Martial Research Master

252 THE OLD MAN’S IDENTITY

The elder in charge was looking at the stage with a spooked-up expression. Li Meng just won a 3 vs 1 fight with such ease. Even after fighting for such a long time, all he got was some bruises on his body and a bleeding fist. Which was partially healed already. As one of the top cultivators within the academy, he couldn’t help but feel joy.

The Thunder Academy had just gained another terrifying talent. “Just which side is this boy going to end up?” That was the biggest question which emerged in his mind. Li Meng was someone with monstrous talent. The camp that is going to recruit him is going to benefit a lot from it.

The academy was already divided into two major groups and being a student of the academy, Li Meng would have to pick one side. He just didn’t want a talent like this to be caught between the two camps and get wasted. He truly hoped that Li Meng would have a successful rise within the academy, and become a hegemon who would support this place in future.

“The competition has officially ended. I thank all the audience members who have graced this occasion with your presence. The top 100 students will now follow me to their first briefing.” The elder in charge took all the contestants and rushed into the Academy.

The inner hall-

“Since the competition has ended, it is time to distribute the rewards. As announced earlier, the top 100 people are allowed to join as outer disciples of the academy. You should get de-motivated as the resources of Thunder Academy are attained based on one’s capability. You need to have the strength to achieve your objectives.”

“Being an outer disciple, you have a chance to get promoted into the inner academy. There are two possible pathways to achieve that. The first one is by becoming a Qi King, while the other way is to participate and win the year-end competition. Where there is a will, there is a way. I wish you all the very best luck.”

“The top 10 are allowed to officially join the academy as inner disciples. I have to brief you about the significance of carrying such a responsibility on your shoulders. Inner disciples are trained to become the future backbone of the academy and a huge number of resources are dumped into training, you people.”

“I hope that you will always remember that the prime aim of your life is to reach the very peak of your own martial paths. The academy will be opening its door, to give you access to a huge number of resources, scriptures, knowledge, teachers and most important of all, competition.”

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“You will be the future inheritors of the academy’s legacy and there is a silver lining here too. This is not the end of your path. You could still turn into a core disciple of the academy.”

The one ranked tenth spoke up. “May I know the way to achieve that sir?”

“There are two ways to become core disciples. The first way is a difficult one, yet if you are motivated enough, you might be able to achieve it. It is to become an emperor level cultivator before the age of thirty-five. If your bone age surpasses that, becoming an emperor would result in your promotion to the position of outer elder.”

The participants were surprised to hear these requirements. Becoming an emperor level cultivator within 35 years was not such an easy task.

“What is the other way?” One of the members asked.

“Every core disciple is given a probation period of 1 year. Inner disciples are allowed to challenge any core disciple who has surpassed this time. If you manage to defeat them, you will be promoted directly into the core area directly.”

The inner disciples were looking at the top 3 contestants with fire in their eyes. They might a good chance to upgrade. Unknown to them, the elder in charge was nodding his head in disappointment. The difference between the number of resources in the core and inner area is too big to be estimated with common sense.

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All the participants were gathered at the feet of the mountain. The senior students were instructed to show around the academy to the newly admitted students.

Soon a group of disciples arrived and greeted the group.

“We are happy to welcome every single one of you into the academy. We hope you will give it your all and cultivate to reach the peak of your martial path.” The leader spoke up.

“I would now like to invite the outer disciples to move out with the Shi Tan and Ligue.” Two people stepped forward and led the group of people away.

“As per the inner disciples, you will be led by Chu Ming here.” Another boy moved forward. He had an arrogant expression on his face, showcasing his pride as an inner disciple.

“Do we really need to show these newbies their home?” Chu Ming asked in a rude tone.

“I don’t see the benefit of letting you do anything else. So you better show them around.” Li Meng replied. Everybody including the leader himself looked at Li Meng. A new disciple talked with a veteran in that tone.

“You have got a problem with me?” Chu Ming said in an angry tone.

“I don’t remember the ranking right but aren’t you an inner disciple of the academy. Doesn’t that make my standing to be above you?” The leader couldn’t help but break into a laugh.

Chu Ming’s face was dark red out of embarrassment. He walked angrily towards LI Meng and glared at him with a serious look.

“Are you trying to prove that you are better at frowning at your fellow disciple?” even the senior members couldn’t hold their laugh any longer. Chu Ming was being insulted in such a creative sense.

“I guess the position of the core disciple has got to your head. Would you like for me to teach you a thi9ng or two?”

“I don’t know how an inner disciple could possibly do that?”

“By showing you how much better I am than you. How about I challenge you for a match, and you bet your seat as core disciple?” Chu Ming’s words instantly caused a tremor in the surrounding area.

Li Meng thought for some time and replied. “I have the seat of core disciple, but I don’t think you have something to exchange it with.”

Another round of laughter was in order. All the disciples were laughing at Chu Ming. He was about to burst out of the madness.

“How about I bet something has the same value as your seat?”

“What would that be?”

“All the resources I have managed to collect until now. It includes everything I cultivate with, and also the things I am saving up for the breakthrough into the emperor realm.” Everyone was surprised. Although the resource gap between the core and inner disciple was too huge, the last part did carry a significance. Li Meng was enticed by the offer.

“I am still not up for the challenge. The balance is still tilted to my side.”

“What if I add an emperor level weapon with it?” Chu Ming added.

“I don’t believe you possess an emperor level weapon to bet with.” An inner disciple of Thunder academy was at most a QI king level practitioner. An emperor level weapon is not something a Qi King could obtain.

Chu Ming initiated his Qi and infused it within his storage ring. A spear emerged out of it. The aura radiated from it was breath-taking, which awed everyone in the surrounding area.

“Good enough. The bet is on.” Why would Li Meng deny such an opportunity?

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Li Meng was then directed towards his residence. The academy allotted individual mountains to its core disciples and Li Meng got one in a prominent area. The disciple briefed him about the proceedings and informed him about his monthly resources collection, pill collection, the mission halls and many more things.

Li Meng settled down in the cozy cultivation cave. The whole room was filled with Qi so dense that Li Meng’s body began to operate automatically, sucking the whole Qi in. All his pores opened up in elation. He had never felt so comfortable in his life.

The next morning-

“You must be enjoying your new residence.” An old voice sounded. Li meng instantly jumped up from his practice mat and looked around, just to find a familiar face sitting in front of him.

“Senior is quite flashy in his entrances. They are always filled with hints of mystery. May I know the reason for your visit.” Li Meng asked.

“How much did you manage to comprehend?” The old man’s question surprised Li Meng. Never has he seen someone asking for results just a day after they delivered a task.

“Well, no need to act aloof. Just go ahead and show it to me.” The old man had no change in expression.

Li Meng was surprised. The old man thought that he might have derived something from the scripture. Although he did manage to practice the first volume of Lightning Devil art, he didn’t want to show it out. It was too scary a phenomenon. Seeing the seriousness in the old man’s voice, Li Meng did start to revolve around the aura but restricted it to a large extent.

“I am asking you to show me the true results achieved until now.” Li Meng was shocked at the old man’s instinct. He finally obliged to the old man’s request and showed it to him. The old man was surprised to see the scene in front of him. The boy managed to learn the first volume. His bluff proved to be useful.

The old man stood up and looked at Li Meng. “I am the dean of Thunder Academy. I would like to accept you as my disciple.” Li Meng stood there with a blank face.

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