Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 206 The Power of the Sword Soul
"How far do you think Zhou Ling can go?"

On the judges' panel, Dean Zhong looked at Zhou Ling's competition stage and asked Zhang Daojian and the other judges with great interest.

Those participating in this Inner Court competition are all disciples of the Inner Court.

Moreover, they are all disciples who have been in the inner academy for several years, and some have even stayed in the inner academy for more than ten years.

After all, there are no time limits for cultivation once you enter the inner courtyard. Generally, you can reach the late stage or peak of Foundation Establishment.

The disciples then began to leave the Taoist temple to find their own way out.

Of course, many people also choose to stay in the Taoist academy and become instructors in the outer academy, but they must also pass the academy's rigorous examination before they can stay.

Of the newly admitted disciples, only Zhou Ling participated.

Therefore, he was much younger than the other inner court disciples.

"Making it into the top 32 would be quite an achievement!"

"Although it is the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment, combat competition is not just about cultivation level, but also about skills, experience and so on."

"Zhou Ling probably lacks combat experience!"

Zhang Daojian smiled and said.

"Yes, he's a bit young. After a few more years of training, with his Heavenly Foundation Establishment level, his combat strength will definitely be quite high!"

"Hey, this kid wants to participate in every kind of competition. But real combat competitions and skill competitions are completely different!"

The other judges also smiled and echoed.

"However, this kid's performance is always unexpected. Hopefully, he can also impress people in actual combat!"

Dean Zhong smiled and said.

Zhou Ling is now a key disciple being cultivated by the Taoist Academy.

Although he did not become his disciple, he hoped to become the face of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy in Qingyun Immortal City in the future.

Of course, since it was a real-world competition, in his opinion, it was already quite good that Zhou Ling was able to enter the top 32.

After all, most of the participants this time were mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Moreover, most mages rely on external forces in their combat, such as runes, magic circles, puppets, and beast taming.

As a weapon refiner, Zhou Ling clearly has no advantage in this regard.

Even for a swordsmith, using a precious sword in battle is a considerable drain on their resources.

While the judges were discussing, the situation on each stage was rapidly changing.

On the dueling platform, Li Jing's Thousand Mountains Sword Qi grew stronger with each level, seemingly poised to crush Zhou Ling in one fell swoop.

However, Zhou Ling condensed the Furnace Sword Qi and refined its Thousand Mountains Sword Qi.

As the sword energy of the Thousand Mountains dissipated, his understanding of the earth-attribute sword intent also continued to improve.

This is the advantage of the Furnace Sword Intent: when refining other sword energies, it can enhance one's own sword intent.

Therefore, Zhou Ling did not rush to attack, but instead refined and integrated the Thousand Mountains Sword Intent while fighting.

Then, with the help of [Intermediate Analysis], the Thousand Mountains Sword Intent is analyzed and integrated into one's own Earth Attribute Sword Intent.

Li Jing became increasingly alarmed as the fight progressed. She had originally planned to suppress Zhou Ling as quickly as possible and force him to withdraw from the competition.

However, at this moment, his Thousand Mountains Sword Intent did not pose much of a threat to him.

On the contrary, it consumes a lot of energy.

If things continue like this, even if we manage to defeat Zhou Ling, it won't be easy to beat our opponent in the next match.

Originally, it was thought to be a very favorable outcome for Zhou Ling, the new inner court disciple.

I never expected it to be such a tough nut to crack.

He dared not hold back any longer and shouted, "Junior Brother Zhou, then take my final sword strike!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the sword in his hand shone brightly, and the mountain-like sword light condensed and formed, continuously striking Gaia.

This is the advantage of the Mountain Sword in his hand.

Once the sword imprint and sword intent are activated and merged, its power will increase dramatically.

It's equivalent to half a step of the Sword Heart Soul.

For disciples at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, it is generally very difficult to block it.

Only those who have reached the same Sword Soul realm, or possess a third-tier magic weapon, can contend with it.

Li Jing was forced to use her trump card so quickly.

Only in this way can we break through Zhou Ling's Furnace Sword Qi and defeat him.

Unfortunately, Zhou Ling had already condensed his sword soul. The reason he didn't unleash the full power of the Furnace Sword Qi was simply to study the power of his opponent's Thousand Mountains Sword Intent.

After all, he possessed the talent of "Restore to Original State," and with the second-tier Spirit Essence Pill refined by Wang Xin, he was able to restore the spiritual power consumed in his body to its peak in just over an hour.

Therefore, there is no concern about consumption issues.

Moreover, with his meticulous attention to detail, he held a clear advantage in this battle and did not expend much energy.

As Li Jing unleashed her strongest sword strike, Zhou Ling naturally dared not be careless.

He immediately concentrated his sword intent, which condensed into the Furnace Sword Soul.

If he wanted to, he could have condensed the Furnace Sword Soul long ago and defeated his opponent.

