Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 177 The Second-Rank Steward of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau and Going Home
The next day.

Zhou Ling, dressed in the straight robes of a Xuan Yuan Dao Academy disciple, left the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy early in the morning and headed to the Tian Gong Si in Qingyun Immortal City.

The location of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau in Qingyun Immortal City is not far from the Xuanyuan Dao Academy.

It was a spacious courtyard.

This is also the headquarters of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau of Qingyun Immortal City.

After Zhou Ling entered the courtyard, he was led directly to a main hall by the attendant.

The main hall is decorated in a magnificent yet simple style.

Zhou Ling originally thought that his visit to Tiangong Company was just to complete the onboarding procedures.

Unexpectedly, Qin Zhizheng summoned him alone.

Accompanied by the attendant, he walked along the side corridor to the main hall. The attendant went inside to report that he would be invited in shortly.

Zhou Ling entered the hall and came to a side hall. As soon as he entered, he saw Qin Zhi standing there waiting for him with a warm smile on his face.

Zhou Ling bowed respectfully and said, "This disciple greets Master Zhizheng!"

The position of Zhizheng in the Tiangong Division is a fourth-rank position, and generally, one must be at least a fourth-rank technician to hold it.

Qin Zhizheng smiled and waved his hand, "Sit down and talk!"

Zhou Lingxuan immediately sat down to the side.

Qin Zhizheng praised his performance in yesterday's assessment.

Zhou Ling said modestly, "It was a bit of luck!"

"These are all the results of your hard work!" Qin Zhizheng smiled, looking at Zhou Ling, who was so young yet so humble in the face of such achievements, and felt even more favorably toward him.

He then said, "I looked at your information yesterday. You are a rogue cultivator with a low-grade spiritual root. If you want to have a better future in the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, you need to improve your cultivation skills."

"Although you passed the second-rank Daoist examination this time, you have only crossed the threshold to enter the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, and you do not yet have a real position."

"Therefore, I will arrange for you to apply for a 'deacon' position, so that you can obtain a certain amount of cultivation resources from the Heavenly Crafts Bureau every month, and your cultivation will progress faster."

Zhou Ling listened quietly.

“Logically speaking, you have only just passed the assessment and are still at the Qi Refining stage, so you are not qualified to become a steward. But I think that although you are young, you are steady in your work and are a promising talent.”

"So I've decided to apply for a deacon position for you. Of course, this means you'll also have to complete the tasks assigned by the Heavenly Crafts Bureau."

"In addition, we must strive to establish a foundation as soon as possible."

Qin Zhizheng spoke calmly and directly, without any airs of officialdom. He spoke to Zhou Ling like an elder, giving her patient advice.

Zhou Ling was naturally more than happy to have such a good thing.

You should know that in Lingxia Immortal City, a steward is already an absolute person above others.

They wield enough power to be among the top ten.

Some people struggle for decades, or even their entire lives, and still can't reach this step.

And that's how I became one!
Although he was excited inside, he tried his best to remain calm on the surface.

He immediately bowed to Qin Zhizheng and said, "Thank you for your promotion, Zhizheng. I am deeply grateful!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhizheng smiled slightly, "However, being a steward is not an easy job. There are tasks every month and performance evaluations every quarter."

"You'd better be prepared that if your performance doesn't meet the standards, you'll be laid off!"

As he spoke, he handed a jade slip to Zhou Ling, saying, "This is the information about the stewards of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau. Take a look for yourself."

Zhou Ling took the jade slip with both hands and scanned it with his divine sense.

A second-rank steward is already considered a regular Daoist official within the Dao Alliance system.

They are eligible for the second-rank treatment of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

However, Zhou Ling can only receive the most basic offerings, one mid-grade spirit stone and one bottle of second-tier pills per month.

If you can complete the corresponding assessment tasks, you will receive contribution points.

These contribution points can be exchanged for other items.

You should know that when he was in Lingxia Immortal City, his family of three spent about ten low-grade spirit stones on expenses.

One mid-grade spirit stone a month is equivalent to one thousand low-grade spirit stones.

This treatment is already a huge sum for an ordinary independent cultivator.

Of course, for Foundation Establishment cultivators and second-grade magic masters, this kind of treatment is not too much.

However, Zhou Ling was quite satisfied.

With this identity, the resources you can obtain are completely different.

Moreover, each time you receive a crafting task, you usually need at least two or three sets of materials, and all you need to do is increase your proficiency.

Generally speaking, you can earn at least the cost of one set of materials.

Just by taking on one or two more tasks a month, one can condense one's Five Elements Thunder Body much faster.

"Can you check if there are any problems?"

Qin Zhizheng asked again.

"no problem!"

Zhou Lingdao.

"Alright, then you can go with the assistant to complete the other procedures. Focus on your cultivation from now on and try to reach the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible."

"You will have opportunities to showcase your talents in the future at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau!"

Deacon Qin nodded.

"Yes, sir!"

Zhou Ling replied respectfully.

