Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 113 Five Elements Spiritual Flame and the Inspector of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau (Please Subscribe)
"Everyone! Please proceed to the assessment platform according to the number on your jade token and take your assigned seats!"

Three people sat on the judges' panel at the weapon refiner assessment platform.

The leader was a middle-aged man with a refined appearance and a smiling face.

This person was none other than Steward Qin from the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

On either side of him sat a woman in a blue dress and an old man in a black robe.

The woman in the blue dress was tall and slender, with clear eyes and brows like a crystal-clear spring.

With bright eyes and white teeth, her face was as white as a blooming lotus.

She has a slender and graceful figure, but the only flaw is that her expression is slightly aloof.

The old man had a goatee and looked intently at the people taking the test.

"There are a total of 132 cultivators participating in the first-grade weapon refiner assessment this time."

"Most of them are late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, but there are also Foundation Establishment cultivators and even mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators."

"This shows that my Lingxia Immortal City is prosperous and thriving!"

"With diligent practice, becoming a first-grade technique master is just around the corner!"

Qin Zhi had said some encouraging words beforehand.

"Now, I will announce the procedures for this assessment."

"This assessment is divided into three rounds."

"The first round is a theoretical test, which mainly assesses your systematic understanding of inscription theory. The test covers the structure and theory of inscriptions."

"The second round is the assessment of magical artifact repair, which will test your eyesight and experience."

"The third round is the actual drawing of the inscription, which is also the most crucial round."

"Alright, there's still a quarter of an hour before the assessment begins. Everyone, get ready!"

Why is this third round the most crucial?

The basic requirement for a first-grade inscription master is that they must successfully refine a first-grade superior inscription on their own. As for what kind of inscription it is, it depends on the specific circumstances of the assessment.

Zhou Ling sat cross-legged on a futon, with a jade platform in front of him.

About ten feet in front of him, another cultivator was sitting cross-legged in meditation.

The cultivators were about ten feet apart, each with a jade platform in front of them, and there were protective arrays between them so that they would not interfere with each other.

Next to the jade platform was a wooden table with several sheets of spirit paper, a spirit brush, spirit ink, and two utensils on it, but they were currently sealed.

The exact shape of the instrument is not visible.

The jade platform connects to the earth fire, allowing weapon refiners to use the earth fire to inscribe marks.

Of course, those weapon refiners who have cultivated spiritual flames can also do without relying on earth fire.

After all, one's own spiritual flames are easier to control, and the success rate will be higher.

However, cultivators who can cultivate spiritual flames in the late stage of Qi Refining are still a very small minority.

"Ling-ge'er, try your best to perform well later!"

Just as Zhou Ling was waiting patiently, a steady voice rang in his ear.

It was Steward Qin transmitting his voice to him.

Zhou Ling paused for a moment and looked at Deacon Qin on the judges' panel.

"This woman is an inspector from the Heavenly Crafts Bureau. If you can make a good impression on her, it will greatly benefit your future career!"

Deacon Qin picked up the teacup, a slight smile playing on his lips, an encouraging glint in his eyes, and then took a sip of tea.

While inspecting the various Celestial Crafts Bureaus, the Celestial Crafts Inspectors are also responsible for finding promising talents to cultivate.

Therefore, he also informed Zhou Ling, hoping that Zhou Ling could seize this opportunity.

Leave a good impression on the inspector.

I will offer my recommendations at that time.

Perhaps Zhou Ling will be registered by the Heavenly Crafts Bureau and become a key figure for their future development.

Of course, whether Zhou Ling can seize the opportunity depends on his own abilities.

All I can do is remind him.

A look of surprise flashed in Zhou Ling's eyes. He subconsciously glanced at the girl, who looked no more than eighteen or nineteen years old.

He was already an inspector of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

It seems that Steward Qin, a second-grade weapon refiner, is quite respectful towards her!

How can I make a good impression on her?

Zhou Ling scratched his head, at a loss for what to do.

Never mind him, I'll just focus on passing this test first.

Given Deacon Qin's personality, there must be a reason why he reminded me like this.

However, in this situation, all I can do is try my best.

