Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 20 is exactly tenth place (Please continue reading, vote with monthly tickets and recommendations)

Every night after that, Zhou Ling practiced drawing inscriptions. Although he sometimes had some doubts, with his [Basic Analysis] talent, he was able to figure them out quickly.

The progress in inscriptions was rapid, and the [Born to Be Talented] talent also continuously improved proficiency.

In less than ten days, Zhou Ling had mastered the drawing of several basic inscriptions, including fire, earth, and wood.

In terms of inscription cultivation, I've reached the beginner level.

Ten days is an incredibly short time for most independent cultivators.

And crucially, Zhou Ling did not receive guidance from any renowned teacher.

Everything was learned through trial and error, with the help of my natural talent.

According to the cultivation guidelines issued by the Taoist academy, one can master the basics of skills such as runes, inscriptions, and array patterns within a month.

He is already considered to be exceptionally talented.

And I only spent ten days on it, so wouldn't that be amazing talent!

Of course, Zhou Ling was well aware of his own abilities and was not arrogant in the slightest.

If it weren't for his talent, he probably wouldn't have reached this level even in three months.

Then I began to try to draw two inscriptions.

Fortunately, as the proficiency in inscriptions increases, the spiritual energy consumption during the drawing process is reduced.

He still manages to draw two or three inscriptions every day.

And so, another two months passed.

Zhou Ling has already been able to draw three inscriptions, but due to his low cultivation level, the success rate is not very stable.

However, thanks to the "Born to be Talented" buff, as long as you level up your proficiency...

Once his proficiency reaches a certain level, his spiritual energy consumption will decrease.

······.

Before we knew it, the day of the academy's assessment arrived.

Becoming a key disciple of a Taoist priest's troupe brings many benefits.

Firstly, the academy is covered by a first-grade high-level spiritual vein, making the spiritual energy even more abundant, which is beneficial for cultivation.

Moreover, the tuition fee has actually decreased; it used to be five low-grade spirit stones per month.

Entering a top-tier Taoist troupe only requires three low-grade spirit stones.

Secondly, there will be specialized instructors to assist in the training of skills.

The quality of the teaching staff is on a completely different level compared to that of a regular class today.

Just like now, although Liu Yan is at the ninth level of Qi Refining, her main focus is on formations.

Therefore, the guidance provided to Zhou Ling in learning weapon crafting was limited.

If it weren't for his talent, Zhou Ling wouldn't have been able to successfully draw three inscriptions in just three months.

Of course, for Zhou Ling, the key is to earn more prize money and reduce the burden on her parents!

Today is a very important day for Zhou Ling's family.

Li Ru took a day off and got up early to prepare a hearty breakfast for her son.

Zhou Shan also rushed back last night, covered in dust.

They also prepared a first-grade low-level purple spirit grass for Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling was already full after eating a large bowl of rice, a bowl of chicken soup with medicinal herbs, and two large chicken legs.

However, Li Ru still insisted on putting both chicken wings into his bowl.

Zhou Ling had no choice but to eat them all.

After breakfast, the two personally escorted Zhou Ling to the Taoist temple and told him not to be too nervous.

When it comes to performance reviews, just do your best!

Zhou Ling knew her parents' concern and obediently nodded in agreement.

He wasn't nervous at all.

In the past few years, he has consistently ranked among the top three in the academy's assessments within the school.

Although I don't have much of an advantage in terms of spiritual power cultivation, the difference isn't significant.

Zheng Youwei has now opened sixteen spiritual acupoints, five more than him.

Although there is a gap, it is not insurmountable.

I can fully leverage my skill advantages.

Of course, there are also some exceptionally outstanding ones, like Xin'er, who is now at the third level of Qi Refining.

However, this is only a small minority; there will be no more than five such disciples in this cohort.

Most of them are still at the first or second level of Qi Refining.

Most of them were even single-story. Zhou Ling bid farewell to his parents and entered the Taoist temple.

"My lord, is it possible for Ling'er to get into the top-tier road maintenance team?"

As Zhou Ling entered the Taoist academy, Li Ru's eyes were filled with concern and anticipation.

She didn't have high expectations for Zhou Ling; she just wanted him to get into a top-tier road maintenance team.

As for the top ten, she automatically filters them.

After all, the competition they face is simply too great.

Not to mention those from aristocratic families, even among independent cultivators, most children come from better-off families.

In addition to spiritual food and animal meat, they also provide certain medicinal pills as supplements.

They never bought any pills for Zhou Ling.

Zhou Shan gently held Li Ru's hand, "Ling'er is just like you. She's not only beautiful but also smart and quick-witted. She'll definitely be able to get into a top-tier road maintenance team."

Li Ru quickly withdrew her hand, her face slightly flushed. This was a public place, but she couldn't help but smile.

Thinking back, it seems that nothing has ever caused them any worry since their son was born.

It was early summer, and the sun was gradually rising, making it a bit hot.

Besides the couple, there were many other parents of children around, and everyone waited patiently.

At the end of the Si hour (9-11 AM), the bell in the Taoist temple rang out.

The waiting group walked together toward the entrance of the Taoist temple.

Groups of children, like a tide, emerged from the gates of the Taoist temple.

Some had smiles on their faces, some had frowns, and some were already crying their eyes out...

It's a mixed bag of joy and sorrow.

"Ling'er!"

Soon, Li Ru and his wife also saw Zhou Ling in the crowd.

Li Ru looked concerned.

"Father, Mother, it's exactly Jia Shi!"

Zhou Ling walked briskly to Li Ru and her husband, and eagerly handed the report card to Li Ru.

In this assessment of spiritual power, although he only activated eleven spiritual acupoints, it was due to his cultivation of the Spirit Flame Technique.

The spiritual energy within his body was pure enough, and he also received a Grade A rating.

In the crucial skills assessment, he successfully drew three flame runes in one go, achieving a score of Grade 6.

Based on the overall score, I barely managed to get tenth place.

But that was enough for him.

After all, he only has a low-grade spiritual root and comes from a family of rogue cultivators. If he gets into the top three, it will definitely attract the attention of the higher-ups of the academy.

At that time, the peaceful life will inevitably be disrupted, and it will be difficult to continue cultivating quietly.

After all, he has many secrets, and he could easily run into trouble if he encounters a high-level cultivator.

The reason he wants to enter the top Taoist class and get into the top ten is simply to obtain the Taoist academy's bonus and reduce the burden on his parents.

Therefore, it would be good to get into the top ten.

Of course, this is already the best he can do so far.

He knew his parents' expectations, and these results would make them happy.

This is the best thing Zhou Ling can do for her parents right now.

Looking at the report card, Li Ru and Zhou Shan both breathed a sigh of relief, then their faces lit up with joy.

"Well done, Ling'er!"

Li Ru's eyes revealed relief, and her heart was filled with excitement.

Thinking back to when she was pregnant, she was forced by the need to make a living to go into the mountains with her big belly, where she encountered a black wolf.

My son almost got into an accident.

Fortunately, it ended without serious injury, but the child has been in poor health for many years.

This is also where she feels deeply guilty.

I never expected my son to be so promising. He not only got into the top class of the Taoist academy, but also ranked among the top ten.

Unable to hold back, tears welled up in the corners of her eyes.

"Go back first!"

Seeing his wife's excited expression, Zhou Shan waved back with a smile.

He then took Zhou Ling's hand and left the crowd with his wife.

(End of this chapter)