Forging Immortality through the Dao Seed

The Third Void Heaven.

A staircase piercing through the heavens, nine tiers high.

Rumble——

A river, swirling with frigid gales and snowstorms, akin to a hundred-feet-long sea dragon enveloped in spine-chilling menace, coiling around the nine-tier staircase, spiraling up the stairs.

The sixth tier!

The seventh tier!

...

One tier after another, as if encountering no obstacles whatsoever.

In no time.

Zhang Jing sat cross-legged at the forefront of the Five Treasures Spirit River, slowly ascending to the tenth tier.

Not far ahead.

Crack crack!

A shadow, resemblant of a horse and dragon, shifted slowly, the ashen hue swiftly receding, exposing an imposing and sturdy body, as if made from molten gold.

Whinny!

With its vast intimidating aura, the dragon-horse was about to charge, but in the next moment, it was swallowed by the wildly churning Five Treasures Spirit River.

And after half a breath, its body was reduced to dust.

Zhang Jing cocked an eyebrow.

By appearances alone, this dragon-horse was not much inferior to the previous White Ape. However, this time, it could not even endure half a breath under the Five Treasures Spirit River.

Upon closer examination.

Unconsciously, Zhang Jing turned his gaze towards the Chilling Frost White Wind banner fluctuating in the Spirit River, emanating a terrifying energy.

All the superior magic artifacts were pushed into a corner, constantly colliding with each other.

The prime culprit was that Chilling Frost White Wind banner.

"Even if it is just a spirit embryo of a treasure, its power is far beyond compare to any magic artifact." A realization dawned in Zhang Jing's eyes.

The difference between the Five Treasures Spirit River filled with the spirit embryo of a treasure, and otherwise, is way more than several folds.

A sudden thought crossed Zhang Jing's mind.

Why not take this opportunity presented by the Miniature Void Heaven of All Gods to replace all the magic artifacts with treasures?

This exactly corresponds to the methods of the Foundation Establishment Realm.

After all, once he leaves the Miniature Void Heaven of All Gods, he should be preparing for his promotion to Foundation Establishment without delay.

Nevertheless, upon considering the exorbitant price of the spirit embryo of a treasure in the Treasury of All Gods.

Zhang Jing couldn't help but sigh.

He just can't afford it!

Even assuming he had enough Spiritual Pith, it would be better used in comprehending Tao Intent rather than trading for the spirit embryo of a treasure.

Between the two options, Zhang Jing knows well which one to prioritize.

...

The Fourth Void Heaven.

Endless seas.

The moment Zhang Jing's silhouette appeared, he drew five extremely astonished gazes.

He instantly met these gazes head-on.

...

The previously lively conversation between the five people came to an abrupt halt.

The individuals exchanged looks and finally, all four gazes converged on the man in the middle.

Their eyes seemed to say: What a jinx!

"You're… Junior Brother Zhang Jing?" The plump male cultivator broke the silence and asked Zhang Jing, who was not too far away.

He knew the answer in his heart.

But he couldn't restrain himself from wanting to hear the confirmation from the other party.

"I am Zhang Jing, and I am honored to meet all the senior brothers and sisters." Zhang Jing responded with a smile.

Originally, he planned to give it a try first, to see how far he could go in the Fourth Void Heaven with the assistance of the spirit embryo of a Treasure and the harmonious Dao charm embedded in the Five Treasures Spirit River.

However, it seemed like he would need to hold off on that for a moment.

As he was speaking.

Zhang Jing started to walk toward the group of five individuals.

But in the next moment, a peculiar expression appeared across his face.

One of the silhouettes seemed familiar.

His mysterious Sea Dragon Void Comprehension Dao Charm was obtained from this individual.

"I wonder if this senior brother remembers me." Zhang Jing speculated in his heart.

In all honesty.

He was deeply grateful to this nameless senior brother. Without acquiring the incomplete Sea Dragon Void Comprehension Dao Charm from him that day, it was uncertain whether Zhang Jing could have made it to the Miniature Void Heaven of all Gods today.

After all, during the Dao Institute assessment.

Being late by a step would mean being late at every step thereafter, impacting the future cultivation progress directly!

"Junior Brother Zhang Jing, your progress is quite fast."

"As expected from a talent!"

As Zhang Jing approached, everyone courteously began to speak.

After getting to know each other a little.

Zhang Jing was finally able to match the five individuals present with the five names ranked in the Fourth Void Heaven on the Spirit Pith leaderboard.

Among the five individuals present.

There were two from Shen Xiao Inner Temple, two from Xuanguang Inner Temple, and Song Ci, the senior brother who was the first to guide Zhang Jing into Dao Institute.

...

"Senior Brother Song, do you still remember me?"

Zhang Jing walked over to Song Ci, smiling as he spoke.

"How could I forget you, Junior Brother?"

On hearing this, Song Ci smiled and his face revealed a hint of nostalgia.

"I remember that it was I who brought you from Yong'an Academy to the Dao Institute. Thinking about it now, everything seems like it happened just yesterday."

"But you, Junior Brother, have unknowingly surpassed me."

There was a hint of sigh in Song Ci's voice.

"You're too kind, Brother Song." Zhang Jing responded courteously.

"This is no false modesty," Song Ci gently patted Zhang Jing on the shoulder, and said with a complicated expression: "With your current Refining Qi Realm stage, you managed to reach the Fourth Void. I reckon you've grasped a hint of the Tao Intent. Once you leave here, you should be able to establish a Superior Dao Foundation."

