Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 195 The Rewards for Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment and the Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique
The following day, Zhou Ling planned to go to the Taoist Academy Affairs Hall.

I need to find some sword-forging quests and collect 300 points.

As soon as I stepped out, I ran into Teacher Hu.

“Zhou Ling, I didn’t expect you to be a Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment cultivator this time, so some procedures hadn’t been completed. I took care of them for you yesterday.”

"You can receive many rewards from the Dao Academy for this Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment!"

"Check the details of the reward yourself at the Affairs Hall!"

Instructor Hu's face was still quite excited as he spoke.

He had already thought highly of Zhou Ling back in Lingxia Immortal City.

Even though he only has a low-grade spiritual root, I still believe he is worth nurturing.

He will definitely be able to become a third-grade weapon refiner in the future.

However, Zhou Ling's talent far exceeded his expectations.

In just over a year, he won the title of Golden Core Seed and achieved the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment. This is no longer the level of an ordinary genius.

He can be described as a genius that the academy has only seen once in a hundred years!
"Thank you, instructor. Is there a points reward?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling's face lit up with joy. He clasped his hands in thanks and then asked a question.

His current plan is still to enter the Sword Forest once more to see what's going on inside.

It will be much easier to enter again later with the help of [Derive Illusion Simulation].

As for the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment, the academy even offered rewards, which was something he hadn't expected.

He is extremely grateful that the teacher has already applied for the job for him.

"Yes, it's a reward of 300 points, plus pills, cultivation techniques, and more!"

"Thanks to you, I also received a 300-point reward, which will allow me to enter the inner courtyard this year."

"And if I obtain a Haoyuan Pill, and successfully enter the Golden Core stage, I will become a true instructor in the inner academy!"

"So I should thank you!"

Instructor Hu said with a delighted expression.

She was quite satisfied with Zhou Ling.

There is only one teaching position available for the inner academy each year, and once you are admitted, you can exchange it for a Haoyuan Pill, so the competition for outer academy teaching positions is fierce.

With his Foundation Establishment skill from Zhou Lingtian, his points this year surpassed those of other outer court instructors, allowing him to successfully enter the inner court.

At this moment, he felt that giving the Foundation Establishment seed spot to Zhou Ling was undoubtedly the best thing he had done in all these years.

Bringing Zhou Ling into the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy would be the best time he'd ever recruited a disciple.

After all, Zhou Ling has already reached the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment stage, and his future is limitless.

"Three hundred points!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling immediately beamed with joy. He was currently short of points, and with these three hundred points, he was in luck.

Then you can directly enter the Sword Forest.

"Instructor, without your help this year, I wouldn't have made such progress in inscription!"

"I can say that without your guidance, I wouldn't be where I am today!"

Looking at the instructor, Zhou Ling spoke sincerely.

"Hmm, it won't be long before your inscription cultivation surpasses mine!"

Instructor Hu smiled and said.

He was very pleased with Zhou Ling's modesty.

Afterwards, the two went to the Taoist temple's affairs hall.

Zhou Ling took out his identity jade token, and after the assistant checked it, he indeed found that he had 540 points.

"Senior Brother Zhou, in addition to three hundred points, you also received a bottle of Spirit Gathering Pill and a bottle of Soul Essence Pill, as well as fifty mid-grade spirit stones."

"You may enter the Scripture Pavilion and select a Xuan-level technique or cultivation method."

After examining Zhou Ling's identity jade token, the beautiful young female assistant spoke with a mixture of respect and envy.

Zhou Ling also bowed and thanked him.

The Spirit Gathering Pill is a pill taken by Foundation Establishment cultivators to enhance their spiritual energy cultivation.

Soul Essence Pill can enhance the soul.

The other fifty mid-grade spirit stones are also quite valuable.

Of course, the most important thing is being able to choose a Xuan-level technique or cultivation method.

It should be noted that cultivation techniques and skills above the Xuan rank simply do not exist on the market.

A Xuan-level cultivation technique can be considered the most treasured possession of a Golden Core family.

After completing the formalities and receiving the pills and spirit stones, Zhou Ling went to the Scripture Pavilion.

The person in charge of the Scripture Pavilion was a middle-aged man who was at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Seeing that Zhou Ling had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage at such a young age, and even at the Heavenly Rank, he couldn't help but look surprised.

For the disciples of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy, the Sutra Repository is the greatest treasure trove.

However, it is something that can only be hoped for but not attained.

Even for ordinary high-grade Yellow Rank cultivation techniques, the transformation points must reach over two hundred.

An ordinary disciple might earn less than ten points per month, and accumulating one hundred points is no easy feat.

