Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 205 The Inner Court Competition Begins

After completing the registration at the Taoist Academy's affairs hall, Zhou Ling inquired about some details of the competition.

Those participating in this competition are all inner court disciples and Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, the highest cultivation level is only the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Of course, most cultivators at the peak of Foundation Establishment are busy preparing for Core Formation or have already become instructors in the outer academy, so no one would participate in this competition.

Even in the late Foundation Establishment stage, most disciples have chosen to leave the academy and venture into other worlds to explore, since forming the Core requires a large amount of resources.

Although it was a competition, the generous rewards offered by the academy attracted quite a few disciples to sign up.

The winner will receive high-level pills, advanced cultivation techniques, and ten high-grade spirit stones, among other things.

The rewards are extremely tempting.

The competition is a head-to-head elimination tournament, and the opponents will be drawn on the day the competition begins.

Zhou Ling wasn't initially interested, but looking at the reward list, he saw Foundation Establishment Pills to choose from, along with ten high-grade spirit stones.

Zhou Ling suddenly felt full of fighting spirit.

If you achieve a top-three finish, you can exchange it for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Although it's a low-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, it's sufficient for my mother.

After leaving the office, Zhou Ling sent a telepathic message to Sun Dajie, inviting him for drinks.

I plan to ask him about the situation of the disciples in the inner court of the Taoist academy.

Although he has been in the inner courtyard for several months.

However, because he is a disciple of Zi Ling, he is usually too busy to manage everything.

He rarely went to the Taoist temple to cultivate.

Therefore, he knows very little about the current situation in the inner courtyard.

The only thing to do is to ask Sun Dajie, the know-it-all, for information.

Upon hearing that Zhou Ling had invited him for drinks, Sun Dajie quickly arrived at Zhou Ling's residence.

Xin'er also returned to the hermitage.

The three of them drank the spirit wine and talked.

After chatting for a while, Zhou Ling got down to business and talked about his participation in the inner sect competition.

Upon hearing this, Sun Dajie's face showed surprise. He took a sip of wine, then reached for a few roasted peanuts and popped them into his mouth, saying...
“Brother Ling, although you are only at the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment stage, you might be able to win against weaker inner disciples. However, most of the inner disciples who dare to participate in the competition are at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and there may even be a few at the late-Foundation Establishment stage.”

"There are three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators participating this time, two of whom are talisman masters and one is a swordsmith."

"Because this is the 6,000th anniversary of the founding of the Taoist Academy, the academy attaches great importance to this competition."

"At that time, the three late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators will definitely go all out."

"After all, rune masters and swordsmiths are also skilled in combat and possess considerable strength!"

"Therefore, these three late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples are definitely in the first tier, and they have the highest probability of winning the championship."

"Of course, among mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, there are many with astonishing talent, so defeating these three is not impossible!"

“Like last year’s competition, Yuan Mu, who was in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, almost defeated Bai Xiong, who was in the late-Foundation Establishment stage.”

"It was only because of a lack of experience that we ultimately failed."

When it comes to information about the Taoist temple, Sun Dajie knows it like the back of his hand and can talk about it at length.

Zhou Ling couldn't help but sigh, this kid's ability was truly exceptional.

"My expectations aren't high, just making it into the top four would be great!"

Zhou Ling's words made Sun Dajie's eyes widen in surprise.

Does Zhou Ling mean that he can crush those mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators?

Although Zhou Ling has almost always ranked first in every assessment over the years.

But this assessment is different; it's a real-world competition.

This is not a contest of skills.

Sun Dajie had never seen Zhou Ling make a move.

Wang Xin, however, showed no surprise at Zhou Ling's words and quietly poured them drinks.

Of course, Sun Dajie was skeptical of Zhou Ling's words and laughed, "Brother Ling, these mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators are not easy to deal with."

“None of the players who made it to the top four last year were in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.”

"After all, actual combat is different from crafting magical artifacts. It requires not only profound spiritual power but also rich combat experience."

Zhou Ling smiled and said, "Of course. Every disciple who can enter the inner courtyard has hidden strengths. We'll find out their true abilities when the battle begins."

In the Ancient Cloud Realm, before he had even reached the Foundation Establishment stage, he had already killed the Blood Beast Sect Master, who was in the late Body Refinement stage.

Although it involved multiple methods, it was still a valuable combat experience.

Moreover, he also possesses talents such as [Intermediate Analysis] and [Meticulous Detail], which give him a significant advantage in combat.

Seeing that Zhou Ling seemed very confident, Sun Dajie's eyes flashed, and he took out a jade slip and handed it to Zhou Ling, saying, "Brother Ling, this is a prediction of the ranking of the disciples participating in this practical competition."

"Your name isn't in the top ten."

