He did not know whether it was his imagination.
Zhang Jing kept feeling that the Jade Talisman before him seemed a fraction more solid than before. The change was exceedingly slight, but he had still noticed it.
Could it be because I reached the introductory stage of the Visualization Method and developed spiritual sense?
Zhang Jing's gaze sharpened slightly.
After all, that was the only change he had undergone during this time.
His gaze shifted downward, settling gently on the [Pure Origin Breath-Absorbing Visualization Method], which had just reached level one. A line of small text kept flickering, desperately making its presence known.
[Skill trait: Origin-Gathering Spiritual Light (low-level)]
A piece of information suddenly surfaced in his mind.
[A strand of Origin-Gathering Spiritual Light forms within the dantian, gathering qi and tempering origin, purifying spiritual qi and greatly increasing the speed of spiritual qi refinement.]
Spiritual light in the dantian, gathering qi and tempering origin?
Zhang Jing unconsciously opened his hand and pressed it against his chest, his breathing quickening.
The Pure Origin Breath-Absorbing Visualization Method had explained it very clearly.
Reaching the introductory stage of the Visualization Method and developing spiritual sense was merely a prerequisite for cultivation.
The formal cultivation stage that followed required drawing spiritual qi into the body and refining it into spiritual power, thus embarking upon the staggering path of transformation from mortal to immortal.
This was the origin of the first cultivation realm, the Qi Refining Realm.
Qi refining, qi refining-the most important things were none other than the speed of spiritual qi refinement and the purity of the spiritual power within the dantian.
The former concerned cultivation speed, while the latter concerned the difficulty of breaking through cultivation bottlenecks.
As it happened, [Origin-Gathering Spiritual Light] enhanced both.
Excitement stirring within him, Zhang Jing closed his eyes and extended his spiritual sense toward his dantian.
A faint light shone within his empty dantian. At its center coiled a strand of spiritual light like a little snake, radiating a lively, pure aura.
It really is in my dantian!
After confirming it, Zhang Jing's awareness returned to reality.
His eyes remained fixed on the Jade Talisman.
He suddenly began to look forward to it.
The [Pure Origin Breath-Absorbing Visualization Method] had gained the trait [Origin-Gathering Spiritual Light] at level one, so what new trait would appear when he raised it to level four?
Level seven?
Or even-the Dao Seed it would ultimately transform and evolve into!
Right! The Dao Seed!
Thinking of the Dao Seed, Zhang Jing suddenly realized that his mind had also transformed during this breakthrough. In that case, he should be able to keep the Mind's Eye Dao Seed activated longer.
He glanced at the dark scenery outside the window.
It was still early.
Mind's Eye! Zhang Jing shouted inwardly.
Instantly, the Dao Seed within his sea of consciousness blazed with light, and his Mind's Eye opened in response.
His comprehension received an enormous boost in an instant, and his thoughts became exceptionally swift.
At the same time, his newly developed spiritual sense began dwindling little by little, as though something were devouring it.
Activating the Dao Seed has started consuming spiritual sense? ...That makes sense. Spiritual sense is the product of a transformation of the mind, after all. Perhaps activating the Dao Seed required spiritual sense all along; I simply didn't have any before.
Wait, if that's the case-
Zhang Jing's awareness entered his sea of consciousness.
He saw the Mind's Eye Dao Seed ravenously devouring his already meager spiritual sense.
He tried controlling his spiritual sense and the Dao Seed simultaneously.
Less! Slower!
In an instant, Zhang Jing felt the enhancement from his Mind's Eye gradually weaken. In exchange, his spiritual sense consumption dropped dramatically, allowing the Mind's Eye state to last longer.
"Now that's more like it!"
Zhang Jing spoke in satisfaction.
This state was better suited to prolonged cultivation. A thin stream flowing steadily was the way to go; surely it could not leave him utterly drained and drowsy after only a few breaths every time.
It would hurt his image if word got out, too.
