Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 161 New Partner (Please Subscribe)

Inside the dormitory, there was a specially separated small training room.

The crystal chandelier shone brightly.

The entire training room seemed to be filled with a lively atmosphere.

It was already late at night.

Outside the window, the bright moon hangs in the sky, its soft light spilling into the room.

It complements the bright glow of the crystal chandelier.

Standing at the wooden table, Zhou Ling looked serious, holding a spirit brush in his hand, simultaneously condensing the Five Elements Spirit Flame, which formed a line with spiritual energy and spirit ink.

At the same time, in conjunction with the output of spiritual power, his soul quickly condensed and drew inscriptions on the spiritual paper.

Zhou Ling was meticulous.

But after a short while, a wisp of green smoke rose from the spirit paper.

"call!"

"Failed!"

Zhou Ling let out a breath.

[You are currently creating a sword inscription. Divine Soul as a Blade +1, Divine Soul +2, Sword Inscription Proficiency +1]

He closed his eyes to recover his internal energy.

Thanks to the dormitory's rich spiritual energy and the blessing of "restoring it to its original state".

A moment later, he opened his eyes.

He carefully observed the second-order sword plate inscription that he had just drawn.

This is a ring-shaped inscription, although it is only a second-tier low-grade inscription.

However, it contains seven sword-grade inscriptions.

Each inscription consists of twenty-four sword patterns, forming a triangular structure.

There is a main inscription in the center, which connects to six secondary inscriptions around it.

Each inscription can theoretically control two spirit swords.

The main inscription should be more numerous, forming a total of eighteen inscriptions.

Of course, this is just theory.

Because each inscription master has different cultivation levels and attributes, even the same inscription can be crafted by different inscription masters.

Various differences will also occur.

Some are third-grade inscription masters, and the inscriptions they create are naturally superior to those created by second-grade inscription masters.

Simultaneously creating seven sets of twenty-four inscriptions and seals is still a significant challenge for Zhou Ling at this stage.

But he also had high expectations.

After all, this is the inscription on the Hundred Swords Formation Plate.

Once it's refined, Xin'er will set up a magic array for herself, and she can then refine the array plate to make it a portable array plate.

The overall combat power will be greatly improved.

Moreover, as his spiritual cultivation continues to improve, he will be able to control more and more spiritual swords, and their power will also increase.

However, it seems that refining it is not easy at present.

Even with the help of the Spirit Flame and the [Divine Soul Like a Blade], I can only draw four or five inscriptions.

Fortunately, he wasn't in a hurry, and there was no danger for him now that he was in the Taoist academy.

Take it one step at a time. Even if you can't draw it now, you can gradually improve your skills through observation and analysis, and you'll be able to draw it sooner or later.

Zhou Ling then carefully examined the inscription he had just drawn.

[You are currently observing the Sword Inscription, Intermediate Observation +1, Sword Inscription Proficiency +1]

[You are analyzing a sword inscription. Intermediate Analysis +1, Sword Inscription Proficiency +1]

As the Intermediate Observation and Intermediate Analysis come into view.

Zhou Ling also gained a completely new understanding of this sword inscription.

Zhou Ling closed his eyes and sensed it.

I am carefully savoring the insights I have gained in this moment.

Then, following the detailed information provided in the Intermediate Analysis, he made minor adjustments to the structure, inscription, and nodes of the inscription, and then continued to try to draw it.

The difficulty of creating a second-tier inscription is far greater than that of creating a first-tier inscription.

The reason is not only that the number of inscriptions and seals has increased exponentially, making them extremely difficult to grasp.

It also requires the assistance of powerful spiritual energy.

It requires mobilizing spiritual power to draw inscriptions, controlling divine sense to coordinate, and, crucially, consuming a large amount of divine soul to refine nodes.

Without powerful nodes, it is impossible to connect complex inscriptions and runes.

Of course, even with sufficient spiritual power and divine sense, the success rate is still a huge obstacle.

The inscription was not carefully crafted, resulting in a failed engraving.
The connection between different inscriptions is not in place, resulting in inscription failure!

The node could not be formed in one go, and the inscription also failed!

······.

Any tiny mistake could ruin the entire engraving process.

For first-order inscriptions, once the structure and nodes are properly constructed, connecting them becomes much easier.

After all, a first-tier inscription node doesn't consume too much divine soul.

Therefore, as long as you understand it well and put it into practice, the results will be very obvious.

However, the second-tier inscription is completely different. Without sufficient divine soul to lock the node, there is no chance for further development.

Fortunately, Zhou Ling's spiritual cultivation has now reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, and with the addition of the "Soul Like a Blade" ability, he can now freely project his spiritual energy outwards.

In addition, there are other talents that help improve proficiency. As long as he keeps drawing, his proficiency will increase, and the effects of the inscriptions he analyzes will become better and better.

