Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 259 New Talent: [Setting an Example as a Teacher]

"Bai Jian, you cultivate the Golden Light Sword Technique. Although your swordsmanship is sharp, your main metal-based cultivation method is equally fierce. If you fight for a long time, not only will you be exhausted, but you will also easily wear down your meridians."

"You have dual spiritual roots of metal and water. I suggest you cultivate a water-attribute technique to help nourish your meridians."

On the plaza of the Nine Heavens Sword Academy, Zhou Ling introduced himself to a slender disciple.

Inside the Taoist temple, after the disciples introduced themselves, Zhou Ling led them to the square.

He would teach each disciple according to their strengths and weaknesses, focusing on their most proficient sword techniques.

This is also where sword cultivation differs from technique instruction.

It is more focused on practical application and has relatively less theoretical content.

[A natural talent for growth, a love of teaching: As your disciple gains insights, your understanding will also improve. Requirement: Correct ten of your disciple's mistakes.]

At this point, a prompt will appear on the panel.

Zhou Ling was taken aback, not expecting such talent.

"Bai Jian, think it over carefully. If you don't plan to cultivate water-attribute techniques, then switch to other sword techniques."

"While we haven't reached the Foundation Establishment stage yet, there's still time!"

Zhou Ling then spoke to Bai Jian.

Bai Jian hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and replied to Zhou Ling, "Instructor, I choose to cultivate water-attribute techniques."

Zhou Ling nodded.

[A disciple listens to your guidance and is eager to teach +1]

"Alright, next one!"

Zhou Ling glanced at the other disciples and said loudly.

The lecture was almost over.

But since this new talent, "love of teaching," has emerged, Zhou Ling took the opportunity to activate it.

This will also leave a good impression on these disciples.

Don't say that his cultivation level is much higher than theirs.

With his two talents, [Intermediate Observation] and [Intermediate Analysis], he can easily see their strengths and weaknesses.

These two talents are also extremely useful in teaching disciples.

Bai Ji and Song Yue also made rapid progress under his guidance.

Seeing that the three disciples in front of him had all made significant progress under Zhou Ling's guidance.

The other disciples were all eager to try.

Then, one by one, the disciples demonstrated their swordsmanship in front of Zhou Ling.

Swipe!

A fiery sword beam roared and flashed, extremely violent.

“Lu Xin, your Fire Rainbow Sword is powerful but lacks momentum.”

"We've completely gone down the wrong path."

"The Fiery Rainbow Sword, by infusing sword momentum into sword intent, naturally generates a fierce and powerful aura."

"This way of wielding the sword allows you to achieve twice the result with half the effort, whether you are practicing or fighting."

"You are now powerful and fierce, but you lack sword intent, so your power is limited!"

Zhou Ling spoke calmly.

"Sword momentum merges into sword intent!"

"Thank you, instructor!"

The fair-skinned young man named Lu Xin seemed to be deep in thought, then hurriedly bowed to Zhou Ling and thanked him.

[A disciple listens to your guidance and is eager to teach +1]

The disciples then continued their demonstrations, and with their two different talent levels, it was easy to see the weaknesses among them.

Of course, some of them are not considered shortcomings, but rather minor flaws in the cultivation process.

The way one wields and moves a sword can sometimes affect the power of an attack.

After all, in sword-wielding combat, even the slightest mistake can lead to a huge difference, leaving no room for carelessness.

In order to accelerate the attainment of the talent of "being fond of teaching", Zhou Ling pointed out each point one by one.

Such meticulous instruction impressed Dean Gong, who was watching from the sidelines.

Judging from Zhou Ling's way of teaching his disciples, it is evident that his foundation in swordsmanship is extremely solid.

Moreover, he has a calm and unhurried personality, and he teaches each disciple with great care and attention, regardless of their level of cultivation.

This made her feel very satisfied.

This steady, patient, and meticulous personality is what allows one to go further in the art of kendo.

Next up was a beautiful, graceful girl in a yellow dress.

Zhou Ling remembered that the girl's name was Luo Xuan, she was at the ninth level of Qi Refining, and she practiced a relatively rare lightning-attribute sword technique.

Luo Xuan approached Zhou Ling, holding the black sword in her hand, her expression hesitant.

"what happened?"

Seeing the girl's somewhat insecure expression, Zhou Ling asked.

“Instructor, what I practice is the family’s Thunder-Breaking Sword Technique.”

"However, because this sword technique is incomplete, my cultivation of it is not very smooth. Sometimes I can successfully perform it and condense thunderous sword energy, and sometimes I gain nothing."

Luo Xuan thought for a moment and then told Zhou Ling the truth.

Once ordinary disciples enter the academy, they can exchange points for sword techniques below the upper level of the Yellow Rank.

