Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

After drinking with many guests for a while, Fairy Ziling left the main hall first.

She has never liked crowds, and she generally won't attend unless it's something important for the sect.

Because Wang Xuanshi had other matters to attend to, Zhou Ling drank a few cups with everyone and then had his disciples entertain the guests.

He led Wang Xuanshi, Deputy City Lord Weng, Dean Zhong, and others to the side hall.

After they were seated, Zhou Ling personally poured Wang Xuanshi a cup of spiritual tea and said with a smile, "You've had a hard time on this trip, Xuanshi!"

"Brother Zhou, you're too kind. It's just my duty!"

Wang Xuanshi said with a smile.

He picked up the teacup, took a sip of spiritual tea, then took out a jade slip, handed it to Zhou Ling, and said with a smile, "This is the list of geniuses that the Dao Alliance just announced. I brought it for you to see."

"The Ranking of Prodigies?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling was taken aback.

I thought that Wang Xuanshi must have something important to do to have sent me to the side hall.

I never expected it to be such a meaningless list of geniuses.

Given his current status, he naturally wouldn't care about such rankings.

Now that he's a fifth-grade immortal city lord, whether he's a prodigy or not is meaningless to him.

The others also looked at Wang Xuanshi with some confusion.

Of course, they also knew that the Dao Alliance's Prodigy Ranking was the number one ranking in the Dao Alliance.

However, given Wang Xuan's status, it's unlikely that he would have come here specifically to introduce the Heavenly Pride Ranking to Zhou Ling.

Therefore, they all seemed somewhat puzzled.

Seemingly noticing the surprise on Chen Ling and the others' faces, Wang Xuan smiled and said, "This is the most authoritative ranking in the Dao Alliance right now."

"Only cultivators who are at the Nascent Soul stage and under the age of thirty are qualified to be on the list."

"Moreover, this is the main basis for the Dao Alliance's top leadership to internally select a key, cheap successor."

Hearing this, Zhou Ling was somewhat surprised.

Clearly, this list of prodigies is somewhat different from the ranking lists I was familiar with before.

This is part of the official rankings of the Dao Alliance.

Moreover, its gold content seems to be very high.

However, he didn't take it to heart.

Seeing that Zhou Ling showed no intention of examining the jade slip, Wang Xuan moved his hand, and a recording jade appeared. He smiled and said, "Besides bringing the jade seal, Chief Meng also asked me to bring you some news!"

"This news is related to the Ranking of Prodigies!"

Zhou Ling took a sip of spiritual tea, nodded, and listened patiently.

When he first met Meng Zhishou, he mentioned that as a cultivator being groomed by the Dao Alliance, he would face some trials and tribulations.

He guessed that what Wang Xuanshi said was probably related to this matter.

Upon hearing this, the others also showed expressions of sudden realization.

This is Meng Zhishou's intention, so it's no wonder that Wang Xuanshi attaches such importance to it.

Next, Wang Xuan activated the image-recording jade.

A light screen image was then activated.

Three young cultivators appeared on the screen, two men and one woman.

"The leaders of the Dao Alliance have reached a consensus that the top ten cultivators on this year's Prodigy Ranking should go to the Sword Qi Great Wall for training and to fight against the alien races!"

Wang Xuanshi then said the same thing.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow, startled. He had only just begun to enjoy the life of a local tyrant in Qingyun Immortal City.

I don't want to go on an adventure to this Great Wall of Swords.

According to his master, even Nascent Soul cultivators are at risk of perishing.

This shows just how intense the battle at the Sword Qi Great Wall will be.

However, this thought naturally cannot be expressed.

According to Wang Xuanshi, the top ten geniuses went, and he hoped to be ranked eleventh.

He also asked aloud, "Is the battle at the Sword Qi Great Wall in dire straits now?"

"This is not."

"However, since you are all future leaders of the Dao Alliance, the higher-ups of the Dao Alliance will test you every now and then."

"Going to the Great Wall of Sword Qi is the most common way to gain experience."

"Only through direct combat with alien races can a cultivator truly reveal their potential and strength!"

Wang Xuanshi spoke solemnly.

To become a high-ranking member of the Dao Alliance, one needs more than just high cultivation level; one also needs various adaptability skills.

Remaining calm and composed in the face of danger are also extremely important factors.

This ability can only be demonstrated through direct combat with other races.

Zhou Ling nodded slightly, naturally agreeing with this statement.

However, this situation also shows that the overall situation of the Dao Alliance seems to be unstable.

Of course, he didn't think that much about it; if the sky were to fall, there would be tall people to hold it up.

"These three prodigies are ranked sixth to fourth respectively!"

"The sixth one is Pei Qingshuang of the Heaven-Mending Dao Academy. She is also the wielder of the fifth-order Purple Light Divine Sword of the Pei family, a family of Nascent Soul cultivators."

