Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 242 Three levels of foundation building
That day, Zhou Ling came to his master's courtyard.

I brought Master some of my mother's newly brewed, excellent spiritual wine.

He also told her about building his own family's ancestral shrine.

Zhou Ling planned a small courtyard, intending to leave it for his master in the future.

With a master overseeing things at home, perhaps this magic formation can be omitted.

Of course, this was just a passing thought of his, and his master might not agree.

In his heart, he naturally hoped that his master could live in the Zhou family in the future.

"You do have a good heart!"

Upon hearing Zhou Ling's words, Zi Ling smiled but remained noncommittal.

"Judging from your aura, you're not far from breaking through to the third level of Foundation Establishment."

"To be able to reach one level in half a year by cultivating the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique is quite efficient!"

"He's starting to look like one of my disciples."

Looking at the aura emanating from Zhou Ling, Zi Ling said with a hint of satisfaction.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling couldn't help but smile and say, "It's all thanks to Master's excellent teaching!"

However, I have no choice but to accept such high expectations from my master.

His speed is already considered very fast within the inner courtyard of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy.

According to Master's instructions, it seems that he barely passed.

It should be noted that he has made such progress only with the help of talents such as [Five Elements Thunder Gang] and [Spiritual Power Affinity], as well as the assistance of Five Elements Heart Fire.

For ordinary inner court disciples, even those with good talent and superior or top-grade spiritual roots, reaching the first level within a year is already considered quite good.

However, this time he went to Qingyang Immortal City to participate in the Heavenly Guard assessment.

He also saw that the disciples of those top aristocratic families were much more skilled than him.

Young masters from aristocratic families like He Yunshan and Bai Jing, who were two or three years older than him, were already in the late Foundation Establishment stage.

He Yunshan is already at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment.

Of course, the cultivation techniques practiced by these scions of noble families were of a high grade.

Given the ample resources available from a young age, this pace of progress is to be expected.

Zhou Ling's current progress is already among the best in the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy.

Especially when he was practicing the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique.

The difficulty is much higher than that of ordinary cultivators.

At his rate of breaking through one level every few months, he could definitely rank among the top five in the inner courtyard.

"These are two Jade Purity Pills that I exchanged for with my Dao Academy teaching points. They can help me break through the Foundation Establishment bottleneck."

"I reckon you're both close to breaking through, so you and Xin'er each get one!"

Zi Ling took out a pill bottle and handed it to Zhou Ling.

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhou Ling accepted the elixir bottle and bowed in thanks.

It seems that their master has been keeping an eye on their cultivation progress.

My master only has me as his disciple now.

Since I haven't gone out to give lectures, I probably won't get many points in a year.

However, in exchange, they received the Jade Purity Pill, which helps break through the bottleneck of the minor Foundation Establishment stage.

Zhou Ling was also very grateful to his master.

"I still have three hundred academy points. Although it's not much, it's enough to exchange for some items."

"I don't need it anymore. You can find some time to see what's suitable and exchange it yourself."

Zi Ling continued.

He then handed a jade tablet to Zhou Ling.

"Thank you Master!"

Zhou Ling accepted the jade token and thanked him.

Three hundred points is quite a lot; it's enough to exchange for two high-grade second-tier pills and some second-tier materials.

Of course, now that the Five Elements Natal Sword has been refined...

With the help of the Five Elements Sword Qi, he was also able to refine second-grade high-quality pills.

Therefore, there is no need to exchange for pills.

However, with these 300 points, plus my own points, it's enough to exchange for a second-tier top-grade magic array.

Afterwards, Zhou Ling asked his master some questions about cultivating the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique, and only left the courtyard after an incense stick had burned.

After leaving the courtyard, Zhou Ling went to the Taoist temple's own workshop.

Now, under the management of Bai Ji and Song Yue, the workshop is in good order.

In the past few months, Bai Ji has successfully advanced to the eighth level of Qi Refining.

"Meet the Master!"

"Meet the Master!"

Upon seeing Zhou Ling arrive, the two put down the artifacts they were crafting and bowed to him.

Now that Zhou Ling has become a Heavenly Guardian of the Heavenly Craftsmanship Department, their reputations within the Taoist Academy have greatly increased.

People are now flocking to Bai Ji every day to have magical artifacts crafted.

Moreover, the price is several times higher than before.

Bai Ji is simply too busy to handle everything.

Sometimes, he had to ask other disciples to help him make magical artifacts.

"Song Yue, Bai Ji, the Foundation Establishment Seed Assessment for the Dao Academy is next month. You must do your best to succeed."

Zhou Ling nodded and smiled at the two of them.

He was the first to obtain the Foundation Establishment Seed, which is why he received the Heavenly Grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

Only then will there be a chance to achieve the Heavenly Foundation Establishment.

Therefore, this assessment is extremely important for the new students of the Taoist Academy.

If one can win the championship and obtain the Heavenly Grade Foundation Establishment Pill, then the subsequent cultivation will be much smoother.

If you don't get a Heavenly grade, an Earthly grade is also good.

