Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 210 Rewards and Dean Zhong's Invitation

"Zhou Ling, this is your reward for being the top performer in this assessment."

"One Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, two High-grade Spirit Stones, and ten years of free access to the Daoist Academy's refined residence."

"You also have 500 Dao Academy points, which you can exchange for any item in the Dao Academy's Treasure Pavilion!"

"I hope that we can achieve similar results when representing the Taoist Academy in the competition among the four major Taoist academies next year."

On the judges' panel, Dean Zhong handed a storage bag to Zhou Ling, saying with a smile.

His tone revealed high hopes for Zhou Ling.

"Thank you, Dean!"

Zhou Ling accepted the storage bag and bowed in thanks.

I never expected the rewards to be so generous. In addition to the Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, there were even two high-grade spirit stones.

One high-grade spirit stone is equivalent to one hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

This is undoubtedly a huge fortune.

In addition, there were 500 Dao Academy points, a reward amount that far exceeded his expectations.

Indeed, hard work pays off!

"Although you are still an inner court disciple, I would like to invite you to be a junior instructor. Are you interested?"

"Once you become an instructor at the Taoist academy, you will be able to stay there for life."

"This is something that the other disciples dream of."

“Every year, many disciples have to leave the academy because they cannot obtain junior instructor positions!”

At this moment, Dean Zhong spoke up again.

Given Zhou Ling's current performance, it is natural to try to keep him in the academy.

Otherwise, like Qin Haoran's case, being recruited into the Heavenly Crafts Bureau would also be a significant loss for the Dao Academy.

"Beginner Instructor!"

Zhou Ling was taken aback for a moment.

He has only been in the inner courtyard for a short time, and he never expected to become an instructor.
His original plan was to join the Heavenly Crafts Bureau after leaving the Taoist Academy.

After all, he is now a second-rank steward of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, and he has no worries about the future.

He didn't think much about staying at the Taoist temple.

"This matter isn't urgent. Go back and think it over slowly, and give me your answer when you've thought it through!"

Seeing that Zhou Ling still didn't understand the situation, Dean Zhong took out another jade slip, handed it to him, and said with a smile, "It contains some information about the instructors of the Dao Academy. As long as you reach a certain standard, you can exchange it for items that help you form your core."

He also knew that with Zhou Ling's talent, as long as he could stay in the academy and be properly nurtured, he would definitely be able to enter the main academy.

"Yes, Dean!"

Zhou Ling accepted the jade slip and replied respectfully.

Whether he stays at the Taoist academy as an instructor or goes to the Heavenly Crafts Bureau to develop his career will have a huge impact on his personal Taoist path, so he still needs to go back and discuss it carefully with his parents.

Dean Zhong then presented awards to Cang Zhi and Qian Huo, who came in second place.

Their rewards were much less than Zhou Ling's.

One Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, fifty mid-grade spirit stones, and three hundred points.

Of course, after watching the two receive their storage bags, Dean Zhong also gave them some good instructions, telling them to recover properly.

When the two looked at each other, they could both see the resentment in each other's eyes.

As for Yuan Mu, who came in third place, although he received even less in rewards, he did not show any signs of frustration.

After receiving the reward, he cupped his hands to Zhou Ling and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Zhou, although I was defeated by you this time, I am completely convinced."

"Moreover, you have shown me the power of Senior Qin's sword intent! I have also gained some insights."

"So, I still want to thank you. Sometime, I'll treat you to a drink, and we can have another good spar!"

Upon hearing this, both Cang Zhi and the other person showed surprise, knowing that Yuan Mu was a proud and arrogant person.

Before the competition, it was already said that this time, I would definitely be able to defeat the two of them and win the crown.

It's rare to see someone who could be defeated by Zhou Ling yet still act so kindly.

Seeing Yuan Mu's elated expression, Zhou Ling could only cup his hands and reply, "I only managed to surpass Senior Brother Yuan by chance by obtaining the Five Elements Profound Origin Sword."

"Without the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword, I would most likely be no match for Senior Brother Yuan!"

Seeing Zhou Ling giving him face, Yuan Mu was even more delighted.

However, what Zhou Ling said was also true; without the sword dao rules contained within the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword, the energy of heaven and earth could not be stirred.

He might not actually be able to block Yuan Mu's sword.

"Junior Brother Zhou, once I've recovered, if there's a chance, let me witness Senior Qin's sword intent!"

At this moment, Cang Zhi also spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling hurriedly shook his head and said, "Senior Brother Cang, please don't misunderstand."

"With my current cultivation level, I can't just casually activate this Fiery Cloud Sword Intent."

"This battle was also a matter of chance, which allowed me to unleash that sword!"

"If you asked me to unleash a sword strike with that same power now, I might not be able to do it."

Although he has now integrated the wisp of rules contained in the Five Elements Profound Yang Sword, Zhou Ling does not want others to casually challenge him to a sword test.

