Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 197 Sword Forging Department and Entering the Sword Forest
Three days later, Zhou Ling, whose spiritual cultivation had stabilized, sat on a recliner in the courtyard.

He held a jade slip in his hand, which contained information about the Sword Forest.

It records instances where disciples obtained precious swords after entering the cave.

Some, too, gain new insights into sword intent while in the Sword Forest.

After carefully reviewing the exhibits, Zhou Ling still had a lot of anticipation for entering the Sword Forest.

Many disciples have also gained a great deal from it.

Some disciples obtained third-tier wood spirit swords, which greatly enhanced their wood-attribute sword intent.

There's also the Ripple Sword, a second-tier superior-grade weapon capable of blocking attacks from Golden Core cultivators.

There are even Azure Spirit Swords that can assist in cultivation, and so on...

Among them, the most famous was a disciple named Yuan.

He obtained a third-tier Seven Luminaries Sword in the Sword Forest and comprehended the Star Sword Intent from it.

He is now a sword cultivator who has mastered the third realm and is quite famous in the Xuan Yuan Academy.

In addition, Zhang Daojian of the Daoist Academy, after becoming an inner disciple, also obtained a silver sword in the Sword Forest, which greatly improved his sword-making skills.

Zhou Ling wasn't envious of any of this, because he had the [Illusion Simulation] talent, which only required entering once.

After that, you'll be able to use your talent to enter it.

Moreover, his main purpose was to hone his sword intent by using the precious swords in the Sword Forest.

Given the number of swords in the Sword Forest, if one could enter multiple times, the gains would be immense.

It can even greatly enhance the Five Elements Sword Intent.

Or perhaps, going even further, reaching the second realm of swordsmanship and condensing a sword spirit.

Of course, if you can obtain a third-tier sword through the [Search for Treasures], that would be a huge profit.

The more Zhou Ling thought about it, the more her heart fluttered.

However, the Sword Forest opens at a fixed time. It will open in three days this month, at which time a group of inner court disciples will enter together.

······.

three days later.

Zhou Ling went to the Inner Court Affairs Office early in the morning to register and inquire about entering the Sword Forest.

After completing the registration and having 300 points deducted, Instructor Wu, who was in charge of Jianlin's management, asked Zhou Ling to wait in a secluded room.

We need to wait for the other inner court disciples who are entering the Sword Forest to arrive before we can explain the things to pay attention to when entering the Sword Forest to them.

Then we went to the Sword Forest.

About an incense stick's time later, all seven inner court disciples who had entered the Sword Forest this time had arrived.

Zhou Ling is the youngest among them.

The oldest person was a middle-aged man in his thirties.

He was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Second-rank swordsmith.

I finally managed to accumulate 300 points.

I hope that this time I enter the Sword Forest, I can obtain a third-tier sword.

The others were all in their early twenties and had cultivation levels at the early or mid-stages of Foundation Establishment.

Although Zhou Ling is young, his physique is now almost the same as that of an adult man.

He doesn't look much different from an adult.

Moreover, once the foundation is successfully established, lifespan reaches 250 years, so no one will pay too much attention to the age issue.

When they learned that the young man in front of them was Zhou Ling, they all bowed and greeted him with smiles.

Now, Zhou Ling, at less than fourteen years old, has already achieved the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment, a fact that is well-known throughout the Dao Academy.

He is a model of an ordinary disciple who has achieved success through arduous cultivation within the Taoist academy.

There has never been a disciple with a low-grade spiritual root and a heavenly foundation-building level before.

I believe it's unlikely to happen again.

Zhou Ling returned the greetings with a smile.

The Heavenly Foundation Establishment stage is merely one phase in life.

Everything has now started anew.

Of course, having the title of Heavenly Foundation Establishment cultivator makes things much easier when dealing with matters at the Dao Academy.

One of the men, a refined-looking man in his early twenties, greeted Zhou Ling, "Junior Brother Zhou, my name is Chen Bai."

"Greetings, Senior Brother Chen."

Zhou Ling smiled and returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute.

"Junior Brother Zhou, although this is our first meeting, I have long admired you."

"The academy hasn't produced a Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment disciple for decades!"

"Junior Brother Zhou is so young, his future is limitless."

Chen Bai looked envious and tried to get closer to him.

"Senior brother, you flatter me. I only succeeded by sheer luck!"

Zhou Ling said modestly.

"I've also heard that Junior Brother Zhou has a remarkable talent in sword forging. I wonder if he would like to join the Sword Forging Department of the Dao Academy?"

After shifting his position and sitting closer to Zhou Ling, Chen Bai said with a smile.

"The Sword Forging Department?"

Zhou Ling said softly.

Because cultivation takes up a lot of time, and there are also tasks to complete at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, I also have to go to the Ancient Cloud Realm when I have time.

Therefore, he did not join some of the departments of the academy that were composed of disciples, such as the alchemy department, the rune department, the formation department, and the sword-making department.

