Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 287 Planning and Taking Office

"Zhizheng, you're too kind. This is what I should do."

"Setting up this fourth-order spirit-gathering array currently serves three purposes."

Deacon Luo took out the array plate and spoke.

Then he began to demonstrate for Zhou Ling.

A flash of light appeared on the array plate, and wisps of mist began to gather on the lake's surface.

At this moment, Zhou Ling could clearly feel that the water spirit on the lake surface had become significantly more concentrated.

"As the name suggests, the primary function of the Spirit Gathering Array is to gather spiritual energy."

"Once the great formation is activated, it can gather the spiritual energy scattered between heaven and earth, and also absorb the spiritual energy contained in the underground spiritual veins."

As he spoke, Deacon Luo channeled his spiritual energy into the array plate, causing faint ripples to spread across the lake's surface.

Through [Intermediate Observation], Zhou Ling was able to clearly see the three array points within the lake.

The spiritual pressure of the water spirit orb placed at the core of the formation surged, and the spiritual energy on the lake surface became denser at a visible speed.

It appears increasingly refined.

"This Water Spirit Orb is really effective!"

Zhou Ling took a deep breath, feeling the pure water spirit energy, and said with a smile.

"Yes, there are three water spirit orbs as the array's core, and the water spirit energy condensed from them is the purest!"

"If enough water-attribute spirit stones are invested, a water spirit vein will condense in the lake in less than a year!"

Deacon Luo said with a smile.

Now that he is a guest of the Zhou family, the higher the grade of the Zhou family's spiritual vein, the more beneficial it will be for him.

As soon as he finished speaking, he made a hand seal and manipulated the array plate to continue demonstrating, "This second function is to gather the essence of the five elements."

"The fourth-order Spirit Gathering Array contains a ley line array that can connect to the underground ley lines, which can not only increase the five elements of energy, but also condense the five elements of energy into the five elements of spiritual energy."

"A fourth-order spirit-gathering array can condense hundreds of streams of the five elements' essence in a single day!"

Five whirlpools shimmered on the water's surface, the original mist dissipated, and something seemed to be moving beneath the calm ground, accompanied by wisps of five-colored light condensing within the whirlpools.

A gentle mist spread, casting a faint five-colored glow over the lake and mountains.

"Ten strands of the five elements' essence can condense into one strand of spiritual energy, hence the existence of this Spirit Gathering Array. Every day, within the range of the Zhou family's array, the spiritual energy will increase."

"This will be of great benefit to the condensation of spiritual veins!"

"Moreover, the underground essence of Qingyun Immortal City is inexhaustible, which is also a great advantage!"

"It will take some time before you can feel the effects."

"This kind of demonstration doesn't achieve the desired effect!"

Deacon Luo, holding the array plate, continued to explain to Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling nodded. Through [Intermediate Observation] and [Intermediate Analysis], he was able to clearly sense the changes in the underground ley lines.

This spirit-gathering array can also connect to the earth's veins and condense the five elements' essence contained within them.

Then, with the help of the Spirit Gathering Array, the essence of the five elements is transformed into spiritual energy.

This is also a key element in the formation and condensation of many spiritual veins.

Most spiritual veins are formed by the condensation of underground earth vein essence or earth vein evil energy.

The Dao Alliance's decision to establish Qingyun Immortal City here was certainly not without reason.

We definitely need to explore the spiritual veins and the condition of the earth's veins in this area.

"The third function is spatial attribute. With this spatial spirit gathering array, the collected spiritual veins can be directly integrated into the foundation of this spirit gathering array in the future."

"Transform the spiritual veins into physical veins."

"Moreover, it can not only fuse with one spiritual vein, but also with spiritual veins of different attributes."

"After fusion, the spiritual vein's grade will be sufficient to reach the fourth rank."

"There is still room for improvement!"

Deacon Luo continued.

As he spoke, he conjured the effect of a spatial magic array.

In an instant, Zhou Ling felt a change in the energy around him, as if he had suddenly found himself in an underground void.

There is a sense of vast emptiness.

"Well done, Steward Luo, your skill is truly amazing!"

Feeling the emptiness around him, Zhou Ling showed a satisfied expression.

Whether it's collecting or implanting spiritual veins, it's an extremely massive undertaking.

Without this spatial array, if a spiritual vein were to be implanted...

That could cause quite a bit of trouble.

Moreover, this spatial array can condense fourth-order spiritual veins, and there is room for further improvement.

This was somewhat beyond his expectations.

After all, a fourth-order spiritual vein is sufficient to support the cultivation of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

However, there is still an extremely long way to go before he can reach the Nascent Soul stage.

"Upholding justice, these are the three main functions of the Spirit Gathering Array!"

Deacon Luo handed the array plate to Wang Xin and said.

"We'll add more details later!"

These days, he has been setting up formations at the Zhou family's residence, and he also has a lot of things to do at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

There are still some aspects of the formation that need improvement.