With so many disciples in the inner courtyard of the Dao Academy, who wouldn't want to witness Senior Qin's sword intent?

How could we possibly cope with that later?

Therefore, this kind of thing should absolutely not be agreed to.

Upon hearing this, Cang Zhi and the others had an expression of sudden realization.

That makes sense, after all, Zhou Ling is only at the first level of Foundation Establishment.

If one could easily unleash such a powerful sword strike, that would be truly terrifying.

Knowing the reason, the three seemed to feel a little better.

At this moment, the other teachers also came over to congratulate Zhou Ling.

With the talent Zhou Ling has shown so far, his future prospects are absolutely immeasurable.

Zhou Ling returned the greetings with clasped hands.

Thus, the competition for combat strength within the inner court finally came to an end.

······.

At night, the Zhou family's house was brightly lit.

Knowing that her son had won first place in the inner court competition, Li Ru returned home early in the morning and prepared a table full of dishes.

Wang Yu and her daughter also came to celebrate.

After the meal, everyone started chatting.

"Mother, these are the Foundation Establishment Pills that the Dao Academy rewarded us with this time!"

"There is also a high-grade wood-attribute spirit stone."

Zhou Ling took out the pill bottle and two crystal-clear spirit stones and handed them to his mother.

Although Li Ru is only at the seventh level of Qi Refining and is still some distance from Foundation Establishment, he naturally needs to prepare Foundation Establishment Pills now that he has them.

As for the two high-grade spirit stones, they are of the wood and fire attributes, respectively, and contain extremely abundant spiritual power.

Zhou Ling gave the wood-attribute spirit stone to his mother, while keeping the fire-attribute one for himself.

With the abundant spiritual energy contained in this top-grade spirit stone, as long as it is fully absorbed and refined, it will be enough for my mother to enter the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Moreover, there is no risk of erysipelas accumulation due to the absence of medicinal pills.

This is also why it is difficult to find high-grade spirit stones on the market.

Once formed within a spiritual vein, discovered, and purified, most of it will be kept by cultivators for direct use.

Zhou Ling received this high-grade spirit stone reward because he won first place this time.

"Foundation Pill!"

"High-quality spiritual stone!"

Both Li Ru and Zhou Shan were shocked when they saw the pill bottle and spirit stones in Zhou Ling's hand.

The price of a regular Foundation Establishment Pill is at least tens of thousands of low-grade spirit stones on the market, and it is not easy to buy.

As for Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, their price goes without saying, but the key point is that independent cultivators rarely have the opportunity to see them.

Similarly, high-grade spirit stones are extremely rare, but their son is now right in front of them.

It made them feel like it was all a little unreal.

Even the well-informed Wang Yu showed surprise in her eyes. Of course, now that Zhou Ling was her son-in-law, the better he performed, the happier she was.

Zhou Ling's victory in the Inner Court Competition, especially in a real combat competition, was somewhat unexpected for her.

This is the inner courtyard, and many of the participants are late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples, all elites from various academies.

Zhou Ling's success in emerging victorious and winning the championship demonstrates the immense difficulty involved.

"Ling'er, your mother only has a mid-grade spiritual root. It's already quite an achievement that I was able to successfully establish my foundation. Won't it be a waste to use a low-grade foundation-establishing pill?"

Li Ruru poured Zhou Ling a cup of spiritual tea and said this.

"Mother, who said that a mid-grade spiritual root cannot achieve Earth-grade Foundation Establishment?"

"Just keep it. It will guarantee you a Foundation Establishment of Earth-grade Rank in the future!"

Zhou Ling handed the pill bottle and spirit stones to his mother, smiling as he spoke.

"Sister Ru, don't worry. With the Earth-grade Foundation Establishment Pill and other auxiliary spiritual items, even with a mid-grade spiritual root, there's a high probability of achieving Earth-grade Foundation Establishment!"

Wang Yu also said with a smile.

Hearing Wang Yu say the same thing, Li Ru nodded and put away the elixir bottle.

But looking at the high-grade spirit stone, he smiled and said, "I'll keep this high-grade spirit stone for you too, and use it as a betrothal gift for Xin'er in the future!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Ling almost spat out the spiritual soup he had just drunk.

Mother is in a hurry to have Xin'er marry into the family!
Xin'er's face was also flushed.

“Mother, Xin’er and I are not old, so you don’t need to worry about marriage. This high-grade spirit stone is of the wood attribute, which is suitable for your spiritual root.”

"Now that we have the Foundation Establishment Pill, we should improve our cultivation level as soon as possible so that we can prepare for Foundation Establishment."

Zhou Ling said with a smile.

My mother is already thirty-six years old, and we must do everything we can to establish a foundation before she turns forty.

Otherwise, it will get harder and harder later on.

Although it is said to be sixty years old, the peak of one's energy and blood is forty years old, and it will start to decline after that.

