230: Chapter 230 Provocation

"What is it?" Brother Shen Jun frowned and looked at Deacon Yuan Yao.

"It's Elder Ma. He... he won't let me exchange for the items on the second list. He also said that Ye Yisong still needs to undergo an assessment to confirm if he is qualified to hold the position of Third-Class Guest Elder at Yuelai Pavilion." Deacon Yuan Yao quickly recounted the problem he encountered in the treasure vault.

Everything was fine at first. With Brother Shen Jun's token in hand, the deacon in the treasure vault had diligently packed up the items on the first list and handed them to Deacon Yuan Yao.

But when Deacon Yuan Yao took out the second list, he was scolded by Elder Ma, the Elder on duty at the treasure vault. He ranted about where this imposter came from, treating Yuelai Pavilion like his own private storeroom, saying that after exchanging for nine million in resources at once, he was still not satisfied and even wanted to exchange for ten million in Fourth-Grade Cultivation resources.

As a mere Black-robed Deacon, Deacon Yuan Yao dared not defy Elder Ma, so he immediately apologized and left the treasure vault with the items from the first list.

Yet Elder Ma did not stop his verbal abuse, continuously insulting Ye Yisong, claiming he lacked the virtue for his position and that he would summon the presiding Elder to assess Ye Yisong's status as a Third-Class Guest Elder.

Elder Ma appeared to be talking about Ye Yisong, but in reality, he was accusing Brother Shen Jun of being unfair and using this as an excuse to make trouble!

"Hmph, good one, Ma Kai. I haven't bothered with you in the past, but I didn't expect you to dare bully me today!" Brother Shen Jun slammed the table, furious.

"Brother Ye, rest assured. Today, your brother will definitely vent this anger for you."

"Elder Shen, don't be hasty. Why don't you tell me who this Elder Ma is, and what this assessment is all about?" Ye Yisong quickly stopped the furious Brother Shen Jun. Given Brother Shen Jun's explosive temper, he shouldn't get into a fight with that Ma fellow because of him.

"Brother Ye, don't worry, I will handle this matter." Seeing Ye Yisong's concern, Brother Shen Jun gave him a reassuring look, pulled his hand away, and left with a grim expression.

"Brother Yuan." Seeing that he couldn't get the answers he wanted from Brother Shen Jun, Ye Yisong immediately called out to Deacon Yuan Yao, who was about to follow Brother Shen Jun.

"Could I trouble you to enlighten me, Brother Yuan?"

"This... alright!" Deacon Yuan Yao glanced at the disappearing back of Brother Shen Jun. He knew following him wouldn't help much, so he nodded and began to explain the underlying reasons to Ye Yisong.

"So that's how it is." After listening to Deacon Yuan Yao's account, Ye Yisong nodded thoughtfully.

The branch of Yuelai Pavilion in the East Sea had one Pavilion Master, a Martial Emperor level expert who was in seclusion year-round and ignored worldly affairs. He would not emerge unless something threatened the fundamental interests of Yuelai Pavilion.

Under the Pavilion Master, there were three Deputy Pavilion Masters who managed the various affairs of Yuelai Pavilion.

Each of the three Deputy Pavilion Masters had many Elders assisting them in managing the operations of the entire Yuelai Pavilion.

The First Deputy Pavilion Master was far superior in strength to the Second and Third Deputy Pavilion Masters and held the most authority. With the Pavilion Master detached from worldly affairs, his word had always been law in Yuelai Pavilion.

The other two dared not cross him in the slightest!

However, word had long come from the capital that the First Deputy Pavilion Master would soon be transferred to the capital to take up a post, leaving that position vacant.

From that moment on, the two Deputy Pavilion Masters of Yuelai Pavilion and the various Elders under their command began a series of overt and covert struggles to seize that upcoming vacant throne.

Brother Shen Jun, who had brought Ye Yisong up, was a direct subordinate of the Third Deputy Pavilion Master, while Ma Kai, whom he mentioned, was the nephew of the Second Deputy Pavilion Master.

