Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

"I know, thank you for the reminder, fellow Daoist of Spring Heaven. Fortunately, I previously acquired a Solar Golden Crow Pearl from Junior Brother You Yuanming and others, so my third Original Realm—the Sun Realm—is not far off."

Zhang Jing said with a light laugh, not at all surprised by the arrival of Daoist Diguan.

"By the way, I have yet to congratulate Daoist Huang Quan on your emergence."

"There's no need for such courtesies, brother. And... from now on, please call me Huang Quan. The Dao of Samsara is incomplete; how dare I claim the title Huang Quan."

Daoist Diguan stated without a hint of a smile.

"If that is your wish, I will address you as such from now onward."

The smile on Zhang Jing's face didn't diminish in the slightest.

After all, this was a Dao Body that he had nurtured himself; calling it another version of himself was not an exaggeration. Naturally, he would not hold any grudge about it.

"By the way, brother, after those two Earth Immortals have been dealt with, I plan to visit the netherworld of Spring Heaven. I thought it best to inform you in advance."

Huang Quan seemed to recall something, his face twisting into a stiff smile.

"To refine the Samsara Dao?"

"Exactly that. When brother later attains the Heavenly Immortal Fruit, you will manifest a vast and true world within the Thirty-Six Essential Heavenly Realms. My realm of Spring Heaven will take on a part of the samsara responsibility; it is necessary to plan ahead."

"I will have to trouble you then."

Zhang Jing bowed with his hands folded, expressing his gratitude.

"Brother, you and I are one and the same, why the need for such formality?" Huang Quan gestured dismissively, responding carelessly.

Still, his voice remained as rigid as ever.

...

...

On this day.

Zhang Jing, who had been meditating on a cushion, suddenly opened his eyes which seemed to penetrate through all barriers, fixing on two gray-bearded elders who had traveled from afar to the gates of his Daoist court.

"Have they finally arrived?"

He smiled faintly.

...

...

Bai Gusou paused gently, glancing towards the firmly shut mountain gate with a trace of eagerness in his eyes.

He turned his head.

Following behind, Dong Ming, the Earth Immortal, walked at a leisurely pace, gradually approaching Bai Gusou.

"Fellow Daoist, why have you stopped?" Dong Ming, the Earth Immortal, asked in confusion.

"Dong Ming, some things are better discussed in advance, to avoid unnecessary disputes between you and me later on."

Bai Gusou spoke frankly.

"What are you referring to?"

Dong Ming, the Earth Immortal, narrowed his eyes slightly, pondering something.

"Since it's mainly me taking action, I want seventy percent of all the treasures inside Nephew Zhang Jing's Daoist court, especially the offspring of the Nine-colored Deer—it must be mine!"

Bai Gusou stated unapologetically.

On his last visit to Zhang Jing's court, he had noticed the Divine Mountain filled with Immortal Roots, and the offspring of the Nine-colored Deer on it.

Once this affair was concluded, he planned to rebirth himself into another vast world. Having the Nine-colored Deer offspring as his aid would mean that he wouldn't need to worry about resources for his cultivation.

As for how to take it with him, there was no shortage of methods.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist has quite a plan." Dong Ming, the Earth Immortal, laughed coldly. "Just a few words and you want to claim the most precious item from your nephew's court for yourself? In that case, let me take action this time, and you can assist from the side, how about that?"

"You exaggerate, Fellow Daoist Dong Ming."

Bai Gusou said with an embarrassed smile, then tentatively proposed, "How about this, as long as you let me have the offspring of the Nine-colored Deer, you may demand any conditions. What do you say?"

"Well?"

Dong Ming, the Earth Immortal, pondered with a look of great deliberation.

Although he had agreed to join forces with Nephew Zhang Jing to deal with Bai Gusou and Priest Wuyin, he knew well that it would primarily be him taking action.

As for Nephew Zhang Jing, his cultivation was still too low.

Therefore, he had to play the full act, so as not to arouse suspicions and better backstab them later.

"It's not impossible, you just need to agree to three conditions."

...

...

At the foot of Lingshu Mountain.

"Fellow Daoist Dong Ming, you agreed to these terms, so don't go back on your word later," said Bai Gusou angrily. His expression alone made it clear that obtaining the offspring of the Nine-colored Deer had cost him much.

In the midst of speaking.

Rumble rumble—

The gates of the Daoist court slowly opened, and subsequently, a figure of ice crystal emerged from behind the swirling black and white mists.

"This little immortal greets the two honored immortals. May I know why you have graced us with your presence today, and is there something important?"

"Please inform us, so I can also notify the master."

Han Sheng spoke reverently, though inwardly he felt his heart sink.

He knew that with both of these individuals arriving together, there was likely no good reason. He wanted to keep them out, but also feared bringing trouble to his master.

"Presumptuous, a mere little immortal—"

On the other side.

As Bai Gusou began to scold, he suddenly realized something and quickly shut his mouth, squeezing a smile onto his face.

"Is your master at home? Please notify him that two of his uncles have come to visit and would also like to offer apologies for a previous incident," Bai Gusou said.

"The honored immortals, please wait a moment, Xiao Ling will report immediately," Han Sheng replied with a bow, seemingly flattered.

However, as he turned around, his expression cooled, and his mind was immediately filled with unease.

This Earth Immortal's temper, whether shown earlier or just now, was evident, yet he could restrain himself and offer a smile instead.

Something was off!

Their intents were likely ill, and not of minor consequence.

"Let's see if I can convince the master to keep them out," Han Sheng thought, anxious as he flew toward Qingjing Palace.

...

...

Not long after.

Within Qingjing Palace.

"May I ask, what brings the two honored uncles here today?"