"The time has come. Now, please, Steward Lu, activate the assessment seal!"

A quarter of an hour later, Deacon Qin's deep voice rang out again.

As his voice fell, the ancient bronze bell in the square immediately rang out with a clear chime, which resounded throughout the square.

The girl also stood up, then chanted an incantation and channeled a stream of spiritual energy into a jade array plate in front of her.

Suddenly, Zhou Ling felt a slight tremor on the assessment platform.

Then, the light that sealed the spirit paper, spirit ink, spirit brush, and tools also dissipated.

Then came muffled popping sounds, and wisps of flame rose up on the jade platform.

At the same time, a transparent light screen began to rise about ten feet around each person, separating the examiners.

"The Wooden Cloud Seal and the Golden Fire Alchemy Furnace!"

Looking at the two implements, Zhou Ling murmured to himself.

The wooden cloud seal was mainly used for the second round of assessments. The seal's light was dim, indicating that the inscription inside was damaged.

The surface of the Golden Fire Alchemy Furnace shimmered with a faint golden light, clearly indicating that it was a well-preserved artifact that had been recently made.

One is repairing a first-tier superior inscription, and the other is drawing one; the two have different levels of difficulty.

Although both inscriptions are only nineteen-character inscriptions, they are not considered difficult among first-tier high-grade inscriptions.

However, it is quite difficult for newcomers who are taking the first-grade inscription master exam for the first time.

Moreover, the fact that there is only one of each tool undoubtedly indicates that success can only be achieved on the first try.

This undoubtedly adds considerable difficulty.

Looking at the two magical artifacts, Zhou Ling couldn't help but glance at the other cultivators and noticed that the artifacts on their wooden tables seemed to be quite different as well.

However, he quickly looked away, realizing that what happened to others was none of his business.

As long as I can pass the assessment, that's all that matters!
Their gaze returned to the jade platform.

At this moment, a round, palm-sized hole appeared on the jade platform, from which a faint flame rose.

This must be the subterranean fire of Jinyang Peak.

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

[Haoyang Fire Fusion Technique absorbs the energy of metal and earth fire, increases Qi-consuming spiritual fire by 1, and increases Haoyang Fire Fusion Technique proficiency by 1.]

[Effect: Qi-Eating Spiritual Fire reaches Tier 3 (1000/10,000), achieving Five Elements Qi-Eating Spiritual Fire]

[Note: The Five Elements Spiritual Fire can absorb the Qi of the Five Elements of Heaven and Earth to enhance its spiritual flame.]

[Cumulative number of times the Five Elements Qi has been absorbed: 1000/10,000]

[Effect: The Spirit Flame has grown into a Grade Two Five Element Spirit Flame]

Then the spiritual flames seemed to start operating automatically.

At the same time, the "Five Elements Qianyang True Technique" also began to operate.

[You are currently cultivating the "Five Elements Qianyang True Technique". Your innate talent +1, metal elemental spiritual energy +2, and proficiency in the "Five Elements Qianyang True Technique" +2.]

The notification sounds continued to play.

At this moment, within Zhou Ling's body, a new, faintly golden meridian could be faintly seen circulating within his meridians.

As the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique was activated, the cultivation method for metal-attribute spiritual power within the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique naturally appeared in Zhou Ling's mind.

The Golden Age Rejuvenation Technique!
He could clearly feel the earth fire on the jade platform flowing into his body in wisps.

Within the scorching flames, there seemed to be a sharp, piercing aura.

The earth fire of Jin Yun Peak is of the metal and fire attribute.

Zhou Ling's face lit up with surprise. He hadn't expected that his [Qi-Eating Spirit Flame] talent would advance to the third tier.

Not only did the Spirit Flame evolve into the Five Elements Spirit Flame, but it also absorbed the Earth Fire Qi and condensed a Metal Element Meridian Circulation.

In the future, I will also be able to absorb metal-elemental spiritual energy for cultivation.

Thus, the circulation of the five elements has already formed three paths: fire, wood, and metal, but earth and water are still missing.

However, Zhou Ling didn't think much of it. He exhaled and decisively stopped circulating the "Five Elements Qianyang True Technique." Now was not the time for cultivation.

