Early in the morning, a disciple from Spirit Crane Palace delivered the exclusive robe for core disciples to Chu Xinghe.
The black robe, edged with gold thread, seemed to proclaim the prestigious status of a core disciple.
According to the rules, the robe could be delivered within three days, but Junior Brother Xinghe's words last night truly moved everyone.
So, the Senior Brother responsible for the core disciple's attire worked through the night without sleep to finish Chu Xinghe's robe and delivered it first thing in the morning.
Moreover, the robe had an extra two ounces of gold thread compared to the usual core disciple's robe, making it even more exquisite.
Chu Xinghe donned the robe that symbolized his status as a core disciple, yet his face showed little joy.
It's tough… It was already so hard to shed the elite disciple status, and now it's even harder to get rid of the core disciple status, isn't it?
The only thing that pleased Chu Xinghe was that the Compass of Misfortune seemed to offer a higher reward for shedding the core disciple status.
Previously, the reward for losing the elite disciple status was the peak cultivation level of a Martial Grandmaster, but now, if he could shed the core disciple status, the reward would be the peak cultivation level of a Fifth Grade Martial Spirit!
Looking at it this way, it seemed somewhat acceptable.
After washing up, Chu Xinghe had breakfast with many senior brothers and then headed to the Medicine King Palace.
Last night's fire had razed the entire Medicine King Palace to the ground, except for the Rosefinch Furnace, which stood firmly in place, while everything else that could burn was reduced to ashes.
At this moment, the disciples of Spirit Crane Palace had already begun cleaning up the mess, preparing to rebuild the Medicine King Palace.
Chu Xinghe felt a bit guilty, so he joined in the work crew.
"Junior Brother Xinghe… you don't need to help here…"
"Junior Brother Xinghe, you were up all night yesterday, you should rest first."
Despite the refusals, Chu Xinghe continued to help, taking on the hardest and most tiring tasks, which moved the senior brothers immensely.
Look at this… Other core disciples act like lords, but our Junior Brother Xinghe truly leads by example!
***
He worked until noon, and while the other senior brothers took a break, Chu Xinghe did not rest.
Today was the day for various palaces to collect their pill resources. Although the Medicine King Palace was destroyed and many pills were lost, the foundation of Spirit Crane Palace ensured that the supply to the palaces would not be interrupted.
Chu Xinghe helped the disciple in charge of distributing the pills, which moved that disciple as well.
Though tired, Chu Xinghe found that working like this was a way to vent his guilt and resentment.
"Greetings, Senior Brothers. I'm Liu Bo from the Outer Sect, here to collect the pill resources for the Outer Sect." A guy who looked like a Bighead Carp spoke humbly.
There was no choice; that's how Outer Sect disciples were.
The disciple responsible for distributing the pills casually handed over the resources to this Bighead Carp, Liu Bo.
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But Chu Xinghe remembered this guy. Wasn't this Bighead Carp the one who beat up Chu Cheng in the Outer Sect last time?
Thinking of Chu Cheng, Chu Xinghe spoke up, "Are you Liu Bo from the Outer Sect?"
"Yes, Senior Brother!"
"I'm Chu Xinghe."
"Ah? Chu… Senior Brother Chu, hello…" Liu Bo obviously knew who Chu Xinghe was.
"Hello, Chu Cheng and I are from the same hometown."
As soon as Chu Xinghe said this, Liu Bo broke into a cold sweat. The last time he beat up Chu Cheng was because Chu Cheng spread rumors about Chu Xinghe, and he even received a pill reward for it.
Liu Bo couldn't understand why Chu Xinghe was looking for him today. Was it because he had been too harsh? Was Chu Xinghe standing up for Chu Cheng out of hometown sentiment?
"Liu Bo, Chu Cheng and I are from the same hometown. What's past is past, but I hope you can look after Chu Cheng in the Outer Sect. I can't forget our hometown ties, no matter what Chu Cheng did, he will always be my fellow townsman."
Chu Xinghe's words left both Liu Bo and the surrounding Spirit Crane Palace disciples stunned.
Listen to that!
That's what you call magnanimity!
Everyone knew about Chu Cheng's rumors against Chu Xinghe.
Some even speculated that the beating Chu Cheng received was orchestrated by Chu Xinghe.
But hearing Chu Xinghe's words now, Liu Bo was truly impressed. Is there really someone with such a broad mind in this world? How could anyone suspect him of being behind such schemes? Is there no justice?
Chu Xinghe casually took a bottle of spirit pills from the side and handed it to Liu Bo, speaking again, "Junior Brother Liu Bo, consider this a small token of my appreciation. Please look after Chu Cheng in the Outer Sect for my sake."
"Ah…" Liu Bo looked at the pills in his hand, feeling overwhelmed.
"Alright… alright…" Once he was sure that Chu Xinghe wasn't being sarcastic, Liu Bo replied earnestly, "Rest assured, Senior Brother Chu, as long as I'm in the Outer Sect, no one will dare to bully Chu Cheng!"
"With your word, I'm relieved." Chu Xinghe smiled gratefully.
Liu Bo bowed and prepared to leave, but just then, Feng Fei approached from a distance. It was clear he had witnessed everything, and he was genuinely impressed with Chu Xinghe. Previously, when he arranged for someone to deal with Chu Cheng, he thought Chu Xinghe was just putting on a show, but today's conversation with Liu Bo made Feng Fei realize.
