Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Tap, tap—

A team of soldiers, clad in treasured armor and expressionless faces, emerged from the shadows.

The leader, dressed in a golden armor, glanced apprehensively toward the direction where Zhang Jing had just disappeared, and then calmly walked over to the corpse of the dwarf and slowly pulled out the golden arrow.

Clearly, it was he who had shot the arrow.

"My lord, he was the only witness, why did you—?"

Someone asked, puzzled.

"What witness? We're just here to collect the bodies. What does their fight have to do with us?"

The leader in the golden armor looked quizzically at the person who had spoken, then glanced over his subordinates and shouted:

"What are you still standing around for? Get a move on and clean up the scene."

"Yes, my lord!"

On the spot.

The golden-armored being looked at the dwarf's corpse, his expression changing uncertainly as if he were quietly explaining, or perhaps talking to himself.

"Catching you would mean making an enemy of that man in the green robe; if he comes back for revenge, we're finished. But if we don't catch you, you've seen us, and we can't explain it away at the Mysterious Pavilion."

"So when we arrived, there were no survivors in this place!"

...

...

Auction Field of All Worlds.

Within a lavishly decorated room, three figures sat facing each other.

Strands of smoke rose from the table, quickly filling the room and emitting a faint, pleasant fragrance that made one's heart sing with ease.

"Phoenix Divine Incense? Friend Yan truly lives up to the reputation of being a disciple of the Treasures Dao Sect, so rich and generous."

A slender man inhaled the smoke and first closed his eyes to savor the sensation; then he suddenly opened his eyes in amazement and said,

The Phoenix Divine Incense was rare enough, but the Millennium Phoenix Divine Incense was exceptionally precious, significantly enhancing the effect of Dao comprehension and absolutely invaluable to cultivators at the Unity Realm Stage like themselves.

Having said that,

The slender man turned his head toward the young man in the golden robe sitting beside him and said with a sly grin:

"Junior Brother Qu, the Millennium Phoenix Divine Incense is highly beneficial for cultivation in the Unity Realm. Since you've just entered Unity, don't miss out on this opportunity."

No sooner had he finished speaking,

"This would be the renowned Qu Junhou from Scenery Cave Heaven who has risen to fame recently? Meeting you in person today, I can see that you're indeed a prodigy."

Yan Chihong looked at the young man in the golden robe, his voice unconsciously carrying a hint of astonishment.

Having been in the Upper Realm for less than a hundred years and already stepping into the Unity Realm Stage, such a cultivation speed was truly astounding.

Of course, Yan Chihong was also well aware that Qu must have encountered some unimaginably great fortune.

But what did that matter? The cultivation at the Unity Realm Stage was right there in front of him, undeniable by anyone.

"Qu Junhou has met Brother Yan."

Qu Junhou greeted with a cupped fist gesture.

"You are too polite, friend."

Yan Chihong's face showed a serious expression as he responded with the same gesture, not daring to put on airs.

"The Taiyi Immense Tao Sect is indeed deserving of its rank among the top two immortal Taoist lineages, with monsters like you emerging in succession. It truly is enviable."

He thought to himself, and the image of another young figure flashed through his mind.

The two were probably close in age, both with similarly extravagant talents, but that one's fortune might have been slightly less than Qu's.

However, the statuses of the two were quite interesting; the one with lower cultivation was a True Teaching disciple, while the one with higher cultivation was not.

"Junior Brother Qu's cultivation breakthrough couldn't have come at a worse time, just when Master was away. Otherwise, he'd already be a True Teaching disciple now, haha."

The slender man timely joked with a laugh.

"I see."

Yan Chihong nodded and immediately produced a golden invitation.

"This is a golden invitation from the Auction Field of All Worlds, meant for valued guests. I hope you will accept it, friend Qu."

But before he finished speaking, a divinely beautiful Immortal Spirit in a long dress approached Yan Chihong from behind and transmitted her voice with her Divine Sense, "Master, Zhang Jing, the True Teaching disciple, has arrived and wishes to see you."

Yan Chihong's smile slowly faded, and he swept his gaze over the two people opposite him, his face betraying a measure of embarrassment.

A few moments later,

"Ask Junior Brother Zhang Jing to wait for a while. Tell him I'm busy with something important and will come over as soon as I'm done."

...

...

"Is it something urgent? Understood, thank you."

Zhang Jing nodded slightly, his face still wearing a faint smile as if he hadn't been affected in the slightest.

"Thank you for your understanding,"

said Ya'er with a sweet voice tinged with a hint of apology.

After what seemed like an eternity,

"Haha, I've heard Junior Brother Zhang Jing is looking for me; is there something urgent? The trade convention is about to begin, so how about we talk in detail after it ends?"

A hearty laugh suddenly filled the room where Zhang Jing was.

Zhang Jing instinctively looked toward the source of the voice, only to see a bright Immortal Light emerge from the void, landing and transforming into a burly man.

"Senior Brother Yan,"

he said, slightly startled, and then greeted with a smile.

"Junior Brother Zhang Jing, long time no see...eh, you've reached the Dharma Phase Realm already? Your progress is lightning fast!"

The other man sat down casually across from Zhang Jing, seemingly able to sense something, and asked in surprise.

Before Zhang Jing could reply,

he heard him mutter, "It's just a pity, if it hadn't been for that person's appearance,,,"

"May I ask, Senior Brother Yan, when you say 'that person,' who exactly are you referring to?"

Zhang Jing asked curiously.

"Ah, nothing, nothing."

Yan Chihong suddenly snapped back to reality, chuckled, and shook his head, choosing not to answer as if he didn't want to upset this Junior Brother in front of him.

"Right, Junior Brother Zhang Jing, you haven't said yet, what brings you here to see this brother?"

He quickly changed the subject, smiling as he asked.

"Yes," Zhang Jing suddenly remembered, and immediately probed, "Senior Brother Yan, does this trade conference include an auction session?"