After calming down a bit, I took out the spirit paper and began to read it.

The first round is a basic assessment of inscription patterns and seals.

It is divided into two scrolls.

The previous page contains basic information about inscriptions.

This was not difficult for him, and he finished it quickly. The second sheet was about the basic theory of inscription.

It involves the connection and transformation between the inscription structure, nodes, and patterns, which involves many techniques and a vast amount of knowledge.

It would be difficult for an inscriptionist who has not studied the complete inscription tradition to answer correctly.

Zhou Ling felt that these questions were quite unfriendly to rogue inscription masters.

If it weren't for obtaining a relatively complete inscription cultivation method from my master...

He couldn't answer many of the questions correctly.

The cultivator not far away was also mostly a rogue cultivator. He looked at the question, his brows furrowed, and he kept scratching his head.

After the first round, take a short break before starting the second round.

This round of repairing magical artifacts will truly test one's skills.

The assessment tests eyesight, experience, and actual skill level.

Zhou Ling reached out and picked up the wooden cloud seal, examining it closely.

This round will be quite difficult for others.

To spot a damaged inscription requires a high level of visual acuity and expertise in inscription techniques.

However, it wasn't too difficult for Zhou Ling.

[You are currently observing the Wood Cloud Inscription. Intermediate Observation +1, Wood Cloud Inscription Proficiency +3]

[You are analyzing the Wood Cloud Inscription. Intermediate Analysis +1, Wood Cloud Inscription Proficiency +3]

With the help of [Intermediate Insight] and [Intermediate Analysis], he quickly discovered the problem with the wooden cloud seal.

This wooden cloud seal is an inscription with nineteen lines, and its internal structure adopts a central diffusion structure.

The central pattern is the main pattern, and the other eighteen patterns are connected through three nodes.

And this inscription is the result of a problem with one of the three nodes.

Because the three nodes have almost identical structures, the only way to succeed is to keep trying while injecting spiritual energy.

Only then is it possible to discover the problem.

Moreover, the control of spiritual energy in this process requires extremely finesse.

If the inscription and nodes break due to a slight loss of control, the difficulty of repair will undoubtedly increase significantly.

It could even cause the inscription to break directly, rendering the wooden cloud seal unusable.

This means the assessment was failed.

Another challenge is to observe the damaged areas of the inscription.

However, the repair process presents an even greater challenge.

Normally, given the properties of this Wood Cloud Inscription, one would definitely choose wood-attribute spirit ink to draw the inscription.

But this Mu Yunming seal is an exception.

Its nodes are constructed from fire-attribute spirit ink, which complements the wood-attribute patterns.

On the contrary, it can better lock in the spiritual energy within.

Therefore, once you repair it with wood-attribute spirit ink.

This wooden cloud inscription is now completely useless.

Fortunately, with the help of [Intermediate Analysis], Zhou Ling was able to obtain the correct repair path.

Even a top-tier inscription master might not be able to detect this.

For a beginner, it would undoubtedly be too difficult.

Next, Zhou Ling picked up the spirit pen and began to repair the inscription according to the repair plan given by the [Intermediate Analysis].

Before long, the azure light of the wooden cloud seal gradually brightened.

After carefully observing the wood and confirming that there were no problems, Zhou Ling presented the wooden cloud seal to the judges' panel.

Meanwhile, the other cultivators undergoing the assessment were still looking at the magical artifacts in front of them, deep in thought.

"Zhou Ling, are you sure it's fixed?"

Seeing Zhou Ling hand over the magical artifact so quickly, Deacon Qin frowned and said.

Although he knew that Zhou Ling was quite skilled in inscription, this speed was too fast.

This round of assessment will last for one hour.

Zhou Ling handed over the magical artifact in less than a quarter of an hour!
Even with his second-grade weapon refiner skills, he couldn't guarantee that he could achieve such speed.

A slight unease crept into her heart. "Could it be that my telepathic message just now made Zhou Ling think that if he finished quickly, he could attract Deacon Lu's attention?"

"This young man finished so quickly?"

