Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 293 The General Academy Competition and the Five Elements Sun and Moon Sword Formation

"Dean, do you mean I also want to participate in the competition?"

Zhou Ling was quite surprised to hear Dean Gong's words.

I never imagined that I would become an instructor in the inner court and have to participate in a competition.

The reason Dean Gong sent Zhou Ling to this Nine Heavens Sword Academy competition was because this competition was special.

It wasn't just a competition between disciples of the Taoist academy.

There were also competitions between the instructors.

It is called the General Hospital Competition.

This competition will be held between various immortal cities and Taoist academies.

In Qingyun Immortal City, the Nine Heavens Sword Academy emerged victorious in last year's competition among the four major academies.

Therefore, the Nine Heavens Sword Academy will represent Qingyun Immortal City in the battle.

This competition is not only related to the Nine Heavens Sword Academy, but also closely related to the Azure Cloud Immortal City.

That's why I say that.

It's mainly related to the Dao Alliance's system.

The Dao Alliance now controls the rating of all immortal cities.

The grade of a celestial city is not static.

An evaluation is conducted every ten years.

There are two main aspects to this.

Firstly, the number of territories that aristocratic families have expanded into is one of the reasons why the Heavenly Crafts Bureau assists other aristocratic families in expanding their territories.

Secondly, the grade of the Dao Academy. The higher the grade of the Dao Academy, the higher the score the Immortal City will receive.

Each immortal city can only have one academy representing it in each competition.

If you perform well in both of these aspects.

Then the immortal city will be upgraded.

For example, Qingyun Immortal City, which was originally a fourth-rank city, will be upgraded to a fifth-rank city.

Once a city is upgraded to a fifth-grade immortal city, the Dao Alliance will have extremely astonishing means to enhance the city's rule power.

This will greatly benefit the cultivators and the resources of the immortal city.

Currently, Qingyun Immortal City is only a fourth-grade immortal city, and the power of its rules is not sufficient to challenge the Nascent Soul realm.

Therefore, if a cultivator reaches the peak of the Nascent Soul stage and wants to break through to the Divine Transformation stage, they must go to a higher-level immortal city.

However, each immortal city has its own power and will not easily allow other Nascent Soul cultivators to undergo tribulation within the immortal city.

After all, undergoing the tribulation of divine lightning greatly depletes the original rules of the immortal city.

This is disadvantageous to the native cultivators of the Immortal City.

Of course, these are still far from what Zhou Ling is capable of.

However, this competition at the main academy is related to the score of the Immortal City, so there is also a competition for the instructors of the Dao Academy.

This year, the Nine Heavens Sword Academy only has two spots available.

"Originally, this spot was meant for other instructors, but since you've already mastered the Five Elements Myriad Manifestations, then this spot is for you!"

"The other one is me."

Dean Gong looked at Zhou Ling with her beautiful eyes and spoke.

"Dean, what kind of rewards are there for this competition held by the Immortal City General Academy?"

Zhou Ling couldn't help but ask.

Although he is now the head of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, he should, in principle, also do his part for Qingyun Immortal City.

But he's too busy with all sorts of things right now, so he doesn't have time to participate in this kind of competition.

After all, the Zhou family is only a Foundation Establishment family now. Such matters should be left to the Nascent Soul families and other powerful forces to worry about.

"There will be rewards, of course. If you win, in addition to getting a lot of points, you will also get valuable materials such as Nascent Soul Pills."

"If you can help me obtain the Nascent Soul Pill, then I will naturally thank you!"

"Moreover, if we can win, the grade of the Nine Heavens Sword Academy in Qingyun Immortal City will be upgraded, and the academy's instructors and disciples will all benefit!"

Dean Gong glanced at Zhou Ling with her beautiful eyes and smiled slightly.

Having spent a lot of time with Zhou Ling, she also came to know Zhou Ling's personality.

This kid is no saint; he won't do anything that doesn't bring him profit.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling's expression immediately turned serious, and he nodded, saying, "If the dean asks me to participate, then I will naturally do my duty without hesitation."

He also knew that Dean Gong was now at the late Golden Core stage, so if the reward included a Nascent Soul Pill, he naturally couldn't miss it.

After all, the Dao Alliance would not allow the Nascent Soul Pill, a high-level strategic resource, to circulate in the market.

It can only be obtained through the official channels of the Dao Alliance.

"Dean, where will this competition be held, and what kind of combat format will it take?"

Following Dean Gong's words, Zhou Ling continued to ask.

To avoid the embarrassment of having intentionally not participating earlier.

He had no interest in matters concerning Qingyun Immortal City and the Nine Heavens Sword Academy.

But he would naturally help with Dean Gong's matter.

After all, his swordsmanship skills had reached this level thanks in large part to Dean Gong's help.

"This competition will be held in Qingyang Immortal City next March."

"Representatives from Daoist academies in immortal cities of rank three or above will participate."

