Chapter 1751: Getting Something for Nothing

"Have you heard? A new low-level apprentice came, and on his first day he sent Hu Feng and his two buddies to sleep in the latrine."

"Really? A newcomer, that impressive?"

"Hey, believe it or not? In fire dueling, the three of them together couldn't beat him; in combat, the three of them together still couldn't beat him."

"Bullshit! Those three together—few priest apprentices dare to mess with them!"

"Hey, go check out their miserable state in the latrine, then you'll know. They're still there!"

...

News that Ye Yuan had thrashed Hu Feng and his crew spread quickly throughout the apprentice area.

But he himself didn't dwell on it. After a good night's sleep, he headed to Tianlu Pavilion.

Tianlu Pavilion was where the Priest Temple stored its treasured texts—dan recipes, alchemy techniques, fire control methods, basic pharmacology, and everything else.

Since Ye Yuan had come to the Priest Temple, he naturally wouldn't miss the chance to learn the alchemy arts of the demon race.

Given his nature, he started with the basics.

Ye Yuan knew that what he had picked up during the priest apprentice assessment was only possible because of his profound dan dao realm—he had forcibly applied human techniques to the demon god pills from a very high perspective.

But that was his limit; going further was impossible.

To gain the Temple's attention, he had to learn from the ground up.

Of course, given Ye Yuan's current level, learning would naturally yield twice the result with half the effort.

"Stop right there!"

Just as Ye Yuan entered Tianlu Pavilion, a white-haired old man called out to him.

Ye Yuan's gaze sharpened—he couldn't see through this old man's depth.

"Senior!" Ye Yuan greeted with a bow.

This white-haired old man was at least a fifth-rank expert.

The white-haired old man glanced at Ye Yuan and said flatly, "You have zero contribution points. You cannot enter Tianlu Pavilion."

Ye Yuan paused, then quickly understood: the old man must have sensed through Tianlu Pavilion's formation that he had zero contribution points.

"Senior, don't new priest apprentices get any starting contribution points?"

Contribution points were common practice in any organization.

But Ye Yuan had forgotten to check his identity token yesterday; he hadn't expected to have zero points.

The Priest Temple was really stingy.

"Nonsense! You've made no contribution to the Temple, so where would contribution points come from? A newly admitted apprentice wanting to enter Tianlu Pavilion—what wishful thinking! Get lost, don't block my way!"

Just then, a voice sounded behind Ye Yuan.

Turning around, he saw a young man in priest robes, his face full of arrogance, his nose practically pointing to the sky.

Ye Yuan ignored him and asked the white-haired old man, "Senior, is it allowed to wager contribution points in the Temple?"

The white-haired old man nodded lightly. "It is allowed. But physical fights are prohibited in the Temple; only dan duels are permitted."

Hearing this, the priest burst out laughing. "What a joke! A newly admitted low-level priest apprentice—who are you going to duel?"

Ye Yuan grinned. "You!"

The priest was taken aback, then laughed loudly. "You want to duel me? Hahaha, you don't even have contribution points—what are you going to wager?"

As he spoke, Ye Yuan pulled out a spirit fruit. The priest's expression changed as he exclaimed, "Crane Age Fruit!"

Ye Yuan smiled. "Good eye, Priest! Senior, how many contribution points is this Crane Age Fruit worth?"

This Crane Age Fruit was something Ye Yuan had bought back in Chuanji Royal City, and it hadn't been cheap.

The white-haired old man looked at Ye Yuan with some surprise, wondering where this kid got the confidence to duel a priest.

But he still nodded. "A Crane Age Fruit is worth five hundred contribution points."

Ye Yuan nodded and said to the priest, "Priest, let's not waste time. You put up three hundred points, and I'll wager this fruit. How about it?"

Greed flickered in the priest's eyes as he looked at Ye Yuan like he was an idiot. "How did the Temple recruit such a fool? Heh, since you're offering me a treasure, I'd be rude not to accept. Fine, I'll take the bet! Don't say I'm bullying you—pick whatever you want to compete in!"

A sly glint appeared in Ye Yuan's eyes. "Let's keep it simple. We'll duel in fire control."

"Fire control? Heh, you sure know how to pick! I'll give you a chance—pick something else, though you still have zero chance of winning," the priest said.

By now, people coming and going to Tianlu Pavilion had gathered, drawn by the commotion.

"Is this newbie out of his mind? Challenging Priest Chi Feng to a fire duel?"

"Everyone knows Chi Feng is the best fire controller among the priests. Where does this kid get the nerve?"

"Heh, ignorance is bliss!"

...

Chi Feng looked smugly at Ye Yuan. "Idiot, hear that? My alchemy isn't the best among priests, but no one surpasses me in fire control! A piece of trash like you wants to duel me in fire?"

Ye Yuan detested people who put others down to show off.

I didn't provoke you, and you call me trash and idiot—is that fun?

And he happened to have no contribution points; it was like a pillow arriving just as he felt sleepy.

Ye Yuan curled his lip. "Best fire controller—so what?"

Chi Feng was startled, then sneered. "You'll find out just how impressive it is!"

Ye Yuan said flatly, "Enough talk. Let's go."

Ye Yuan's demeanor made Chi Feng want to punch him, and he decided to teach him a good lesson.

Chi Feng formed a hand seal with one hand, and with a flick of his palm, countless sparks surrounded Ye Yuan in an instant, like a sky full of stars, drawing gasps of admiration.

"Kid, taste my Starry Sky and see what it means to be the best fire controller!" Chi Feng sneered.

Ye Yuan, as if startled, let out a strange cry and darted away.

Seeing this, Chi Feng laughed. "Run? If I let an apprentice get away, the whole Temple will laugh at me!"

Chi Feng's fire control was indeed impressive; he manipulated the countless sparks with ease.

But Ye Yuan's movements were extremely erratic, and with a few twists and turns, he ended up right in front of Chi Feng.

Boom!

Two sparks landed on Chi Feng's eyebrows, and a burnt smell wafted up—his eyebrows were gone.

Pfft!

Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted.

"Tsk tsk, the best fire controller indeed! That move—'burning the eyebrows'—I'm in awe!" Ye Yuan said with feigned admiration.

Chi Feng scrambled frantically, quickly withdrawing his divine fire.

But his eyebrows were already gone.

"You! You cheated!" Chi Feng pointed at Ye Yuan, furious.

Ye Yuan shrugged. "A bet is a bet. So many people are watching—you're not going to renege, are you?"

Chi Feng's face changed colors several times before he gritted his teeth. "You're ruthless!"

Ye Yuan smiled. "I'll give you another chance. Now I have these three hundred contribution points. I'll bet them against you again. Do you dare?"