The top floor of the Inheritance Pavilion.
More than a dozen purple-robed figures sat quietly, their auras vast and mighty, like fathomless abysses and boundless seas.
Beneath them seemed to lie an empty, silent sea of stars, countless inheritances rising and sinking within it, emanating terrifying auras, some freezing cold, others scorching hot.
Suddenly.
A hunched figure slowly solidified from an illusion and appeared at the very front. His body shifted from infant to youth to old man, cycling endlessly between the three, looking utterly bizarre.
"Greetings, Pavilion Master!"
The purple-robed figures rose one after another and called out respectfully.
"Mm." The pavilion master nodded slightly, then asked, "Do you know why I summoned you here?"
A voice that sounded as though an infant, a young man, and an old man were speaking simultaneously flooded the entire space, so powerful that even the whole Inheritance Pavilion trembled along with it.
"May I ask, Pavilion Master, is this about Clear Firmament Mysterious Bright Heaven opening to receive people?"
The purple-robed figure seated at the very front asked.
"Indeed! In five years, Clear Firmament Mysterious Bright Heaven will receive the seeds of many inheritances from the lower realm. As always, the True Spirit Ranking on the Flowing Light Immortal Wall determines the places. For the vast majority of you, this is your only chance."
"Foundation Establishment grants a lifespan of three hundred years, while Clear Firmament Mysterious Bright Heaven opens once every hundred and eighty years! If you miss this opportunity, you can only follow in our footsteps, helplessly breaking through to the Golden Core Divine Ability realm in the lower realm and burying the great path to immortality with your own hands."
The pavilion master sighed.
"Pavilion Master, earning a place on the True Spirit Ranking is easier said than done."
Seated below, Senior Brother Liu spoke bitterly.
"The Red Crow Great Tribe of Jun Heaven Domain has over thirteen hundred nations, and thus thirteen hundred Dao Academies. Their experts are as numerous as the stars, yet the True Spirit Ranking has only eighteen hundred places. Among all the Inner Academy disciples of our Dragon Lake Dao Academy, only the chief disciple of the Spirit Dao Pavilion has made the ranking."
"That is why, eighteen months from now, Dragon Lake will join forces with Divine Firmament and Profound Light to open Myriad Gods Lesser Void Heaven. Its many inheritances and the Dao intent of myriad arts will aid you in one final gamble! Success means immortality; failure is fate!"
"I was away on business with the academy master, which is why this notice came a little late. Those Inner Academy disciples of the Thousand Techniques Pavilion probably all entered seclusion a month ago to prepare for Myriad Gods Lesser Void Heaven. You must not delay either. In addition, this time, let those youngsters of the Outer Court who are under forty and at the tenth level of Qi Refining enter Myriad Gods Lesser Void Heaven as well."
"A hundred and eighty-five years from now, perhaps they... will bring Dragon Lake an unexpected delight."
The pavilion master spoke slowly.
His words plunged all the Inner Academy disciples below into silence.
One day later.
Coiling Dragon Island.
A rugged-looking man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing sternly at Chen Xiandao, who stood silently before him.
"Junior Brother Chen, this is our first meeting, isn't it?"
He asked, his deep voice resounding in all directions.
"This is indeed my first time standing before the captain since joining the Coiling Dragon Squad. Chen Xiandao greets Senior Brother Jia."
Chen Xiandao spoke calmly.
Facing the captain, who was at the tenth level of Qi Refining, his eyes showed not the slightest fear. Instead, they blazed with intense confidence. A phantom of a giant god faintly emerged behind him, and crimson divine flames unconsciously flared around his body.
"Good!"
Senior Brother Jia shouted as he watched Chen Xiandao's display.
"Senior Brother Jia, surely you didn't come looking for me today just to meet me?"
A faint smile appeared on Chen Xiandao's face.
"Of course not." Returning to business, Senior Brother Jia quickly grew serious and said plainly, "An Inner Academy senior brother issued a notice yesterday, instructing our Coiling Dragon Squad to increase the resources allocated to you starting today, striving to bring you to the tenth level of Qi Refining within a year and a half."
"A year and a half? The tenth level of Qi Refining?"
Chen Xiandao murmured.
"Junior Brother Chen, from now on, the Coiling Dragon Squad will provide you with an unlimited supply of high-grade spirit pills. You may also come to me with any questions about cultivation. Do you-have confidence?"
