Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 333 Rankings and the Top Four
"Dean, it's true, we've made it to the semifinals!"

Inside the hall, the disciples looked at Dean Gong with excited expressions and asked him questions.

Dean Gong just returned from the quarterfinals draw ceremony.

Unexpectedly, upon returning, they announced that there would be no need for a competition tomorrow, and that they would directly advance to the semi-finals.

"Our original opponent in the quarterfinals was the Tianxia Dao Academy from the fifth-grade immortal city, Qinghong Immortal City."

"However, their opponent in the last round was the Nine Heavens Sword Academy of the sixth-grade immortal city, Heavenly Sword Immortal City."

"Although they ultimately won, both the disciples and the instructors were severely exhausted."

"Both coaches are seriously injured, so we have no choice but to give up competing for the semifinals. Therefore, we will directly enter the semifinals!"

Dean Gong took a sip of spiritual tea and spoke to everyone with a slight smile.

"That's fantastic! Making it to the semi-finals is the best result our academy has ever achieved!"

"Yes, I thought it would be difficult enough to make it into the top eight, but I didn't expect to make it into the top four!"

"I can rest for another day tomorrow!"

The five disciples spoke with unusual excitement.

For them, reaching the quarterfinals was already somewhat unexpected.

After all, in previous competitions at the main academy, Qingyun Immortal City's best result was only reaching the top sixteen.

Reaching the quarterfinals this time is already a record-breaking achievement.

Unexpectedly, luck came their way, and they made it straight to the semifinals.

Of course, they also knew that their successive victories over their opponents were mainly due to the strength of the Dean and Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling, in particular, was able to defeat his opponents unexpectedly time and time again.

It also played a crucial role in their tactical arrangements.

It's fair to say that if it weren't for his extremely accurate and insightful analysis, they would probably have already been eliminated in the second round.

It can now be said that Zhou Ling's role is even greater than that of Dean Gong.

Dean Gong can be described as the pillar of the team, while Zhou Ling is the invincible sword that charges into battle and breaks through enemy lines.

"Don't be too happy yet. Focus on recovering your cultivation first. The semi-final battle the day after tomorrow will definitely be a tough fight, no matter who your opponents are!"

Dean Gong said with a relaxed expression.

The results this time were much better than expected.

The outcome of the next battle will depend on everyone's performance.

If we can defeat our opponents and advance to the finals, that would be the best outcome.

If that doesn't work, that's acceptable too.

This battle, in particular, made her fully realize Zhou Ling's combat prowess.

She was even more confident that Zhou Ling could enter the Fifth Realm of Sword Dao.

If she and Zhou Ling both reach the fifth level of swordsmanship in the future, then the Sword Academy will be able to reach the seventh level.

Of course, she is only at the fourth realm now, and is still far from the fifth realm.

Everyone bowed and nodded in agreement, but their expressions still betrayed a barely suppressed excitement.

"There's one more piece of news, take a look for yourselves!"

Dean Gong smiled faintly, waved her jade hand, and a memory jade appeared in her hand.

As it is activated, an image is projected.

Zhou Ling looked at the screen with a hint of doubt, after all, they were just coasting into the semifinals every day.

The opponent hasn't been identified yet, so it's obviously too early to analyze their situation.

However, as his gaze swept over the area, Zhou Ling's expression immediately froze.

It turned out to be a ranking list.

This is a ranking of the strength of various immortal city academies in this competition held by the main academy.

At the top of the list is Tianxia Dao Academy in Qingyang Immortal City.

The second is the Nine Heavens Sword Academy in Dan Ding Immortal City.

Third is the Nine Immortal Cities and the Heaven-Mending Academy.

······
The Nine Heavens Sword Academy of Qingyun Immortal City ranks seventh.

"Our academy is ranked seventh, so we're definitely going to become a fifth-grade academy this time!"

Bai Qiu said excitedly.

"This is the ranking just released by the Daoist Bureau!"

"That's enough to confirm that we can become a fifth-grade Dao Academy."

"If we can win the championship this time, we might even be able to directly become a sixth-grade Dao Academy. At that time, we will be able to obtain the resources of the Dao Alliance, which will make a completely different difference!"

Dean Gong smiled and said.

"A sixth-rank Daoist academy!"

Upon hearing this, the disciples exclaimed in unison, as this was something they had never expected.

"You don't need to feel any pressure, just do your best!"

Seeing everyone's expressions, Dean Gong smiled and said.

"There are other lists as well!"

There are two more lists, one of which is the list of Taoist academy disciples' teams.

At the top of the list is Tianxia Dao Academy in Qingyang Immortal City.

The second is the Nine Heavens Sword Academy in Dan Ding Immortal City.

Third is the Nine Immortal Cities and the Heaven-Mending Academy.

This time they ranked tenth.

Bai Qiu and the others were quite satisfied with this ranking.

After all, the top ten were all academies of the fifth rank or above, with only their academy being a fourth-rank academy.

