Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 250 The Bet Between the Deans
"This guy is a dual-attribute swordsman?"

On the judges' panel, Dean Qi, seeing Zhou Ling defeat his academy's disciple so easily, paused in surprise, his previously calm expression faltering.

It should be noted that He Rui is among the top five disciples in the inner court.

He couldn't even block Zhou Ling's sword.

Moreover, Zhou Ling was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Dean Qi, you may not know this, but Zhou Ling is a Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment cultivator!"

Dean Zhong smiled.

Even Zhou Ling himself was somewhat surprised by the combat prowess he displayed.

This is a significant improvement over last year's internal competition at the Taoist Academy.

It's truly astonishing that someone could so easily defeat this top-ranked disciple of Tianxia Academy.

In his view, even if Zhou Ling were to win, it would be a hard-fought battle.

"I know about the Heavenly Rank Foundation Establishment, but this combat strength is truly extraordinary!"

Dean Qi narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Zhou Ling with a puzzled expression.

Dean Huang also looked at Zhou Ling with considerable surprise.

They all originally thought that facing Xuan Yuan Dao Academy was the best way to deal with them and that they had a greater chance of winning.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ling, the one with the lowest cultivation level in Xuan Yuan Dao Academy, displayed such astonishing combat power.

With just one sword strike, he rendered his opponent utterly defenseless.

"It seems I really made the right choice in asking him to forge my sword!"

Dean Gong also said with a smile.

"Dean Gong, you are already at the late Golden Core stage, why do you need this little guy to refine your sword?"

Dean Zhong asked curiously.

Although Zhou Ling was already able to forge a third-tier sword.

However, it is clearly still somewhat different from the sword that Dean Gong wanted.

After all, although Dean Gong was in the late stage of the Golden Core realm, he had already comprehended the Three Realms of Sword Dao.

He has reached the point of perfect harmony between man and sword, so his combat power is no less than that of a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stage.

The swords used in general are of the fourth tier.

"Hehe, this matter can't be explained in a short time."

Dean Gong chuckled.

Upon hearing this, Dean Zhong, though curious, felt too embarrassed to inquire further.

"Zhou Ling's combat strength is so great, yet he's only ranked thirteenth. This is clearly an underestimation!"

"I don't think there will be any problem with us making it to the semifinals!"

Dean Gong then shifted the topic to Zhou Ling.

"I don't think it will be that easy. In the next round, his opponent is Li Jun from Tianxia Academy."

“Li Jun is at the peak of Foundation Establishment, ranked fourth in this assessment, and is both a rune master and an array master.”

"Even the top three disciples wouldn't be guaranteed a victory against her!"

Dean Huang looked at the documents and smiled.

"It's actually Li Jun! Then things are really going to be tough!"

Upon hearing this, Dean Gong nodded in agreement.

Li Jun is quite famous in Qingyun Immortal City. In his early twenties, he is already a second-tier top-grade rune master and array master.

His talent is astonishing.

Moreover, she is from the Li family of Qingyun Immortal City, and is the older sister of Li Yu, a genius boy who was in the same grade as Zhou Ling and was always suppressed by him.

"On the contrary, I think Zhou Ling might have a better chance of winning against Li Jun."

Dean Zhong took a sip of tea and smiled.

They seemed to have a lot of confidence in Zhou Ling.

Now he has no doubt about Zhou Ling's skill in technique.

It seems that if Zhou Ling's cultivation reaches the Golden Core stage, he might be able to refine even fourth-tier treasures.

As for actual combat, although he didn't know much about it, Zhou Ling didn't seem to have a high level of cultivation.

But the kid asked about the leader's reward on the way.

I haven't really paid much attention to it yet.

Now it seems he really did come for the top prize.

The other three exchanged glances, knowing that Dean Zhong was usually a low-key and composed person.

Why are you talking so boastfully now?
"Although Zhou Ling's swordsmanship is quite good, in the battle just now, he managed to suppress He Rui with two swords."

"But it's different when you encounter Li Jun. With Li Jun's strength, she has a set of Flying Dragon Sword Talisman Array, which is enough to ensure that she enters the top four, or even wins the championship in the end."

Dean Gong seemed to know Li Yun very well, and spoke slowly.

Basically, given Li Yun's strength, among the thirty-two disciples participating in this competition...

That means they have the absolute strength to be in the top four.

Definitely in the top tier.

"In fact, Zhou Ling will not only defeat Li Jun this time, but may even become the champion!"

But Dean Zhong said something that made the other three deans pause in surprise.

They all looked at Dean Zhong with disbelief.

Even though Zhou Ling had already demonstrated considerable strength in the previous battle.

But none of the opponents that follow are easy to deal with.

Moreover, Zhou Ling was only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment.

In the next match, facing an opponent like Li Jun, his magical power will likely be completely exhausted.

