Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 188 This sword-forging speed is terrifying!

"Twenty-eight main material ores, plus twenty auxiliary materials, should be enough to forge five Five Elements Spirit Swords!"

Zhou Ling placed the materials in front of her; they were colorful and dazzling.

These five elements materials were all carefully selected by him, and there was a lot of thought involved.

Of course, for other cultivators, selecting so many materials would likely take a considerable amount of time.

However, Zhou Ling has the [Intermediate Observation] skill, so he moves very quickly.

Fire-refined gold, ironwood, earth-source stone, water-patterned crystal, and black gold stone are all mid-grade second-tier items.

The grade is neither too high nor too low; after all, too low a grade would be unacceptable, as the resulting spirit sword would lack power.

If the quality is too high, the success rate is low, and there isn't enough time.

Moreover, Zhou Ling's current sword-training techniques, even when forging a mid-grade spirit sword, can, with the help of the spirit-sealing restriction, bring it very close to the power of a high-grade spirit sword.

Moreover, when combined with the Five Elements Sword Formation, its power can even reach that of a top-grade spiritual sword.

Those participating in this assessment are all Qi Refining cultivators, although most of them are exceptionally talented individuals from the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy.

However, being able to refine mid-grade spiritual weapons, second-tier mid-grade runes, and pills is already quite impressive.

There aren't many who can reach the second-tier superior grade.

Therefore, Zhou Ling believed that as long as he successfully forged the Five Elements Spirit Sword, he would already have a great advantage.

Even just forging three spirit swords could potentially put one in the top three.

This is also Zhou Ling's minimum requirement.

To be eligible for a spot in the top three, you must obtain at least one Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill and a Golden Core seed.

After all, his current status as a Foundation Establishment seed brings him many benefits.

This identity as a Golden Core Seed is definitely something we must strive for with all our might.

As for the Heavenly Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, only by refining five Five Elements Spirit Swords can it be guaranteed.

Of course, there are many variables in this process.

After all, it's only three days, and this assessment process doesn't allow the use of pills to restore cultivation.

This is undoubtedly an extreme test of one's cultivation level.

Therefore, this highlights the importance of selecting the Jade Platform for Assessment.

Even if the spiritual energy is just a bit lush, its role in the whole process is not to be ignored.

Of course, with the talents of [Restore to Original State] and [Gathering of Five Elements Spirit], Zhou Ling has a considerable advantage.

However, Zhou Ling did not rush to begin, but carefully reviewed the materials using the [Intermediate Observation] tool.

Next, select the inscription you want to match, and then confirm.

He then took out a black furnace from the jade platform; this was a furnace provided by the Taoist academy.

The surface was covered with inscriptions, indicating that it was a second-tier high-grade furnace.

Next, Zhou Ling prepared to absorb the earth fire.

This time, the academy prepared third-tier earth fire.

Moreover, he needs to refine a large number of materials.

Using underground fire to refine materials can also reduce consumption.

However, the earth fire that was diverted from the jade platform only had the power of a mid-grade second-tier fire.

To enhance the earth fire, one must use fire control techniques to draw the earth fire over.

Fire control is no longer a problem for Zhou Ling.

He immediately recited an incantation and sent a stream of spiritual energy toward the jade platform and the underground fire cave.

Soon, under his control of spiritual power, a deep red flame condensed on the surface of the Earth Fire Cave.

The flames shone brightly and burned fiercely.

Then Zhou Ling pointed his finger and drew the flames directly into the cauldron.

Start heating the oven.

"Indeed, this fire control technique is quite exquisite!"

On the judges' panel, Instructor Lin praised it.

Fire control is a basic technique, but different people can produce different results when using it.

Some people are more skilled, their flames are more refined, and they consume less energy.

This will undoubtedly speed up the refining process and result in better quality materials.

Therefore, for their instructors, a simple fire control technique can actually reveal a lot.

Without a doubt, Zhou Ling's superb fire control skills demonstrate that his crafting techniques are also quite advanced.

"This little guy is definitely worth looking forward to!"

Dean Zhong nodded in approval.

Zhou Ling had no idea that his simple fire control technique had once again attracted the attention of the judges.

With the added benefit of meticulous attention to detail, his fire control technique is indeed extremely refined.

"Then let's forge a fire-attribute spirit sword first!"

Then, Zhou Ling put the two pieces of refined gold into the furnace and began to refine them.

"Li Huo Jing Jin" is a second-tier mid-grade fire-attribute spiritual metal with extremely high heat resistance.

Even with third-tier earth fire, it would probably take one or two days to completely refine it.

This is why most disciples can only refine one or two spiritual artifacts within three days.

Therefore, Zhou Ling condensed the Qianyang True Fire to assist in the refining process.

