Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

The key is that in front of these people, he actually...

Lei Hong suddenly wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Thankfully, there was someone worse off.

He turned his head to look at Zhang Jing, thinking resentfully to himself.

The next moment, as if realizing something, Lei Hong's eyes suddenly lit up.

For himself and for his family, this could be a godsend. They say that true affection is most easily forged through shared adversity. If he could marry the governor's daughter, wouldn't that be akin to ascending to heaven in a single step?

With this thought.

Lei Hong turned to look directly at Zhang Jing, with a trace of hostility surfacing in his eyes.

He had a premonition that his biggest rival this time would be this man. Fortunately, the other was just a Loose Cultivator.

"Right, Brother is still waiting for us, let's hurry over,"

Chang Zizai suddenly reminded everyone.

"Brother?"

"Indeed, he's the Dharma Phase Cultivator leading us deep into the River of Cosmos," Ji Xiaoyun explained with a light smile to Zhang Jing and the other person.

A moment later.

The group hastened their steps towards the plaza exit.

And at the very back.

Just as Zhang Jing was about to leave, he was unexpectedly caught by the sleeve by Su Lingling, dressed in green robes.

She tiptoed and brought her lips close to Zhang Jing's ear, mischievously saying:

"Qingyun Daoist, I'll tell you a secret, you mustn't tell anyone else, meow. Brother's real name is actually... pfft... haha, Iron Hammer, ahahaha~"

Mid-sentence.

Zhang Jing had not yet reacted when Su Lingling herself burst into laughter, her compact tiger teeth particularly dazzling.

This scene, observed by the three people ahead, elicited various reactions.

"Could this girl possibly be...?"

Chang Zizai and Ji Xiaoyun exchanged glances. From their youth to the present, they had never seen Su Lingling take the initiative to chat with a newly met stranger.

Reflecting on the other's recent actions.

They just hoped it wasn't what they were thinking; otherwise, it would be a disaster rather than a blessing for Qingyun Daoist.

The head of the Su family would definitely not allow such an incident to occur.

Upon this thought.

A complex expression appeared on both of their faces.

Hmm, who's grinding their teeth?

The next instant, two sets of eyes simultaneously fell on Lei Hong beside them.

...

...

The next morning.

Immortal City's East Gate.

The party was ready to set off.

At the forefront stood five individuals, with a burly Dharma Phase Realm Cultivator carrying a massive wolf-tooth hammer, somberly instructing some precautions.

This person was none other than the Iron Hammer that Su Lingling spoke of.

"..."

"Gentlemen, our target this time is the Gushe Abyss deep within the River of Cosmos, passing through peripheral areas like the Beast Highlands, Cangqiu Marshes, and Golden Lotus Islands among dozens of other peripheral zones."

"Although this is a route verified countless times for its safety, none of us can afford to be negligent. Within the River of Cosmos, time and space are chaotic and intricate, dangers could arise unexpectedly at any moment."

After speaking.

Iron Hammer's gaze grew sharper, and the ferocious scar crossing half his cheek twitched, his eyes scanning the five individuals before him, finally settling slowly on Zhang Jing at the back.

Meeting his gaze.

Zhang Jing nodded with a smile.

Among those present, he was the only one without experience in the secret realms of the River of Cosmos, so it was quite clear for whom these words were intended.

"Qingyun Daoist, don't take offense. Brother Iron Hammer may sound harsh, but he's actually a good person. And it's just that he looks a bit more rushed; he's not much older than us," informed Su Lingling, leaning in and whispering softly.

"I see, thank you."

As he spoke.

"Qingyun Daoist, once we truly enter the River of Cosmos, you just follow behind me," Lei Hong, turning his head, glanced at Zhang Jing with a smirk and said cheerily.

"Then I appreciate it," Zhang Jing responded warmly.

As the other tried to say more, Iron Hammer at the front summoned forth an Immortal Boat magical artifact. He swung his hammer energetically and called out loudly:

"Set off!"

...

...

Three days later.

The speed of the Immortal Boat began to slow and then, as if crossing some invisible barrier, the scenery around them changed precipitously.

Heaven and earth were gone, replaced by a vast and somber emptiness.

Everywhere to the left, right, above, and below, there was an profound depth that seemed without end.

Transparent undulations occasionally surfaced around them, only to vanish in an instant.

At the forefront of the Immortal Boat, Zhang Jing, who had been meditating, suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a hint of surprise.

"Is this the interior of the Extreme River of Time?"

"Correct."

The hulking figure of Iron Hammer drew closer, his voice gravely continuing, "From here on, we cannot use the Immortal Boat."

"Because of those unpredictable dangers in the River of Cosmos?"

Zhang Jing asked.

"Yes."

Iron Hammer replied tersely and then fell silent.

The air fell into a stillness.

As the Immortal Boat, under his control, quickly descended toward an enormous island below.

Time passed unknowably.

Just as the Immortal Boat was about to land, Iron Hammer could not hold back any longer and broke the silence with a tense question:

"Daoist friend, you must have concealed your cultivation level. What exactly is your purpose for blending into our group?"

As he spoke.

He took down the wolf-tooth hammer from behind and mana surged all around him, ready to take action if the question wasn't answered satisfactorily.

"Calm yourself, Brother Iron Hammer. I joined your esteemed group merely to save some time. Once we delve deeper into the River of Cosmos, I will naturally depart,"

Zhang Jing lifted his eyes calmly and spoke.