Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

Zhang Jing retraced his steps, returning to the inn once more.

In his room, he took out the address of the temporary market shop that Senior Brother Yan had just given him and carefully looked it over.

"East City of Langya County, Bright Lantern Market, Double Phoenix Street."

So the temporary market wasn't on the outskirts of the city, but in an area within Langya County itself?

Knock, knock—

Just as Zhang Jing was deep in thought, there was a sudden knock at the room door.

"Junior Brother Zhang Jing, may we come in?", Senior Sister Tong Yao gently called out from outside the door.

"Senior Sister, please come in!"

Hearing her voice, Zhang Jing put away the address he had in his hands and gave permission.

With his words spoken.

The door was slowly pushed open, and four figures squeezed in from the outside.

"We assumed that you had returned when we heard the footsteps earlier. We didn't want to rush in and disturb you as soon as you got back," Senior Brother Zhou spoke.

"Haha, Junior brother, you were with Senior Brother Li for quite a while, I assume you must have gained a lot." Ding, standing behind the others and only his head visible, teased.

"Thanks again to Brother Ding for the recommendation," Zhang Jing politely replied.

"You're welcome, junior brother. It's the least we could do. And, we have come to discuss something important with you," Brother Ding cut in front, looking at Zhang Jing as he spoke.

"Senior Brother, go ahead."

"Earlier today, Sister Tong and the two younger brothers and I discussed a bit, and we all want to go hunt monsters outside the city tomorrow. What do you think?" Brother Ding asked, in a tone of negotiation.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jing couldn't help but show an awkward expression on his face.

After a moment's thought.

He apologized: "Brother Ding, Sister Tong, Brother Zhou and Brother Xia, I'm truly sorry. I have other plans, I won't be joining you in hunting monsters."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The room lapsed into silence.

After a good while.

"You're not joining us, Junior Brother?" Senior Sister Tong asked with a gloomy expression, "Then how will you earn Tao merits?"

Zhang Jing was about to reply-

But Brother Ding, who seemed to have anticipated the response, interjected: "Junior Brother, you're staying in the city to make talismans, right?"

Zhang Jing nodded in agreement.

"Haha, I had a hunch when I took you to meet Senior Brother Li earlier today. As a Talisman Master, you have a better and safer way to earn Tao merits. It's not quite fitting for you to risk it with us."

"Thank you for understanding, Senior Brother."

Zhang Jing thankfully said:

"I'm planning to open a talisman shop in the temporary market these coming days. If the three senior brothers and sister ever need talismans, feel free to find me. The price will be as before."

"Generous junior brother!"

Senior Brothers Zhou and Xia cheerfully exclaimed in unison.

Of the four, only Sister Tong seemed somewhat crestfallen. Zhang Jing wanted to comfort her, but swallowed his words before they could come out.

"In that case, we wish your business thrives, Junior Brother! We'll take our leave now. Take care."

Brother Ding said, raising his cupped fists in salute.

"Take care of yourself, Junior Brother."

Tong Yao once again wore a smile on her face, and spoke sincerely.

At that moment, she knew that there might no longer be opportunities for them to stand shoulder to shoulder against monsters anymore.

"Take care, Senior Brothers and Senior Sister!"

With that, Brother Ding led the others as they slowly walked out of the room.

Originally planning to go to the market that day, Zhang Jing decided to stay another night.

After all, whether he was here or there, it wouldn't affect his talisman making.

...

Early the next morning.

After bidding farewell to Senior Brother Ding and the others, Zhang Jing turned around and headed towards the East City.

Langya County City was equivalent in size to Yong'an City, where he had lived for over ten years, and even the layout wasn't much different. As a result, Zhang Jing had an easy time looking for the temporary market.

An hour later.

Zhang Jing stopped walking, looking up at the words 'Bright Lantern Market' on the gate ahead of him, anticipation twinkling in his eyes.

As soon as he walked in.

Zhang Jing sensed a different atmosphere.

Compared to the outside, the concentration of Spiritual Energy in the Bright Lantern Market was a lot higher.

Moreover, the further inside he walked, the more cultivators-from Dao Institutes and loose cultivators-he saw, while ordinary mortals were much fewer in sight.

Loose cultivators were especially numerous, outnumbering those in the Longze Market.

Small booths set up by loose cultivators gradually appeared on both sides of the road, displaying various materials from the bodies of the monsters.

"Seems like this monster crisis in Langya County not only presents an opportunity for the cultivators from the Dao Institutes but also serves as a great chance for the multitude of loose cultivators, with scarce resources and legacies," Zhang Jing's eyes reflected a semblance of understanding, and he couldn't help but feel a little excited.

The more cultivators hunting monsters, the better!

After walking for another while.

Zhang Jing involuntarily paused and found himself looking at a small booth to his right, surrounded by numerous cultivators.

Bits of conversation reached his ears.

"Fog Root Water Spirit Ginseng?"

...

At this moment.

On the booth.

A woman who appeared to be in her early twenties was tightly clutching a storage bag to her chest. She was intensely eying the crowd that was beginning to form around her, suppressing her inner fear and shouting out loud:

"Can you all stop asking? I'm not selling this Mist Root Spirit Ginseng for Spirit Stones. If you want it, you have to exchange it with Spirit Pills of equivalent value or life-saving items. Otherwise, there is nothing to discuss!"

