Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Step, step——

Footsteps echoed in the night.

On the bluestone-paved street, Zhang Jing was steadily moving forward, getting closer and closer to the pharmacy.

Just a month away.

Looking at the familiar surroundings, he felt a strange sensation of everything having changed.

Unconsciously.

Zhang Jing had already arrived in front of the pharmacy.

Knock, knock! He knocked softly on the door.

There were frantic footsteps from inside, then the door was slowly opened. Two familiar figures came into view.

"Father, mother, Jing'er is back."

Zhang Jing said with a smile.

For a moment.

Father Zhang and Mother Zhang both froze on the spot.

A long time passed.

"Jing'er is back, come in quickly, come in." Father Zhang's eyes showed a glimmer of excitement, followed by a forced calmness.

However, his quivering voice betrayed his inner excitement.

"Jing'er, have you been hurt in the Dao Institute, have you eaten on time, no conflicts with others?"

Mother Zhang, her eyes filled with tears, grabbed Zhang Jing's hand and asked anxiously.

"Mother, I'm fine. Everything's been great at the Dao Institute."

As they spoke, they moved into the house.

At midnight.

Zhang's Pharmacy was still brightly lit.

"Father, mother, did you say this was given to you by the 'Head of the Ji Family'?"

Zhang Jing pointed to the boxes hidden under the bed and asked in surprise.

The Ji Family had excellent sources of information!

He had just received third place in the assessment that day and his parents had received all these gifts by the evening.

Could it be... Brother Ji?

"Yes, Jing'er. Teacher Liu told us last night that you passed the Dao Institute exam and became an immortal. The Head of the Ji Family came with him."

Father Zhang explained from the sidelines.

On the other hand, Mother Zhang, looking at Zhang Jing, couldn't help but worry: "Jing'er, why don't we just return these things? You've just started on the Immortal Way, and they send such big gifts already. There might be an ulterior motive, we can't let it affect your cultivation. Your father and I don't want wealth and fame. We don't need these things."

"Haha~"

Zhang Jing gave a light laugh, and then said:

"Father, mother, you can accept these things worry-free. The Ji Family is just trying to show goodwill. It's no matter."

With a little thought, Zhang Jing understood the Ji Family's intentions.

And he was happy to see it.

"By the way, father, mother, where is that mansion located?"

"In East Street, near Yong'an Academy."

Father Zhang took out the deed to the property and, after a quick look, replied.

"The Ji Family is quite thoughtful," Zhang Jing nodded and said with satisfaction.

This was the best case scenario.

He was busy studying at the Dao Institute and couldn't always come home. If his parents lived next to Yong'an Academy, their safety would naturally be guaranteed.

If a devil suddenly appeared in Yong'an City, Teacher Liu from the academy would surely intervene. As long as they bought some time, the Ji Family's cultivators would certainly come to the rescue.

With these thoughts in mind.

Zhang Jing stated determinedly, "Father, mother, let's move there in the next two days. I'd feel more at ease with you living there."

Feeling the undeniable insistence in Zhang Jing's voice, Mother Zhang, who was about to say something, could only nod in agreement.

"We'll go with Jing'er's plan then."

...

The next day.

It was not long after sunrise.

Ji Xianming seemed to have received some information and hurried to the entrance of Zhang's Pharmacy.

He saw a young figure at the door.

A wide smile spread on his face as he greeted warmly:

"May I ask if you are my nephew, Zhang?"

At his voice.

Zhang Jing turned his head to look, asking suspiciously, "Who are you?"

"Haha," Ji Xianming walked straight up to the entrance of the pharmacy and enthusiastically said, "Don't you remember Ji Bochang? He's my son."

"Brother Ji?"

Zhang Jing immediately understood, and said with a smile:

"So it was Uncle Ji. I feel undeserving of your gifts. Brother Ji helped me a lot while I was in the Dao Institute. Uncle Ji, please come in."

