First-Order Mid-Stage Body Refining (Requesting Follows Monthly Tickets Recommendation Tickets)

Night.

"There are even Composite Engravings!"

Rubbing his forehead, Zhou Ling set down the Jade Slip in his hand and narrowed his eyes slightly.

This Essentials of First-Order Mid-Grade Engravings contained a total of forty-eight engravings. Compared with the Five Elements Basic Engraving, they were undoubtedly far more complex.

The first part introduced each engraving and the key points of drawing them. It covered everything from thirteen-engraving patterns to eighteen-engraving patterns, complete with precautions and tricks for their inscription.

There were also several Composite Engravings in the latter part.

A single engraving formed from engraving patterns was called a Single Engraving. When two or more engravings were linked together, they formed a Composite Engraving.

Composite Engravings were far more powerful than Single Engravings, but they were also vastly more difficult to draw.

They required more engraving nodes to connect them, as well as sturdier and more intricate engraving structures.

Without a complete inheritance or guidance from a famous master, ordinary Rogue Cultivator Inscription Masters found them difficult to master.

As for Composite Engravings, Instructor Fang had also warned him not to rush into cultivating them for now.

It would be more suitable to begin once he reached the Fifth Layer of Qi Condensation.

Still, there was no harm in learning about them first. He could treat it as broadening his horizons.

"I'll first try drawing a first-order mid-grade Spirit Gathering Engraving!"

Zhou Ling thought to himself again.

To draw a first-order mid-grade engraving now, it was best to use a first-order mid-grade spirit brush.

That way, Spiritual Power would flow more evenly and smoothly while drawing the engraving patterns, saving both Spiritual Power and Spirit Ink.

And just two days ago, Master Lu had happened to give him a Cloud Pattern Spirit Brush artifact blank, which had yet to be engraved with a Spirit Gathering Engraving.

Zhou Ling immediately took the Cloud Pattern Spirit Brush from his backpack.

The brush shaft, crafted from cloud crystal, gleamed with a clear, crystalline radiance beneath the Firestone Lamp. It felt warm and comfortable in his hand.

Although it had not yet been engraved, it already seemed highly compatible with spiritual energy.

The brush tip was made from the tail fur of a White-Striped Wolf, and its craftsmanship was exquisite.

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

Compared with the low-grade Spirit Gathering Formation, its overall structure was similar, only with more engraving patterns.

At the same time, these were composite engraving patterns that required engraving nodes to assist in their connections, so they would consume more Spiritual Power.

However, Zhou Ling had long been proficient in Spirit Gathering Engravings. Comprehending this first-order mid-grade Spirit Gathering Engraving was not overly difficult for him.

After roughly half an hour spent comparing and familiarizing himself with it, Zhou Ling prepared to begin drawing.

He spread out the Spirit Paper, picked up the spirit brush, lightly dipped its tip into Spirit Ink, and began drawing the Spirit Gathering Engraving.

This time, his brush moved surprisingly smoothly. It merely took longer and consumed somewhat more Spiritual Power.

The thirteen composite Spirit Gathering engraving patterns took Zhou Ling nearly half an hour, and the Internal Spiritual Power he consumed exceeded half of his reserves.

[You are drawing an engraving. Precise Control +1, Spirit Gathering Engraving proficiency +1]

Yet the glow on the engraving was somewhat dim.

Zhou Ling inspected it once and discovered that there was still a problem.

[You are analyzing the Spirit Gathering Engraving. Basic Analysis +1, Spirit Gathering Engraving proficiency +1]

The engraving nodes were not round and thick enough, leaving them unable to bear sufficient Spiritual Power and causing the Spiritual Power to flow slowly.

"Ling'er, come have a late-night snack!"

At that moment, his mother's voice came from outside the door.

His parents had returned home after another busy day.

Zhou Ling immediately left his room.

The meal consisted of a plate of beast meat, a plate of Stir-Fried Greens, and Peanuts.

Beneath the soft light of the Firestone Lamp, the Spirit Rice gave off a fragrant steam.

Zhou Shan had poured himself half a small bowl of Spirit Wine and was sipping it leisurely.

