Martial Research Master

“I am not worried about him at the moment. Given his cultivation level, the ten families would first try to recruit him. Given how impatient those fools are they would wait at most for a day for his reply. Lu Ming is intelligent enough to stall for time. The real problem would occur after test-2. Test two is designed to go on for two days. They will most likely take action by the time the first test ends. Given Lu Ming’s cultivation level, they would send someone similar or a level above at most.”

“He can easily take care of that. The problem would arise when they realize Lu Ming’s martial prowess.” The first elder was describing his plan at a very slow speed as if trying to make a point. The sect leader caught up pretty fast.

??But It would be late by the time of test-3.”

“Exactly. Test three is designed to take place at the same time. They would first go through an examination of identifying herbs and then move on to pill refining. The participants are to carry out the refining in the same sitting. Which means, by the time the third results end and results are declared.......”

“Lu Ming would have already achieved a position in the top 10. He would be eligible for the position of direct disciple. But wouldn’t it mean that our plan is never going to come into fruition?”

“I might have done something to fast-track our plan”

“What did you do?” The sect master’s expression instantly turned serious.

.....................

.....

Teng Household –

Hordes of disciples could be seen practicing day and night within the household of Teng. The reason behind such a strict schedule while training was because of their ancestry of being one of ten households of Pill Valley. The pressure of supporting the title of a core family was quite immense and every single member gave it their best to develop in the path of alchemy.

It was due to their constant efforts that Teng was able to uphold the title of being leaders of the Ten families. They would eliminate any possible event which might tarnish their reputation. However, during today’s test, an unprecedented event took place. A dark horse seems to have come into existence out of no-where.

The Teng had invested a lot of resources in training the disciple who was supposed to enter the Pill Valley during this year’s examination. His name was Teng Huan, an intermediate 3rd level alchemist whose natural talent had a grade 8 affinity with the fire element and a level 7 affinity with the wood element. This was a talent that would be valued in any alchemy force.

But the arrival of Lu Ming seemed to have crushed all their hopes. A level 8 affinity with both fire and wood while having a level 7 affinity with the rest of the elements was unprecedented. This was a horrendous talent that hasn’t appeared in the ranks of the Ten families for many decades.

The elder’s hall was currently holding a secret meeting:

“I propose we take care of the situation as soon as possible.”

“The boy managed to attract the attention of a lot of inner elders of the Valley. We can’t dare to abduct him, otherwise, the Ten families would be held responsible for this event. The Valley head is already trying his best to suppress us. We can’t hand an opportunity to him on a silver platter.”

“Why don’t we send someone to try and recruit the boy?”

“I will instantly delegate two QI general peak cultivators to approach him and deliver the message. How much time shall be given to him for considering our proposal.”

The man seated in the center seat was none other than the leader of the Teng Household, Teng Luo. He was silently hearing all the jabber that was going on. A 3rd level alchemist was not important enough to attract the attention of the patriarch and the grand elders. The general elders were allowed to tackle the situation. He was about to leave when a certain guard entered the room.

“I beg the pardon of lord elders for disturbing the meeting. An unidentified person is standing outside the door, requesting to organize a meeting with the elder hall. He seems to have some crucial information about the participant Lu Ming.”

........................

Sometime later-

“I thank the elders for allowing me the courtesy of attending one of the meetings.”

It was the patriarch who spoke this time: “How can we not allow the young miss of the Brown Stone merchant guild.” All the elders, including the person himself, were surprised to hear that. Taking a deep breath in, the person decided to remove the veil on his head, just to reveal the young mistress’s brownstone under it.

“The Teng patriarch lives up to his name of being the top expert within the Ten families. I wouldn’t waste much of your time. I guess the meeting this time is to discuss the dark horse who recently appeared. I would like to suggest you should take immediate action against the situation.”

“Why do miss say that?”

“Lu Ming seems to be affiliated with some power outside of the Pill Valley jurisdiction. Your plan of trying to recruit him is going to fail. Why bother with such wasteful efforts?”

“We wouldn’t know until we try it out?”

“I would suggest you take some extra preparation before proposing your idea to him.”

.....................

Testing grounds-

The affinity test is finally over. As expected, Lu Ming ranked at the top followed by Teng Huan and the members of Ten families. It was officially the time for the next test, which is the test of elemental control of the participants.

“All the 512 participants will be moving on to the control test. In front of you are 20 fire lanterns which can only be controlled by the innate fire of an alchemist. You will be herby be divided into 16 groups once again, where you will be testing one by one.”

“You are to input your fire energy through the lantern. With each increment, the expenditure and burden would start to begin. The maximum amount of lanterns you can cause to light and flow up will be your score. Only the top four o0f each team are allowed to enter the next round. Those 64 participants would be eligible to get the status of inner disciples.”

“I hope all the participants will give their best.”

....................

Crimson Lord World-

“I am seriously looking down on the testing methods of this place. Do you remember the training you did during this time? You would be able to lift all twenty of them if you gave it your all.”

“I guess that’s what I would go for.”

“You need to adjust the power flow into each of the lanterns, and you are set for the occasion.”

“Using beast flames would make it a lot easier to perform the tasks. Use the Crimson wolf flame.”

“I would like to hide it for the upcoming competition. If I show all my cards before the last round, my opponents would be prepared for what’s coming for them. I would also like to enquire about the herbs I bought earlier. Did the plantations grew any further?”

“We have already cultivated hordes of them in the medicine garden, you can use as many as you want.”

“Good to hear. I guess the last competition is going to be a pill whose ingredients we have to collect ourselves. The garden would come handy then.”

..................

The participants began testing one after the other. Most of them couldn’t go any further than the 8th one. Finally, it was time for the participants of the Ten families. The difference in their abilities was quite obvious.

It was finally Teng Huan’s time. He moved up and operated his flames through the lanterns. A short breath later, 15 lamps were lit up and floating in the air. A huge gasp could be heard in the air.

“Impressive. The Teng kid is quite capable. I guess we are getting another genius from the Teng family this time.”

The commotion continued for some time until a person finally stepped up. Lu Ming’s entrance brought absolute silence within the stadium.

“Let’s see what you are capable of.”

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