Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 5 Basic Insights
Li Ru began teaching Zhou Ling to identify the basic runes in the Lingxia Daoist Academy's cultivation books.

This is not a cultivation technique, but just some basic cultivation runes and conceptual explanations.

Sometimes, Li Ru would also tell him about the Lingxia Taoist Temple.

She kept smiling and saying, "Son! As long as you can become an inner disciple of Lingxia Academy, your parents will be at ease!"

The reason Li Ruhui mentioned this is mainly because Lingxia Daoist Academy divides its disciples into three categories: direct disciples, inner disciples, and outer disciples.

Only by becoming an inner disciple can one be considered a formal disciple of Lingxia Dao Academy.

The outer disciples were merely tasks assigned by Lingxia Dao Academy to complete the Dao Alliance's cultivation plan.

However, some fees will be charged to the disciples.

If these outer disciples cannot become inner disciples after graduation, they will have no further connection with the Lingxia Sect.

Only inner disciples are the true core of the Lingxia Sect.

In Lingxia Immortal City, the Lingxia Sect basically monopolizes all walks of life, accounting for about 70%.

Examples include spiritual mines, spiritual lands, cave dwellings, and markets.

Just like the small courtyard where Zhou Ling lives now, it is also property of the Lingxia Sect.

Once you become an inner disciple, you will not only be able to learn the Lingxia Sect's techniques and spells, but you will also have access to ample cultivation resources.

And a respectable status.

If one can become a direct disciple, then one will not only be the true core of the Lingxia Sect, but also very likely become a high-ranking manager of the Lingxia Immortal City.

To go even further, one could develop within the Dao Alliance.

However, Li Ru's requirements were not high. She would be content as long as her son could become an inner disciple of Lingxia Immortal City.

Don't be like her and Zhou Shan, risking their lives to go into the mountains every day, and living a hard life.

In just a few days, Zhou Ling finished reading the book on basic cultivation runes.

[Reading and cultivating basic runes increases Immortal Wisdom Root by 1 and Comprehension by 1]

Having finally improved his comprehension, Zhou Ling suddenly felt a strong motivation to study.

Now, Zhou Ling has gained some understanding of cultivation in this realm.

In terms of practice.

First and foremost, one's spiritual root aptitude.

Only cultivators with spiritual roots can absorb and refine the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, transforming it into their own magical power for their own use.

Zhou Ling now possesses a low-grade spiritual root, which is considered quite good among rogue cultivators.

After all, most independent cultivators have mixed spiritual roots, while those with mid-grade spiritual roots are usually taken in by academies and sects and become key trainees.

Besides spiritual talent and aptitude, comprehension is also extremely important.

Without comprehending the cultivation method, no matter how talented you are, your progress in cultivation will be slow.

Therefore, neither can be dispensed with.

Zhou Ling's current comprehension is mediocre; simply put, it's at the level of an ordinary person.

Therefore, this talent of "immortal wisdom" is extremely important to him.

However, there were no other books in the house.

Fortunately, the thoughtful and gentle Li Ru also discovered that her son had a strong learning ability.

While Zhou Shan was at the market selling medicinal herbs, she took Zhou Ling with her to the market, intending to buy him some other books.

After breakfast, Zhou Ling went with her parents to Lingyun Market in Xicheng.

Located on West Street, the busiest street in Xicheng District.

There are many markets and neighborhoods here. The outer area is mainly filled with vendors and stalls, while the main street is lined with shops and businesses.

Zhou Ling walked beside Li Ru. Although he was only one and a half years old, he walked steadily, but his steps were too small and sometimes he could not keep up with his parents' speed.

If he couldn't keep up, Zhou Ling would jog to catch up.

[You are running. Physique +1, Running Speed ​​+1, Running Skill +1]

[Total number of workouts: 9088/10,000]

[Note: After reaching 10,000 repetitions, more intense exercise is needed to continue improving physical fitness.]

Suddenly, Zhou Ling slowed down, then squatted down and picked up a shiny crystal with her small hand.

"Low-grade spirit stones!"

Zhou Ling was overjoyed. A single low-grade spirit stone would require two or three days of hard work from his parents to earn. [Found a low-grade spirit stone, Treasure Hunt +1]

"Ling'er, come here quickly!"

Seeing that her son hadn't followed, Li Ru hurriedly waved.

Although there were quite a few people in the market, the crowds were still large because Zhou Ling had been taken into the mountains twice.

The Li couple dared to let Zhou Ling walk independently.

"Mother, look what this is."

Zhou Ling walked to Li Ru's side, stretched out her small hand, handed the spirit stone to Li Ru, and said in her childish voice.

"Son, where did this come from?" Li Ru couldn't help but ask.

"Found it!"

Li Ru hurriedly looked around, but with people coming and going, no one paid any attention to the family of three.

"My son is so lucky!" Zhou Shan praised with great satisfaction.

Li Ru smiled and put away the spirit stones, saying, "Mother will give you a special meal tonight!"

"Ru'er, you go buy the books first. I'll go to the Hundred Herbs Hall and sell the medicinal herbs."

"We've reached a crossroads ahead," Zhou Shan said.

Li Ru nodded, then led Zhou Ling toward the street on the right.

Before long, they arrived at a slightly deserted shop at the end of the street.

The shop's facade was simple and undecorated, with only an old flag hanging there.

The words "You Shu Zhai" are embroidered on it.

The interior is small and somewhat simple, with rows of bookshelves lined up horizontally, displaying different books.

Some of the books seemed to have been sitting there for a long time, and the pages looked somewhat faded.

At the low counter sat a middle-aged monk who looked slightly overweight, with a small mustache, holding a book in his hand and flipping through it. When he saw someone come in, he hurriedly put the book away.

Because Zhou Ling was walking in front and was relatively short, he could vaguely see the words "Nine, Tail, Turtle" written on the book cover.

[Growth Talent, Basic Insight: Observational skills are greatly improved, with a keen eye for detail. Requirement: Accumulate 30 observations and captures of facial expressions.]

"Fellow Daoist, are you looking to purchase books?"

The middle-aged shopkeeper smiled and said.

[Caught a professional fake smile, Basic Insight +1]

"Shopkeeper, I need to buy some study books for my child before he enters the Taoist academy for cultivation. Do you have any suitable ones?"

Li Ru asked.

"Yes, yes, the third bookshelf has the essential books for children starting school!"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged shopkeeper's eyes lit up, and he pointed to the bookshelf against the wall on the right and smiled.

[Captured the joy that came from the heart, Basic Insight +1]

Li Ruxuan immediately walked towards the bookshelf.

A short while later, Li Ru left the shop with more than a dozen books.

Among them are "A Brief History of the Daoist Alliance", "An Introduction to Qi Cultivation", and "Analysis of Aptitude".

"How many spirit stones did you sell this time?"

After walking for a while, they met Zhou Shan outside Baicaotang, and Li Ru asked.

"Eleven spirit stones, thirty-six spirit fragments."

Zhou Shan smiled.

[Captured the joy that came from the heart, Basic Insight +1]

"This month has been pretty good. Let's go buy Ling'er a fire-patterned chicken for a treat!"

Li Ruyi looked delighted.

Then, he led Zhou Ling to the area in the market where spiritual food was sold.

On the way, Zhou Shan bought some glutinous rice cakes for Zhou Ling as a snack.

(End of this chapter)