Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Hei Jiao's heart suddenly filled with a trace of astonishment.

To think that the Nine Revolutions Jade Spear in his hand, a supreme Immortal Treasure gained from a great fortuitous encounter in the past, possessed such unmatched and formidable might.

The reason he had been able to travel through various Secret Realms for so many years while stably cultivating to his current realm, was largely attributable to the Nine Revolutions Jade Spear.

However, in the face of that small black banner, even a supreme Immortal Treasure felt fear, and during the clash, it nearly crumbled instantly upon contact.

This was the first time Hei Jiao had encountered such a situation.

The next moment.

As if a bolt of lightning had crossed his mind, an unfamiliar term abruptly sprang up from the depths of his heart.

Postnatal Spiritual Treasure!

Indeed, only the legendary Postnatal Spiritual Treasures could possess such terrifying power!

But—

Hei Jiao found it somewhat unbelievable.

How could a mere Combining Dao being possibly possess a Postnatal Spiritual Treasure?! In his knowledge, weren't such treasures supposed to be in the hands of those towering existences who had realized the Dao of immortal and indestructible life?

Yet, even though he could scarcely believe it in his heart, the reality was indeed starkly laid out before him.

That's right!

Seemingly realizing something, Hei Jiao couldn't help but look towards the nearby Causal Body.

If his feelings were correct, among the 'Zijin Sansha,' the one with the highest strength and status was not the Hei Shui Dao Brother who had just easily crushed him, but rather Yinguo Dao Brother!

If Hei Shui Dao Brother had a Postnatal Spiritual Treasure, then the stronger Yinguo Dao Brother... it wouldn't make sense for him to only use an Immortal Treasure.

Moreover, the vast and boundless world shadow that appeared behind Hei Shui Dao Brother just now, which immediately warped and twisted the Dao Principles within its coverage, heavily thwarting his every move, was clearly an extremely formidable Great Divine Power.

"Who exactly are they?"

Hei Jiao asked himself silently.

Postnatal Spiritual Treasures, terrifying Divine Skills, every sign was indicating that the origins of these three Dao Brothers were extraordinary.

Thump! Thump! His heart began to beat violently.

He keenly sensed that the greatest opportunity for his visit to Bliss Fairy Island might just be right before his eyes.

And while Hei Jiao was lost in thought.

On the other side, the Causal and Xuanshui Bodies were already preparing to leave Star-picking Tower.

Right before their figures disappeared.

The Causal Body suddenly halted their steps, speaking indifferently, "Fellow Daoist, in the upcoming days you may visit the Bliss Ghost Market; in the northeast corner, there's a newly-opened Star Pavilion, where entering might bring you a pleasant surprise."

"A surprise?"

Hei Jiao was momentarily stunned without reason.

He hurriedly lifted his head, wanting to ask further, but discovered that the figures of the two Dao Brothers had already vanished.

"The Star Pavilion in the northeast corner of Bliss Ghost Market."

Hei Jiao repeated the location in his mind that he had just heard, afraid of getting it wrong.

He knew very well, what kind of identities did those two Dao Brothers have? The surprise mentioned by them would certainly not be trivial, and naturally, he had to be exceedingly cautious.

...

...

That night.

Bliss Ghost Market, the familiar nine-story building.

"All-Contaminating Sky Demon Root, Formless Xun Wind Seed, Chaotic Thunder Essence... totalling twenty-seven high-grade innate divine substances, amounting to a sum of 117,211 Copper Coins, please check carefully," said the portly Shopkeeper, who lined up dozens of treasure boxes neatly on the counter, his face flashing a barely visible twinge of pain.

How could he have imagined that the person before him would buy so many high-grade innate divine substances? How much Copper Coin would he now lose?

The key point was, the high-grade innate divine substances in the store were almost sold out.

"No, I must find time to restock from the upper reaches of the River of Cosmos," thought the portly Shopkeeper, his gaze slowly settling on the customer before him.

In Bliss Ghost Market, there were myriad treasures, from magical treasures and Golden Cores to secret techniques and Divine Skills. Why would he insist on buying so many high-grade innate divine substances? These were indeed incredibly precious, but wasn't such frantic purchasing a waste of Copper Coins?

Could it be that he feels he can't meet the two conditions I mentioned to him last time? Yet looking at the man's expression, it doesn't quite seem like he has given up.

A flicker of curiosity crossed the Shopkeeper's round face.

While on the other side.

Qingyun Dao Body was carefully checking each treasure box's high-grade innate divine substances, appearing oblivious to the surroundings.

