Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

The small courtyard was getting closer and closer.

Ji Bochang took the lead, sneaking forward with a hunched back and light footsteps, as if he was afraid of scaring Wu Mingyuan away.

Zhang Jing followed behind, his face filled with disbelief.

This guy must have been so engrossed in the roles he played in his daily stories that he now made moves beyond the understanding of normal people.

That being said...

How on earth did Ji Bochang manage to pair up with a wealthy senior sister as soon as he entered?

Zhang Jing couldn't even begin to imagine.

Was it really love at first sight? That should be impossible, as all of them were cultivators. It wasn't about seeking immortality, but at least they should live longer than mortals.

The matter of choosing a Tao Monk was serious and needed more consideration.

Impossible to comprehend! Absolutely impossible!

Just as Zhang Jing was pondering, a quiet reminder from Ji Bochang reached his ear, causing him to halt mid-step.

"Brother Zhang, do you hear that?"

Ji Bochang pointed at the small courtyard ahead, his face showing a tantalizing expression like he had witnessed an interesting drama.

Hear what?!

Zhang Jing was first startled, and then instinctively perked up his ears, holding his breath, and started listening.

Even though he hadn't entered the Refining Qi Realm like Ji Bochang and transcended mortality, his senses had improved immensely as his body had been transforming continuously, allowing him to capture even the slightest sounds carried by the wind.

...

"Ling Yun, is there really no hope?"

The words were brimming with a hint of hope.

Upon hearing the voice, Zhang Jing instantly recognized it as Wu Mingyuan's.

Before he could even think...

Immediately after, he heard a soft, melodious voice that carried traces of allure. Even though it was pleasing, there was a tone of firm refusal embedded within.

"Brother, you are a good person. But let's not talk about this. I'm afraid that Senior Brother Chen might misunderstand."

"Senior Brother Chen...who is he?" Wu Mingyuan refused to accept this.

"Brother Wu, the Fairy Chu is referring to Senior Brother Chen Xiandao, one of the two top Grade-A monsters in this assessment," explained another voice.

"Him?! No wonder Ling Yun made that choice."

"You've misunderstood. Senior Brother Chen Xiandao is solely dedicated to the Great Dao and doesn't even know—"

"Hey—Deng An, why bring this up?"

Chu Lingyun's slightly annoyed voice rang out instantly.

A moment of silence fell in the room, followed by a resigned sigh.

"I understand now, Ling Yun. You want to catch up to him... I happen to have the Spirit Pills and Spirit Stones that were sent from home. They might be of a little help."

Upon hearing this...

Zhang Jing and Ji Bochang exchanged glances, both finding a shared sense of speechlessness in each other's eyes.

Wait, Spirit Stones?!

They suddenly realized and hurriedly ran towards the Small Courtyard.

While Wu Mingyuan's generosity was appreciated, they hoped that he wouldn't give all the Spirit Stones away. At the very least...they needed him to keep the fifty Spirit Stones that they had wagered.

Before long...

They were seated in the guest room.

Chu Lingyun and Ji Bochang occupied the top seats, maintaining expressions of indifference.

Zhang Jing and Deng Yuan sat below them, face to face.

Wu Mingyuan was at the bottom, looking somewhat upset and...embarrassed.

Perhaps because the door was still open...

A gust of cold wind suddenly blew in, breaking the silence in the room.

Wu Mingyuan couldn't help but shiver.

How odd, why did today's wind carry such deep chill?

"Brother Wu," Sitting at the top seat, Ji Bochang put down his teacup, looked at Wu Mingyuan at the bottom, and asked directly, "Did you forget something? Like, say, a bet?"

At these words, Wu Mingyuan felt an even colder chill creeping in.

After hesitating for a moment...

He stood up from his seat, pulled out a small cloth bag from his pocket, and placed it on Ji Bochang's table.

"Brother Ji, you joke. How could Mingyuan dare to forget? I prepared it a long time ago, just got held up due to the recent busyness."

"Brother Wu is indeed a man of his word!"

Ji Bochang weighed the little bag in his hand and said with a smile.

Seeing Ji Bochang's nonchalant move...

Anger flashed across Wu Mingyuan's face, but remembering the gap between him and the other party, he swallowed his anger.

"Thank you for your compliment, Brother Ji."

Upon finishing his sentence, Wu Mingyuan took out another bag of the same design from his sleeve and placed it on the table beside Zhang Jing.

Meeting Zhang Jing's astonished gaze, he said apologetically,

"Brother Zhang, I was impulsive before and bet on your performance in the assessment. I deeply apologize. Please accept these Spirit Stones as my apology."

While saying these words, Wu Mingyuan was feeling agitated.

But he knew that it was necessary.

Zhang Jing, being a Grade-B talent, was highly likely to join a top thirty task team after the assessment, and he didn't want to risk offending him.

Seeing the various expressions flashing across Wu Mingyuan's face...

Zhang Jing could guess some of his thoughts, perhaps resentment or humiliation. But did it matter?

He didn't care.

But one should not be ungrateful to those who were kind to them.

Zhang Jing didn't even glance at the Spirit Stones on the table but simply nodded towards Wu Mingyuan with a smile. "Brother Wu, I appreciate your sentiment. It was just a small bet, nothing serious."

Hearing this and seeing Zhang Jing's action, Wu Mingyuan gratefully said,

"Thank you for your understanding, Brother Zhang."

After finishing, he sneakily glanced at Ji Bochang, finding him even more repulsive.

Once Wu Mingyuan settled back into his seat...

Chu Lingyun's pupils flickered, and she stood up. "Today, I didn't expect to see all members of our Temporary Institute gather again. Perhaps this is heaven's will."