Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

The altitude of the Spirit Crane continued to descend.

Gradually, an ancient, quaint city came into clear view.

It was dusk.

In the city, smoke from cooking fires curled upwards. People bustled about and the streets were bustling with activity. Vendors were gesticulating animatedly on both sides as if they were competing fiercely for the passersby's attention

Zhang Jing shifted his gaze away from them and looked elsewhere.

He saw that the landscape outside the city was crisscrossed with trenches and the soil revealed a faint dark red hue. The city walls were riddled with cracks and, in places close by, there were a number of dilapidated houses overtaken by weeds.

Desolation! Ruin! Silence!

The contrast with the bustling scene in the central area of the city he had just seen was stark.

"Junior Brother, those are the remnants from the battles between the disciples of the Dao Institute and the numerous devils of Langya Prefecture," Senior Brother Ding, who noticed Zhang Jing's gaze, explained in a low voice.

Then, he turned his attention to the other three and shouted:

"All of you, control your Spirit Cranes to come over to Junior Brother Zhang and me. I want to reiterate the details of our mission."

"Yes, Senior Brother!"

The others replied and simultaneously guided their Spirit Cranes swiftly towards Senior Brother Ding.

"The reward for this task is seventy-five Tao merits. I suggest an equal division this time. What do you think? As for the devil corpses and various materials, let's stick to our usual arrangement."

Senior Brother Ding glanced at Zhang Jing after his suggestion and then asked for everyone's opinion.

"No problem!"

The three others, including Senior Sister Tong, looked at Zhang Jing in unison. A knowing smile appeared on their faces as they replied in chorus.

"Since everyone agrees, let me explain the specifics of our task."

Senior Brother Ding cleared his throat and then began:

"According to the mission instructions, we start from Heishan County in Langya Prefecture, moving eastward to sweep clean the devils in nine counties along the way, finally reaching Langya City where we will regroup with the rest of our brothers."

"Take note! Just because these places have been cleared before by other disciples, it does not mean we can let down our guard. Especially Zhang Jing, it's your first time performing a task and probably your first encounter with devils. You must be extremely careful, and absolutely not be negligent."

"Devils are more brutal, ferocious, and cunning than you can imagine!"

"Yes, Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother, understood."

"Thanks for your warning, Senior Brother, I will keep it in mind."

Each of them answered in response, their alertness unconsciously heightened.

At the same time.

Beneven.song a bustling and lively city and a desolation with remnants of battles deeply contrasted.

The county yamen of Heishan was beneath them.

In a luxurious hall.

Four men sat around a square table, jovially drinking and laughing. Exquisite delicacies that were rarely seen were served endlessly by the maids, as though money was of no concern.

The stern-faced Lord, dressed in an official's gown, was at the bottom of the table, pouring wine for others with a flask in his hand. He simultaneously flattered:

"This small county is greatly indebted to the Immortals for tirelessly protecting Heishan. Solely relying on the Immortals' capability, the people of Heishan have been able to maintain a sanctuary amidst the devil-infested Langya Prefecture! We truly don't know how to express our gratitude."

"The only thing we could do is offer a few cups of inferior wine to show our gratitude. I hope the Immortals won't take it to heart."

Sitting above the Lord were three men dressed in grey.

One had a mole the size of a copper coin on his face, making him particularly conspicuous; another had an old and haggard face with a hoarse voice; and the third was tall and sturdy as a bull, with an honest and straightforward appearance.

Hearing the Lord's words.

The man with the mole immediately gulped down his cup of wine, laughed heartily, and said with great spirit:

"Hahaha! When the world is in chaos, and devils run rampant, cultivators naturally step forward to protect the peaceful. This time, my two brothers and I have merely done a bit of our feeble part, and we don't deserve your high praise."

"My elder brother speaks truly!"

"My Lord, there's no need to be so formal. This reception is more than satisfactory for us."

Hearing them say this, the Lord let out a sigh of relief and jovially said, "As long as you're satisfied, as long as you're satisfied."

With that, he clapped his hands.

Immediately, a group of government officers led a line of more than ten young girls slowly into the hall. The sudden appearance of the girls. For a moment, all three men at the table were spellbound.

Noticeable-ing the expressions.

The Lord gave an almost imperceptible nod of his head, then carefully said:

"These girls, of humble origins, out of gratitude for the Immortals' vigorous efforts in protecting Heishan, volunteered to serve and take care of the Immortals, to show the simplicity and honesty of the Heishan people."

"In my humble opinion, why not give them a chance?"

"This..." The oldest of the three appeared to be wavering, before sighing deeply. "All right, all right. After all, it's all for the sake of the people's goodwill. If we refuse, it might hurt their feelings."

"Could the Lord please have someone bring them to our quarters to wait?"

The man with the mole said at this moment.

However, just then.

A middle-aged man dressed like a steward hurriedly walked into the hall. He was about to get close to the Lord and say something when he was cut off:

"Steward, the Immortals are here, such behavior is rather impolite. If you have something to say, just say it."

"My Lord, five Daoists in green robes have arrived at the government office, claiming to be disciples of the Dao Institute."

What?!

The Lord's pupils contracted before he stood up quickly, bowed to the three men, and said, "The Immortals of the Dao Institute have come. I need to greet them. Please excuse my absence."

"Haha, that's only right, let's go with the Lord. We'd like to see just how extraordinary these Dao Institute disciples are."

The man with the mole also stood up and said calmly.

Shortly thereafter,

Under the guide of the Lord, the four of them walked together towards the main hall of the government office.

...

Elsewhere.

"Senior Brother, why did we come directly to the government office this time?" Tong Yao asked in confusion.

In response, Senior Brother Ding shook his head and laughed:

"This time is different from before. Did you notice when we arrived that Heishan County seemed perfectly peaceful, not at all like a place infested with devils?"

"But the mission given by the Dao Institute couldn't be wrong. It's said that there's a mirror in the Supervision Pavilion that can monitor all directions. The devil subduing missions assigned by the Spirit Tao Pavilion are determined this way. So... there must be devils causing trouble in Heishan County."

"To start with the government office, we can find out any recent anomalies and narrow down the area to search."

As he spoke,

Footsteps quickly approached.

The next moment, the Lord of Heishan County appeared in front of Zhang Jing and the others with a respectful demeanor and bowed: "My humble self is Lord Shen He. I was ignorant of the Immortals' arrival and failed to greet them. Please forgive me!"

"Lord Shen, allow me to ask you: has there been anything strange happening in Heishan County recently?"

Senior Brother Ding standing in the front asked directly.

Barely had the words left his mouth

when the Lord raised his head, looked at Senior Brother Ding, and asked with a puzzled expression: "May I ask where the Reverend obtained this information?"

"As far as I know, Heishan County has been peaceful with no incidents lately."

"Really?"

"I dare not deceive the Reverend. In recent days, all the devils in Heishan County have disappeared, thanks to the strenuous efforts of several other Immortals."

"Other Immortals?"

Senior Brother Ding's gaze swept over the loose cultivators standing outside the door, then he looked at the Lord again: "If that's the case, we'll take our leave."