Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 300 Heading to Anyang Immortal City (Happy National Day)
The Heavenly Crafts Bureau, Council Hall.

"A plea for help has come from Anyang Immortal City. The city's magic array is severely depleted and is on the verge of collapse."

"We need to send formation masters to assist."

Zhou Ling glanced at everyone and spoke directly.

The other six hall masters and Lu Yunxi already knew the news, and their expressions all appeared somewhat solemn.

"Steward Luo, how many people can the Array Hall spare right now?"

Zhou Ling then asked Deacon Luo.

"Receipt confirmed. Currently, besides myself, there are three third-tier array masters and eighteen second-tier array masters in the Array Hall."

"Qingyun Immortal City needs a third-tier array master to oversee the area."

Deacon Luo replied solemnly.

"Alright, then arrange the manpower as soon as possible. I will personally lead the team to Qingyun Immortal City."

Zhou Ling said decisively.

As the head of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, now that the Heavenly Crafts Bureau needs to support Anyang Immortal City, he naturally cannot continue to cower in Qingyun Immortal City.

"Zhizheng, wouldn't it be too dangerous for you to go in person?"

Upon hearing Zhou Ling's words, Lu Yunxi hurriedly spoke up.

Normally, there would be no problem with Zhou Ling leading the team to assist Anyang Immortal City.

However, considering that Zhou Ling is a fourth-level weapon refiner with only average combat strength, going to Anyang Immortal City in this way is obviously too risky.

"rest assured!"

Zhou Ling waved his hand and continued, "While I'm away, you must keep a close eye on all aspects of production at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau!"

Seeing Zhou Ling's expression, Lu Yunxi could only nod.

"Lord Steward, I have already given orders to the ten stewards. When shall we depart?"

At this moment, Deacon Luo spoke up again to inquire.

"Repairing the magic array is crucial for resisting the demonic beasts, so naturally the sooner the better!"

"Tell them to assemble in the council hall after an incense stick has burned, and we'll set off now!"

Zhou Ling said decisively.

The situation was urgent, and there wasn't much time to prepare.

"Yes!"

Deacon Luo bowed and accepted the order.

"Zhizheng, you'd better watch out!"

Lu Yunxi couldn't help but give her some instructions.

"This time, Qingyun Immortal City has begun to recruit people from various cultivation families to support Anyang Immortal City!"

"Zhi Zheng, you are a fourth-tier weapon refiner; you don't need to personally go into battle to kill demons!"

Everyone else looked at Zhou Ling with surprise on their faces. No one had expected that Zhou Ling would have such courage!
"Ok!"

Zhou Ling nodded confidently.

Then everyone got up and left the council hall, all heading back to refine the treasures.

Zhou Ling, Deacon Luo, and Lu Yunxi waited in the hall.

Zhou Ling then sent a telepathic message to Wang Xin, informing her of her upcoming trip to Anyang Immortal City.

Of course, Zhou Ling only mentioned that he was going to deliver supplies and that there would be no risk involved.

Soon, deacons began to arrive at the council chamber.

After an incense stick had burned, all ten array masters arrived at the hall.

Zhou Ling gave everyone a few brief instructions and distributed a third-tier treasure robe, as well as some runes and other treasures to each person.

Then, Steward Luo piloted a Tier 3 top-grade golden warship from the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, speeding towards Anyang Immortal City.

Meanwhile, a number of cultivators had gathered in the square of Qingyun Immortal City. These cultivators came from various families and sects in Qingyun Immortal City.

There were over a thousand people.

Soon after, several warships carrying this group of cultivators sped towards Anyang Immortal City.

······.

"These two fifth-tier demon kings are quite powerful. Anyang Immortal City has already gathered three Nascent Soul True Monarchs, but they still cannot defeat the demon kings."

"Only by defeating these two demon kings will the other demon beasts fall apart, and the beast tide will be easily resolved."

Inside the warship's cabin, Deacon Luo explained the situation of the beast tide to Zhou Ling.

Although Lu Yunxi had been informing Zhou Ling about the battle situation in Anyang Immortal City every day during this time.

However, Zhou Ling was busy forging the golden sword warship and other various magical artifacts, and didn't have much time to pay attention to it.

But Deacon Luo clearly knew more than he did.

These two demon kings are a black dragon demon at the mid-stage of the fifth rank and a blood ape at the early stage of the fifth rank, respectively.

Logically speaking, it would be difficult for a fifth-order demon king to coexist with other fifth-order demon kings.

But it was truly unexpected that these two demon kings could not only coexist, but also lead demon beasts to attack Anyang Immortal City.

Inside the cabin, there were ten other array masters, one at the third rank and nine at the second rank.

That's quite a bit of strength.

A third-tier array master is called Dan Gong, with a mid-stage Golden Core cultivation level; he seems to be someone who practices asceticism.

Don't talk much.

The lowest level of other second-tier array masters is the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"Zhizheng, this is the fourth-tier mid-grade magic array I brought from the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, the Heavenly Gate Sword Light Array."

