Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 164 Gaining Some Fame and Moving to a Fine Residence (Please Subscribe)

A wide-open space appeared before him.

It is about one and a half acres in size, with extremely low spiritual energy, roughly at the concentration of a low-grade first-order spirit.

The ground is black soil, which contains a small amount of spiritual energy and can only be used to grow first-grade low-level spiritual plants.

There was nothing else besides that.

Clearly, this is just a very ordinary spatial domain.

Everything requires subsequent investment and operation.

However, Zhou Ling was already extremely satisfied with this.

Even if this spatial realm has nothing inside, it is still a mid-grade second-tier spatial realm, and it will be expanded in the future.

As for what level of construction can be completed, that depends on our own investment.

If the spiritual energy in a space is sparse, then to increase the spiritual energy, it is necessary to integrate mid-grade spirit stones into it.

There are also modifications to sacred lands and rivers.

These all depend on the subsequent plans.

"Currently, planting Gynostemma pentaphyllum is the most cost-effective method."

"However, I don't have much experience in planting!"

Zhou Ling withdrew his consciousness from the spiritual ring and pondered to himself.

"It can also be planned as a weapon-refining workshop, where puppets can be refined, tools can be made from the puppets, and inscriptions can be drawn by the puppets themselves."

Zhou Ling continued to ponder.

However, the investment required to set up a workshop is much more complicated than simply planting spirit grains.

After all, planting spirit grains is relatively simple, as long as you transplant spirit soil and enhance the spiritual energy.

The workshop, on the other hand, requires earth fire, furnaces, materials, and weapon refiners, making it far more complex than a spirit field.

"Or half of it can be used for planting spiritual fields, and the other half for building workshops."

Zhou Ling was making plans in his mind.

Of course, there's no rush now; we'll plan and develop it gradually.

He then handed the spatial spirit realm to Wang Xin and said with a smile, "Xin'er, do you think you can set up a spirit-gathering array on this spirit ring?"

Without a spirit-gathering array, relying solely on spirit stones to enhance the spiritual energy of the space would be a huge expense.

"This kind of spirit-gathering array requires spatial attributes to be set up."

"However, the spatial attribute spirit gathering array is a second-order array, and I cannot set it up yet. It may take some time!"

After examining the spatial ring, Wang Xin said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Well, there's no rush. We'll set it up whenever you're ready!"

Zhou Ling nodded and said.

Then, he picked up the other two jade slips and began to examine them.

Zhou Ling quickly withdrew his consciousness from the jade slip.

The two jade slips are "Analysis of Second-Order Inscriptions" and "General Record of Miscellaneous Studies".

The book "Analysis of Second-Order Inscriptions" records hundreds of common second-order inscriptions, each with different attributes and grades.

It also includes an explanation of the inscription, which is obviously very suitable for Zhou Ling.

The "Miscellaneous Studies Records" contains more than a dozen minor Taoist cultivation techniques, such as the art of planting spiritual plants, brewing wine, and puppetry.

Although there are quite a few, most of them are just simple overviews, and it is not easy to master them.

However, it was also useful for Zhou Ling.

If you have free time, learn more about it.

Especially puppetry and brewing techniques.

Puppetry is the auxiliary technique he plans to learn, while he'll learn about brewing techniques; if he doesn't need them later, he can give them to his mother.

After examining the two jade slips, Zhou Ling turned his gaze to the identity jade token.

This is the jade tablet that identifies him as a potential candidate for Foundation Establishment in the Daoist Academy.

With this jade pendant, you can get discounts on meals and materials.

There are still fifty points each month.

Holding the jade pendant, Zhou Ling beamed with joy.

"Xin'er, let's go check out this new residence this afternoon!"

Zhou Ling then spoke to Wang Xin.

The top-ranked candidate in this Foundation Establishment Seed Assessment will be awarded a secluded retreat located in the southern part of the Taoist Academy, about a mile away from his current dormitory.

The spiritual energy concentration there has reached the level of a second-grade high-quality spiritual vein, and it also has four attributes.

