Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 126 Rank Examination Quotas for the Heavenly Crafts Bureau (Please Subscribe)

"Why hasn't it solidified yet?"

Zhou Ling frowned as he watched the wisps of smoke rising from the memorial paper.

When drawing the two inscriptions, Zhou Ling felt completely at ease, without experiencing any shortage of spiritual energy.

However, an error occurred when trying to condense the inscription node between the two; the spiritual energy was still somewhat insufficient.

The spiritual energy requirements for these two inscriptions were much higher than he had expected.

Even the spiritual power of a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator may not be able to condense successfully.

"My spiritual energy is still somewhat insufficient!"

Zhou Ling shook his head helplessly.

Now that [Precise Control] is at the third level, the spiritual power consumed is less than half that of other inscription masters.

He was still unable to draw the composite inscription, which meant that the difficulty of creating composite inscriptions was much higher than he had expected.

I had no choice but to put down my pen and start observing and analyzing carefully.

[You are analyzing a composite metal-wood inscription. Intermediate Analysis +1, Composite Metal-Wood Inscription Proficiency +3]

With the activation of his [Intermediate Analysis] talent, Zhou Ling also realized some errors in his previous drawing.

Because the fire-attribute spiritual power within him is now far greater than the wood-attribute spiritual power in terms of both concentration and control.

Therefore, if you are not careful with your brushstrokes when drawing, the ink and brush will lose their balance.

This affects the stability between the patterns, leading to excessive consumption.

What a waste of time and effort!

Fortunately, we are now able to draw a basic outline and find the problem.

If you keep drawing, you should be able to draw it soon as your skills improve.

Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow, then sat down and began to meditate, circulating the "Five Elements Qian Yuan True Technique" to restore his magical power.

[You are currently circulating the Five Elements Qian Yuan True Technique, Restoration to Original State +1, Spiritual Power Recovery +1]

As the notification sound rang out, the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame also began to circulate.

Zhou Ling felt that the speed at which his spiritual energy was recovering had obviously increased a few points.

Fifteen minutes later, he tried to continue drawing, and although he failed again, his proficiency improved.

By the time Li Ru called him to dinner that evening, Zhou Ling had already mastered the technique quite well.

"When I went to deliver goods to Sijilou with Hu Zi today, Manager Zhao told me that he had a good impression of Hu Zi and wanted to introduce his niece to him."

"However, from now on, Hu Zi will need to become the Zhao family's live-in son-in-law!"

After taking a sip of wine and eating a few roasted peanuts, Zhou Shan said with a smile.

"The Zhao family, that's quite good."

"Did Tiger agree?"

Li Ru also asked with a curious expression.

Zhou Ling had been pondering the matter of the inscription while eating, but now he couldn't help but become curious as well.

Although I haven't had much contact with Manager Zhao, he's usually smiling and seems to be quite popular.

Moreover, ever since he started working with the winery, he would come over to join in whenever the Zhou family had something going on.

Zhou Ling knew that this was mostly because of He Zijian.

After all, although the Zhao family was not a major family in Lingxia Immortal City, they had produced several Foundation Establishment cultivators.

They are not comparable to those rogue cultivators.

But why would she fall for Tiger?
But thinking about it, aside from being a rogue cultivator, Tiger is otherwise quite good, and he's been clever since he was a child.

"Tiger asked me to ask Ling'er's opinion!"

Zhou Shan said with a smile.

"ask me?"

Zhou Ling was taken aback. Back in the Taoist academy, Yuan Hu had always followed his lead.

However, after leaving the Taoist academy, Zhou Ling was busy with cultivation and did not meet Yuan Hu very often.

He was also instructed to sell some magical artifacts made in the workshop.

Now that I've joined the Tiangong Division, I've had less of this kind of interaction, and we meet even less often.

"This concerns Tiger's lifelong happiness, how can I ask Ling'er?"

"Of course, it's up to Tiger's parents to make the decision!"

Li Ru shook his head.

"Well, I think Tiger is quite interested, but he's a little too shy to say it!"

"However, a man has to bear the hardships himself, no matter how tough or tiring it is. Once you marry into the family, you'll have to be subservient to them from now on, which is not worth it!"

Zhou Shan took another sip of wine and said with a smile.

Li Ru rolled her eyes at him. "Tiger is very clever and has decent aptitude. After marrying into the family, he'll have enough resources to cultivate, so it's not a bad thing!"

"Moreover, the Zhao family has a good reputation in this area, and I haven't heard of them bullying others."

Seeing his parents discussing the food with interest, Zhou Ling didn't interrupt. After finishing his meal, he returned to his room.

He sat cross-legged in meditation, using the Void Yuan Seal to restore his internal magical power, and then continued to draw the metal-wood composite inscription.

He finally succeeded in carving the composite metal and wood inscription by the next morning.

In the morning, he went to Xuan Ting Si to look for He Zijian.

Upon arriving at the Xuan Ting Division, they were told that He Zijian had gone to see Steward Qin.

He then headed to the Heavenly Crafts Bureau. Fortunately, the two places were not far apart.

Upon arriving at the lobby, they saw Steward Qin and He Zijian drinking tea and chatting.

He Zijian looked satisfied when he saw the golden silk robe that Zhou Ling took out.

Deacon Qin gave Zhou Ling a complicated look and said, "Brother Ling's inscription skills are progressing rapidly."

"To be able to create such a composite inscription in less than half a month!"

From this composite metal and wood inscription, he could see that although the connection between the nodes of the inscription was still a little unfamiliar, the two inscriptions were almost completed in one go.