"This Heavenly Gate Sword Light Formation is a powerful weapon in group battles, and it is perfect for dealing with beast tides."

Deacon Luo then spoke slowly to Zhou Ling.

This mission to support Anyang Xiancheng is fraught with risk.

So before they left, they also received a lot of good things from the Tiangongsi office.

Among them, the most powerful is undoubtedly the Heavenly Gate Sword Light Array.

It is a mid-grade fourth-order magic array, requiring the cooperation of eight sword cultivators to unleash its powerful combat strength.

It contains three sword formations and possesses powerful destructive force. If unleashed at full power, it can even generate combat power comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator.

This formation would be even more powerful if paired with a high-level sword.

Unfortunately, there are only three fourth-tier swords in the Tiangong Company today, while the other five are third-tier swords.

According to Deacon Luo's formation arrangement.

It would be best if Anyang Immortal City could have enough Golden Core sword cultivators to cooperate in setting up the formation.

If that fails, then the array masters from the Heavenly Crafts Bureau will have to step in.

This will also have a significant impact on the power of the formation.

But it's enough to deal with fourth-tier monsters.

Moreover, the sword light attack can kill a large number of monsters in a short period of time.

The distance from Qingyun Immortal City to Anyang Immortal City is more than a thousand miles.

A third-tier warship can arrive in about half an hour.

After explaining the Heavenly Gate Sword Light Array to Zhou Ling, Deacon Luo didn't waste any time and went on to explain the array's layout to the other array masters.

This can also be considered a practical exercise in setting up a fourth-order magic array, so the other array masters were all extremely serious.

Such opportunities are not common.

Upon receiving Deacon Luo's instructions, everyone began to earnestly recite the incantation.

For this kind of fourth-order grand formation, the array flags are mainly arranged by Deacon Luo.

The others were just there to lend a hand.

However, one must also be familiar with the formation techniques.

"Zhizheng, Qingyun Immortal City has successively dispatched several batches of cultivators to Anyang Immortal City."

"This shows the severity of the current situation in Anyang Xiancheng."

You still need to be careful!

Deacon Luo then gave Zhou Ling further instructions.

After all, Zhou Ling was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, which was far too weak for him to face such a beast tide.

If they encounter a third-tier demonic beast, they will find it difficult to deal with.

Of course, with Zhou Ling's skills as a fourth-level weapon refiner, he must have quite a few good items on hand.

"Deacon Luo, just take care of yourselves, don't worry about me!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling smiled and said.

Although he is a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he has many skills, including Golden Core Divine Soul, Third-Order Body Refinement, Five Spirit Flames, and Third-Order [Demonic Beast Intimidation], so he is not afraid even when facing Third-Order Demonic Beasts.

Of course, as for fourth-tier demonic beasts, they should naturally give way.

However, according to the intelligence obtained, there are about ten fourth-tier demonic beasts this time. There are Nascent Soul cultivators to deal with them.

Therefore, generally speaking, a fourth-order demon beast wouldn't target a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him.

If he is indeed being targeted, he is not without ways to deal with it.

In any case, the Qianyang True Fire has reached the fourth rank, and since it is a flame, it has a suppressive effect on demonic beasts.

If things get really dangerous, I can use the Golden Fire Crow to escape.

Therefore, he actually has a great advantage when it comes to dealing with monsters.

Upon hearing Zhou Ling's words, Deacon Luo said no more.

Over the past few months, he has come to realize that Zhou Ling is an extremely decisive and opinionated person.

It is estimated that Qin Zhizheng knew Zhou Ling very well, which is why he spared no effort in recommending him to become Zhizheng.

······.

"This is the Wilderness Mountains?"

"After another hundred li or so, we'll reach Anyang Immortal City!"

On the deck of the warship, Deacon Luo pointed to the endless, desolate mountain range below and spoke to Zhou Ling.

Looking down, Zhou Ling could see a massive mountain range with overlapping peaks, stretching out like a coiled dragon.

They knew that this was the Wild Mountain Range that separated the Wild Demon Realm from the Azure Sun Immortal Realm.

Zhou Ling appeared calm on the surface, but was actually quite nervous inside.

He had only heard about the terror of the beast tide.

The golden fire crows circled above the deck, seemingly quite excited about the wild mountains.

As the warships moved swiftly forward, a massive city came into view.

"Zhizheng, we've arrived at Anyang Immortal City!"

Following the direction pointed out by Deacon Luo, Zhou Ling saw a magnificent and vast city, imposing and shrouded in azure spiritual light.

This was accompanied by a series of booming and roaring sounds.

Because Anyang Immortal City stretches for hundreds of miles, and the warships travel from east to west, coupled with the massive cyan defensive light shield of Anyang Immortal City, Zhou Ling did not see the scene of the demonic beasts attacking the city.

However, the intensity of the battle was evident from the earth-shattering explosions and the constant flashes of the azure light shield.

"This Anyang Immortal City is completely different from Qingyun Immortal City!"

Looking at Anyang Immortal City, Zhou Ling's gaze narrowed slightly.

Compared to Qingyun Immortal City, Anyang Immortal City is two or three times larger.