Wang Xin nodded.

Zhou Lingxuan put the items back into her storage bag and was planning to go out for a nice meal with Wang Xin to celebrate.

The sound transmission jade on his body vibrated slightly.

Zhou Lingxuan immediately took out the communication jade and infused it with spiritual power.

"Zhou Ling, have you settled in these past few days?"

"I need to forge a second-tier Thunder Qi Heavy Sword. I wonder if you are capable of doing so?"

Zhou Ling heard that it was He Zijian who sent the message.

He immediately replied, "Everything is fine here. I can try out the second-tier Thunder Qi Heavy Sword, but the materials won't be easy to find!"

With my current level of inscription skills, refining a second-tier Thunderous Sword Seal shouldn't be too much of a problem.

The Taoist academy also has ways to forge Thunder Sword artifacts.

However, the materials required for a heavy sword like the one in He Zijian's hand are far greater than those required for an ordinary spirit sword.

The materials alone are quite valuable.

"You don't need to worry about the materials; I've already prepared them. All you need to do is build it!"

"Tomorrow is a ten-day rest day. Let's meet up and discuss things properly, and try to forge the Thunder Gang Sword as soon as possible."

"I'll use it in next year's assessment for true disciples!"

A moment later, the communication jade flashed with a blue light again, and He Zijian's voice rang out.

"Okay, then we'll discuss it properly when we meet!"

Zhou Ling replied with a smile via telepathy.

Then he muttered to himself, "The true disciple assessment?"

These days, he has been focusing his energy on refining sword inscriptions and doesn't know much about what's happening in the academy.

I don't know if Xuan Yuan Dao Academy has any assessments for true disciples.

"Xin'er, let's go, let's have a good lunch!"

"We'll order whatever you like to eat!"

Zhou Ling then smiled and said to Wang Xin.

The canteen also has many exquisite spiritual pastries, but they are quite expensive.

Zhou Ling felt it wasn't a good deal, so she didn't usually buy much, only occasionally.

"okay!"

Wang Xin blinked her big, bright eyes, a smile on her face.

The two immediately left the dormitory and headed to the cafeteria.

"This year's top Foundation Establishment seed assessment champion is actually a disciple at the seventh level of Qi Refining!"

"Zhou Ling, a rogue cultivator from the second-grade Lingxia Immortal City, is truly astonishing!"

"A low-grade spiritual root, a rogue cultivator, yet he can actually forge a low-grade spiritual weapon! What kind of heaven-defying opportunity has this kid encountered!"

······.

"Brother Ling, you're really famous now!"

Upon arriving at the cafeteria, Wang Xin heard people talking and said to Zhou Ling with a smile.

Zhou Ling scratched his head, but there was no joy in his heart.

He wasn't interested in the famous figures from the Taoist temple; he was mainly after the rewards.

"Zhou Ling!"

"Fellow Daoist Zhou!"

"Junior Brother Zhou!"

As soon as he entered the dining hall, many disciples took the initiative to greet him.

Zhou Ling returned the greetings with a smile.

"Junior Brother Zhou, I am Chu Hong from the Spirit Plant Department. I wonder if you would be interested in joining my Spirit Plant Department?"

At this moment, a rather tall young man walked over and spoke to Zhou Ling.

"The Department of Spiritual Plants?"

Zhou Ling was taken aback. When they arrived at the Taoist Academy, the senior sister who greeted them had introduced that there were Taoist sects formed by some of the disciples.

Departments like the Alchemy Department and the Weapon Forging Department are mainly for disciples to communicate and interact on a regular basis.

However, as an inscription master, joining the spirit plant department seems inappropriate.

He immediately shook his head and said, "Senior Brother Chu, I haven't considered joining any Daoist sect yet!"

"Alright, as long as Junior Brother Zhou is interested, remember to contact me!"

Chu Hong said with a smile.

Zhou Ling nodded.

The two parted ways immediately.

