Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

"Is this Luodu Squad's station, Luodu Island?"

Zhang Jing instinctively compared Luodu Island with the other islands he had seen before, and realized there was a vast difference between them.

Not just in terms of the island's size.

But also the number of powerful presences he could detect on the island using his spiritual sense.

"Senior Brother Yangchu, are all task squads ranked within the top ten in the Outer Academy like this? And why don't the top ten squads have a rule of a five-year cut from their Tao Merits like other squads?"

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Zhang Jing decided to ask all his questions.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yangchu didn't directly answer, but instead countered:

"Junior Brother, during our journey, we have seen many task squads. Now, what do you think of those when compared to our Luodu squad?"

"They do not come close!"

Zhang Jing answered sincerely.

Zhang Yangchu nodded and then explained, "There is a mix of strengths and weaknesses among the top ten squads, but even the tenth-ranked squad has a comprehensive strength and foundation that far surpasses those behind them."

"As for the reason?"

A look of pride appeared on his face:

"It's naturally because — each squad has produced more than one Inner Academy Disciple, and this trend has continued over the generations. With the support of the Senior Brothers from the Inner Academy, our squads lack neither resources nor talented individuals!"

"Of course, everything has its pros and cons. If you are enjoying the benefits, naturally you have corresponding responsibilities."

"What responsibilities?" Zhang Jing asked curiously.

"Some extremely dangerous, daunting devil-subduing tasks in the Outer Academy can be refused by other squads, but not by us. At the same time, we also shoulder the mission of grooming the new generation of Inner Academy Disciples."

Zhang Yangchu's voice suddenly became heavy.

"Numerous members have perished during missions, including those at the tenth layer of Qi Refinement. As a newcomer to the Outer Academy, you must be extremely cautious when you are out carrying out devil-subduing missions."

Hearing this, Zhang Jing couldn't help but ask:

"Senior Brother, do we all have to take on and execute devil-subduing missions?"

"Naturally. The Dao Institute stipulates that every disciple of the Outer Academy must execute a devil-subduing mission at least once a year. Besides, you need Tao Merits for your cultivation, Junior Brother. The fastest and main way to earn Tao Merits is through devil-subduing missions."

"The mission rewards are Tao Merits, the materials on the devil's body, alongside the treasures collected during the course of the mission. Selling these to the Thousand Law Pavilion earns us a handsome income in Tao Merits."

I see.

Zhang Jing nodded in understanding.

As they were speaking, they had arrived at a range of buildings located at the center of Luodu island.

The flying sword gradually descended and finally landed in front of an imposing building.

"Junior Brother," Zhang Yangchu hopped off the flying sword and said with a smile, "This is our Luodu Squad's Merit Tower. I have brought you here to register you as a member, and also to provide the cultivation cave dwelling and the middle-grade legacy exchanging opportunity that I promised."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Zhang Jing hopped down from the flying sword and expressed his gratitude.

"Haha, it's my duty."

As he spoke, Zhang Yangchu led Zhang Jing into the Merit Tower.

As soon as they entered, Zhang Jing saw a Junior Sister dressed in white robes greeting them with a smile:

"Greetings, Senior Brother Zhang."

Seeing the newcomer, Zhang Yangchu cheerfully said, "So it's Junior Sister Tong on duty today. It seems your mission must have gone smoothly!"

"Ugh~ don't mention it, Senior Brother. This time, the four of us managed to locate the Three-headed Pheasant quite easily under Senior Brother Ding's lead. However, we discovered that the Monster had exceptional flying skills when we tried to subdue it. Senior Brother Ding had no choice but to use a Middle-Grade Charm to greatly wound it."

"He is still regretting it now."

Hearing this, the girl known as 'Junior Sister Tong' frowned and said unhappily.

Soon after, she noticed Zhang Jing who was standing behind Zhang Yangchu and asked curiously:

"Who is this Junior Brother?"

"Junior Sister, this is Junior Brother Zhang Jing who recently joined our squad. I brought him here to register his name." Zhang Yangchu introduced.

After saying this, he turned to Zhang Jing and introduced:

"Junior Brother, this is Senior Sister Tong Yao who entered the academy one term earlier than you. If I remember correctly, she was ranked fourth when she joined~"

Just as his voice fell, Tong Yao rolled her eyes and corrected him:

"Senior Brother, I was third, third!"

"Oh, then it's perfect. Both you and Junior Brother Zhang were ranked third in your entrances exams. Isn't it destiny?" Zhang Yangchu teased.

