The entire Grand Sky Sect was bustling these days, almost as lively as the New Year festival.

From the Sect Master to the outer disciples, even the uncles and aunties in the canteen responsible for cooking, everyone received a blind box gift from Chu Xinghe.

The most talked-about topic these days was what everyone got from their blind boxes.

"I heard the Sect Master got a grasshopper plush toy!"

"Wow! Really? I thought Senior Brother Xinghe was just joking, but it turns out it really was a blind box, even for the Sect Master!"

"What are you saying? Don't we, the disciples of Grand Sky Sect, know Senior Brother Xinghe's character? He's never been one to flatter the higher-ups. This time, the gifts were given with sincerity, not as a means to curry favor."

"In the past, those who went out would always prepare various gifts for the Elders and Sect Master... We were never considered. But look at Senior Brother Xinghe, this guy... it's all about comparison!"

"I heard an outer disciple got a spirit stone pendant! That's incredibly valuable!"

"That's nothing... I heard our Head Elder got a stuffed doll... hahaha..."

Those who received good items were happy, and those who didn't weren't upset, because the Sect Master only got a grasshopper plush toy, and the Elders got stuffed dolls, so theirs weren't bad in comparison.

Everyone in the Grand Sky Sect was happy because of the blind boxes.

At the same time, the exploits of the group during their spirit cave expedition were spread throughout the sect after their return.

Everything Chu Xinghe and the group did was known by everyone in the Grand Sky Sect.

For a time, whether Elder or ordinary disciple, everyone nodded in approval of Chu Xinghe and the group's actions.

Brave and wise! Helpful to others, warm as spring to fellow disciples, and as cold as winter to enemies.

Chu Xinghe's actions earned silent praise from everyone in the Grand Sky Sect.

Especially since they brought back all the spiritual liquid, which made the three thousand new disciples cheer, praising Senior Brother Xinghe for being so cool!

They were initially sad because they couldn't join the group and enter the spirit cave for body cleansing, but with the spiritual liquid brought back, everyone could at least get a cleansing pill. Although not as effective as the spirit cave, it was still a great benefit.

It was a huge improvement for everyone.

Senior Brother Xinghe essentially brought great benefits to all three thousand people, how could they not be happy?

The entire Grand Sky Sect was in a festive mood, except for one person.

In the outer sect, Chu Cheng, who could finally barely get out of bed, also received a blind box from Chu Xinghe.

"Chu Xinghe, you bastard! Such despicable behavior to win people's hearts!" Chu Cheng angrily threw the blind box to the ground.

The blind box shattered, revealing a zongzi plush toy!

By some coincidence, the color and wrapping of the zongzi plush toy looked remarkably similar to Chu Cheng at that moment...

"Chu Xinghe, you bastard! How dare you insult me like this!" Chu Cheng grabbed the zongzi plush toy and tore it to pieces.

But this did not quell his anger.

Who was he? He was Chu Cheng! The most talented person in Hillside Village!

That bastard Chu Xinghe was ranked behind him!

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

As the number one in Hillside Village, his future was destined to be someone who wielded a three-foot sword and ascended to the nine heavens.

Even though he was temporarily suffering from various injustices, Chu Cheng firmly believed that this was just a test from the Heavenly Dao.

As the saying goes, when Heaven is about to bestow a great responsibility on someone, it must first distress their mind and exhaust their muscles!

He was undergoing this trial, and once he overcame it, he would surely leap through the dragon gate and soar to the skies!

But who did Chu Xinghe think he was! How dare he humiliate him like this! He was just the second-ranked brat from Hillside Village!

He should always be trampled underfoot.

After venting, Chu Cheng felt much better.

But just as he was about to lie back down and continue enduring the test before Heaven bestowed a great responsibility, the door was kicked open.

Led by Bighead Carp Liu Bo, a group of people walked in with displeased expressions.

"Fuck... what's this bastard yelling about? I was taking a shit and almost got scared into pinching it off by his shout!"

"Hey... this is the blind box from Senior Brother Xinghe! You bastard, you actually smashed Senior Brother Xinghe's heartfelt gift? Senior Brother Xinghe is from the same village as you and has helped you repeatedly, yet you're so ungrateful... what... you even tore the gift to pieces!"

"Damn! I can't stand it anymore... Senior Brother Xinghe is such a good person, and you bastard dare to act like this, brothers, get him!"

No one knew how long the brawl lasted, but it was certain that Heaven's great responsibility on Chu Cheng would make him suffer for another six months...

The little incident in the outer sect didn't reach Chu Xinghe's ears, as he was busy refining cleansing pills these days.

Cleansing pills were fourth-grade pills, and as a fourth-grade alchemist, Chu Xinghe had no problem refining them. Moreover, due to the Medicine Saint's inheritance, Chu Xinghe was genuinely moved to tears.

The Great Elder said that others' cleansing pills were of ordinary quality, such a waste...

But the ones refined by Chu Xinghe were top-grade, providing immense help to the junior brothers and sisters!

So... all the cleansing pills were handed over to Chu Xinghe for refining.

Chu Xinghe was dumbfounded at the time.

He hadn't accounted for this outcome?

Wasn't this a punishment? Even the Compass of Misfortune didn't intervene?

Was there no justice? No heavenly principles?

Every day, Chu Xinghe wore a mournful expression while refining pills in the Medicine King Palace, and the senior brothers and sisters of the Medicine King Palace weren't idle either.