Dean Gong said this.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling frowned and asked directly, "Dean, will the Dao Academy of Qingyang Immortal City also participate?"

His tone was tinged with doubt: What's the situation in the other immortal cities?
He didn't know much about the specifics, but he had been to Qingyang Immortal City and met some of the disciples of the Qingyang Immortal City Taoist Academy.

Their cultivation level is much higher than that of the disciples of the Qingyun Immortal City Dao Academy.

The instructors' overall cultivation level has also increased significantly.

If they were to face off against the Qingyang Immortal City Academy, then the other immortal cities would certainly have little chance of winning.

"Those participating this time are inner court disciples, with four slots for each academy, plus two instructor slots."

"The inner courtyard disciples are all Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the instructors are only allowed to be Golden Core cultivators."

Dean Gong replied.

He appeared relaxed and showed little fear of the Daoist academy in Qingyang Immortal City.

Zhou Ling could understand this, after all, the dean was a late-stage Golden Core cultivator and a third-realm, fourth-step sword cultivator, so even if he faced a Nascent Soul cultivator, he might not be at a disadvantage.

Hearing this, Zhou Ling felt that it would be a huge loss for him to participate in the competition as an instructor.

The opponents they faced were all Golden Core cultivators.

But he is no longer a disciple of the Taoist academy.

Even at Xuan Yuan Dao Academy, he was already an inner court instructor, and his status as a disciple was gone forever.

"Ah, what a pity. If it had been held earlier, I could have participated as a disciple, which would have been perfect!"

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

"Dean, my cultivation level is only at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Could I be included in the disciple quota?"

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Ling asked with a smile.

After all, I'm not that old, so this approach is perfectly reasonable.

Moreover, he was quite confident in his ability to deal with other Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, if you encounter a Golden Core cultivator, especially one in the early stages of the Golden Core realm, it's not so bad.

With a cultivation level like Dean Gong's, he has no chance of winning.

"no!"

Dean Gong shook his head, then glared at him and said, "As a sword cultivator, you should naturally face difficulties head-on. There's no reason for you to pick on the weak!"

"This competition is also an opportunity for you to practice your swordsmanship."

"Besides, the two of us will work together, so you don't need to worry too much!"

In her opinion, although Zhou Ling was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, he had comprehended the Five Elements Myriad Manifestations Sword Intent, so dealing with a Golden Core early stage cultivator would not be a problem.

Moreover, this time they are fighting together, and since their sword intents are similar, their combined power will be even greater.

This is one of the reasons why she chose Zhou Ling.

"Join forces?"

Zhou Ling looked puzzled.

Subsequently, Dean Gong told Zhou Ling the details of the competition at the main hospital.

This competition is not an individual battle, but rather a collective effort involving the entire academy.

Four disciples and two instructors participated in the competition simultaneously.

Disciples compete with each other, and instructors also compete with each other.

Finally, the rankings are used to determine the overall score.

According to Dean Gong, the four disciples have already mastered a second-tier top-grade combined sword formation.

If it can be used consistently, its power is enough to deal with Golden Core cultivators.

From Dean Gong's tone, she seemed quite confident.

"Dean, do we have a suitable sword formation?"

Zhou Ling inquired.

He felt somewhat lacking in confidence when facing a Golden Core cultivator.

He didn't want to hold Dean Gong back at a crucial moment!

"Ok!"

Upon hearing this, Dean Gong's beautiful eyes sharpened, and her delicate eyebrows rose slightly, knowing that Zhou Ling was once again eyeing the sword technique in her hand.

However, this was nothing to worry about. Her goal was to train Zhou Ling to become a fifth-realm sword cultivator, so she naturally wouldn't be stingy with sword techniques.

At Zhou Ling's level of cultivation, it would be very difficult to advance further without the guidance of a renowned master.

This is also why independent cultivators seek to join established families.

Besides lacking sufficient resources, the key issue for independent cultivators is the lack of inherited cultivation techniques.

Those rogue cultivators who can reach the Golden Core realm are already extremely rare.

"I happen to have a Five Elements Sun and Moon Sword Formation that is suitable for both of us!"

Dean Gong smiled and then handed a jade slip to Zhou Ling.

"Take a look first, and if there's anything you don't understand, then ask me!"

"Five Elements Sun and Moon Sword Formation!"

Zhou Ling took the jade slip, a look of curiosity flashing in his eyes.

"The five elements circulate, condensing the sword essence of the sun and moon, transforming it into sword domain sword energy!"

Zhou Ling used his divine sense to examine the jade slip and, upon seeing the contents of the sword technique inside, immediately understood why Dean Bai had chosen this sword technique.

This Five Elements Sun and Moon Sword Formation can be said to have been tailor-made for him, using the five elements of sword energy to condense the essence of the sun.

Dean Gong, on the other hand, condensed the moon's essence, the sun and moon into one, and condensed the sword essence of heaven and earth, greatly increasing its power.

"Dean, with this Five Elements Sun and Moon Sword Formation, will we be able to deal with a Golden Core Peak cultivator?"