"Senior Brother, you always make fun of me!"

In the next moment.

Tong Yao glanced at Zhang Jing, a glint of mischief flashed through her eyes. She put her hands behind her back, feigning a leisurely walk around Zhang Jing.

"Oh~ so it's you, Junior Brother."

"Greetings, Senior Sister Tong."

Seeing the Senior Sister close at hand, Zhang Jing greeted her with an awkward look on his face.

Then,

A crisp 'slap' sound rang out.

Tong Yao jumped and slapped Zhang Jing's shoulder. Her vibrant eyes were gleaming with excitement, and her laugh, like that of silver bells, suddenly rang out:

"Haha, don't you worry Junior Brother, your Senior Sister will look out for you!"

On the other side, a word of her promise made Zhang Yangchu's face reveal a strange smile.

But he did not say anything, only gently reminding:

"Junior Sister, how about we first register Junior Brother's name?""Ah yes, yes, yes, I almost forgot. I'm sorry Junior Brother, could you please give me your identity jade pendant?"

After being reminded, it seemed as if Tong Yao suddenly came back to senses.

Zhang Jing then took out his identity jade pendant and handed it over to his senior sister in front of him.

She took the jade pendant and the next moment, quickly walked inside.

Watching her retreating figure, Zhang Yangchu couldn't help but smile. "Don't mind it, Junior Brother. Your Senior Sister Tong is.. lively at times, you will get used to it."

"Don't worry about it, Senior Brother."

Zhang Jing responded calmly.

It didn't take long before Tong Yao came out again, handing back the jade pendant and a jade slip to Zhang Jing, whispering, "Junior Brother, congratulations on joining the Luodu team. The jade slip records some information about the Dao Institute and our Luodu team, which should be useful to you."

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

Just then,

The voice of Zhang Yangchu sounded again: "Junior Sister, please get the jade key for the west twenty-third cave house for Junior Brother, yes, and also give him a middle-grade legacy exchange voucher."

What?!

The moment she heard the voice, Tong Yao was taken aback, she turned her head to look at Zhang Yangchu, asking doubtfully:

"Senior Brother, isn't a cave house only to be applied for by Deacons of the team? And are you sure about the middle-grade legacy exchange voucher?"

Meeting her gaze, Zhang Yangchu nodded firmly:

"Junior Sister, the team leaders have already agreed to it, please go."

Seeing Tong Yao still looked surprised and confused, he smiled and explained:

"Hahaha, Junior Sister, you have just returned from a mission, you may not be aware. The difficulty of the Dao Institute assessment for the batch of Junior Brother Zhang's was not comparable to that of your batch."

"Two Grade-A Monsters, and almost thirty people received Grade-B ratings. During the ranking assessment, there were sixteen people at the second level of Qi Refinement."

"And your Junior Brother Zhang here, extraordinarily took the third place, his strength was only a tiny bit behind the two Grade-A Monsters, and far surpassed other Grade-B Talents."

On the spot,

Tong Yao, immersed in shock, the more Zhang Yangchu spoke, the more disbelief flashed through in her eyes.

After listening, she looked at Zhang Jing as if looking at a monster, saying,

"Junior Brother, please wait a moment, I'll get it right away."

Before long,

Tong Yao returned, walked up to Zhang Jing, carefully holding a jade key and a voucher in her hand she explained:

"Junior Brother, you can find the location of the West 23rd cave house by inspecting the jade key with your Spiritual Sense. And this legacy exchange voucher, you can take it to the Legacy Pavilion to directly exchange it for a middle-grade legacy."

Zhang Jing took the jade key and the voucher.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister."

On the other side, Zhang Yangchu seemed to think of something, and directly said to Tong Yao:

"Junior Sister, remember to choose a suitable task in the next few days, and then take Junior Brother Zhang along. He's just started his cultivation, many methods are not yet perfect, and his cultivation is still low, so please take care of him. I will talk to Senior Brother Ding about this later."

"Understood, Senior Brother. Don't worry, I will definitely take good care of Junior Brother Zhang."

Tong Yao clenched her fists, promising confidently.

"Junior Brother Zhang Jing," Zhang Yangchu turned to look at Zhang Jing, "Remember to go to the Merit Building on the first day of every month to get the Purple Spirit Pill. I have to go, I have other matters to attend to."

After saying that, he strode off.

"Safe travels, Senior Brother!"