We'll gradually improve it next.

"Thank you for your hard work, Steward Luo!"

Zhou Ling nodded. Through the introductions of the two talents and Deacon Luo, he knew that the Spirit Gathering Array was now quite perfect.

The follow-up matters will be finalized by Deacon Luo.

"This is a small token of my appreciation; please accept it, Deacon Luo."

Zhou Ling then took out a prepared gift from his storage ring and handed it to Deacon Luo.

Although Steward Luo is now a guest of the Zhou family and receives a certain amount of tribute every month.

However, he had been working non-stop these past few days, which had taken a toll on his health. Zhou Ling had prepared some pills for him to help him recover as quickly as possible.

"Thank you, Zhizheng!"

After accepting the gift, Deacon Luo bowed and expressed his gratitude.

He joined the Zhou family as a guest retainer, not because he coveted the Zhou family's offerings.

With his expertise in formations, he would be sought after anywhere.

The main consideration is that Zhou Ling is a high-ranking official, and he also has considerable potential for the future.

We still have to give them face.

"I still have a lot of business to attend to at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, so I'll head back now!"

Deacon Luo then cupped his hands to Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling nodded.

After Deacon Luo left, Zhou Ling took out five mid-grade water-attribute spirit stones and had Wang Xin place them into the array plate to activate the magic array.

First, enhance the water attribute spiritual energy.

After placing the spirit stones into the array plate, Wang Xin immediately recited the incantation to activate the spirit gathering array.

Suddenly, a misty fog enveloped the lake.

······.

Next half month.

Guests come to visit every day, mostly from powerful and influential families.

The main purpose was to discuss the purchase of magical artifacts with Zhou Ling.

The workshop is thriving!

Logically speaking, there are quite a few family workshops in Qingyun Immortal City, and the Zhou family workshop was only established not long ago.

Currently, only Zhou Ling is capable of crafting third-tier magical artifacts.

That wouldn't be enough to make these established families flock to it.

Of course, most business deals are only finalized through unexpected events.

The Zhou family workshop is so popular.

There are three main reasons.

First, besides being able to forge a top-grade third-tier sword, Zhou Ling is also the head of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

Secondly, he is also the son-in-law of the Wang family.

Third, Zhou Ling is a Heavenly Guardian with great potential for the future, and is worth befriending.

It should be noted that Zhou Ling is only sixteen years old, yet he already possesses such an astonishing level of weapon crafting skills.

With its current foundation and the support of powerful forces behind it, its future achievements are sure to be significant.

Other forces would naturally seek opportunities to befriend them.

Refining weapons in workshops is undoubtedly the best option.

Given this situation, Zhou Ling could only act according to his abilities.

We thoroughly understand the details of each order, and if it's not urgent, we'll try our best to accept it. The workshop, originally planned for five refining furnaces, now seems insufficient.

Next, we need to expand the workshop.

Fortunately, there were plans in place.

So it's not a big problem.

All we need to do is have Deacon Luo rearrange the Earth Fire Array to draw out a stream of Earth Fire.

······.

After a few days of busy work, the workshop's affairs were handed over to Yuanhu and his team.

Zhou Ling also needs to ensure he has enough time to cultivate every day.

Fortunately, he had the Six-Turn Spirit Flame Technique and the Five Elements Spirit Flame to assist his cultivation, which allowed him to progress rapidly.

At this rate, he estimates that he will be able to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment next year.

During this time, Zhou Ling also thought about her future plans.

He now has four identities.

Instructors at Xuan Yuan Dao Academy and Jiu Tian Jian Academy.

The Heavenly Craftsman and the Heavenly Guardian and the Judge.

There are also the Xuanwei of the Demon-Slaying Division.

For him now, his identity as the chief official is undoubtedly the most important thing.

They not only have great power, but also acquire a lot of resources.

This will be of great help in rebuilding the Lingxiao Sect.

Of course, although he was already the Chief Executive, he always had the care of Chief Executive Qin in the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

Therefore, he focused on his cultivation and, apart from completing the tasks assigned by the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, had no contact with his colleagues.

Simply put, he didn't have any power of his own in the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

"As I become the next Chief Justice, I will inevitably have to deal with important figures from other major powers."

Zhou Ling pondered to himself.

Fortunately, Lu Yunxi helped arrange the affairs of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, so it wasn't a big problem for him.

When one reaches the late Foundation Establishment stage, preparations for Core Formation naturally become more important.

Zhou Ling had a clear understanding of his own abilities.

It's always best to prepare thoroughly beforehand to avoid any unforeseen circumstances.

He now possesses the Jade Rejuvenation Pill, as well as spiritual items from his master that aid in condensing the Golden Pill.

The preparation of the formula for condensing the Golden Elixir has been basically completed.

Although the process seemed to go smoothly, I knew the difficulties involved.

Right now, he wants to prepare the Jade Rejuvenation Pill for Wang Xin, but he has absolutely no idea how to do it.

