Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 320 Battle against the Golden Core Thunder Sword Cultivator
Nine Heavens Sword Academy, Council Hall.

"This time, Zhou Ling and I will lead the team to Qingyang Immortal City to participate in the main academy's competition. We will depart in three days."

Dean Gong glanced at the other instructors in the academy and spoke.

The other instructors at the Sword Academy couldn't help but show puzzled expressions upon hearing this.

“Dean, Instructor Zhou is only at the peak of Foundation Establishment. Even if he comprehends the three realms of swordsmanship, his opponents are Golden Core cultivators or even Nascent Soul cultivators.”

"Wouldn't that just hold you back!"

"It was Jianyuan's supervisor, Sun Daojian, who spoke up."

Sun Daojian was rather thin, but he had already reached the Nascent Soul stage and had bright, piercing eyes.

What he said makes sense.

Generally speaking, to become an inner court instructor, one must at least have the cultivation level of Golden Core.

Since the Nine Heavens Sword Academy focuses on swordsmanship, and Zhou Ling has comprehended the three realms of swordsmanship, he can barely become an inner academy instructor.

However, if one wants to participate in such an important competition, there are many instructors in the academy whose cultivation is far superior to Zhou Ling's.

There are four Nascent Soul sword cultivators and more than twenty Golden Core sword cultivators.

Almost all of them were cultivators who had comprehended the three realms of swordsmanship.

I don't know why Dean Gong insisted on choosing Zhou Ling.

Everyone could see that Dean Gong was giving Zhou Ling special attention and guidance.

However, the main academy's competition is related to the Sword Academy's rating, as well as the rating of Qingyun Immortal City, so naturally the strongest candidates must be sent to participate.

"Yes, Dean, this competition at the main academy is held once every five years and is of great importance. Although Instructor Zhou's talent is the strongest in the academy in the past hundred years and his future is promising, his opponents are all Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators. It won't be easy for him to win!"

Lan Daobai, the chief instructor of the Sword Academy, also spoke up.

He was a burly, middle-aged man with a thick beard.

His cultivation level is at the peak of the Golden Core stage, and his main cultivation is the lightning attribute sword path. His strength is no less than that of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator.

He was originally the best candidate to accompany Dean Gong to Qingyang Immortal City for the competition.

But no one expected that Dean Gong would choose Zhou Ling, who had the lowest cultivation level.

In the past two years, after Zhou Ling entered the Nine Heavens Sword Academy, Dean Gong has taken good care of him.

That's obvious to everyone.

Although Zhou Ling had good talent in swordsmanship, he had not reached that astonishing level.

No one could understand why Dean Gong, who always had extremely high standards, would take such good care of Zhou Ling.

Perhaps it was because he was a celestial guard in the Heavenly Works Department.

Because of this identity, most of the instructors maintained a good relationship with Zhou Ling.

However, sending Zhou Ling, who only has the Foundation Establishment cultivation level, is indeed a bit too biased.

This surprised them somewhat.

It should be noted that the combat power of everyone present was superior to that of Zhou Ling.

After all, Zhou Ling is only at the peak of Foundation Establishment, so their chances of winning in such a great battle were not high to begin with.

In that case, they might not even make it to the quarterfinals.

However, Dean Gong held considerable prestige within the Sword Academy and was not the type to practice nepotism.

She chose Zhou Ling, and there must have been a reason for it.

However, everyone agrees that it is more reasonable for the chief instructor of the Sword Academy to accompany Dean Gong.

Moreover, within the Sword Academy, almost none of the other instructors had ever seen Zhou Ling make a move, even though Dean Gong had stated that he had comprehended the Three Realms of Man and Sword as One.

However, even with the same three realms of sword intent, the difference in power can be enormous.

For example, the power of the lightning attribute third realm swordsmanship is stronger than that of other attribute third realms.

"Oh, you don't have confidence in me?"

Dean Gong's gaze swept over everyone, a smile playing on her lips. Then, seeing that Supervisor Sun and the others seemed about to say something, she spoke up, "Don't worry, everyone. I guarantee we'll make it to the top four this time!"

As she comprehended the Heaven and Earth Sword and her cultivation reached the Nascent Soul realm, her strength also increased.

It is more than enough to deal with a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Moreover, the power of the Sun and Moon Five Elements Sword Formation, when used in conjunction with Zhou Ling, is greatly enhanced.

The instructors participating in this instructor competition have the highest cultivation level of mid-Nascent Soul stage, so she is very confident.

"The semi-finals!"

Upon hearing this, many instructors looked puzzled. The best result Qingyun Immortal City had ever achieved in the main academy's competition was only reaching the top eight.

And that happened hundreds of years ago.

Today, in the Qingyang Immortal Realm, there is a seventh-grade immortal city, Qingyang Immortal City.

There are four sixth-grade immortal cities, eighteen fifth-grade immortal cities, forty-two fourth-grade immortal cities, and hundreds of third-grade and second-grade immortal cities.

Qingyun Immortal City is considered to be of medium strength among fourth-grade immortal cities, but it is still among the top.

There are still twenty-three powerful immortal cities ahead of us, so you can see how difficult it is to get into the top four.