Zhou Ling told his parents about Instructor Fang giving him the Azure Wind Sword Art.

"We truly have to thank Mr. Fang!" Li Ru said with a face full of gratitude.

For Rogue Cultivators, a sword art capable of cultivating sword intent was an invaluable treasure.

It could not be bought on the market at all.

And even if it could, they could not afford it.

"After Ling'er passes the Dao Academy assessment next year, he can continue cultivating under Mr. Fang!"

Zhou Shan said with a smile after taking a sip of wine.

"What would be suitable to give Mr. Fang when the time comes?" Li Ru asked.

"Father, Mother, I've already said it—the matter of the Dao Academy, I can find a way to solve it myself. Keep your spirit stones for your own cultivation!"

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

Becoming an Outer Sect Disciple of the Lingxia Sect counted as entering a sect, and required the payment of an apprenticeship gift.

It was an expression of respect for one's master.

Among sects of different ranks within the Dao Alliance, and for instructors of different cultivation levels, the apprenticeship gifts varied as well.

The Lingxia Sect possessed a second-grade high-tier spirit vein and had a Golden Core Cultivator in residence, making it a second-rank sect.

The usual apprenticeship gift started at one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Of course, that was only the apprenticeship gift; all other expenses were calculated separately.

For an ordinary Rogue Cultivator, one hundred spirit stones was no small fortune.

Under normal circumstances, Zhou Ling's parents could earn fifteen or sixteen Low-grade Spirit Stones a month.

After rent and other living expenses, not counting cultivation resources, being able to save six or seven spirit stones was already no easy feat.

If they had to pay Zhou Ling's Dao Academy fees, they would not be able to save any spirit stones at all.

And that was only if Zhou Shan went through the entire year without illness or injury.

If he encountered a Demon Beast, they might be living beyond their means within a few months.

Thus, Rogue Cultivator families with children studying generally bore enormous pressure.

Seeing how sensible Zhou Ling was, Li Ru said with relief, "Ling'er, just focus on cultivating properly. I've saved over seventy spirit stones these past few years. By next year, I should be able to save up one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones."

Zhou Shan took a sip of wine and said somewhat guiltily, "If it's not enough, I'll borrow some from Old Chu and the others when the time comes!"

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

Zhou Ling blinked. "Father, Mother, I can earn around ten spirit stones every month at the Workshop now. By then, it'll be enough for me to pay the gift for meeting my master!"

For a moment, Zhou Shan did not know what to say. He risked his life going into the mountains, yet earned less than his own child. He was happy and helpless all at once, and could only lift his Clay Bowl and take a large gulp of wine.

Li Ru reached out and rubbed Zhou Ling's head, her eyes brimming with affection. "The spirit stones you earn are for buying cultivation treasures and other necessities for yourself. Don't delay your cultivation just to save money!"

"But..." Zhou Ling thought it over and said no more. His parents were also worried that saving spirit stones would delay his cultivation.

But they never considered that he was already at the Fourth Layer of Qi Condensation, while their own cultivation progress was exceedingly slow.

I can only wait until I refine the Brewing Furnace, then find a way to buy them some cultivation resources!

Zhou Ling thought to himself.

The next day, Zhou Ling woke early.

Rather than continuing his research on inscription marks, he went to the small courtyard and began practicing the Great Yang Fist.

[You are practicing the Great Yang Fist. Physique Evolution +1, Vitality +2, Physique +2]

[You are practicing the Great Yang Fist. Physique Evolution +1, Vitality +2, Physique +2]

After consecutively completing two sets of punches, heat steamed from Zhou Ling's entire body. Threads of crimson crystalline light gleamed over his skin, brimming with abundant power.

"First-Order Mid-Stage Body Refining!"

Zhou Ling's face was full of delight.

The Great Yang Fist had already reached the grand completion of the first level, and his body-refining cultivation had reached First-Order Mid-Stage as well.

At this rate, he was already close to catching up with Zhou Shan.

This was mainly thanks to the boost from his [Physique Evolution] talent, as well as his years of unwavering persistence and the ample time he spent practicing the Great Yang Fist every day.