"Sister Ru, you don't need to think so much about the bride price!"

Wang Yu also said with a smile.

She was very satisfied with Zhou Ling as her son-in-law, and as for the bride price, whether it was a lot or a little, it was nothing to worry about.

"Can······."

Li Ru didn't say it aloud.

Zhou Shan interrupted him, saying, "Just keep your son's gift."

Li Ru then put the Foundation Establishment Pill and the high-grade spirit stone into his storage bag.

"Father, Mother, there's something else I need to discuss with you!"

Zhou Ling spoke up again.

He then told everyone that Dean Zhong had made him an instructor at the Taoist academy.

"Ling'er, this is wonderful! Staying at the academy as an instructor is safe and the pay is good!"

Upon hearing this, Li Ru immediately agreed.

"Although being an instructor at the Dao Academy is stable, the resources you receive are limited. Establishing a family in the future will require a lot of resources!"

Zhou Ling thought for a moment and said.

In the Dao Alliance, the goal of cultivators is, on the one hand, to improve their cultivation level.

But at the same time, it is also about establishing a family, and even building a celestial city.

The instructors at the Taoist academy are excellent in every way, but the resources they receive each month are limited.

"Ling'er, what are your thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ru couldn't help but ask.

Zhou Ling's cultivation level has now far surpassed theirs.

They also knew that their son had his own ideas.

"I haven't decided yet, and the dean hasn't told me when I should reply!"

Zhou Ling smiled and said.

"Ling'er, in my opinion, you should become an instructor at the Dao Academy first. We can consider other things later!"

Li Ru clearly had a high opinion of the instructors at the Taoist academy.

"Okay, mother!"

Zhou Ling nodded.

But considering that I am not even fifteen years old yet, becoming a Taoist instructor is a bit too early.

After thinking for a moment, she asked Wang Yu, "Aunt Wang, what do you think?"

“I also support your mother’s idea on this matter.”

"If you become an instructor, the resources in all aspects will be relatively stable, and the academy will not lack high-level cultivation techniques."

“Cultivation can be advanced step by step.”

"Of course, the most important thing is how you plan it yourself, because it relates to your future path!"

Wang Yu smiled and said.

Zhou Ling is her son-in-law, so naturally she hopes that he can prioritize stability in the future.

"As for establishing a family, it's not that easy. It takes time, step by step. With the strength and resources, everything will fall into place naturally!"

Zhou Ling nodded in agreement.

"Furthermore, if Xin'er can successfully fuse with the family's spiritual flame this time, she will become a contender for the position of head of the Wang family in the future."

"My status in the Wang family will be greatly enhanced. Although I may not be able to compete with Wang Qingshang, I will have this status."

"It will be of great help to your future development!"

Wang Yu said with a smile.

Zhou Ling nodded. However, whether it was helpful or not, since this spiritual flame could help Xin'er achieve the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment, he would naturally do his best to assist her.

There are only half a month left until the day when the Wang family merges with the Spirit Flame.

"This time, all disciples of the Wang family under the age of thirty will participate, and the family's spiritual flame will specifically condense into several branches."

"Only when the family opens its ancestral land will they know."

"Generally speaking, it won't exceed three courses."

"More than one hundred clansmen and disciples participated."

"Among them will be several late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples."

"Of course, fusing with spirit flames is not something that can be done simply by having the highest cultivation level."

"We also need to consider the affinity between the spirit, bloodline, and spiritual flame!"

Wang Yu then explained the situation of the Wang family's fusion of spiritual flames to Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling and Wang Xin listened attentively.

“The Spirit Flame will give birth to a seed of fire every thirty years.”

"As for the exact number of fire seeds, that remains unknown."

"According to family records, there are usually one to three flames, and each flame has different attributes."

"This spirit flame is the natal spirit flame that my Wang family ancestor fused together back then. It is now nearly at the eighth level and has already given birth to a fire spirit."

"But it seems to have a pact with our ancestors, and has stayed in our royal family to protect it."

At this point, Wang Yu took a sip of tea, glanced at Zhou Ling and Wang Xin, and continued, "As for the fusion process, it is divided into two steps."

"The first step is that after the ancestral land is opened, the spiritual flame will cover a certain area. Only disciples who have passed the spiritual flame test will have the opportunity to fuse with the fire seed."

"The second step is for the disciples who have passed the assessment to fully activate their bloodline and constitution in order to attract the fire seed."

"As long as you can absorb and fuse with the fire seed, then you've succeeded!"

Zhou Ling and Wang Xin both nodded.

Zhou Ling now controls five Five Elements Spirit Flames, so the spirit flames won't pose much of a problem for him.

Wang Xin, on the other hand, possesses a Dark Fire Spirit Body and is naturally drawn to fire.

Afterwards, Wang Yu continued to explain to them some of the previous occurrences of the Wang family's fusion of spiritual flames.

Both of them listened attentively.

(End of this chapter)