"The fifth one, Qi Jianzhi, is a disciple of the Flying Dragon Battle Academy, and he was also born into a Nascent Soul family."

"Fourth, Tao Yue is a formation master of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy! He has the cultivation of the late Golden Core stage, yet he is able to set up a fourth-order high-grade formation."

Wang Xuanshi pointed to the three people on the light screen and slowly introduced them to everyone.

"Ten years ago, Tao Yue was already hailed as the number one genius of Xuan Yuan Dao Academy!"

"If nothing unexpected happens, he will most likely become the president of the main hospital!"

Looking at the light screen, Dean Zhong spoke up.

The tone was also quite appreciative.

"A 26-year-old fourth-tier high-grade array master is very powerful, but he seems to be somewhat inferior to the city lord!"

"I'm a city lord," said Deputy City Lord Weng with a smile.

Of course, he wasn't flattering Zhou Ling.

After all, Zhou Ling is only twenty-one years old, and he is already able to refine fourth-grade high-quality treasures.

So, in terms of skill mastery, he's really no worse than this person.

Of course, there is a difference between formations and magical artifacts.

Setting up a high-level formation is more difficult than crafting a treasure of the same grade.

Upon hearing their words, everyone else turned their attention to the light screen, wondering where Zhou Ling would rank.
"This ranking is based on the fact that these cultivators have not actually competed against each other. Personally, I think it is debatable."

Fang Yuyun also said with a smile.

Just like the last Heavenly Ranking, Zhou Ling was ranked so many places behind Liu Polei.

They still managed to defeat Liu Polei.

Moreover, given Zhou Ling's current strength, it would be unreasonable if he couldn't even make it into the top six.

That's why she had some doubts.

Upon hearing her words, everyone else turned to look at her.

It seemed to be asking her why she had doubts.

"Fellow Daoist Fang, this is a list compiled by the Dao Alliance based on all the key cultivators they have been monitoring over the past three years. Moreover, the top ten have all been approved by the higher-ups, so there's no mistake!"

Wang Xuan said with a smile.

"Then why isn't Junior Brother Zhou included? That's clearly unreasonable!"

Fang Yuyun clearly still didn't believe this explanation.

The others nodded in agreement.

With Zhou Ling's current strength, he may not be as good as veteran Nascent Soul cultivators, but among these prodigies under the age of thirty, he can definitely rank in the top five.

Those who are familiar with Zhou Ling are also very confident in this regard.

"Take a look at this next!" Wang Xuanshi said with a smile.

Then, two more young men and women appeared on the screen.

"Third place goes to Feng Lan of the Nine Heavens Sword Academy, a 22-year-old fourth-realm sword cultivator."

"The second one is Yan Yutian from Tianxia Dao Academy. Many years ago, he was already known as the number one young person in Tianxia Immortal City."

Wang Xuanshi pointed to the two young men and women on the light screen and introduced them to everyone.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Those who made the list were definitely the cream of the crop among the young talents of the Dao Alliance.

Otherwise, they wouldn't even catch the eye of the Dao Alliance's higher-ups.

However, what intrigued them most was who would be the first one.

To be honest, it would be absolutely unreasonable for Zhou Ling not to make it into the top six.

Putting everything else aside, Zhou Ling's achievement of killing a fifth-tier demon king is unmatched by anyone else.

Even with the aid of warships, these were still genuine achievements.

It wasn't accumulated through points earned in internal Dao Alliance competitions.

But at this moment, the screen suddenly changed, revealing a lithe and agile figure.

Upon seeing this figure, Fang Yuyun was taken aback for a moment before smiling and saying, "This ranking seems reasonable!"

Not only her, but also Lord Weng and others nodded with smiles, clearly agreeing with the ranking.

"How could it be me?"

Seeing that he was actually ranked first on this year's list of prodigies, Zhou Ling couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Junior brother, with your current strength, it would be unreasonable if you weren't number one!"

Fang Yuyun said with a charming smile.

I didn't see Zhou Ling earlier, and I thought he wouldn't make it into the top six.

She naturally thought that was unreasonable.

It's much more reasonable for Zhou Ling to be ranked first now.

However, Zhou Ling felt quite helpless.

As Wang Xuanshi just stated, the top ten must all go to the Sword Qi Great Wall.

Since I'm already in first place, shouldn't I be even more determined to go?

This was not what he wanted.

"What exactly is the situation with Xuan Shi's trip to the Sword Qi Great Wall this time?"

Seeing this situation, Zhou Ling had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask.

Meng Zhishou had already stated that he was a key disciple being cultivated by the Dao Alliance.

Naturally, one must also participate in some trials.

This trip to the Sword Qi Great Wall seems to be a kind of trial.

"This trial will last for one year."

"One month from now, the ten of you will gather at the Dao Court and set off together with this year's batch of cultivators who will be stationed at the Sword Qi Great Wall."