"But if the other party consists of two peak Golden Core cultivators, wouldn't I be hindering the Dean?"

Zhou Ling asked again.

Dean Gong shook his head and said, "Even if there are two Golden Core Peak cultivators, they may not be able to defeat us if they cannot condense an array."

"Of course, we need to master the Five Elements Sun and Moon Sword Formation over the next three months!"

Hearing this, Zhou Ling was even more shocked. The dean's expectations of him were far too high.

They even have to defeat a Golden Core Peak cultivator.

"Dean, it's not that I lack confidence in this sword formation, it's just that I'm only at the late Foundation Establishment stage. If I encounter a mid-Golden Core cultivator, I'm definitely no match for them!"

Zhou Ling said with a wry smile, telling Dean Gong not to have too high expectations of him.

"Don't worry, not every academy sends two peak Golden Core cultivators. Even if you encounter a mid-Golden Core cultivator, if you perform your Five Elements Myriad Manifestations Sword Intent well, you still have a chance of winning!"

"Just think of it as a competition to hone your swordsmanship!"

Dean Gong said with a relaxed expression.

"Is this okay?"

Zhou Ling said helplessly.

He considers himself to have always been very low-key.

How could the dean think he could deal with a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator?
This is clearly unreasonable!
"There are a total of 128 participating academies. If we can make it into the top 16, we will have won!"

Dean Gong seemed to have a lot of confidence in Zhou Ling.

The Five Elements Sword Domain is practically invincible at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Even against a typical early-stage Golden Core cultivator, they wouldn't be at a disadvantage.

With his own cooperation, he could barely manage to deal with two peak Golden Core cultivators.

After all, this competition is extremely important for any Taoist academy.

Therefore, the teachers participating in the competition must be quite capable in all aspects.

Of course, their goal is simply to reach the top 16, that would be enough.

"Don't worry, Dean! I will do my best! I won't let you down!"

Zhou Ling nodded and said.

Since things have already come to this, there's no way we can back down now.

Next, we just need to give it our all.

Fortunately, there are still three months left, enough time to raise my cultivation to the ninth level of Foundation Establishment, and then stabilize the Five Elements Myriad Manifestations Sword Intent and the Five Elements Sun and Moon Sword Formation.

With the dean's cooperation, things shouldn't turn out too badly!

"You don't need to be too nervous. I'll say it again, just treat this as a chance to hone your swordsmanship and combat skills."

Dean Gong also didn't want Zhou Ling to feel too much pressure.

"Yes, Dean!"

Zhou Ling nodded.

"You need to pay more attention to the Five Elements Sun and Moon Sword Formation training. Make sure you can enter the Sword Shadow Jade and train with me once within two days!"

Before leaving, Dean Gong gave him some more instructions.

Zhou Ling naturally agreed.

But scheduling this time is difficult!
It can only be scheduled for the evening!

······.

When I got home, my mother had already led a group of people to clean up the place.

There are only three days left until the Little New Year.

The Taoist temple has also started its holiday.

Zhou Ling first inspected the workshop for a while.

The workshop has now doubled in size, and a large number of Jiuyang bamboos have been planted around it.

The fire-attribute spiritual energy within the workshop has also been greatly enhanced.

This allowed the cultivators in the workshop to quickly recover their magical power, which also improved efficiency.

As the demand for third-tier magical artifacts increases, Zhou Ling feels that he has less and less time.

He was also considering whether he should hire another third-tier weapon refiner.

However, the family now already has Deacon Luo, a third-tier array master.

Hiring another third-tier weapon refiner would significantly increase the expenses.

After all, the offering of one third-tier weapon refiner is equivalent to the offering of ten second-tier weapon refiners.

Considering that the family's current resources are not yet sufficient, taking on two third-tier retainers at once is still too much of a burden.

Zhou Ling could only work hard himself first, squeezing out more time to refine third-tier treasures.

Back in the courtyard, Wang Xin was chatting with He Zijian and his sister.

This year, the siblings will not go back home; they plan to spend the Spring Festival at the Zhou family's house.

After the Taoist temple closed for the holidays, they moved here.

Upon seeing Zhou Ling's arrival, the three exchanged a few pleasantries.

He Zijian was also filled with emotion.

He is now only at the third level of Foundation Establishment, and his cultivation has been far surpassed by Zhou Ling.

But he no longer bothers to compare himself to a prodigy like Zhou Ling.

The reason I came to the Zhou family for the New Year this time is partly because everyone here is a familiar face from my old Lingxia Immortal City.

In addition, he also wanted to take this opportunity to ask Zhou Ling about some methods of swordsmanship training.

During this period, he also encountered a bottleneck in his swordsmanship training.

Zhou Ling is now an inner court instructor at the Nine Heavens Sword Academy, and is fully qualified to teach him.

Upon hearing He Zijian's request, Zhou Ling led them to the family's small square.

(End of this chapter)