Chapter 17: Master

"A special constitution!?" Cried out both the mysterious figure in the elder's booth and Teacher Wan. The former being out of joy and the latter instead being out of shock.


Some of the contestants were confused by the term and couldn't help but ask others for its meaning.


"Hey brother, do you have any idea what does this 'Special Constitution' mean?" A random person in the crowd asked an older looking man who looked to be a disciple from a sect.


"Aye! You small-minded boy, you must have skipped your lessons when training to become an immortal haven't ya? Anyways, a special constitution or a special physique as others would call it is one of the greatest gifts the Heavens can gift us, mortals. It is a special type of body a person can be born with. It comes with a myriad of different abilities depending on the physique of course. But most commonly seen is the ability to literally multiply the speed of one's cultivation by hundreds!" His words shocked the surrounding people to their core. A hundred times the speed? This guy must be pulling their legs!


"You're pulling my leg old man!" The random boy voiced everyone's thoughts. "That is such an unfair advantage, how can the heavens let it exist let alone gift it to someone?"


"Ah! Do you think that is unfair? Boy, let me tell you that this is only the basic ability every physique shares. Some come with the ability to control certain elements or multiple elements to their absolute limit sometimes even going as far as changing the owner's body to become the element itself. Others grant mountain like strength, some may grant unfathomable speed and in the rarest of cases, they can reincarnate divine beings like phoenixes, dragons and even freaking god's inside one's body! I swear to the heavens and on my cultivation base that everything that I have said so far is truthful and devoid of any deceit. If I were to lie may divine lighting descend from the sky and smite me!" After shouting his long explanation and his oath in the end, people were left speechless.


Many eyed Yao Bao in extreme envy, jealousy and even hatred. Why was this random blessed with such fortune instead of them?


"Our Redwood Town was blessed by such an individual? Hahahahahaha! Heavens be praised! A soon to be king was born in front of my very eyes!" After Teacher Wan's initial shock, extreme joy emerged from his features. It was guaranteed that their town will be heavily rewarded by the sects and the empire to have given them such a hidden gem.


"The Rumbling Mountain Sect will extend an invitation to young Bao to become our core disciple and to be given all the resources he would ever need!" Said a loud voice from the elder's booth with so much power that it caused a miniature earthquake and shook everyone's heart.


Song Shou admired and yearned for the power he felt. It is not often that one could witness an elder release a fraction of their power.


The elder in question was quite satisfied that his intimidation towards the other smaller sect worked. With him being at the 9th stage of the 'Outer Aura Realm' few to none could oppose him.


But he was not the only peak 'Outer Aura Realm' expert present at the event.


"What nonsense are you blabbering about Kong Yijun!? The boy will join our Floating Sea Sect and become a core disciple while having access to the most diverse amount of different techniques our sect has procured throughout the centuries as well as all the necessary resources!" Another voice shouted, this one being no weaker than the first. With every syllable that the elder uttered people could feel their focus and consciousness slipping away to an unknown force.


Kong Yijun frowned deeply, matter the cost he had to get the boy to join his side. Though they haven't yet identified which special physique, Yao Bao possessed in the first place, it did not matter as even the weakest record physique could achieve what even the most talented of cultivators could not.


'By the flaming like aura and burning his body is showing, it's not hard to guess that his physique is related to fire...probably the 'Flame Emperor physique'?' His musing aside, another rival elder decided to step in.


"Both of you arrogances knows no bound! Begone with your petty promises and nonsenses. The Raging Wind Sect will take in the boy, I have received word from our Patriarch that the boy would become his personal disciple and have all of our sects resources at his calling!" This time a young man's voice left the Raging Wind Sect's booth followed by strong winds that almost blew everyone away.


He possessed power no weaker than the Great sect's elders, the peak of the 'Outer Aura Realm' expert.


While the 3 great sects continued their bickering, both Song Shou and Yao Tian were left speechless by everything that happened since the beginning.


Yao Tian noticed how the conversation between the great sect's elders would get increasingly heated and how a battle over Yao Bao would erupt at any moment. He turned towards Song Shou, "Will my brother be alright?"


The latter barely acknowledged him before standing up and shouting at Yao Bao, "Oy! Yao Bao forget everything I said before! Join our Floating Sea Sect, you will receive the best treatment and me and your brother will also be by your side and support you!"


"Song Shou! What the heck?" Exclaimed Yao Tian in surprise.


"Sorry buddy, but your brother's gift is too precious for our sect to lose." The time spent with Yao Bao previously would have been enough for the young boy to choose to join his sect. His cultivation talent already forcing Song Shou to plan ahead.


But now that his other gift entered the argument, he could not take any chances. He had to make sure that the boy would join him.


Yao Bao did not know what to do, he was lost, scared and wanted to go back to his brother's side. He just wanted to impress everyone.


But not to this extent!


But when he heard Song Shou's words he grew elated as his brother would also be chosen by Song Shou's sect, he was sure of it as his brother was the second strongest person he knew. The first being his father of course.


The back and forth argument between the elders did not diminish in intensity as each one of them wanted the boy to join their side.


Seeing another nuisance joining in, the elders grew increasingly frustrated.


Elder Yijun's face grew very red from anger when he saw Yao Bao being swayed by that Floating Sea Sect disciple. "Insolent Floating Sea Sect disciple! You try to control the boy in my presence? Do not assume I won't be above disciplining you!" To be sure that the boy did not meddle any further he subtly increase his cultivation pressure on him, almost damaging Song Shou's cultivation base.