The last ranking list was surprisingly a ranking of combat power below the Nascent Soul stage in the Qingyang Immortal Realm.

Zhou Ling of the Nine Heavens Sword Academy in Qingyun Immortal City topped the list.

Qi Xian of the Nine Swords Sect, second place.

Yun Zhenren of Guyun Immortal City, third.

······.

He Jing, who was defeated by Zhou Ling, ranked thirteenth, while Gao Qi ranked seventh.

Congratulations, Instructor Zhou!

Looking at the list, the disciples all cupped their hands in congratulations to Zhou Ling.

"Master, you are amazing! I want to learn swordsmanship when we get back!"

Weng Lanyue also spoke up excitedly.

Is this list accurate?

Zhou Ling scratched his head, looking quite surprised.

Who's so bored as to create these lists?

The so-called people are afraid of being famous and pigs are afraid of being strong.

I have no interest in such empty fame.

These ranking lists, in particular, offer absolutely no benefit.

It only adds to the troubles.

Back in Qingyun Immortal City, many unfamiliar people might come to visit.

This will also waste a lot of time.

This is certainly not what he wants to see.

In the past, he could have ignored it completely.

But now that he is in charge of the Imperial Works Bureau, he also needs to be mindful of his reputation.

"This is the ranking within the Dao Alliance, so it can't be wrong."

"Of course, even if it's wrong, the difference won't be significant!"

Dean Gong smiled and said.

"That's really true!"

Zhou Ling smiled casually.

He hoped even more that this list wouldn't affect his life going forward.

Whether you're first or one hundredth doesn't matter.

After all, in the path of cultivation, there are always higher realms and more capable people.

We must always maintain a humble attitude.

"Don't underestimate this ranking list."

"Your first-place ranking will add one hundred points to the academy's score!"

"Other Taoist academies are racking their brains to try and get on the list!"

Seeing Zhou Ling's nonchalant attitude, Dean Gong smiled and said.

"There's this benefit too!"

"But I am only at the Foundation Establishment stage. If I am ranked first, won't others think I cheated?"

Zhou Ling coughed lightly a few times and said modestly.

"Although you are at the peak of Foundation Establishment, who still regards you as a Foundation Establishment cultivator these days? Realm is just one way to measure a cultivator's strength; true combat power is the most crucial factor!"

Dean Gong smiled and said.

He even defeated a Nascent Soul cultivator. Who would dare to mistake him for a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

The other disciples also looked at Zhou Ling with awe.

It should be noted that the Qingyang Immortal Realm is extremely vast, with tens of thousands of Golden Core cultivators, yet Zhou Ling is able to rank first.

Moreover, he was only at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

Once one reaches the Golden Core stage, wouldn't one soar to the heavens?

This combat power is terrifying to even think about.

"Dean, where are you ranked?"

Zhou Ling asked curiously again.

Since there's a ranking of combat power below the Nascent Soul stage, there should also be a ranking of Nascent Soul cultivators.

"That hasn't been announced."

"But just from ranking on these three lists, we can get an extra 200 points!"

Dean Gong smiled.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling looked surprised.

Although Dean Gong has only recently entered the Nascent Soul stage, her swordsmanship skills likely place her in a fairly high ranking.

"Alright, everyone has been quite exhausted from today's battle. Take these pills and recover properly over the next couple of days!"

Dean Gong waved his hand again, and bottles of pills landed in front of the disciples.

"Thank you, Dean!"

After putting away the elixir bottle, everyone bowed to Dean Gong and expressed their gratitude.

They then got up and left.

This battle has taken a toll on everyone, and the battles to come will surely be tough.

Therefore, everyone wants to buy time and speed up the recovery.

"Based on our academy's division this time."

"Our opponent in the semifinals the day after tomorrow is very likely to be the Tianxia Dao Academy from Qingyang Immortal City, which is ranked first."

After the disciples returned, Dean Gong took a sip of spiritual tea and spoke to Zhou Ling.

In their region, the other semi-final match tomorrow will be between the Tianxia Dao Academy of Qingyang Immortal City, ranked first, and the Butian Dao Academy of Dongyuan Immortal City, a sixth-rank immortal city.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Tianxia Dao Academy of Qingyang Immortal City will undoubtedly emerge victorious.

She hadn't told everyone this earlier because she was worried that the disciples were under too much pressure.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling smiled and said, "We've come this far, no matter who the opponent is, we'll give it our all!"

Zhou Ling spoke in a relaxed tone.

So far in the competition, all three matches have been played, and everyone from the Sword Academy has performed exceptionally well.

If we can win next, that would be the best outcome.

If not, that's acceptable too.

After all, their opponent this time is a seventh-grade Dao Academy, whose strength is far superior to theirs.

It's not something that can be remedied simply by analyzing some of the opponent's weaknesses.

"This is the information about the two instructors from Tianxia Dao Academy who participated in this competition."

"They are respectively in the mid-Nascent Soul stage and the early-Nascent Soul stage."

