Chapter 157: The pill brew competition

Jiao Shen was going through the overall reports regarding the newly captured territories. He was given charge by his sister to manage and develop that area, meanwhile, she would handle the royal court.

"What is the current situation of the captured area.?"

"We need to send our military personnel to take control of the territory. Although Chu country might not take any actions, both of our situations is currently the same. They lack capable hands to put forward a skilled line-up to take back the lands, while we lack hands to control the newly gained region."

The ministers presented a map to Jiao Shen which depicted the whole region which was recently added to the Jiao country. The region was divided into three portions. One was near the Jiao country itself, while another was nearest to Chu country. What lay in the middle was the forest regions.

"The first area is easy to control and our soldiers have already set up large base and small villages in these regions. With the onset of people and merchants, it would develop into a garrison town in no time."

"The most volatile area is the one nearest to the present Chu country. Not only are the indigenous people still living there, but it is also difficult to settle our citizens in a place like that."

"The first problem we face is due to the lack of proper communication channels, while the next being its proximity to Chu country and its indigenous inhabitants. We need someone capable to hold it for us until we gain control over the first region and create new routes into the last one."

Jiao Shen was pushed into a grave dilemma. Who would be willing to stake their time and go there to assume control over the region?

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The silence was broken down by the arrival of a soldier. "General Long seeks an audience with his majesty.". Jiao Shen rushed out almost instantaneously. He needed to calm his mind from the tense situation. 

"I hope his majesty is celebrating good health and prosperity."

"I now understood what my father went through during his time as the king, brother Long. Problems never seem to leave your trail when you assume the throne."

"Is something bothering you, my lord"

"It's sis the newly acquired lands from the Cu country. We can't manage to seize control over it so soon. The military would need around a month or two to gain control over the first region. The forest and the far region remain."

Jiao Shen looked at Long Tao with a hopeful glance." You need to help me, brother Long. You are the best strategist in the whole country. Advise me regarding the situation."

Long Tao was laughing out loud in his mind. He was looking for a situation to demand control, and the opportunity presented itself on a silver plate. He controlled his attitude and said in an emotionless voice:

"Rather than advice, why don't I give you a solution directly."

He kneeled before Jiao Shen. It surprised the courtiers and king alike. "What are you doing brother Long."

"I would like you to appoint me as the controller of the other two territories. Although I couldn't take absolute control, I will use the time you allow me to clear out as many hurdles as possible."

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"I couldn't do this to your brother Long. You are the biggest contributor to our victory. You even spent time as a prisoner and was tortured by the enemy. You need to take rest for the time being and join me in the royal court."

"I am no politician, brother. My life is well suited to the military. The new regions are the best topography for the training for my squad. They could use this tempering and improve their capabilities at the same time."

Jiao Shen couldn't hold a candle to the stubborn attitude of Long Tao. He gave up and agreed to make Long Tao the controller of the new regions. The royal decree was soon prepared and Long Tao set out to the mining regions. The first step of his plan was easily executed. 

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The Firepit-

"You need to start setting the formation in place. The crust would be broken in the next 5 days. The first two sets should be complete by then."

"I surveyed the surrounding. It is in line with your prediction. The area is starting to show changes due to the energy being released from the pit. It seems the formation wouldn't be able to prevent the phenomena, it could just slow it down."

"That was within my predictions. You need to situate and start controlling the area around. Not just cultivators, but fire element beats would also prove to be a problem for you. They would be attracted to this region."

Long Tao smiled. Beats were more than welcomed. He needs a lot of blood essence to practice the flesh tempering and blood tempering art. He could use this chance to fill his reserves." Is there a king class beast in these forests?"

"My powers have still not recovered to the level that I can survey the whole area from top to bottom. But I know better to prepare for every situation."

"I will be sending half my men into the forest to survey the whole are and fond the beast residing in it. If there is a King class beast, we would need to modify the plan by a bit."

"If there is one, it is currently in the state of hibernation. Once the formation breaks, it would surely come rushing here."

Long Tao nodded. 

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In the forest regions-

The Black-buck squad was assembled in the forest regions on the orders of Long Tao. The news regarding him being the controller of these regions spread like wildfire. These were barren lands, and Long Tao personally asked the king to allow him to assume control.

"All of you are assembled here to help me assume control of the region while continuing a training regime I prepared for you."

Every soldier present started to shake out of nervousness. A training regime made by Long Tao meant a near-death experience every single day. 

"The circular would be passed to you. You will be divided into five groups and will be in charge of monitoring these five locations. Make sure to find out every single detail regarding the topography, the plant species, and the beats in these regions. You will be surfing into the deepest zone."

"beasts who are at Qi general level are no be trifled with alone. All of you will work together to take it down. Every single beast you kill will account for military contribution points."

"I also suspect that there is a much powerful presence within these forests, a king class beast. If you come across anything higher than mid-Qi general level, you are to retreat immediately and inform me."

The operation of surveying the forest officially started. Su Menqi was currently situated in Tamar with her own troop. Long Tao was avoiding her for the time being. Although he was certain about his feelings, he couldn't diverge from his predestined path.

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Pill Hall-

Lu Ming was training in the alchemy room with the first elder. Both the sect master and the first elder were quite impressed and satisfied with his diligence. 

"Do you know his current level in alchemy?" the sect master asked.

"I only guide him in his path of alchemy. I am not clear about his true level. He is going to complete the first year since joining the institute. The pre-decided time limit is about to end. If he manages to reach the level, he promised me, I would not interfere with his decision anymore."

"What was the best anyway? Neither of you informs me about it."

"When I asked him the primary path, he wanted to follow between the three paths I laid in front of him, he said he would train in all three."

The sect master was surprised to hear it. "How could you let him do that? Each of the paths is way too long to practice together. He wouldn't be able to master even one. His talent in every sector is exceptional, but you need to make him choose."

"I couldn't stop his thought process mid-way. He was insistent on it. I would end up creating a heart devil if I restricted him to anything. He put forward a proposition Infront of me which was too good to ignore."

He looked at the sect master and said. " He is confident of reaching the initial third level alchemist by the end of the year."

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"Is the kid insane. He was an advanced 1st level alchemist when he joined us. He wants to rise a whole level in a single year while practicing two other paths. Even the most powerful genius in that place is not that capable."

"We shall see. The Pill Brew competition draws near. Its time I resurfaced in that place."

"Did you manage to recover your injury?"

The first elder released his aura. It was peak king level when compared to his previous mid-king level cultivation. "I have almost recovered my peak strength. I am positive to have reached it within the next half year. I might be able to even surpass my previous cultivation."

"Is that the reason you are insistent on training him so hard. You are going to make him participate in the competition aren't you."

The First elder turned around and smiled at the sect master.