Chapter 1750: Everyone Submits
Chapter 1750: Chapter 1750: Everyone Submits
"Huayu Temple’s Left Priest An Xiaxin, pays respects to the Master Priest!" Feeling bewildered, Han Yan suddenly saw An Xiaxin come before her, bow down, and greet her respectfully.
A token was handed over to Han Yan.
"Priest Zuo, what is this..." The sudden gesture left the other three completely amazed.
"Listen to me." An Xiaxin interrupted their inquiries, speaking gravely to Han Yan, "Huayu Temple has reached the final critical juncture of life and death. Your arrival brings me hope. I decide to appoint you as the Huayu Temple Master, leading us out of the crisis to restore the temple’s glory!"
"How can this be?" Han Yan didn’t expect An Xiaxin to present such a proposal, feeling puzzled as she looked at An Xiaxin.
Wasn’t it said that the three of them were competing for the position of Master Priest and, because of this, held hostility towards her arrival? Why suddenly give the position of Master Priest to her?
"I know what you’re thinking. Initially, I indeed wasn’t welcoming of your arrival at Huayu Temple. One reason is our cultivation resources are extremely limited, and we no longer have the ability to sustain more priests. Another reason is for the position of Master Priest," An Xiaxin discerned Han Yan’s bewilderment and continued saying.
Hearing her candidness, Han Yan felt even more confused.
"However, I don’t want this Master Priest position for myself. A few months later, according to the tradition, the Huayu Temple Master Priest also has the right to participate in the deity ceremony, which takes place once every ten thousand years. It happens to be the hundredth time.
According to ancient tales, a Heaven and Earth treasure dormant for a million years will awaken during this deity ceremony. For this strange treasure, all temple master priests will surely fight to the death," An Xiaxin continued.
"You wish to obtain this Heaven and Earth treasure?" Han Yan asked.
"Do you think I have that ability?" An Xiaxin bitterly smiled.
Han Yan fell silent for a moment. An Xiaxin was merely an Eighth Rank Priest, and although she wasn’t familiar with other temples’ situations, she had seen Feng City Temple’s Chief Priest, Chu Yangping, who was a Tenth Rank Divine Priest. By the Holy Court Continent’s cultivation levels, An Xiaxin was on a completely different scale compared to Chu Yangping. If they were to fight to the death, it would indeed spell disaster for her.
"I also know I don’t have that capability, but I still want to strive for it. From what I understand, this strange treasure seemingly doesn’t significantly aid in cultivation; however, it’s greatly beneficial to the entire temple. Therefore, for Huayu Temple, I still want to make an effort.
Yu He’s temperament is too fragile, Qing Lan... is too... too... In short, I don’t want them to sacrifice themselves." An Xiaxin sighed.
When mentioning Sikong Qinglan, she seemed difficult to describe; Sikong Qinglan himself turned a shade of red. As for Shen Yuhe’s gentle disposition, his habit of blushing frequently was no better.
"Han Yan, would you agree to my request and become the Huayu Temple Master Priest?" An Xiaxin eagerly looked at Han Yan.
In her eyes, Han Yan plainly saw a hint of weariness.
In truth, her character wasn’t stronger than Shen Yuhe and Sikong Qinglan’s; she simply acted with airs to prop up Huayu Temple, always putting on a cold and aloof facade.
Thinking about Sikong Qinglan’s humility when requesting at Feng City Temple, Han Yan could imagine how difficult it must be for her to uphold Huayu Temple, to endure cold stares, and even Dragon Wudang’s insolence, to which she was powerless.
She truly must be exhausted.
Regarding An Xiaxin’s words, Han Yan did not doubt. Knowing that fighting for the strange treasure during the deity ceremony meant certain death, she still did not sway in her determination. As soon as she observed Han Yan’s strength, she straightforwardly handed over the role of Master Priest without hesitation, showing no personal motives.
Sikong Qinglan and Shen Yuhe apparently also thought of this aspect. Looking at An Xiaxin, they felt somewhat ashamed.
Then, both simultaneously turned to Han Yan, eyes filled with anticipation. Initially having no interest in the position of Master Priest, they had to compete to protect the priests and guards loyal to them. Now, with An Xiaxin relinquishing, they naturally wouldn’t persist.
"Alright, I agree," Han Yan hesitated briefly but eventually nodded.
She of course understood what being the Master Priest entailed, not only bearing more responsibilities but also potentially facing life-threatening dangers. Already part of Huayu Temple, she couldn’t afford to watch the temple decline without doing anything. Besides, she aimed to conceal her identity and learn Priest Divine Techniques within Huayu Temple. If the temple were to crumble, what would she do?
Perhaps she could turn to another temple, but hiding her identity would be difficult. If she became the Huayu Temple Master Priest, who would dare investigate her identity?
Thus, with a little thought, Han Yan agreed to An Xiaxin’s request.
"Subordinates Huayu Temple Left Priest, Right Priest, Prayer Priest, An Xiaxin, Shen Yuhe, Sikong Qinglan, pay respects to the Master Priest." Hearing Han Yan’s response, they were overjoyed, showing a sense of relief.
An Xiaxin had long borne the burden of Huayu Temple, enduring immense pressure, feeling utterly exhausted. Shen Yuhe and Sikong Qinglan were forced into the Master Priest competition, against their natural peaceful demeanor, equally weary. Now, with Han Yan as Master Priest, they no longer needed to compete, feeling immensely relieved.
"Master Priest, here is the Huayu Temple Priest roster. You can look at it later. These are cultivation insights left by past Master Priests; you may contemplate them, or seek suitable Divine Arts to cultivate in the Spirit Cultivation Hall," An Xiaxin unveiled the roster, pointing to the shelf of books and notes beside her.
The roster wasn’t much to look at, as Huayu Temple only encompassed around twenty people who she could easily become familiar with. However, Han Yan showed interest in the cultivation insights left by former Master Priests.
"Right, Master Priest, there’s also your nameplate, needing your name inscribed and Seal enhancement for identity confirmation," Shen Yuhe pointed out the token An Xiaxin had handed over earlier.
This was the token of successive Huayu Chief Priests. With the passing of the former Master Priest, his name had disappeared, and Han Yan needed to inscribe her name. After Seal enhancement, she’d formally become the Huayu Temple Master Priest.
Han Yan didn’t think much, took the pen from the table, and effortlessly wrote her name as Han Yan.
Out of habit, she used her real name, preferring to use the character Mu instead of Mu, yet no one seemed concerned—since both characters sounded the same, Sikong Qinglan couldn’t even distinguish whether she had visited Mu Family Village or Mu Family Village.