After all, even in the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy, which is full of geniuses, being able to reach the Earth-grade Foundation Establishment level already surpasses 90% of its disciples.

Heavenly grade items are extremely rare.

Not only do you need a Heavenly-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, but many other conditions also need to be met.

"Yes, Master!"

"Yes, Master!"

The two replied in unison.

"This is the method for drawing mid-to-low-grade second-tier inscriptions. You should practice diligently for the next month."

"It contains my analysis and annotations, which will be of great help to you!"

Zhou Ling took out two jade slips and handed them to the two men respectively.

The inscriptions in this jade slip are his analyses written down after comprehending them through [Intermediate Observation] and [Intermediate Analysis].

This experience is absolutely correct; it makes cultivation twice as effective with half the effort.

Other instructors would absolutely not have it.

This will definitely be of great help to the two of them in rapidly improving their inscription level in a short period of time.

Zhou Ling originally intended to give them to them later.

After all, unlike him, the other two didn't have any cheat codes.

Therefore, we still need to proceed steadily and cultivate ourselves step by step.

But this assessment is crucial.

That's why we gave them to them in advance.

"Thank you, Master!"

"Thank you, Master!"

The two accepted the jade slip, their faces beaming with joy as they bowed and expressed their gratitude.

Bai Ji, in particular, had already mastered the method of refining first-grade top-quality inscriptions.

However, since his cultivation level was slightly lower, refining it was a bit difficult.

However, after becoming Zhou Ling's disciple, his resources gradually became more abundant, and his cultivation progressed significantly.

The success rate of refining first-tier top-grade inscriptions has now reached over 60%.

However, he also knew in his heart that relying solely on a first-grade top-quality inscription would be far from enough to achieve good results in this assessment.

Now, Master's second-tier inscription has arrived at just the right time.

"There's no need to feel pressured, just cultivate step by step!"

Zhou Ling smiled and reminded him again.

This year's disciples are just as strong as last year's.

Furthermore, there are also Liu Yu, Ye Zhilan, and a few others who were vying for the Heavenly Grade Foundation Establishment Pill last year. Therefore, the competition will be even more intense.

With Bai Ji's cultivation at the eighth level of Qi Refining, his chances of getting into the top three are probably slim.

However, his cultivation progressed rapidly this year, and Zhou Ling felt that even if he did not achieve good results this year, with this kind of progress, he would probably be in the top three next year without any problem.

As for Song Yue, she's definitely worth a shot at.

"Don't worry, Master. With your experience, I'm sure I can win first place. Otherwise, you'll lose face!"

Song Yue said confidently.

She was originally exceptionally talented and her cultivation level was also quite high.

They are among the favorites to win this time.

Now, with Zhou Ling's experience to assist them, they are naturally thriving.

Full of confidence.

Zhou Ling nodded and told them to ask her if they didn't understand anything.

The two agreed in unison.

Zhou Ling was also aware of the situation of the two of them.

Bai Ji was clearly under a lot of pressure and was a little too eager to achieve results.

However, he naturally understood this mentality.

However, cultivation cannot be rushed; it requires gradual refinement to solidify one's foundation naturally.

Song Yue, on the other hand, is perfect in every way, with no problems whatsoever.

At this rate, they will always be considered the pride of the academy.

If I can obtain the Heavenly Grade Foundation Establishment Pill this time, I can prepare for Foundation Establishment in September.

After leaving the workshop, Zhou Ling went to his own private residence.

After drinking a cup of spiritual tea, I went to the cultivation room.

He sat cross-legged on the futon, then took out the Jade Purity Pill given to him by his master.

Over the past few days, his internal magical power has become abundant, and he can break through to the third level of Foundation Establishment at any time.

It takes about 130 points to exchange for the Jade Purity Pill.

Second-tier pills are not particularly difficult to refine, but the recipes are hard to find.

However, the species that can be exchanged at Xuan Yuan Dao Academy are relatively common pills.

After all, with the aid of the Jade Purity Pill, it will be much easier for Foundation Establishment cultivators to break through to a minor realm.

Zhou Ling's breakthrough to the second level of Foundation Establishment was mainly due to the Qianyang True Fire absorbing the spiritual essence of the Golden Soul Burning Heaven Flame, which allowed him to directly enter the second level of Foundation Establishment.

If you are at the third level of Foundation Establishment or the middle level of Foundation Establishment, you will need the Great Jade Purity Pill to assist you.

This will earn you more points, approximately 150 points.

"This pill is a commonly used pill, so exchanging it like this is obviously not worthwhile. Let's see if we can exchange it for the Jade Purity Pill formula later?"

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

After all, besides him, Xin'er and her mother will also need to use it.

If you exchange with the Taoist Academy every time, you'll consume a lot of points.

Therefore, it's most cost-effective to refine it yourself.

If the Taoist temple doesn't have it, then go to the Heavenly Crafts Bureau and see if they can find it.

In addition, in June, there will be a foundational seed assessment for students from other colleges.

There is also a battle of strength between the four inner courtyard academies.