* Oooooommmm! *


* Bam! *


Song Shou and Yao Tian both fell onto their knees unable to even lift their heads. Beads of sweat streamed down their faces. Yao Tian was wondering why he was being targeted as well!? Whereas Song Shou's face had a trace of pure awe flashing through his eyes.


'So this is the power of a peak 'Outer Aura Realm' expert. One day...one day... I swear I will reach that realm... and surpass it!'


"You dare!?" The Floating Sea Sect elder incensed by Elder Yijun's action immediately left his sitting area and immediately put himself in front of Song Shou to shield him from the pressure.


"Su Fang, you're sect's disciples should learn into not shoving their nose into affairs that do not concern them!" Elder Yijun also left his spot and was now face to face with Elder Su Fang.


"Humph! Your actions further prove that the boy shouldn't join your Rumbling Mountain Sect as it's quite clear that you are nothing more than a bunch of brutes." Elder Fang couldn't help but mock Elder Kong Yijun.


Elder Yijun had enough of Elder Fang's attitude, their as sects have always clashed for various reasons. Both had their fair share of wins and losses, it was a miracle how they haven't yet gone to war against each other.
But today they Elder Yijun couldn't afford the possibility of losing such a gem. The boy had the potential their sects main goal.


"It's quite clear that you are intent on standing in my way Elder Su Fang, but I shall make sure that this is the last time." The moment those words left Elder Yijun's, Elder Fang became fully prepared for a full-on battle.


"ENOUGH!"


* Boom! *


"GASP!!" Both of the Elders suddenly lost control of their bodies and their breathing for a second and nearly fell. As they've regained their bearings both glanced towards the last of the 4 Elders from one of the great sects.


The Enchanting Forest Sect.


Their heart quivered in fear as unlike the previous Elders who've shown great power when they spoke, this one had another more terrifying effect in their opinion. The voice belonged to a woman, and it had an almost suffocatingly pleasurable, to point of being demonic, tone of voice. All of the present elders including those from the minor sects grew apprehensive towards this still hidden woman.


This was an 'Inner Aura Realm' expert! They did not stand the slightest bit of chance against such a foe. The gap between the 'Outer Aura Realm' and the 'Inner Aura Realm' was even more ridiculous than the power difference between 'Body Reinforcement Realm' and the 1st stage of the 'Outer Aura Realm'.


A realm only achieved by grand elders or their sect's patriarch.


'Who is she?' This was the question in every elder's mind. They were all familiar with the people attending this event as it was a yearly event. And this person was certainly not Mo Ai one of the Enchanting Forest Sect's grand elder nor its Matriarch Zi Nuan as none of them used such techniques.


"Who might this fellow Daoist be? You certainly aren't Mo Ai nor Bai Jia that we are all familiar with." The young man representing the Raging Wind Sect couldn't help but ask.


"Oh! How rude of me, please let me introduce myself." She curtains used to hide the elder's figures slowly opened and the features of a beautiful woman gracefully emerged from it startling both Song Shou and Yao Tian.


"Hey..."


"... Isn't that..."


""Da Yu!?"" Cried out both boys at the same time.


Hearing their rather loud astonishment, Da Yu turned towards and sent a small wink followed by a smile towards.


Song Shou's face grew red while Yao Tian's face grew increasingly pale. Both of their hearts quickened but the reason differed from one another.


"Da Yu? I have never heard of your esteemed name before in this area. What is your relationship with the Enchanting Forest Sect?" Questioned Elder Fang cautiously, he did not want to upset an 'Inner Aura Realm' expert.


"Oh don't mind me fellow Daoist. I am just a friend of Matriarch Zi Nuan and I asked her to do me a favour and let me be present here today. Please forgive this one of not informing anyone beforehand."


Elder Fang and company were very apprehensive towards this unknown person.


For the Matriarch of the Enchanting, Forest Sect to make such a big decision without their knowledge was very concerning. Especially when the said person had powerful cultivation of an 'Inner Aura Realm' expert that suppressed the 3 elders at the same time even if it was for a split second.


"I would say let the boy choose for himself. After all in the end the choice of which sect he wants to follow lies in his palms instead of us. Don't you agree with me?" Said Da Yu with a smile.


For some reason that 'smile' sent a large feeling of unease crawling over their skin. Despite not wanting to lose the boy they had to accept that according to the rules established by every sect gathered today was to leave the freedom of choice in the participant's hand if he or she had multiple invitations from sects.


And also because they did not have the power currently to oppose Da You.


"I Elder Su agree with Daoist Da Yu's words," Said the representative of the Misty Valley sect.


"I Elder Zan too agree with Daoist Da Yu's words," Said the representative of the Illusion sect.


"I Elder..."


"I..."


Slowly nearly every elder from the minor sects voiced their agreement. Many among them just wanted to gain the good favour of an 'Inner Aura Realm' cultivator.


The three elders from the great sects were left frustrated on how easily this lady could control the crowd so they could only hope that Yao Bao would choose their sect after he heard their offering.


'Bunch of lapdogs.' Grumbled Elder Yijun distastefully.


Da Yu then turned her attention towards Yao Bao and said, "So, Yao Bao the Enchanting Forest Sect also extends an invitation towards you with the same promises as stated by my previous fellow Daoist. So who do you choose?"


"..."


Silence followed for the next few seconds as the young Yao Bao was left in a conundrum on who to choose.


At least he was familiar with one of them but he did want to join Song Shou's sect.


But in the end, he made his choice, with hesitation and to the astonishment of no one he stopped in front of Da Yu, who had an increasingly growing smile.


He then proceeded to bow 3 times before saying to Da Yu.


"This disciple greets Elder Yu, I humbly accept your invitation!