Hu Yong spoke at the front for half an hour.
Many contestants, not accustomed to regular exercise, found their backs and waists aching from standing.
After a while longer, Hu Yong finally concluded his speech and officially transitioned to the competition.
He looked at everyone and said, "Alright, let me introduce the competition rules."
"The rules are very simple. This time, we are adopting a single-round elimination system, meaning victory or defeat is decided in one match."
"Everyone must give their all, as you only have one chance."
Upon hearing Hu Yong's words, the contestants couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves.
After all, this was the final selection round, and they had expected a more elaborate process. They hadn't anticipated such a straightforward competition format.
Hu Yong raised his hands, signaling for quiet, and continued, "Please calm down. I understand you are all surprised."
"However, after our discussions, we concluded that any additional rounds would be meaningless, hence this system."
"I believe you all understand that with a single-round competition, the difficulty must be extremely high."
"Therefore, I hope everyone can give their utmost and fully showcase their talents."
"That's all I have to say. Next, I will announce the competition project."
With that, Hu Yong glanced at the organizing committee members. They nodded, and from a room, a medical bed was wheeled out.
As everyone saw the patient lying on the bed, their expressions immediately stiffened.
The female contestants, in particular, turned pale, their eyes even showing fear.
A man lay on the bed, emaciated to the bone. His entire body was skin and bones, his face deeply sunken, and even his eyeballs seemed to be caving in.
Anyone who saw him would involuntarily get the illusion that if they were to tear at him, they could peel off his skin and flesh, revealing his bones.
It was hard to imagine how such a person was still alive, yet he truly was. His chest rose and fell slowly, each breath clearly revealing the contours of his ribs.
"Is this... Ku Luo Bing?" someone among the contestants said, their eyes vacant.
Hearing this, the other contestants were jolted awake.
They all remembered. The man was correct; this was indeed the legendary Ku Luo Bing!
Ku Luo Bing is a disease recorded in ancient texts, similar to muscle atrophy but much more severe.
Individuals afflicted with this disease experience rapid muscle dissolution within an hour, and their internal organs collapse quickly.
The person becomes like a withered leaf, essentially devoid of vitality.
This is an extremely rare disease, with perhaps fewer than one case globally per year.
In Western medicine, it is essentially an incurable disease with no possibility of overcoming it.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is said to be curable, but whether this is true remains to be verified.
Hu Yong nodded and said, "That's correct, this is Ku Luo Bing, and it is the subject of our competition today."
"Whoever can restore this patient's health will earn a spot in the next round. Do you all understand?"
The contestants exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
They were all confident geniuses, believing they could solve any problem.
However, they never dreamed that the challenge would be this monstrous, leaving their minds blank.
Someone couldn't help but ask, "Um... I have a question."
"Did you make a mistake with the question? Why is our competition this kind of subject? I find it unacceptable."
Hu Yong looked at him and asked, "Unacceptable? Why do you find it unacceptable?"
"As I said at the beginning, since this is a single-round competition, the difficulty will naturally be very high."
"Since you came to participate, you should have been mentally prepared. If the questions we posed were all solvable by you, what would be the point of such a competition?"
"But... but..." The person still couldn't accept it.
"I understand the questions will be difficult, but this is just too difficult?"
"Regardless, we are just young people. How can we possibly cure Ku Luo Bing?"
"I believe it's not just me; everyone here surely feels this is unreasonable. So, I think it would be better to change the question, as this is simply too difficult."
As he spoke, the person looked at the crowd, seeking courage through their gazes.
The others also did not wish to face such a challenge, so they chimed in, "Yes, why not change the question?"
"This is a problem that even veteran TCM doctors cannot solve. It's too presumptuous to expect us to handle it."
"If the question is like this, we might as well withdraw. It's truly asking too much." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Hearing the contestants' complaints, Hu Yong's expression turned grim.
His tone even became noticeably heavier: "What are you all arguing about?"
"Each of you, as geniuses emerging from your respective provinces, I have always placed great expectations on you, but how can you behave like this?"
"If you cannot cure it, it's fine. It's merely a matter of ability, and you can continue to cultivate diligently."
"But before you've even participated, you're saying you can't do it. Isn't that a terrible attitude?"
At this point, Hu Yong's demeanor became even more indifferent.
"If you believe that by saying these words you can change the question, then I can only tell you that you are mistaken. It is impossible."
"As for those among you who wish to withdraw, my answer can only be that it's up to you."
"In any case, no matter what you say or do, the question will not change in any way."
"Even if no one from our Southern region advances, I will accept it!"
Hu Yong's words were decisive, and the aura emanating from him made the contestants feel a sense of dread.
They had initially thought that by resisting together, the question would change, but they hadn't expected Hu Yong to be so resolute.
The choice was now entirely in their hands.
They had all come with the dream of achieving fame, but it seemed that before the competition even began, that dream was already precarious...