Zhou Ling entered the Sutra Pavilion and looked at the dazzling array of books and jade slips. He was at a loss as to which techniques and cultivation methods to choose.

Now that we have the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique, it is impossible to switch to other cultivation methods.

Therefore, we can only choose in terms of technique.

In terms of practical combat and spiritual cultivation, there are the Five Elements Sword Technique and the "Qinghui Nourishing Spirit Technique," so there is no need to choose anything else.

"Let's consider improving my Inscription or Puppetry skills!"

After some thought, Zhou Ling made a decision.

On the jade slip platform twenty feet to your right, there is a fragmented low-grade Earth-rank technique called "Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique".

[Discovered Earth-Rank Puppet Technique, Mountain Search Treasure Hunt +1]

Just as Zhou Ling's thoughts surfaced, the system notification sounded.

"Earth-Rank Puppet Technique!"

Zhou Ling couldn't help but show a look of joy.

Currently, the Sutra Repository mainly stores Yellow-rank and Black-rank cultivation techniques.

He was only able to obtain a Profound-level cultivation technique after reaching the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment stage.

Otherwise, to obtain a Xuan-level cultivation technique, one not only needs to become an inner court disciple, but also needs several hundred points, and the approval of the academy's instructors and dean.

It's not that easy.

But at this moment, a low-level puppet technique appeared.

Despite its incompleteness, the [Search for Treasure] indicator suggests that you are definitely a rare treasure.

Moreover, he is now a mid-level second-tier puppeteer, and his puppetry skills are not low.

Without giving it much thought, he headed toward the location he sensed.

They quickly received the "Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique".

"How did you acquire the Puppet Technique?"

When Instructor Hu saw that Zhou Ling had actually received a puppet technique, he looked surprised.

In his view, Zhou Ling would definitely choose a high-level cultivation technique, even if he couldn't use it now, he could save it for establishing his family later.

Passing it down to future generations is also of great significance.

Otherwise, exchanging for a third-tier inscription would be more valuable than this puppetry technique.

Zhou Ling couldn't explain it well, so he could only say that he was preparing to enter another world and needed a batch of puppets to explore it.

Upon hearing this, Instructor Hu nodded.

Zhou Ling was also thinking about what exactly this "Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique" was all about.

He was quite satisfied with the reward from the Taoist academy.

He then bid farewell to Instructor Hu.

Instructor Hu also solemnly admonished him, telling him to work hard in his cultivation and not to become complacent because of temporary achievements. Zhou Ling respectfully agreed.

After parting ways with Instructor Hu, it was nearly noon.

He stopped by the cafeteria for lunch and then returned to the dormitory.

After lunch, Zhou Ling took out the jade slip containing the "Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique" and began to read it.

As Zhou Ling continued watching, a look of joy gradually appeared on his face.

He quickly muttered to himself, "This Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique can even create puppets with some kind of mental attribute?"

"Indeed, it's ingenious!"

This "Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique" originated from a cultivator named Baiyuan in the Daoist academy.

He was a fifth-tier puppeteer.

He passed away a thousand years ago at the Taoist temple.

Puppetry and the consumption of one's soul are considered minor practices.

Therefore, the number of third-tier puppeteers that have appeared in the Taoist Academy over the years is very small.

Second-tier puppeteers are not qualified to access this puppetry technique.

As for third-tier puppeteers, this "Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique" requires the possession of the five elements attributes to cultivate.

Therefore, no third-tier puppeteer is willing to spend a lot of points to obtain it.

That's how it ended up in Zhou Ling's hands.

The intact parts at the front can be used to craft a third-tier puppet.

The remaining parts contain some fourth- or even fifth-order puppet soul imprints, though they have some flaws, they are still complete.

But this has no impact on Zhou Ling at the moment.

With his current level of spiritual cultivation, he can at most refine a second-tier high-grade soul puppet seal.

The main difference between the Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique and other puppet techniques lies in...

It can construct the core of a puppet using the five elements.

By incorporating a Soul Puppet Seal with its unique attributes, it can acquire certain cultivator attributes.

For example, if a puppet's body is crafted from a second-tier five-element spiritual object and then infused with a soul puppet seal possessing the attributes of a spiritual farmer, then the puppet will possess the attributes of a spiritual farmer.

As long as the puppeteer gives the order, the puppet will enter the sacred land every day to cultivate the land and plant crops.

As long as the crafting technique is exquisite and in place, this Five Elements Puppet can almost perfectly simulate a real cultivator!
Zhou Ling had also put in a lot of hard work when he was practicing puppetry.

Therefore, he was able to quickly master the first and second tier puppet crafting techniques of the Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique.

Moreover, he possesses the attributes of the Five Elements, which is a unique advantage he has.

