Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 209 The Power of a Single Sword and the Victory
On this day, the competition in the inner courtyard also came to its final day.

The battle for the semi-finals.

The four disciples stood on the judges' panel.

Apart from Zhou Ling, the other three are three of the top four from last year.

Cangzhi, Qianhuo and Yuanmu.

Only Ximo, who finished third, was eliminated by Zhou Ling in the last round.

Needless to say, these three are incredibly strong; their ability to stand out from numerous elite disciples for two consecutive years speaks volumes about their prowess.

Cang Zhi is a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who has comprehended the second realm of swordsmanship, and he is the most popular candidate to win the championship in this competition.

Qianhuo is a rune master whose rune skills are even better than Ximo's. Last year, he nurtured a rune treasure and is also Cangzhi's strongest opponent.

Yuan Mu narrowly missed out on fourth place, but he suffered from his lower cultivation level last year.

His cultivation level has improved significantly this year, reaching the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, which is not far from the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, he is skilled in sword formations and is a strong favorite to win the championship this year.

"Not bad, all four of you are very strong!"

"Let's start the draw now to determine our opponents!"

Dean Zhong's gaze swept over the four people, especially when he looked at Zhou Ling, and he praised him sincerely.

Then, with a gentle flick of his hand, four jade slips floated in the air.

"You shall begin the drawing of lots. The jade slip contains the four characters 'A, B, C, D'."

"A against B, C against D."

"You may begin the drawing!"

Dean Zhong continued speaking, following the others.

"Junior Brother Zhou is the youngest, so you can draw first!"

Cang Zhi, with his robust physique, spoke in a hearty tone.

"OK then!"

Zhou Ling didn't stand on ceremony; it didn't matter whether the draw was quick or slow.

The key is that you inevitably face the strongest opponent.

However, the three people in front of him were all quite strong.

Moreover, his original goal was to reach the semi-finals.

After all, making it to the top four will reward you with a Grade Earth Foundation Establishment Pill.

Of course, there are other items as well.

Therefore, his goal in participating in this competition was to obtain the Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill and complete his master's mission.

Now that everything is done, he's not too concerned about whether he can win the championship.

After all these years, being the champion has become quite normal for him.

Of course, winning would be the best outcome.

After all, the reward was completely different, and he had also bet three mid-grade spirit stones.

If you win, you'll get thirty-six mid-grade spirit stones.

This is also a huge fortune.

Zhou Ling then drew a jade slip, and the other three also began to draw lots.

In the end, Zhou Ling was assigned to the C-rank lottery, and his opponent was Yuan Mu.

A young man with bright, piercing eyes and a slender build.

A moment later, the deep sound of the bell from the competition platform rang out.

The semi-finals have officially begun.

“Junior Brother Zhou, now that you have been able to put away Senior Qin’s Five Elements Profound Yang Sword, I hope that our duel will be decided by sword!”

On the competition stage, Yuan Mu cupped his hands and said to Zhou Ling.

He had also seen photos of Zhou Ling fighting against other opponents.

He had many methods, including puppets, spirit flames, and spirit swords, but he still hoped to truly fight Zhou Ling with sword techniques.

"it is good!"

Zhou Ling nodded.

With his current skills, there is no doubt that his swordsmanship is still the strongest.

Moreover, with the Five Elements Fusion Fire Technique, he can integrate spiritual flames into the Five Elements Sword Formation at any time.

Upon hearing Zhou Ling's agreement, Yuan Mu's face lit up with joy.

If Zhou Ling relies on the puppets and the spiritual flames, and those few puppets and the few spiritual flames gang up on him, he might really not be able to withstand it.

But if Zhou Ling fights sword to sword, then he has nothing to worry about.

After all, he was also at the second level of swordsmanship.

Then, with a thought, a sword-like light flashed in his storage ring, shining like starlight.

"Junior Brother Zhou, then take my sword strike, the Milky Way Falls from the Nine Heavens!"

As the words fell, the star sword slashed in the air, and the entire void seemed to suddenly sink. As the overwhelming starlight rushed down, it transformed into brilliant sword energy, like a river of starlight swords, whistling and slashing towards Zhou Ling.

"The Star Sword Soul has reached the third stage, drawing upon the power of the stars in the sky!"

Upon seeing Yuan Mu's sword strike, Zhang Daojian couldn't help but gasp slightly in surprise.

"I didn't expect Yuanmu to progress so quickly; he's already able to draw upon the power of the stars!"

Dean Zhong also praised it from the side.

The two realms of swordsmanship are also distinct, divided into four steps, with each step increasing in power exponentially.

Yuan Mu's sword strike had already condensed into a star sword spirit, directly connecting with and drawing upon the power of the stars in the sky.

This sword strike was incredibly powerful and imposing, clearly indicating that the opponent intended to settle the score with a single blow against Zhou Ling.

"This sword strike is meant to decide the outcome in one fell swoop!"

Instructor Lin asked with a puzzled look.

“Zhou Ling has a variety of attack methods. If the outcome is decided in one sword strike, it will obviously be more advantageous for Yuan Mu!”

