Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Frantic cries of terror echoed around him.

Zhang Jing cast a glance at the cultivators on the deck desperately fleeing to the cabin, shaking his head slightly.

In the face of this terrifying presence.

There is no point in running.

The key is whether the Void Treasure Ship can withstand it or not.

If the treasure ship could survive this catastrophe, there would be no need to run; if it could not… they certainly wouldn't need to run either.

Either way, death was inevitable.

At that time.

Perhaps only Qingyazi, who was at the Unity Realm Stage, might survive on this treasure ship.

Thinking about this.

"What an undeserved disaster!"

A bitter smile appeared on Zhang Jing's face.

He then once again lifted his head, looking straight at that shape, unbelievably massive and magnificent.

And this was only half of a wing.

The name accidentally revealed by Qu Junhou suddenly flashed through his mind.

"Mountain and Sea Butterfly? Could it represent the being behind this half celestial wing?"

Astonishment flashed through Zhang Jing's eyes.

This unimaginable being, was it a Heavenly Immortal or even higher...?

While he was deep in thought.

The hundred-foot phantom of Qingyazi, with the body of a human and a dragon's head, quietly appeared above the ship's cabin, his eyes glowing brightly, his face looked utterly serious.

He gently looked at the gigantic shadow in the sky above, then quickly lowered his gaze.

As if he was afraid of offending the other party.

The next moment.

A strange Taoist charm, resembling neither gold nor jade, appeared in Qingyazi's hand, engraved with the word 'Wanbao' in seal script.

Without any hesitation.

All of his Immortal Power was infused into the charm.

In an instant.

A strand of Immortal Light, that seemed to condense from myriad treasure lights and was nearly chaotic, slowly appeared and then began to rapidly expand, illuminating the entire void like a great sun.

The massive spatial storm was instantly suppressed and calmed down.

"Taoist Master Wanbao?"

A surprised voice sounded from the higher regions, carrying a hint of thick fear.

...

Who knows how long it had been.

Everything was calm again.

The Void Treasure Ship continued its slow journey through the boundless void.

Only Zhang Jing and Qu Junhou remained on the deck.

"Brother Qu, did you stay out on the deck as well?"

Zhang Jing asked with a smile.

"Go back to hell!" As Qu Junhou heard the question, he couldn't help but roll his eyes, and said with a lingering sense of fear: "Given the being we're facing, what is the difference between staying in the cabin or staying on the deck?"

"Our only hope for survival lies with the Wanbao Immortal Sect."

"But now it seems, we are quite lucky."

Qu Junhou exhaled slowly.

"By the way, Brother Qu, just now, I heard you mention something about a 'Mountain and Sea Butterfly'? What exactly...?" Suddenly, Zhang Jing turned his head, full of curiosity in his words.

"Oh, did I say that?"

Qu Junhou's face fell.

Facing the other's gaze, Zhang Jing nodded vigorously.

"Hahaha, well, I unintentionally encountered some information about that being in the Dao Secret Realm, and I unconsciously remembered it when I saw it just now. According to the records, it is a great divine being from the Chaotic Primordial Heaven."

Qu Junhou showed an embarrassed smile on his face as he spoke vaguely.

"Brother Zhang, I have other business to attend to, so I will leave first."

With that.

He saw the other bow slightly, then directly proceed towards the ship's cabin.

His steps were somewhat unsteady.

On the spot.

Zhang Jing slowly withdrew his gaze, a profound expression appearing on his face.

"So, it originated from the Chaotic Primordial Heaven? And this Brother Qu, seems to have some secrets on him."

As for what he just said, about encountering information regarding the 'Mountain and Sea Butterfly' in the Dao Secret Realm.

He didn't believe a single punctuation mark of it.

...

Time moved on at a leisurely pace.

Over the next month.

The Void Treasure Ship steadily flew towards Jiaoyun Immortal City in the Dongzhen Huamiao Realm, without any accidents occurring in between.

Zhang Jing stood on the deck.

Within his sight.

A vast world emerged, enveloped by a rich Immortal Spirit Qi. A weighty and majestic aura spread out in all directions, and brilliant immortal light illuminated the endless desolate void."

"Dongzhen Temple, we have arrived!"

He thought with a sense of realization.

The anxiety that had plagued him before, at this moment, finally began to dissipate.

It was unlikely that any being, without eyes, would dare to interfere with their Human Race's Void Treasure Ship here.

...

Across a vast and boundless plain.

Sat a mystical city, sprawling thousands of miles. It was inhabited by many Immortals. Their ethereal glow shone day and night, illuminating the horizon.

It was like heaven on earth.

