Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 40 Azure Gang Sword Technique (Please read further, vote with monthly tickets and recommendations)
At night, the faint glow of the flint lamp flickered in the room.

[You are observing the Steam Inscription, Beginner Observation +1]

[You are analyzing the Steamfire Inscription. Basic Analysis +1, Steamfire Inscription Proficiency +1]

······.

Zhou Ling carefully examined the broken brewing furnace, the patterns of the steaming fire imprint appearing in his mind.

Then he took his magic pen and drew and recorded it on the paper.

He carefully compared the inscription on the brewing furnace to check for any errors, made minor adjustments to the pattern, and then continued to observe it.

With the help of [Basic Insight] and [Basic Analysis], Zhou Ling spent the whole night exploring.

Finally, the complete pattern of the steaming fire inscription was drawn.

It has one inscription node and thirteen inscription patterns, and its overall structure is quite similar to that of the True Fire Inscription.

The texture and structure are simply softer, mainly relying on slow steaming over a low flame.

Although it was a waste of a night, it was all worth it.

After all, such inscriptions are incredibly expensive to buy in the market.

And it's not necessarily authentic.

······
late at night.

Zhou Ling felt that his understanding of the Steam Fire Imprint was almost complete.

Holding the brush, I begin my first drawing.

This laid the foundation for drawing the True Fire Inscription.

Drawing this steam-fire inscription was much easier.

Zhou Ling finished writing the last stroke.

next moment.

Zhou Ling felt that the spirit paper inscription was suddenly filled with a mysterious power, shining with wisps of red light.

However, it only lasted for a moment.

The red light instantly disintegrated.

There was a pop.

A wisp of light smoke rose from the spirit paper.

"I don't feel there's anything wrong!"

Zhou Ling frowned, but he also knew that it wouldn't be easy to successfully draw a first-grade mid-level Steam Fire Inscription in one go.

He put down his brush and carefully examined the patterns he had just drawn.

[You are analyzing the Steamfire Inscription. Basic Analysis +1, Steamfire Inscription Proficiency +1]

Soon, a new improvement plan came to mind.

Zhou Ling took a piece of paper.

After thinking for a moment, I quickly jotted down the detailed adjustment plan.

Then, just as he was about to continue drawing, he felt that his spiritual energy was running low, so he hurriedly stopped.

No more drawing.

Looking out the window, the moon was already setting in the west; it was late at night.

He yawned, put the brewing stove back in place, and went to bed.

······.

That day, after class, Zhou Ling went to the podium and asked Instructor Fang about cultivating a mid-grade first-level inscription.

Instructor Fang looked at Zhou Ling and nodded, saying, "Qi Refining Level 4, not bad. Not bad."

Zhou Ling cupped his hands and said, "I am grateful for your guidance, instructor!"

Instructor Fang thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Are you sure you can skillfully draw first-tier low-grade inscriptions?"

"In the path of cultivation, one must proceed steadily and surely, and not be impatient for quick results."

In the last inscription assessment, Zhou Ling was able to draw an inscription with eleven inscription patterns.

Unexpectedly, just over a month later, Zhou Ling was already preparing to draw a mid-grade first-tier inscription.

It seems that this is quite an improvement.

I admired it greatly, but I still had to emphasize and give some advice.

“This disciple is already able to draw twelve-character inscriptions, and my spiritual power is still sufficient to support it, so I would like to try drawing a mid-grade first-tier inscription,” Zhou Ling replied slowly.

Although they have innate attributes to help them, they still encounter many problems in their cultivation.

Instructor Fang patiently answered his questions and provided guidance one by one.

Over the years, he has been of great help to Zhou Ling. Zhou Ling also holds him in high esteem.

"Furthermore, this disciple intends to practice swordsmanship, and would appreciate recommendations from the instructor!"

Zhou Ling continued.

