Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

"This should be the place."

Gazing at the cluster of low buildings in front of him, their occasional crane calls percolating through the air, Zhang Jing paused for a moment before striding towards the entrance.

That was one downside of the Outer Academy.

Each team's camp was distributed across various islands, making travel quite challenging for those like Zhang Jing without Flying Artifacts or Flying Spiritual Beasts as mounts.

As for using flying spells... He feared he might run out of Spiritual Power mid-flight and become fish food in the lake below.

If he was lucky, he might spot the legendary Sea Dragon.

So, the best option would be to rent a Spirit Crane from the Spirit Crane Garden right in front of him.

The moment he entered, a young man in blue robes came forward to welcome him.

"Junior Brother, are you heading out to take on a task?"

"Senior Brother, I want to rent a Spirit Crane to go to the Thousand Law Pavilion."

Upon hearing Zhang Jing's reply, the man in blue robes smiled even more warmly.

"Junior Brother, you wish to rent a Spirit Crane, right? No problem at all, come this way."

With that, the man apologetically led Zhang Jing inside.

It didn't take long.

A garden full of lush greenery appeared before Zhang Jing. In it, more than a dozen tall Spirit Cranes, pure white and flawless, were leisurely wandering about.

From time to time, a crane would raise its long neck high, flapping its wings and emitting a clear call.

The minor dust and gravel kicked up by the crane's wings flew straight towards Zhang Jing but was promptly repelled by the aura emanating from his robe.

"Junior Brother, are you satisfied with these Spirit Cranes?" The man in blue robes inquired.

Zhang Jing nodded, then asked:

"May I ask Senior Brother, how much does it cost to rent a Spirit Crane for a day?"

At his words, the man looked at Zhang Jing with surprise but didn't probe further, instead answering sincerely:

"Two Spirit Stones per day."

"Alright then, I'll rent it for today. Thank you, Senior Brother." Zhang Jing said, smiling as he removed two Spirit Stones from his storage bag and handed them to the man.

"You're too polite, Junior Brother."

The man accepted the Spirit Stones.

Then he took out a black bracelet from his storage bag and handed it to Zhang Jing. He pointed to a Spirit Crane in the garden and explained:

"Junior Brother, you can control the crane through this bracelet by using your Spiritual Sense."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Zhang Jing took the bracelet, and his Spiritual Sense sensed a dazed consciousness inside.

"Come here." Zhang Jing's Spiritual Sense pulsed.

In an instant, a Spirit Crane stopped in its tracks, glanced at Zhang Jing, and walked straight towards him.

"Senior Brother, do you sell these Spirit Cranes here?"

Feeling the convenience of the Spirit Crane, Zhang Jing was tempted to ask.

After all, he had a place for rearing Spiritual Beasts in his own cave dwelling. If he could raise an obedient Spirit Crane like this, wouldn't his travels be much more convenient?

However, the answer from the man in blue robes almost made Zhang Jing give up this enticing idea.

"Junior Brother, these Spirit Cranes are indeed for sale. You can take one home with you for a hundred Tao Merits."

A hundred Tao Merits? That's outrageously costly!

He certainly couldn't bear to use Tao Merits for the purchase, but if Spirit Stones were an option, he might reconsider. After all, there were more ways to obtain Spirit Stones than Tao Merits.

"Senior Brother, can I use Spirit Stones instead?" asked Zhang Jing, unwilling to give up.

In response to his gaze, the man smiled gently.

...

...

"Junior Brother, are you sure?"

Inside the Legacy Pavilion, Senior Brother Liu held in his hands a medium-grade legacy exchange certificate. He looked at Zhang Jing with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Zhang Jing nodded firmly, replying:

"Senior Brother, I'm certain."

"Junior Brother, didn't I tell you before? The only thing you need to focus on right now is cultivation. Don't waste your time elsewhere. Talisman Making, a type of legacy, particularly consumes time and energy. Those who have managed to earn Tao Merits through it are either talented or have spent years of tough training."

Senior Brother Liu looked at Zhang Jing with mixed feelings.

He wanted to dissuade him further, but seeing Zhang Jing's resolute gaze, he knew no amount of persuasion would change his mind this time.

After a long silence.

Senior Brother Liu sighed, then said in a stern voice to Zhang Jing:

"Junior Brother, since you're determined to exchange, I won't stop you. However, I hope you always bear in mind that cultivation is the foundation. Only by entering the Inner Academy, truly stepping onto the Path of Longevity in the Immortal Way, will you understand how large this world truly is!"

"Brother, I will keep your teachings in mind."

Zhang Jing bowed deeply, uttering his words earnestly.

"Well, if you could keep my teachings in mind, you wouldn't have come to exchange for a Talisman Making legacy today!" Senior Brother Liu retorted irritably.

Zhang Jing didn't respond, only stood there, smiling awkwardly.

"Let me think... a medium-grade legacy exchange voucher..." Senior Brother Liu stared at Zhang Jing as he patiently explained, "Junior Brother, unlike Cultivation Methods used during the Qi Refinement stage, which have specific tiers, the importance of a Talisman Making legacy lies in the recorded methods of making various talismans."

"If we're talking about equivalent exchange with Tao Merits... that's it, Junior Brother, please wait a moment."

With that, Senior Brother Liu turned and walked deeper into the Legacy Pavilion.

In no time.

He returned, walking straight up to Zhang Jing, a jade slip in his hand.

"This is the 'Nine Phenomena Spirit Star Talisman Script', which mainly records Talisman Making techniques and the production methods of various grade talismans. It should meet your needs."

"This legacy is considered a high-grade Talisman Making Method, and its value is comparable to your medium-grade legacy exchange certificate."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Zhang Jing said gratefully.

Receiving the jade slip, his Spiritual Sense instinctively delved into it.

The legacy indeed recorded the method for making talismans and the methods for making nearly twenty different grades of talismans.

"Junior Brother," Senior Brother Liu suddenly spoke, "Now that I've given you the Talisman Making legacy, I have other matters to attend to and must leave."

"Take care, Senior Brother!" Zhang Jing stored the jade slip.

Only when he saw Senior Brother Liu's figure disappear from sight did he turn around and head out.

His next stop was the Thousand Law Pavilion.

While purchasing materials for making talismans, he could take this opportunity to have a look at the Thousand Law Pavilion.

The Spirit Crane carrying Zhang Jing soared into the air.

After quickly making out the correct direction in mid-air, they flew straight towards the Thousand Law Pavilion.

...

Half an hour later.

In front of a vast, towering bronze palace.

Zhang Jing gently jumped off the back of the Spirit Crane.

Unlike the serene Legacy Pavilion, the exterior of the Thousand Law Pavilion was bustling with Disciples of the Dao Institute coming and going.

After securing the Spirit Crane.

Zhang Jing took a deep breath, then followed others inside.

What he saw was a spacious hall, with a large green-gold door standing on one side, exuding a feeling of antiquity.

The giant door stood open.

But the flickering spirit lights within obscured the view inside.

However, he noticed that those Senior Brothers and Sisters, upon entering the Thousand Law Pavilion, would confidently cross the giant door and proceed inside.

"The place where the Thousand Law Pavilion sells Magic Artifacts and talismans should be in there."

Zhang Jing didn't hesitate and followed them inside.