[Your Beast Flame, Azure Lotus Spirit Flame, Five Elements Spirit Flame, and Qianyang True Fire absorb earth fire, Five Elements Thunder Qi +1, Beast Flame, Azure Lotus Spirit Flame, Five Elements Spirit Flame, and Qianyang True Fire grade +1, Five Elements Thunder Body +1]

As the flames roared, the refined gold began to melt after an hour.

After Zhou Ling discovered that the refined gold in the furnace had begun to melt, he began to cast the refining incantation to remove the impurities.

As he cast spells, wisps of black smoke could be seen rising from the raging flames.

An hour and a half had passed by the time the Fire Essence Gold was completely refined.

After being tempered, the "Fire Refined Gold" is a fiery red color and exudes a blazing flame aura.

Zhou Ling then continued to refine other materials.

Using the True Fire of Qianyang in combination with Earth Fire for refining artifacts is highly efficient, but of course, it also consumes a lot of resources.

However, thanks to [meticulous attention to detail] and [Five Elements Thunder Force], he actually didn't consume much energy.

Others might need to rest and recover after one or two hours.

However, he hasn't had much of an impact yet.

As materials continue to be supplied.

In less than an hour, he had already refined, fused, and condensed the materials for the Fire Blade into a sword.

From refining the materials to tempering them into a sword, it only took a little over two hours.

After resting for a while, he immediately condensed spiritual flames and, in conjunction with his divine sense, began to inscribe the mark.

This time, he was engraving the Fire Qi Sword Seal, which he had already forged many times among the swords he made for the Heavenly Crafts Department.

They are very skilled at it.

In less than half an hour, the inscription and the spirit-sealing restriction were both completed.

"It's done!"

On the jade platform, Zhou Ling's face showed joy, his eyes were bright, and he felt that about one-third of his body energy had been depleted.

It was already noon.

"A spirit sword has been successfully forged!"

Dean Zhong had been keeping an eye on Zhou Ling and discovered that Zhou Ling had already forged a spirit sword at this point.

This efficiency, this speed is terrifying.

"This speed, this superb fire control, this divinely inspired inscription technique—even a third-grade weapon refiner might not be able to achieve this!"

Zhang Daojian was quite surprised when he saw it, because even he himself did not think he could necessarily achieve such an effect.

"Fellow Daoist Hu, you have truly taught a fine disciple!"

"The first one to successfully refine it is truly amazing. However, there are still more than two days left in the assessment. Is there any need to rush like this?"

"Perhaps he wants to forge one more spirit sword. If he can forge two spirit swords, he will have a high chance of becoming a Golden Core seed."

"But quantity alone isn't enough if the quality is low!"

"That's right, the assessment score obtained from two low-grade spirit swords might not be as high as that from one mid-grade spirit sword."

"Moreover, with such consumption, the subsequent refining process will definitely be greatly reduced, which is not worth the effort."

The teachers on the judging panel were discussing amongst themselves.

This assessment lasted a long time, during which they carefully observed those disciples who had the potential to become Golden Core cultivators.

Zhou Ling has also attracted much attention due to her uniqueness.

They were also quite surprised that he was able to forge the spirit sword so quickly.

...[You are absorbing spiritual energy. Spiritual affinity +1, Five Elements spiritual power +4]

[You are currently activating the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique, Restoration to Original State +1, Five Elements Spiritual Power +2]

[You are absorbing a fire crystal, increasing your Five Elements Thunder Power by 1 and Fire Attribute by 3.]

On the assessment platform, Zhou Ling exhaled. In less than half an hour, his spiritual power and divine sense had recovered to 90%.

As for the materials left over from refining, he simply absorbed them.

This is why he collected so many materials.

It also greatly helps in the recovery of cultivation level.

He then took out the ironwood, condensed the Five Elements Spiritual Flame, and began to refine it.

Ironwood is not like refined gold ore; if it is tempered with earth fire, even a slight mistake will cause irreversible damage.

Therefore, it is safer to use the Five Elements Spirit Flame.

······.

As night fell, a sphere of light appeared in the square, illuminating the entire square as if it were daytime.

The disciples who were watching in the square did not leave.

They carefully observed the disciples being assessed on their skills in crafting weapons, refining pills, and drawing runes.

This is definitely a rare learning opportunity.

"Aunt Ru, Uncle Shan, you should go back first. I'll let you know as soon as anything happens here!"

Sun Dajie brought food boxes for Li Ru and the others, and after they finished eating, he said with a smile.

"Then it's all your fault."

Zhou Shan nodded in reply.

"But Ling'er refined it so quickly, I don't feel quite at ease!"

Li Ru said with some concern.

Although the son was the first to forge a magical artifact, the speed was simply too fast.

