Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 63 The Examination of Outer Disciples of the Six Great Daoist Academies (Seeking further reading, monthly votes, and recommendations)
"Aunt Wang, do you think this alchemy furnace is usable?"

Wang Yu scanned the alchemy furnace with his divine sense and said with admiration, "It's really fixed! Brother Ling is amazing!"

Zhou Ling appeared calm, but inwardly he was overjoyed, feeling that with the help of beast fire, he might be able to refine a first-grade high-quality inscription.

However, according to the academy's rules, only those who become inner disciples can exchange for a first-grade high-quality inscription.

This also poses a problem for the upcoming inscription cultivation.

After all, even if one becomes an outer disciple, there are still several years before the inner disciple assessment.

"No rush, take your time."

Zhou Ling told himself that the situation was already very good. As long as he could heal his father's injuries first, he could deal with the rest one step at a time.

“Brother Ling, with your skill in weapon crafting and your talent, staying at Lingxia Academy might actually be a waste of your potential.”

"Next year, the six major academies of the Dao Alliance will recruit outer disciples. I have two assessment slots from Lingxia Immortal City. I can give you one. Are you interested?"

After putting away the alchemy furnace, Wang Yu smiled at Zhou Ling.

Hearing Wang Yu's words, Zhou Ling was taken aback and scratched his head, asking, "Aunt Wang, what's the deal with these six academy assessment slots?"

Now, all he knows is that in Lingxia Immortal City, as long as he passes the Lingxia Academy's assessment next year, he can become an outer disciple of the Lingxia Sect.

This is already the best way for them, the independent practitioners.

If I continue to cultivate and become an inner disciple of the Lingxia Sect, I will basically have no worries about food and clothing, and I will have the means to establish myself in Lingxia Immortal City.

As for this Six Paths Academy assessment, he had never heard of it.

Wang Yu smiled and said, "The six Dao Academyes are directly affiliated with the Dao Alliance. Every two years, they recruit outer disciples in various immortal cities of the Dao Alliance."

"Lingxia Immortal City is only a second-grade immortal city, and there are only ten slots available."

"To qualify for this assessment, one must either be a scion of a prestigious family or be recommended by a technician with a rank of 2 or higher."

“I happen to have two spots available. One is for Xin’er, and the other is for you.”

"But let's make this clear first: if you pass the assessment, you'll have to apply to the same academy as Xin'er!"

Upon hearing Wang Yu's words, Zhou Ling suddenly realized what was happening.

It turns out that only aristocratic families or masters of the second rank or above have the opportunity to be recommended.

No wonder I've never heard of it before.

This is not very friendly to independent cultivators.

As a result, independent cultivators don't even have the basic opportunity to be assessed.

A recommendation from a prominent family is naturally impossible to obtain.

Among independent cultivators, those who can become second-grade magic masters are extremely rare.

Although he didn't know why Wang Yu gave him this spot, Zhou Ling was still overjoyed.

It feels like Wang Yu has opened a door to another world for herself.

Although I don't know much about the six academies Wang Yu mentioned, judging from Wang Yu's tone, they are definitely much stronger than Lingxia Academy.

Moreover, it is a Dao Academy directly under the Dao Alliance.

This is a rare opportunity.

He hurriedly and respectfully bowed to Wang Yu, saying, "Thank you, Aunt Wang, I'm willing!"

“Alright!” Wang Yu glanced at Zhou Ling, his brows furrowing slightly. “Now, the Six Paths Academy’s assessment is divided into a technique assessment and a combat assessment.”

"Your weapon crafting skills are fine now, but your Qi Refining Level 4 cultivation is still too low!"

"Those participating in this assessment are mainly scions of aristocratic families from Lingxia Immortal City. The number of spots is crucial, and almost all of the participating disciples are at the late stage of Qi Refining."

"Therefore, if you want to pass this assessment and obtain a spot, you must raise your cultivation level to at least the sixth level of Qi Refining!"

"Sixth level of Qi Refining!" Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling swallowed hard. There were only about eight months left until the assessment in June next year.

He was only at the fourth level of Qi Refining, though he was only one step away from the fifth level.

But this crucial step can sometimes take months of cultivation to make any progress. Reaching the sixth level of Qi Refining in a short period is extremely difficult.

But then he thought about the fact that he was facing scions of powerful families, like He Zijian and his sister, who were strong enough to fight.

If one does not improve one's cultivation level as soon as possible, even if there is an opportunity, one will not be able to seize it.

He immediately said earnestly, "Aunt Wang, I will definitely do my best to reach the sixth level of Qi Refining before the assessment!"

With the current cultivation speed, coupled with the fusion of beast fire and the [Born to Be Talented] talent, there is still a great chance.

After all, with the beast fire, the efficiency of absorbing the fire grass will be greatly improved.

I can also draw more first-tier mid-grade magic weapons, earn more spirit stones, and buy Fire Cloud Grass.

If the supply is truly insufficient, then we will venture into the inner mountains to search for medicinal herbs and strive with all our might to reach the sixth level of Qi Refining before the assessment in June next year.

Wang Yu smiled faintly and said, "It's good that you have this confidence."

"However, in the path of spiritual cultivation, wealth, companions, Dharma, and environment are all indispensable."

"Compared to other disciples of Lingxia Immortal City, you have already fallen behind, and you must strive to catch up."

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Yu continued, "How about this, you don't need to go to the Dao Academy anymore."

"I'll introduce you to a master; see if she's willing to take you as her disciples!"

"Thank you for your help, Aunt Wang!" Zhou Ling replied gratefully.

Although Wang Yu's cultivation level is unknown, the person she recommends and recommends as a second-grade alchemist must be of extraordinary status.

Even if a cultivator of this status becomes an inner disciple of the Lingxia Sect, they might not necessarily accept you as their disciple.

Therefore, this kind of opportunity should not be missed!
"You go back first. I'll send the Nourishing Meridian Pills to you tomorrow, and then you can come with me!"

Wang Yu then gave Zhou Ling further instructions.

"Thank you, Aunt Wang!"

Zhou Ling nodded his thanks again solemnly, then got up to take his leave.

She felt much more at ease. Judging from Wang Yu's tone, refining the Nourishing Meridian Pill didn't seem to be too difficult for her.

"Take the Wood Root Grass back!"

Zhou Ling left the two Wood Element Grasses on the table and then left.

Wang Yu hurriedly called out to him.

"Aunt Wang, please accept this. Otherwise, my mother will scold me when I get back!"

Zhou Ling hurriedly ran out of the hall.

“This child!” Wang Yu shook her head.

······.

When I got home, Zhou Shan was already up, playing with the rock rat in the courtyard. He seemed to be in good spirits!

Li Ruze was brewing medicine in the kitchen.

Zhou Lingxuan told them that the six major academies' outer disciple assessments were coming up soon and that Wang Yu was going to introduce him to a master.

Upon hearing this news, Zhou Shan and his wife were overjoyed.

They knew something about the assessment of outer disciples of the six major academies, but they never thought their son would be able to get this spot.

In their hearts, their greatest hope was that their son could become an inner disciple of the Taoist academy.

However, they soon realized just how fierce the competition would be.

He couldn't help but worry about whether his son would pass the test.

Li Ru could only urge him to cultivate diligently and not let down Aunt Wang's efforts in nurturing him.

We must also remember Aunt Wang's kindness!
Zhou Ling nodded.

(End of this chapter)