Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 111 True Cloud Spirit Spring and Ranking of Assessment Disciples (Please Subscribe)

Just past 9 AM, the Zhou family home was already bustling with activity.

A row of long benches was placed from the main room to the courtyard, where many people were sitting.

Zhou Ling and Yuan Hu borrowed benches from the neighbors, but it still wasn't enough for everyone to sit on.

Even people who weren't usually close to him sent gifts.

This put Li Ru in a dilemma, unsure whether to accept or not.

Of course, since everyone is a guest, Li Ru treated them with a smile.

Fortunately, they didn't linger. After giving their gifts and saying goodbye, they took their leave.

Li Ru didn't want to accept gifts for nothing, so she gave each person a bottle of ordinary spirit wine as a return gift.

When the wives of Xu Jiu, Chu Xing, and other members of the medicine-finding team arrived, they helped Li Ru pick vegetables, wash dishes, and marinate meat.

Becoming a Tiangongwei is a momentous event that has never happened before in this area.

People's faces showed envy and surprise.

"Little sister, you'll be living a life of luxury from now on. Brother Ling is sure to have a bright future!"

"That's right, Brother Ling has been so insightful since he was a child, and he can repair magical artifacts at such a young age."

"Yes, I have Lao Jiu's knife. He helps me repair it every year, and its power keeps increasing!"

······.

Hearing everyone praise his son, Li Ru's face was beaming with joy.

"Miss Ru, I want to discuss something with you."

"I have a niece who is ten years old this year. She is at the third level of Qi Refining and is very pretty. Her family runs a tofu shop."

"I think she's a good match for Ling-ge'er. Besides, this girl is clever and good at business. She'll help you run the winery in the future, and the business will definitely be booming!"

"Sister-in-law, Ling'er is only eleven years old. It's too early for her to be talking about marriage."

"It's getting late. Once you leave the academy, you'll have to make a living on your own, and that means you'll be an adult!"

"If you don't like her, I can introduce you to another one. She's also ten years old, at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and comes from a well-off family!"

"Sister-in-law, you all go ahead with your work. I'll go check if the stewed game is ready in the kitchen."

Li Ru was somewhat overwhelmed and could only make an excuse to go to the kitchen.

In the past, she would have been more than happy to accept such a thing.

But now that my son is going to take the entrance exam for one of the six major academies, there is no need to rush into marriage.

The men, meanwhile, drank and discussed matters in the mountains.

Moreover, the Zhou family now has abundant spiritual energy, and the surrounding neighbors often come over to chat when they have nothing to do.

Mr. and Mrs. Li were very hospitable, and they treated them to good wine as soon as they arrived.

"Sigh, with Brother Chu injured these past few days, Black Bull and his gang have taken advantage of the situation and occupied two of our areas. It's outrageous!"

"We are no match for them now. We can only wait for Brother Chu to enter the mountains and then take it back."

······.

Around noon, after all the dishes were prepared, the meal began.

To the surprise of Zhou Shan and his wife, in addition to their neighbors, quite a few other people came this time.

Needless to say, Master Lu would always come to the Zhou family for any happy occasions and would bring a generous gift.

Besides Master Lu, the manager of Sijilou Restaurant also came over, presented a gift, and congratulated Zhou Ling.

However, due to unavoidable matters at the restaurant, I only stayed for a short while before taking my leave.

In addition, Instructor Fang from the Taoist Academy was also quite surprised that Zhou Ling was able to become a Heavenly Craftsman Guard.

But considering Zhou Ling's skill level in weapon crafting, it seems to be normal.

For a Daoist academy instructor, a cultivator in the early stages of Foundation Establishment, to personally come and congratulate Zhou Ling was truly remarkable.

This made Mr. and Mrs. Zhou extremely grateful!

As a Daoist instructor, he was already a mid-level member of the Lingxia Sect and a prominent figure in Lingxia Immortal City.

Of course, Zhou Ling was also surprised, after all, Instructor Fang was a man of few words and did not like crowds.

Normally, he would never participate in such festive celebrations and social interactions.

After arriving, he found a quiet place to sit and drank his spiritual wine by himself.

In addition, Wang Yu also personally brought Wang Xin over.

This made Zhou Shan and his wife even happier. They knew in their hearts that their son's achievements today were inseparable from the help of Wang Xin and the others.

In particular, Wang Yu introduced Zi Ling as his master.

Moreover, Wang Yu not only healed Zhou Shan's injuries but also provided him with a medicinal bath recipe.

The results were excellent; over the past few months, Zhou Shan's cultivation has made significant progress.

Moreover, the materials for medicinal baths are not expensive.

Therefore, they were also filled with gratitude towards Wang Yu!

Zhou Shan then arranged for Wang Yu, Wang Xin, Instructor Fang, Master Lu, Chu Xing, and their family to sit at the main table.

This banquet includes spirit beast meat, spirit rice, spirit fruit, spirit fish, spirit eggs, etc., and each table will cost three or four spirit stones.