The reason why this Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique is so exquisite is not only because the Soul Puppet Seal has unique attributes.

Furthermore, when constructing a Five Elements puppet, the materials must form a continuous cycle of life in order to possess the corresponding puppet attributes.

Compared to the puppets Zhou Ling is currently crafting, this one is on a much higher level.

Take the puppets in his hands, for example. Not to mention obeying orders, he even has to expend his divine sense to control them every moment in order to condense their combat power.

However, the puppets created by the Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique are completely different.

As long as there is a sufficient supply of spirit stones, they can continuously carry out the puppeteer's commands.

Some of them even include puppets that assist in cultivation.

Once these puppets are successfully crafted, they can practice techniques and skills every day, allowing the puppeteer to gain insights from their practice.

Some are used to assist in spiritual energy cultivation. After these puppets absorb and refine spiritual energy, it can be directly integrated into the puppeteer's body.

Improve the puppeteer's cultivation level.

However, these puppets are quite difficult to make, and the materials required are also very valuable.

Furthermore, it must be refined into a natal puppet.

"If I could refine a few auxiliary cultivation puppets, wouldn't my cultivation speed take off like lightning!"

Zhou Ling murmured with delight.

If the puppets crafted are exquisite enough, they can even be used as a second physical body.

Thinking about this, Zhou Ling felt that the Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique was a huge treasure.

"However, the physical materials for crafting puppets are not easy to find!"

"Of course, I can start by refining first- and second-tier puppets."

"The Tianyun Realm is currently short of manpower, so I'll refine a few first-tier spirit farming puppets and send them to the Ziyun Sect to farm and raise fish."

"This way, we can also share some of the work with Liu Yue'er and the others, giving them more time to cultivate."

"Tomorrow I'll buy some more Tier 1 Five Elements materials and start crafting Five Elements Puppets."

Zhou Ling was making plans in his mind.

However, there is still the issue of consumption after the puppet is created.

"Because it is a puppet of the five elements, it possesses a certain vitality and thinking ability, but it also requires the consumption of spirit stones of the five elements!"

"That's a significant drawback, but for low-grade five-element spirit stones, it's not a big problem."

"But collecting enough mid-grade Five Elements Spirit Stones won't be so easy!"

"Moreover, five-element puppets of the third rank or higher require high-grade spirit stones to operate, which makes them even more difficult!"

"Never mind that for now. Tomorrow I'll buy the materials and refine a few first-tier, one or two second-tier Five Elements Puppets. Let's see how they perform!"

Zhou Ling murmured.

The higher the level of the Five Elements puppet, the greater the difficulty, and the higher the level of Five Elements spirit stones required.

The fourth tier requires high-grade or even top-grade spirit stones to control.

The fifth rank is even higher!

Moreover, the combat-attribute puppets are also quite powerful, and once a command is given, there is no need to expend divine sense to control them.

He will launch an attack as soon as he spots an enemy.

Zhou Ling continued to delve into the jade slip with his divine sense, carefully studying the various soul puppet seals with different attributes recorded within.

As for crafting the puppet's body, it's similar to crafting weapons, only the materials required are different.

The more carefully he studied it, the more he felt the extraordinary nature of the Five Elements Essence Puppet Technique.

In particular, the combination and integration of the five elements cannot be done by simply choosing five materials with different attributes.

Instead, the specific combinations vary depending on the puppet being crafted.

This Lingnong puppet requires wood-attribute materials as the main component, with the proportion of materials from the five elements reaching 40%.

The quantities of the other four materials also require extreme precision.

The refining process is also quite difficult.

Moreover, this is only the physical body refining; the soul imprint and other processes also need to be refined.

However, if I can successfully refine it, it will undoubtedly be a great help to me in the future.

Whether it's the expansion of the Heavenly Cloud Realm or personal cultivation.

They will all bring huge benefits.

"Combat puppets, farming puppets, and cultivation puppets are all good things."

Zhou Ling was making plans in his mind.

Second-tier Five Elements materials are quite valuable, but fortunately, I currently have some spirit stones on hand.

The academy's reward of mid-grade spirit stones alone amounted to fifty pieces, in addition to some I gained from my last trip to the Heavenly Cloud Realm.

I have enough spirit stones on hand for now.

However, once the second-tier Five Elements Puppet is crafted, it will be a huge expense for mid-grade spirit stones.

Moreover, some special materials may not be available on the market.

At that time, we can only try to exchange for them at the Taoist temple or at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

After all, I have some points saved up on both sides.

Of course, Zhou Ling also wanted to use these points to exchange for Foundation Establishment Pills for his mother, so it was best not to use them if possible.

As for entering the Sword Forest, that's definitely necessary.

(End of this chapter)