Chapter 1744: Mortal Grade

"See that, kid? Big talk isn't just for show! If you can pass the Purple Smoke Heavenly Fragrant Wood test, I'll admit defeat!"

After returning, Mu Yuanchun was quite smug, looking at Ye Yuan with disdain.

With his strength, passing the assessment was a piece of cake.

This assessment was merely a formality for him.

Kong Lin had publicly called him his junior disciple, a treatment not just anyone could receive.

Thus, Mu Yuanchun was now in high spirits.

Of course, no one found this inappropriate; instead, they cast admiring glances at him.

Ye Yuan looked at him and said calmly, "Then you're going to lose."

Mu Yuanchun laughed at this and sneered, "You really think you're something! Keep bragging! Let's see how long you can keep it up!"

To this, Ye Yuan shrugged, too disdainful to argue.

"Next, Ye Yuan!"

Finally, it was Ye Yuan's turn, and everyone cast sympathetic looks at him.

Are there geniuses among alchemists?

Yes!

Mu Yuanchun was one such genius!

But even a genius requires long-term accumulation.

Mu Yuanchun's current strength was not achieved overnight; it came from years of accumulation.

So when Ye Yuan claimed that this logic didn't apply to him, everyone inwardly rejected it.

After all, even a genius like Mu Yuanchun, at Ye Yuan's age, couldn't have passed the Purple Smoke Heavenly Fragrant Wood test.

As for Liu Yunmu, that was even more impossible.

Ye Yuan walked slowly to Kong Lin, who said indifferently, "Pick one yourself."

Kong Lin had naturally witnessed the earlier scene.

He was naturally dismissive of Ye Yuan's remarks.

"Can I choose a wood type other than these three?" Ye Yuan didn't pick but asked Kong Lin instead.

Kong Lin frowned slightly and said, "Nonsense! The rules of the priest assessment are set by the temple; how can they be changed easily? I think you're here to cause trouble on purpose!"

Seeing this, the other examinees revealed gloating smiles.

They were now certain that Ye Yuan was here to cause trouble.

Ye Yuan, however, was unperturbed and said, "Brother Kong just said to show one's strongest strength. I feel these three wood types cannot demonstrate my ability."

Kong Lin laughed in anger upon hearing this, "Is that so? Then what kind of wood can show your ability?"

Ye Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Is there any mortal-grade paper?"

At these words, everyone was stunned.

There were certainly many woods easier to ignite than Liu Yunmu.

But mortal grade—that was an impossible task.

Was this guy joking?

What did mortal grade mean?

Even the weakest divine fire, with just a trace of heat, would reduce it to ashes!

Using fourth-rank divine fire to burn mortal-grade paper—was this guy's brain working properly?

After the shock came a wave of ridicule.

Kong Lin finally lost his temper and roared, "You reckless fool, you dare toy with the Priest Temple!"

As he moved to seize Ye Yuan, Ye Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Whether I'm toying with the temple can only be determined after my assessment. It's just a moment; Brother Kong doesn't even have that much patience?"

Kong Lin sneered, "Even the elders can't manage mortal-grade paper. You, a mere brat?"

"Heh, I told you, this guy is here to cause trouble! Brother Kong Lin, just take him down!" Mu Yuanchun chimed in.

Just as Kong Lin was about to act, the elder Shi Yu, seated in the middle, spoke up.

"Kong Lin, let him try."

Kong Lin's expression changed, and he bowed, "Yes, Master!"

He couldn't understand why his master would give this troublemaker a chance.

Soon, a servant brought a sheet of mortal-grade white paper.

Ye Yuan took it and said, "Mortal grade, ninth rank... well, it'll do."

Kong Lin sneered, "Don't tell me you want mortal-grade first-rank wood?"

Ye Yuan smiled, "If you can find it, that would be fine too."

Kong Lin was furious, "Arrogant!"

Ye Yuan said calmly, "An alchemist needs a calm mind. Brother Kong, being so irritable won't do."

"You! You dare lecture me?" Kong Lin was about to explode.

Ye Yuan said flatly, "I wouldn't dare. I'm just stating a fact. May I begin?"

Kong Lin's face changed several times before he said darkly, "I'll see how you pass! Begin!"

Ye Yuan smiled slightly, tossed the paper into the air, and with a flick of his palm, a pale yellow flame shot up, enveloping the paper.

Everyone was dumbfounded at the sight.

Did this guy even know how to control fire?

Using such a large flame on a mortal-grade paper—it would turn to ash on contact!

Not to mention mortal grade, even golden-thread divine wood couldn't withstand such burning!

When they controlled fire, they were always careful, afraid of using even a little too much.

But Ye Yuan's method was completely crude!

Such fire control might be suitable for direct combat.

Alchemy?

Forget it!

That would turn the elixir into charcoal.

Seeing this, Kong Lin sneered, "I knew it! Ignorant fool, prepare to face the temple's wrath!"

Mu Yuanchun laughed heartily, "This kid... this kid is here to be funny. He's actually amusing me."

Not just them, but the other examinees also burst into laughter.

At that moment, they were absolutely certain Ye Yuan was causing trouble.

Whatever his purpose, he had succeeded in drawing attention.

But they didn't notice the three elders on the high platform, their eyes gleaming with disbelief.

Because the paper was wrapped in flames, the others couldn't see its condition.

But they assumed it had already turned to ashes.

Yet Ye Yuan was still putting on a show.

Kong Lin shouted coldly, "Enough with the act! Take this!"

Just as Kong Lin moved to seize Ye Yuan, Shi Yu's cold voice rang out, "Stop!"

Everyone was startled, and Kong Lin looked puzzled, "Master, this..."

Shi Yu only said calmly, "Watch."

Now they couldn't laugh anymore.

Ye Yuan withdrew his palm, the divine fire dissipated, and a piece of paper fluttered down.

Everyone's pupils contracted as they stared in disbelief.

"He... he really did it! That mortal-grade paper is completely intact!"

"Impossible! Even from this distance, I could feel the heat of the flame. How could such weak paper be unharmed?"

"Could his fire control really be that superb? Even surpassing Mu Yuanchun?"

...