Moreover, a total of six tables were set up, with more than twenty spirit stones.

This is already a huge expense for independent cultivators!
In addition, there's plenty of spirit wine, and it's good spirit wine.

The food was delicious, and everyone enjoyed it very much.

Laughter and cheerful sounds filled the entire Zhou family home.

Only Zhou Ling's table seemed relatively calm.

With Wang Yu and Instructor Fang present, Chu Xing, Zhou Shan, and Master Lu couldn't drink freely.

Wang Yu didn't drink either, but Wang Xin frequently clinked glasses with Zhou Ling.

Wang Yu dotes on Wang Xin and usually lets her do whatever she wants without any supervision.

However, Wang Xin sometimes stutters when she speaks, so she doesn't communicate much with outsiders.

It's rare to have a playmate like Zhou Ling.

Simply put, Wang Yu is nice to Zhou Ling mainly so that Zhou Ling can spend time with Wang Xin.

"Mother, how about we hold a banquet to celebrate when I reach the late stage of Qi Refining!"

Seeing the lively scene, Wang Xin couldn't help but ask her mother.

Wang Yu shook his head and smiled, "Let's celebrate after you reach Foundation Establishment!"

For these aristocratic families, Foundation Establishment is probably just the beginning.

The meal felt like it ended very quickly in a lively atmosphere.

Mr. and Mrs. Zhou saw the guests off one after another.

Before leaving, Instructor Fang also told Zhou Ling to cultivate diligently and not to slack off.

Entering the Heavenly Crafts Bureau is just the beginning of a new chapter in my life!
Master Lu then asked if he could tell the client about his identity as a member of the Heavenly Crafts Guard.

Zhou Ling thought about it and decided it was best for him not to.

After all, he was currently holding a nominal position in the Tiangong Division, and it would be difficult for others to know that he was also making extra money at the Lu family workshop.

This has a bad influence!
This could potentially cause trouble for Deacon Qin.

Master Lu thought it made sense, so he didn't say anything more.

However, Wang Yu and Wang Xin did not seem to be in a hurry to leave.

Wang Xin also helped tidy up the tables and chairs and return them to the surrounding neighbors.

Li Ruze brewed a cup of spiritual tea for Wang Yu.

Wang Yu also drank slowly, and only called Zhou Ling to his side after Zhou Ling finished his work.

"Ling-ge'er, it's quite impressive that you've entered the Heavenly Crafts Bureau at such a young age."

"This is a gift I prepared for you, Zhenxia Hanquan."

As soon as he finished speaking, the storage ring in Wang Yu's hand flashed with light.

Immediately, a green wooden bottle appeared in her jade-like hand.

"True Cloud Cold Spring!"

"Thank you, Aunt Wang!"

"But this thing is too valuable, I..."

Looking at the green wooden bottle, Zhou Ling's expression was excited. He needed to fuse with the Azure Lotus Fire Seed to improve his cultivation, but also ensure his safety. Naturally, he couldn't miss this True Cloud Cold Spring.

However, a second-tier spiritual item is quite valuable, and he felt bad about accepting it so easily.

But before he could finish speaking, Wang Yu waved his hand and said, "The True Cloud Cold Spring is precious, but it's nothing special!"

"Your priority right now is to improve your cultivation level as quickly as possible to ensure you can enter one of the six major academies!"

"Thank you, Aunt Wang!" Seeing Wang Yu's calm expression, Zhou Ling didn't stand on ceremony anymore.

Improving one's own capabilities is the key now.

As for the kindness of Aunt Wang and the others to me, I can only keep it in my heart for now!

Wang Yu took a sip of tea, looked at Zhou Ling, and said slowly, "Your ability to enter the Heavenly Crafts Bureau proves that you are quite skilled in weapon crafting."

"I don't think I'll suffer a loss in this assessment of the six major academies."

"But my cultivation level of the fifth level of Qi Refining is still a bit low, after all, this assessment has two rounds."

"You need to get good results in both rounds to ensure you make it into the top ten and be admitted to one of the six major colleges."

"The first round is a skills assessment. You must ensure that you can successfully refine a first-grade high-quality magic weapon within the specified time."

"Only in this way can we obtain Grade A."

"With your current weapon-refining skills, I don't think there will be much of a problem."

"Of course, there are also bonus points for the skills assessment. The higher the quality of the magic weapon you refine, the better the effect will be."

At this point, Wang Yu picked up the teacup again, took a sip of tea, and moistened her throat.

"Aunt Wang, don't worry, I will do my best!"

He still has great confidence in weapon crafting, but most importantly, he is confident in practical combat skills.

The beast flame cannot be exposed in public, as that would significantly impact his strength.

However, if it is fused with the Azure Lotus Fire Seed and then used with the Haoyang Fire Fusion Technique, it will be much more difficult to tell that it is beast fire when it is unleashed.

Moreover, they now possess the True Cloud Cold Spring.

They were only one step away from fusing with the Azure Lotus Flame.

Therefore, even if there are some risks, we must find a way to find the Blood Lotus.