He had underestimated Junior Brother Xinghe. Junior Brother's heart was truly broad, and he was genuinely righteous!
"Junior Brother Xinghe, this won't do," Feng Fei sighed, shaking his head.
"Ah? Is it because of the pills? Don't worry, Senior Brother Feng, I'll make up for those pills."
"Junior Brother Xinghe, I'm not talking about the pills. When has Spirit Crane Palace ever lacked pills? I'm talking about your actions just now. I know you're a good person, but Chu Cheng has a terrible disposition. He maliciously slandered you behind your back, and he deserves some punishment. Yet, you're asking someone to look after him. From what I know of him, he won't appreciate your kindness and will only become more audacious."
Feng Fei's words made those around nod in agreement, thinking that Junior Brother Xinghe was still too naive.
"Moreover, in the Grand Sky Sect, whether it's the Inner or Outer Sect, strength is what matters. If Chu Cheng truly has exceptional talent, he can rise again even if he's relegated to the Outer Sect. But by having Liu Bo look after him, he won't remember your kindness, and it won't benefit his cultivation. Today, he got beaten because he's weak, and you gave Liu Bo pills to look after him. What if he gets beaten again tomorrow?"
Feng Fei shook his head as he spoke.
"I understand what Senior Brother Feng means, but he's my fellow townsman, and this is the only thing I can do for him. If, as Senior Brother Feng says, someone beats him again, then maybe all I can do is offer more pills to ask that person not to beat him." Chu Xinghe's innocent expression made Feng Fei shake his head.
However, Feng Fei ultimately said nothing more. After all, Junior Brother Xinghe's pure nature was precisely why everyone liked him.
Feng Fei shook his head and left, while on the other side, the Bighead Carp, who hadn't gone far, overheard the conversation between Chu Xinghe and Feng Fei. The earlier part made the Bighead Carp worry that the pills would be taken back, but the latter part made his eyes light up.
The Bighead Carp didn't care if Chu Xinghe was naive or not; what mattered was… if someone beat Chu Cheng again, Chu Xinghe would give more pills?
Damn… is there really such a good deal?
The Bighead Carp was so excited that his pants were a bit damp, and his squinty eyes shone brightly!
Pills! Here I come!
The Bighead Carp left Spirit Crane Palace excitedly, unaware that from afar, Chu Xinghe watched his departing figure with a satisfied smile.
Chu Cheng, you little brat!
You weren't beaten to death last time! But this is good, I can torment you slowly! Just when I'm in a bad mood, I'll let the Bighead Carp teach you a lesson!
***
In the Outer Sect, Chu Cheng lay on the bed, wrapped like a mummy.
"My fate is mine to decide, not the heavens!"
As the most talented youth in Hillside Village, Chu Cheng hadn't been defeated by a few setbacks. He vowed that when the opportunity arose, he would take his three-foot sword and claim Chu Xinghe's head!
No! And that Bighead Carp too!
That guy must have been sent by Chu Xinghe, definitely him!
I'll chop off his head and make it into Chopped Chili Fish Head.
Let him know that those who mess with me, Chu Cheng, will pay a price they can't afford.
While Chu Cheng was dreaming of becoming a peak Martial Emperor and dominating the world, the door was suddenly kicked open with a bang.
A Bighead Carp, leading a group of people, stormed in from outside.
"Oh dear… you shouldn't do this… Senior Brother Chu Xinghe instructed us to take good care of his fellow townsman, so I must stop you… you can't lay a hand on Chu Cheng… oh dear… I can't stop so many of you…"
Such poor acting!
Utterly poor!
Before Chu Cheng could voice his opinion on the Bighead Carp's acting, a casserole-sized fist was already in front of his eyes…
His dream of becoming a peak Martial Emperor was shattered by fists, and the group mercilessly beat Chu Cheng. No one knew how long the beating lasted, but it was certain that Chu Cheng's plans of becoming a Martial Emperor and defying fate would be delayed by at least another year.
***
In the afternoon, Chu Xinghe continued to work with everyone at the Medicine King Palace. The Great Elder, along with many elders, came for a visit. When they saw Chu Xinghe working alongside everyone, both the Great Elder and the other elders nodded in approval.
"This child… has an excellent disposition."
"Indeed, Great Elder, Xinghe is pure-hearted. Even now, as a core disciple, he shows no arrogance. I've heard from the disciples that he still addresses everyone as Senior Brother, only following formal titles when outsiders are present."
"A good child indeed. The Rosefinch Spirit Flame, the Medicine Saint's Inheritance, each of these alone is enough to make someone a prodigy, yet this child takes no pride in them. Truly, God Bless Grand Sky Sect!"
The Great Elder, stroking his beard that had been mostly burned off, also smiled contentedly.
In martial arts or alchemy, talent is important, but disposition is even more so. How many talented individuals have turned against their teachers and ancestors after mastering their skills!
But look at Chu Xinghe, humble to his fellow disciples, respectful to his elders. Such a child deserves the Rosefinch Spirit Flame, deserves the Medicine Saint's Inheritance, yet he remains true to his original self.
The Great Elder felt that bringing Chu Xinghe to Spirit Crane Palace was the best decision he had ever made.