"Moreover, there are people offering betting opportunities inside the compound. If you can eliminate the top four, you'll be a dark horse!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling was taken aback for a moment, then reached out and took the jade slip, asking with a smile, "Doesn't the Dao Academy forbid its disciples from participating in such bets?"

"Hehe, in order to increase the attention to the competition and get more disciples involved, the academy turns a blind eye to this kind of practical competition."

"Moreover, rankings like this are unlikely to deviate too much, making it difficult for a dark horse to emerge."

"However, if Brother Ling participates, then it will be quite a show!"

"I need to think this through carefully and try to earn more!"

Sun Dajie blinked and said to Zhou Ling with a delighted expression.

He naturally trusted Zhou Ling, and he said those things just now to see how Zhou Ling would react.

Given that Zhou Ling has only recently entered the Foundation Establishment stage, even at the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment level, it's hard for anyone to believe he can make it into the top four.

After all, these disciples participating in the competition are all highly talented and powerful individuals within the academy.

Based on his professional judgment, the odds of betting on Zhou Ling to enter the semi-finals are at least one to eight.

There might be more.

However, we'll have to wait until the competition begins to find out the specifics.

Zhou Ling thought for a moment, then took out three mid-grade spirit stones from his storage ring, handed them to Sun Dajie, and said with a smile, "In that case, I'll also make a bet. I'll bet on me to win with these three mid-grade spirit stones!"

"Three mid-grade spirit stones!"

Seeing Zhou Ling's extravagant spending all at once, Sun Dajie couldn't help but swallow hard.

He asked, "Which place should we bet on?"

Although he trusted Zhou Ling, the inner disciples of the Dao Academy were not to be trifled with.

Therefore, he believed that Zhou Ling's strength was good enough to get into the top eight.

Based on this estimate, the odds are estimated to be between 1:5 and 1:7.

With three mid-grade spirit stones, the maximum return would be twenty-one mid-grade spirit stones.

That's quite amazing.

Therefore, he will definitely follow suit.

Of course, he had a limited number of spirit stones, but he would still stake at least two or three hundred low-grade spirit stones.

"Let's bet on winning!"

Zhou Ling drank the spirit wine in the earthenware bowl in one gulp and laughed.

I feel confident that betting on the top eight or top four will guarantee a profit.

But if you're going to bet, then you should bet big.

"Win the championship?"

Upon hearing Zhou Ling's words, Sun Dajie's eyes widened in shock. He had been reaching out to take the spirit stones from Zhou Ling, but he stopped in his tracks and reminded him again, "Brother Ling, why don't you take a closer look at the description in the jade slip before placing your bet!"

Three mid-grade spirit stones are no small sum.

In Qingyun Immortal City, that's enough to support a family for several years.

Zhou Ling shook his head. "Just place your bets!"

"it is good!"

Seeing Zhou Ling's confidence, Sun Dajie didn't say anything more and decided to play along, laughing, "Then I'll bet a hundred low-grade spirit stones on you winning." If he bets on Zhou Ling to win, the odds are at least one to twelve.

Of course, he also had to make two preparations, using the remaining two hundred low-grade spirit stones to pressure Zhou Ling into the top eight.

This way, you're basically guaranteed to make a profit.

Afterwards, Sun Dajie introduced Zhou Ling to some information about the inner court disciples who participated in this competition.

Those ranked at the top are the three late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples he just mentioned.

The two rune masters were named Simo and Thousand Fire.

Both of them are now able to refine second-tier high-grade runes.

Therefore, they must have quite a few runes.

Putting everything else aside, even using runes can leave opponents completely bewildered.

Of course, activating runes also consumes a significant amount of resources.

However, its advantages are still quite obvious.

Another late-stage Foundation Establishment swordsmith named Cang Zhi not only possesses high cultivation but has also comprehended the Sword Heart as Soul.

He's at the second level of swordsmanship and in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, so his strength is beyond question.

The probability of Zhou Ling meeting one of them in the quarterfinals if he wants to enter the top four is three in four.

Therefore, it is already very difficult to reach the semi-finals.

After all, someone in the early stage of Foundation Establishment still has a chance against someone in the middle stage.

After all, Zhou Ling was a Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the quality and purity of the spiritual liquid in his body far exceeded that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, the chance of winning against someone in the late Foundation Establishment stage is very slim.

After all, these late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples are all quite good in every aspect, and they are also Earth-grade Foundation Establishment disciples.

Besides these three, the other Foundation Establishment mid-stage disciples were also quite strong.

It won't be easy for Zhou Ling to defeat them.

After introducing himself to Zhou Ling, Sun Dajie left in a hurry.

Zhou Ling then asked Wang Xin if she had any other medicinal herbs with different properties.
Today, I was originally going out to buy medicinal herbs and refine pills in order to quickly activate my [Sword Qi Transformation into Pill Qi] talent.