Moreover, the sword he was using was only a mid-grade second-tier fire-type sword.

If it were replaced with the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword, its power would probably more than double.

After all, the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword contains the power of rules, which can completely crush a cultivator like Li Jing.

"How is this possible? You've actually comprehended the Sword Heart as Soul!"

Li Jing, who had thought that this sword strike would be enough to defeat Zhou Ling, suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

His Thousand Mountains Sword Qi had finally broken through the Furnace Sword Qi, and was just about to suppress it when...

Suddenly, within the furnace's sword energy, an even more vigorous sword intent swept out.

It pierced through his Thousand Mountains Sword Qi layer by layer.

Then, he saw the Furnace Sword Soul condensing within the Furnace Sword Qi.

His Thousand Mountains Sword Qi quickly dissipated under the opponent's overwhelming sword spirit attack.

At this moment, Li Jing, who was shocked, had also revealed all his trump cards, and faced with Zhou Ling's blazing sword energy, he no longer had the courage to continue fighting.

The only option is to abstain and concede defeat.

How did I end up encountering this monster?
Fourteen years old! Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment! And he has also comprehended the second realm of swordsmanship!

How can anyone else compare?
"This is a sword spirit? How is this possible? How could a fourteen-year-old cultivator condense a sword spirit?"

"Yes! Even if you started learning swordsmanship from the womb, it still wouldn't work!"

"Truly terrifying! Heavenly-grade Foundation Establishment, Second Realm Sword Dao! This is absolutely a genius among geniuses!"

"I can't believe my eyes! Li Jing, at the third level of Foundation Establishment, was actually defeated!"

Because Zhou Ling was a newly admitted inner court disciple and a legendary Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator, his competition attracted extra attention.

Seeing him condense the Furnace Sword Soul and easily shatter Li Jing's Thousand Mountains Sword Qi, the disciples watching in the square exclaimed in surprise.

Everyone originally thought that Zhou Ling, who was so outstanding in weapon crafting, would definitely be inferior in actual combat.

After all, a person's energy is limited, and it is impossible to achieve all-round development.

But Zhou Ling surprised everyone.

They surprisingly defeated the formidable Li Jing with overwhelming force and absolute advantage.

"Station number seven! Zhou Lingsheng!"

As the judges announced the result, Zhou Ling and Li Jing bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you for the honor!"

Li Jing said helplessly, "I am completely convinced of my defeat in swordsmanship, Junior Brother Zhou!"

The two then stepped down from the competition platform.

"Zhou Ling has actually reached the second level of swordsmanship!"

On the judges' panel, Dean Zhong looked shocked.

Zhou Ling once again shocked him with her actions.

Comprehending the sword spirit requires not only honed swordsmanship skills but also exceptional comprehension.

In addition, a certain amount of opportunity and luck are also required.

For most sword cultivators, reaching the Sword Soul realm in the late Foundation Establishment stage is already quite an achievement.

Zhou Ling, at the age of fourteen, actually did it!

Such talent and such good fortune are truly enviable.

"This kid is such a surprise!" Zhang Daojian said with a look of amazement.

I wasn't optimistic about Zhou Ling making it into the top 32, but I've been proven wrong so quickly.

Zhou Ling actually entered the second realm of swordsmanship, which was something he never expected.

The other instructors were also surprised. They all knew that Zhou Ling was exceptionally skilled in technique, but they did not expect him to be so talented in swordsmanship.

"However, with his Foundation Establishment level one cultivation, how many times can he use Sword Heart Like Soul?"

"Yes, normally, only those who have reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment can stably control the Sword Heart Like Soul."

Amidst the shock, the other instructors also voiced their curiosity.

"That's easy, just see how far this little guy can go!"

Dean Zhong smiled and said.

They also had higher expectations for Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling's current performance is enough to place him among the top thirty most talented disciples in the thousands of years since the academy was founded.

"Sigh, I take back what I just said. If I comprehend the sword spirit, I should be able to enter the top sixteen!"

Supervisor Zhang also said with a smile.

He didn't have any ill intentions towards Zhou Ling; he was simply analyzing the situation based on the facts.

But Zhou Ling was completely unpredictable.

"Sixteen isn't that easy!"

"Yes! Look at those matches just now, there were quite a few late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples, and in the other matches, they were all evenly matched and extremely exhausting!"

Instructor Lin shook his head and spoke.

While the judges were discussing, Zhou Ling had already arrived at the rest area.

"Brother Ling, no wonder you're so confident, it turns out you've comprehended the second realm of sword spirit!"

As Zhou Ling sat down on the prayer mat, Sun Dajie walked behind him and massaged his back to stretch his muscles, saying with a look of delight.

He had bet nearly four hundred low-grade spirit stones on Zhou Ling in this competition.

This represents most of his fortune; if he loses, he'll have to live on grass for the next few months.

