Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 323 Fourth-Grade Azure Lotus Spirit Flame and Azure Lotus Heart

"Yu Guang is a late-stage Foundation Establishment sword cultivator who specializes in the Wind Blade Sword Technique and has comprehended the second-level wind attribute sword intent."

"Xu Hong is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, specializing in the Dao of Runes, and is already able to draw second-tier top-grade Golden Light Runes, etc."

"Xia Ye'er is a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and a second-tier high-grade array master, capable of setting up second-tier top-grade arrays."

"This is also the key person you need to deal with this time!"

"Her magic array is both offensive and defensive, making her the most difficult to deal with among the five. With the support of her magic array, the other four will suffer minimal losses."

Pointing to the image on the recording jade, Dean Gong gave a brief introduction to his disciples.

This competition is a team competition.

That is, five people form a team and compete on the field at the same time.

The five individuals can fight individually or form a battle formation.

Generally speaking, if the five people cooperate well, the power of the battle formation will naturally be greater than that of each person fighting alone.

"Dean, our current Fire Dragon Sword Formation is mainly offensive. If the opponent sets up a defensive formation, it will be a significant drain on our resources."

"Unless you can break through their defensive formation with a single sword strike!"

The older of the two, Bai Qiu, looked at the magic array in the image jade, frowned slightly, and spoke up.

The opponent's magic array doesn't have much offensive power, but its defensive power is amazing.

Their purpose in setting up the magic array was primarily for defense and to utilize rune attacks.

Its defensive capabilities are evident; even a Golden Core cultivator would find it difficult to break through easily.

The Fire Dragon Sword Formation formed by the five of them was a perfect combination of offense and defense.

He was confident in breaking through the magic array, but forcibly breaking it would undoubtedly cause them great losses.

Of the five, two are in the late Foundation Establishment stage and three are in the mid Foundation Establishment stage.

Moreover, they are all sword cultivators, and are not suited for a war of attrition.

After all, most sword cultivators specialize in offensive sword techniques.

"Zhou Ling, what do you think?"

Dean Gong pondered for a moment, then asked Zhou Ling.

She had naturally thought about this issue.

In addition to achieving good results, the purpose of participating in this competition is also to give the disciples some experience.

For sword cultivators, only a powerful offensive is the strongest means of attack.

However, if the opponent uses the magic array to shrink their defenses, then a direct attack is naturally not suitable.

She didn't know much about magic arrays either.

That's why I asked Zhou Ling.

Although Zhou Ling is not a formation master, he is a fourth-tier weapon refiner and the head of the Heavenly Crafts Bureau, so he may have some knowledge of formations.

Zhou Ling was also watching the image on the recording jade. A woman in a white dress was manipulating a magic array, condensing a green defensive shield with green runes flowing inside.

[You are currently observing a Tier 2 Supreme Green Wood Zhou Tian Formation. Intermediate Observation +1]

[You are analyzing a second-tier, top-grade Azure Wood Zhou Tian Formation. Intermediate Analysis +1]

"This is a second-tier top-grade Azure Wood Zhou Tian Formation, which is formed by condensing the energy of Azure Wood and is mainly for defense."

Using his two talents, Zhou Ling quickly grasped the essence of the formation and spoke up.

"Second-tier, top-grade Azure Wood Heavenly Array."

Everyone looked at the great formation before them.

Everyone knows that to defeat an opponent, the first step is to break this magic circle.

They were all surprised by what Zhou Ling said, as they all knew that Zhou Ling was a fourth-level weapon refiner and a third-level sword cultivator.

Unexpectedly, he also knew something about magic arrays.

This is really horrifying.

With their cultivation level, they have devoted all their energy to sword practice, which is why they have achieved what they have today. However, Zhou Ling is younger than them.

Yet it is already such an amazing achievement.

Jin Sheng, in particular, was quite astonished.

It's hard to imagine what kind of transformative changes Zhou Ling has undergone in just a few short years.

You should know that back in Lingxia Immortal City, even though they eventually defeated him, it was after a fierce battle.

Now, even his sword skills are far behind Zhou Ling's.

"From the competition in the image jade, it can be seen that the Ancient Rock Academy's strategy is to first protect this woman and set up the formation."

"Therefore, you need a few breaths before they set up their formation. If you can seize this few breaths and injure them, you can stop them from setting up their formation."

"However, this is quite difficult. Judging from their lineup, it would be very difficult to do unless they are Golden Core cultivators."

"Therefore, the only way to break through the formation is through direct confrontation."

"This Azure Wood Heavenly Array is set up with twelve personal array eyes."

"Although this woman is in charge of the formation, once attacked, it is impossible for all twelve formation eyes to recover at the same time."

"And the weak points of the formation are the ones that recover more slowly."

"Breaking through these weaknesses shouldn't be too difficult."

Zhou Ling spoke up and said this.

"That makes sense."

Dean Gong smiled upon hearing Zhou Ling's words.

Although she didn't know if Zhou Ling's words would have any effect, after experiencing the battle of Anyang Immortal City, she had no doubt about Zhou Ling's judgment.