Sword techniques of the Yellow Rank and above can only be obtained by entering the Inner Court.

Her sword technique was an ancestral sword technique, of the upper-grade Xuan level, and it was extremely compatible with her lightning attribute, so even though it was somewhat flawed, she was unwilling to give it up.

"You've mastered an incomplete sword technique, yet you can still condense thunderous sword energy?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling looked surprised.

The fact that one can condense thunderous sword energy at the very least proves that this cultivation path is correct.

However, cultivators generally do not choose to practice incomplete sword techniques.

Not only is progress slow, but the risks are also extremely high; a slight misstep could lead to the loss of all previous efforts.

Moreover, once the sword meridian is formed, there is a risk that the meridian may become disordered, leading to qi deviation and demonic possession.

Zhou Ling frowned, wondering if this girl was simply ignorant and fearless, or if she had some other tricks up her sleeve.
"Give it a try!"

"If I can see it, I'll point it out to you; if I can't, there's nothing I can do!"

Zhou Ling said this.

He has already corrected nine disciples. As long as Luo Xuan can accept his advice, then his talent for "being a teacher" will be fulfilled.

He can also see what kind of effect this will have.
"Okay, I'll give it a try. But, instructor, I'll have to trouble you to move to the back a little."

"Sometimes I can't control this broken Thunder Sword of mine!"

Luo Xuan then spoke solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling was taken aback. He was at least at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and his physical body had already reached the late stage of the second tier.

He was also wearing a third-tier treasure robe.

Even if your swordsmanship is incredibly powerful, as a Qi Refining cultivator, it shouldn't pose any threat to you.

But since she said that...

Zhou Ling stepped back a little.

But Luo Xuan shook her head and said, "Not enough, further away!"

"It's alright, just go ahead and do it!"

Zhou Ling smiled and said.

He still has that much confidence.

"Instructor, if my sword energy hit you, it wasn't intentional!"

Hearing Zhou Ling's words, Luo Xuan said again, still feeling uneasy.

"It's okay! Just start!"

Zhou Ling waved his hand.

I was also eager to see exactly what kind of talent this "love of teaching" was.
"Alright! Then I'll draw my sword!"

Luo Xuan was clearly a good disciple. After confirming this several times, a black heavy sword appeared in her hand.

The greatsword is six feet long, and its blade is several times wider than that of an ordinary sword. At first glance, its dark appearance gives people a sense of pressure.

"A second-tier, top-grade lightning sword!"

Looking at the black sword, Zhou Ling's gaze sharpened. This girl, at the ninth level of Qi Refining, was actually wielding a second-tier top-grade lightning sword.

No wonder he always says he can't control himself.

No one could control it if they came. Except, of course, him.

However, he was not afraid of a second-tier top-grade lightning sword.

The next moment, Luo Xuan gripped the heavy sword in both hands and solemnly raised it high.

At this moment, her aura became extremely fierce, completely different from her previous cautious and subtle demeanor.

This is perhaps because the cultivation technique was activated.

Then the heavy sword slashed down without any fancy moves.

Rumble!
In an instant, a thunderous roar resounded, and a dazzling purple lightning sword light hurtled towards Zhou Ling.

The power of this sword strike was no less than that of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator's attack.

The other disciples couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Having spent almost a year with Luo Xuan, everyone knows that Luo Xuan's Thunderclap Sword Technique is sometimes effective and sometimes not.

Of course, it doesn't work most of the time.

No one expected that this time, it would be a success with just one strike.

Moreover, its power is so immense.

As the thunderous sword light hurtled towards him, Zhou Ling's gaze sharpened, wondering if the girl was doing it on purpose.
[You are observing the Thunder-Breaking Sword, Intermediate Observation +1]

[You are analyzing the Thunder-Breaking Sword, Intermediate Analysis +1]

As the two talents were displayed, information about the Thunder-Breaking Sword appeared in Zhou Ling's mind.

At the same time, with a thought, earth spirit fire shot out from his hand and instantly condensed into a brown tortoise shell in front of him.

Rumble!
The thunderous sword light slammed heavily onto the tortoise shell.

Lightning and flames flashed, then dissipated after a few breaths.

Seeing Zhou Ling block the sword so easily, the disciples were all surprised.

Because the Nine Heavens Sword Academy's Foundation Establishment Seed Assessment and the Inner Court Competition of the Four Great Academies were conducted simultaneously.

Therefore, none of these disciples witnessed Zhou Ling's competition.

They were unaware of Zhou Ling's formidable swordsmanship.

Luo Xuan, on the other hand, was unable to enter the top three in the Dao Academy competition this year because the Thunder Sword was sometimes effective and sometimes not.

