43 TALENT

13 points on both fire and wood and the rest of the elements were at 10 points each. Even the first elder's eyes were bulging.

The elders were shocked to even reply. What kind of talent was this? A grade 4 elemental body of both fire and wood and elemental bodies of the rest 3 elements at level 1.

This was talent rarely seen in 100 years. Such a talent was actually present in Jiao Country. But before anyone could say anything, 3 more auras showed up. As soon as they arrived all the elders except the first bowed and greeted.

"We greet the 3 vice-principals." But the 3 of them ignored. The slab was soon passed to Long Tao. Soon enough his body was found. Berserk fire body and harmonic wood body of 4th grade.

" Boy, we are the 3 vice-principals, Vice- hall masters of the academy. Would you like to take us as your master." The offer was direct with no additional offerings. But it went unsaid what the profit of taking any one of them as the master was.

" I too would like to take you as a disciple." The first elder's offer was even plainer. The first elder actually wanted to compete with the vice-headmasters. But those inner elders knew the reason quite clearly.

They also knew that the prowess and methodology of the first elder were unknown. Only the vice-headmasters and the headmaster knew the actual prowess of the third elder. But upon hearing his words the vice-headmasters didn't oppose the idea. Lu Ming was left in a dilemma of whom to choose.

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"You should go with the old guy." The Keeper pointed out. Long Tao was surprised. The positions of the two parties were quite clear, why would the keeper want him to go with the first elder.

The Keeper showed an amused smile: " You don't believe my judgment now that you have gained a puny amount of strength."

Long Tao looked ashamed of his actions. It was true. The Keeper's foresight and power were far above him. He was acting too arrogantly before. He asked for forgiveness.

"The 3 younglings are just high-level Qi general, that old man is a mid-tier martial king." Long Tao was shocked. A mid-tier martial king. What sort of cultivation was that? It was tiered above the one who was guarding Long Mengchen.

"That is not even the real reason why I asked you to take him as a master." The Keeper said. At the moment the administrator of the pill pavilion of crimson lord manor appeared. This shocked Long Tao. It was the first time he had seen this guy stepping out of pill pavilion.

"The guy is in possession of an Earth flame. He long since awakened his true flame." It shocked Long Tao.

He remembered the class he had undergone in the pill pavilion. He knew the lowest flames were fire, then beast flame, after which came earthen flame and the top was heaven's flame. The 1st elder had an earthen flame as his primary flame. This was truly resourceful.

Long Tao was now convinced of the idea.

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Lu Ming bowed to the 1st elder" Disciple Lu Ming bows to Master."

The spectators were shocked. "Are you sure about that boy?" One of the vice-principals asked aggressively.

"Replying to senior, I choose benevolence before position and power. The 1st elder came and supported me before I even had shown my talent, while everyone had long forgotten me."

"Unlike the group which shows favoritism only when they see the benefit, I would like to choose someone who beliefs in potential." The vice-master was shocked, but soon turned around and left.

The 1st elder was quite impressed. He asked Long Tao to follow him. The one who had a compatible spiritual body were no longer required to undergo other tests.

The same was for Chu Rudao. He too followed the second elder. It was a huge blow to his pride. Lu Ming knowingly let him step forward first and show his pride, after which he trampled it under his foot.

It was a direct slap on Chu Rudao's face. He clenched his fists, gave a hostile look to Lu Ming, and left. The test hall was soon empty.

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At the residence of the first elder-

" Why did you choose to become my disciple boy?" The question had a complete set of hidden meanings. Long Tao thought the various appealing answers he could have given that would impress the elder. But in the end, his gut told him to go with the truth.

" I find a martial King more capable then Qi generals, don't you agree?". The 1st elder had a change in his eyes but he remained silent indicating Long Tao to continue.

"Well let's just put it in this way, I find you a suitable candidate to be my master. Your prowess spoke the loudest, in addition to the favor you have shown to me in the test hall, it was a good choice to choose you."

The 1st elder had a blank expression for some time before he burst out in loud laughter.

" You are quite a character boy. You must already have a master to have laid such a good foundation for you and he even gave you a great treasure that let you gouge my cultivation level. He must be quite capable."The elder's impression of Lu Ming improved quite a lot after seeing his honesty.

"Since you accepted me as your master, I would try my best to assist you in your path. Which path do you want to follow? Choose one among the three paths best cultivated in the pill hall. I will guide you accordingly."

" Why can't I cultivate in all three paths?"

"The cultivation in each of the path is quite long. Each would not only take a huge amount of resources but also a lot of time."

" Master doesn't need to worry about my speed of cultivation, as per my path in alchemy, I am already a bit accomplished in it."

"You being a beginner level, or even an intermediate level pill alchemist of 1st level wouldn't change the scenario." But just then Long Tao released his soul power. The 1st elder was shocked by the scene.

How can this be? beginner stage of 2nd level pill alchemist and soul master level soul. The 1st elder's face changed into that of pure delight. It was a heaven bestowed gift.

The achievements at such a young age made him perfect for alchemy. He couldn't let him walk three parallel paths.

"I hope master is sure about my comprehension abilities. Hence, I would require you to give me permission to practicing all three paths."

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The 1st elder was put in a dilemma. This brat was really headstrong about practicing all three paths. The only way remaining now would be to show him practically how his talent would be wasted if he practiced all three paths.

" If you go in the path of alchemy, I am sure you reach the pinnacle of the second-level alchemist by the end of 2 years. I cannot allow you to practice in all three paths."

Long Tao was really in a tight spot now. He knew that the elder wanted the best for him. But how could he stray away from the path he had chosen for himself.

"Master, what if I manage to reach the advanced level of 2nd tier alchemist by the end of the first year while simultaneously practicing the other two paths, Will you allow me to continue my path?"

He knew he couldn't force a particular path on his disciple, it was to come to him naturally. But he was astonished by the confidence shown by this disciple of his. He could only leave it on fate now.

"Fine.". The 1st elder gave him a ring.

" These cultivation resources would help you break through the Qi master realm. Breakthrough first then we will talk about the next proceedings."

"You are to stay in my quarters for the current period of time. You can pick a courtyard and start cultivating. Only after you break-through the Qi master realm, will we have a further talk in this aspect."

"I hope you can break as soon as possible." Long Tao was soon assigned a courtyard and he started his cultivation of Crimson world scripture with the help of the resources presented to him.

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It was Long Tao's aim too to breakthrough fast. He had also managed to open another meridian in this period. He wanted to start practicing the weapon tempering formula as soon as he enters the Qi master realm.

The slowest cultivation speed was in the soul. He had just completed the 5th cycle. He needed to complete it too before breaking through the Qi master realm.