Chapter 1740: Chapter 1740: Poverty That Makes One’s Heart Ache

"I’ll go prepare the array first. You can take a rest for now," Sikong Qinglan said excitedly.

Relying on the power contained within the Divine Soul Stone, every priest gains a certain level of strength after undergoing the rite, which of course is related to their own aptitude. When he, An Xiaxin, and Shen Yuhe first went through the rite, they reached the realm of Third-tier Divine Priests immediately. Most priests are only First Rank, like Kangzihe in Tianfeng City, and few reach Second Rank.

Although Han Yan was a natural Divine Priest, judging by the painful look she had while undergoing the rite just now, her physique wasn’t very good. Thus, An Xiaxin reckoned she was at most a Second or Third Rank, and most other priests and commoners thought the same.

Sikong Qinglan knew Han Yan’s secret and naturally wouldn’t underestimate her like others did; instead, he was full of anticipation for her.

Sikong Qinglan moved away the Divine Soul Stone and then shifted the altar below, to begin repairing the array in the hall.

Huayu Temple was extremely poor, unable to continuously maintain and empower the array like Feng City Temple, only fixing it when it was necessary.

Seeing no major issues with the array, Sikong Qinglan then carefully took out several pieces of Meteorite Gold used for setting up arrays, pondered for a while before placing them into the array base. Even Han Yan felt a pang of sympathy seeing his cautious demeanor. This is truly the level of poverty that’s gut-wrenching.

While obtaining the Primordial Stone, Han Yan also received quite a few almost nearly useless Meteorite Gold Stones. In her leisure time, she asked Sikong Qinglan about the grades and prices of Meteorite Gold on the Divine Continent and learned that the few pieces he brought out were not top quality. If placed on the Holy Court Continent, she probably wouldn’t have looked at it twice, and if someone gave it to her, she’d feel it takes up space unless she thought even the smallest bit of mosquito meat is worth something. But in the hands of Sikong Qinglan, it was treated like a treasure; truly something you worry might break if held in your hand, or melt if placed in your mouth.

Even though it was just a simple repair of the array, not requiring much effort, Sikong Qinglan was highly concentrated mentally and ended up drenched in sweat after fixing the array, sitting down to rest for a while.

"I feel Lord Left Priest doesn’t really welcome me?" Han Yan said.

Actually, she was being polite. An Xiaxin didn’t just not welcome her, but outright rejected her.

"It’s not her fault. You have seen the situation at Huayu Temple. We hardly have any cultivation resources; not only do we need to use them for cultivation, but also save some for acquiring Meteorite Gold to maintain the temple barrier. Adding a priest means additional consumption, so besides the original priests, it’s been many years since we’ve recruited new ones. Besides, the Main Priest candidate hasn’t been decided yet, and since you were brought in by me, how could she show you a friendly face?" Sikong Qinglan said with a bitter smile. By the end, his expression held some apology.

"You’re vying for the position of Main Priest?" Only then did Han Yan realize what was happening.

Since arriving at Huayu Temple and not seeing the Main Priest, she thought it was like Chu Yangping of Feng City Temple, who doesn’t bother with affairs and acts as a hands-off shopkeeper. Now she realized that after Sikong Qinglan’s Master passed away, the position of Main Priest at Huayu Temple was vacated. Presumably, the Dual Priests and the Prayer Priest all had the chance to become Main Priest. Her arrival, in An Xiaxin’s view, undoubtedly added some leverage to Sikong Qinglan, and for both public and private reasons, she wouldn’t be welcome.

Lady Mu was used to seeing such schemes and didn’t find it strange.

"It’s not really vying. After Master passed away, Lord Divine should have personally appointed the Main Priest candidate. But Lord Divine hasn’t paid attention to us at Huayu Temple for a long time, leaving us to fend for ourselves, so no arrangement has been made. Hence, the choice had to be made from the Dual Priests and Prayer Priest.

I and Lord Shen Yuhe don’t have an interest in competing, but other priests have affiliations; some followed my Master, and some followed Lord Shen’s Master, unwilling to let the position fall into a third party’s hands. Inevitably, there are open and hidden struggles, and over time, Lord An developed hostility towards us," Sikong Qinglan said helplessly.

"Huayu Temple has come to this point, what’s there to fight over for a Main Priest position," Han Yan couldn’t help but mutter.

Others from noble families and royal relatives vie for power and profit, but getting a mess like Huayu Temple means headaches—give it to her, she wouldn’t want it.

"Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to belittle the Main Priest role, it’s just..." After speaking, Han Yan realized she had overstepped, and awkwardly apologized to Sikong Qinglan.

"It’s nothing, I understand. Huayu Temple has indeed fallen to such a state, it’s not surprising you think that way." Sikong Qinglan wasn’t angry, shook his head, and continued, "But you are underestimating the position of Main Priest."

"Oh?" Han Yan looked at Sikong Qinglan in confusion.

"Huayu Temple is still one of the oldest temples after all. Even though Lord Divine has ignored us, he hasn’t removed us. So, no matter how desolate Huayu Temple gets, as long as it stands, it’s still one of the most transcendent temples on the Divine Continent. At least, that’s what is said." Towards the end, Sikong Qinglan was visibly embarrassed.

Huayu Temple only had this nominal prestige left now.

"The Main Priest of Huayu Temple still has the privilege to freely enter and exit any temple except the Main Temple and practice any temple’s secret divine technique. For instance, during the sacrificial ceremony held jointly by various temples in a few months, there will still be a seat for Huayu Main Priest," Sikong Qinglan further explained.

"I see, no wonder." Han Yan suddenly realized, she hadn’t expected that even though Huayu Temple was in decline, becoming Main Priest still came with so many privileges. No wonder An Xiaxin was so attracted and even held animosity towards her because of Sikong Qinglan.

"Alright, let’s get started then." Sikong Qinglan stood up and said. As soon as he finished speaking, he slapped his forehead, "Oh, I forgot to ask. Did you learn Priest Divine Technique from Lord Sacrificial Officer before?"

According to past temple conventions, except for the rare exceptionally talented and honest civilian children eligible for assessments to become priests, most are descendants of priest families. Though they can’t use Priest Divine Technique before undergoing the rite, they at least have seen it enough to be familiar. So they generally can use Priest Divine Technique directly after undergoing the rite.

Han Yan’s situation, of course, was different, though habitually Sikong Qinglan had forgotten to ask ahead.

"No." Han Yan shook her head.

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