Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

"Innate Spell?"

Zhang Jing 'looked' at the Golden Sun Patterns that had abruptly appeared in his memory sea.

Surprise swelled within his heart.

At the same time, understanding dawned on him.

"Is this innate spell from Jiaoyun Realm the additional reward of the first round? No wonder each person can only have one Jiaoyun decree... having more wouldn't be useful."

Zhang Jing thought to himself.

However, the surprise didn't last long.

His attention was soon drawn to the anomaly occurring within the Dharma Seeds of Dao Yuan Qing Yun.

The next moment.

The Dharma Seeds of Dao Yuan Qing Yun abruptly spun, then directly plunged into the memory sea and headed straight for the Golden Sun Pattern.

Just like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.

Zhang Jing could control Dao Yuan Qing Yun and halt the process.

But he didn't. Instead, he let it run its course.

He quietly watched the scene unfolding in his memory sea, a touch of curiosity surfacing within his heart.

This was the first time the Dharma Seeds had reacted in such a way...

...

Only a moment had passed in the real world.

In the memory sea, however, it felt like thousands of years had passed.

The Golden sun Pattern had silently disappeared.

This indicated that the innate spell he had just acquired disappeared without a trace, without being used even once.

However, he did not feel disappointed or disheartened at all.

On the contrary.

At this moment, Zhang Jing's heart was filled with excitement, as well as a thick sense of anticipation.

After consuming the "Dying Sun Imprint", the Dao Yuan Qing Yun Dharma Seed felt as if it was on the cusp of transformation.

Although this feeling was faint.

It certainly existed beyond doubt.

"Dao Yuan Qing Yun, Joyous Sun Qing Yun ... It seems that the reward for winning the second round, aside from the one billion Luck Movement, is something called the Joyous Sun Dharma Seal, which I presume can be integrated and digested by Dao Yuan Qing Yun."

"According to this pattern, if I can achieve first place in the Foundation Establishment Realm, the additional reward would be..."

At this thought.

An expectant smile emerged on Zhang Jing's face.

If the Dao Yuan Qing Yun, which was already of the highest grade, were to transform again, there's a high probability that it would become an Immortal Seed.

A new reason to strive for the first place in the Foundation Establishment ranking had emerged.

Regaining his focus.

He countermanded the movement within his heart, took a step forward and a heavy stone door suddenly appeared before him.

...

Outside.

The ancient stone door to the Jiaoyun Realm again emitted immortal light, with a surge of powerful energy fluctuations sweeping across the entire Jiaoyun Immortal City.

In an instant.

All the corners of the Immortal City.

Everyone, including the cultivators who had been eliminated before, simultaneously stopped what they were doing, their gaze turned to the direction of the Secret Realm's stone gate.

In a twinkling.

Dense rain-like various-colored lights flew out from the grand stone gate that was a hundred feet high and even a thousand feet wide, falling upon the spacious square on the ground, shimmering with faint rays of light.

They instantly morphed into lively figures of people.

Among the crowd.

Zhang Jing, dressed in a light-colored law robe, slowly looked around.

Unlike the previous crowded situation.

Right now, on the square beneath his feet.

It had become peacefully quiet.

Moreover.

Unlike the scene before entering the Secret Realm.

Almost everyone's face here was painted with a flush of uncontainable excitement, and some were even still standing in stupefaction on the spot, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Perhaps a part of their reaction stems from the reward of two hundred million Luck Movement.

However, Zhang Jing knew.

More importantly, it was likely due to the newly gained innate spell, "Dying Sun Imprint".

It might appear as if he wasn't that excited about the appearance of the innate spell.

If he had to say where his excitement lay, it would be in the possibility that Dao yuan Qing Yun might undergo a transformation as a result of the spell.

But that's because Zhang Jing has a Mysterious Jade Token.

And he possesses Dharma Seeds!

After all, in a certain sense.

Dharma Seeds were not significantly different from innate spells or abilities. They were just not limited in number, and could be upgraded.

They were only slightly stronger than the so-called innate spells and abilities.

But it's different for others.

Why are the creatures of the All-Heavens Myriads Spirits Camp powerful?

One of the significant reasons was that they possessed various innate spells or abilities since birth.

The ones with strong bloodlines could reach the Dharma Phase Realm upon adulthood.

In comparison.

The scope of appraisement for the Human Race was much narrower, and only upon advancing to the Golden Core Realm could they have a chance of manifesting an innate spell or ability.

This was built upon the foundation of top-notch cultivation legacy.

And now.

Among the tens of thousands of people in the square, they seemed to have directly obtained an innate spell, a precious gift that enhances comprehension.

Their excitement was foreseeable.

His gaze slowly retracted.

"What I've thought of, they must have thought of too. The appearance of the innate spell rewards might make the following rounds quite interesting."

Zhang Jing smiled slightly, his face quickly regaining its calm.

Step by step-

His figure slowly disappeared into the crowd.

However, he had hardly taken a few steps.

A light, quick paced footsteps echoed in his ears, growing closer and closer.

