Even the Pope and the Saint addressed them with reverence as Elders, and their skill was rumored to be at the level of Grand Swordsman or higher. Yet, they never participated in guild testing, so their exact strength remained unknown, but their high level of power was something no one dared to slight.

The staffs they carried were called "Staves of Inheritance." After each Ascetic Monk died, they compressed their power directly into the staff to enhance the successor's strength. Although only a minuscule portion of power could be stored, through the efforts of generations of Ascetic Monks, these staves had accumulated the painstaking work of countless predecessors, making them comparable to divine artifacts.

The names of the Ascetic Monks were derived from the elements: Heaven (Tian), Earth (Di), Profound (Xuan), Yellow (Huang), Wind (Feng), Fire (Huo), Thunder (Lei), Lightning (Dian), and River (Lai). Each name was preceded by the surname "(Guang)," signifying the Church of Light, and each inheritor adopted this name.

...until he found his next successor.) Du Yi inwardly groaned; it seemed that ever since he encountered this priest, everything had been going wrong for him. Du Yi quickly offered a respectful bow and asked, "May I ask the Elder's esteemed name?" The old man boomed out, "Guang Huo is I!" Du Yi hastily bowed again and said, "So it is the renowned Elder Guang Huo.

I am Du Yi, a Wind-element Magus. I believe there might be a slight misunderstanding between us." Guang Huo declared loudly, "Oh, a misunderstanding?

You are the Magus who bullied one of our priests from the Church of Light, aren't you?" Du Yi quickly waved his hands, saying, "No, no, this is just a minor misunderstanding. Senior has misinterpreted the situation." Mohan, standing beside Guang Huo, was startled by the sheer volume of the Elder's voice.

Mohan secretly marveled; blast it, this old senior’s voice could rival solid rock. He had already learned the old man's identity from Daili and the others, and it wasn't in Mohan's nature to ignore such a powerful ally.

Immediately, Mohan pinched his own thigh hard with his hand until tears welled up in his eyes from the pain. Then, with an aggrieved expression, he approached Guang Huo and cried out, "Respected Elder Guang Huo, you must seek justice for me!

I have no prior enmity with Master Du Yi, yet upon seeing me, he immediately began hurling insults at our Church of Light! As a priest of the Church, how could I stand idly by?

Although I knew I couldn't defeat him, to uphold the dignity of our Church from being trampled upon, I bravely stepped forward to argue with him!" Guang Huo, listening to Mohan’s words, had his face flush crimson with anger. Mohan continued, "Who knew he would then curse us further, saying that everyone in our Church of Light is a coward, a turtle hiding in its shell, afraid to challenge him!

He even mocked our Guardian Elders, calling them mere idlers who only know how to lord their authority over others all day long. I was so incensed that I insisted on a contest, even though I knew I was no match for him.

I absolutely could not tolerate them insulting our revered Elders! Who doesn't know that our Elders are peerless in skill and champions of righteousness?

Which villain doesn't tremble at the sound of an Elder's name? How could I allow the esteemed reputation of our Elders to be tarnished?" Mohan first hurled a basin of sewage onto Du Yi with his complaints, then plastered him with a barrage of flattery.

As the saying goes, no matter how much mud is thrown, flattery sticks; this was perfectly demonstrated by Mohan. Seeing the smug smile spreading across Guang Huo’s face, it was obvious.

Guang Huo thought smugly, I am actually that wonderful? How come I never realized it before?

He turned to Mohan and said, "Little priest, well done. You are the pride of our Church.

Rest assured, now that the Elder is here, no one can bully you anymore." Behind Mohan, Daili found it so hard not to laugh that she had to cover her mouth and stifle her giggles upon hearing Mohan's speech. Everyone present thought, Thank goodness I’m not Mohan’s enemy.

Du Yi hurriedly protested, "You're spouting nonsense! You are fabricating lies!

When did I ever say such things? Elder, please, do not believe this charlatan's words!" The poor Du Yi was so enraged he could only manage those two sentences.

What truly constituted a villain, Du Yi realized today, was something he finally understood. The villains he had encountered before were veritable angels compared to Mohan.

Hearing Du Yi’s words, Guang Huo thundered, "How dare you call someone from our Church a liar!" Du Yi quickly clarified, "No, I meant that this priest is speaking nonsense." Guang Huo retorted unreasonably, "Isn't that the same as saying someone from our Church is a liar?" Mohan’s stream of flattery had already boosted his favorability toward the priest tenfold, and he believed every word Mohan said without question. Guang Huo then arrogantly addressed Du Yi, "Since you dared to call people from our Church 'turtles hiding in their shells,' today I will show you what a turtle in its shell truly is.

Show me your true ability. Don't say I, an old man, am bullying you; you can call those few fellows beside you to join in." Guang Huo certainly had grounds for his arrogance.

He possessed the strength of a Grand Swordsman, and combined with the divine artifact in his hand, he could contend even with a Sword Saint—let alone Du Yi, a mere Magus. Du Yi, terrified, frantically waved his hands: "No, no!

How could I dare to use force against a Senior?" Inconceivable! How could he possibly defeat this old pervert?

Their skill gap wasn't just a matter of a few levels; ten of him wouldn't even register in the old man's sight. Seeing the pale faces of Du Yi and his group, Guang Huo mocked them, "What's wrong?

Where did all your earlier spirit go? If you don't make a move soon, I shall have to act.

I'm giving you an opportunity, and you refuse it." Du Yi pleaded desperately, "Elder, please, do not!" Du Yi felt on the verge of collapse. How could there be such a shameless person?

Was that offering him a chance? It felt more like an invitation to commit suicide.

But Guang Huo paid him no mind and was about to strike when Mohan spoke up from the side, "Wait before you act, Elder." Guang Huo turned to Mohan curiously, "What is it, boy? Shouldn't you be happy that I’m teaching them a lesson?" Du Yi and his companions also looked at Mohan suspiciously, wondering what new trick he was up to.

Mohan then stated, "Since the insulting words have already been spoken and cannot be taken back, for someone of your esteemed status to step in and punish them now would appear as though you are bullying them. Others might say that the Elder uses his seniority to oppress the young, damaging your venerable reputation." As Mohan spoke, Du Yi and the others could only nod incessantly.

Hearing Mohan’s words, Guang Huo beamed, "Boy, you truly understand my concerns!" As for Du Yi and his group, they stared at Mohan in utter disbelief. Has this kid changed his nature?

Was he actually speaking up for them? Guang Huo asked, "Then what do you suggest, boy?

Should we just let it go?" Mohan smiled and replied, "Of course, it cannot end like this. Since they have damaged the honor of our Church, they must naturally compensate for the resulting loss of our Church’s reputation.

Furthermore, for insulting your esteemed person, they should compensate for the loss of your honor. And since you were angered, which is bad for your health, they should certainly compensate for your physical distress.

Added to the insult and harm done to me, they should pay for my spiritual and mental damages. All together, let's have them compensate 150,000 gold coins.

It’s not too much compensation, lest we feel bad about it." After Mohan finished speaking, he wore an expression as if he were granting Du Yi and his group an immense favor. Du Yi and the others were already stunned by the first part of Mohan's demands—they had never even heard of such fees.

Only when they heard the final demand of 150,000 gold coins did they finally understand why Mohan had pleaded on their behalf earlier.