However, they still managed to achieve a fifth-place finish.

And every opponent she faced was defeated by her with a single sword strike.

The fact that Zhou Ling was able to so easily neutralize the power of that sword strike shows that his combat strength is at least at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"Not bad, with your cultivation level, being able to unleash such thunderous sword energy is quite powerful!"

After putting away the Earth Spirit Fire, Zhou Ling smiled and said.

A look of approval appeared on his face.

However, he also obtained information through [intermediate analysis].

Although this sword strike was quite powerful, it also had many flaws.

Indeed, as Luo Xuan said, she had not fully mastered the Thunder-Breaking Sword Technique.

Whether it was due to talent or luck, he condensed the Thunder-Breaking Sword Meridian Cycle.

"If I'm not mistaken, the Thunder-Breaking Sword Technique you possess should be at level three, and you've already mastered level one."

"The second level is incomplete, but you directly cultivated the third level, which is why this situation has occurred!"

Based on the information from the [Intermediate Analysis], Zhou Ling said thoughtfully.

Upon hearing this, Luo Xuan's eyes widened in surprise.

The instructor is so young, where did he get so much experience? He was able to see through my swordsmanship training methods just by taking one of my sword strikes.

This Thunderclap Sword Technique lacks a second level, which she has never told anyone else.

"Instructor, is there any way to improve this?"

Luo Xuan sheathed her heavy sword and asked Zhou Ling respectfully.

After Zhou Ling saw the condition of the broken Thunder Sword, she also had some expectations, hoping that the instructor could give her some guidance.

Of course, she was also aware that this was very difficult, since she was missing the second level of sword technique.

Even the most skilled swordsmanship genius would find it difficult to deduce.

However, she was merely figuring out how to cultivate.

"A sword is forged a thousand times, and its meaning will become clear!"

"In my opinion, your broken thunder sword follows the path of the natural way."

"It simulates the thunder of heaven and earth."

"If your first level of cultivation method is correct, as long as you follow this method and continuously improve your proficiency, you will gradually be able to grasp some of the methods of the second level."

After pondering the information from the [Intermediate Analysis] for a moment, Zhou Ling slowly spoke.

This is where the [Intermediate Analysis] provides some information.

Of course, since Zhou Ling just received her sword strike, he will be able to deduce the second level of the Thunder-Breaking Sword Technique with the help of the [Illusionary Realm Simulation] after returning.

You can tell Luo Xuan later.

However, this situation is too outrageous, so he still needs to think of a way and find a reasonable excuse.

Upon hearing Zhou Ling's words, Luo Xuan seemed to be deep in thought.

[One disciple heeds your guidance, "A Teacher's Spirit" +1, "A Teacher's Spirit" talent unlocked.]

[Total number of corrections: 10/100]

[Effect: Your disciple gains insights and benefits, and you will also gain insights and benefits.]

At this point, a prompt will appear on the panel.

The talent for "being fond of teaching" has been achieved.

Zhou Ling was overjoyed.

"But what exactly are the effects?"

"If the disciple has gained some insight, then I have also gained some insight!"

Will this work?

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

After all, his four disciples are only at the Qi Refining stage, and he had already grasped what they had comprehended.

However, having this new talent is not bad.

Taking on more disciples at the Taoist academy in the future would be a great help.

"Alright, that concludes today's training. Everyone, go back and review your notes. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me!"

Seeing that it was almost noon, Zhou Ling spoke up.

"Yes, instructor!"

All the disciples replied in unison.

Although some disciples have not yet demonstrated, this lesson has already exceeded the allotted time.

Zhou Ling also demonstrated formidable strength, earning the respect of all the disciples.

Although many disciples were still eager for more, it was impossible to keep the instructors teaching them indefinitely.

Dean Gong looked on with satisfaction as he watched this scene.

Zhou Ling may be young, but his swordsmanship and experience far exceeded her expectations.

I had originally thought that while Zhou Ling had such outstanding talent in weapon crafting, his swordsmanship might not be as well-rounded.

That's why I stayed with him and attended his first class.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ling brought her a pleasant surprise.

This kind of teaching experience is no less than that of teachers who have been teaching for two or three decades.

This gave them even more confidence in Zhou Ling.

Although it was just a sermon, it revealed Zhou Ling's character in many ways.

This gave her even more confidence in Zhou Ling's future sword practice.

The disciples bowed to Zhou Ling one by one, then took their leave.

"Dean, I think I've completed my task for today!"

Zhou Ling approached Dean Gong and bowed to her.

"Great, better than I expected!"

Dean Gong smiled as she spoke.

"Instructor, I have something to discuss with you."

At this moment, Luo Xuan also came over and spoke to Zhou Ling.

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(End of this chapter)