Instructor Fang glanced at Zhou Ling and pondered for a moment before saying, "The basic sword techniques within the academy are no longer suitable for you to cultivate. As for advanced sword techniques, only inner disciples are qualified to exchange for them."

"I do have a sword technique, which I obtained by chance years ago, but it is not complete. If you want to practice swordsmanship, I can let you learn it."

Without hesitation, Zhou Ling quickly cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you, Instructor!"

Even the most basic sword techniques in the Daoist academy cost twenty or thirty spirit stones to acquire.

I currently have over seventy low-grade spirit stones in my possession.

However, after exchanging it for a mid-grade Tier 1 inscription, there wasn't much left after paying for the workshop's brewing furnace.

It would be wonderful if Instructor Fang could bestow upon me the sword manual in this way.

Not only is it better than the basic sword techniques of the Taoist Academy, but it also doesn't require spending spirit stones.

Of course, this puts the teacher in a huge debt of gratitude.

I'll buy him a jar of good spirit wine later as a token of my gratitude.

Instructor Fang has no other hobbies, except that he likes to drink alone.

Zhou Ling had given him a ride a few times before.

"This is the Azure Gang Sword Technique. Once mastered, it can condense Azure Gang sword energy, which is quite powerful."

"However, the sword technique I currently possess is only at the second level."

Instructor Fang took out a jade slip and handed it to Zhou Ling.

Zhou Ling accepted the jade slip and thanked him respectfully.

“However, it is not easy to cultivate this ‘Azure Gang Sword Technique’,” Instructor Fang continued. “It contains some of my cultivation insights, but they may not be correct.”

"Different people may have different understandings. Just take it as a reference. If there is anything you don't understand, then ask me."

"Of course, swordsmanship is similar to inscription; in addition to persistent hard work, talent is also indispensable."

Instructor Fang's tone was quite meaningful.

Zhou Ling nodded solemnly.

Then Instructor Fang had his assistant bring over a copy of "Essentials of First-Tier Mid-Grade Inscription".

"First-tier mid-grade inscriptions place more emphasis on overall integrity, so the structure and details of the inscription are particularly important when drawing them."

"In addition, there are more skill requirements in drawing patterns. Between the expansion and contraction of the brushstrokes, the patterns must not only be connected and echo each other, but also have a mutual artistic conception."

"Go back and cultivate diligently. If you don't understand anything, ask me again!"

Instructor Fang handed the jade slip to Zhou Ling and gave him some instructions.

Zhou Ling thanked him again.

Back in their seats, most of the other disciples went to the temple's dining hall for lunch.

Zhou Ling was excited and wasn't in a hurry to eat.

He took out the jade slip of the "Azure Gang Sword Manual" that Instructor Fang had just given him, placed it on his forehead, concentrated his mind, and focused his attention into it.

Soon a large amount of information appeared in my mind.

The jade slip contained a lot of information, and Zhou Ling read it for a quarter of an hour before exiting.

This sword technique is divided into two parts.

The preceding sections mainly introduced cultivation methods and some basic sword techniques, such as the Sweeping Sword Technique and the Controlling Sword Technique.

The following is a secret cultivation method for condensing Azure Qi Sword Energy.

Once mastered, one can condense azure sword energy with a thought, which can be used for both defense and attack.

Once you can master the first level, even a Qi Refining cultivator in the early stage can fight against a Qi Refining cultivator in the middle stage.

Unfortunately, this sword technique is only at level two.

Of course, even two floors would be more than enough for Zhou Ling at the moment.

Once he masters the second level, he will have the opportunity to comprehend sword intent and even be able to fight against the first level of Foundation Establishment with the power of a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

However, these are all described in the sword manual.

As for whether it's practical or not, Zhou Ling will only know after he cultivates it.

Zhou Ling was satisfied with the sword technique, and his gratitude towards his instructor grew even stronger.

He then collected the jade slip, got up and left the dormitory to go to the cafeteria for a meal.

(End of this chapter)