The massive city gate on the east side was wide open, and warships and spirit boats were landing from time to time.

These are cultivators from other immortal cities who came to support Anyang Immortal City.

As groups of cultivators descended from the warships, Zhou Ling could sense the heavy killing intent emanating from them.

This demonstrates the intensity of the battle.

The warships also landed in an open area.

Soon, guards from the city came to greet them.

"I am Chu Jia, the commander of a thousand men from Anyang Immortal City, and I pay my respects to the steward!"

A robust middle-aged man in the late Foundation Establishment stage, clad in black armor, approached Zhou Ling. A look of surprise flashed in his eyes as he looked at Zhou Ling, and he respectfully cupped his hands in greeting.

At this moment, Zhou Ling was wearing the black robe of the Chief of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

The other party recognized him immediately.

Moreover, every few days, the warships of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau of Qingyun Immortal City would deliver resources, so he was naturally able to recognize the warships of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau.

"Commander Chu, I am Zhou Zhizheng of the Heavenly Crafts Department of Qingyun Immortal City, and I am leading the array masters."

"I have come to Anyang Immortal City to assist in setting up the magic array."

Zhou Ling cupped his hands in greeting.

The rank of a centurion is roughly equivalent to a second-rank steward in the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, which is much lower than Zhou Ling's rank.

"Zhou Zhizheng, please come with me!"

Chu Jia said with a respectful expression.

This beast tide was fierce. Although there was a Heavenly Crafts Bureau in Anyang Immortal City, the pills accumulated in normal times were used up in about ten days.

Fortunately, the Heavenly Crafts Bureaus of other surrounding immortal cities sent various supplies, which enabled Anyang Immortal City to withstand the beast tide.

Otherwise, there would be heavy casualties.

And the most numerous of them are undoubtedly Qingyun Immortal City.

Therefore, he held Qingyun Immortal City in high esteem.

Unexpectedly, the head of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau of Qingyun Immortal City was so young.

Soon, Zhou Ling, along with Deacon Luo and others, followed Chu Jia into the city.

Before long, they arrived outside a grand hall.

Chu Jia asked Zhou Ling and the others to wait a moment while he went into the main hall to report.

"Zhou Zhizheng has personally come to aid my Anyang Immortal City. I, Qi Wen, have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"

A hearty laugh followed.

A burly, imposing middle-aged man with a square face walked out of the main hall.

His aura was incredibly powerful.

"Zhou Ling of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau of Qingyun Immortal City pays respects to City Lord Qi!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling bowed to the man.

This person is none other than Qi Xuan, the city lord of Anyang Immortal City.

"Peak Nascent Soul stage cultivation!"

Through [Intermediate Observation], Zhou Ling was able to see that Qi Xuan was at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, which surprised him.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Anyang Immortal City is much more important than Qingyun Immortal City.

As the city lord of Anyang Immortal City, his strength is naturally not low.

"Zhou Zhizheng is truly a young hero!"

Qi Xuan laughed.

Deacon Luo and the others also bowed to him.

Qi Xuan smiled and nodded in return.

He then led Zhou Ling and the others into the main hall.

When Zhou Ling and the others entered, more than a dozen cultivators were already seated in the spacious hall.

Each of them exuded an extraordinary aura.

Most of them were at the Nascent Soul stage, but the auras of the three at the head of the table were even more astonishing.

Even with the help of [Intermediate Observation], Zhou Ling couldn't discern the other party's cultivation level.

Zhou Ling guessed that the three of them must be Nascent Soul cultivators.

After all, his current [Intermediate Observation] level only allows him to observe Nascent Soul cultivators.

Among the two rows of cultivators below, he also saw a familiar face: Dean Gong, whose aura was becoming increasingly sharp.

Among the dozen or so people present, she was the only Golden Core cultivator.

He was seated in the second position on the right, which shows that he was quite prestigious.

Having worked at the Heavenly Crafts Bureau for many years, Zhou Ling naturally knew that a position of this rank could not be occupied casually.

All arrangements are based on strength and status.

Zhou Ling stepped into the palace gate.

With a whoosh, all the cultivators in the hall turned to look at him.

There were surprises, curiosity, and praise.

Deacon Luo and the others followed behind Zhou Ling without any tension.

"This junior, Zhou Ling, from the Heavenly Crafts Department of Qingyun Immortal City, greets all seniors!"

Zhou Ling remained calm, quickly stepped forward, and bowed to everyone.

"Zhou Zhizheng is very polite!"

"Zhou Zhizheng, so young!"

Everyone returned the greeting.

Although Zhou Ling's cultivation level was not high, he was a fourth-level weapon refiner and the head of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, so his position was not low.

However, at such a young age, he was already a senior official. Even those present, who had seen much of the world, couldn't help but show surprise.

A seventeen-year-old fourth-tier weapon refiner is truly rare, demonstrating just how astonishing his weapon-refining talent is.

"Zhou Ling, come sit here with me!"

Dean Gong waved to Zhou Ling with a smile.

(End of this chapter)