When purchasing spiritual food, Zhou Ling was overjoyed, now that he had the status of a Foundation Establishment Seed. All spiritual food was discounted by 30%, and could also be purchased with Dao Points.

Of course, Dao points are extremely precious, so Zhou Ling would never use them to buy spiritual food.

Even though it's a 30% discount, he's going to celebrate properly with this meal.

They bought only the finest spiritual food, and also ten catties of second-tier beast meat.

It also cost over thirty spirit stones.

"Brother Ling!"

After they had packed several food boxes full, they encountered Sun Dajie again.

"Let's go eat together!"

Seeing that the food box in Sun Dajie's hand was still empty, Zhou Ling smiled and waved.

"I'm starving!"

Sun Dajie didn't stand on ceremony and said with a big smile.

The three then returned to their dormitory.

Zhou Ling took out the food box and placed it on the wooden table.

Six large platters of spiritual food, brimming with sustenance.

There are also pastries, spiritual vegetables and fruits that Wang Xin likes.

"Brother Ling, I wish you success in becoming the top Foundation Establishment seed!"

Sun Dajie filled Zhou Ling's bowl with spirit wine, then picked up the bowl and congratulated Zhou Ling.

"It's just a fluke!"

Zhou Ling picked up his wine bowl, drank it with Sun Dajie, and said modestly.

The two then ate and chatted.

"Brother Ling, do you have any plans to join any sect next?"

After taking a big gulp of the spirit wine, Sun Dajie asked Zhou Ling another question.

"Is it mandatory to join the Daoist sect?"

Zhou Ling paused for a moment, then asked.

He now needs to cultivate the "Five Elements Qianyang True Technique," which requires a lot of time, and he has no time to waste on these interpersonal interactions.

"Brother Ling, a talent like you would definitely be fought over by all the sects."

"Moreover, there are many benefits to joining the Daoist sect."

"Being able to exchange cultivation experiences and resources with other disciples, etc."

Sun Dajie introduced them to Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling nodded, having a general understanding of what these so-called Daoist departments were all about.

However, he wasn't very interested and asked again, "Does the Daoist academy have the concept of true disciples?"

Upon hearing Zhou Ling's question, Sun Dajie first drank the spirit wine in the earthenware bowl in one gulp, then picked up the wine jar and poured wine for Zhou Ling.

Then he said, "True disciples are usually at the ninth level of Qi Refining, and the spots are contested by disciples preparing for Foundation Establishment."

"The Taoist academy only has twelve places available each year."

"Only by becoming a true disciple can one be qualified to exchange for high-grade Foundation Establishment Pills from the Dao Academy. Moreover, after Foundation Establishment, there is a chance to be accepted as a personal disciple by a Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivator!"

"Then, their status is completely different!"

"As long as it is a low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, the probability of Foundation Establishment can be increased by at least 10%."

······.

Upon hearing Sun Dajie's introduction, Zhou Ling couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

My current status as a Foundation Establishment Seed allows me to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills, and of course, I can also exchange for Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pills.

However, true disciples have priority in exchanging for ordinary Foundation Establishment Pills.

Moreover, the number of Earth-grade Foundation Building Pills that the Taoist temple refines each year is limited.

As for the Heavenly Grade, it is extremely rare.

Once refined, they are usually reserved by the higher-ups of the academy and cannot fall into the hands of disciples.

Having a Foundation Establishment Pill of Earth-grade quality is already quite good.

However, the matter of becoming a true disciple seems a bit premature for Zhou Ling at the moment.

After all, the title of True Disciple is open to all disciples of the Dao Academy, and requires reaching the perfection of Qi Refining.

Only then are they eligible to register for the assessment.

The true master assessment is also held every June.

There are still nine months left.

I am currently only at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining in nine months is extremely difficult!

Zhou Ling pondered this in his heart.

I will most likely be unable to participate in next year's assessment for true disciples.

“Brother Ling, to exchange for a Grade Earth Foundation Establishment Pill, besides true disciples, you also need a lot of Dao Points, which is not something an ordinary disciple can earn in a short time.”