Senior Brother Jia's tiger-like eyes fixed firmly on Chen Xiandao's.
The air abruptly fell still.
A long while passed.
"Haha, eighteen months is enough! With this much support from you, Senior Brother Jia, if I still can't reach the tenth level of Qi Refining, I would have no face to remain at the Dao Academy."
Chen Xiandao laughed heartily, his eyes brimming with confidence.
"Very good. Junior Brother Chen, I'll send someone to complete this year's assignment for you. You need only focus on cultivating," Senior Brother Jia instructed.
Yet, unexpectedly.
At these words, a glint of resolve immediately flashed through Chen Xiandao's eyes.
"Senior Brother Jia, please say no more of that. To me, carrying out the Dao Academy's assignments is also a rare opportunity to temper myself. I cannot forgo it."
"Besides, before you came, I had already accepted an assignment on my own!"
"What?"
The instant he heard Chen Xiandao's words, Senior Brother Jia's eyes widened involuntarily.
"You only advanced to the fourth level of Qi Refining half a month ago, and you're already planning to carry out an assignment alone? And this is your very first assignment?"
"Senior Brother, I've already made my preparations. I leave tomorrow."
"What assignment? Where?"
"Slaying demons. Langya Commandery, Yun Province."
Hearing this, Senior Brother Jia let out a breath and said evenly, "That assignment is acceptable. Quite a few Outer Court squads have accepted it, and one of our Coiling Dragon Squad's vice-captains is there as well. Remember, Junior Brother, the senior brothers in late-stage Qi Refining will deal with the high-level demons. As long as you don't run about recklessly, you won't be in too much danger."
"Just find some demons suitable for you to practice against."
"I'll keep your teachings firmly in mind, Senior Brother," Chen Xiandao said with a smile.
"I hope so... Before you leave, remember to collect enough high-grade spirit pills from the Merit Hall. You cannot afford even a moment's delay in your cultivation now."
"I understand."
With that, Senior Brother Jia's tall figure turned into a streak of escaping light and vanished from the spot.
Meanwhile.
Within the Mistglow Squad.
A similar scene unfolded once more.
"Junior Sister, tomorrow I'll take you to Langya Commandery in Yun Province to face demons for real, and complete this year's assignment as quickly as possible."
"Also, remember to collect two bottles-no, three bottles of Green Grain Spirit-Boosting Pills from the Merit Hall later, for cultivating during this assignment. You must not waste a single minute!"
"Thank you, Senior Sister Nanshu."
"No need to be so polite, Junior Sister."
Elsewhere.
Outside Zhang Jing's cave abode.
A graceful figure stood motionless.
The bronze door slowly opened, revealing Zhang Jing behind it.
"Junior Brother, we meet again!" Tong Yao called, her smiling eyes curving.
"It seems you've already chosen an assignment, Senior Sister?"
Zhang Jing asked with a smile.
"That's right! Because of Senior Brother Yangchu's instructions, Senior Brother Ding, two other senior brothers, and I spent ages choosing before we finally found a suitable assignment."
As Tong Yao spoke, she handed Zhang Jing the three talismans she held.
"Senior Sister, these are...?"
Zhang Jing pointed to the talismans in his hand and asked curiously.
"It's like this, Junior Brother." Tong Yao blinked and explained, "Everyone prepares a few talismans whenever we go on an assignment. They're generally used to save our lives in a crisis, or for certain special circumstances. Talismans are very handy. You can activate them instantly with spiritual sense."
"The few of us specially prepared these three talismans for you, considering that you've only just entered the Dao Academy and this is your first assignment. Remember, don't go using them casually!"
At this.
A trace of warmth welled up in Zhang Jing's heart.
He lowered his head for a glance.
In his hand were three ordinary-quality lower-grade talismans: two Golden Armor Talismans and one Wind Sword Talisman.
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" he said gratefully.
These three talismans were beneath the notice of Zhang Jing as he was now, but he could sense the concern behind them.
"Haha, what are you thanking me for, Junior Brother? Didn't I say I'd have your back?"
Tong Yao waved a hand unconcernedly and spoke breezily.
"By the way, Senior Sister, what assignment are we going on this time?"
"Slaying demons, of course!"