Dean Zhong said with a smile.

Others naturally understood that this was indeed a wise choice.

Otherwise, when facing Zhou Ling's puppets and spirit flames later, even the most powerful sword techniques will be exhausted.

This would greatly increase the chances of Motoki winning.

In their view, no matter how talented Zhou Ling was, he had only recently achieved Foundation Establishment and was not yet capable of blocking a full-force sword strike from Yuan Mu, who was at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment and the second level of Sword Dao.

It's very difficult!

After all, he had already entered the Sword Soul Realm for some time.

Now, it's even directly drawing upon the power of the stars to merge into the sword energy.

"This Starry Sky Sword Soul is terrifying! I feel like the sky is filled with sword energy!"

"Using the sword's soul to manipulate the stars, this technique seems to have touched the threshold of the three realms of swordsmanship: the unity of man and sword!"

"This sky full of sword intent has transformed into a river of swords; who can withstand it? Zhou Ling is in danger now!"

"He's already strong enough, only at the first level of Foundation Establishment, yet Senior Brother Yuanmu values ​​him so much!"

······.

Feeling the terrifying power of Yuan Mu's sword, the surrounding disciples exclaimed and discussed in surprise.

Everyone was looking forward to seeing what kind of surprise Zhou Ling would pull off in this battle.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Mu did not want to prolong the fight and decided the outcome with a single sword strike.

Of course, given Zhou Ling's many tricks up his sleeve, anyone would choose to fight him quickly.

Zhou Ling was also aware of the other party's intentions. Since they wanted to decide the outcome with a single sword strike, he was naturally not afraid.

[You are observing the Star Essence Sword Soul, Intermediate Observation +1]

[You are analyzing the Star Essence Sword Soul, Intermediate Analysis +1]

With the observation and analysis of the two talents, Zhou Ling's Five Elements Profound Yang shot out.

Just when everyone thought Zhou Ling would have a hard time blocking this sword, the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword slashed at the Star River Sword Light from mid-air.

As Zhou Ling infused his spiritual power and sword intent, the fiery cloud sword intent within the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword was activated, and amidst the howling sword energy, it condensed into a sky full of fiery red sword clouds.

Its momentum was in no way inferior to the opponent's Star River Sword Qi.

At that moment, the sky seemed to suddenly burst into a blaze of light.

The surrounding spiritual energy seemed to be attracted and surged in resonance, with streaks of sword clouds formed by the condensation of fiery sword energy appearing in the air.

Then, it quickly coalesced, and with the merging of sword clouds, a giant sword of fire clouds, tens of feet long, took shape in an instant.

Small swords, accompanied by flashes of flame, appeared on the surface of the greatsword, creating an astonishing spectacle.

Zhou Ling looked surprised, not expecting that at this moment, the power of the rules contained within the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword would be activated.

The fiery cloud giant sword formed by the sword cloud contains Qin Haoran's understanding of the rules of heaven and earth when he underwent the tribulation of lightning.

Immediately, the fiery cloud giant sword crashed down.

Zhou Ling felt a surging, invincible aura flow into his body, merging with him as if it were rising from the depths of his soul, greatly changing his state of mind.

"This is the Sword of Heaven and Earth!"

"how is this possible?"

"How could Zhou Ling, with his cultivation level, possibly condense a sword of heaven and earth!"

The six judges on the panel all gasped in surprise.

It is important to know that one cannot wield the Heaven and Earth Sword without reaching the Golden Core realm.

Of course, Zhou Ling's move wasn't a true Heaven and Earth Sword Technique.

It was merely a sword strike condensed from a fusion of insights into the rules of swordsmanship.

"What a terrifying sword energy!"

"Zhou Ling is simply an unparalleled swordsman!"

"Both of their sword strikes were terrifying!"

Upon seeing Zhou Ling's sword strike, all the disciples couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, their expressions even more shocked than when Yuan Mu unleashed his sword.

This sword strike was overwhelming and magnificent, leaving everyone in awe.

Yuan Mu's expression was equally solemn; he hadn't expected Zhou Ling to unleash such an astonishing sword strike.

He dared not be careless at all, and rapidly poured his spiritual power into the Star Sword, maximizing the power of the Star Sword Soul.

"Boom!"

With a deafening roar that shook the heavens and the earth, the Fiery Cloud Giant Sword and the Starry Sky Sword River clashed fiercely in mid-air.

The violent sword energy swept across the sky, suddenly intertwining, and the shockwaves swept into the void.

The entire competition platform trembled violently.

"not good!"

Seeing that the light shield on the arena was completely dim, Dean Zhong hurriedly stood up, chanted an incantation, and activated another defensive light shield that he had prepared beforehand.

Suddenly, a huge light shield appeared again in the sky above Zhou Ling and the others' competition platform.

As the light shield just condensed.

The light shield inside suddenly exploded.

Fiery clouds and sword light filled the sky, while on the other side, the starry sword river continuously collapsed.