Every top-grade cleansing pill distributed was accompanied by a message to the users.

Did you know... this was personally refined by Junior Brother Xinghe for you. In the entire Spirit Crane Palace, only Junior Brother Xinghe can guarantee the refinement of top-grade cleansing pills. The difference between top-grade and ordinary cleansing pills is significant. For your sake, Senior Brother Xinghe hasn't left the Medicine King Palace for half a month, and we feel sorry for him!

With the strong support of the senior brothers and sisters, every junior brother who took the cleansing pill was moved to tears.

Look... this is our Senior Brother Xinghe, who spares no effort for the faster growth of the junior brothers and sisters.

The Elders of each palace also expressed their gratitude for the Spirit Crane Palace's dedication to Chu Xinghe.

But their gratitude only made the Great Elder happier... personally overseeing Chu Xinghe, leaving him no chance to slack off.

Under such rigorous training, Chu Xinghe did gain something, at least advancing his alchemy skills to the fifth grade.

It took a full two months for Chu Xinghe to complete all the cleansing pills, and when he finally walked out of the Medicine King Palace, he understood what it meant to be released after serving time.

What fifth-grade alchemist... that's all bullshit... I hate pill refining! Damn it!

Back in his room, Chu Xinghe planned to be a salted fish, deciding not to take any risks and just do nothing...

After the raw stone incident, Chu Xinghe realized that even with a clear advantage, one could still lose... he needed a more secure method, otherwise, who knew what consequences might arise.

"Junior Brother Xinghe is finally out." Feng Fei returned and laughed heartily at the sight of Chu Xinghe lying there like a dead dog.

"Senior Brother Feng, just stab me... I feel life is meaningless."

"That won't do, I just got news that people from Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace are coming soon. They're not here with good intentions, and all the Elders are gathered in the Grand Sky Palace discussing how to respond."

"Is there going to be a war?" Chu Xinghe was startled.

"Not a war, our Grand Sky Sect is ranked number one in the world, and Martial Emperor City is second only to us. For years, they've wanted to surpass us and become number one!"

Then let them surpass us! Chu Xinghe couldn't help but want to interrupt Feng Fei.

Feng Fei continued, "But Martial Emperor City, in terms of foundation and strength, is still quite behind our Grand Sky Sect. Wanting to surpass us is nothing but a pipe dream, but they won't give up easily. Fifteen years ago, they proposed a disciple martial arts competition, where their most outstanding new disciples come to our Grand Sky Sect for 'guidance'... but you know what that means."

"As for the Heavenly Medicine Palace, they're the only ones who can compete with our Spirit Crane Palace in alchemy. This time, they're coming with Martial Emperor City, claiming it's for 'guidance,' but they're just birds of a feather."

After Feng Fei finished, Chu Xinghe's eyes lit up.

"I guess, Junior Brother Xinghe, you'll definitely have to take the stage this time, and not just against Martial Emperor City, but also against the Heavenly Medicine Palace."

After Feng Fei finished, Chu Xinghe cautiously asked, "What if I lose?"

"Lose? Junior Brother Xinghe, you're joking. In fifteen years, we've only lost once to Martial Emperor City, and that was because our disciples were not very skilled and were overly arrogant. But that loss damaged our sect's reputation, and we had to pay a huge price to stabilize the situation, so don't even think about losing. If you lose, not only will the sect suffer, but you'll also face severe punishment."

"After all, this is a match against Martial Emperor City. Losing would mean losing face for the sect! Even if everyone pleads for you, it won't help!"

Chu Xinghe's tears started to fall!

Senior Brother Feng, you're such a good brother!

Martial Emperor City! With such virtue, you'll be number one in the world sooner or later. If you lack the ability, I'll personally help elevate you!

Fifteen years, only one loss, and after that, the sect's reputation was damaged, face lost... a huge price paid to stabilize the situation.

The Grand Sky Sect, the number one sect in the world, losing to the second-ranked Martial Emperor City, would be utterly humiliating!

But when it comes to humiliation, Chu Xinghe declared he wasn't afraid of it; he aimed to make it his life's goal!

Martial Emperor City is here to challenge, right? Chu Xinghe is duty-bound! Watch closely, only one loss in fifteen years, right... I'll give you a second and a third because I'm definitely losing to the Heavenly Medicine Palace too! No one can stop me!

Seeing Chu Xinghe's excitement, Feng Fei thought he was eager to face the challenge.

"Junior Brother Xinghe, you must go to battle, and there's a rumor outside that you'll represent this generation as the chief against their chief. But I also heard that their guy, Zheng Yu, has the unparalleled inheritance of the Seven-Colored Glazed Body from Martial Emperor City, not easy to deal with."

Not easy to deal with? Chu Xinghe got even more excited, not easy to deal with is just right!

If they were really weak, it wouldn't be easy to act out the loss, but if the opponent is strong, losing naturally would be better!

"Senior Brother Feng, rest assured! If I can represent the sect in battle, I will not fail the sect's trust!"

Feng Fei looked at Chu Xinghe's determined face and showed a satisfied expression.

And Chu Xinghe seemed to see the light beckoning him!

Today... no, no, no... this time, definitely not singing that song!

As an actor of the highest caliber, in a real fight with no interference, I ask, how can I lose in pure actor mode!