This city, built at the edge of the Jiaoyun Realm, was thus named 'Jiaoyun Immortal City'.

In the very heart of the Immortal City.

Was a vast square spanning thousands of acres, paved with a type of black stone that emanated a faint mysterious glow. Upon closely looking at the stones, you could perceive traces of erosion from wind and rain, revealing a sense of historical passage.

At this moment.

An ethereal treasure boat quietly floated above, from which several escape lights streaked across the sky and landed on the ground, transforming into human shadows.

These individuals wore varied expressions on their faces.

Some displayed anticipation and excitement, some portrayed anxiety, revealing a multitude of emotions.

"So this is Jiaoyun Immortal City! I presume that gate must be the entrance to the legendary Jiaoyun Realm, isn't it?"

Zhang Jing gently descended, casting his gaze straight ahead.

His mind involuntarily recollected the information about the Jiaoyun Realm.

In his line of sight.

A semi-circular archway, nearly a hundred feet tall, quietly stood in the center of the square. The archway exuded a dark and mysterious shade that alternately transformed from solid to ethereal, giving it an oddly unstable appearance.

However, at this moment.

A golden escape light gently landed next to Zhang Jing.

"Brother Zhang, we still have half a month until the opening of the Jiaoyun Realm. Shall we find somewhere to settle down in the meantime?"

"I was just thinking the same."

Zhang Jing nodded in agreement.

...

Soon after.

In an area just a few miles away from the entrance to the Jiaoyun Realm.

Rugged hills rolling along, bridges arching over flowing streams, towering trees creating a canopy over beautiful, strange flowers and magical herbs that emitted a pure, delightful fragrance to soothe the mind.

And nestled among the verdant woods.

The sight of a number of elaborate miniature palaces met their eyes.

Zhang Jing halted, a hint of satisfaction flashing across his face.

Behind him.

A voluptuous woman in Golden Core Realm donning a white robe, kept on delivering her vigorous sales pitch:

"Gentlemen, these palaces, specially built for the talented Cultivators of the Foundation Establishment Realm taking part in the Jiaoyun Realm trials, are situated in a quiet and tranquil environment filled with an abundance of Immortal Spirit Qi. Moreover, this place is situated close to the Jiaoyun Realm, making it an ideal location for resting."

"You must know that the trials staged in the Realm consist of multiple rounds. If one resides in a place which promotes faster recovery of mind and mana than the others, naturally they will obtain a higher ranking."

"With the strength you possess, it is certain that you both will be among the top hundred of the Foundation Establishment Realm. At that point, how much more 'Luck Movement' would you be able to acquire for each advance in ranking?"

When Zhang Jing and Qu Junhou remained silent.

The voluptuous woman guessed their intentions and hurriedly played her last trump card:

"I should tell you both that only three palaces remain. Sadly, there are hardly any available palaces or caves left within the inner city."

"If you miss out on this opportunity, you may have to reside in the outer city. Even the closest cave in the outer city is about four to five hundred miles away from the Realm's entrance."

Upon hearing this.

Zhang Jing and Qu Junhou exchanged glances.

Both nodded simultaneously.

They could naturally sense that the woman wasn't lying.

In that case.

Zhang Jing and Qu Junhou had no choice but to rent a place here.

Just as she suggested,

The Jiaoyun Realm trial had more than one round.

Having a place closer to the trial would surely beat running back and forth between the outer city and the Realm.

"How much Luck Movement is needed in total?"

Zhang Jing asked softly.

In response.

A warm smile appeared on the woman's face as she gently stated:

"Not much, each person only needs--"

Before she could finish her sentence, she was interrupted by a gentle voice.

"Hold on!"

Zhang Jing looked towards the voice.

He saw a party of three leisurely walking towards him, mild smiles adorning their faces.

All three, two men and a woman, were at the Foundation Establishment Realm.

"That fluctuation of qi... they are disciples of the Circle Heavenly Star Temple!"

Zhang Jing's eyes flickered.

The Circle Heavenly Star Temple, like the Boundless Tai Yi Tao sect, was one of the seven top-tier legacies of the Human Race, boasting three hundred and sixty-five grand celestial stars.

At this moment.

The trio across from Zhang Jing and Qu Junhou had also recognized their identities.

The man leading the trio chuckled and said:

"Oh! disciples from the Boundless Tai Yi Tao sect, we sincerely apologise for the oversight. As you can see, there are only three palaces left, and we happen to be a group of three. So perhaps--"

Although extremely courteous in their manner of speaking,

The subtext of their suggestion was far from friendly.

As soon as they finished speaking.

Zhang Jing and Qu Junhou exchanged another look.

A strange smile crossed both their faces.