"Little Miss, who ever heard of a transaction where one does not accept Spirit Stones? You should at least set a price," a person advised loudly.

No sooner were his words spoken than others followed suit:

"Yeah, you're making it hard on yourself, Miss. Who would offer you their life-saving items at this time?"

"Listen to advice and eat more."

"Okay then, I'll buy for 120 Spirit Stones!"

"I'll give 130 Spirit Stones!"

In their discussion, their shadows moved more oppressively forward.

"What are you people up to? This is a market, are you going to rob me if I don't sell to you? Aren't you afraid of retribution from the Dao Institute's cultivators?"

The woman shouted sharply.

However, her voice gave off vibes of someone on the verge of bursting into tears.

Yet.

As soon as these words left her mouth, the crowd pressing in on her seemingly shivered as if caught in an icy shower of water. They unconsciously stepped back, leaving quite a large empty space around her.

The stall became eerily silent.

Just then.

Tread, tread ——

A figure dressed in a green robe stepped out from the crowd and stopped in front of the woman's stall.

The woman lifted her eyes, her gaze first filled with suspicion, then overflowing with excitement. She asked hopefully:

"Do you, sir, wish to buy my Mist Root Spirit Ginseng?"

Zhang Jing didn't answer, simply looking at the woman in front of him and asking lightly, "Is this your first time at the market?"

At this, the woman nodded.

No wonder! Zhang Jing suddenly understood.

As far as he knew, experienced loose cultivators would sell any Spiritual Medicine they acquired directly to the Dao Institute cultivators, rather than setting up a stall themselves.

On the one hand, other loose cultivators couldn't afford or didn't have the required resources.

On the other hand, Dao Institute cultivators generally wouldn't exploit loose cultivators, at least not too blatantly. This, of course, was assuming that the items were not overly precious.

"Bring it out and let me see."

"Alright!"

After hearing Zhang Jing's words.

The woman clumsily took a four-inch long Spirit Ginseng that resembled a baby from her storage bag.

What was particularly strange was that as soon as the Spirit Ginseng was taken out, it started to emit whirls of mist.

In no time, the faint water mist had spread to Zhang Jing's feet.

Upon witnessing this.

His eyes revealed a trace of joy.

Due to his practice of water attribute dharma door, Zhang Jing was familiar with some common water attribute treasures.

Mist Root Spirit Ginseng requires harsh conditions for growth, and due to its ability to gather mist, it is incredibly hidden in forests and wilderness.

Rarely can mortal people locate it. Even in the Dao Institute's Thousand Law Pavilion, it is rarely seen.

Although it wasn't a high-grade spiritual material, it was perfect for Zhang Jing, who was at the third level of Qi Refinement Meditation.

Coming back to himself.

Zhang Jing could be seen crouched down, gently receiving the Mist Root Spirit Ginseng from the woman's hand, and calmly asking," Forty-year-old Mist Root Spirit Ginseng, what do you want in exchange?"

"Spirit Pills, or life-saving items." The woman looked firmly at Zhang Jing.

"I understand."

Zhang Jing nodded, thought for a moment, and a bottle of Purple Spirit Pills, ten Star Attraction Talismans, and five Scorching Sun Charms appeared in his hand.

He then remembered to take out the Water Cloud Shield and wiped off the Spiritual Sense on it. It was merely a decoration at this point; it was better to exchange it.

Zhang Jing handed these items to the woman, then explained:

"This is a low-grade Magical Equipment, the Water Cloud Shield. You just need to imprint your Spiritual Sense on it to activate it. The Purple Spirit Pill is an auxiliary cultivation pill; its effects are not bad."

"These ten are superior quality Star Attraction Talismans. They are incredibly precious. Once activated, they will form a layer of protection around you in the form of starlight. Even a cultivator or a devil at Qi Refinement level three won't be able to break through in a short time."

"These five are superior quality Scorching Sun Charms, their power is equivalent to the Qi Refinement sixth level."

"Will this suffice in exchange for your Mist Root Spirit Ginseng?"

The loose cultivators who were begrudgingly waiting around, upon hearing Zhang Jing's introduction, could not contain the greed on their faces. It quickly turned to shock.

Ten low-grade defensive talismans of superior quality and five low-grade attack talismans of the same quality?

Who among the loose cultivators would dare to provoke?

One must know that the majority of loose cultivators are at the early stages of Qi Refinement and few can reach the third level.

In an instant, countless envious eyes fell upon the woman.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

The woman next to him became more and more excited as Zhang Jing introduced the items.

As soon as Zhang Jing's voice subsided, the woman shoved the Mist Root Spirit Ginseng into his hands, exclaiming excitedly, "Sir, I'll make the exchange!"

With that, she hastily put the magic artifact, spirit pill, and talismans into her storage bag and then ran off – her figure quickly disappearing at the corner of the street.

Back at the scene, Zhang Jing held the Mist Root Spirit Ginseng and continued walking forward.

This deal had obviously made him a huge profit.

But the woman hadn't lost out either.

The value of the same thing varies drastically in the hands of different people.

Just like Zhang Jing's talismans, they may seem insignificant to him and he could make them at any time, but for those loose cultivators, and even the ordinary disciples of Dao Institute, they were treasured resources.