Chapter 30
Long Mengchen was spiritless at the moment. She couldn’t believe her eyes that her elder brother, whom she loved dearly, was still alive, but instead of welcoming her into his arms, he despised her.
He was her most beloved kin, and she stayed at the Long Clan, taking care of Long Tao’s mother and father, just because of her relations with him.
She couldn’t let the family break apart after his death. But now he was standing before her and loathing her actions towards the matter.
...................................................................
“I give up,”
Long Tao forfeited the competition. He could win the championship, but he voluntarily gave it up.
.....
“As your elder brother in the past, I could at least give you a parting gift.”
He looked towards the chief organizing elder of the gathering and said:
” Shouldn’t you declare the results now that the competition is officially completed.”
The elder broke out of the surprise and asked,” Are you sure young man. You very well know the benefits of the first place.”
“Didn’t I already accepted my loss. It is a parting gift to someone, reminding them of my disappointment.”
The elder took time to process this and then gulped a big breath of cold air before looking at Jiao Sheng for confirmation.
The king didn’t understand the action either, but since Long Tao voluntarily gave up, he could only comply with it. He nodded his heads towards the elder, and the results were declared.
.................................................
Back in the Crimson lord world Long Tao and the Keeper of the realm were arguing among themselves.
” I didn’t expect you to give up on the first prize. I don’t understand your thought process. Although I can see that the so-called younger sister of yours has a bloodline ability and that bloodline ability is stronger than yours, but it is still immature. She will not be able to sustain herself for long.”
Long Tao interrupted in-between,” And she also will hurt herself in the process will she not.”.
” I didn’t expect you to recognize that. Yes, the bloodline of hers is no doubt of higher grade than you, but it is still dormant. If invoked, it will hurt the host’s body more than it will bring benefit.”
....................................
” She is my sister. I don’t want to compete her over the chance of getting directed in cultivation by some Qi general. We both know he can provide me with absolutely nothing. The minimum requirement of someone to be the master of my real body is a Qi emperor, or at least a Qi king, and that too a talented one if he wants me to stay under his tutelage for a long time.”
The Keeper was in deep thought now. He didn’t expect Long Tao to have thought this out so thoroughly.
“But even then, I don’t believe it to be the reason behind you giving up so easily.”
Long Tao sighed, ” You are inquisitive and have a good instinct in the most unwanted areas. Yes, it wasn’t on that whim. I gave up because the royal clan is aware of my identity. Don’t you think they would want to investigate the matter.”.
“Also, it is as I said, a parting gift for my beloved little sister.”
......................................................................
The gathering-
The result was already set, and the participants were called above by the king to have their prizes.
The names of the top 8 were called one after another to approach the stage. The 3rd position soon came in” Di Tao, ranked 3rd, unassociated with any clan, please step forward.”.
The king had a look of appreciation for this man. After all, he was the guy who had approached the prince to befriend and curry favor to join the royal military college.
He wanted to recruit for his side.” I have high expectations from you, boy. I hope you to be a pillar of the country in the future.”
Di Tao proceeded to bow and after obtaining a spear from the king as the first set of gifts.
” Long Tao, position 2nd from the Long Clan of Jiao country”, and before the speaker could say anything Long Tao interjected:
” Did I associate my self with any clan or groups in my registration. I don’t belong to groups of spineless cowards. I am an independent cultivator, as of now.”.
The speaker was taken back by the proclamation. The people of the Long Clan had a pitiful look on their faces.
Long Shen didn’t even have the guts to stand up and say. It was as if he had aged too much in a short period. His son has abandoned him.
.........................................................
The speaker corrected his mistake, and then Long Tao proceeded to obtain his prizes along with the two Qi master realm weapons, which the king had promised him.
The set included a sword, a saber, and a halberd.
“I have high expectations from you too, child.”
Long Tao proceeded to bow and then looked towards Jiao Sheng and said:” I would like to ask his majesty for a favor.”
“What is it?”
“I would like to work for the country’s military after I conclude my training in the royal forbidden zone.”
..........................................
Jiao Sheng was shocked initially but soon had a massive smile on his face. Working for the military meant this guy would be a member of his fraction. Di Tao and this guy seem to have come from the same sect, being martial brothers. Hence this will bind either of them more to his faction.
“This one is easy to grant. Which zone do you choose to go to?”
” Can your majesty place me in the North-eastern regions.”.
...............................
The north-eastern regions of the Jiao country were the most chaotic one, the one they shared with the Chu nation.
But it was a great place to earn military merit. Also, the general of the forces present in there was said to be the most powerful of the eight generals of the Jiao country, someone whose status was the same as Jiao clan ancestors.
It was evident by the fact that he was able to secure the region for such a long time. Jiao Sheng was surprised at first but soon complied with the position and granted it to Long Tao.
..................................................................
Next came Long Mengchen, who had an unsightly expression. She was welcomed by the king and given the title of first in the gathering.
After the ceremony was over, the five hooded figures also proclaimed the sects they want to join. Incidentally, they were going to different factions, two being admitted into the star emperor academy and the other going to the rest three forces.
The firmament palace wanted to recruit Long Mengchen but asked for some time being given by her.
“The top 3 are to proceed to the royal forbidden zone tomorrow, after which they will be in seclusion for the next month. The rest five could proceed to the clan depository to choose their prizes.”
The gathering finally came to an end.