These departments are also good places for disciples to exchange cultivation experiences and materials.

"The sword-making department in the inner courtyard is not as good as that in the outer courtyard!"

Seeing that Zhou Ling didn't seem interested, Chen Bai smiled and said.

"The sword-making department in the inner courtyard is full of second-rank sword-makers, and even third-rank ones. In addition to exchanging sword-making tips, they also make swords themselves."

“Every day we receive quite a few sword-making orders from other Taoist academies, aristocratic families and other forces. Sometimes the Heavenly Crafts Bureau will even ask the sword-making department for assistance in making swords.”

Seeing how serious Chen Bai was, Zhou Ling could only listen with a straight face.

Being able to exchange ideas with other swordsmiths will definitely be of great help in sword making.

Moreover, there are orders to take every day, so you can earn a lot of spirit stones.

The key problem is, I don't have the time!

Cultivating at the Taoist temple, performing duties at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, and farming at the Purple Cloud Sect.

That's enough to keep him busy.

“Junior Brother Zhou, all orders accepted by the Sword Forging Department are handled by individual sword forgers, and there will be no situation where spirit stones are withheld.”

"Becoming an inner disciple is different from becoming an outer disciple. Every year, some disciples of the Dao Academy participate in the realm expansion. If you become a member of the sword-making department..."

"That would allow us to avoid participating in territorial expansion."

Seeing that Zhou Ling still showed no signs of being moved, Chen Bai was not in a hurry and slowly said.

Zhou Ling is a Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment disciple with a bright future, so naturally we need to find a way to get him into the Sword Forging Department.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow. After the disciples of the Dao Academy successfully established their foundations, they would have the task of expanding their domains every year.

At least one month.

The fact that becoming a member of the Sword Forging Department would exempt him from participating in boundary expansion was undoubtedly very attractive to Zhou Ling.

Even with Zhou Ling's current cultivation level, he is not afraid to participate in the boundary expansion.

However, he already has a foothold in the Ancient Cloud Realm, and he can gradually expand it in the future.

There is no need to participate in the development of other realms.

Of course, if it's a rule of the Taoist academy, then he can't avoid it.

He immediately asked, "Senior Brother Chen, what do I need to do to become a member of the Sword Forging Department?" Chen Bai smiled and said, "The Sword Forging Department doesn't have any major requirements. Each member just needs to complete one sword forging task per month."

Hearing this, Zhou Ling nodded and smiled, "Alright, Senior Brother Chen, then I'll join the Sword Forging Department!"

Chen Bai immediately smiled and said seriously, "Alright, once things are settled here, Junior Brother Zhou can go to the Sword Forging Department to collect his identity jade token."

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Chen!"

Zhou Ling bowed and thanked him.

Chen Bai smiled and nodded, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

"Alright, all the disciples who are going to enter the Sword Forest have arrived. I'll now explain the precautions for entering the Sword Forest!"

At this moment, Instructor Wu walked into the study, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said in a solemn tone.

"First of all, there are many precious swords in the Sword Forest. You may only observe and learn from them after entering, and you may not forcibly take them."

"Otherwise, you will be responsible for the consequences if you are attacked by the sword."

"Secondly, after observing the sword, one gains some insight and resonates with it, thus gaining its approval. In this way, one can collect the sword, but each person can only collect one sword."

"Thirdly, comprehending the sword intent and acquiring a precious sword depends on fate and cannot be forced. If you encounter a backlash from the precious sword, you will suffer a greater loss than gain!"

Do you understand the above three points?

"understand!"

Everyone nodded in unison in reply.

"Alright, now each of you should unleash your sword intent and explain your situation. I will register you!"

Instructor Wu glanced at everyone and continued.

"Ye Tao, ten years ago, comprehended the sharp sword intent of the metal element! He can control his sword for thirty zhang."

The middle-aged man sitting in the front spoke up.

At the same time, a sharp sword with a cold gleam appeared in his hand.

As he infused his spiritual power, golden sword light surged on the spirit sword.

Instructor Wu nodded, took out the recording jade slip, and imprinted Ye Tao's image on his sword into it.

The information was entered as follows: "Ye Tao has been comprehending the metal-attribute sword intent for ten years, and has unleashed a five-inch sword light. The sword energy has not yet taken shape, and he can control the sword for thirty feet."

The ability to condense sword intent into a physical form is the sign of reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

"Chu Da comprehended the Fire Attribute Fire Rock Sword Intent three years ago! He can now control his sword for twenty zhang."

Then a young man in a white robe spoke.

Instructor Wu also took out the recording jade slip and imprinted the image of the boy riding a sword.

However, the sword light unleashed by the boy was only two inches long, and it also failed to condense into a complete sword intent.

······.

"Chen Bai comprehended the Starlight Sword Intent three years ago and can now control his sword for sixty zhang!"