They simply couldn't figure out how Zhou Ling could defeat Li Yun.
Moreover, besides Li Jun, there are also Wan Kun, Qin Hao, Zhao Jie, and others, all of whom are geniuses among geniuses.

Those at the peak of Foundation Establishment cultivation all possess special physiques.

They already possess the strength to challenge the Golden Core stage.

Wan Kun fused with the essence of the Thunder Ape from a young age, condensing his acquired Thunder Ape Battle Body.

Qin Hao possesses the innate body of a fierce sword.

Zhao Jie, on the other hand, possesses a Fire Spirit Body.

These three can be considered the most powerful disciples of Qingyun Immortal City in the past ten years.

The top three this year will definitely be those three; the only variable is Li Jun.

In last year's Tianxia Dao Academy Grand Competition, Li Yun only lost to Zhao Jie at the last moment.

Their strengths are roughly equal.

"Dean Zhong, you should know that it has been almost fifty years since your Xuan Yuan Dao Academy has ever won the championship in the competition."

"Do you think Zhou Ling, with only early Foundation Establishment cultivation, has a chance of winning the championship?"

Dean Huang said with a slightly amused tone.

Of course, he didn't mean to look down on Zhou Ling.

At Zhou Ling's age and with his cultivation level, he will definitely have a place in Qingyun Immortal City in the future.

Let alone the future, even now, as the Deputy Director of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, he is already considered a significant figure.

"Dean Huang, how about we make a bet?"

Dean Zhong smiled and said.

That Zhou Ling kid definitely has some tricks up his sleeve.

"bet?"

Upon hearing this, Dean Huang frowned, then smiled and said, "Since Dean Zhong has such an interest, then I will naturally accompany him."

"I just don't know what to bet on?"

Although Zhou Ling is quite strong, in his opinion, it's absolutely impossible for him to win the championship.

"If Zhou Ling wins the championship, this fourth-tier Soul-Soothing Pearl in my hand will be yours!"

Dean Zhong took out a black bead and smiled.

"Alright, then I'll bet on this fourth-tier Thunderwood!"

Dean Huang laughed heartily, took out a piece of thunderwood, and said with a smile.

In his view, Dean Zhong was clearly trying to give him the Soul-Soothing Pearl.

"Deans, are you interested?"

Dean Zhong smiled and then spoke to the other two.

"A little gambling is harmless fun, so I'll join Dean Zhong in a gamble."

Dean Qi nodded and took out a black sword.

Dean Zhong then took out a bottle of fourth-grade pills.

As for Dean Gong, he frowned, showing little interest. He seemed quite curious about Dean Zhong's trust in Zhou Ling.

The three of them now paid even more attention to Zhou Ling.

After defeating his opponent, Zhou Ling returned to the rest area, took out a pill, put it in his mouth, and began to refine and absorb its medicinal power to restore his cultivation.

Although I only used one sword strike just now, it still took a lot of energy.

Therefore, we still need to buy time and recover as soon as possible.

However, the next match is still more than half an hour away from starting, so there is plenty of time.

The other four Xuan Yuan Dao Academy disciples who had not yet taken the stage were all surprised to see Zhou Lingsheng so relaxed.

Especially Ximo and Cangzhi.

Last year, due to excessive exertion, they were unable to engage in a direct confrontation with Zhou Ling during the Dao Academy competition.

They ended up in second or third place.

I still feel quite regretful.

But looking at Zhou Ling's sword strike just now...

They realized that even if they encountered Zhou Ling, they had no chance of winning.

They also gained a clearer understanding of Zhou Ling's combat strength.

"Brother Ling, your next opponent is her, Li Jun!"

"The rune master and the array master just easily defeated their opponent by using three second-tier runes in combination!"

A short while later, Sun Dajie came to Zhou Ling's side and reported the information he had gathered, his expression somewhat solemn.

In the battle just now, Li Jun also demonstrated overwhelming strength against his opponent, who was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This combat power is extremely frightening.

She was also worried about Zhou Ling.

"It's alright, we'll deal with whatever comes our way!"

Zhou Ling smiled and said.

Li Jun, one of the two Foundation Establishment Peak cultivators from Tianxia Dao Academy, encountered him just like that.

However, becoming the champion of the competition is something that will come sooner or later.

"In addition, Li Jun is Li Yu's older sister."

Sun Dajie then spoke to Zhou Ling.

"Oh!"

Zhou Ling was somewhat surprised to hear this.

This family truly produces many talented individuals.

With talent like Li Yu's, there's a high probability he'll become a fourth-grade weapon refiner in the future.

His sister's talent is even several points higher than Li Yu's.

However, considering that the Li family has produced Nascent Soul cultivators, it is not surprising that Li Yu and his sister are so outstanding.

Then, Sun Dajie continued to introduce Li Yun's situation to Zhou Ling.

As a guest retainer of the Zhou family, his main task now is to gather intelligence.

And in this area, he is an absolute expert.

