Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

The forehead was faintly hot.

The chaotic coloured Dao seal inherited from the Primitive Genesis began to emerge uncontrollably, immediately shrouded in a magnificent purple aura.

The conscious mind was in a daze.

The instinct of the Dao origin, the Qingyun Immortal Seed, began to shudder, its six-coloured radiance rotating ceaselessly.

The eyes of the Heavenly Immortal suddenly opened.

In that instant.

Through that faint connection.

Zhang Jing vaguely saw a terrifying existence, looming in the deepest chaos, as if it were the source of everything.

This existence seemed to have transcended the concept of species and living beings, devoid of concepts such as life and death, transforming directly into a source of Great Dao.

It is the Dao, and the Dao is it!

Imposing! Immortal! Ineffable!

Merely a glance.

Zhang Jing felt as if he had witnessed the world's most fundamental and perfect rule, an endless flood of Dao and principles surging, boiling within his heart.

An uncontrollable yearning suddenly sprouted from the bottom of his heart, becoming more intense by the moment.

In an instant, it had occupied all of Zhang Jing's mind.

He wanted to blend into it.

To become a part of the most perfect Dao.

This is the ultimate purpose of life!

The outside world.

Zhang Jing's expression was dreamy, his eyes losing their divine glimmer, his whole body radiating an even greater brilliance.

Each strand of hair, every inch of flesh and blood, even his consciousness.

All began to transform into a pure and flawless radiance, a rich Great Dao aura suddenly escaped.

A sense of ultimate fulfilleness and joy subtly emerged on his face.

As if at any moment.

Zhang Jing would transform into Dao and depart.

However.

Hum! Hum! Hum!

Inside the Mud Pill Palace, the Mysterious Jade Token began to quiver violently.

Gradually.

Zhang Jing's consciousness slowly regained clarity.

However, when he noticed the changes occurring to his body, a deep sense of fear and despair involuntarily welled up within him.

Zhang Jing desired to stop.

However, once the process of transforming into Dao started, it seemed impossible to halt.

"Am I going to die?"

A thought flashed across Zhang Jing's mind.

"What a pity…I haven't reached the pinnacle of the Immortal Way, just like the existence I just saw."

At that moment.

"Foolish child, wake up!"

A loud shout suddenly echoed in his ears.

Simultaneously.

Zhang Jing only felt an incredible power exploding beside him, severing his connection with the looming figure instantly.

Time slowly passed.

Wheezing—

Zhang Jing was panting heavily, his robe already soaked with sweat.

This was the first time he had sweated so profusely after ascending to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

After a long time.

He finally raised his head, looking straight at True Monarch Yuanming, his eyes full of gratitude and a hint of lingering fear.

"Master, what was——"

Zhang Jing started to speak but stopped.

It was not that he didn't want to speak.

But he suddenly found out that he couldn't recall anything from his experience just now in his consciousness.

He merely vaguely remembered.

He seemed to have seen a terrifying existence.

"You little rascal, you are undoubtedly overestimating your abilities. With only Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation, you dared to peep at the true face of Taoist Master Taichu. Even us Heavenly Immortals dare not gaze at it for a lengthened period."

"Fortunately, your master reacted quickly, or else…"

True Monarch Yuanming rebuked laughterly.

However, the slightly raised corners of his mouth betrayed his inner thoughts, which wasn't like what he had spoken.

At that moment.

"Daoyuan, it seems you're quite dissatisfied with Junior Brother Zhang Jing. How about you give him to Junior Sister?"

The goddess at the head of the right-hand side suddenly stood up, speaking with a smile.

The way she looked at Zhang Jing was filled with a hint of wonder.

With that said.

Suddenly, the many Heavenly True Monarchs in the palace began to rise, and their eager gazes fell on Zhang Jing.

"Senior Brother, why not give him to me instead? I and Junior Brother Zhang Jing share a profound destiny."

"Senior Brother Wansheng, don't be a shameless. You say you have a destiny with everyone you come across."

"Big Brother, Junior Sister has never taken a direct disciple even after achieving the Heavenly Immortal Tao Fruit. I think Junior Brother is quite suitable. Why don't you part with him…"

"Senior Brother, you always spoil Junior Sister the most."

"..."

For a moment.

The Bronze Immortal Hall, which was just quiet, became noisy.

On the spot.

Zhang Jing was dumbfounded.

At this moment.

The majestic image of the Heavenly True Monarchs in his heart crumbled silently.

"Enough. My disciple is watching. You uncle masters behaving so disgracefully in front of him, what sort of example is that?"

True Monarch Yuanming chided.

Then he saw him descending from the stage, smiling and saying:

"Disciple, these are your uncle masters. Come over, I'll introduce them to you."

"Yes, Master."

Zhang Jing obediently walked to True Monarch Yuanming's side, looking curiously in the direction he pointed.

"This is your Aunt Yunrong, also referred to as True Monarch Bixia, the head of the female Immortals in our Yuanjun lineage."

"Disciple pays respects to Aunt Yunrong."

Zhang Jing turned to the goddess with her hair in colourful clouds and a stunningly beautiful face and bowed, saying respectfully.Opposite him.

Aunt Yunrong smiled charmingly and said gently:

"Junior Brother, please rise. My Cave Heaven is located on Bixiao Island in South Chanzhou. If you ever feel wronged by Senior Brother Yuanming, feel free to seek me on Bixiao Island."

"Or, if you are bullied elsewhere, you can also come seek me. I'll make sure your dignity is restored."

