Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 41 Mid-Stage First-Order Body Refinement (Seeking further reading, monthly votes, and recommendations)

night.

"And there's the Fuming Seal!"

Rubbing his forehead, Zhou Ling put down the jade slip in his hand and narrowed his eyes slightly.

This "Essentials of First-Tier Mid-Grade Inscriptions" contains a total of forty-eight inscriptions, which is undoubtedly much more complex than the "Five Elements Basic Inscriptions".

The preceding sections introduce various inscriptions and key points for their creation, ranging from thirteen to eighteen inscriptions, and include important points and tips for the creation process.

There are several composite inscriptions following.

A single inscription consisting of inscription patterns is called a single inscription. Two or more inscriptions connected together can form a compound inscription.

The power of a double-engraved seal far surpasses that of a single-engraved seal, but it is also far more difficult to create.

More inscription node connections and a more robust and complex inscription structure are needed.

Without a complete lineage or guidance from a renowned master, it is generally difficult for independent inscription practitioners to master the skill.

Instructor Fang also advised him that there was no need to rush into cultivating the Fuming Seal.

It's more appropriate to start cultivating after reaching the fifth level of Qi Refining.

However, it's fine to learn about it; consider it as broadening your horizons.

"Let's try drawing a mid-grade first-tier Spirit Gathering Inscription first!"

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

To draw a mid-grade first-tier inscription nowadays, it is best to choose a mid-grade first-tier spirit brush.

This way, when drawing inscriptions, the spiritual energy will be more even and smooth, and the consumption of spiritual energy and spiritual ink can be saved.

Just two days ago, Master Lu gave me a cloud-patterned spirit brush shell, which had not yet been engraved with the spirit-gathering inscription.

Zhou Lingxuan took the cloud-patterned spirit brush out of her backpack.

The penholder, crafted by Yun Jing, gleams with a crystal-clear light under the glow of the flint lamp, and feels warm and comfortable to the touch.

Although no inscription has been carved yet, it feels very compatible with spiritual energy.

The pen nib is made from the tail hair of a white-striped wolf, and the craftsmanship is exquisite.

Next, he pondered the structure of a mid-grade first-order Spirit Gathering Inscription in his mind.

Compared to a low-grade spirit-gathering array, the overall structure is similar, except that there are more inscriptions.

At the same time, these inscriptions are composite inscriptions, which require inscription nodes to connect, thus consuming more spiritual energy.

However, Zhou Ling was already proficient in Spirit Gathering Inscriptions, so comprehending this mid-grade Spirit Gathering Inscription was not too difficult.

After spending about half an hour comparing and familiarizing himself with the material, Zhou Ling prepared to start drawing.

He laid out the spirit paper, picked up the spirit brush, lightly dipped the tip in the spirit ink, and then began to draw the spirit gathering inscription.

This time, writing went surprisingly smoothly, though it took a little longer and consumed more spiritual energy.

It took Zhou Ling nearly half an hour to complete the thirteen composite spirit-gathering inscriptions, and he consumed more than half of his spiritual energy.

[You are drawing an inscription. Precision control +1, Spirit Gathering Inscription Proficiency +1]

However, the light on the inscription was slightly dim.

Zhou Ling checked it again and found that there was still a problem.

[You are analyzing a Spirit Gathering Inscription. Basic Analysis +1, Spirit Gathering Inscription Proficiency +1]

The inscription nodes are not round and thick enough, resulting in insufficient spiritual energy capacity and slow spiritual energy transmission.

"Ling'er, come and have some midnight snack!"

Just then, her mother's voice came from outside the door.

The parents returned home after another busy day.

Zhou Lingxuan then left the room.

Dinner consisted of a plate of game meat, a plate of stir-fried vegetables, and peanuts.

Under the soft light of the flint lamp, the sacred rice was emitting a fragrant aroma.

Zhou Shan poured himself a small half bowl of spirit wine and was slowly drinking it.

Zhou Ling told his parents about how Fang taught him the "Azure Gang Sword Technique".