"Longevity lies within your grasp."

"Unlike me, I merely achieved White Dao Foundation. Two hundred years from now, I'll turn to dust."

Zhang Jing was silent.

Of course, he knew about the White Dao Foundation.

That was a Tao Foundation created upon an incomplete Taoistic Rhyme, with absolutely no potential.

He couldn't help but glance at the other four.

Those who were still in the Fourth Void, most probably only established the White Tao Foundation as the onset of the Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

After pondering for a moment.

Zhang Jing reassured: "Senior brother, don't be disheartened. Aren't you already in the Treasury of All Gods Little Void? Everything still stands a chance. As long as you fully comprehend the Taoistic Rhyme, you would naturally transform into the Crimson Tao Foundation."

Song Ci managed a weak smile.

"I suppose I'll take your good wishes then."

Although he spoke as such, if the Taoistic Rhyme were indeed easy to grasp fully, he wouldn't have established the White Tao Foundation in the first place.

Moreover.

In recorded history, the number of cultivators who could transform their Tao Foundation in the Treasury of All Gods Little Void were few and far between.

Song Ci did not believe he fell into that 'few'.

An hour later.

The five Senior Brothers and Sisters took their leave of Zhang Jing, flying straight towards the sea surrounding the island before plunging into the water.

Where they currently stood was the only island in the Fourth Void, only a hundred miles around, devoid of even a single Demon Spirit.

All the Demon Spirits were out there, lost amidst the vast sea.

That was what Zhang Jing had just learned from Senior Brother Song.

At his location.

All fell silent.

Zhang Jing lifted his head to gaze upon the nine-storied celestial staircase that reached the heavens; within his eyes, a fierce flame could be seen.

Time to see just how far he could go!

...

At that moment.

Underneath the freezing sea.

The light was incredibly dim.

Five figures formed a circle, their Spiritual Senses violently fluctuating as if they were discussing some grave matter.

"Gentlemen, the worst-case scenario has occurred! I didn't expect Junior Brother Zhang Jing to reach the Fourth Void so quickly, at the same time as us. Having been overtaken by a cultivator at the Qi Refinement stage, we'd become infamous in the annals of Dao Institute once we leave the Treasury of All Gods Little Void."

"What should we do?"

"Of course, we need to reach the Fifth Void as quickly as possible and shake off Junior Brother Zhang Jing there. Then we can... perhaps save face."

"Nonsense! Weren't we also aiming to do this before Zhang Jing reached the Fourth Void?"

"What I mean is--"

"From now on, everyone work together to hunt Demon Spirits, accumulate Tao Merits as fast as possible, exchange these for Dao Enlightenment Tea. Only then do we stand a chance at fully comprehending Taoistic Rhyme, transforming Tao Foundation and truly leaving Zhang Jing behind."

"Hiss-- How much time will that take? In that time, Junior Brother Zhang Jing might have already overtaken us and we'd be even more embarrassed."

"No need to worry about that."

"Indeed, Junior Brother Zhang Jing should have grasped a hint of Tao Intent. But, to advance that Tao Intent will not be as easy. Moreover, don't forget, he can only strengthen his spells using Tao Intent, we, on the other hand, have the Tao Foundation!"

"Wait!"

At this moment, the previously silent Song Ci suddenly spoke:

"If that's the case, why don't we invite Junior Brother Zhang Jing to join?"

The other four fell silent abruptly.

The meaning reflected in their faces was clear.

...

The Fourth Void, Seventh Staircase.

A fox-like creature with a human face as tall as a human was lying on the ground.

Its whole body tightly curled into a ball, the red fur covered in frost. The human face carried an expression of extreme pain. It occasionally looks at Zhang Jing with its intelligent eyes, a hint of a plea in them.

Zhang Jing was expressionless.

The Five Treasures Spirit River under his feet, without showing any mercy poured directly onto the fox-like creature.

With a woeful cry as if blood was being shed.

The Dao Pattern in the palm of his hand started to flicker.

Spiritual Pith increased by five thousand!

[Spiritual Pith: 43,310]

Hu hu——

Only until this moment.

The dishevelled Zhang Jing finally relaxed completely.

He couldn't help but look at the dead body of the fox-like creature on the ground, a hint of caution flashing in his eyes.

This was his first encounter with this type of Demon Spirit.

Its body was extremely frail, but the spells were extremely powerful. The key point was, it actually showed an unknown Taoistic Rhyme during the fight.

Throughout the fight.

If Zhang Jing was slightly careless, countless stray thoughts would come to his mind, igniting instantly into clusters of pale flames, burning his Spiritual Sense.

Thankfully, the presence of the Red Divine Light shielded him.

But, even so, he barely managed to kill this fox-like creature while using all his strength.

Zhang Jing glanced at the remaining two steps of the heavenly staircase above him, shook his head, and floated downwards.

It was not meaningful to continue advancing.

With his current strength.

Perhaps he stood a chance at crossing the Eighth Staircase, but it was impossible for him to cross the Ninth Staircase and reach the Fifth Void.

"Right now I have two paths, either comprehend the Tao Intent or strengthen the Five Treasures Spirit River using a magical artifact Spiritual Embryo." Zhang Jing analyzed in a low voice.

And clearly.

The Tao Intent was his optimal choice and was the fundamental reason he entered the Treasury of All Gods Little Void.

Furthermore-- this place was nothing like the Third Void where Demon Spirits were hard to find.

Suddenly, Zhang Jing looked down at the boundless ocean.

The Demon Spirit auras were as numerous as the stars.