Of course, only those from the fourth-rank immortal city are qualified to participate in this competition at the main academy.

"Zhou Ling, demonstrate your Five Elements Sword Qi to the instructors!"

Seeing the disbelieving expressions on everyone's faces, Dean Gong frowned and said to Zhou Ling.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling, who had been keeping his eyes down and mind to himself, was taken aback.

In his view, Dean Gong was a powerful figure in the Sword Academy, and once she made a decision, it was unlikely to be changed.

Unexpectedly, she made her use her sword energy.

But that's okay.

Immediately with a thought, five sword energy channels appeared in his hand.

A flash of light condensed into a faint Five Elements Sword Domain.

"Five Elements Sword Domain!"

Everyone present immediately showed a look of surprise.

The Five Elements Sword Domain appeared gentle, but since everyone present was a sword cultivator at the third realm or above, they naturally understood just how valuable this Five Elements Sword Domain was.

Condensing the Five Elements Sword Domain requires simultaneously comprehending the sword intent of the five elements to the third realm, which is three times more difficult than ordinary single-attribute swordsmanship.

Moreover, the process requires a harmonious interplay of elements, with the five elements interacting in a mutually restraining and generating manner, making it even more challenging.

But since Zhou Ling has it under his control...

Keep in mind that Zhou Ling is only eighteen years old.

Everyone knew he had amazing talent in weapon crafting, but no one expected his talent in swordsmanship to be so terrifying.

Zhou Ling remained calm and put away the Five Elements Sword Qi.

"As everyone has seen, Zhou Ling has comprehended the Five Elements Sword Qi. I don't need to elaborate on what the Five Elements Sword Qi at the third realm means!"

Dean Gong smiled and said that she could see that Zhou Ling's Five Elements Sword Domain had improved again.

"Instructor Zhou's sword intent looks somewhat familiar; it seems quite similar to Dean Gong's Falling Leaves Sword Intent!"

Lan Daobai looked at Zhou Ling and said with a slightly puzzled tone.

To be able to condense a sword domain at the Foundation Establishment stage is truly an amazing talent.

Even the Nine Heavens Sword Academy, over the past thousand years, has never had more than a handful of members.

Moreover, Zhou Ling's sword intent felt familiar.

"That's right. My understanding of the Three Realms of Sword Intent mainly comes from Dean Gong's Falling Wood Sword Intent. From the Falling Wood Sword Intent, I comprehended the other four elemental sword intents, making it a complete Five Elements Sword Intent."

Zhou Ling said with a smile.

Although the opportunity to comprehend the Five Elements Sword Intent came from the Falling Wood Sword Intent, the Five Elements attributes each have their own sword intent attributes, so they are completely different.

With the swordsmanship skills of everyone present, they could naturally see through this.

"Instructor Zhou is indeed incredibly talented. His swordsmanship talent is probably beyond the top level."

Sun Daojian nodded in approval.

Now it's clear why the White House dean favored him so much; he truly has amazing talent.

Not only him, but the other instructors who had initially been somewhat skeptical now all showed expressions of appreciation.

It should be noted that Zhou Ling is only eighteen years old, yet he has already been able to condense the Three Realms Five Elements Sword Domain, indicating a limitless future.

Moreover, he was a fourth-grade weapon refiner.

Such terrifying talent is truly astonishing! "Instructor Zhou, I think your Five Elements Sword Domain was quite good, but it was too gentle and lacked fierceness. Your combat power is clearly still somewhat lacking!"

At this moment, Lan Daobai spoke up again with a serious expression.

"What does 'Instructor Lan' mean?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow and asked in confusion.

Now, with the help of the Five Elements Sword Soul, he can basically control the Five Elements Sword Domain very well.

That was just a display of water-attribute sword intent.

"My lightning-attribute sword domain is known for its power and ferocity. If we were to fight, it would be a good opportunity to hone your five elements sword domain. What do you think?"

Lan Daobai chuckled and said so.

Within the Sword Academy, it was common for instructors to spar and exchange sword techniques.

So Lan Daobai's words immediately piqued the interest of the other instructors.

They also wanted to observe the sword intent of the two, to see which would prevail: the Five Elements Sword Intent or the Thunder Attribute Sword Intent.
Moreover, it will also help them comprehend sword intent.

Zhou Ling looked troubled upon hearing this.

"I'm participating in a competition in three days. If I overexert myself, it might affect my performance!"

Zhou Ling had no interest in this kind of fearless competition.

He can hone his sword intent with the help of the [Illusionary Realm Simulation], so there is no need for him to compete with Lan Daobai.

"Don't worry, I have a Haoyuan Pill on hand, no matter what the outcome of the competition is?"

"I will give you this Haoyuan Pill. It will help you restore your magic power and will not affect your upcoming competition!"

"Furthermore, my cultivation level will be suppressed to the early Golden Core stage, so I won't take advantage of you!"

Lan Daobai said with a smile.

He is currently at the peak of the Golden Core stage, and his main cultivation is the lightning-attribute sword path.

His strength is naturally far superior to Zhou Ling's.