Huge scratches were left on the glass jade platform of the competition.

After a brief stalemate, the Star River Sword Light finally dissipated, and although the Fiery Cloud Sword Qi was also much weaker, its residual power remained.

However, Zhou Ling did not strike.

Yuanmu had already waved his hand to indicate that he had given up.

His face was pale, and there was a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.

If this sword strike were to land with such force, he would either die or be severely injured.

After all, it was just a competition.

It was not a battle of life and death.

"Junior Brother Zhou, is this the sword intent contained within the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword?"

Mu Yuan asked somewhat reluctantly.

Zhou Ling nodded.

"Very well! I am completely convinced of my defeat by Senior Qin's sword intent!"

Mu Yuan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and instead of being discouraged, he smiled broadly.

The implication seems to be that he was not defeated by Zhou Ling, but by the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword.

Zhou Ling naturally didn't care. Indeed, the profound and mysterious artistic conception he was currently grasping came from his understanding of the rules within the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword.

"Excellent, excellent! It's truly rare to find someone like Yuan Mu with such a state of mind!"

Supervisor Zhang couldn't help but praise it.

"Although he lost this battle, it was a victory in disguise for him."

"Zhou Ling's immense sword intent might give him some insight, allowing him to advance further in his swordsmanship!"

"For Zhou Ling, to be able to unleash such a powerful sword strike at such a young age is truly unbelievable."

"We might be able to win the championship in next year's competition among the four major academies."

Dean Zhong also spoke with a smile on his face.

In terms of actual combat competitions, Xuan Yuan Dao Academy has never won the championship.

The combat power that Zhou Ling has shown so far has given him hope.

Having witnessed the power of Zhou Ling's sword strike, the others had no doubts about Dean Zhong's words.

"Zhou Ling wins on the second arena!"

As the judges' voices faded.

The disciples throughout the square erupted in excitement.

"This sword strike is the strongest I have ever seen!"

"That's it!"

"Incredible! A Foundation Establishment Level 1 cultivator can actually unleash such a terrifying sword strike."

······.

Amidst the exclamations of many disciples, Zhou Ling also arrived at his own rest area.

"Brother Ling, are you alright?"

Wang Xin came over and asked with concern.

Although she had great confidence in Zhou Ling, she also knew that the power of that sword strike just now far exceeded Zhou Ling's current cultivation level.

They were also worried that Zhou Ling was overexerting himself.

"fine!"

Zhou Ling shook his head; his spiritual energy was almost depleted.

Keep in mind that he is a Heavenly Grade Five Elements Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he also possesses the [Meticulous] talent. Each of his attacks is less than one-third the strength of a cultivator of the same level.

This is also why he was able to unleash that sword strike just now.

Seeing Zhou Ling's expression, a smile finally appeared on Wang Xin's pretty face.

Sun Dajie had been waiting for Zhou Ling with great joy.

He was filled with regret.

Why didn't I bet more spirit stones to bet on Zhou Ling to win the championship?

Given the power of Zhou Ling's sword strike just now, this leader is most likely the one!
After taking the pill, Zhou Ling turned his attention to another group of competitors.

Cangzhi and Qianhuo, these two old rivals, are locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle.

Cang Zhi condensed a thunder sword spirit, and thunderous sword light filled the sky with a deafening roar, displaying astonishing power.

Qianhuo, on the other hand, possesses a fire-attribute talisman and, with the help of runes, condenses a flame rune array, from which flame dragons leap out.

It was relentlessly bombarded by the thunderous sword light, and then both were annihilated and dissipated.

Half of the arena was filled with the light of thunderous swords, while the other half was ablaze with flames and fiery dragons swirling around.

The two sides were locked in a stalemate for about fifteen minutes, after which the attacks from both sides gradually weakened.

They look evenly matched!
Compared to Zhou Ling and his team, who decided the outcome with a single sword strike.

The two of them ended up fighting a protracted war of attrition.

But the scene was equally astonishing.

Rumble!
After another fifteen minutes of continuous exchange of fire, the lightning and flames gradually dissipated.

In the end, due to excessive exertion, the two surprisingly declared a draw.

"Zhou Ling has emerged victorious in this inner court assessment!"

At that moment, Dean Zhong's voice suddenly rang out.

"this?"

Hearing this, Zhou Ling, who was recovering, was stunned for a moment. The final hadn't even started yet.

Then, Dean Zhong announced that it turned out that Cang Zhi and Qian Huo had overexerted themselves.

Without a period of rest and recuperation, it will be difficult to recover.

Moreover, even if the two of them recovered, neither of them had the confidence to win against Zhou Ling's terrifying sword strike last week.

We have no choice but to admit defeat!
Therefore, Zhou Ling won without a fight.

"Zhou Ling has actually become the champion of the inner court competition!"

"He's only at the first level of Foundation Establishment, yet he already possesses such terrifying combat power!"

"Perhaps the Nine Heavens Sword Academy would be a better fit for him!"

······.

The disciples exclaimed in surprise and began to discuss it amongst themselves.

(End of this chapter)