Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Zhang Jing directly voiced the doubts within his heart.

That was, indeed, what he found most astonishing and incomprehensible.

Anywhere else might have been overlooked, but this place remained under the control of the Taiyi Immortal Way Sect of Qingxiao's heavenly domain. Once he was killed, the perpetrator would inevitably face retribution, plummeting into an abyss from which there was no redemption.

"That mysterious being promised that once the deed was accomplished, I and others like me would be reincarnated into a different world, completely severing our karmic ties with the Mysterious Yellow World. Furthermore, they would provide a Heavenly Immortal Fruit."

"The key point is, right now, all the True Monarchs and Daoist Monarchs are at the ancestral court, listening to teachings. It's a time when the Supervision is at its weakest."

The Earth Immortal Dong Ming explained faintly.

So that was it.

Understanding dawned on Zhang Jing—if that was the case, then recruiting an Earth Immortal like Dong Ming, whose life was reaching its limit, was not an impossibility.

The other party was really spending blood money to conceal the secret of the Beast Territory.

However, could Lou Buyi truly provide such conditions? Or had he been mistaken in his previous guess—the entity behind the Beast Territory was not Lou Buyi?

Zhang Jing began to doubt his earlier conclusions.

After pondering without success,

He simply stopped thinking about it and, with a smile brimming with intent, looked towards True Immortal Dong Ming, "Uncle-Master, what do you mean by 'deal'?"

Upon hearing this,

Earth Immortal Dong Ming's face also broke into an ardent smile:

"Your uncle-master can take action to help his nephew through this crisis. Moreover, I shall not take a single item from the treasures of Bai Gusou and Reverend Wuyin! But your uncle-master wants a guarantee from his nephew."

"Please speak."

"Nephew must swear a grand Dao oath, promising to bring me a Heavenly Immortal Fruit containing the Dao principle of earth, within three thousand years, even a damaged one will do."

Earth Immortal Dong Ming gazed intently at Zhang Jing, his eyes brimming with hope.

Rather than risking Tianqiong's vast dangers by being hunted by True Monarch Yuanming for a promise from that existence, it would be better to betray them and use them as a bargaining chip to obtain a Dao fruit from his nephew, Zhang Jing.

After all, upon carefully understanding his nephew,

Earth Immortal Dong Ming was clear that with his nephew's aptitude, plus the protection of True Monarch Yuanming, there was a nearly ninety-nine percent chance to achieve a Heavenly Immortal Fruit, and it wouldn't take too long.

The only reason for not being one hundred percent certain was due to the uncontrollable nature of the Tribulation of Enlightenment.

"Uncle-Master, as long as your nephew does not leave the Taoist arena, Bai Gusou and Daoist Wuyin may not necessarily be able to do anything to me, right? Since that's the case, why should your nephew inconvenience uncle-master to take action?"

Hearing the proposed conditions,

Zhang Jing was somewhat moved, yet his expression remained as still as an ancient well.

Across from him,

As if Earth Immortal Dong Ming had anticipated such an answer from Zhang Jing, he immediately shook his head with a chuckle and spoke candidly:

"Eh, nephew, you must not be careless. That mysterious existence has provided us with a secret treasure, specifically targeting the Taoist arena's protective formation. And without the formation for protection, although my nephew is strong, you are still far from being an Earth Immortal's opponent, let alone three Earth Immortals combined."

"Oh, I forgot to mention to my nephew, you have seen Bai Gusou and Daoist Wuyin before. They are the two who came with your uncle-master last time."

"Among them, Bai Gusou has a post-heaven Spiritual Treasure known as the Seven Killings White Bone Banner. With a single shake of that banner, one would witness white bones for thousands of miles; it's truly terrifying. As for Daoist Wuyin, he wields a Drive Whip, also a post-heaven Spiritual Treasure, with boundless power."

Hearing this,

"Three Earth Immortals joining forces? Is uncle-master threatening his nephew?"

Zhang Jing's face remained smiling as ever.

With a single thought, the sky changed color, and black and white qi surged forth, a mighty and icy aura of murder directly targeting Earth Immortal Dong Ming.

However,

Earth Immortal Dong Ming appeared completely oblivious, simply picking up his teacup and savoring a sip, blissfully remarking:

"Excellent tea! Who would have thought my nephew would possess such treasures as Immortal Root Dao Enlightenment ancient tea."

"Since uncle-master likes it, why not stay here with your nephew? There will be enough Dao Enlightenment Tea, how about that?"

Zhang Jing responded warmly.

"Nephew, your uncle-master is merely laying out the pros and cons. Besides, uncle-master thinks… these terms are not too harsh. With my nephew's talent, you could well have achieved the position of a Heavenly Immortal within three thousand years."

"At worst, True Monarch Yuanming must have some damaged Heavenly Immortal Fruits, just ask the True Monarch for one."

"You see, although such items are considered extremely precious to us, they are rather common in the eyes of a True Monarch."

With the words spoken,

The hall fell silent.

After a long while,

"If that's the case, I hope uncle-master would also be willing to swear a grand Dao oath."

Zhang Jing spoke in a calm tone.

He knew the other was taking advantage of the situation, but with circumstances being stronger than will, he had no choice but to compromise.

After all, even if Zhang Jing could barely detain Earth Immortal Dong Ming using the Yin and Yang Dust Formation, there were still two Earth Immortals outside with treasures to break the formation, glaring greedily at him.

Who wouldn't feel uneasy about this?

The only choice was to agree to Earth Immortal Dong Ming, kill both Earth Immortals in one go, and remove the lingering worries.

No, that could only be considered a temporary solution.

Zhang Jing suddenly remembered the mysterious existence manipulating these three Earth Immortals, and for a moment, felt a thorn at his back.

"My cultivation is still too low. Once this matter is settled, I must immediately start breaking through, only then can I avoid being so passive."

A sense of urgency spontaneously arose within his heart.

Advancing to the Dharma Phase Realm had become urgent.

...

...

Half a month later,

Amidst the vast expanse of mountains,

Two bent figures—one red, one grey—flitted in and out of existence as they traveled at high speed towards a certain direction.

Not knowing how long had passed.