Perhaps the Nether Flood Dragon Devouring the Void Dao Rhythm has changed now as well? Zhang Jing speculated.
He wanted to continue experimenting.
But when he checked the time-
Forget it. Finding Instructor Wang and securing my Grade B assessment comes first.
"Good, you've developed spiritual sense. Deng An-reached the introductory stage of the Visualization Method on the sixth day, Grade B assessment. Report this to the Dao Academy Inspection Pavilion."
"All right," Instructor Wang said heartily. "Junior Brother Deng, congratulations on passing the assessment and joining the Dao Academy!"
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Senior Brother."
Knock, knock-
A soft knock sounded at the door, drawing the attention of both men in the room.
Their conversation stopped abruptly.
"Come in," Instructor Wang called. A trace of puzzlement appeared on his rugged face, as though asking why anyone else would come looking for him at this hour.
"Instructor, perhaps someone has encountered a question during cultivation and cannot make any progress, so they've come to ask you for an answer."
Deng An's gentle voice rang out.
"Perhaps," Instructor Wang mused.
The door was slowly pushed open.
"Oh, you're... Brother Zhang!" Deng An exclaimed in surprise the moment he saw who had arrived.
"Brother Deng, you're here too?"
Not expecting to encounter Deng An here, Zhang Jing faltered for a step before quickly recovering.
He did not have much of an impression of this man.
Of Ji Bochang's group of four, Deng An had kept the lowest profile, ordinarily showing neither mountain nor water and barely making his presence felt.
Yet, unexpectedly,
he had become the second to pass the assessment after Ji Bochang.
"Yes, I needed to see the instructor about something."
Deng An looked over this friend of Ji Bochang's before answering in a gentle tone.
At that moment,
opposite them,
Instructor Wang pondered briefly before saying:
"Your name is... Zhang Jing, isn't it? Well then, Zhang Jing, what brings you-"
Before he could finish, Instructor Wang's gaze suddenly sharpened. He stared fixedly between Zhang Jing's brows and asked, seemingly in disbelief:
"Spiritual sense? You've reached the introductory stage of the Visualization Method?"
Zhang Jing nodded.
Silence!
Silence was Instructor Wang at that moment.
A long while passed.
"Excellent! Zhang Jing, I never expected you to reach the introductory stage of the Visualization Method on the sixth day. You've given me an enormous surprise! Hahaha!"
Instructor Wang suddenly burst out laughing and clapped Zhang Jing firmly on the shoulder with his large hand.
He had not expected anyone in the Seventh Temporary Academy under his charge, apart from those scions of cultivation aristocratic clans, to reach the introductory stage of the Visualization Method within seven days and receive a Grade B assessment!
Right!
Instructor Wang suddenly remembered that Zhang Jing seemed to be staying in one of the free stone houses.
That meant his family was ordinary, and he had not encountered cultivation knowledge before coming here.
What remarkable talent! he could not help marveling inwardly.
He himself had been an ordinary person when he took the assessment, so Instructor Wang understood just how talented this youth before him was!
He could be said to rank just below those prodigies who received First Grade assessments.
And how many such prodigies were there?
Instructor Wang then took out a Jade Slip and recorded Zhang Jing's name along with the time he had taken to reach the introductory stage of the Visualization Method.
"Junior Brother Zhang Jing, congratulations on passing the assessment and joining the Dao Academy!"
"I've already reported your information to the Dao Academy Inspection Pavilion. Tomorrow, a senior brother will take you to the Inheritance Pavilion to choose a middle-grade inheritance."
A hint of envy entered Instructor Wang's voice when he mentioned a middle-grade inheritance.
Opposite Instructor Wang,
"J-Junior Brother?"
Hearing this, Zhang Jing's eyes widened as he stared at Instructor Wang, wanting to confirm whether he had misspoken.