"Thank you so much, Mr. Fang!" Li Ru said gratefully. A sword technique that allows one to cultivate sword intent is a priceless treasure for a rogue cultivator.

You simply can't buy it on the market.

Even if they did, they couldn't afford it.

"If Ling'er passes the academy's assessment next year, she will continue to cultivate under Mr. Fang's tutelage!"

Zhou Shan took a sip of wine and smiled.

"What would be appropriate to give Mr. Fang?" Li Ru asked.

"Father, Mother, I've already said that I can handle the matters of the Dao Academy myself. You can keep the spirit stones for your own cultivation!"

Zhou Ling picked up a piece of beast meat, put it in his mouth, and said as he chewed.

Becoming an outer disciple of the Lingxia Sect is considered entering the sect, and one needs to pay a formal apprenticeship fee.

To express respect for one's master.

In different sects of different ranks within the Dao Alliance, and among instructors of different cultivation levels, the etiquette for becoming a disciple also varies.

The Lingxia Sect possesses a second-grade high-quality spiritual vein and has a Golden Core cultivator presiding over it, making it a second-grade sect.

Generally, the starting price for a master is one hundred low-grade spirit stones.

Of course, this is just the formality for becoming a disciple; other expenses will be calculated separately.

One hundred spirit stones is a considerable fortune for an average independent cultivator.

Under normal circumstances, Zhou Ling's parents could earn fifteen or sixteen low-grade spirit stones a month.

After deducting living expenses such as rent and excluding cultivation resources, it is already quite difficult to save six or seven spirit stones.

If you have to pay the fees for Zhou Ling Dao Academy, you won't be able to store spirit stones at all.

Moreover, this is assuming that Zhou Shan has no injuries or illnesses throughout the year.

If they encounter monsters, they might be unable to make ends meet within a few months.

Therefore, families with students studying at home generally face immense pressure.

Seeing Zhou Ling's sensible appearance, Li Ru said with relief, "Ling'er, just focus on your cultivation. I've saved up over seventy spirit stones in the past few years, and by next year, I should be able to save up a hundred low-grade spirit stones."

Zhou Shan took a sip of his drink and said somewhat apologetically, "If it's not enough, I'll borrow some more from Lao Chu and the others!"

"Mr. Fang has treated Ling'er well, so this gift absolutely cannot be lacking!"

Zhou Ling blinked. "Father, Mother, I can earn about ten spirit stones a month at the workshop now, which will be enough for me to pay my master's gift!"

Zhou Shan was at a loss for words. He had risked his life to go into the mountains, but he had earned less than his own children. He felt both happy and helpless, and could only take a big gulp of wine from the earthenware bowl.

Li Ru reached out and ruffled Zhou Ling's hair, her eyes full of affection, and said, "Use the spirit stones you earn to buy cultivation items and other supplies. Don't let saving money interfere with your cultivation!"

“But…” Zhou Ling thought for a moment and then said no more. His parents were worried that he was hoarding spirit stones and that it would delay his cultivation.

But they didn't realize that while they themselves had already reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, their cultivation progress was extremely slow.

"We can only wait until the brewing furnace is completed, and then try to buy some cultivation resources for them!"

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

······.

The next day, Zhou Ling woke up early in the morning.

Instead of continuing to study the inscription, he went to the small courtyard and started practicing the Great Yang Fist.

[You are currently practicing the Great Yang Fist. Your physique has evolved by +1, your blood energy by +2, and your constitution by +2.]

[You are currently practicing the Great Yang Fist. Your physique has evolved by +1, your blood energy by +2, and your constitution by +2.]

After completing two sets of punches, Zhou Ling was enveloped in heat, his skin glowing with a reddish light, brimming with power.

"I've reached the mid-stage of the first tier of body refinement!"

Zhou Ling looked delighted.

He has reached the Great Perfection of the First Level of the Great Yang Fist, and his body refinement cultivation has also reached the mid-stage of the First Level.

At this speed, they're almost catching up with Zhou Shan.

This is mainly due to the blessing of his [Physical Evolution] talent, as well as his perseverance over the years and the ample time he has spent practicing the Great Yang Fist every day.

(End of this chapter)