Chapter 75: Changing Classes?

Ye Jiuyao counted the rapidly increasing Yuan Crystal Cards in his hand, his heart blooming with joy. He had learned about these Yuan Crystal Cards from the books in the Tower of Profound Enlightenment.

The Yuan Crystal Card was much like a bank card: one could deposit Yuan Crystals into it and use it as currency. Of course, spending money was even simpler—just swipe it through a Yuan Crystal machine, and the funds were accessible.

Naturally, some people preferred to keep many cards, storing small amounts here and there. At this moment, the cards in Ye Jiuyao’s hands were precisely such scattered cards.

Those with true status would simply swipe their cards, never handing them over to others.

Take, for example, Zhong Shaoshan, acting as a shill.

At present, Zhong Shaoshan was well disguised, so no one could recognize him. He held a white card and, after swiping it through the Yuan Crystal machine, a string of numbers appeared—an abundance of zeros that made Ye Jiuyao’s eyes shine.

“We should discuss this carefully when we get back,” Ye Jiuyao said in a low tone to Zhong Shaoshan.

When Xing Juexing and the others, also disguised, arrived, Ye Jiuyao repeated the same phrase, leaving them puzzled.

The entire morning, Ye Jiuyao spent counting Yuan Crystals, reveling in the sensation of wealth—an experience that others could hardly imagine.

It was as if he had won five million, except… it seemed he had not!

…

“What?!” When Hua Mingfeng returned with shills for Ye Jiuyao, she saw the crowd below, bustling like a marketplace, and was momentarily dumbfounded.

Wasn’t there supposed to be a fear of no one signing up?

And now?

Liars, all men are liars!

Hua Mingfeng inwardly condemned Ye Jiuyao’s shameless behavior, but Ye Jiuyao himself was bitter inside. He had not anticipated the overwhelming effect of his own hype, nor the power of the shills Zhong Shaoshan and the others had found, much less imagined the impact of the odd inventions they had produced.

In an instant, they had found their clientele.

It was akin to opening a small kitchen, only to have it become a five-star hotel overnight.

Suppressing her anger, Hua Mingfeng led two elder men into the Xuantian Restaurant.

After a busy day, Ye Jiuyao finally closed up, satisfied.

“So many students for the first pre-school session, and already a hundred thousand Yuan Crystals earned—enough to kick things off. Tomorrow, we return to the sect!”

Ye Jiuyao spoke simply; the two nodded knowingly. After all, the principle that greed leads to ruin was something they understood well enough.

This group was sufficient for them to train for quite some time, but if they had promised fifteen days, then it would be fifteen days—this was the time to build their reputation. If they succeeded, then with Ye Jiuyao’s character, teaching two subjects for ten thousand Yuan Crystals would no longer be possible. First, he needed to produce a group of formidable talents.

After all, once you have learned and tasted the benefits, you would only crave greater power.

This was not the mundane world, constrained by rules, but the realm of cultivation, where strength was the only law!

…

“Are you not going to explain yourself?” Hua Mingfeng’s voice was icy, her face frosted as she glared at Ye Jiuyao.

“Heh… well… it was unexpected, truly unexpected…” Ye Jiuyao replied with an awkward laugh, but Hua Mingfeng did not believe him, giving him a fierce look as she sized him up.

“Heading back tomorrow? Not recruiting more people?”

“It’s enough, more than enough…”

Hua Mingfeng was unconvinced, but Ye Jiuyao’s eyes held a sincere look, not like one feigning it, so she asked no further.

“Then get lost. Do you expect me to prepare food for you?”

Ye Jiuyao slunk away, feeling utterly depressed. Yet circumstances forced him to be humble—after all, he was borrowing someone else’s territory. Enemies could be dealt with, but Hua Mingfeng was not an enemy.

When dawn broke the next day, more than a hundred people had gathered below the Xuantian Restaurant, cultivators of all levels.

“Everyone’s here, so let’s return. Otherwise, you’ll say your Yuan Crystals were wasted.”

“Agreed.”

“Agreed.”

…

The crowd responded in waves to Ye Jiuyao, for such miraculous teachings were best learned sooner—perhaps even life-saving in critical moments.

Just as Ye Jiuyao prepared to lead the group up the mountain, a cold snort rang out, and a group descended from the sky.

Leading them was… Ye Chaofeng.

“Hmph, such lowly tricks, and you dare call it teaching!”

“Oh?” Ye Jiuyao looked up at the void, uttered a light “oh,” and his internal energy surged forth. The Star-Plucking Hand was unleashed in an instant.

“Come down. This young master dislikes talking to people with his head raised!”

Ye Jiuyao shouted, and his Star-Plucking Hand pressed toward Ye Chaofeng, startling those behind him.

But Ye Jiuyao moved so fast that the people behind Ye Chaofeng had no time to react—the Star-Plucking Hand had already seized him.

Boom!

A tremendous force slammed Ye Chaofeng into the ground, rubbing him hard, leaving him utterly bedraggled, stripped of all his previous airs.

*Cough, cough…*

“How dare you start a fight before the Xuantian Restaurant! Are you ignoring the rules here?” Those behind Ye Chaofeng, seeing their leader subdued by Ye Jiuyao, were furious.

Yet, they were quickly silenced.

“It’s fine. Young people should have spirit.”

…

Instantly, the crowd fell silent.

Wasn’t it agreed that fighting was forbidden? Yet, he had not only fought, but used a large-scale technique.

How could this be…

We’re in such trouble…

Hua Mingfeng floated above, watching the crowd below with a radiant smile, showing not the slightest anger at Ye Jiuyao’s actions; instead, her gaze brimmed with appreciation.

“Can we talk properly now?” Ye Jiuyao approached Ye Chaofeng, looking down on him, the contempt in his eyes plain to see.

*Cough, cough…* “You… looking for death?!”

Ye Chaofeng suddenly sprang up, glaring at Ye Jiuyao, but his pale face betrayed no murderous intent.

“Here to challenge… no, to challenge the class?”

“Challenge the class?”

“A duel, you fool!”

Ye Jiuyao worried for Ye Chaofeng’s intelligence. The wording was a bit novel, but it didn’t hinder their exchange.

“You two, step forward. Hold nothing back!”

“Yes!”

Two from Ye Chaofeng’s group came forth, one with a cauldron embroidered on his left chest, the other with a swirling pill.

From the Divine Artifact Pavilion and the Yuan Pill Pavilion?!

Everyone’s gaze sharpened—the fame of these two pavilions was immense.

The Divine Artifact Pavilion was the paradise for weapon refiners; the Yuan Pill Pavilion, for alchemists. But neither existed in Xuantian Town.

Only sects of eighth rank and above had branches of these paradises, hence everyone’s astonishment and apprehension.

For these places represented not only status but power—an otherworldly authority.

Ye Jiuyao naturally recognized these giants, but his heart remained unmoved, as if he knew nothing.

“I accept. But to wager without a prize—has the Fallen Leaf Sect fallen so low as to rely on empty boasts?”

“Hmph! What do you want to bet?”

“How about one million Yuan Crystals?”

“This…”

“Don’t tell me you’re really poor?”

“We’ll bet!”

Ye Chaofeng caught a signal from the two behind him—a moment of hesitation, then realization dawned.