"Many senior brothers who have stayed in the Taoist academy for five or six years are unable to accumulate enough Taoist points."

At this moment, Sun Dajie spoke again.

He also knew about Zhou Ling's low-grade spiritual root, so the higher the grade of the Foundation Establishment Pill, the greater the help it would be for his foundation establishment.

Zhou Ling nodded. Now his advantage of becoming the top Foundation Establishment Seed was becoming apparent.

Fifty Dao Points a month, if you save them for one or two years, it should be enough to exchange for a Grade Earth Foundation Establishment Pill, right?
Of course, if that's not enough, you can wait until your cultivation level improves further before taking on Dao Academy missions from the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall to earn Dao Points.

Then, he asked Sun Dajie about some other things.

Sun Dajie, known as the Taoist temple's know-it-all, often came to Zhou Ling's place for meals whenever he had nothing to do. In order to feel at ease eating, he even hoped that Zhou Ling would ask him more questions.

[You are absorbing the blood essence of a demon beast. Physique sublimation +1, Blood Essence +1, One Yang True Body +1]

······.

[You are absorbing spiritual energy. Spiritual affinity +1, Fire, Metal, Wood, and Earth elemental spiritual energy +5]

In the afternoon, after tidying up, Zhou Ling went directly to the hermitage in the south area of ​​the Taoist temple.

To Zhou Ling's surprise, this elegant residence was a courtyard structure.

It's not a large space; it has two rooms and a small living room.

It can be said that although it is small, it has all the vital organs.

Most importantly, the spiritual energy is abundant, reaching the concentration of a second-tier high-grade spiritual vein, and it also possesses four attributes.

There were also many other fine residences around, and after asking around, Zhou Ling learned that these were the dormitories where the true disciples lived.

Only true disciples are qualified to apply for residence in this spiritually rich and relatively independent retreat.

However, the monthly rent here is quite high, and it can only be paid in road points.

Fifteen courses per month.

Fortunately, Zhou Ling already had fifty points.

After completing the check-in procedures, Zhou Ling also asked Wang Xin to move in with them, since there were two rooms available.

Wang Xin naturally had no objections.

The two then began tidying up the courtyard.

Check in directly tonight.

······.

[You are absorbing spiritual energy. Spiritual affinity +1, Fire, Metal, Wood, and Earth elemental spiritual energy +5]

[You are currently cultivating the "Five Elements Qianyang True Technique". Your innate talent has increased by 1, and your spiritual power in the fire, metal, wood, and earth elements has increased by 3. Your proficiency in the "Five Elements Qianyang True Technique" has also increased by 3.]

The next day, on the wooden bed, Zhou Ling opened his eyes, his gaze bright and alert.

The effects of cultivation in the new retreat were indeed immediate.

It's more than double what it used to be, and it has four attributes.

"However, the water-attribute spiritual energy is still a significant problem!"

Zhou Ling murmured as he let out a soft breath.

For now, we can only rely on mid-grade water-attribute spirit stones.

However, he currently only has two mid-grade water-attribute spirit stones.

He then grasped a mid-grade water-attribute spirit stone, circulated his cultivation technique, and quickly absorbed and refined it.

The rich water-attribute spiritual energy quickly flowed into the water meridian circulation.

[You are absorbing spiritual energy. Spiritual affinity +1, Water attribute spiritual energy +5]

······.

After an incense stick had burned, Zhou Ling opened his eyes, and the mid-grade spirit stone in his hand had become dull and lifeless.

However, Zhou Ling felt that the water elemental energy in his body was significantly more abundant.

He then got up and left the room.

Today is a day off, and he and He Zijian have arranged to meet at the entrance of the Taoist temple at 1:00 AM.

If you finish breakfast now and then go over, the time will be about right.

Wang Xin had also gotten up early and was feeding the Stone Rock Rat and the Golden Fire Crow with dried beast meat.

"Xin'er, let's go eat!"

Afterwards, the two left the dormitory and headed to the cafeteria.

(End of this chapter)