However, it was delayed because of the inner court competition.

Wang Xin then took out some medicinal herbs and gave them to Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling then entered the cultivation room to prepare for refining pills.

······.

Ten days passed quickly.

The Inner Court Grand Competition is about to begin.

In the Taoist temple square, Zhou Ling, Wang Xin, and Sun Dajie sat quietly on prayer cushions.

It is located on the east side of the square.

Eight competition arenas have now been set up in the square.

Because the academy has invested heavily this year, there are significantly more inner court disciples participating in the competition than in previous years.

There are a total of 128 people.

You should know that there were only seventy-something people last year.

The competition adopted a lottery elimination system.

The disciples who make it to the final eight will participate in next year's grand competition between the four major academies.

“Brother Ling, this Li Jing is a swordsmith, and the sword intent she comprehended is the Thousand Mountains Sword Intent.”

"Four years ago, I was at the Earth-grade Foundation Establishment stage; now I am at the third level of Foundation Establishment."

"I possess a mid-grade second-tier mountain sword, which contains the Myriad Mountains Sword Seal. If fully activated, its power is no less than that of a high-grade spirit sword."

Sun Dajie gave Zhou Ling a detailed introduction to their opponent.

This week, Ling faced such a strong opponent in the first round, which made him quite nervous.

He bet over two hundred low-grade spirit stones, betting that Zhou Ling would make it into the top eight.

And the odds this time are quite attractive.

The score reached 1 to 8.

Zhou Ling needs to defeat three opponents to advance to the quarterfinals.

Moreover, this competition is a series of consecutive matches.

There's one session in the morning and one in the afternoon, with only a little over an hour of recovery time in between.

It is also a great test of the contestants' skills.

Zhou Ling is only at the first level of Foundation Establishment, so he is bound to suffer a loss.

Zhou Ling nodded, knowing full well that none of the disciples who could enter the inner courtyard were weak.

However, out of curiosity, he immediately asked, "What are my odds of making it into the quarterfinals now?"

"Currently, there don't seem to be many teams that are likely to make it to the quarterfinals; it's one to eight!"

"After all, everyone in the Dao Academy knows that you haven't been at the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment stage for long. Although your cultivation level is not low, you are still young, so your actual combat strength is definitely not high!"

Sun Dajie said with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhou Ling smiled.

I bet three mid-grade spirit stones. If the odds are 1 to 8, as long as I make it into the top eight, I'll have a profit of 24 mid-grade spirit stones.

These odds made him want to place another bet!
He then took out five mid-grade spirit stones and had Sun Dajie directly suppress him to enter the top four.

Winning the championship is still a bit risky, but he feels he has a 60% chance of making it to the semifinals.

Upon seeing the five mid-grade spirit stones, Sun Dajie couldn't help but be surprised; Zhou Ling's wealth was truly astonishing!

But before the competition started, he quickly placed a bet on Zhou Ling.

Once the competition begins, the situation will be completely different.

Time flew by, and Zhong Yuanzi announced the start of the competition from the judges' panel.

All the disciples stepped onto the competition platform.

"Greetings, Senior Brother Li!"

On the arena, Zhou Ling bowed to a refined-looking young man opposite him.

"I never expected to run into a Foundation Establishment genius like you, Junior Brother Zhou, in the first round!"

Li Jing also bowed respectfully and said in a deep voice.

He then continued, "However, you've only just reached the Foundation Establishment stage, while I'm already at the third level. I advise you to admit defeat!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling was taken aback, not expecting the other party to say such a thing, but he didn't take it to heart.

For others, a Foundation Establishment Level 1 is definitely no match for a Foundation Establishment Level 3, but he is a Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment cultivator and also a Five Elements Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The amount of spiritual liquid in his body now even exceeds that of Li Jing, who is at the third level of Foundation Establishment.

"I humbly request your guidance, Senior Brother Li!"

Zhou Ling cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

Li Jing frowned. Although Zhou Ling was young, he did not dare to underestimate him. He then pointed at the storage ring in his hand.

A gray streak of light shot out and hovered in front of him.

It was a thick sword, about three feet seven or eight inches long.

"Since you insist on fighting, junior brother, then don't blame me for being impolite!"

As soon as Li Jing finished speaking, she immediately began chanting the incantation.

As the sword light flashed, layers of illusory sword mountains condensed, and then, with a shout from Li Jing, the sword light shot towards Zhou Ling Gaia.

Zhou Ling's Fiery Sword appeared in his hand, and he poured spiritual power into it before unleashing a whistling slash.

As the fiery sword energy rose, the furnace sword energy condensed and emerged.

He slashed towards the mountain of swords.

Rumble!
In an instant, the two sword beams clashed in mid-air, unleashing a blazing sword light.

The two illusory sword intents clashed fiercely.

(End of this chapter)