Sure enough, the woman's gaze swept over Zhou Ling, a hint of curiosity flashing across her eyes, and she asked indifferently.

The cultivators participating in the assessment were mainly sixteen or seventeen years old, with a few twelve or thirteen.

But this round of assessment tests eyesight and experience. A twelve or thirteen-year-old boy probably hasn't even had much contact with broken magical artifacts before.

There will be a lot of practical experience there.

That's why she asked out of curiosity.

"Steward Qin, there's a problem with one of the nodes in this Wooden Cloud Seal!"

Zhou Ling cupped his hands in greeting, glanced at Steward Qin, whose face showed a slight surprise, and then spoke seriously.

"Alright! Since you've confirmed you're handing it over, then we'll accept it!"

"Be careful in the next round!"

Deacon Qin took the wooden cloud seal and solemnly gave him instructions.

"Yes!"

Zhou Ling cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, then turned and left, returning to his seat.

"Steward Qin, is this boy your disciple?"

Seeing how familiar the two were, the girl frowned slightly and asked indifferently.

“No!” Deacon Qin shook his head, a smile on his face, and said, “This child is named Zhou Ling. His parents are both independent cultivators. His father is a pharmacist, and his mother runs a winery.”

"Last month, because of the matter of the evil cultivator, I accidentally learned that this boy has a remarkable talent in inscription, and with his Qi Refining Level 5 cultivation, he is actually able to draw soul imprints."

"Therefore, I made an exception and recruited him into the Heavenly Crafts Bureau!"

As he spoke, Steward Qin examined the wooden cloud seal in his hand.

His face lit up with joy, "This kid actually fixed it!"

No one expected Zhou Ling to have such keen observation skills and experience.

However, considering Zhou Ling's background, he had been drawing magical artifacts for the Lu family workshop since he was a child, and he also seemed to have unique advantages in terms of his spiritual power.

From this perspective, it seems to make sense.

Upon hearing what Steward Qin said, the woman's gaze swept over Zhou Ling, who was sitting cross-legged and watching the golden furnace, and her eyes narrowed slightly.

He has the fifth level of Qi Refining cultivation, but otherwise, there seems to be nothing particularly special about him.

"Steward Qin, let me see this Wooden Cloud Seal!"

The woman then spoke to Steward Qin.

Deacon Qin smiled and nodded, his opinion of Zhou Ling's potential growing even stronger.

Moreover, it seems that he has successfully attracted Lu Yunxi's attention.

After examining the wooden cloud seal briefly, Lu Yunxi handed it back to Steward Qin.

With her discerning eye, she could naturally see that this wooden cloud inscription was quite difficult to create.

She was indeed surprised that a rogue cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Refining could repair it so quickly.

Moreover, Deacon Qin had just intentionally revealed to her that Zhou Ling was capable of refining soul imprints.

This made her turn her attention back to Zhou Ling.

Watching Zhou Ling methodically arrange the spirit paper and spirit ink, it seemed he was ready to begin drawing the Golden Fire Inscription.

His skillful movements alone show that he is very familiar with the job.

He then found Zhou Ling's name on a piece of spiritual paper in front of him, picked up a pen, and wrote the character "甲".

Since these assessment and scoring sheets all need to be sealed, they are all sealed with sacred paper to ensure their long-term preservation.

Deacon Qin also wrote the character "甲" (first-class grade) on his assessment paper.

The old man in the black robe also wrote the character "甲" on the wooden cloud seal after examining it.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ling was preparing to begin drawing the golden fire inscription on the golden furnace.

However, before that, he planned to draw something on the spirit paper.

After all, there is plenty of time now, and drawing with spirit paper can also improve one's proficiency.

Zhou Ling slowly exhaled. With his current level of inscription skills, he wanted to successfully refine the nineteen-patterned Golden Fire Inscription.

It won't be too difficult, and there's also the assistance of [Precise Control] and Spirit Flame.

Moreover, this was the fire attribute inscription he was most familiar with, which made it even more powerful.

However, there is only one chance to draw.

Therefore, we cannot be careless.

We must ensure that nothing goes wrong.

(End of this chapter)