The sect didn't keep Chu Xinghe waiting for long.
Soon, news arrived from the Grand Sky Palace.
As soon as he received the message, Chu Xinghe set off for the Grand Sky Palace.
Outside the Grand Sky Hall, he encountered Wan Lin and Ma Liang.
"Senior Brother Xinghe!"
The two greeted Chu Xinghe with smiles, and the three of them entered the Grand Sky Hall together.
Inside the hall, the Sect Master, Great Elder, and the Head Elders of each palace were all present.
"Greetings to the Sect Master and all the Elders..."
After the three of them paid their respects, the Great Elder spoke first, "You must have heard about the arrival of people from Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace. That's why you've been called here; you should understand the reason."
Hearing this, Chu Xinghe nodded calmly, showing no emotional fluctuation.
However, Wan Lin and Ma Liang widened their eyes, and then their faces lit up with joy.
The visit from Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace was no secret; each palace had received the news.
There was no doubt about the Heavenly Medicine Palace's interest in Senior Brother Xinghe; no one in the entire Grand Sky Sect questioned that.
But what about Martial Emperor City?
Three people would compete, and Senior Brother Xinghe was expected to participate. His opponent was none other than Zheng Yu, who was known for his Seven-Colored Glazed Body. But who would take the remaining two spots?
Everyone was discussing it, as being chosen meant gaining the recognition of the Sect Master and the Elders, marking them as the most outstanding among the three thousand disciples.
Wan Lin and Ma Liang were actually quite nervous when they were summoned.
Especially seeing Senior Brother Xinghe there, they seemed to realize something.
But hearing it directly from the Great Elder, they couldn't help but feel excited.
While they were excited, many of the big shots in the sect were watching the scene.
On one side was the calm and composed Chu Xinghe, and on the other were the visibly excited Ma Liang and Wan Lin.
In comparison, both the Sect Master and the Elders had to admit that Xinghe was indeed extraordinary.
Mature beyond his years, unflustered in the face of challenges, he truly embodied steadiness.
To have such composure at such a young age was indeed a blessing for the Grand Sky Sect!
"After you three return, prepare well. In three days, the people from Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace will arrive. This competition concerns the sect's reputation, so you must not be careless!"
The Great Elder spoke, and the excitement on Ma Liang and Wan Lin's faces vanished, replaced by the tension and anxiety from the immense pressure.
Looking at Chu Xinghe again... he remained unfazed!
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The Elders nodded once more, acknowledging that Xinghe was truly remarkable for his composure.
It was likely that representing the Grand Sky Sect was something Xinghe had already anticipated, so it was understandable that he wasn't too surprised or excited. But the Great Elder's words had certainly added pressure.
Look at Ma Liang and Wan Lin; they couldn't even smile after hearing it. Yet Chu Xinghe showed no change despite the pressure.
This child truly made the Elders view him in a new light.
The Great Elder didn't add more pressure, and after a few words, he let the three leave the Grand Sky Hall.
As they exited the hall, Ma Liang and Wan Lin each grabbed one of Chu Xinghe's arms. Without even looking, Chu Xinghe could tell from the touch that Wan Lin was on his right, exuding a strong sense of pressure!
"Senior Brother Xinghe, what should we do... I'm so nervous about representing the sect. What if I lose and disgrace the sect... I... I'm..."
Wan Lin was a bit incoherent.
"Senior Brother Xinghe, I guessed what it was about on the way here. I was just happy to stand out among the three thousand disciples. But as you said, with great power comes great responsibility. Representing the sect... what if..."
Lucky Ma Liang didn't finish, but everyone understood the implication—what if they lost?
The two, overwhelmed with tension and anxiety, looked at Chu Xinghe, whose heart was as calm as still water. They admired him immensely.
As expected of Senior Brother Xinghe, did he not even know what it meant to be nervous?
"Senior Brother Xinghe, don't you feel even a little..."
Wan Lin started, but was cut off by Chu Xinghe: "No!"
"The reason you feel anxious and nervous is because you're afraid of losing. You're just afraid of losing, but I'm not. If a person doesn't even have the courage to face losing, how can they win?"
Chu Xinghe's expression was inscrutable, but his words made sense.
Why were these two nervous? Simply because they were afraid of losing...
Being chosen from three thousand disciples was indeed an honor, but if they lost... wouldn't they become the sect's scapegoats?
So the pressure was immense.
But did he feel any pressure?
They were afraid of losing because they wanted to win, which added pressure. But he had no pressure at all! He wanted to lose; he didn't want to win!
He just wanted to lose; he was doing nothing, no matter who the opponent was, with no pressure at all!
