The Third Palace Lord and Sixth Palace Lord were both overjoyed. The competition for the top three had been fiercely intense every year, and Ten Thousand Swords Palace had not produced a genius among the top three during the Heaven's Gate Examination for three hundred years! Originally, Luo Wu could have represented Ten Thousand Swords Palace in competing for the top three this year. But no one had expected a Descendant of the Heavenly Emperor to appear, along with a Heavenly Emperor Crown Prince possessing heaven-defying talent. The difficulty of reaching the top three had instantly increased by more than tenfold.
This was a great age, with geniuses emerging in droves and experts standing like a forest. No one was confident that, in such a great age, they could defeat every talented prodigy and become one of the top three.
If the Second Palace Lord were willing to step forward, then with the life-and-death friendship between him and the Sect Leader True Person, it was indeed very possible for him to secure Ning Xiaochuan a reserved place among the top three! It would bring enormous benefits to Ten Thousand Swords Palace.
"Thank you, Master!" Ning Xiaochuan said.
"There's nothing to thank me for. This old man finally took in a disciple. If I can't even guarantee him a place in the top three, wouldn't that be utterly humiliating?"
The Second Palace Lord's expression became slightly solemn as he continued, "But even if you are reserved a place among the top three, you must still participate in the Heaven's Gate Examination. This is a trial every disciple of Heavenly Emperor Mountain must undergo. Only after passing this trial can one speak of becoming a Core Disciple, or even entering the top three."
"Among this year's young talents, a great number of