The two were equal in strength, both being Peak Martial Ancestor experts, and each managed a department. Brother Shen Jun was a Fourth-Grade Medium Grade Talisman Maker, primarily responsible for Talisman operations, while Ma Kai was a Fourth-Grade Low Grade Alchemist, primarily responsible for Medicinal Pill operations.

Logically, aside from the year-end assessment, the two should have had no intersection, but Ma Kai was like an annoying fly, often taking the initiative to cause trouble for Brother Shen Jun.

And now, he was causing trouble again.

Every Elder held one quota to recommend a person to serve as a Third-Class Guest Elder of Yuelai Pavilion.

Since becoming an Elder, Brother Shen Jun had never found a suitable candidate until the appearance of Ye Yisong, which stirred his calm heart.

So he decided to take a gamble and gave his quota to Ye Yisong, recommending him to serve as a Third-Class Guest Elder of Yuelai Pavilion.

Ma Kai had nothing to do today, so he wanted to go to the treasure vault to see if there were any new treasures that could help him Cultivate, but unexpectedly, he ran into Deacon Yuan Yao, Brother Shen Jun's number one lackey.

He was in a fairly good mood today and originally didn't want to bother with Deacon Yuan Yao, but upon hearing that this kid was actually exchanging nearly twenty million in Cultivate resources for some down-and-out nobody...

He really treated Yuelai Pavilion like his own treasure vault, thinking that just because he had a few Spirit Stones, he could exchange for unlimited resources.

Bah!

"Ma Kai, what is the meaning of this?" Brother Shen Jun angrily demanded of Ma Kai.

"What is the meaning of this? I am simply preventing certain giant rats from wantonly digging into the Pavilion's resources," Ma Kai scoffed, digging at Brother Shen Jun.

"Hmph, I think it is you who are narrow-minded and have dirty eyes, so you see everyone as a giant rat," Brother Shen Jun continued to question. "By what right do you stop a Third-Class Guest Elder of the Pavilion from exchanging for resources?"

"Third-Class Guest Elder? Who? Surely not someone found at random because someone took a bribe? What kind of talent can come from a backwater place like Cangjiang Prefecture? It's nothing more than a slightly larger ant touted by a bunch of ants." Ever since Ma Kai saw Ye Yisong's file, his disdain was written all over his face, completely unhidden.

"I have already invited three Elders from the top ten to conduct a review. Today, I will definitely expose your conspiracy."

"Ma Kai, do not go too far!" Brother Shen Jun shouted angrily, though he was not confident in his heart whether Ye Yisong could pass the review.

Once Ye Yisong failed, the Third-Class Guest Elder identity token would be revoked, and Brother Shen Jun's recommendation quota would also be voided.

This was not just a conspiracy targeting Ye Yisong; it was also a slap in the face to Brother Shen Jun.

If Ma Kai succeeded in this matter, it would greatly damage Brother Shen Jun's power, and in future struggles, he might have to retreat in avoidance.

After all, throughout history, there have been many examples of losing one step and then losing every step.

A rare fine bead of sweat appeared on Brother Shen Jun's forehead. He temporarily suppressed his anger and quickly thought of a way to break the deadlock.

Ye Yisong was young after all, only a Middle Stage Martial Ancestor, and his Talisman-making Technique was only Fourth-Grade Low Grade. Could he pass the review?

Should he ask the Third Deputy Pavilion Master to come forward and resolve this matter?

No, it was not yet time!

Watching the three Elders walk down from the fifth floor, the tension in Brother Shen Jun's heart eased slightly. Fortunately, they were people of the First Deputy Pavilion Master.

Otherwise, today would really be precarious.

I hope this kid does not disappoint me!

"Elder Wang, Elder Su, Elder Jiang." The deacons and Elders gathered at the treasure vault to watch the spectacle all bowed to the three old men.

"Kid Ma, you are the one applying for a review? You know the rules, so I don't need to say them, right!"