"If I just sit here and hide in the protective shell of the Sect, I will never be able to grow. Thus, I request you to enlist me in this mission." Ye Tian Yun requested Sect Leader Su to allow him to be a part of this mission.
This time, Peak Leader Duan also came to his support, "Sect Leader, Fang Chen does have a point. No matter how much he practices, spars, and cultivates, he would never get the benefit that is there on the real battlefield. Only by sharpening himself in the battlefield will he become qualified for the Grand Spirit Hunt."
Sect Leader Su didn't give an immediate denial this time. Instead, he fell in thought as he began to consider Ye Tian Yun and Peak Master Duan's words.
After some time, he said, "I can't let more than one new Inner Court disciple be a part of this mission."
"It will be either Xiao Ming or Fang Chen. Not both of them at once."
Ye Tian Yun was confused and reflexively asked, "Why not both?"
Sect Leader Su sighed, "I can't take the risk of sending both of the top new talents of the sect together on their first mission. It's too risky."
"I am sure our enemy sects already know about Xiao Ming going out of the sect, and they will definitely target him. But if it were to get out that not only Xiao Ming, but even Fang Chen, the other new emerging talent of the Gracious Sword Sect, was going out of the sect, the enemies would definitely launch an ambush."
"I can bet my life on this because if I were in their shoes, I too wouldn't miss such an opportunity, especially not when both of these geniuses were going to be together at one place."
Sect Leader Su's words silenced everyone.
While the other two elders fell in contemplation about the words Sect Leader Su had just uttered, Ye Tian Yun, on the other hand, began to think of any other argument that he could put forward.
Just as he was thinking, Sect Leader Su added, "So, tell me, Fang Chen, do you wish to go in place of Xiao Ming?"
Peak Master Duan and Elder Lai Chang also turned towards Ye Tian Yun for his response.
Ye Tian Yun, on the other hand, was now frowning.
The question in front of him wasn't that hard to answer - however, whatever he said, it wouldn't be in his favor at all.
If he still insisted on being part of this mission, that would mean Xiao Ming wouldn't be part of this mission.
This would then mean there wouldn't be any Token Of Fate for him.
And if he said no and chose not to be a part of the mission, he wouldn't get the Token Of Fate since he would be in the sect while Xiao Ming would be in the Southern Region.
'Damn this lockdown!' He couldn't help but curse his luck.
If not for the lockdown, things wouldn't have gotten so complicated.
'If I go in the mission, there definitely won't be any chance to receive the Token Of Fate… but if I do not go and find a way to get out of the sect, maybe, just maybe, I might succeed and trail behind them.'
However, finding a way to get out of the sect won't be easy, especially after knowing Sect Leader Su's response to his request.
From his words, Ye Tian Yun could easily see that his value in Sect Leader's eyes had risen to a whole new level. It wasn't hard to notice, even though Sct Leader Su was trying his best to hide it by acting indifferent.
Letting out a breath, Ye Tian Yun processed his thoughts and finally came to a decision.
Pursing his lips, he said, "Sect Leader, I am a person with integrity - I don't wish to take someone else's opportunity for my own benefits. If it's in my fate, I will receive it. If it's not, then it was never supposed to be."
The three were confused by his response, and noticing their expressions, Ye Tian Yun continued, "I do not wish to take Xiao Ming's opportunity, and will let him go for this mission. I will have my chances soon."
Sect Leader Su frowned at his words. A clear disappointment was written all over his face.
Peak Master Duan, too had a similar expression, and with a sigh, he said, "Fang Chen, opportunities won't be given to you in a silver platter. You will have to catch them before they pass by."
"There's still time; think carefully before deciding about this. You may not want to take other's opportunity, but the world outside is different - everyone for themselves - this is the motto of this cruel world."
"No one will give you an opportunity like this, nor will you get chances again and again. So if you wish to succeed in your life, always jump at the first sign and take it."
Sect Leader Su and Elder Lai Chang also nodded their heads in agreement.
Both of them were quite disappointed at Ye Tian Yun's reply to not go to the mission and take this opportunity, even though one of them straight up denied him permission to go out of the sect just a few minutes ago.
They were disappointed not because Ye Tian Yun chose not to go out of the sect. Rather, what disappointed them was that Ye Tian Yun decided not to take the opportunity when presented and decided to be a good samaritan.
This made Ye Tian Yun seem quite immature in front of them.
However, what they didn't know was that Ye Tian Yun had no choice in the first place. Whatever he chose, he was going to lose. Thus, he chose the option which still gave him some hope to make a comeback.
Thus he decided not to go on the mission and stay back - letting Xiao Ming fulfill his destiny and encounter the Token Of Fate.