"Brother Zhang, apart from the academy head and the elders of each pavilion, all cultivators of the Dao Academy address one another as senior and junior brothers," Deng An explained, walking over from the side.
At that moment,
a strong trace of shock still lingered in his gaze toward Zhang Jing, along with an indescribably complicated expression.
There was also admiration for Ji Bochang-how was that fellow's eye so good?
This was like panning for Spirit Stones in shit, and the crucial thing was that he had actually found one-a high-grade Spirit Stone, at that!
"So that's how it works. Thank you for telling me, Brother Deng."
Zhang Jing quickly caught on and followed the example, saying to Instructor Wang:
"Thank you for your instruction, Senior Brother. I'm deeply grateful."
"Haha, you're too polite, Junior Brother," Instructor Wang said casually, waving a hand.
Then, seemingly remembering something, Instructor Wang kindly reminded him, "Junior Brother Zhang, when you choose your middle-grade inheritance at the Inheritance Pavilion tomorrow, make sure you select a cultivation method with high compatibility. That's the foundation of your cultivation."
"Senior Brother, don't we already have the [Pure Origin Breath-Absorbing Visualization Method]?" Zhang Jing asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Ahem, Junior Brother, that's only the most basic cultivation method. Its cultivation efficiency simply cannot compare with graded cultivation methods. If you want to enter the Inner Academy, you cannot rely on a basic cultivation method to advance your cultivation."
"There are age and cultivation requirements for entering the Inner Academy!"
Instructor Wang spoke with a lingering tone.
The Inner Academy?!
Zhang Jing's heart jolted.
"I see. I understand now. Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."
"Haha, there's no need for that, Junior Brother. Even if I didn't tell you, the senior brother at the Inheritance Pavilion would probably remind you. I'm merely earning a favor in advance."
Instructor Wang explained cheerfully.
"Even so, you acted out of kindness, Senior Brother. I will certainly keep this kindness firmly in my heart," Zhang Jing said earnestly.
Seemingly sensing Zhang Jing's sincerity, Instructor Wang's expression grew solemn, and he said seriously:
"You're quite a fellow, Junior Brother Zhang. I'm on North Lake Three Forest Island. If you encounter difficulties in the future, you can come find me. Within my abilities, I'll do everything I can."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Watching this from the side, Deng An could not help feeling a little envious.
"All right, you two should head back and prepare. Once you leave the Seventh Temporary Academy, you won't be returning."
"Understood, Senior Brother," Zhang Jing and Deng An answered in unison.
"Haha, off you go. I won't see you out."
With that, Instructor Wang waved one hand.
The nearby door moved without any wind, slowly opening.
Creak-
Carrying his luggage on his back, Zhang Jing pushed open the little door of the stone house and slowly walked out.
He could not help looking back, his eyes filled with feeling.
Though it had only been a few short days, this little stone house was, after all, where he had first begun cultivating. It held extraordinary significance.
Looking at the marks of age that covered it,
a thought suddenly occurred to him.
From the day this little stone house came into being until now, just how many people had it witnessed entering the Immortal Dao?
There must have been others like me before... Zhang Jing was somewhat uncertain, because this was merely a stone house, the kind one could stay in for free.
The next moment,
he turned and walked toward Instructor Wang nearby.
"Haha, Junior Brother Zhang, feeling a little reluctant to leave?" Instructor Wang teased.
"You're absolutely right, Senior Brother," Zhang Jing replied with a smile.
"Perhaps this place will become extraordinary because of you, Junior Brother. Who can say?" Instructor Wang's gaze was deep. "Come along. The senior brother here to collect you has arrived."
"Senior Brother, you... say that so smoothly!"
"Haha, you noticed?"
Instructor Wang awkwardly rubbed his nose, then led Zhang Jing toward the square beside the Lecture Hall.
Along the way,
the sight of Zhang Jing carrying his luggage attracted many curious gazes.
Yet when those gazes fell upon Instructor Wang ahead of him, they quickly withdrew.
