all creatures that use their fur and horns, and hatch from wet eggs. What's there to be afraid of?"

"My disciple, you have already reached the limit in the Foundation Establishment Realm. This Jiaoyun Realm conflict is an excellent opportunity to seize a massive amount of luck movement resources to fuel your future Golden Core cultivation. You mustn't miss out."

The image of the elderly man advises in a deep voice.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master."

Upon hearing this, a torrent of ambition surges in the young man's heart.

At this moment.

The silence in the cave mansion is abruptly shattered.

"Junior brothers, how should we handle the Jiaoyun Realm this time?"

The cultivator who leads them in the Dharma Phase Realm asks, his handsome, dignified face revealing a hint of helplessness.

"Senior brother, that Ge Qingshen could have participated in the Jiaoyun Realm last time, but he was forcibly restrained by the Heavenly Realm Lineage, forced to polish his skills for another hundred years, a clear indication of his ambition. If he returns from this competition as the champion of the Foundation Establishment Realm, attracting the attention of the True Monarchs..."

Another Dharma Phase Realm cultivator shakes his head, sighing with difficulty:

"However, the Nine Domains Lineage hasn't got a talented cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Realm who can compete with him. The Heavenly Realm Lineage might take advantage again."

"While we, the disciples of the Cave Heaven, may not be too concerned, the same can't be said for the disciples of the Nine Domains Lineage from the various Blessed Lands and the Dharma World below."

But just then.

The young man in the gold robe suddenly stands up, his look of pride replaced by a profound self-assurance.

"Dear senior brothers, I am willing to go to the Jiaoyun Realm this time to meet Ge Qingshen!"

The cave mansion becomes abruptly silent.

Scores of eyes, some surprised, some disapproving, some amused, focus on the young man who's just stood up.

"Junior Brother Qu."

The first Dharma Phase cultivator's face reveals a complicated expression as he tries to console:

"We appreciate your intention, but it's better to wait."

"Whether it's you or Junior Brother Zhang Jing from the Chi Ming Tai Hao Cave Heaven, you've only just started cultivating in the Cave Heaven. How can you possibly compete with Ge Qingshen? Each cultivator has only one opportunity to enter the Secret Realm during the Foundation Establishment Realm, you shouldn't waste it."

Upon hearing this.

The confidence on the young man's face doesn't waver.

He replies with a strong voice:

"Senior brother, I am confident!"

In the course of the conversation.

A trace of the destructive force of the five elements' magnetic yin and yang slowly emerge from his brow.

...

Meanwhile.

Dognming Blessed Land.

Inside a certain cave mansion.

A young Taoist with a profound aura was looking solemnly at the figure sitting quietly across from him.

Time gradually lapsed.

Seeing the calm expression on the face of the other, the young Taoist couldn't help but nod his head with a satisfied look in his eyes.

An excellent temperament!

Well-deserving of his attention.

"Junior Brother You, prepare yourself. The Jiaoyun Secret Realm is about to open. I'll take you there to gain some insight and observe the prowess of the most monstrous talents in the Foundation Establishment Realm and Golden Core Realm of our Mysterious Yellow World."

"The Jiaoyun Secret Realm?" You Yuanming asked in confusion.

This was the first time he had heard of this name.

"That's right. Remember when I told you not to rush to break through to the Golden Core Realm but continue to explore your potential in the Foundation Establishment Realm? Well, the reason is the Jiaoyun Secret Realm."

"A hundred years from now, you'll participate in the Jiaoyun Secret Realm Breakthrough. If you manage to rank within the top ten thousand, you'll have access to abundant resources for your cultivation up to the Golden Core and even Dharma Phase Realm. Moreover, if you're lucky and draw the attention of the high ranking officials in our Sect, it'll be an opportunity to rise to the heavens in one step."

"Senior Brother, are you sure you meant within the top ten thousand, not the top one hundred or even ten?"

You Yuanming couldn't help but show surprise in his eyes.

"Haha, Junior Brother, you're joking. The top hundred, let alone top ten, doesn't concern us disciples from the Blessed Lands, but rather the monstrous talents from the major Cave Heavens."

"Every time the Jiaoyun Secret Realm opens, it gathers elites from various Heavenly Realms. To be able to rank within the top ten thousand is already quite an achievement."

The young Taoist laughed.

Across from him.

"Is it so?" You Yuanming nodded in realization.

At that moment.

A young figure suddenly crossed his mind.

Seemed like Junior Brother Zhang Jing... was cultivating within a certain Cave Heaven of the Sect.

Wonder how he's doing now.

As he was pondering,

The young Taoist across from him seemed to suddenly realize something and observed You Yuanming with a strange expression, reminding meaningfully:

"Junior Brother, there's something else which I forget to mention."

"Please tell me, Senior Brother."

You Yuanming said respectfully.

"Well… Maybe you should consider changing your name? 'Yuan' and 'ming' combined are quite heavy to carry, and I dare not utter it."

...

Two days later.

Inside the palace on the Immortal Island.

"It's time. With Lu 38 watching over the island, there shouldn't be any problem. So, let's go."

Zhang Jing thought to himself.

An expectation flashed in his eyes.

The next moment,

The Primordial Chaos Dao Seal emerged on his forehead.

His figure suddenly disappeared from the palace.

...

Soon.

The Secret Realm mission hall in Liuguang Fairy World.

Inside a vacant and desolate grey room,

Following Zhang Jing's appearance,

The grey began to fade gradually and a counter appeared out of nowhere with an elderly man-like spirit sitting silently behind it.

"Sir, may I know which Heavenly Realm you wish to visit?"

The elder spirit asked respectfully.

Zhang Jing regained his senses, smiled at the figure across from him, and said,

"Can you get me a ticket for the Void Treasure Boat to Dongzhen Huamiao Realm?"

Hearing this,

The elderly spirit sneaked a glance at Zhang Jing and quickly said,

"Sir, the next Void Treasure Boat to Dongzhen Huamiao Realm will depart in half a day. The ticket requires 99,900 in luck movement. Are you sure you want to purchase?"

"Confirmed."

Zhang Jing nodded calmly.

He had come here before and was familiar with the process, so there was no surprise in his expression.

"Please wait a moment, sir."