Chu Xinghe felt he was particularly skilled at turning the tide in unfavorable situations.

Because ever since he started playing, it seemed like every damn game was against the odds.

Ma Liang, that ungrateful scoundrel, and the shameless Chosen of Grand Sky City, all they ever did was cause trouble for him. Couldn't they find something better to do?

"God Bless Grand Sky... God Bless Grand Sky..."

Goodness, outside the manor, Ma Liang was leading a group chanting "God Bless Grand Sky."

God bless your...

Chu Xinghe held his head in frustration for a long time...

Finally, the chanting outside faded away.

"Senior Brother Xinghe, Deacon Yang just received orders from the sect to host a banquet in Grand Sky City to celebrate the induction of new disciples."

Ma Liang always knew how to hit a sore spot. A banquet?

Do I look like I'm in the mood for a banquet?

But considering the number of new disciples, Chu Xinghe followed Ma Liang to the largest building in Grand Sky City, the Grand Sky Tower.

Three thousand new disciples gathered at the Grand Sky Tower, and the moment Chu Xinghe stepped inside, the entire place erupted in excitement.

"We greet Senior Brother Xinghe!"

The chorus of three thousand voices gave Chu Xinghe a slight shock.

Every disciple selected this time looked at Senior Brother Xinghe with admiration.

Over the past year, they had heard Chu Xinghe's name countless times—the number one of the younger generation, the top young alchemist.

Anything associated with Chu Xinghe was essentially synonymous with being the best.

But who among the young doesn't have a bit of pride?

Frankly speaking, half of the three thousand disciples had once thought, if I join the Grand Sky Sect, I must surpass that scoundrel Chu Xinghe and become the new number one in the world!

It's not that I can't do it, I just don't have Chu Xinghe's resources. If I had even half of what Chu Xinghe has, that scoundrel would be nothing.

During the second round of selection, when they heard Chu Xinghe was overseeing it, many panicked.

And the series of mysterious actions by Senior Brother Xinghe afterward only fueled their resentment.

But the more they hated, the more they now admired Senior Brother Xinghe.

What does it mean to influence subtly? Senior Brother Xinghe demonstrated it to everyone in Grand Sky City.

You thought Senior Brother Xinghe was messing around, thought he was on the first level, but every move he made was in the stratosphere!

The breakthrough in mindset gave many a sudden clarity, understanding things they couldn't before.

Many couldn't wait to retake the initial test today, and the results shocked everyone.

Almost every disciple who had a breakthrough in mindset saw a significant improvement in their re-evaluation.

Those previously deemed barely Chosen by the Grand Sky Sect were now undeniably Chosen, and the improvement in mindset had even enhanced their talents.

After this event, everyone finally understood that Chu Xinghe's depth was no empty boast.

If you haven't met Senior Brother Xinghe, you can't comprehend his terrifying prowess!

In one afternoon, the three thousand disciples listened to the stories from their senior brothers and sisters about Senior Brother Xinghe's deeds in the Grand Sky Sect over the past year.

The three thousand disciples were genuinely stunned.

Senior Brother Xinghe was not only invincible in cultivation but also unmatched in wisdom, and his character was flawless!

The purest jade in the world couldn't compare to Senior Brother Xinghe.

Everyone looked at Senior Brother Xinghe with shining eyes, dreaming of becoming his fellow disciple.

"Senior Brother Xinghe, say a few words," Ma Liang said excitedly.

Chu Xinghe was speechless... Say a few words? Ma Liang, if you knew my mood right now, you wouldn't dare speak to me.

"No, everyone's been tired these past few days. After today's banquet, go back and rest well. We'll head to the sect later, and as fellow disciples, there will be plenty of opportunities to chat."

Chu Xinghe's brief words once again sparked cheers from the crowd.

Three thousand disciples bowed in admiration.

Listen! This is the realm of Senior Brother Xinghe.

If it were me, having accomplished such a feat, wouldn't I have prepared a three-thousand-page speech to recite until the Grand Sky Tower collapsed?

But Senior Brother Xinghe didn't do that at all. Look at his calm demeanor, his lack of arrogance—he's truly a role model for us all.

I once thought of surpassing Senior Brother Xinghe? Now it seems I was just dreaming.

Following in Senior Brother Xinghe's footsteps is already a great fortune for me.

The banquet began, and the three thousand disciples, having gone through this journey from the depths to the peak, were all extremely excited.

Many disciples came to toast Chu Xinghe, but Ma Liang turned them away.

"You three thousand want to toast Senior Brother Xinghe one by one? What are you trying to do..."

One must admit, Ma Liang could be useful at times.

Finally, under Ma Liang's persuasion, Chu Xinghe raised his glass and drank with the three thousand disciples.

Ma Liang drank until his face was red, shouting, "I, Ma Liang, am Senior Brother Xinghe's number one lucky charm!"

"With Ma Liang here, nothing goes wrong!"