When it was Chen Bai's turn, he took out a sword that shone with starlight and poured spiritual power into it, causing starlight sword energy to surge.

It gives people a sense of vastness and boundlessness.

"Chen Bai comprehended the Star Radiance attribute sword intent for three years, unleashed an eight-inch sword light, and the sword energy took shape, allowing him to control the sword for seventy feet."

Clearly, among the seven, Chen Bai is currently the strongest.

Only he and another disciple were able to condense a complete sword intent.

And next up is Zhou Ling.

Everyone else's attention was immediately drawn to it.

Everyone was curious to know what kind of sword intent this Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment disciple had comprehended.
How powerful is it?

Zhou Ling thought for a moment and said, "Disciple Zhou Ling has been comprehending the fire attribute furnace sword intent for a year and a half and can now fly a sword for sixty zhang."

As he finished speaking, the Fire Qi Sword appeared in his hand, and a surge of fire-attribute spiritual power was poured into it, causing the flaming sword light to burst forth.

In an instant, a furnace the size of a palm condensed, and a scorching, burning aura instantly filled the entire retreat.

His Furnace Sword Intent was developed last June when he recruited disciples at the four major academies of Lingxia Immortal City.

He learned from Jin Sheng's sword intent during their battle.

It's almost October now, so it's still less than a year and a half.

Moreover, thanks to his [Sword Control] talent, he was already able to easily control his sword for a hundred zhang, but he still had to remain humble and cautious, saying that sixty zhang was enough.

"He achieved sword intent formation in just one and a half years!"

"He truly is a genius; his cultivation speed is truly astonishing!"

"This sword intent is far stronger than my Fire Rock Sword Intent!"

Seeing the sword energy that Zhou Ling had condensed, the other disciples couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Among them, it takes at least three years to comprehend the essence of swordsmanship.

Even Chen Bai's sword energy was clearly weaker than Zhou Ling's Furnace Sword Energy.

Needless to say, the others are even more obvious.

This truly demonstrates the power of a Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment disciple.

Admiration also appeared in their eyes.

If they knew that Zhou Ling had not only comprehended the Furnace Sword Intent, but also had four other types of sword intent, I wonder what they would think.

"Zhou Ling, after a year and a half of comprehending the fire attribute furnace sword intent, has unleashed a nine-inch sword beam, formed sword energy, and can control the sword for sixty feet."

Instructor Wu imprinted Zhou Ling's sword-wielding image into the jade slip and said with a look of praise.

Zhou Ling is so young yet he has such swordsmanship skills, and with his Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment, his future is absolutely limitless.

"Alright, you will now come with me to the Sword Forest. Each time you enter the Sword Forest, you will only have four hours. You will have to make the most of this time."

"If you manage to obtain the sword, you must report to me!"

After receiving the jade slip, Instructor Wu gave further instructions to the others.

Afterwards, the group left the hermitage, transformed into eight beams of light, and flew towards the mountainside of Chunyang Peak.

Although he had been at the Foundation Establishment stage for some time, this was Zhou Ling's first time flying.

It still felt quite exciting.

The ability to fly without relying on other means is a distinguishing feature between Foundation Establishment cultivators and Qi Refining cultivators.

Although it was Zhou Ling's first time flying, he controlled it extremely well and his speed was no slower than the others.

Before long, they arrived at a magnificent pavilion halfway up the mountain.

This is the so-called Sword Forest of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy!
To be precise, it might be more appropriate to call it Jian Ge.

As soon as they entered the Sword Pavilion, Instructor Wu said in a deep voice to everyone, "This is the Sword Pavilion. There will be different kinds of precious swords on the sword platform."

"What you can understand and what you can gain depends on your own destiny!"

After Instructor Wu finished speaking, he sat cross-legged on a prayer mat to the side and instructed, "Remember, there are only four hours!"

Upon hearing Instructor Wu's words, everyone looked excitedly at the rows of sword platforms inside the Sword Pavilion.

As his gaze swept across the expanse, Zhou Ling felt a sense of vastness and immensity.

He couldn't help but marvel, "This is the profound foundation of the Taoist academy!"

On the jade platforms, swords stretched endlessly, a magnificent sight.

On the jade platform, swords of different attributes, varying in length, shone with different lights and exuded different auras.

Some shimmered with a soft white light; others were as intense as flames; still others were like heavy swords without an edge, yet exceptionally powerful; one after another, each with a different aura.

A quick glance at it is dazzling.

Swords occasionally whistled through the air, releasing a chilling aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

"Everyone, get moving! We only have four hours, so don't miss this opportunity. It'll cost another 300 points to enter next time!"

Chen Bai smiled and spoke to everyone, then quickly walked towards a row of jade platforms in front.

The others also walked toward their respective jade platforms.

Zhou Ling, on the other hand, remained standing in place, not in a hurry to take action.

(End of this chapter)