"Um?"

The other disciples who were seated looked at Zhou Ling with some surprise upon hearing this.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ling broke through a second-tier top-grade array so easily.

"Master, you're still a third-tier array master."

Weng Lanyue walked over and added spiritual tea to Dean Gong's teacup, asking with a curious expression.

She had been in the Zhou family for some time, and she had never heard that Zhou Ling was a formation master!

Everyone else was also curious about this question.

It should be known that among the various arts of cultivation, formations are even more difficult than weapon crafting and alchemy.

Formations require a strong spiritual support, making them difficult to learn and master.

Those who are not powerful in spirit and soul, or are scions of powerful families, generally find it very difficult to cultivate.

Moreover, Zhou Ling is already a weapon refiner and a sword cultivator.

If he's also a formation master, then this talent is truly terrifying.

"It's just that I'm observant."

Zhou Ling said with a nonchalant expression.

In this situation, it's natural not to make a big fuss about it.

Otherwise, if someone were to ask him to set up an array later, that would be troublesome.

With Zhou Ling providing this idea, the others immediately discussed their countermeasures.

They are all sword cultivators, and their combat strength is much stronger than that of other cultivators of the same level.

In particular, the five of them were carefully selected by the academy, and all of them had a foundation in swordsmanship.

In the future, he will at least be a third-realm sword cultivator.

Therefore, a solution was quickly developed.

Moreover, when breaking through the formation, one must deliver a surprise attack to the opponent.

Zhou Ling remained silent regarding the countermeasures discussed by the group.

After all, he didn't know the specific combat strength of the five people.

However, pointing out the weaknesses of the formation in this way was enough to give them a significant advantage.

The opponent was a fourth-grade immortal city, which meant they were opponents of the same level.

They shouldn't be too difficult to deal with.

"Are you capable of dealing with He Jing?"

While everyone was discussing the battle situation, Dean Gong sent a telepathic message to Zhou Ling to inquire about it.

He Jing is the chief disciple of Tianxia Dao Academy in Ancient Rock Immortal City. He is at the peak of the Golden Core stage and is a practitioner of both physical and magical cultivation, making him a formidable fighter.

His strength is probably already comparable to that of a Nascent Soul cultivator in the early stages.

She was confident that she would have no problem dealing with the dean.

But she was still a little unsure about Zhou Ling's side.

If Zhou Ling wasn't confident in dealing with He Jing, then he should directly prepare the Sun and Moon Five Elements Sword Formation to fight him.

That should put victory in our grasp.

However, the Sun and Moon Five Elements Sword Formation was quite powerful, and she didn't want to reveal it too early. She would at least wait until she dealt with the Fifth-Rank Dao Academy before making a move.

This will ensure a place in the quarterfinals.

After all, you have to defeat at least a fourth-grade academy before you can encounter a fifth-grade academy.

"I can't guarantee it, I can only give it a try!"

Seeing He Jing's burly body transform into a fire dragon on the image jade, Zhou Ling frowned.

The other party claimed to be cultivating both physical and magical power, but it was clear that their physical cultivation was several times stronger than their magical power cultivation.

Moreover, it possesses the bloodline of an acquired fire dragon, making it not so easy to deal with.

My current body refinement is only at the mid-stage of the third level.

Therefore, Zhou Ling did not dare to be careless and carefully observed the battle situation of his opponent on the recording jade.

Use the Intermediate Observation and Intermediate Analysis skills to understand your opponent's specific situation.

"If we're not confident, we'll use the Sun and Moon Five Elements Sword Formation to fight them!"

Dean Gong continued to communicate with Zhou Ling telepathically.

As her swordsmanship enters the fourth realm, and with the help of the Sun and Moon Five Elements Sword Formation, she is confident that she can easily deal with two Nascent Soul cultivators.

"No need, I'll try it first!"

Zhou Ling said with a smile.

With five spiritual flames in his hands, no matter how powerful the opponent's fire dragon blood body was, it couldn't harm him.

Therefore, he was not afraid.

Upon hearing this, Dean Gong nodded.

Generally speaking, once you reach the Nascent Soul realm, unless it's a large-scale formation of a family or sect, you'll usually fight alone.

After all, forming an array requires not only the cultivation levels of the two individuals involved, but also that the difference in their cultivation levels be too great.

Furthermore, the fusion attributes and the mutual opportunities must be sufficient; these are all key to forming a formation.

However, this is not a very harmonious relationship, and it is generally not possible to achieve it.

After all, during the process of cultivating such an array, many of one's own weaknesses will be known to the opponent.

Therefore, there are usually not many people forming teams to fight the enemy.

The reason Dean Gong chose this side is partly because he is already very familiar with Zhou Ling.

In addition, Zhou Ling's strength was not as great as it is now.

Afterwards, Zhou Ling and Dean Gong went back to their rooms, while the other disciples continued their discussion.

······.

into the night.

