Longevity: Starting with an infant's innate growth potential

Chapter 65 The Test (Please read further and vote with monthly tickets and recommendations)
After passing through the bamboo gate, they came to a beautiful courtyard with several exquisite bamboo houses.

There are two red maple trees, each over two zhang tall, in the courtyard. The ground is covered with green grass, and a cobblestone path leads directly to the stone steps in front of the main hall.

The main gate of the courtyard was wide open.

"Sister Ziling!"

Wang Yu called out a few times from outside, but heard no response, so he led the two people inside.

Upon entering, one sees a graceful figure reclining on a bamboo chair in front.

This is a woman dressed in a purple dress, with long, black hair covering half of her face.

Her facial features are exquisitely beautiful.

As her breathing rose and fell evenly, her ample chest also undulated.

Two long, slender legs were swinging, and a gourd of wine was hanging from her hand.

As the three people walked in, the woman seemed to be startled awake and opened her eyes abruptly.

"Sister Ziling!"

Wang Yu, seemingly unfazed, bowed respectfully.

"Oh, it's Wang girl!"

The woman stood up, her clothes somewhat disheveled.

She straightened her clothes slightly, her hazy eyes sweeping over Zhou Ling and Wang Xin, a little bewildered, "What are these two kids doing here?"

Zhou Ling quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior!"

Wang Xin also bowed and greeted, "Greetings, senior!"

"Sister Ziling, Xin'er is my child, and this is Zhou Ling. I think he has good aptitude. Do you think you can teach them cultivation?"

Wang Yu seemed to be an old acquaintance of the woman, so he didn't stand on ceremony and got straight to the point.

"Teach them cultivation?" Upon hearing this, the woman frowned, instinctively picking up the wine jug to drink, but after shaking it, she said helplessly, "There's no more wine!"

Wang Yu gave Zhou Ling a subtle look, and Zhou Ling immediately understood. He took out two jars of spirit wine from his storage bag and said, "Senior, I have some spirit wine here!"

The woman's face lit up with joy. She quickly took a step, took the spirit wine from Zhou Ling's hand, and broke the seal.

A rich aroma of wine wafted out.

"Not bad!"

The woman took a large gulp of wine.

Then, carrying the wine jar, he leisurely sat down on the bamboo chair.

Zhou Ling then took out the remaining jars and set them aside.

"One is at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and the other is at the sixth level of Qi Refining."

"This qualification is barely acceptable!"

After taking a few more sips, the woman looked at Zhou Ling and the other person with a smile and murmured.

Then, pointing to two red maple trees outside the yard, he asked the two, "What can you see in those two trees?"

Following the direction of her jade-like finger, Zhou Ling and Wang Xin turned around and looked at the maple tree outside the courtyard.

Zhou Ling saw the red leaves swaying gently in the breeze, like clusters of blooming flames.

Leaves occasionally fall from the trees.

The woman took another sip of wine, looked at Wang Xin and smiled, "Little girl, you tell us first!"

Wang Xin looked at the woman and said somewhat embarrassedly, "Senior, I only saw two maple trees. The one on the right is prettier and feels more welcoming! The one on the left is giving me a headache."

"Is there anything else?" the woman asked with interest.

Wang Xin shook her head.

Her gaze shifted, and she looked at Zhou Ling again.

Zhou Ling's mind raced, and what she saw was similar to what Xin'er had seen.

But she actually asked, which must be a test. I just don't know what the woman wanted to test them on.
[You are observing the Fire Spirit Maple Tree, Beginner Observation +1]

[You are analyzing the Fire Spirit Maple Tree, Basic Analysis +1]

With the help of his two talents, Zhou Ling quickly realized that these were two Fire Essence Maple Trees, and that their effects seemed to be different. Although he had the talent to analyze and understand the situation of these two Fire Essence Maple Trees, he still had to consider Xin'er's condition.

He said earnestly, "I also saw a tree, some fallen leaves, which seemed to contain some flame-like light!"

The woman nodded and said, "These two trees are Fire Spirit Maple Trees. One can create illusions, and the other is helpful for enlightenment and cultivation."

"You did not fall into an illusion, and you have a clearer understanding of the tree on the right, which shows that you have a good aptitude for comprehension."

"And the fact that you can still see the essence of fire within it means that you are very compatible with the power of fire."

Zhou Ling was surprised. Just now, his [Basic Insight] and [Basic Analysis] were able to identify that this was a Fire Essence Maple Tree, but he could not perceive the illusion and insights contained within it.

"Could it be because these two spirit trees are of high grade?"

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

I also realized that, so far, the items analyzed in the [Basic Analysis] section don't seem to be above the second tier.

But that makes sense, since talent is something that grows and improves over time.

"Sister Ziling, those two have passed the test!"

Wang Yu, who is usually gentle and composed, asked somewhat nervously.

"Each of you choose a tree to cultivate under. If you can endure for the duration of an incense stick burning, you will have passed the test!"

The woman glanced at the two of them and said calmly.

"Sister Ziling, can't we let them all cultivate under the tree on the right?"

Wang Yu couldn't help but ask.

One plant helps with comprehension, and the other leads to the illusion; the former is definitely easier to pass through.

"cannot!"

The woman picked up the wine jug and continued drinking, saying nothing more.

"Xin'er, go over there!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhou Ling pointed to the Enlightenment Fire Spirit Tree on his right and said to Wang Xin.

"But, but I feel that this tree over here seems a bit dangerous!" Wang Xin's face showed concern.

In her view, whether Zhou Ling would be in danger was more important than becoming her disciple.

Zhou Ling shook his head. "Nothing will happen."

With the talent of "the more setbacks, the stronger he becomes," he is confident that he can overcome even illusions.

He then walked toward the Fire Spirit Maple Tree on his left.

Wang Xin always trusted Zhou Ling. Since Zhou Ling said everything was fine, she wasn't too worried and walked towards the maple tree on the right.

The two immediately sat cross-legged under the tree and began to cultivate, each practicing their own techniques.

The air inside the courtyard was exceptionally fresh, and as far as the eye could see, the flowers and leaves on the mountainside were all brightly colored, which was invigorating.

As the Spirit Flame Technique gradually circulated, Zhou Ling felt a strange sensation.

Rustling!

The fiery maple leaves fell one by one like red snowflakes.

In a short while, the entire courtyard was bathed in a crimson glow.

In an instant, Zhou Ling felt the surrounding scenery change drastically, and amidst the flashing red light, he was left all alone.

At that moment, he sensed something and looked up to see a bird chirping from the Fire Spirit Maple Tree.

Above the maple tree, there was a huge Haoyang bird, its body wreathed in flames, like a ball of fire.

"The Haoyang Bird?"

A sudden thought struck him, and he was about to take a closer look.

But when his gaze fell upon the flames blooming from the Haoyang Bird...

boom!
He felt a sudden jolt in his consciousness, followed by what seemed like an endless burst of flames erupting from his body.

The beastly fire seemed to awaken suddenly, about to break free of its control and shoot out from its body.
Terrified, he could only continuously circulate the Spirit Flame Technique to quickly suppress the beast fire.

(End of this chapter)