Even cultivators at the seventh level of Qi Refining would find it difficult to achieve this. "It's all thanks to Steward Qin's excellent guidance!" Zhou Ling replied modestly.

During this time, he didn't waste any time during his visits to the Heavenly Crafts Bureau; he would consult with Steward Qin whenever he had any questions.
Therefore, they have also benefited greatly in terms of inscription.

Deacon Qin was an open and honest person who didn't hide anything. He patiently answered all of Zhou Ling's questions.

Deacon Qin nodded, praisingly saying, "This is also because you have good comprehension and precise control over spiritual energy."

"This photocopying is a huge hurdle for inscription masters; many inscription masters may never be able to draw it in their entire lives."

"In particular, the inscription nodes connected to it have extremely high requirements for your drawing skills, understanding and comprehension of the inscription attributes, and control of spiritual power. If any one of them is wrong, the inscription cannot be completed."

Zhou Ling scratched his head, seemingly realizing he had been walking too fast.

"Uncle, doesn't that mean Brother Ling can participate in the assessment for the first-rank position in the Heavenly Crafts Bureau?"

He Zijian smiled and asked after hearing what Deacon Qin said.

Now that he and Zhou Ling have formed a good friendship, he naturally hopes that Zhou Ling will have a better future.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling also looked at Steward Qin, feeling somewhat nervous. Although he was now a member of the Heavenly Crafts Guard, he was just an ordinary employee.

This is completely different from a true rank-based position like Steward Qin.

"The entry-level assessment is not that simple."

Deacon Qin picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and looked at Zhou Ling.

"Although you are now able to draw composite inscriptions, you can be considered to have the strength of a true first-grade inscription master!"

"I've passed the assessment for a first-grade inscription master, but becoming a first-grade inscription master in the Heavenly Crafts Bureau isn't so easy!"

"Is this difficult?" Zhou Ling couldn't help but ask.

Although he had only been employed by the Heavenly Crafts Bureau for less than two months, the benefits this identity brought to Zhou Ling's family were self-evident.

The winery's booming business is partly due to this.

Moreover, even the strangers around them became very polite to their parents!

Of course, Zhou Ling wasn't particularly interested; she mainly wanted to give her parents a surprise.

“Of course, many first-grade inscription masters may not pass the test even after decades!” Steward Qin nodded.

"The other spots are also difficult to obtain!"

Even if you have the ability, there's nothing you can do if you don't get a spot!

Zhou Ling nodded; he was now gradually gaining a better understanding of the Dao Alliance.

Aristocratic families and sects are the main targets for the Dao Alliance's development.

In their eyes, rogue cultivators were merely dependent on them for survival.

One can get a glimpse of this from the number of places available for the six major academies to take the exam.

I imagine the first-rank assessment at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau will be even more rigorous.

This is almost impossible for independent cultivators.

But thinking about it, this is normal. Rogue cultivators have no inheritance and no resources, so what can they use to compare with these scions of aristocratic families?

Even if one or two rogue cultivators occasionally possess extraordinary talent, once they achieve success in their cultivation, they will most likely be recruited as guest elders by aristocratic families, or, like Hu Zi, marry into such families.

Therefore, it's difficult for independent cultivators to rise to prominence!

However, he still subconsciously asked, "Butler, how can one obtain this spot?"

Deacon Qin smiled and said, "First, a deacon must recommend someone to the inspector, and then the relevant department of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau will review it. Only after passing the review can one obtain a quota for the assessment."

"Moreover, Lingxia Immortal City is only a second-grade immortal city, and we only have one recommendation quota per year."

"One spot per year?" Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling's heart sank. This was practically the same as not having any spots at all.

It should be noted that there are two to three hundred first-grade inscription masters in the Tiangong Company alone.

Of these, only six people passed the entrance examination for the Tiangong Division.

Moreover, most of these people came from prominent families.

Just imagine how fierce the competition would be.

Seemingly sensing Zhou Ling's worries, Deacon Qin smiled and said, "You are still young, there's no need to rush."

"Yes, Steward!" Zhou Ling replied, bowing.

I was indeed too hasty; the situation is much better now.

We'll take it one step at a time from now on.

We can't get any assessment slots in Lingxia Immortal City.

As long as you can get into Xuan Yuan Dao Academy, there is a chance that there won't be any spots available!
"However, Inspector Lu had a good impression of you last time. She is very likely to come to Lingxia Immortal City for the Six Dao Academies assessment this time. If you can pass the Six Dao Academies assessment then..."

"I'll try my best to give you this year's assessment spot!"

After thinking for a moment, Deacon Qin continued.

Inside the Heavenly Crafts Bureau of Lingxia Immortal City, this year's assessment has been scheduled, but the opponents' strength is average.

Deacon Qin believed that it would be very difficult to pass.

Rather than wasting a spot like this, we should give it to Zhou Ling.

"Thank you, Deacon!"

Zhou Ling hurriedly clasped his hands in thanks.

I never expected to have this opportunity.

"You're welcome. You have to earn all of this through your own abilities!"

"If you can become a second-grade mage in the future, I will be proud of you!"

Deacon Qin waved his hand dismissively.

Zhou Ling nodded. The key now is to pass the assessments of the six major academies.

Then, Zhou Ling asked some questions about the inscription.

After chatting for a while, He Zijian wanted to thank Zhou Ling for making the robe and planned to treat him to a meal.

Zhou Ling was in a hurry to go to Maple Leaf Mountain to cultivate and to tell his master about fusing with the Azure Lotus Fire Seed, so he could only apologize to He Zijian and say that he would treat him next time.

Only then did he leave the Tiangong Division.

(End of this chapter)