"Senior Brother Zhang, please wait."

Hearing the voice.

Zhang Jing couldn't help but stop in his steps. Turning around, a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Oh, so it's you Junior Brother Shen, and the others. What's the matter?"

The ones who caught up with him were none other than the Taiyi Sect brothers he had met on the twenty-ninth arena.

Opposite him,

A group of three respectfully approached Zhang Jing, bowing cautiously before speaking gingerly,

"May we ask if you'll be free the day after tomorrow? Many of us from the Taiyi Sect who came to the Jiaoyun Immortal City are planning to hold a Dao Ming Council at the Ten Thousand Immortal Building. We plan to share information from the arenas while discussing Dao."

"We would like to invite you, Senior Brother, to preside over it."

Having said this,

The three raised their eyes to Zhang Jing in unison, their eyes filled with hopeful anticipation.

"Dao Ming Council? Sharing information from the arenas?"

Zhang Jing immediately became intrigued.

However, he looked at them with a teasing smile and asked,

"My Junior Brothers, I bet there's more to it than a simple tea party, isn't there? Why not tell me everything."

The saying goes, 'No one ever comes to the Three Treasure Hall without a reason.'

Moreover, the term 'preside over' used by the three indicated something out of the ordinary to Zhang Jing.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chu couldn't help but smile bitterly, admitting,

"Senior Brother, you indeed have insightful eyes."

He paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, and then quickly continued,

"I won't lie to you, Senior Brother, disciples from both the Heavenly Realm Lineage and our Nine Domains Lineage of the next term will be participating in the Dao Ming Council. Moreover, our Nine Domains Lineage will have two senior brothers from the Cave Heaven presiding over, giving us somewhat of an edge over the Heavenly Realm Lineage."

"However…the folks of the Heavenly Realm Lineage have invited the legendary Senior Brother Ge Qingshen. Given this, relying solely on our two senior brothers from the Cave Heaven, we may fall short. Since we had the chance to meet you at the arena, we thought—"

"You thought you could use me to make up the numbers, right?"

Zhang Jing jokingly interrupted.

Shen Chu's face changed immediately, and he hastily waved his hands,

"Senior Brother, you misunderstand. While Senior Brother Ge Qingshen is formidable indeed, this is just a tea party after all. If we have more disciples from the Cave Heaven than them, at least we won't lose face in terms of momentum…"

After knowing the reason.

Zhang Jing promptly nodded with a smile and agreed, "Got it. I'll come over to watch the fun."

"Thank you, Senior Brother! We will welcome you then."

A trace of uncontrollable joy lit up their faces.

The three couldn't contain their relief and exclaimed excitedly.

Just then,

A golden rainbow quietly descended beside Zhang Jing.

Following which, an elated voice rang out,

"Ha ha, Brother Zhang, so you're here. I've been looking all over for you. How about it, weren't you surprised about passing the first round—wait, who are these three?"

Qu Junhou, who had appeared, looked at Shen Chu and the others in confusion.

"Brother Qu, this is Junior Brother Shen Chu from Wanlong Blessed Land, this is Junior Brother Wei Lin from Fufeng World…"

Startled by Qu Junhou's sudden appearance,

Zhang Jing was momentarily taken aback before introducing them one by one.

After the introductions,

As though he had suddenly realized something, he turned to Shen Chu and the others with gusto,

"This is Lord Junhou of the Shangyuan Qingjing Cave Heaven. Weren't you planning to invite disciples from the Cave Heaven to the Dao Ming Council? Here's an available candidate!"

Upon hearing this,

Shen Chu and the others were momentarily taken aback.

A few breaths later,

The thoughtful trio exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock.

Shangyuan Qingjing Cave Heaven!

Another disciple from one of the top ten Cave Heavens!

On the other side,

"Dao Ming Council? The day after tomorrow?"

Qu Junhou was confused beyond comprehension, feeling slightly dazed.

"Zhang Brother, are you going to participate?" He looked at Zhang Jing curiously.

Under his gaze,

Zhang Jing nodded with a smile.

"Great, reserve a spot for me."

Hearing the affirmative reply, Qu Junhou readily agreed without a second thought.

"Thank you, both Senior Brothers!"

A fleeting shot of exhilaration flashed through the eyes of Shen Chu and his companions.

"My Junior Brothers, we should be on our way now."

Seeing there was nothing else, Zhang Jing bid them farewell gently.

"Goodbye, Senior Brothers."

...

"Zhang Brother, why are you participating in this Dao Ming Council?"

"There's no particular reason, it's just a chance for everyone to exchange information about the arenas. Oh, and, Ge Qingshen will also be present."

"Ge Qingshen? He's just a clown."

Shen Chu and his companions stood rooted to the spot,

Watching as Zhang Jing and Qu Junhou slowly receded into the distance.

Their murmuring conversation barely audible,

The two senior brothers seemed not only devoid of any reverence for the legendary Ge Qingshen, but even looked down on him.

Upon hearing this,

Shen Chu was immediately overwhelmed by shock.