[Your Azure Lotus Spirit Flame is absorbing Azure Wood Qi, Five Elements Thunder Qi +1, Azure Lotus Spirit Flame +3]

[The Azure Lotus Spirit Flame reaches the fourth rank, giving birth to the Spirit Flame Divine Power, the Azure Lotus Heart]

As the notification sound appeared, azure flames rose around Zhou Ling, who was sitting cross-legged, and the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame bloomed.

It enveloped him.

"boom!"

In an instant, an incomparably vigorous life force was born within him.

The blazing flames and magical power surged and roared.

As the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame improved, his wood-attribute mana also reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, both Earth Spirit Fire and Ice Crystal Spirit Flame are currently only at the third rank.

Similarly, his earth and water attribute magic power has not yet fully reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

"My wood-attribute magic power has also reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, which will greatly improve my ability to pass the Golden Core Tribulation."

"After this competition, I need to go back and prepare the items for the tribulation!"

Zhou Ling smiled and thought to himself.

Because he is of the Five Elements attribute, he needs to prepare significantly more spiritual items to aid him during tribulations than ordinary cultivators.

This will better ensure the success rate.

He immediately activated the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame and began to experience the changes brought about by the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame entering the fourth rank.

"What's the deal with this Azure Lotus Heart?"

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

Once a Spirit Flame reaches the fourth rank, it will condense its own Spirit Flame Divine Power.

The beast flames in front are condensed from attack attributes and divine abilities related to the bloodline of the Haoyang Bird.

The Azure Lotus Spirit Flame is the heart of the Azure Lotus, and it doesn't seem to be any kind of supernatural power.

Zhou Ling sat cross-legged, his expression solemn. Within his dantian, the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame rose and roared, causing his dantian to boil and surge with an astonishing amount of life energy.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"

The Azure Lotus Spirit Flame was vast and profound, radiating an unparalleled vitality that filled the room with vigorous life.

Just then, suddenly, a strange tremor surged in Zhou Ling's heart, as if it were a sudden impulse.

The Azure Lotus Spirit Flame unleashed an increasingly surging aura, rapidly circulating as if to assist Zhou Ling in actively forming his core.

"Could this be the opportunity to form a Heavenly Core?"

Zhou Ling was taken aback, then his face lit up with joy.

Because the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame is his natal spirit flame and is closely related to him.

Having entered the fourth rank and gained a certain level of spirituality, it seemed as if a sudden inspiration had struck, and at this moment it was to assist Zhou Ling in condensing his golden core.

This is also a manifestation of the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame's own attributes; clearly, it has captured Zhou Ling's opportunity to break through his realm in this mysterious way.

This opportunity is similar to what happened some time ago.

In Anyang Immortal City, it was like a sudden enlightenment when Dean Gong comprehended the Four Realms of Sword Dao.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

By following this intuition, the success rate of passing through the tribulation of lightning will be greatly increased.

Unexpectedly, now that the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame has reached the fourth rank, such a rare opportunity has also appeared.

"However, this is an opportunity that the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame itself has seized!"

"Even if one can successfully form a golden core, it will only be a wood-attribute golden core."

Zhou Ling shook his head, slowly controlling the fluctuations of his internal magical power, gradually dissipating the aura of the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame.

Although such an opportunity is rare, he was preparing to form the Five Elements Core.

"Although a wood-attribute golden core is not bad, it would narrow down my future career path, and all the weapon refinement, swordsmanship, and other skills I've cultivated before would be wasted!"

Zhou Ling took a deep breath and slowly exhaled to calm herself down.

It would be a lie to say I wouldn't feel bad about giving up such an opportunity.

But there's nothing we can do about it.

The foundation he laid earlier has already determined the path he will take later.

Therefore, it is unlikely that this will disrupt their rhythm.

After all, even without this opportunity, he would still be able to achieve the Heavenly Rank Core Formation in the future.

After calming down, Zhou Ling carefully examined the lotus heart enveloped by the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame.

The Azure Lotus Spirit Flame is now several times larger than before.

This lotus heart, about the size of a palm, is like a newly born lotus and floats within it.

[You are observing the Heart of the Azure Lotus, Intermediate Observation +1]

[You are analyzing the Heart of the Azure Lotus, Intermediate Analysis +1]

"The Heart of the Azure Lotus not only contains powerful growth energy, but can also be refined into a second Qi Sea."

"This way, we can store more mana, which will not only improve our cultivation level but also help us achieve higher quality core formation in the future!"

With the emergence of the two talents, Zhou Ling roughly understood some of the uses of the Azure Lotus Heart.

A look of surprise involuntarily appeared on his face.

"This is amazing!"

Everyone knows that a cultivator only has one Qi Sea.

Once the magical power within the Qi Sea reaches a certain level, it must be refined and enhanced to break through the realm.

But this Azure Lotus Heart can actually be refined into the first Qi Sea.

The amount of magical power they can contain is much greater than that of other cultivators.

Of course, condensing a second Qi Sea is not so easy; many other preparations are required.

Zhou Ling was not in a hurry, and then quietly felt the changes brought about by the Azure Lotus Spirit Flame.

(End of this chapter)