It was so fast that she almost felt it was unreal.

"Aunt Ru, don't worry, Brother Ling will definitely win!"

Wang Xin also spoke up with a smile.

"Yes, Brother Ling was the first to forge a spirit sword, so he's definitely the first one!"

Sun Dajie said with even more confidence.

"Ling'er's cultivation level is now far superior to ours. He knows what to do, so we don't need to worry!"

"Just go back and wait for news. If you're worried, we'll come back tomorrow!"

Zhou Shan also smiled at Li Ru.

Li Rucai nodded.

Her greatest hope for her son was that he could achieve the Foundation Establishment stage.

But now, although her son has not yet reached the Foundation Establishment stage, his achievements have already exceeded her expectations.

Of course, she also hoped that her son could go further and have the opportunity to achieve the Golden Elixir in the future.

"Look, Brother Ling has successfully forged a second spirit sword!"

"That speed is terrifying!"

At this moment, Sun Dajie also shouted excitedly.

Upon hearing this, Li Ru and the others all looked towards the arena and, sure enough, saw Zhou Ling placing a wooden sword that shone with a blue light.

He appeared calm and composed.

"Two spirit swords have been forged so far, Brother Shan, am I seeing things?"

Li Ru's tone was excited, yet somewhat disbelieving.

It seemed to her that forging a spirit sword was easier for her son than brewing wine.

You must know, that's a spirit sword.

This is an extremely rare treasure in Lingxia Immortal City.

Now, in his son's hands, it's as commonplace as eating a meal.

"This!" Zhou Shan was also so shocked that he couldn't speak.

He only knew that his son was making rapid progress, but he didn't expect it to be this amazing.

I thought my son had finished forging a spirit sword and should rest and recover today.

After all, this refining process must be extremely resource-intensive.

The second refining process will definitely be more difficult.

But no one expected that their son's second spirit sword would be even faster than the first one.

Of course, it's no wonder they were shocked.

Among the disciples being tested now, let's not talk about anything else.

Even among weapon refiners, many are still refining materials.

This contrast naturally shocked them.

Of course, they weren't the only ones shocked.

"That's terrifying! How did they do that?"

"I saw that right!"

"As expected of the top Foundation Establishment seed, the number one among this year's freshmen, he actually forged two spirit swords in less than six hours!"

"Even the Foundation Establishment disciples in the inner court couldn't achieve this speed!"

······.

The other disciples watching nearby were also discussing the matter with utter shock.

With such high efficiency and success rate, the inscription proficiency, spiritual power, and spiritual consciousness cultivation will definitely reach the Foundation Establishment level.

But Zhou Ling is just a freshman at the academy this year.

Of course, with the end of this month, I'll be considered a returning student.

"How did this kid do it?"

"With Qi Refining cultivation, one can forge two spirit swords in a single day!"

On the judges' panel, Instructor Lin and the others also gasped slightly in surprise.

Even with their extensive experience, they were still shocked by Zhou Ling's performance.

Absolutely stunning!

Two spirit swords were forged in less than a day—that's terrifying!
"Is this kid trying to forge a Five Elements Spirit Sword?"

Dean Zhong seemed to have seen through Zhou Ling's thoughts, and couldn't help but show surprise.

If I had said this at the beginning, many people would probably have scoffed at it.

They believed that Zhou Ling was being delusional and overestimating his abilities.

But now everyone has witnessed Zhou Ling forging two spirit swords in less than six hours.

With two more days to go, forging three more spirit swords doesn't seem too difficult.

"Instructor Hu, your disciple doesn't happen to have a physique suited for weapon crafting, does he?"

At this moment, Instructor Lin asked Instructor Hu with some doubt.

Coach Hu shook his head; Zhou Ling's performance today had caught him somewhat off guard.

In just a few months, Zhou Ling made remarkable progress.

Forging a mid-grade spirit sword was no longer difficult for him.

He is currently only at the peak of Qi Refining.

Of course, he was also very pleased with Zhou Ling's performance.

Zhou Ling was naturally unaware that she had attracted so much attention again.

He was carefully examining the newly forged ironwood sword, its shimmering blue blade reflecting his face.

"That's it for today!"

"Let's take a break and continue tomorrow!"

I feel that my spiritual energy and soul have been depleted quite a bit.

There is plenty of time available.

Zhou Ling then grasped the remaining piece of ironwood in his hand, sat cross-legged, circulated his internal energy, and began to recover.

[You are absorbing spiritual energy. Spiritual affinity +1, Five Elements spiritual power +4]

[You are currently activating the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique, Restoration to Original State +1, Five Elements Spiritual Power +2]

[You are absorbing Ironwood, Five Elements Thunder Power +1, Wood Attribute +3]

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(End of this chapter)