Inscriptions: First Understanding (Seeking Follow-up, Collection, Monthly Tickets, Recommendation Tickets)

"Son, you can make the top ten in the Dao Academy assessment!"

Zhou Shan was momentarily puzzled.

Li Ru shot him a look, then stroked Zhou Ling's head and said with relief, "Our son has good aptitude, and he's sensible and eager to learn. What's so strange about making the top ten?"

"Father, Mother, whether I make the top ten or not, I'll strive to earn the Dao Academy bonus. You don't need to worry!"

Zhou Ling said sensibly.

Seeing how sensible Zhou Ling was, Zhou Shan's face revealed a gratified smile. At that moment, the weathered look on his face seemed to vanish, turning into a hearty, unrestrained grin.

"Ling'er, what's the story with this cultivation method?"

Only then did Li Ru remember the matter of the cultivation method and ask softly.

Zhou Ling did not hide it from them. He told them how Wang Xin had taken the cultivation method from her home and given it to him.

Of course, he said he had borrowed it.

"This..."

After hearing Zhou Ling's words, the husband and wife looked at each other.

"You two children are really fooling around!" Li Ru sighed.

But now that things had come to this, there was nothing to be done. She could only smile and say gently, "Little Xin'er has helped you so much. When Mother has a day off..."

"Invite her over for a meal. Mother must properly thank her!"

Zhou Ling obediently agreed.

"Also, regarding the Dao Academy assessment, just do your best. The path of cultivation requires steady, solid steps. Don't rush for quick results."

"The family can still support your cultivation, so don't let it distract you!"

Li Ru added sternly.

Zhou Ling nodded.

Only then did he return to his room to sleep.

"Why are you pouring wine again?"

"I'm in a good mood today. I'm having a few extra cups!"

"Pour me a cup too!"

The happy laughter of the husband and wife drifted in from outside.

The new term began.

Zhou Ling was over five years old and at the Qi Condensation Second Layer. Among the students in the Study Hall, this level of cultivation was above average.

Having enrolled for three years, the class placement assessment was now approaching.

As soon as class began, Liu Yan went around asking the disciples one by one about their cultivation progress during the break.

She praised Zhou Ling and two other disciples who had made noticeable progress.

Then she went straight to the point. "This coming term is of vital importance to all of you."

"Because in three months, there will be a class placement assessment."

"Disciples whose results meet the standard will be assigned to the key classes, from Ranked First to Ranked Sixth."

"Those who make the top ten will have their Dao Academy tuition waived, and will also receive certain rewards."

"This assessment is divided into two parts: a spiritual power assessment and a skill assessment."

"The importance of spiritual power to cultivators goes without saying. If your spiritual power is weak, then your cultivation and combat strength will lag a level behind others."

"The greatest difference between cultivators lies in the difference in their spiritual power."

"Spiritual Roots determine a cultivator's affinity with spiritual power, while cultivation methods determine the speed and quality of absorbing spiritual qi. Neither can be lacking."

"Spiritual Roots are determined at birth and difficult to change, but later effort and the cultivation method one practices can increase the speed of absorbing spiritual power."

"As for skills, they are forms through which spiritual power is expressed. They can take the form of various spells, alchemy, Artifact Crafting, and so on."

"Therefore, choosing suitable cultivation methods and cultivation skills is crucial to all of you!"

I've already resolved the matter of the cultivation method. Next comes choosing a skill, Zhou Ling silently thought.

Liu Yan continued, "Those disciples who have yet to choose a cultivation method should make their choice as soon as possible."

"Of course, you may continue practicing the original breathing technique, but your progress will be much slower."

"Those who have already made their choice may begin learning various basic skills according to their own attributes."

"As for choosing cultivation methods and skills, you have already studied that in the earlier foundational classes. If there's anything you don't understand, you may look it up or ask me!"

The disciples fell silent for a moment. Then a disciple raised his hand and asked, "Instructor, I am currently at the Qi Condensation Second Layer and mainly cultivate an Earth Attribute cultivation method. What kind of skill should I choose?"

Liu Yan swept her gaze over the disciple and said with a smile, "Skills must align with your Spiritual Root attribute and cultivation method for you to achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"For Earth Attribute cultivation methods, you can choose Runes as your primary skill. For auxiliary skills, you may choose construction-related fields, defensive types, and so on."

"Instructor, I have a Water Spiritual Root. Can I cultivate Alchemy?" a disciple asked softly.

"Most Alchemy uses the Fire Refining Method, though a small portion uses the Water Refining Method. However, complete inheritances of the latter are relatively scarce, so I do not recommend cultivating it," Liu Yan explained.

"Can we choose Skills that do not match our own Spiritual Root attributes?" another disciple asked.

"You can, but the results will be negligible. In the end, you will give up anyway, wasting your time for nothing," Liu Yan said.

At last, Liu Yan said solemnly, "Based on what I have just introduced, think carefully about the Skills you wish to cultivate next."

"Choose one that suits you. Remember, assess your own capabilities and act within your means. Do not aim too high."

"Your primary skill does not necessarily have to be one of the four major skills. There are also Puppetry, Beast Taming, Spirit Planting, Herb Seeking, Ore Prospecting, Spirit Appraisal, and so on."

"Once you have decided, report it to me, and I will distribute the basic cultivation arts to you."

She then handed out sheets of paper for the disciples to write down their chosen Skills.

The disciples immediately began discussing among themselves.

"Zhou Ling, have you decided to study Artifact Crafting?"

Wang Xin asked softly.

Zhou Ling nodded and asked, "What about you?"

"I learned some Alchemy from my mother at home, but I prefer Array Formation."

"How do you think I should choose?"

Wang Xin asked somewhat hesitantly.

Zhou Ling looked at Wang Xin and froze for a moment. Both Alchemy and Array Formation were resource-devouring beasts, but given Wang Xin's background, she did not need to worry about that.

Still, he could not give her careless advice. After thinking it over, he said, "Whichever one you feel you progress faster in, make that your primary skill. Just cultivate the other as an auxiliary skill!"

"Mm!"

Wang Xin nodded slightly.

Zhou Ling quickly filled out his form as well and handed it in to Liu Yan.

He chose Artifact Crafting as his primary skill, with Body Tempering and Herb Seeking as his elective skills.

That afternoon, he received three Jade Slips from Liu Yan.

Basic Inscription Primer

Great Yang Fist

Initial Hundred Common Spirit Herbs

In addition, to reward his recent progress, Liu Yan gave him a First-Grade Low-Rank Inscription Brush.

As well as some paper for practicing the drawing of inscriptions.

She also reminded Zhou Ling to keep working hard and not slack off.

With his grades, he had a strong chance of entering the key Daoist class.

Zhou Ling was deeply grateful as well. If he had encountered such a good teacher in his previous life, he would not have failed to even get into a third-tier college.

And entered society early to deliver food!

After a bout of reflection, Zhou Ling began examining the Jade Slips.

He had already mastered both Great Yang Fist and Initial Hundred Common Spirit Herbs.

So he only examined Basic Inscription Primer.

Compared with Spirit Flame Art, this Basic Inscription Primer was undoubtedly much simpler.

The first small section covered the basic methods of practicing inscriptions, explaining how to guide spiritual energy, wield spiritual power, inscribe Runes, and so forth.

The latter part contained some commonly used basic inscriptions.

As for cultivating inscription seals, he would need to spend Spirit Stones to purchase them from the sect.

I'll familiarize myself with the inscriptions first, then practice when I get back tonight!

Zhou Ling thought.