"If you don't have the courage to face losing, how can you win..." Wan Lin and Ma Liang kept hearing Senior Brother Xinghe's words echoing in their ears.
Their initial anxiety faded significantly.
They realized that Senior Brother Xinghe was telling them not to feel any pressure. When you're not afraid of losing, what else is there to fear? Representing the sect, don't always think about how to win.
Think about how you could possibly lose. Senior Brother Xinghe was reminding them to identify all the factors that could lead to a loss. Once those factors were eliminated, they wouldn't lose no matter what!
Indeed, Senior Brother Xinghe was truly insightful!
The three parted ways, each returning to their respective palaces.
However, they didn't know that their conversation at the entrance was heard clearly by the Sect Master and the Elders in the Grand Sky Hall.
"If you don't have the courage to face losing, how can you win! This kid... is remarkable." Sect Master Gu Mingchao's face was full of gratification.
The Great Elder and the other Elders nodded in agreement.
"In all these years of competing with Martial Emperor City, every chosen disciple has been anxious and nervous. Xinghe is the first to see victory and defeat so clearly."
"Not fearing loss is the key to winning. This child sees things more clearly than we do!"
A group of old fellows nodded in agreement.
Spirit Crane Palace.
"Today is a good day! Everything I wish for will come true..." Chu Xinghe sang and skipped around!
What? This song isn't auspicious!
That was before!
This time, in the match against Martial Emperor City, in the three competitions, he would face Zheng Yu, the chief disciple of this generation from Martial Emperor City, in a one-on-one duel.
With no external factors interfering, how could he possibly lose?
With a cheerful heart, Chu Xinghe returned to the Medicine King Palace.
The news of the three being selected quickly spread throughout the Grand Sky Sect.
Chu Xinghe needed no introduction; among the three thousand entry disciples, his strength was already recognized by everyone.
Ma Liang, during his entry, ranked first among the three thousand disciples, which was why he felt competitive when going to the spirit cave with Chu Xinghe.
As for Wan Lin, although she didn't rank high in the entry test among the three thousand disciples, her journey to the Spirit Tomb granted her a spirit weapon that merged with her soul. Later, during the spirit cave journey, she advanced to the peak of the Second Grade. Shortly after returning to the mountain gate, she broke through again, and rumors had it that she mastered the Hill Forest Palace's supreme skill, the Wishful Staff Technique, which was why she stood out.
So, no one found it inappropriate that the three were chosen.
In Spirit Crane Palace, Chu Xinghe's selection was expected, but the enthusiasm of his senior brothers still moved him.
"Junior Brother Xinghe, here is all the information I've gathered on Zheng Yu for you..."
"Junior Brother Xinghe, although I haven't seen the supreme skill Seven-Colored Glazed Body of Martial Emperor City, I found some references for you in the secret pavilion of the Skill Tower."
Even the Great Elder didn't remain idle; after calling Chu Xinghe over, he shared what he knew about Zheng Yu.
Chu Xinghe didn't pay much attention to what the Great Elder said, as his goal was to lose to Zheng Yu. Why listen to his weaknesses?
Summarizing the Great Elder's words about Zheng Yu in one word—exceptionally strong!
According to the Great Elder, Zheng Yu was hailed by Martial Emperor City as a once-in-a-millennium genius, with all his attributes maxed out. He had comprehended the supreme skill Seven-Colored Glazed Body, and Martial Emperor City had boldly declared that Zheng Yu would sweep the Grand Sky Sect this time.
The Great Elder acknowledged Chu Xinghe's abilities but still advised him not to be complacent.
Chu Xinghe nodded earnestly.
Indeed, he couldn't be complacent!
With Zheng Yu being so strong, if he simply lost to him, it wouldn't be entirely unacceptable.
If people jumped out to plead for him, and the Sect Master, feeling soft-hearted, gave him three months of confinement, wouldn't that be a waste?
So, after realizing Zheng Yu's prowess, Chu Xinghe understood he was still too young. He not only needed to lose, but he had to lose spectacularly, disgracefully!
Losing the sect's face completely was his duty!
The Great Elder also mentioned the Heavenly Medicine Palace. They came with Martial Emperor City, seemingly because they had a genius who wanted to challenge Spirit Crane Palace of the Grand Sky Sect.
Regarding the competition with the Heavenly Medicine Palace, the Great Elder had only one requirement: not only to win but to win with style and dignity, not to disappoint the sect!
Chu Xinghe nodded vigorously, assuring the Great Elder that he never disappointed when it came to letting people down!
Three days passed quickly, and Martial Emperor City and the Heavenly Medicine Palace arrived as scheduled...