Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return

Chapter 1878: Chapter 1878: Han Yan Adds Fuel to the Fire

Between Ou Dechuan and Wen Gaoren, discord was no secret to many, so when Ou Dechuan sent a letter asking them to join forces to blacklist Wen Gaoren, they didn’t refuse. After all, Wen Gaoren wasn’t particularly close to them, and if they asked for his help, they’d have to pay him anyway. Given that Lingyu Divine Hall promised to repair the arrays of each temple, charging even slightly less than Wen Gaoren, while also owing them a favor, why wouldn’t they agree?

But it wasn’t until now that they realized there was such an inside story behind this matter.

No matter which continent you’re on, betraying one’s master is a major taboo, and people have always scorned it. Everyone was discussing it, full of disdain for Duan Cheng’an, and also somewhat unimpressed by Ou Dechuan’s character.

Although their voices weren’t loud, Duan Cheng’an was a Seventh-Order Divine Priest and could hardly fail to hear; his face alternated between red and white, and among his shame, there was a hint of resentment in his gaze towards Wen Gaoren.

Someone like him always acted solely out of self-interest, never caring about others, otherwise, he wouldn’t have betrayed his sect for the benefits offered by the Ou Family. So when Wen Gaoren exposed him mercilessly, he didn’t see it as his own fault, only thinking Wen Gaoren was being too harsh, not respecting the master-disciple relationship.

”Duan Cheng’an, why are you saying so much nonsense? Say whatever you were told to say.” A young man impatiently shouted at Duan Cheng’an, it was Young Master Ou Mingzhi.

Han Yan glanced at Ou Mingzhi; earlier, in the contest, this guy hadn’t made an appearance. Han Yan originally planned to teach him a lesson during the contest but didn’t get the chance, yet now this guy showed up unexpectedly.

”Yes, Young Master,” Duan Cheng’an bowed and replied.

”Ladies and gentlemen, given Master Wen’s capabilities, repairing this array would at most save seven or eight pieces of Meteorite Gold, but with that comes a much greater risk. A slight mistake could lead to complete failure, not only losing all the Meteorite Gold but possibly causing even more severe damage to the array. As for saving half of the Meteorite Gold, it’s completely exaggerated talk,” Duan Cheng’an said.

Originally, he considered whether to be subtle and spare Wen Gaoren some dignity, but since the other party showed no mercy, he also felt no need to be polite, his words full of sarcasm.

”Hmph!” Wen Gaoren snorted coldly but didn’t refute, because Duan Cheng’an wasn’t wrong; with his array skills, even if he could save a few pieces of Meteorite Gold, the risk would indeed increase significantly.

Seeing Wen Gaoren didn’t voice any rebuttal, everyone guessed Duan Cheng’an was right, and couldn’t help but feel a bit more sympathy for Wen Gaoren, having accepted such a disloyal disciple, he too seemed to have terrible luck.

”Frog in the well!” Han Yan chuckled lightly and said, ”Haven’t you heard the saying ’teach a student to starve the master’? When Master Wen taught you the art of arrays, you think he didn’t hold back any tricks?”

After hearing Han Yan’s words, everyone around them began to ponder. Indeed, teaching a student to starve the master has been around since ancient times; many priests kept tricks up their sleeves when teaching apprentices, even taking them to the grave. This is seen as a major flaw in the inheritance of priests.

The Array Formation Technique is quite different from Priest Divine Technique. Even without a master’s careful teaching of Divine Arts, they can be enlightened from temple archives, and everyone’s natural talent varies. Sometimes, one’s own understanding of Divine Arts might be better than a master’s teachings. But arrays require more accumulated experience and inherit continuously; a master’s guidance might be more valuable than years of one’s own research. Hence, holding back a trick is more common, and Wen Gaoren likely indeed held back.

”Impossible!” Duan Cheng’an flatly denied.

Perhaps other Array Masters indeed have a habit of holding back when teaching apprentices, but he and Wen Gaoren have been together for years, and he is sure Wen Gaoren gave him everything without any reservation.

But even realizing this fact, he still betrayed his sect, showing what an unfaithful, unjust, and unfilial person he is.

Wen Gaoren also scrutinized Han Yan with a doubtful look; whether he held back was clear to him, and he didn’t need Han Yan to remind him. Obviously, Han Yan was embellishing his reputation, but wasn’t it a bit overdone, as they say, true can’t be made false, and false can’t be made true?

Wen Gaoren was worrying in silence when Han Yan followed up by saying, ”Master Wen, just show everyone a demonstration, and let this despicable traitor witness the essence of your array skills.”

Wen Gaoren was speechless; you know my depth, don’t you? Isn’t this exposing me and putting me in a contradictory position?

”Yes, Master Wen, we haven’t seen your Array Formation Technique for years, and it’s unexpected you kept one hand. How about taking this opportunity to show us, so those traitors can know your true prowess?” The priests around him also persuaded upon seeing Wen Gaoren’s indecision.

They felt sympathetic towards Wen Gaoren, yet didn’t know his depth, completely trusting Han Yan’s words. After all, it concerned Wen Gaoren’s reputation, and Han Yan couldn’t possibly harm him, right?

Wen Gaoren’s forehead started sweating coldly; it’s over, this time he’s dead because of Master Priest’s harm. If you hadn’t added that word, I could have managed to make a performative display, however, you pushed me to the edge, isn’t this throwing me under the bus? Aren’t you satisfied with harming outsiders, you’re even harming your own people?

”Master Wen, don’t hesitate any longer, that despicable traitor is no longer your disciple, no need to leave him any face.” Han Yan continued to fuel the fire.

Wen Gaoren almost cried; I wasn’t sparing him face; I’m asking to keep some dignity for myself, can’t I?

”Master Wen, please proceed.” Everyone around him also looked eagerly at Wen Gaoren.

One aspect was curiosity about his concealed Array Formation Technique; another was the hope he’d severely teach Duan Cheng’an a lesson. Regardless of their stance, enemies or allies, they all deeply detested Duan Cheng’an’s rebellious actions.

”Then, I’ll demonstrate.” Wen Gaoren was completely pushed to the brink, had no choice but to jump, and bit his teeth as he spoke.

Long Aoli hesitated for a moment; logically, this was a matter for the Heavenly Sun Temple, and he didn’t want the Huayu Temple involved, but under the support and sympathy of all temple priests, he couldn’t object.

Plus, since the array being repaired was from his Heavenly Sun Temple, it wouldn’t matter who handled it as he would bear no loss.

”Then, I leave it to Master Wen.” Long Aoli gestured in invitation.

Everyone awaited eagerly.