For a time, all manner of thoughts arose in these people's minds.
"Is he leaving?"
"What's going on, could he actually be giving up the assessment early? But giving up at a time like this, isn't it a bit too early?"
Of course, there were also people who understood.
At this moment, inside a Single-Story House, an exclamation suddenly rang out: "How! Is! That! Possible!"
Inside another stone house.
A chubby boy was sticking his butt out, staring unblinkingly at that figure about to vanish from his line of sight, and could not help sadness welling up from the depths of his heart.
Every sway of the luggage felt like a heavy hammer, fiercely pounding on his heart.
The chubby boy recognized who that person was at a glance.
Yet he had clearly advised the other party not to give up.
"Sigh, cultivation is really so hard, completely unable to see any hope. Will I end up giving up just like that brother in the end?"
The chubby boy sighed, the flesh on his face squeezing into a distress-shaped expression.
On the square.
A green-robed man had already been waiting for a long time.
Beside him, Deng An was standing quietly, his posture upright, a trace of anticipation showing on his face.
And at this moment.
In the Detached Courtyard area across the square.
Two people were watching Deng An not far away without blinking, their moods completely different.
Wu Mingyuan's eyes were red with envy, secretly resenting why the person standing there wasn't himself; while Chu Lingyun felt a trace of excitement and anticipation mixed within her envy.
Her Visualization Method had just entered proficiency, and although a bit worse than Deng An's, it was still a Grade B evaluation.
As the third person in the Seventh Temporary Academy to pass the assessment, the one standing there tomorrow would be none other than herself!
Time slowly passed.
Why is Instructor Wang not around? Why aren't they leaving yet? The same question appeared in the minds of both Wu Mingyuan and Chu Lingyun at the same time.
Yet at this moment.
The figure of Instructor Wang leading Zhang Jing toward the green-robed man gradually broke into the line of sight of Chu Lingyun and Wu Mingyuan.
The gazes of the two people simultaneously fell into a daze.
What this action signified, they knew better than anyone else.
Knowing it was one thing, but whether they could accept it was quite another matter.
Especially since this person was-Zhang Jing!
"He actually passed too... and even before me. How is this possible?" Chu Lingyun blurted out.
Her pretty face was full of disbelief.
After recovering for a good while, she finally accepted reality and muttered: "So deep, he hid so deeply. That fellow Ji Bochang certainly knew, probably just to watch me make a fool of myself."
Subsequently, Chu Lingyun remembered the matter she had promised Ji Bochang back then, and could not help feeling a little elated.
"Since Brother Zhang obtained a Grade B evaluation, I will keep my word and invite him to join us after the assessment ends."
As for the other side-
"I must be dreaming."
Wu Mingyuan muttered, his face ashen.
"Junior Brother Zhang?"
Looking at the two approaching, a smile appeared on the green-robed man's face, and he directly asked, his tone carrying a sense of certainty.
"It is indeed Zhang Jing. I have met Senior Brother. May I ask how Senior Brother should be addressed?" Zhang Jing said neither servilely nor overbearingly.
"My surname is Lu. You can just call me Senior Brother Lu."
"Alright, Senior Brother Lu."
Having spoken, Senior Brother Lu nodded, then looked toward Instructor Wang, laughing and scolding:
"Junior Brother Wang, you told me just yesterday that the results were poor, but today two more geniuses with Grade B evaluations popped up. You're really not honest!"
"Haha, accidents, these are all accidents, Senior Brother Lu." Instructor Wang grinned.
"Go ahead and pretend! Based on just these three of them alone, your Seventh Temporary Academy is enough to rank in the top six among the thirteen temporary academies... Forget it, I won't say any more. I'll take the two junior brothers to the Inheritance Pavilion first."
The voice fell.
Then Senior Brother Lu was seen flicking his sleeve, and a palm-sized Jade-Green Spirit Boat drifted out slowly, growing in the wind.
Before you continue