Chapter 720: Saving Face

"Gu Hong, I hear there's a highly skilled alchemist in the city lately who has cured several incurable diseases. Is that true?" asked Gu Changshun, the head of the Gu family.

Five days had passed since Ye Yuan ascended. In these five days, Ye Yuan had completed all the tasks he had taken on without a single failure!

These tasks were all well-known difficult and complicated cases in the city, almost deemed impossible.

This alchemist, Ye Yuan, who had appeared out of nowhere, had conquered every single task. One could imagine the huge stir this caused in Gufeng City.

Gu Changshun had heard the news today and directly summoned the steward Gu Hong to inquire about the situation.

Gu Hong's heart skipped a beat when he heard this. He thought to himself, "It's come, as expected."

"Ah? This... this... Is that so? I haven't been out these past two days, so I really don't know about such a big event in the city! But I suspect these are all rumors. Curing one is one thing, but curing a group is a bit too exaggerated, isn't it? Probably that alchemist is just boasting to get attention," Gu Hong said slyly.

At this point, Gu Hong could only delay as much as possible.

But Gu Changshun shook his head and said, "That's not the case! When I went to the city lord's mansion to see the city lord today, I happened to run into Luo Fang. He told me himself that the chronic ailment that had plagued him for over a decade had been cured by that alchemist. Knowing Luo Fang's character, if the other party didn't have real skill, he wouldn't be so full of praise!"

Gu Hong felt bitter inside, but since Gu Changshun had said so, he had to respond, "I see. Since Captain Luo said so, it must be true! I wonder who it is that has such skill?"

Gu Changshun said, "I hear he's a young man who just ascended a few days ago, named Ye Yuan. Gu Hong, go find this Ye Yuan. No matter the cost, you must invite him here! Perhaps he can truly cure Xuan'er's illness!"

Gu Hong was naturally unwilling, but how could he defy Gu Changshun's orders?

He had no choice but to reply, "Yes, Patriarch!"

After leaving Gu Changshun's presence, Gu Hong was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

He never imagined that in the end, he would actually have to go and beg Ye Yuan!

The conversation from that day was still vivid in his mind. At that time, he had been so dismissive of Ye Yuan.

But a few days later, Ye Yuan had become a guest of honor among the city's high-ranking officials!

Now, even the patriarch had heard of his reputation.

If he went, Gu Hong couldn't swallow that humiliation!

If he didn't go, he couldn't explain it to the patriarch!

For a moment, Gu Hong was caught in a dilemma.

Most importantly, even if he swallowed his pride and went, would Ye Yuan give him face?

That day, he had left no room for compromise and had thoroughly offended Ye Yuan. Now going to beg him would be like offering his face to be slapped.

Gu Hong felt he was unjustly treated. Who could have imagined that a kid in the Divine Travel realm would possess such godlike abilities?

Anyone else would not have given Ye Yuan a good face that day, right?

After much deliberation, Gu Hong finally stamped his foot and left the Gu family mansion.

No matter what method he used, Gu Hong had to bring Ye Yuan back today.

Otherwise, if the head of the family found out, he would be dead!

…

In five days, Ye Yuan had earned a total of three thousand contribution points from completing tasks.

The city lord's mansion took a twenty percent cut of these three thousand contribution points, leaving only two thousand four hundred.

Ye Yuan gave half of his contribution points to Bai Guang, and spent another five hundred to buy a house in the city, leaving only seven hundred contribution points.

"Contribution points are really hard to earn. After working hard for five days, I only made seven hundred. It's no simple thing to gain freedom!" Ye Yuan sighed.

Jun Tianyu chuckled beside him. "Brother Ye, if other ascendants heard that, they'd probably spit blood! It takes them a year or two to scrape together seven hundred contribution points. You did it in just five days!"

"Brother Ye is joking. Brother Jun has been in Gufeng City for nearly a hundred years, and his entire net worth is only a few hundred thousand contribution points. At your rate of earning, you'll surpass him in a few years!" Liu Yiru covered her mouth and laughed.

"Exactly, Brother Ye, stop rubbing it in! Lord Jun is wealthy, but a poor wretch like me only has a few thousand contribution points!" Yu Ming said, on the verge of tears.

Yu Ming had a wide circle of acquaintances in Gufeng City, which cost a lot of contribution points. So over the years, he had never accumulated many.

Ye Yuan had earned nearly as many contribution points in just five days as Yu Ming had, which was indeed disheartening.

Liu Yiru had fully recovered in the past two days, so Jun Tianyu brought her along to thank Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan smiled. "A hundred thousand contribution points to buy freedom—that requirement is indeed a bit harsh. Those ascendant martial artists basically waste sixty or seventy years here."

Jun Tianyu said, "It still depends on strength and potential! Some ascendants adapt to the Divine Realm quickly and progress very fast. In just a few years, they can take on tasks. In about ten years, they can buy their freedom. As for those without potential, even a hundred years might not be enough to accumulate a hundred thousand points."

Ye Yuan nodded. That made sense.

"Excuse me... is this Master Ye's residence?"

As they were chatting happily, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.

Hearing the voice, Ye Yuan smiled knowingly and said to Yu Ming, "Brother Yu, I'll leave this to you to settle the score! When you're satisfied, we'll talk terms with him."

Yu Ming trembled slightly at these words and looked at Ye Yuan with gratitude.

He knew that Ye Yuan was giving him the chance to get even personally!

Gu Hong's words that day had deeply hurt Yu Ming's pride and thoroughly awakened him.

Over the years, Yu Ming had carefully managed his affairs in Gufeng City and gradually made a name for himself.

But only that day did he deeply understand that he was still just a nobody, looked down upon by everyone!

No matter how well you handled things, without strength, you would never earn others' respect!

In the past few days, following Ye Yuan, he had seen Ye Yuan treated as an honored guest by big shots he had never dared to imagine, and seen Jun Tianyu kill Song Pan with a smile.

Only with true strength could one gain true respect!

Even as an insignificant nobody, by Ye Yuan's side, he had received enough respect!

"Brother Ye, thank you!" Yu Ming said gratefully.