He then took his leave.

Under the guidance of a young assistant, he soon completed all the formalities for joining the Heavenly Works Bureau.

The efficiency is quite fast.

Before noon, he returned to the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy's study.

Upon entering the cultivation room, he sat cross-legged on a futon and then took out a storage ring from his robes.

This is an item provided to a second-rank steward of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

With a thought, he took out the items from the storage ring.

What appeared before him was a spirit robe, two jade slips, a jade seal, a bottle of pills, and four mid-grade second-tier swords.

The two jade slips contain introductions to some rules and regulations of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

Another one is "The Complete Book of Second-Order Inscriptions".

The jade seal is a symbol of the status of an officer in the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

In addition to the token symbolizing identity, the jade seal also contains a wisp of second-grade spiritual flame.

Although it is only a wisp, it can still provide considerable assistance to weapon refiners or alchemists.

It can assist in crafting weapons and alchemy, as well as in cultivation.

Moreover, this kind of spiritual flame is extremely rare in the outside world.

This is also a generous perk for becoming a steward of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

The elixir is the Spirit Essence Pill, which is taken by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

As for the four tools, those were the tasks he was assigned.

There is also a small courtyard, located on Ningyuan Street not far from Tiangongsi.

"As expected, the Dao Alliance still has the best system!"

"They've even assigned us houses!"

"Once we have a house, after our vacation, we'll go back to Lingxia Immortal City and bring our parents back to Qingyun Immortal City."

After taking stock of everything, Zhou Ling happily began to calculate.

The house they were allocated had a spiritual energy concentration equivalent to that of a mid-grade second-tier spiritual vein, enough to support their parents' cultivation to the Foundation Establishment stage.

Then, Zhou Ling took out the jade seal and examined it carefully.

Within the jade seal, a wisp of golden flame could be seen flickering.

[You are currently observing a second-grade Dao Seal; Intermediate Observation +1]

[You are analyzing a second-grade Dao Seal, Intermediate Analysis +1]

"This spirit flame is a metal-attribute spirit flame!"

As the two pieces of talent information appeared, a slight look of joy appeared on Zhou Ling's face.

The jade seal contains a wisp of Xuan-rank spiritual flame, which is of the metal element.

Generally speaking, this kind of sealed spiritual flame has a certain growth potential, but it requires cultivators to constantly consume their own spiritual power to nurture it.

It consumes a lot of time and energy, and the growth rate is slow.

It was nothing compared to the two spiritual flames on Zhou Ling's body.

Its grade is equivalent to the fire lotus formed from the condensation of the Azure Lotus Flame.

However, it is still a kind of spiritual flame, and it is not something that can be easily obtained.

Furthermore, while other cultivators face significant challenges in improving their cultivation, Zhou Ling, with his [Five Elements Qi-Eating Spiritual Flame] talent, can enhance his spiritual flame simply by absorbing five elements spiritual materials. It's fast and effective, though it does consume a lot of spiritual materials.

As a surge of spiritual energy was injected into the jade seal, a golden-red ray of light shot out from the seal and spun continuously in Zhou Ling's hand, accompanied by flashes of red light.

Then, Zhou Ling made a thought and pointed his left hand at the flame.

With a soft "whoosh," a burst of five-colored spiritual flames swept out.

The five-colored spiritual flames enveloped the red flames.

Zhou Ling planned to refine this spiritual flame and then improve its grade by absorbing spiritual objects later.

Now that the Five Elements Spirit Flame has reached the mid-second rank, refining this wisp of spirit flame is not too difficult.

After an incense stick's time, the wisp of spiritual flame transformed into a stream of light and merged into Zhou Ling's body.

This forms a new cycle of spiritual flames.

Next, Zhou Ling took out a piece of second-order metallic ore and began to absorb it.

[You are absorbing gold essence ore, your physique has been enhanced by +1, you have acquired the Five Elements Thunder Spiritual Body, and your metal attribute has been increased by +1.]

[You are absorbing gold essence ore, Five Elements Thunder +1, Blazing Flame +1]

"Radiant Flame?"

"I hope I can grow up quickly!"

Zhou Ling said with a happy expression.

Although this blazing flame is only a wisp now, as long as it absorbs more fire-attribute spiritual items, its improvement speed will be very fast.

If you can gather all five elemental spirit flames before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, your Foundation Establishment grade will be greatly improved.

Then, Zhou Ling's gaze swept over several swords.

Both of these are lightning-attribute swords, and each can earn 100 contribution points.

"It should be able to be refined within ten days!"

Zhou Ling was making plans in his mind.

The New Year is approaching this month, and the Taoist temple will have a two-week holiday.

He also plans to return to Lingxia Immortal City and bring his parents to Qingyun Immortal City.

Next, he began to examine the sword and select a suitable lightning attribute inscription.

······.

time flies.

On this day, December 25th, the Taoist temple had already begun its holiday.

A line of people stood in the Spirit Boat Square of Qingyun Immortal City.