They found out exactly how many times Li Jun had made a move over the past three years, and what runes he had used each time.

"The most powerful weapon this woman currently wields is a Flying Dragon Sword Talisman Array, whose power is sufficient to deal with Golden Core cultivators."

"The Flying Dragon Sword Talisman Array that was refined last year was only a second-grade high-quality one. In the end, it was defeated by Zhao Jie, who had an Earth-grade spiritual root and a Fire-type spiritual body, in the final battle."

······.

Zhou Ling didn't take it lightly and listened attentively.

······.

An hour later, the second round of the competition began.

Zhou Ling stood on the competition platform and bowed to the tall woman in yellow who looked somewhat like Li Yu.

"My brother seems to have always wanted to defeat you, but now that you are a Celestial Guardian, he will probably have very few chances to catch up with you in the future."

Li Jun returned Zhou Ling's greeting with a smile and said...

"In the path of cultivation, some people accumulate knowledge and experience before unleashing their full potential, while others achieve sudden enlightenment. There are many variations, and it's hard to say who will have a higher or lower cultivation level in the future!"

Zhou Ling smiled and said.

"You are indeed a discerning person!"

"How about this, you just admit defeat, and I'll draw ten runes for you later?"

Li Jun smiled at Zhou Ling again.

Without waiting for Zhou Ling's reply, he continued, "If you admit defeat right now, Li Yu will have to listen to me obediently from now on!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling was stunned for a moment, somewhat confused about his opponent's logic.

Why should I admit defeat?
For ten runes?

You should know that the winner of this competition will be rewarded with a treasure like the Jade Rejuvenation Pill, which is far superior to ten runes.
And what you siblings do is none of my business!

"If you admit defeat, I'll forge ten more precious swords for you!"

Zhou Ling smiled and said.

This reward is the Jade Rejuvenation Pill; no matter how strong the opponent is, he cannot give it up.

Although I am only at the third level of Foundation Establishment and far from Core Formation, as long as the pills are properly stored, they will not have any problems even after more than ten years.

"Do you really think you can defeat me at the early stage of Foundation Establishment?"

Upon hearing his words, Li Jun couldn't help but show a look of surprise, as if he was forcibly suppressing a laugh.

"more or less!"

Zhou Ling said modestly.

Upon hearing this, Li Jun's eyes widened. He couldn't understand where this kid got his confidence from. He shook his head and said, "You were able to become a Heavenly Guard. It seems you must have something extraordinary about you."

"Then let me see your strength!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a yellow rune shot out from his hand.

"Boom!"

With a deafening roar, thunder roared.

Streaks of purple lightning, like thunder dragons, blasted towards Zhou Ling.

Looking down from the arena, the entire arena would be filled with purple lightning.

A violent bolt of lightning enveloped Zhou Ling.

As bolts of lightning struck down.

In Zhou Ling's hand, a fiery sword beam shot into the sky.

The Fiery Cloud Sword slashed fiercely at the lightning, unleashing a vast burst of fiery cloud sword energy.

It swept across, instantly annihilating the thunder that filled the sky.

The lightning that shone across the entire arena was completely shattered by Zhou Ling's single sword strike.

"You've got some skill, but I'd like to see how many sword strikes you can unleash in the early stages of Foundation Establishment."

Li Jun's lips curled into a slight smile, and he sneered as he unleashed three more yellow runes from his hand.

Rumble!
Three clear, bright purple lights coalesced, transforming into a purple thunder dragon that shook the entire arena. With a light tap of Li Jun's finger, it blasted towards Zhou Ling.

Clearly, she intended to use the runes to wear Zhou Ling down to death.

"Three second-tier top-grade Thunder Flood Dragon runes? Senior Sister Li is giving him far too much credit!"

"That's right. No matter how strong a Foundation Establishment cultivator is, it's impossible for them to fall one after another with the Thunder Flood Dragon Rune."

"It's said that Senior Sister Li's younger brother has some grudge against this person at Xuan Yuan Dao Academy. Senior Sister Li is probably intentionally going to teach him a lesson!"

"I see!"

"Such a powerful Thunder Flood Dragon Rune, I'd just admit defeat!"

"He can be proud enough to have been defeated by Senior Sister Li's Thunder Dragon Rune!"

In the audience, the disciples of Tianxia Dao Academy were discussing among themselves.

But the sound had barely faded when...

A loud, booming explosion followed.

On the dueling platform, sword shadows crisscrossed as three third-tier swords swept across the sky.

The three ferocious, roaring purple dragons were instantly annihilated.

"how is this possible?"

"Did I read that correctly?"

"How is it possible to control three third-tier swords simultaneously?"

Upon witnessing this unbelievable scene, all the disciples of Tianxia Academy couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

No one expected that Zhou Ling, who was only in the early stage of Foundation Establishment, would have such terrifying combat power.

(End of this chapter)