These words made Chu Xinghe's heart twitch... Don't worry, Ma Liang, you'll be hard to find in the future...

As Chu Xinghe drank alone in bitterness, he noticed that among the three thousand disciples, everyone else was drinking merrily, except for those from Muyue Nation who sat together.

They weren't mingling and toasting with their future fellow disciples like the others; instead, they looked downcast.

Seeing this, Chu Xinghe's mood finally improved a bit.

The three hundred geniuses from Muyue Nation were his last hope, and now that his hope was unhappy, how could that be?

Chu Xinghe got up and went over to the group from Muyue Nation.

Mu Bai, seeing Chu Xinghe approaching, quickly stood up.

"Mu Bai greets Senior Brother Xinghe." As a prince of Muyue Nation, Mu Bai carried the grace of royalty but lacked the arrogance.

Which was understandable, given the sorry state of Muyue Nation; it would be a miracle if a prince could be arrogant.

"Mu Bai, why do you seem unhappy?"

Hearing this, Mu Bai's eyes dimmed further.

The recruitment of disciples by the Grand Sky Sect had caused a sensation across the land, and the saying that Chu Xinghe's three-step strategy had secured victory spread far and wide.

But everyone praised Senior Brother Xinghe and the large group of disciples who had broken through their mindset, while mentioning Muyue Nation?

Everyone had the same comment.

Muyue Nation caught a lucky break; Chu Xinghe was using Grand Sky City as a chessboard, and Muyue Nation was merely his second piece.

Although Mu Bai knew Muyue Nation's reputation was already in tatters.

But who would willingly be a pawn?

When Ma Liang recommended him, Mu Bai thought Senior Brother Xinghe had some way to change Muyue Nation's fate, which was why he accepted them so readily. But now it seemed... Senior Brother Xinghe was just using them as pawns.

Yet Mu Bai couldn't blame Senior Brother Xinghe because trading three hundred useless talents from Muyue Nation for two thousand seven hundred exceptional ones was a move he would make too.

But every time he thought about how his people were just pawns, Mu Bai's heart ached.

Thinking Muyue Nation could change its fate in the Grand Sky Sect was self-deception.

"Mu Bai, do you think I see you as pawns?"

"Mu Bai wouldn't dare..."

"Mu Bai... People say I, Chu Xinghe, played three moves: the first piece was the top three, the second was your Muyue Nation, and the third was the final test. But let me tell you, in my heart, you three hundred from Muyue Nation are the greatest gain from this trip to Grand Sky City!"

Chu Xinghe's eyes were incredibly firm.

Mu Bai looked at Senior Brother Xinghe's determined gaze and felt a moment of confusion.

Because Mu Bai thought, with Senior Brother Xinghe's status, he had no reason to deceive a small fry like him, right?

"Mu Bai, when you enter the Grand Sky Sect, other disciples will be chosen by the elders of various palaces, but for you from Muyue Nation, I've already planned it. You will enter the Spirit Crane Palace, become its disciples, and the resources you receive will surpass those of ordinary Grand Sky Sect disciples."

Hearing this, Mu Bai was dumbfounded.

Spirit Crane Palace?

Besides the Grand Sky Palace where the Sect Master resides, the Grand Sky Sect has eighteen palaces.

Among these, the Spirit Crane Palace is where the Great Elder resides, and it's also where Senior Brother Xinghe is.

Mu Bai never dreamed that Senior Brother Xinghe would bring them all into the Spirit Crane Palace.

Looking into Senior Brother Xinghe's eyes, Mu Bai was sure that Senior Brother Xinghe wouldn't deceive them, nor would he bother to.

What right did his three hundred from Muyue Nation have to be deceived by Senior Brother Xinghe?

And Senior Brother Xinghe wanted to give them better resources and training?

Could it be...

Mu Bai suddenly thought of something but didn't dare to ask... because he feared disappointment.

Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, Mu Bai was willing to keep that hope alive in his heart.

"Cheer up, I assure you, Muyue Nation is not just a pawn in my game, but an incredibly important piece in my future plans!"

After saying this, Mu Bai was moved to tears.

How many years had it been since Muyue Nation was needed and valued like this?

And now, the one valuing them was Senior Brother Xinghe!

That was Chu Xinghe!

"With such virtue from Senior Brother Xinghe, I, Mu Bai, swear that the disciples of Muyue Nation will do their utmost to live up to Senior Brother Xinghe's expectations!"

Raising his glass, Chu Xinghe and Mu Bai drank together.

Seeing Mu Bai's excitement, Chu Xinghe felt relieved.

That's more like it... Your Muyue Nation is a crucial piece in my plan to shake the sect.

So how could you be despondent?

How can a despondent person consume sect resources?

You should learn from the Ouyang Family's spirit of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to draining sect resources.

With the Ouyang Family consuming a million spirit stones annually and you from Muyue Nation depleting cultivation resources, how could I possibly lose this game with such powerful cards in hand!