His face seemed calm, but in reality, his heart had already begun to surge tumultuously. How could he have imagined that the most important goal of his trip would be so easily accomplished?

Even for the sake of prudence, the high-grade innate divine substances he had bought this time were surplus to his needs.

No other reason, but wealthy!

"The three of them, Causal and company, have indeed established a tremendous merit by coming here this time," he sighed to himself in silence.

Not long after.

"Safe travels to our guest, and please do not come back... come back often."

"Shopkeeper, you're too kind. I take my leave."

Qingyun, with a smile, clasped his hands in farewell and then quickly turned and walked briskly toward the door.

He had chosen to ignore the shopkeeper's slip of the tongue just now. Clearly, his behavior as a noble customer, milking the shop for all it could offer, had started to overwhelm the Shopkeeper.

"There probably won't be a next time."

He couldn't help but laugh and cry at the situation but then thought, "Since I'm here, I might as well purchase some more materials for refining the Small Circulation Star Banners so I don't have to make another trip."

...

...

Meanwhile.

In the northeastern corner of Bliss Ghost Market, at the recently opened Star Pavilion.

In front of the wide-open shop door.

Three Combining Dao beings were huddled together, engrossed in a serious discussion, completely unaware of the approach of a tall figure with a single horn on his head.

The approaching figure was none other than Hei Jiao, who had just exited the Star-picking Tower.

He quietly drew near, his form gradually blending into the shadows, while his ears perked up, capturing a minute fluctuation of Divine Sense.

"Third Brother, is this the Star Pavilion you've been raving about? It doesn't seem all that impressive. They sell only one or two Spiritual Treasures, and they're insanely overpriced at that."

"Don't underestimate Star Pavilion. I've brought you here today because I've discovered a huge secret."

"What secret?"

"These Star Banners can actually unify the powers of different beings. In other words, the more people who hold Star Banners, the more terrifying the combative force that can be unleashed. If it's led by the Great Star Banner, the power would be even greater."

"What! Are you sure? It can even unify the powers of the Combining Dao beings?"

"Tried and tested, absolutely certain!"

"So, you mean to say—"

"Exactly, how much Copper Coin do you have left, Big Brother? Can we buy the Great Star Banner now? I just went in and checked; there are only three left. Opportunities like this don't come twice."

"I..."

"Big Brother, don't hesitate. When the time comes, you holding the Great Banner and us with the smaller ones, wouldn't hunting fierce beasts be like catching them with our hands tied?"

"Brother, it's not that I am hesitating; it's just that we can't afford it."

"..."

...

...

Time passed without knowing how long.

The disheartened group finally left, and the silhouette of Hei Jiao quietly emerged.

"Those three seemed to be from our Immortal Fish Alliance. Are these Star Banners really as impressive as they say? The surprise that the two Dao brothers mentioned—"

With a flash in his eyes, Hei Jiao immediately took big steps into the Star Pavilion.

"Welcome, guest."

A rotund three-foot-tall creature quickly came up to greet him, grinning broadly.

Hei Jiao was unfazed seeing this little fellow.

This was a Round Square Ghost. When renting a shop in Bliss Ghost Market, it was optional to hire a Round Square Ghost to help look after it, though it certainly wasn't cheap.

His gaze quickly swept through the interior of the shop, noting its extreme simplicity—there was only a primitive counter with one large and one small black banner twinkling with starlight set upon it, both looking quite extraordinary.

He withdrew his gaze.

Then he heard Hei Jiao ask calmly, "I heard you only sell these two types of Spiritual Treasures?"

"Yes, guest," answered the Round Square Ghost, nodding enthusiastically, and then he proceeded to explain, "The large one is called the Great Star Banner, a high-grade Spiritual Treasure, priced at one thousand eight hundred Copper Coins; the small one is the Star Banner, a low-grade Spiritual Treasure, priced at one hundred Copper Coins."

"That expensive?"

Hei Jiao's eyes widened in shock.

Now he finally understood what those three outside had meant by 'exorbitantly expensive.'

Compared to other Spiritual Treasures of the same caliber, the price was more than double.

And this was in the context where prices for all kinds of Spiritual Treasures in Bliss Ghost Market had generally skyrocketed.

It was clear just how outrageous the asking price for a Star Banner was.

Yet considering the terrifying effect of the Star Banners, he felt that while they were indeed expensive, perhaps they weren't entirely unaffordable.

The next instant.

The Round Square Ghost spoke again, causing Hei Jiao's expression to hesitate for no reason.

"Guest, there are currently three Great Star Banners left and eleven Star Banners. Oh, and you possess special privileges for priority purchasing and half-price purchasing."