Chapter 1756: The Priest

Before him stood an old man with a face full of golden fur, looking ferocious.

He looked exactly like a golden-maned lion king.

Ye Yuan was a bit puzzled—could such a rough-and-tumble man really refine high-grade pills?

The old man was also sizing up Ye Yuan, his gaze deep, as if lost in thought.

“Young man, what exactly is your purpose in joining the Priest Temple?” After a long while, the old man suddenly spoke, his voice like a bell.

Ye Yuan cupped his fists and said, “I have long yearned for the Divine Beast Pill. This time, I hope to learn the妖族’s alchemy and take my Dao of alchemy a step further!”

The old man laughed heartily. “Haha, I believe your words. You and I are of the same kind! For the Dao of alchemy, we would stop at nothing! But your purpose shouldn’t be limited to this, should it?”

Ye Yuan found that this old man was straightforward and blunt in speech, so naturally he didn’t need to hide anything. He nodded and said, “Actually, I came for my brother!”

Ye Yuan did not conceal anything and recounted how he planned to use the Priest Temple to find Bai Guang.

After hearing this, the old man laughed loudly and said, “I didn’t expect you to be a loyal and righteous lad! But don’t you think I’ll be at a loss? You learn the妖族’s alchemy and also use the power of the Priest Temple. In the end, what good does it do for me and the Temple?”

Ye Yuan knew that the other party was about to negotiate terms with him.

If the terms couldn’t be agreed upon, he would be in danger.

Ye Yuan shrugged and said, “What I can offer is this skill in alchemy. The reason you’re willing to talk with me, Senior, is probably because of this, right?”

The old man laughed heartily. “Kid, you’re a smart one. I, Di Qiu, don’t like beating around the bush either. Stay in the Priest Temple for five thousand years, and I’ll help you with this favor!”

Ye Yuan naturally understood that these five thousand years would be equivalent to selling himself to the Priest Temple.

He couldn’t agree to such a thing.

Ye Yuan shook his head and said, “Temple Master, I have my own affairs and probably cannot stay in the Priest Temple for long. If you insist on keeping me, I can stay for at most three hundred years!”

Three hundred years was already the limit Ye Yuan could offer.

If Ye Yuan had no ties, staying here for five thousand years wouldn’t be a problem.

This place was adjacent to the Heavenly Demon Mountain Range, with an abundance of spiritual herbs.

For Ye Yuan, it was indeed a paradise.

But Ye Yuan knew he couldn’t stay here for five thousand years.

Sure enough, as soon as Ye Yuan said this, Di Qiu’s face darkened. “Kid, are you messing with me? Three hundred years—what use would you be to me?”

Ye Yuan, however, smiled and said, “Three hundred years is enough to repay the Priest Temple’s investment!”

“Heh, what an arrogant brat! For a priest, three hundred years is but a blink of an eye. Your talent is not bad, but given three hundred years, what benefits can you bring to the Priest Temple? Or are you just playing me for a fool? Hmm?”

Di Qiu’s eyes widened, and a terrifying aura emanated from him.

In an instant, Ye Yuan felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him, making even breathing difficult.

This was not mere realm pressure—it was the real deal!

Clearly, Di Qiu was truly angry.

He felt that Ye Yuan was messing with him.

Three hundred years, in most people’s eyes, indeed showed a lack of sincerity.

Under the immense pressure, Ye Yuan’s bones creaked, and his face turned pale.

But he stubbornly said, “In three hundred years, I can create countless experts for the Priest Temple! If you don’t believe me, we can set a three-hundred-year term and sign a Heavenly Dao contract!”

Di Qiu was clearly unmoved and said coldly, “That can be arranged. After three hundred years, if I see your contribution, I’ll help you find your brother!”

Ye Yuan’s expression changed upon hearing this. This old man was clearly someone who wouldn’t let go without seeing a profit.

Without giving him some benefit, he would never agree.

But with his current strength, it was simply impossible to achieve that.

This was awkward!

Clearly, Ye Yuan had overestimated the Temple Master’s patience.

Three hundred years was indeed a very short moment for someone who had never been exposed to the Divine Beast Pill.

Although Ye Yuan had already shown his talent, Di Qiu still didn’t believe that Ye Yuan could accomplish anything in three hundred years.

“Senior, is there no room for negotiation?” Ye Yuan asked, his face pale.

Di Qiu sneered, “What do you think?”

Suddenly, Di Qiu’s expression changed, his aura vanished, and he put on a different expression, smiling. “Actually… it can be negotiated!”

The pressure on Ye Yuan suddenly disappeared without a trace, leaving him stunned.

This old man had been so aggressive just now—how had he suddenly changed his tune?

Di Qiu looked at Ye Yuan and smiled. “How about this—let’s each take a step back! I won’t ask you to stay for five thousand years, but you must make a Heavenly Dao oath to permanently retain your status as a priest of the Priest Temple. If the Priest Temple needs you to refine pills, you must not refuse. If the Priest Temple is in trouble, you must also lend a hand!”

Ye Yuan was taken aback again, then suddenly understood something.

Di Qiu was straightforward and couldn’t have come up with such a roundabout idea.

This way, it would bind Ye Yuan to the Priest Temple for life, far more advantageous than staying for five thousand years.

Moreover, it gave him maximum freedom.

Di Qiu’s mind couldn’t have thought of this; someone must have guided him just now, though Ye Yuan hadn’t noticed.

This Priest Temple indeed had hidden dragons and crouching tigers!

But this condition was not unacceptable to Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan had half-妖族 blood and didn’t排斥 the妖族.

Moreover, if he could learn the Divine Beast Pill, his alchemy would greatly improve.

Thus, Ye Yuan indeed owed the Priest Temple a big favor. Being a lifelong protector of the Priest Temple didn’t seem like a big deal.

Ye Yuan thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, I agree! But if the Priest Temple intends to harm me, that is not included!”

Ye Yuan was not one to be submissive. The Priest Temple was a vast system, and Ye Yuan couldn’t guarantee that he would always be on good terms with it.

If someone wanted to harm him, was he not supposed to fight back?

So before making the Heavenly Dao oath, Ye Yuan naturally had to eliminate all potential risks.

Di Qiu agreed very readily and smiled. “But the three-hundred-year agreement must still stand!”

Ye Yuan nodded and, in front of Di Qiu, made the Heavenly Dao oath.

The Heavenly Dao oath was too binding for warriors; no one would make such an oath unless absolutely necessary.

But to get news of Bai Guang, Ye Yuan had to do it.

Even if it meant being ground to dust, Ye Yuan wouldn’t bat an eye.

Seeing Ye Yuan make the Heavenly Dao oath, Di Qiu couldn’t help but laugh loudly. “Good! From now on, you are an official priest of the Temple! Three hundred years—I hope you won’t disappoint me!”