It will definitely be able to be drawn eventually, and it will be incredibly detailed, not only consuming less energy but also being much more powerful.

······.

The next day at sunrise, Zhou Ling left the dormitory and went to the Jia San school dormitory with Wang Xin.

The main hall is located on the right side of the square.

The school building was spacious and bright, with rows of futons neatly arranged on the clean floor.

In the corner, wisps of smoke curled from the bronze incense burner.

When the two arrived, there were already about ten disciples sitting in the schoolhouse.

They were all in high spirits, greeting each other and chatting.

Zhou Ling also got to know several new disciples.

Disciples gradually entered from outside.

Before long, the ancient bell rang, and the disciples, knowing that their instructor was about to arrive, all rose to greet him.

Then, a middle-aged man with a smile walked in from outside the school building.

It was Instructor Hu.

With a warm smile, Instructor Hu walked slowly to the jade platform and said to everyone, "Disciples, my name is Hu Jian. From now on, I will guide you in your cultivation of weapon crafting and alchemy."

The disciples also bowed in unison.

Then, Instructor Hu gestured for everyone to sit down.

He also inquired about whether everyone was adapting to the conditions at the Taoist temple and other daily matters.

Next, each disciple filled out a form indicating their main skill.

Even a headmaster like Hu only gives three days of sermons each month.

During the rest of the time, disciples can cultivate on their own or go to other Taoist temples to listen to lectures.

Zhou Ling chose inscriptions and puppetry as his main techniques.

Seeing that everyone else had chosen two main skills, he also felt it was necessary to choose another main skill.

After some consideration, he still chose to refine pills.

After all, alchemy was more practical for him than formations.

In addition, his current talents, such as [Spiritual Herb Stress Response] and [Meticulous Attention to Detail], are of great help to alchemy.

Moreover, he possesses three spiritual flames, which is a unique advantage in alchemy.

With these three main techniques, Zhou Ling felt that was enough for the time being.

Wang Xin, on the other hand, chose elixirs, formations, and music.

The arts of music include music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and the difficulty of cultivating them is not low.

The entire academy has thirty disciples, with the fewest choosing to major in three techniques and the most choosing six.

Of course, as Instructor Hu suggested, it would be best to have two main subjects and two practical minor subjects as supplementary subjects.

Although practicing four techniques simultaneously is very difficult for cultivators.

However, the disciples who are able to enter the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy are all extremely talented in terms of techniques.

With resources like the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy, everyone naturally wants to learn as much as possible. After all, the time spent at the academy is only six years; if one cannot pass the entrance exam for the inner sect within that time, then one will have no choice but to leave.

Of course, Xuan Yuan Dao Academy is primarily focused on techniques. In addition to the requirement of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage in cultivation, there are also requirements in terms of techniques.

Finally, Instructor Hu introduced the teaching process.

“I will give a sermon on the tenth of each month. You can come and ask me any questions you may have.”

"Today is the first day of the sermon, and we will start with the inscriptions."

Afterwards, Instructor Hu began to explain some theories about first-tier superior inscriptions.

Halfway through the conversation, Zhou Ling realized that these things were not difficult for him, and then he began to think about sword inscriptions.

Ten days later is the Foundation Establishment Seed Competition, which is very important to him.

Exchanging his dormitory for a room with four elemental spiritual energies would make his cultivation of the "Five Elements Qianyang True Technique" twice as effective.

Otherwise, even in the current dormitory, it would be impossible to achieve balance in cultivation.

Progress was equally slow.

The crafting of this sword array plate will also greatly benefit his inscription.

Therefore, Zhou Ling was considering whether he could manage to refine the sword array disc within the next ten days.

After Instructor Hu finished speaking, it was time for the disciples to ask questions.

Zhou Ling also took the opportunity to ask about a few problems he encountered last night when refining the sword inscription.

Instructor Hu answered all his questions one by one.

There is also the issue of sealing spirits and prohibiting their use.

The morning passed quickly, and after leaving the dormitory, Zhou Ling and Wang Xin headed to the cafeteria.

Similar to yesterday, Zhou Ling bought another five catties of second-tier spirit beast meat.

He currently has over ten thousand spirit stones in his possession, and he can afford the expense of a meal costing around twenty spirit stones.

The main effect is quite good; while enhancing the True Yang Body, it also improves the body's Fiery Yang Essence Blood.

But just as the two of them walked out of the canteen with their full food boxes, they coincidentally ran into Sun Dajie, who had also finished eating spiritual food.

"Brother Ling, what a coincidence!"

Sun Dajie greeted Zhou Ling with a smile.

"Let's go eat together!"

Zhou Ling waved his hand and said.

As it happened, he also had something to ask Sun Dajie.

Before long, the three of them arrived at Zhou Ling's dormitory.

Zhou Ling took out a food box and a jar of spirit wine, and placed them on the wooden table.