"Nephew, you're being modest. We're both cultivators and these material things don't mean anything. They were only sent to entertain you."

While speaking.

At Zhang Jing's beckoning, Ji Xianming entered the pharmacy.

Just as Mother Zhang came out.

Seeing Ji Xianming, she showed a little restraint and said in a low voice:

"Master Ji——"

At these words.

Ji Xianming's face immediately changed and he quickly interrupted:

"Sister-in-law, I'm older than you and your husband by a few years. You can just call me Brother Ji. I can't accept such a title as 'Master'."

"Brother Ji, please sit down. I will make tea."

Mother Zhang said awkwardly.

"Thank you, sister-in-law." Ji Xianming thanked her.

Before long.

"Nephew Zhang Jing, I came today for two things. First, I congratulate you for returning home. Second, I want to discuss the issue of the Hundred Medicines Pavilion with you."

Ji Xianming took a sip of tea and directly stated his intentions.

"The Hundred Medicines Pavilion? What's the matter with them?"

Zhang Jing asked in surprise.

"This..." Ji Xianming looked at Father Zhang and Mother Zhang with confusion and asked, "Didn't you tell Nephew Zhang Jing about this?"

Father Zhang gave a wry smile and shook his head, replying:

"Brother Ji, at first, we were afraid of affecting Jing'er's assessment, so we didn't tell him. The other day, you helped us solve the problem. There was no need to mention it and make Jing'er worry unnecessarily."

"Father, mother, what happened?"

Zhang Jing immediately asked, a cold shade flashing in his eyes.

"Nephew Zhang Jing, this is what happened..." Seeing Father Zhang and Mother Zhang's reluctance, Ji Xianming immediately told the full story.

"So that's how it is, thank you for your help Uncle Ji." Zhang Jing expressed his gratitude to Ji Xianming upon hearing his words.

But then, something occurred to him. He calmly said, "The Hundred Medicines Pavilion has an unaffiliated cultivator behind it? This could bring unexpected trouble."

Zhang Jing's tone was very calm.

But for some reason, Ji Xianming felt a jolt of fear in his heart.

This was the boy who had ranked third in the Dao Institute's highly competitive assessment, standing only below two monstrous talents. Scary indeed!

Thinking all the way back to Ji Bochang's instructions via the communication talisman, Ji Xianming couldn't help but feel amazed and confused.

How did a child from an ordinary mortal family get to this point?

Had the family graves exploded or something?

If he were to go and detonate his own family graves now, loosen the soil, then quickly have another child, would it be too late…?

Suddenly, he snapped back to reality.

Ji Xianming hurriedly explained: "You can rest assured, Nephew. The proprietor of the Hundred Medicines Pavilion and the cultivator behind him, we 'cleaned things up' yesterday. There will be no trouble."

Listening to this,

Zhang Jing's face broke into a smile. He nodded and said: "Uncle is always so considerate. I am grateful."

"Haha, no need to be polite, Nephew. We in the Ji Family always finish what we start. Also, rest assured about East City. I have invited two fifth-level Qi Refiners from our family to live there. Even if devils appear, they can ensure the safety of your little brother and sister."

Then, Ji Xianming gulped down the tea in his cup and said goodbye:

"Now that our business here is finished, I will blow... I mean, go back."

"Take care Uncle, I'll take care of Brother Ji at the Dao Institute."

Watching Ji Xianming's retreating back, Zhang Jing said loudly.

"Very good, very good! You are quite thoughtful Nephew, hahaha~"

Hearing Zhang Jing's assurance, Ji Xianming couldn't help breaking into jubilant laughter.

Behind him…

"Jing'er, is the proprietor of the Hundred Medicines Pavilion, and the Immortal behind him... dead?" Father Zhang asked in shock, as if he had a mouthful of eggs.

Zhang Jing slowly nodded.

Immediately, Father and Mother Zhang looked at each other in astonishment.

They couldn't imagine that an Immortal would die so easily. Moreover, it was the Ji Family who did it, just to please their child.

