Time kept marching on.
It indicated that they were getting closer and closer to Dragon Lake Dao Institute.
Inside the room.
The previous whispering had disappeared, and a repressive atmosphere gradually filled the air.
On the faces of the young and mature alike, there was a trace of hesitation, yet, more than anything, there was fear for the upcoming examination.
After all, for the vast majority of them, this was their only opportunity in life.
They couldn't help but feel nervous.
However, apart from -
In the central area, Ji Bochang and his gang of three sat facing each other.
Different from those around them, their faces were relaxed, acting as if they didn't care about the forthcoming examination at Dragon Lake Dao Institute at all.
However, if one were to look closely, they would find that there was now a hint of seriousness in Ji Bochang's eyes.
"So, you want me to join you?" Ji Bochang asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.
As he spoke, the slightly frivolous demeanor he had originally was gradually replaced by a sharp and piercing aura that emerged from the depths of his eyes, which was impossible to ignore.
"Yes." The woman in green, Chu Lingyun, nodded, "Brother, as you must know, for us, the real challenge is how to secure a firm footing in the institute amid competition with other talented students from various states and older brothers and sisters, and to acquire enough resources, even... to gain admission to the Inner Academy!"
"Exactly."
Next to her, Deng An continued:
"Moreover, Ji Brother, your target must also be the 72 legacies of the Tao Institute. The Tao merits required to exchange the legacy are enormous. Just relying on oneself to accumulate, how long would it take?"
"Brother Wu, do you think the same?"
Seemingly deep in thought, Ji Bochang turned his head to ask Wu Mingyuan who was on his other side.
Upon hearing this, Wu Mingyuan nodded in approval, saying:
"Ji Brother, Fairy Chu and Brother Deng are right. Since we all come from the same state, we should strive together. Fairy Chu's cousin entered the Outer Academy nine years ago and is now in the mid-stage of Qi Refinement. If we have his support, it will be much smoother for us in the Outer Academy."
His cousin? Mid-stage of Qi Refinement!
That was comparable to his older generations at home.
Ji Bochang was silently amazed but also realized that this might not necessarily be a bad thing for him.
After all, before he came, he was repeatedly warned by his elders at home about the intense competition in the Outer Academy and the difficulty of acquiring resources, which was beyond imagination.
After thinking it through.
Ji Bochang breathed a sigh of relief, returned to his previous state, opened the folding fan in his hand, and said with a smile:
"This matter is beneficial to me, and you three so enthusiastically invite me, how could I refuse? By then, I will have to rely on Fairy Chu."
"Hahaha, I knew Brother Ji wouldn't refuse."
"Absolutely, absolutely."
Deng An and Wu Mingyuan responded with broad smiles.
"Brother, you joke, just call me Lingyun. There's no need for such formalities. The Immortal Way is difficult; we should just assist each other."
Chu Lingyun replied softly, her clear face blushed a bit.
Wu Mingyuan, who saw this, had a gloomy look on his face.
"By the way, Lingyun," Ji Bochang seemed to think of something, "I have a friend at Yong'an Academy whose qualifications are quite special. I think he can join us and be a big help in the future."
While speaking, Ji Bochang glanced in the direction of Zhang Jing.
He was aware of Zhang Jing's family situation, and he knew very well that the other's qualifications were not bad, they merely lacked the resources to support them.
"Is the 'Zhang Brother' you mentioned the one who just came in and was chatting with you?" Deng An asked curiously.
"Yes."
"Ji Brother, may I ask which family in Linshan Prefecture he belongs to, that he could catch your eye?" Wu Mingyuan looked in the direction Ji Bochang was looking.
But he saw Zhang Jing hugged a package tightly, sleeping soundly against the wall.
"Zhang Brother's father is just an ordinary doctor."
Ji Bochang replied with a bitter smile.
He understood what Wu Mingyuan meant, but he had to tell the truth.
"Brother, how about we discuss this matter after this 'Zhang Brother' has passed the Dao Institute exam? My cousin... tends to set a high standard."
"If he can achieve a Grade-B evaluation when he passes the exam, Lingyun will certainly visit him personally and extend an invitation."