In the end.

Her words unconsciously carried a faint tone of dominance.

"Cough, Junior Sister, mind your words!"

Looking at his Junior Sister who couldn't help but dig into his territory up until now, True Monarch Yuanming coughed lightly, issuing a warning.

"Alright, rest assured Senior Brother, I won't snatch the Junior Brother away from you."

Aunt Yunrong shot a glance at True Monarch Yuanming, then turned towards Zhang Jing. She extended her delicate hand, from which emanated an extremely gentle, green cloud energy.

"Junior Brother, this is Primordial Azure Cloud Energy. Take it. It will be useful either for realizing the Dao of Heavenly Qi, or for cultivating Primordial Azure Sword Energy."

"This..."

Zhang Jing hesitated, turning his gaze towards his mentor.

However.

Before he could react, Aunt Yunrong had already stuffed the wisp of Primordial Azure Cloud Energy directly into his hands.

"This insignificant thing should be gladly accepted. As a man, why hesitate like a worrying old woman?"

Aunt Yunrong scolded, playfully.

Upon seeing this.

A smile flashed across Zhang Jing's face filled with helplessness.

This Primordial Azure Cloud Energy was extremely valuable, nowhere near 'insignificant' as Aunt Yunrong had put it.

But Zhang Jing also knew, in this moment, he simply didn't have the grounds to refuse.

He once again bowed in gratitude, expressing, "I dare not decline the offering of the elder. Aunt, I am humbled by your generous gift."

"That's more like it."

Aunt Yunrong nodded satisfied.

Next.

"This is your Second Uncle, True Monarch Lingfang..."

"This is your Fifth Uncle, True Monarch Minghai..."

"This is your Aunt Baihua..."

"..."

Nobody knew how much time had passed.

Under the guidance of True Monarch Yuanming, Zhang Jing became familiar with all twelve Heavenly True Monarchs of the Yuanjun lineage.

Of course.

During this process, he indeed acquired numerous treasures.

Among them, there were several items whose value was no less than the Primordial Azure Cloud Energy gifted by Aunt Yunrong, such as the Nine Orifice Stone Embryo given by True Monarch Lingfang.

This was the fetus of a Primordial Deity gestated in a particular world, but unluckily it encountered his Second Uncle Lingfang, and before it was able to develop its wisdom, it was taken away directly.

It is a top-tier material for creating a clone.

It might even be possible to use it to refine a Primordial Deity's clone directly.

...

However, all these gifts from his uncles and aunts were incredibly rare and precious, which meant that Zhang Jing, who was currently only in the Foundation Establishment Realm, could hardly use any of them.

As for selling them off... that was even more impossible.

He knew better than anyone.

While it was easy to sell these treasures, if he ever wanted to buy them back, it would be nearly impossible.

He had no choice but to let them gather dust.

"What a happy problem."

Zhang Jing shook his head, a faint smile in his eyes.

Just as he was deep in thought.

"Senior Brother, all of us have given our gifts to celebrate Junior Brother's ascension to being a direct disciple. As his mentor, you can't remain empty-handed."

Aunt Yunrong said with deep implications.

Hearing these words.

Zhang Jing came back to his senses.

He wanted to explain that his master had already given him a gift during their first meeting in the Jiaoyun Secret Realm.

However, before he could open his mouth, he heard True Monarch Yuanming laugh and say:

"Ha-ha, I have prepared early on. There's no need for Junior Sister Yunrong to worry."

With that said.

A peculiar Immortal Crystal suddenly appeared in True Monarch Yuanming's hand, subtly exuding a trace of the aura of the Great Dao's Origin.

Boom——

Zhang Jing's pupils contracted suddenly.

It was not because he recognized the Immortal Crystal.

But… the moment the Immortal Crystal appeared, the mysterious jade talisman in his Mud Pill Palace began vibrating.

This was the first time since Zhang Jing had arrived in this world.

The first time that the jade talisman had shown any unusual signs.

"An Origin Crystal? It is not yet usable for Junior Brother Zhang Jing, right?" Aunt Baihua glanced at it and then asked in confusion.

"Ha-ha, he might not need it now, but sooner or later, it will be useful."

True Monarch Yuanming replied with a hearty laugh.

The next moment.

The peculiar Immortal Crystal, known as the 'Origin Crystal', quietly flashed in front of Zhang Jing, silently hovering there.

"Thank you, Master."

Zhang Jing suppressed his excitement, bowed again, and gratefully said.

One of his hands extended.

The Origin Crystal slowly fell.

...

In no time.

Accompanied by Zhang Jing leaving the Bronze Immortal Palace step by step, the great door closed with a thunderous sound.

The atmosphere inside the palace became immediately tranquil.

All faces of the Heavenly True Monarchs became unanimously grave.

After a while.

True Monarch Yuanming broke the silence.

"Junior Brothers and Sisters, I have called you here for two reasons. One is the ceremonial initiation, which needs no further explanation. The other is the news from Master that a great catastrophe is about to occur in the Great Vast World. In this turbulent period, heavenly energy movement will concentrate on certain Talents and Monsters and use them as butcher's knives to massacre all beings."

"And now, it is the opportunity for the Mysterious Yellow World to intervene. All the immortal sects of the Human Race, and even the royal clans of the All-Heavens Myriads Spirits Camp, will participate in this hunt."

"However, it is said that the Jianmu Realm and the Nine Ming Realm have also set their sights on the Great Vast World."

"May I ask, Senior Brother, does Master mean…."