"Both of them are top-tier Daoist prodigies in the Qingyang Immortal Realm, and they are proficient in five or six extremely powerful techniques."

"We have no chance of winning if we use the Sun and Moon Five Elements Sword Formation!"

Dean Gong handed a photographic jade to Zhou Ling and said this.

She comprehended the Sword of Heaven and Earth, possessing an indomitable sword spirit, so even when facing the strongest opponents.

We will not admit defeat.

Her opponents this time are all extremely powerful. She can handle one of them, but not two at the same time.

Therefore, he chose to form a sword formation with Zhou Ling to fight the enemy.

"it is good!"

Zhou Ling took the image-recording jade and nodded.

Then I opened the recording jade to watch it.

It must be said that their opponents this time were indeed formidable.

One of them was a square-faced, burly middle-aged man named Yun Xuan, who was at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm and possessed earth-grade metal, wood, and fire elemental roots.

It can simultaneously condense three types of magic domains, making it incredibly powerful.

The other woman, a cold and beautiful woman dressed in a blue silk robe, was named Jin Jinmeng. She was at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm and possessed an extremely rare sword spirit root.

He had already entered the fourth realm of swordsmanship.

Both of them are extremely powerful in combat.

Based on the images of the two fighting their opponents on the jade tablet, Zhou Ling was able to determine that both of them were no less powerful than Dean Gong.

In the previous three battles, Yunxuan was able to easily defeat his opponents by utilizing his Dharma Domain.

Moreover, his magic domain only displayed two attributes, sometimes metal and fire, sometimes metal and wood, but never all three attributes at the same time.

But it is still enough to completely suppress the opponent.

This demonstrates just how powerful their grasp of the rules is.

Jin Jinmeng, on the other hand, unleashed the Purple Rainbow Sword Domain, which exuded an extremely powerful aura of sword dao rules.

It exerted a powerful suppressive force on its opponents.

Although Zhou Ling carefully observed the two with the help of [Intermediate Observation] and [Intermediate Analysis], he couldn't find any obvious weaknesses in them for the time being.

It is evident that the level of the techniques they practiced and the swordsmanship they comprehended was quite high.

There are no obvious loopholes.

"Dean, I'll take this recording jade back and take another look!"

Zhou Ling said to Dean Gong.

I can only take it back to my room and study it more carefully.

He seems to have gained something from Jin Jinmeng's sword domain, in particular.

"You don't need to worry about it too much."

"Generally, once a high-level spell is cultivated to perfection, there won't be any major flaws."

"Furthermore, if we form a sword formation domain and force them to break it, we can gain the upper hand!"

"In addition, although they are both geniuses, their cultivation paths are different, making it difficult for them to form a magic array to fight each other."

"So we have to fight our own battles, which is also an advantage for us!"

Dean Gong said this.

Their sword intents were similar, and the power of their combined sword formation was far more than just the sum of its parts.

After the sword formations merged, their power increased significantly.

The consumption will also be different.

Its advantages in various aspects are also very obvious.

In Dean Gong's view, this is also one of their strengths!
"understand!"

Zhou Ling nodded.

The Sun and Moon Five Elements Sword Formation is a mid-grade fourth-order sword formation, and Dean Gong has also comprehended the sword intent of heaven and earth.

When this sword formation is combined with the Heaven and Earth Sword Domain, its power should not be underestimated.

After putting away the image-recording jade and the pill bottle, Zhou Ling left the hall.

······.

The semi-finals of the main hospital competition have arrived as scheduled.

As Dean Gong had predicted, Zhou Ling and his group encountered their strongest opponent: the number one ranked Qingyang Immortal City Tianxia Academy.

"Instructor Zhou is truly a young prodigy!"

On the competition stage, after the four instructors exchanged greetings, the burly Yun Xuan smiled at Zhou Ling.

It's truly unexpected that Zhou Ling possesses such combat prowess at such a young age.

"You flatter me, cloud teacher!"

Zhou Ling cupped his hands in return, looking relaxed.

After resting for the past two days, he has fully recovered in all aspects except for his blood and essence.

Furthermore, by carefully studying the opponent's image-remembering jade, some relative weaknesses were also found.

So they are full of fighting spirit at this moment.

In yesterday's discussion, he also gave a general analysis of the opponent's situation.

Whether Jin Sheng and his team can defeat their opponents depends on their strength.

"The Nine Heavens Sword Academy of Qingyun Immortal City has actually made it into the top four!"

"They were lucky; their quarter-final opponent was too exhausted and suffered an injury, forcing him to withdraw!"

"This is incredible luck! They've made it straight to the semifinals!"

"If we encounter the Tianxia Dao Academy of Qingyang Immortal City, it will be the same; we will surely be defeated!"

Are the semi-finals and the quarter-finals the same thing?

"What luck? Luck is part of their ability too!"

In the square, the audience was also discussing excitedly.

(End of this chapter)