Chu Lingyun, without moving her gaze, just looked at Ji Bochang and said calmly.
"Well, that's okay, then."
Seeing that it was temporarily impossible to proceed, Ji Bochang didn't insist anymore. He could only say in his heart: 'Brother Zhang, I've fought for an opportunity for you. Please don't let me down.'
'As an exchange, you have to guide me on ten, no, one hundred painting fans, that's not too much to ask, right?'
Just at this moment.
"Ji Brother, since you have confidence in Brother Zhang, why don't we make a bet? After all, we are idle now."
Wu Mingyuan glanced at Zhang Jing again and said with interest.
"What does Brother Wu want to wager?"
Ji Bochang put away the smile on his face.
"Haha, naturally, the bet is on whether Brother Zhang can pass the Dao Institute's assessment?"
"What's the stake?"
"How about ten Spirit Stones?" After pondering for a moment, Wu Mingyuan proposed.
He turned his head and asked Deng An and Chu Lingyun, "Would Lingyun and Brother Deng like to join?"
"No thanks." Deng An shook his head.
"Since the two brothers are interested, I would be happy to act as a witness." Chu Lingyun smiled gracefully as she agreed with interest.
"Twenty Spirit Stones, I will take this bet."
Ji Bochang said sternly.
"Twenty Spirit Stones... Excellent! Brother Ji is so generous, it makes me seem indecisive, so let's make it twenty."
"Brother Wu is indeed magnanimous."
"Brother Ji is not bad either."
"Betting is just betting, let's not harm the harmony between the two brothers." Seeing that the mood was getting a little heated, Chu Lingyun quickly advised.
...
...
Ah ha——
Zhang Jing moved his neck and felt refreshed. The exhaustion from using the Dharma Seeds this morning had unknowingly recovered quite a bit.
"How long have I been asleep?"
Zhang Jing raised his head.
Only then did he notice that most of the people were huddled and sound asleep. A few scattered individuals were wide-eyed, looking at who-knows-what.
In the empty center.
Ji Bochang and the other three all sat in meditation, eyes closed, their posture somewhat similar to the Immortal outside.
"Is this... cultivation?"
Zhang Jing was confused.
If he remembered right, Teacher Liu had mentioned that the Dragon Lake Dao Institute had a rule. Those who are selected for the examination are not allowed to have any cultivation.
Could this be the confidence of these scions when they participate in the examinations?
A hint of envy emerged in Zhang Jing's heart.
The next moment, he shook his head, thinking: 'I already have a Jade Talisman and a Dharma Seed in my heart, why should I be envious?'
Feeling a bit stuffy in the room.
Zhang Jing carefully stood up, skirted the people sleeping on the ground, stealthily walked to the door, opened it, and went out.
The moment he stepped out, Zhang Jing widened his eyes.
In his line of sight, there was a figure sitting cross-legged.
However, this figure gave Zhang Jing the strong illusion as if it might transform into a sea dragon and begin to swallow the clouds the next moment.
Have I stumbled upon a real Immortal's cultivation?!
Thump——Thump!
Zhang Jing's heart was beating uncontrollably.
He thought about his Dharma Seed.
Instead of thinking about it, let's do it.
Zhang Jing slowly retreated into the cabin, gently closed the door, leaving a small crack open.
Then, he squatted in the crowd.
"Heart's Eye!"
Zhang Jing focused his mind and skillfully activated the Dharma Seed of 'Heart's Eye'.
Immediately, a phantom eye appeared in his heart, slowly opened, and peered through the door crack towards the distant Immortal.
Over there——
A black Sea Dragon, over ten meters long, had majestic horns and a coiled, muscular body covered in black scales, which bore some incredibly mystical patterns.
The colossal head slowly extended, continuously swallowing thin strands of cloud mist into its belly.
One breath.
Two breaths.
...
The imprint of the black Sea Dragon in Zhang Jing's heart became clearer, and the strong atmosphere of it swallowing clouds and exhaling mist gradually thickened.
On the Jade Talisman, tiny golden characters slowly appeared.
"[Ghostly Sea Dragon Swallowing Void Taoism Rhyme · Fragment]"