Zhou Ling smiled and said, "I'm just lucky!"

"Brother Ling, you're too modest!"

Sun Dajie flattered him.

Then, turning his gaze to the arena, he reminded Zhou Ling, "Brother Ling, your next opponent is Lu Li, a rune master in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. This will be a test of your endurance!"

"Moreover, Lu Li ranked thirty-seventh in this competition, so there is a good chance that he can enter the top thirty-two!"

"Moreover, it is said that he has quite a few mid-grade second-tier runes, and even some high-grade second-tier runes!"

Zhou Ling nodded and smiled, "Sword cultivators believe in using a single sword to break through all techniques!"

He then took out the pill bottle, poured out a Spirit Essence Pill, swallowed it, and sat cross-legged to recover.

Sun Dajie then began gathering other information from the surrounding area.

······.

In the afternoon, the second round of elimination matches also began quickly.

Zhou Ling's spiritual power has also been fully restored.

"Lu Li!"

"Zhou Ling!"

On the competition stage, the two bowed to each other.

Standing opposite Zhou Ling was a tall young man in his mid-twenties.

"Junior Brother Zhou, then let's test the power of my runes!"

Immediately, Lu Li shouted and threw out three yellow talismans.

Three thunderous explosions rang out, and the runes instantly burst into flames, forming three enormous fireballs that hurtled towards Zhou Ling.

A wave of heat swept in, threatening to engulf Zhou Ling.

But the next moment, a thick flying sword soared into the sky and slashed down from above.

A massive mountain-like sword aura cleaved out.

The sword energy condensed, like a thousand peaks stacked one upon another, unstoppable, instantly shattering the three fireballs, which then dissipated into a sky full of fiery light.

"Is this the Sword Intent of Thousand Mountains?"

Lu Li couldn't help but gasp slightly in surprise.

He was originally worried about Zhou Ling's Furnace Sword Soul, so he planned to engage in a war of attrition with Zhou Ling in this battle.

Use runes to consume Zhou Ling.

After all, Zhou Ling was only at the first level of Foundation Establishment, so it was impossible for him to continuously unleash sword soul attacks.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ling also comprehended other sword intents.

Moreover, this was the Thousand Mountains Sword Intent from his opponent Li Jing that morning.

What a terrifying talent!

"Then I'll see how many sword techniques you can unleash!"

Lu Li said in a deep voice, "Even if you use the Thousand Mountains Sword Intent, it will still consume a lot of energy."

You must know that those were three mid-grade second-tier fireball talismans, whose power was no less than that of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator's spell attack, yet Zhou Ling easily neutralized them.

Instead of exhausting him, you ended up being exhausted yourself.

Immediately, he unleashed two more cyan runes, which, amidst the blooming cyan light, condensed into two cyan sword beams several meters long.

It appears incomparably sharp!

"A high-grade second-tier sword talisman!"

Zhou Ling's gaze narrowed slightly; this rune master was indeed not easy to deal with.

Fortunately, these two sword talismans only contained sword energy and did not incorporate sword intent or sword spirit.

Otherwise, those two sword beams would be difficult to deal with.

With the help of [Intermediate Observation] and [Intermediate Analysis], Zhou Ling was able to see that although the two cyan sword beams were quite powerful, they were only infused with a fully formed sword intent.

"You should be proud enough to lose to my two second-tier high-grade Azure Peak Sword Talismans!"

Lu Li seemed very confident.

After all, two second-tier high-grade sword talismans have an attack power comparable to that of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even with his current mid-Foundation Establishment stage, he found it somewhat difficult to control.

This Azure Peak Sword Talisman is already one of his biggest trump cards.

He chanted an incantation, pointed his finger at Zhou Ling, and two cyan sword beams, their sword energy whistling, slashed down towards Zhou Ling.

Seeing this, Zhou Ling didn't dare to be careless.

With a thought, the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword shot out, its flames roaring.

He channeled his spiritual energy into the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword, and in an instant, the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword slashed out like a fiery ribbon.

The fiery sword light swept across the arena, leaving cracks in the incredibly hard material on the ground.

Like a dark, fiery cloud pressing down, it clashed with the two azure sword beams driven by Lu Li.

With a deafening roar, the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword erupted with endless sword energy, like fiery clouds filling the sky, before Lu Li's incredulous eyes.

They forcefully exhausted and shattered the two green sword beams.

Finally, with its immense remaining force, it slashed down at Lu Li.

Lu Li hurriedly activated a shield rune, which condensed into a huge suit of armor in front of him.

Hoping to block the fiery sword's edge.

A deafening bang!

The ring trembled violently.

His armor shattered, and Lu Li was thrown back, crashing onto the arena, his face pale.

We had no choice but to wave goodbye and admit defeat!

"Fifth arena! Zhou Ling wins!"

The judges' voices then rang out.

(End of this chapter)