They didn't want people to say they were bullying the weak.

However, once the Golden Core is formed, the magical power is already capable of forming a Core Domain, so it cannot be suppressed to the Foundation Establishment stage.

"Zhou Ling, you should learn from Instructor Lan. It will help your swordsmanship."

Dean Gong smiled slightly.

"This, okay!"

Hearing Dean Gong's words, Zhou Ling could only nod.

He wasn't worried about the energy expenditure, since he had the [Restore to Original State] talent and would recover quickly.

"Alright, let's head to the Sword Academy's arena then!"

Lan Daobai immediately got up and left the room first.

Zhou Ling also got up and followed.

Dean Gong and the other instructors followed the two of them.

The Nine Heavens Sword Academy's competition arena is located about a hundred feet east of the main hall.

The group arrived quickly.

The entire competition venue was very spacious, similar to the square of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy.

It is all paved with glazed jade and covered with a magic array.

The two landed on the competition platform.

"Instructor Zhou, you should make the first move!"

Lan Daobai spoke with great confidence, his aura incredibly powerful. In his view, Zhou Ling would be absolutely unable to withstand his sword strike.

"Instructor Lan, then I'll have to offend you!"

Zhou Ling cupped his hands and smiled.

Then, five-colored light flashed in his hand, and five Five Elements Swords shot out.

In an instant, a Five Elements Sword Domain was formed.

At the same time, Dean Gong and others also came to sit around the competition platform to watch.

"I never expected that Zhou Ling, with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, could simultaneously control five third-tier Five Elements Swords. He's truly remarkable!"

Seeing Zhou Ling condense the Five Elements Sword Domain, Daojian Sun couldn't help but marvel.

Generally speaking, only Golden Core cultivators can wield a third-tier sword and unleash its full combat power.

However, Zhou Ling's Foundation Establishment cultivation not only allows him to control a third-tier sword, but also enables him to wield five paths.

This is not just rare, it's terrifying!

"Dean, Instructor Lan's Thunderous Sword Qi is incredibly violent. Instructor Zhou won't find it easy to block it!"

Supervisor Sun couldn't help but say to Dean Gong.

Originally, lightning-attribute sword energy was primarily for killing and possessed great power.

Lan Daobai had already entered the third realm many years ago, and was now at the third step of the third realm.

Even if his cultivation level is suppressed to the early stage of Golden Core, Zhou Ling might not be his match.

"We'll see!"

Dean Gong smiled, looking relaxed.

She personally witnessed Zhou Ling kill two fourth-tier demonic beasts.

If they fought with all their might, even without suppressing his cultivation, Lan Daobai might not be able to defeat Zhou Ling.

"here we go."

At that moment, another instructor shouted.

On the competition field, amidst the howling of the Five Elements Sword Domain, a fiery red sword aura swept towards Lan Daobai.

The torrent of sword energy was like a volcanic eruption; even through the defensive array, everyone present could feel its fierce and intense aura.

"Indeed, this sword domain is enough to deal with Golden Core cultivators!"

Lan Daobai smiled and said.

"However, swordsmanship requires even more practical combat experience, which cannot be achieved simply through superior comprehension and talent!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Daobai moved his hand, and sword energy roared out, forming a lightning sword domain in front of him.

A sword domain of seven or eight zhang (approximately 33-40 meters) burst forth, unleashing a violent sword aura that bombarded Zhou Ling's sword domain.

The power it releases is extremely terrifying.

Rumble!
The Thunder Sword Domain and the Flaming Sword Qi bombarded each other fiercely.

Sword energy surged in the air.

A powerful sword aura shot into the sky.

It was accompanied by a tremendous, thunderous roar.

The entire arena was bathed in a purple glow, and the Thunder Sword Domain continued to expand.

The surging force seemed poised to engulf the Five Elements Sword Domain and utterly annihilate it.

The sword energy was violent and fierce, releasing dazzling lightning amidst the roaring and howling. The entire sword domain was like a heavenly tribulation thundercloud, exuding awe-inspiring power!
[You are observing the Thundercloud Sword Domain, Intermediate Observation +1]

[You are analyzing Thundercloud Sword Domain, Intermediate Analysis +1]

With the emergence of the two talents, Zhou Ling quickly learned that Lan Daobai's main sword technique was the Thundercloud Sword.

It can even reveal some shortcomings within the Sword Domain.

Zhou Ling's gaze narrowed slightly, and with a flick of his finger, the Five Elements Sword Domain changed once again, converging into a massive sword energy furnace.

It instantly absorbed the thunderous sword energy into it.

Then, the sword energy of the sword furnace roared, and the thunderous sword domain gradually shrank until only a wisp of sword light remained, flickering weakly.

"What? Zhou Ling's Five Elements Sword Domain is this powerful?"

Seeing the Thunder Domain broken like this, the instructors watching all showed an expression of disbelief.

It should be noted that lightning attribute is primarily offensive, and other attribute sword domains rarely gain an advantage in a head-on confrontation with it.

But Zhou Ling's Five Elements Sword Domain seemed to break through the Thunder Domain with ease, showing no signs of pressure!

(End of this chapter)