Looking at their son, who they had raised from childhood, they suddenly felt a sense of alienation.

...

...

He stayed at home for more than ten days.

Not until after the Changan Festival did Zhang Jing set off for the Dao Institute.

During this period, he helped his parents move house, bought them dozens of maids and servants, and through the Ji Family, found them a reliable steward.

In just these few days,

Doctor Zhang turned into Old Master Zhang, Mother Zhang into Madam Zhang, and visits from the county yamen, prefecture, state office and various major families were non-stop.

The word on the street was that Doctor Zhang had a son who was blessed by the celestial spirits and turned into a noble overnight!

Zhang's Mansion, inner hall.

Madam Zhang was mumbling in front of a few spirit positions she had made:

"Father, mother, elder brother, how are you all? I must tell you some good news. Zhang Jing, son of your daughter-in-law Jing, also your grandson, and nephew, has become an Immortal of the Dao Institute. Who would have thought that the wish of generations of the Li Family would be realized...

Father Zhang, in a robe of rich fabrics, quietly walked in and spoke softly:

"My dear, thinking about them again?"

"My husband, Jing'er stepped into the Immortal Way, we are now of different worlds."

Madam Zhang morosely replied.

"Shall we have another one then?"

"You old reprobate!"

...

...

In front of the Dao Institute's Legacy Pavilion.

Zhang Jing, travel-worn, took out a communication talisman from his Spiritual Ornament Space and infused it with spiritual power.

"Is that Junior Brother Zhang Jing? You're back so soon? Please wait a moment, I'll come over to pick you up," came the spiritual sense vibration from Senior Brother Zhang Yangchu through the talisman.

Packing away the communication talisman,

Zhang Jing stood still with his eyes closed, regaining his energy, while waiting for Brother Yangchu to arrive.

It took him a full ten days to get from home to the Dragon Lake Dao Institute.

And this was already him traveling at full speed with magic.

When he thought about how it had only taken him a little over half a day via the Spirit Crane, Zhang Jing subtly made a decision: he must buy a flying artifact and a flying mount if he can.

Not long after,

"Haha, kept you waiting, Junior Brother?"

A streak of light flashed past as Senior Brother Yangchu arrived, casually stopping before Zhang Jing on a flying sword that was as broad as a door.

"Not for long. It's mainly because Senior Brother arrived quickly,"

Zhang Jing said with a smile.

"Of course, as soon as I heard that you were back, I didn't hesitate and came straight away to pick you up. Get on."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Zhang Jing lightly jumped and landed behind Yangchu.

"Junior Brother, hold on tight."

At these words, Zhang Jing subconsciously gripped Yangchu's clothes, then suddenly realized that this phrase sounded familiar.

Boom ——

The flying sword slowly lifted off, and it turned into a streak of light the next moment and soared away.

One island after another hurriedly passed under their feet. They were all large or small, with continuous buildings on them.

"Junior Brother, those below are the bases of other small squads. Each island represents a task team."

"So many?" Zhang Jing exclaimed.

Senior Brother Yangchu nodded, smiling and saying, "Yes, the Dragon Lake Dao Institute has existed for countless years. Every year new teams are formed and old teams are wiped out by devils. Over time, this is the scale that it has amassed."

"I see."

Zhang Jing exclaimed in admiration.

He could hardly imagine how many powerhouses were hidden among so many teams. And among these many teams, the Luodu team was ranked in the top three. How strong must their strength and foundation be!

Obviously, he had been completely fooled by the 'small' in 'task team'.

They flew on, not knowing how far.

An enormous island gradually appeared in Zhang Jing's vision. It was filled with countless buildings, presenting a grand scale.

On the island were the barely perceivable presences of several tens of people.

Sharp, mild, or violent.

"Junior Brother, we've arrived home."

——

ps: I only managed to write nearly 7k words today, didn't meet the goal. I'll continue with two updates of 6k words tomorrow.