In front of a small spirit boat, Zhou Ling and Wang Xin waved goodbye.

"Brother Ling, remember to give these two bottles of pills to Aunt Ru!"

Wang Xin gave her instructions.

Wang Yu and the others have now settled down in Qingyun Immortal City and do not plan to go back at the end of the year.

"Let's go back! After the New Year, I'll bring them to Qingyun Immortal City!"

Zhou Ling waved his hand and said.

After the cultivators checked the jade tokens used to log in to the spirit boat, they entered the spirit boat.

Wang Xin then reluctantly went back.

This spirit boat was about twenty zhang long and had two decks.

The upper level is for private rooms, while the lower level has dozens of cushions for individual guests.

At this time, two or three monks had already taken their seats on the first floor.

It takes a day and a night to travel from Qingyun Immortal City to Lingxia Immortal City.

Zhou Ling didn't want to waste time, so he bought a ticket for a private box so he could cultivate or forge swords on the way.

Of course, the price is also three times that of a casual seat, costing 150 spirit stones.

However, this is already within an acceptable range for him.

After paying the spirit stones, a pretty maid led him into the private room numbered 'Jia Jiu'.

"Honored guest, what would you like to drink? We have spiritual tea, spiritual wine and spiritual fruit available on board."

The maid looked at Zhou Ling, blinked her bright eyes, and said in a sweet voice.

"Need not!"

"I'll call you if I need anything!"

Zhou Ling shook his head.

The maid then withdrew.

Zhou Ling closed the door and then sat cross-legged on the wooden bed.

The concentration of spiritual energy in the room was roughly at the lower level of the second rank, which was sufficient for him.

Then, he took out a second-tier inscribed jade slip, entered it with his divine sense, and began to examine it.

He had been extremely busy during the past four months at Xuan Yuan Dao Academy.

Significant progress has been made in the study of inscriptions.

Not only did he become a seed for the foundation building of the Taoist academy, but he also passed the second-rank examination of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau and became a steward of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

He became the most unconventional genius in Xuan Yuan Dao Academy.

In terms of actual refining, Liu Yu and Ye Zhilan not only did not get closer, but actually widened the gap between them.

In addition, his training in puppetry has also improved significantly, and he is now able to attempt to refine first-tier high-grade puppets.

In terms of beast taming and blood talismans, they also gained a great deal from entering the Ancient Cloud Realm.

He has also made rapid progress in both areas.

Needless to say, progress in spiritual consciousness has been the fastest.

It can be said that it has achieved comprehensive development.

With his current strength, he is already capable of defeating Li Yan alone through the [Illusion Simulation].

As for the Heavenly Crafts Division, he successfully forged two mid-grade spirit swords during the first month's mission.

Earn 200 points.

With these points, Zhou Ling could exchange them for various spiritual items with the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

Even Foundation Establishment Pills and Foundation Establishment Aid Items.

Like the Purple Cloud Spiritual Liquid that aids in foundation building, it can nourish the meridians and cultivate the spirit.

Increases the success rate of Foundation Establishment, but requires 500 contribution points to obtain.

There are also many good things to exchange for at the Dao Academy, but since he is only an outer disciple...

Therefore, the things that can be exchanged are limited.

It's nowhere near as good as the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

Therefore, Zhou Ling plans to focus his efforts on the Tiangong Division next year.

Moreover, for the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, this is a mandatory task.

It must be completed.

Zhou Ling immediately exchanged the 200 contribution points he had earned this time.

I exchanged for a wood-attribute cultivation technique called "Qingyuan Jue".

This was mainly exchanged for her mother; it was a high-grade Yellow Rank item, enough for her to cultivate to the Foundation Establishment stage.

As for subsequent cultivation techniques, Zhou Ling planned to use the "Wood Source Evergreen Technique" from the Five Elements cultivation method he practiced.

After all, wood-attribute cultivation techniques are relatively gentle, making them easier to switch to.

If we were to give the "Evergreen Wood Source Technique" directly to my mother to cultivate now, it would be too difficult.

Therefore, we still need to take it one step at a time.

As for his father, he now possesses a large amount of body cultivation resources obtained from the Ancient Cloud Realm, enough for his father to cultivate to the second level of body refinement.

In addition, there is the "Three Yang Technique" or other body-refining techniques, which Father can begin to practice if needed.

Half an hour later, the spirit boat began to sway slightly.

Zhou Ling immediately opened his eyes, leaned against the window, and looked out.

Fluffy white clouds, like silk, floated in the boundless sky.

On the ground, the enormous Azure Cloud Immortal City receded further and further away.

Then, a loud voice echoed throughout the spirit boat.

"Fellow Daoists, I am Shen He, a steward of the Qianye Chamber of Commerce, in charge of all matters, large and small, on this spirit ship."

"This route begins in Qingyun Immortal City and ends in Lieyun Immortal City. Along the way, it will pass through five immortal cities, including Jinye Immortal City and Huangshi Immortal City."

······.

(End of this chapter)