After Zhou Ling had almost finished digesting the information, Wang Yu continued,

"As for combat strength, you must also do your best to enter the top eight."

"Only by combining these two rounds can we have a chance to enter the top ten."

"These are the profiles of the top ten disciples who participated in the Six Great Dao Academy assessments this time."

"I got these through someone else. You should take a good look at them, especially the four people ranked seventh to tenth. They will be your main competitors."

"If we beat them, we'll basically be guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals!"

"That means I'll be able to get this spot!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Wang Yu handed another information jade slip to Zhou Ling.

"Thank you, Aunt Wang!"

Zhou Ling accepted the jade slip and thanked him again, his tone sincere.

Wang Yu nodded and then added, "There are still about three months left. Remember, you need to improve your cultivation level as soon as possible."

"As for cultivation, if there's anything you don't understand, just ask your master!"

After saying that, Wang Yu stood up and called to Wang Xin, who was helping to wash the dishes in the kitchen, "Xin'er, let's go back!"

"Okay, mother!"

Xin'er then came out of the kitchen.

Afterwards, Li Ru and his wife, along with Zhou Ling, escorted Wang Yu and the others to the door.

"Ling'er, when you become successful in the future, you must repay Wang Xin and the others well!"

Watching Wang Xin and the others walk away, the three of them returned to the house, and Li Ru solemnly gave Zhou Ling some instructions.

"Mother, I know!"

Zhou Ling said with a smile.

She also helped her mother clean the kitchen, courtyard, and main room.

Only then did he return to his room.

Although such banquets are lively, cleaning up afterward is quite a hassle!

Zhou Ling felt it was unnecessary, but since his parents liked it, he had no choice but to accept it!

After calming himself down a bit, he first took out the green wooden bottle and then opened it.

A sweet and refreshing fragrance wafted from the bottle.

Zhou Ling took a deep breath and immediately felt relaxed and refreshed.

[Your Beast Flame and Spirit Flame absorb the Qi of the Spirit Spring, increasing the Qi-Absorbing Spirit Fire by 1 and the grade of Beast Flame and Spirit Flame by 1.]

"As expected of a second-tier spiritual item!"

Looking inside the bottle, Zhou Ling's face lit up with joy.

Two glistening water droplets flowed from the bottom of the bottle, their light shimmering like the glow of a sunset, illuminating the bottle.

It's truly amazing!

Then, Zhou Ling put the bottle cap back on.

This True Spirit Spring is not only incredibly expensive, but even for independent cultivators without connections or influence, it's very difficult to acquire.

After putting away the wooden bottle, Zhou Ling took out the information jade slip.

He immersed his consciousness in it.

His expression grew increasingly serious.

A moment later, he withdrew his consciousness from the jade slip, frowned, and muttered, "Li Yinfeng is actually at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and ranked eighth."

This jade slip lists the top ten disciples of Lingxia Immortal City.

It not only records their cultivation levels, but also their cultivation techniques, and even some of their personal combat experiences.

It can be described as extremely detailed.

Take Li Yinfeng for example. This boy is thirteen years old now and has been in the late stage of Qi Refining for more than a year.

It is said that sixty-eight spiritual acupoints in his body have been activated, and he is only one step away from the eighth level of Qi Refining.

It's even possible that he might use a breakthrough pill to try and reach the eighth level of Qi Refining before the assessment.

Moreover, the main cultivation technique is the "Black Fiend Technique" passed down by the Li family, a high-grade Yellow Rank technique with powerful destructive force.

In addition, he also became a disciple of Zhu Zixin, a sword cultivator from the Lingxia Sect, to learn swordsmanship. His swordsmanship was quite powerful, and he also had many other techniques.

There is an 80% or higher chance of making it into the top eight.

In addition, He Zijian and his sister were also on the list.

He Zijian ranked second, a sword cultivator at the eighth level of Qi Refining, and also a first-tier high-grade array master.

He Lingyun ranked fifth, was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and was a Beast Tamer.

The first place winner was a young man surnamed Jin named Jin Sheng, who was at the ninth level of Qi Refining and was also a sword cultivator.

To Zhou Ling's surprise, Wang Xin was also on the list, but she was ranked ninth, a little lower.

The information provided is not very clear, but it mainly shows a significant advantage in alchemy.

As for combat strength, there is no other information besides the sixth level of Qi Refining.

However, this makes sense, since even Zhou Ling, who spends most of his time with Wang Xin, has never seen Wang Xin make a move, let alone outsiders.

"These scions of aristocratic families not only possess high cultivation levels, but they also have many hidden trump cards!"

Zhou Ling carefully considered these documents in his mind.

Especially Li Yinfeng, who is not considered a competitor.

It's all because of how Yuan Hu was beaten up a while ago.

If given the chance, we must make him pay the price.

"Black Demon Fist!"

"Azure Origin Sword!"

"This Black Fiend Fist has fought against Li Mu before, so we can enter the [Illusion Simulation] and fight against him."

Zhou Ling murmured.

(End of this chapter)