"Come back in a year. Whoever wins the most military merits at the Sword Qi Great Wall will be the winner."

"As for the reward for winning, that will be decided by the higher-ups of the Dao Alliance!"

Wang Xuanshi said this.

"One year?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling frowned.

A year is naturally not a very long time for a cultivator.

But he is now the city lord of Qingyun Immortal City, and it seems a bit unreasonable that he has been away for a year.

Zhou Ling hesitated for a moment, then said with a serious expression, "Mysterious Envoy, I am now the City Lord of Qingyun Immortal City, and I have many affairs to attend to. I'm afraid this past year has caused me to miss a lot of things!"

"Moreover, Qingyun Immortal City has only recently become a fifth-grade immortal city, and there are many affairs to attend to, so it is not easy to leave!"

He himself wasn't very interested in participating in the Sword Qi Great Wall trial.

Putting aside the risks, it doesn't mean much to him.

After all, he even killed a fifth-tier demon king, so how could he not be able to deal with alien races?
However, this matter could not be refused so easily, since it was a decision made by the higher-ups of the Dao Alliance.

Moreover, he was worried that the excuse given by the city lord of Qingyun Immortal City was somewhat insufficient.

He continued, "Moreover, the workshop is currently also undertaking the forging of a fifth-tier warship for the Five Spirits Immortal City, and I can't spare the time to do so!"

With the matter of the fifth-tier warship of the Five Spirits Immortal City as an excuse, there shouldn't be any problems, right?

This is more important than going to the Sword Qi Great Wall for the trial, isn't it?
To everyone's surprise, upon hearing this, Wang Xuanshi shook his head without hesitation and said, "All ten of you must participate in this trial."

"As for the position of City Lord of Qingyun Immortal City, you may appoint someone else to temporarily assume the position within this year."

"If there is no suitable candidate, the Dao Alliance will send someone to assist."

"As for the Five Spirits Immortal City warships, we will try our best to complete them if possible."

"If it cannot be completed, it will be sent to Tianxia Immortal City, and the Dao Court will naturally arrange for other weapon refiners from the Heavenly Crafts Division to take over!"

Hearing this, Zhou Ling was speechless for a moment.

For a moment, I didn't know what other excuse to use to refute it.

And it can't be too obvious.

He could only nod for a moment, and said solemnly, "Alright, please rest assured, Envoy Xuan, I will definitely go to Tianxia Immortal City in a month to participate in this trial!"

Wang Xuan smiled and nodded, saying, "Before you set off, the Dao Alliance will give you two thousand military merits, which you can exchange for any resources you need."

"Two thousand military merits!" Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling's face lit up with joy.

The Dao Alliance is quite magnanimous.

Before even setting off, he had already earned two thousand military merits.

You should know that last time, it cost more than two thousand military merits to exchange for a fifth-grade Void Essence Pill for my master.

"Mysterious Envoy, can my trip to the Sword Qi Great Wall be considered as a mission dispatched by the sect?"

"Is this considered a sect mission of the Lingxiao Sect?"

Zhou Ling thought for a moment and then asked Wang Xuanshi.

Now, Lingxiao Sect is the orthodox sect of the Dao Alliance and can obtain certain resources from the Dao Alliance every year.

They also need to complete the Dao Alliance's tasks.

If this trial at the Sword Qi Great Wall can be treated as a sect mission, it will save us the trouble of sending our disciples to the Sword Qi Great Wall separately in the future.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuan stroked his chin and smiled, "There shouldn't be any problem!"

"However, before setting off, we need to complete one more procedure and specify Lingxiao Sect."

“That’s easy!” Zhou Ling nodded and said.

He then asked Wang Xuanshi about the trial, but Wang Xuanshi didn't know much either.

He told Zhou Ling everything he knew without reservation.

"Junior brother, the strength of the alien race is even greater than that of the demonic beasts. You must be fully prepared!"

Fang Yuyun spoke up.

"Yes, Lord City Lord, the Sword Qi Great Wall is not facing one kind of alien race, but many alien races."

"There are giants with powerful physical bodies, demons skilled in soul attacks, and even the incredibly strange bone race!"

Dean Zhong echoed this sentiment.

Zhou Ling smiled and said, "Thank you all for your concern. I will be careful!"

With his current abilities, he believed that as long as he didn't encounter a fifth-tier alien race, there shouldn't be too much risk.

However, to ensure sufficient safety, we need to make thorough preparations over the next month.

You need to improve your skills as soon as possible.

Moreover, all the tasks at hand must be completed.

Examples include crafting fifth-tier warships and condensing the true yang energy of the five elements.

After chatting with everyone for a while, Wang Xuanshi got up to take his leave.

Zhou Ling and the others also escorted him to the teleportation array plaza in Qingyun Immortal City. (End of Chapter)