"Every sect will be given a certain amount of slots depending on their results from the previous competition, and we managed to secure 3 slots for this year's Mystic Realm," Long Yijun said.
"One of those spots will be given to you. Of course, we're not going to ask you to participate without anything in return, so we'll give you full access to the Profound Pavilion, where you can learn all kinds of techniques between the Mortal-rank to Earth-rank. There are also a few Heaven-rank techniques available, but you'll need to be accompanied by one of us in order to access those."
"Furthermore, whatever you obtain from the Mystic Realm, we'll let you keep them. Normally, the disciples are required to hand in the treasures they find inside the Mystic Realm, but we'll make it an exception for you."
"What do you think? Are you willing to participate in the Mystic Realm for the Dragon Essence Temple?" Long Yijun asked him afterward.
Yuan nodded without hesitation, "Sure. I don't mind participating."
Since there was no reason for him to refuse, and he was curious about this Mystic Realm, Yuan accepted their request.
"Great! Then let's talk about the Dragon Temple. The Dragon Temple is a mythical place discovered by our Founder, Long Chen, and he built the Dragon Essence Temple around it in order to protect it. It's a mysterious place with many challenging tests, and you'll be rewarded for passing those tests."
"The only reason why we are not sending more disciples in there is simply because it requires a tremendous amount of resources and effort to open the place for even a single person, and there's a high chance the Dragon Temple might refuse entrance if you are not talented enough, hence why we only allow those who have exceptional results during the disciple examination to enter the Dragon Temple." Long Yijun explained to him.
"You wish to enter the Dragon Temple, right?"
"Yes, I do." Yuan nodded.
"Then I'll immediately start preparing for it now. It should be ready for you shortly after the Mystic Realm if I begin now— that's just how much effort is required to open it."
"Do you have any questions for us?" Long Yijun asked him a moment later.
"No, not really…" Yuan shook his head.
"Good, then we can finally—"
"Wait a second!"
Elder Shan suddenly interrupted Long Yijun.
"What's the matter, Elder Shan?" They looked at her with raised eyebrows.
"We still haven't decided on who should be Yuan's Master, and I would like to volunteer," she said with a stern expression on her face.
"..."
The place quickly became silent, as the sect elders there were well aware of Elder Shan's stubborn character. If she truly wanted Yuan to become her disciple, it'll be near impossible to make her give up.
"Why don't we let the young man himself decide such an important matter?" Elder Xuan said, and he turned to look at Yuan.
"What do you think, Disciple Yuan? Although disciples are not required to have a Master, it's highly recommended that you get one, as they can provide you with resources and advice for your cultivation. Furthermore, having a Master is also considered as having a 'backing' within the sect."
"How about it, little brother? Why don't you come with this big sister here? I'll promise you that you'll never have a boring day when you're my disciple." Elder Shan suddenly stood up and approached Yuan with weird leg movements, appearing incredibly tempting and seductive with every step, and even the other sect elders couldn't help but swallow nervously after seeing her feminine charm.
"I have only ever accepted female disciples before, but I'll make it an exception for you. My disciples are also very beautiful and popular in the sect with countless admirers, so if you become my disciple, you'll get to meet with them often." Elder Shan walked behind Yuan and leaned on him with her large and heavy racks pressing down on top of Yuan's head.
"I…" Yuan was speechless. Although he does not understand why Elder Shan was acting so weird and clingy, his heart felt an indescribable sense of danger when around her, almost like a baby rabbit before a hungry tiger.
"Forget about her, young man. Become my, Xin Ming's disciple! Although she may look very young and attractive, don't let her appearance deceive you, as she's actually an old hag over 300 years old!"
"Who are you calling an old hag, you wrinkly old man?!" Elder Shan quickly removed one of her shoes and tossed it at Elder Xin with an enraged look on her face.
"How dare you throw your smelly shoes at me!" Elder Xin exclaimed.
"Hahaha! Ignore those two idiots, Brother Yuan. I can see clear righteousness coming from your eyes, and I believe that you'll fit in at our Disciplinary Hall perfectly!" Bai Ling laughed out loud.
"Disciple Yuan, you are not limited to just sect elders, you know? If you want, I can also accept you as my disciple," Long Yijun suddenly said.
"Though, with your monstrous comprehension abilities, I doubt any of us will be your Master for long," he continued with a bittersweet smile on his face.
Sometime later, Elder Shan asked Yuan, "What do you think, little brother? Who do you want as a Master?"
"Uhhh…"
After a moment of silence, Yuan spoke, "Since I cannot really decide, can I just accept all of you as my Master?"
"You want all of us? My, you're quite the greedy one, but that's fine too." Elder Shan chuckled after hearing his answer.
"Can I not have more than one Master?" Yuan asked.
"Although not very common, it's normal for disciples to have more than one Master at a time since it's not possible to learn everything from one Master. Though I don't think there has been a disciple who has had the Sect Master and many high-ranking sect elders as Master simultaneously before…" Elder Xuan said to him.
"Then again, you are not a normal disciple, and there'll always be a first for everything— just like how you'd demonstrated during the disciple examination."