He poured Sun Dajie a bowl, then asked, "Dajie, do you know where I can forge second-tier artifacts?"

"The equipment is right over there."

"I know a senior brother who specializes in weapon crafting. He's quite skilled and can already forge second-tier weapons!"

Sun Dajie took a sip of the spirit wine and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling's face lit up with joy.

"Alright, I'm about to craft a second-tier artifact. Please take me to meet this senior brother later."

Sun Dajie nodded enthusiastically.

He then unceremoniously reached out with his chopsticks and picked up the meat from the food box.

Zhou Ling saw that his food box contained only spirit rice and a few kinds of vegetables.

He was taken aback. Could this kid be waiting for him outside the cafeteria on purpose?
[You are absorbing the blood essence of a demon beast. Physique sublimation +1, Blood Essence +1, One Yang True Body +1]

After finishing their meal, Zhou Ling and Sun Dajie left the dormitory and went to the northern area of ​​the Taoist temple.

This is where the Taoist temple's equipment room is located.

This senior student's name is Xu Qiang!
I have been at the Taoist temple for four years.

Since he was a rogue cultivator, he had to earn spirit stones himself to buy Foundation Establishment Pills and Foundation Establishment items.

So they rented a furnace from the Taoist temple to make tools.

There is a fire vein in the North Courtyard, so many elegant residences have been built there.

He had his disciples practice refining weapons and alchemy.

Of course, aside from cultivation needs, disciples need to rent these furnaces from the academy for regular use.

The price is still much cheaper than outside.

Moreover, the earth fire is a third-order earth fire, and the academy has set up various magic arrays, making it not only safe but also of extremely high quality.

Sun Dajie seemed to be very familiar with Xu Qiang. After greeting him in Xu Qiang's room, he poured Zhou Ling a cup of spiritual tea for himself.

Xu Qiang was fifteen or sixteen years old, with a burly build and dark skin. He was also very enthusiastic about Zhou Ling's arrival.

The room was very stuffy.

"Brother Xu, you're too stingy! You didn't even set up an ice-attribute magic array in this room!"

Sun Dajie took a sip of spiritual tea and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Xu Qiang seemed to know Sun Dajie's personality and ignored him.

After exchanging greetings, Zhou Ling went straight to explaining his purpose.

After inquiring about the various attributes of the sword array disc, Xu Qiang nodded and said that it could be crafted.

Zhou Ling then inquired about the price.

Xu Qiang introduced two different refining methods.

One type is made of lapis lazuli and marble.

One type is made of lapis lazuli and gold.

The latter is much more expensive than the former.

It costs 900 low-grade spirit stones.

The former is cheaper, costing only six hundred low-grade spirit stones.

With [Intermediate Observation] and [Intermediate Analysis] enabled, Zhou Ling's gaze swept over some utensils placed in the corner.

The quality of the workmanship is also quite good.

Zhou Ling then decided to create the second type, and two of them.

After all, it's impossible to draw an inscription successfully in one go.

If it succeeds on the first try, then the remaining item will be given to Wang Xin.

Then, Zhou Ling inquired about the delivery time.

Xu Qiang stated that the goods could be picked up in five days, but a 50% deposit of 900 low-grade spirit stones would be required first.

Five days is a very short time!
Zhou Lingxuan immediately took out a mid-grade spirit stone and handed it to Xu Qiang as a deposit for this transaction.

The two then entered into a contract!

Seeing Zhou Lingru's straightforwardness, Xu Qiang also showed a happy expression.

After asking around, I learned that Zhou Ling was an inscription master and that he was preparing to refine the inscriptions on this array plate himself.

He couldn't help but give him a thumbs up, expressing his admiration, "Junior brother has only just entered the Dao Academy, and he's already able to refine second-tier inscriptions. His future is limitless!"

"You flatter me, senior brother!"

Zhou Ling replied modestly.

“I have a lot of tools that need to be inscribed, and the inscription master I used to work with has already entered the inner court.”

"If Junior Brother Ling is interested, we can cooperate in the future!"

Xu Qiang then spoke to Zhou Ling.

"Of course I'm interested in that!"

Zhou Ling replied.

He was planning to find a way to earn spirit stones after this Foundation Establishment Seed competition.

Now, there's a way!

"I happen to have a Hunyuan Shield, a low-grade spiritual weapon, which requires a second-tier inscription. Are you confident in your ability to obtain one?"

Xu Qiang asked Zhou Ling cautiously.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Ling realized that among the original second-tier basic inscriptions, there was indeed a second-tier earth attribute inscription. He then nodded and said, "I'll take this job, but let's talk about the price."

"If you successfully refine this inscription, you can earn three hundred spirit stones!"

Xu Qiang said directly.

"But you must ensure the quality!"

"it is good!"

The two quickly reached a cooperation agreement. After some discussion, Zhou Ling took a clay shield from Xu Qiang and then took his leave.

(End of this chapter)