The four major academies only distribute one or two Heavenly Grade Jade Rejuvenation Pills each year.

"It seems we still need to find a solution at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau!"

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

Given his current status as a Heavenly Guardian and the Chief Justice, he still has a very good chance of obtaining the Heavenly Grade Jade Rejuvenation Pill.

Moreover, Xin'er has only recently entered the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, so there's no rush.

Generally speaking, even for those with superior spiritual roots, it takes at least several years to cultivate from the mid-Foundation Establishment stage to the late-Foundation Establishment stage.

Without sufficient resource supply, it could take more than ten years, or even decades.

However, although Wang Xin has a mid-grade spiritual root, she is a Dark Fire Spirit Body.

His actual talent is no less than that of a low-grade spiritual root, and his cultivation technique is also of a high grade.

With sufficient resources, it is entirely possible to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment within two or three years.

"However, now that Xin'er has a child, her cultivation progress has naturally been greatly reduced!"

Zhou Ling shook his head.

There are still nine years until the agreed-upon time with the Wang family.

In Zhou Ling's view, this is no longer a problem at all.

"Things are going well in all aspects now."

"Next, I need to improve my cultivation level as soon as possible and strive to form my core as soon as possible."

"To fulfill Master's wish to rebuild the Lingxiao Sect!"

Zhou Ling already had a general idea of ​​what to do next.

Improve your cultivation level as soon as possible and strive to form your core at an early date.

In addition, the planning and establishment of the Lingxiao Sect also needs to be prepared daily.

After all, establishing a sect is not an easy task.

Resources such as spiritual land and spiritual veins are needed, and without advance planning, it may take several years to prepare them properly.

Of course, one cannot neglect weapon crafting and swordsmanship.

These two things are the foundation upon which he is currently able to establish himself in Qingyun Immortal City.

When you think about it this way, there's actually quite a lot to do.

And these are all major events.

He also knew that things couldn't be rushed; he could only do things step by step and develop slowly.

"Tomorrow is the day I officially take office!"

"I don't want to think about it anymore, I'm going to sleep now!"

Thinking of this, Zhou Ling immediately got up and left the cultivation room.

······.

The Heavenly Works Department, side hall.

Zhou Lingjing sat in the armchair.

Lu Yunxi sat to the side.

"The Directorate General currently has 380 Directors General and 6 Deputy Directors General."

"Among them, there are 36 third-rank deacons, 190 second-rank deacons, and 160 first-rank deacons."

"Among them, there are fifty-two alchemists, eighty weapon refiners, sixty rune masters, thirty array masters, and the rest are puppeteers, beast tamers, and other minor skill masters."

Lu Yunxi held the roster in her hand and reported to Zhou Ling.

"Sister Yunxi, what are the monthly tasks in our Tiangong Division?"

There were fewer than four hundred people, which was less than Zhou Ling had expected, so Zhou Ling couldn't help but ask.

After all, Qingyun Immortal City is a fourth-grade immortal city, and its area is extremely vast.

There are sixteen families specializing in Nascent Soul cultivation alone, and the number of families specializing in Golden Core cultivation is even greater.

These aristocratic families mostly purchased the elixirs and magical artifacts they needed from the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

With such a small number of people, it's definitely impossible to support the enormous consumption of Qingyun Immortal City.

"Today, Tiangong mainly supplies two aspects."

"On one hand, there is the consumption of pills and magical artifacts by the Dao Alliance departments such as the Xuan Ting Division within the Immortal City."

"Another aspect is providing some aristocratic families with resources for territorial expansion."

"Qingyun Immortal City has not experienced a beast tide for many years now, and evil cults such as the Blood Soul Cult are also under control."

"So the main expenditure is usually in supporting other families to expand their territory."

Lu Yunxi said this.

"If the Heavenly Crafts Bureau's production of treasures is insufficient, could it affect the expansion of the aristocratic families' territories?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling asked.

The magical artifacts the Song family needed to expand their territory last time were all provided by the Zhou family.

"It depends on the specific situation. Currently, the quality and price of the treasures from the Heavenly Crafts Bureau are higher than those from outside the market."

"Some established families will choose to purchase through other channels, so generally it won't have any impact!"

Lu Yunxi explained.

Zhou Ling nodded.

"Currently, one third-rank steward is required to refine six fifth-tier treasures each month."

"Ten items of Grade Two, and twenty items of Grade One!"

"Overall, the quantity is still somewhat insufficient!"

Lu Yunxi continued to introduce Zhou Ling.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling frowned slightly; the output was truly disappointing.

However, all the stewards of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau are people within the system.

Like before, he was basically just a bystander.

Naturally, many people share this view.

He had just taken office and naturally didn't have any intention of making any changes.

Moreover, with Lu Yunxi's assistance, he plans to directly follow the established practices of Qin Zhizheng!

(End of this chapter)