The academy's first day slipped away amid familiarizing himself with the campus.
In the blink of an eye, the next day arrived.
Early that morning, after tidying up a little, Lu Chuan took a deep breath and said calmly, "Today is the day to choose a master."
"I wonder who will become my master."
Aside from the usual teacher-student relationships, Azure Dragon Academy also had masters and disciples in the style of the martial world.
Of course, masters and disciples within the academy were not as close as father and son like those in the martial world, but their bond was certainly deeper than that between teachers and students.
There were quite a few benefits to taking a master. Besides attending a master's classes for free, disciples who passed monthly exams, final exams, or advancement exams would all receive rewards from their master.
Furthermore, a master would impart their entire inheritance without reservation.
Of course, it was also fine not to take a master. The academy did not force anyone.
But taking a master was ultimately a good thing. Leaving resources aside, at the very least, one would have someone backing them.
In any case, Lu Chuan was not opposed to it.
Half an hour later, at the Combat Department's comprehensive service hall.
All twelve newly recruited Combat Department students gathered there.
Inside the hall stood six desks.
The six teachers preparing to accept disciples sat in office chairs.
Beside them, their disciples helped introduce the benefits of taking them as masters.
"Combat Department ordinary teacher: Lu Feng.
Requirements for accepting disciples: Fourth-grade cultivation, seventh-grade talent. Negotiable depending on circumstances.
Benefits of taking a master: As long as you become Teacher Lu's disciple, Teacher Lu will grant you one hundred Academic Credit. You may also freely learn the martial arts Teacher Lu has mastered. Those with outstanding results in major exams will likewise receive resource rewards from Teacher Lu!"
"Combat Department ordinary teacher: Feng Chuan.
Requirements for accepting disciples: Fifth-grade cultivation, seventh-grade talent. Negotiable depending on circumstances.
Benefits of taking a master: Teacher Feng will grant you one hundred Academic Credit and three high-grade martial arts manuals. You may also freely learn the martial arts Teacher Feng has mastered. Those with outstanding results in major exams may enter Teacher Feng's affiliated secret realm to cultivate!"
"..."
Listening to the introductions one after another, the students were dazzled by the choices, feeling that every teacher was worth taking as a master.
Yet none of this had anything to do with Lu Chuan.
Damn, the minimum requirements for accepting disciples are all fourth-grade cultivation and seventh-grade talent. Aren't they deliberately stopping me from taking a master...?
Lu Chuan shook his head with a bitter smile.
There was no helping it. Who told him his aptitude was average?
Luckily, I have a cheat. Not taking a master won't affect my future achievements.
So be it. If I gain it, it is my fortune; if I lose it, it is my fate.
Just as Lu Chuan was about to leave, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. "You haven't taken a master yet, have you?"
Lu Chuan turned around. Sure enough, Chu Feng was looking at him with a smile.
"No."
"I don't meet their requirements."
Lu Chuan smiled and shook his head, with little disappointment on his face.
"I expected this long ago."
Chu Feng nodded. "In fact, when I specially recruited you back then, I had already anticipated this day."
"After all, with your aptitude, you could never have tested into Azure Dragon Academy. Naturally, taking a master was out of the question."
"Then why were you willing to specially recruit me, Brother Feng?" Lu Chuan asked in confusion.
"There are many reasons."
Chu Feng explained, "For example, our Combat Department lacks students, while your comprehension is quite good. Another reason is that you possess exceptional alchemy talent. If properly nurtured, you will surely become a pillar of the Combat Department in the future."
"Or perhaps your cultivation speed far surpasses what your talent should allow. I suspect you have some kind of secret."
"With that secret, you may not necessarily be inferior to those geniuses."
"Of course, you needn't be afraid. I won't pry into your secret. Who doesn't have a secret or two?"
That explanation dispelled Lu Chuan's doubts.
It had to be said, Chu Feng was quite frank. He had even openly admitted that he suspected Lu Chuan had a secret.
That also made Lu Chuan believe that Chu Feng would not harm him.
"Alright, come with me." Chu Feng patted Lu Chuan's shoulder.
"Come with you?"
Lu Chuan froze. "For what?"
"Of course, to take a master."
Chu Feng smiled. "I personally recruited you, so I have to take responsibility for you. As for your master, naturally, that would be me."
"By rights, I can accept you as my disciple right now."
"However, before accepting you, I'll take you to meet your grandmaster and have him test you a little."
"After all, I'm still counting on your grandmaster to guide you in alchemy."
"Guide me in alchemy?" Lu Chuan was startled. "Is Grandmaster also an alchemist?"
"Of course." Chu Feng smiled. "Your grandmaster is the academy-renowned Pill and Martial Arts Prodigy. Not only is his Martial Arts Talent exceptional, his talent in alchemy is also downright monstrous."
"Back when we competed for your grandmaster, we nearly came to blows with the Alchemy Faction."
"Although your grandmaster chose our Combat Department, he never neglected his alchemy skills. He has now advanced to the seventh grade."
"With his guidance, you will become an alchemy master sooner or later."
"So that's how it is." Lu Chuan understood. He did not refuse and followed Chu Feng to his grandmaster's residence.
In the mixed district, within a certain manor. "Master, this is Lu Chuan, the one I told you about."
After the two arrived in the living room, Chu Feng's master appeared as well.
He had sword-like brows and starry eyes. His clothing resembled a Zhongshan suit, while white, gray, and black hair tangled together atop his head. His profound eyes were filled with traces left behind by time.
"Lu Chuan, this is my teacher, Lin Lei. Hurry and greet your grandmaster," Chu Feng urged.
"Greetings, Grandmas—" Lu Chuan was about to bow.
"Stop!"
At that moment, a stream of spiritual energy held Lu Chuan up.
Lin Lei looked Lu Chuan up and down, then asked, "You are Lu Chuan? A First-grade Alchemist at seventeen?"
"That's right." Lu Chuan nodded.
"Xiaofeng said your comprehension is quite good. Even though your Martial Arts Talent is only fourth-grade, you still have a chance of grasping the Sky Swallowing Art."
"I don't quite believe it. Prove it to me."
Lu Chuan understood. This was Lin Lei's test.
"Prove my talent?"
Lu Chuan slowly raised his right hand.
At once, a vortex of spiritual energy appeared in his palm.
The surrounding spiritual energy was drawn toward it, rushing into the vortex as if competing to be first.
"This..."
Lin Lei's expression froze. Then he said incredulously, "The Sky Swallowing Art!"
"You've already entered the introductory stage of the Sky Swallowing Art?"
Chu Feng was equally dumbfounded. "Impossible! I only gave you the Sky Swallowing Art a week ago. How could you have comprehended it so quickly?"
"A week ago?"
Lin Lei was initially stunned. Then he grabbed Lu Chuan's wrist and examined him carefully.
A moment later, delight filled Lin Lei's eyes. "His talent is indeed fourth-grade, and he has also entered the introductory stage of the Sky Swallowing Art."
"I never expected to encounter a heaven-defying genius so gifted that even heaven would envy him!"
After speaking, Lin Lei released Lu Chuan's hand. His eyes were filled with satisfaction. "Lu Chuan, let me ask you this. Are you willing to take me as your master?"
Chu Feng: ???
"Master, Lu Chuan is..."
"Shut up!" Lin Lei snapped. "This old man has recently wanted to accept a disciple. What, do you have an objection?"
"I wouldn't dare!" Chu Feng hurriedly shook his head, bitterness filling his heart.
What kind of situation was this? A perfectly good disciple had turned into his junior brother.
My founding disciple!
Wuwuwu...
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