He won the top prize at Xuan Yuan Dao Academy last year, so he will participate again this year.

Having already become an instructor for the Heavenly Guard and the Dao Academy, this kind of competition was of little use to him.

But they were thinking about the generous rewards for the competition.

He still wants to participate.

After all, establishing a family business in the future will require a lot of resources.

Furthermore, Xin'er needs to successfully condense her golden core over the next nine years.

This also requires a lot of resources.

Therefore, he now needs to seize every opportunity to acquire resources.

With his current Foundation Establishment Level 2 cultivation, he has no advantage over the inner disciples of the other three Daoist academies.

After all, all the inner court disciples are participating in this competition.

Disciples in the late Foundation Establishment stage from institutions like Tianxia Dao Academy, Jiutian Sword Academy, and Feilong Dao Academy can participate.

Moreover, they all prioritize combat strength, unlike the Xuan Yuan Dao Academy.

Their strength is much greater than others of the same level.

After all, the disciples of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy mainly cultivate techniques.

Of course, Zhou Ling was not lacking in combat skills.

In addition, with the Five Elements Spirit Flame and the Five Elements Natal Sword, his combat strength is not just the Foundation Establishment Level 2 as it appears on the surface.

It still has an absolute advantage against those in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

However, the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators of the other three academies are all geniuses.

Most of them have unique methods, some are spirit bodies, some are sword bodies, and none of them are easy to deal with.

However, Zhou Ling was not afraid of any of these.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ling let out a breath.

Given his current reputation in Qingyun Immortal City, participating in this kind of competition would definitely attract a lot of attention.

After all, he is a Heavenly Guard.

This identity is completely different from that of other disciples in the inner court of the Dao Academy.

Defeating Zhou Ling would undoubtedly be a great honor.

Of course, Zhou Ling would not allow such a thing to happen.

Since he is already an absolute genius in weapon crafting, he cannot lag behind in combat power.

The spiritual energy in the cultivation room was already extremely rich at this moment.

Zhou Ling immediately activated the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique, and instantly, strands of spiritual energy surged into his body like a vortex of spiritual energy.

Various talents such as [Spiritual Affinity] and [Five Elements Thunder Body] are also unlocked.

The rich spiritual energy surged towards him even more, and Zhou Lingxuan immediately tossed the Jade Purity Pill into his mouth.

The pure and rich spiritual energy was absorbed into Zhou Ling's body like tangible ripples on water.

With each breath he took, his entire body was surrounded by five-colored flowing light.

With the blessing of the Five Elements Thunder Body, the Five Elements spiritual power transformed into an incomparably pure torrent of spiritual power, beginning to challenge the bottleneck in the Qi Sea.

Generally speaking, advancing to a minor realm involves expanding the area of ​​one's Qi Sea and further compressing and purifying the spiritual energy within it.

Because Zhou Ling has condensed a Heavenly-grade Foundation Establishment, his bottleneck is far greater than that of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

When Zhou Ling first began his breakthrough, the bottleneck in his Qi Sea remained as stable as Mount Tai. Faced with the surging spiritual power that was like the waves of the ocean, his Qi Sea remained completely unmoved.

Despite repeated attacks, it remains unbreakable.

[You are refining the Jade Purity Pill. Herbal Stress +1, Jade Purity Pill Power +2]

But at this moment, as the medicinal power of the Jade Purity Pill melts and is absorbed, and the [Spiritual Medicine Stress] talent is activated.

A vast and incomparable medicinal power surged into the dantian.

In an instant, the rock-solid bottleneck was quickly broken open by the force of the medicine.

The entire Qi Sea then slowly expanded.

Zhou Ling immediately drew out his spiritual energy and merged it into his Qi Sea, breaking through to the third level of Foundation Establishment in a short time.

His Qi Sea expanded by nearly a third, and the spiritual energy it could hold doubled.

After successfully breaking through, Zhou Ling continued to practice the Five Elements Qianyang True Technique.

To consolidate the realm that has just been broken through.

After all, the Qi Sea is not stable enough right now and needs to be stabilized.

To avoid causing a drop in one's level.

At the same time, Zhou Ling felt the surrounding spiritual energy being rapidly depleted.

It seems there is no time to make up for the large amount of spiritual energy he consumed during his breakthrough.

Fortunately, Zhou Ling had also read about the experiences of other Foundation Establishment cultivators breaking through bottlenecks, and was already prepared.

Zhou Lingxuan immediately took out the pill bottle and tossed a second-level pill with a unique pattern into his mouth.

[You are refining and absorbing the Vitality Enhancement Pill. Herbal stress +1, Vitality Enhancement Pill potency +2]

As the medicinal power of the Zengyuan Pill was refined, an extremely pure medicinal power transformed into spiritual power and flowed into the meridians of the body.

It then fell into the Qi Sea and condensed into pure spiritual liquid.

Zhou Ling absorbed and integrated the substances rapidly.

Three days later, Zhou Ling, who had stabilized his cultivation level, got up and left the cultivation room.

(End of this chapter)