Chapter 67: The Gamble of 100 Million Psionic Coins
"1 million?"
Heimleck froze in place, his footsteps halting for a moment. He turned around, staring at Su Yu with disbelief written all over his face. "Are you serious? You're really betting 1 million psionic coins? Can you even afford such a sum?"
Scholars in the Scholars Temple primarily made their living by creating magic scrolls. Drawing a first-order scroll could earn them around 70 to 80 psionic coins, which took about an hour. But 1 million psionic coins? That was the equivalent of selling tens of thousands of scrolls! Such an astronomical sum seemed impossible for anyone to casually wager.
"Of course I can," Su Yu replied with a calm smile. "The real question is, are you willing to take the bet?"
Seeing Su Yu's composed and fearless demeanor, Heimleck took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "Alright, tell me, what exactly do you want to bet on?"
"The Scholars Temple has an [Advanced Scholar Assessment], correct?"
"Of course," Heimleck replied, his brows furrowing.
Su Yu smiled slightly. "I want to participate in the [Advanced Scholar Exam]. If I pass, the temple will allow me to join and issue me the [Senior Scholar Badge]."
"And if I fail, I'll donate 1 million psionic coins to the temple. Do you dare to accept this bet?"
Heimleck stared at Su Yu, his eyes narrowing.
The [Advanced Scholar Badge] was no ordinary accessory. In fact, it was a golden epic accessory with no level restrictions! In Su Yu's previous life, the first player to obtain this badge posted its attributes online, and it immediately caused a frenzy. It was highly coveted, especially since it was an epic accessory that could be brought into reality!
However, obtaining the [Senior Scholar Badge] was no simple task. To even qualify for the exam, players needed to be part of powerful factions such as the [Scholars Temple], [Silverpine Spire], or the [Arcane Academy], and they had to have a high enough contribution level with at least a "revered" reputation to participate.
(Prestige levels for factions are ranked as: neutral, friendly, respected, revered, and worshipped.)
In his past life, Su Yu had been a member of the top faction [Silverpine Spire]. He had struggled to raise his reputation to "revered" and, after enduring a grueling amount of work and utilizing his wealth of game experience, he barely passed the [Advanced Scholar Exam] to earn the golden epic accessory.
The whole ordeal had been even more exhausting than preparing for a civil service exam!
If Su Yu could secure this accessory in the early stages of the game, it would significantly boost his power, both in the game and in the real world.
But Heimleck couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I've been a member of the Scholars Temple since I was a child," Heimleck said, shaking his head. "It took me 35 years to pass the [Advanced Scholar Exam], and you, an adventurer from another world, think you—"
"10 million psionic coins!" Su Yu interrupted sharply. "I'll bet 10 million with you. Do you dare to take it?"
"10 million?!"
The scholars around them gasped in shock, their gazes fixed on Su Yu. Their disbelief was palpable. Just who was this young man? Which wealthy noble's son could have such an outrageous amount of money to gamble?
Heimleck's mind was reeling. For a moment, he was too stunned to speak. Finally, he stammered, "Even though I'm a core member of the temple... I don't have the authority to approve participation in the [Advanced Scholar Exam]."
"100 million psionic coins," Su Yu calmly stated, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
The air in the temple grew thick with astonishment. Everyone, including Heimleck, stared at Su Yu in stunned silence. The number 100 million psionic coins echoed in their minds like the tolling of a bell.
Even an esteemed institution like the [Scholars Temple] could not ignore such an immense sum of money. Su Yu's proposal was far from an equal bet. Gaining an opportunity to take the [Advanced Scholar Exam] in exchange for 100 million psionic coins? The temple leaders would likely wake up from their sleep laughing at such a lopsided wager!
Yet Su Yu remained calm, his expression unreadable. It was as if 100 million psionic coins were mere pocket change to him.
In a real-world scenario, Su Yu would never dare to flaunt his wealth so brazenly. Revealing such riches could easily attract robbers and powerful adversaries. But this was a game. Protected by the system's safeguards, no NPC could steal from him, giving him the freedom to make this audacious gamble.
"I'll accept your bet," came a deep, resonant voice from within the temple.
At first, the voice sounded distant, but in the blink of an eye, an elderly man appeared in the hall. He wore a simple blue robe and carried a kind yet commanding presence. Despite his advanced age, he moved with the speed and precision of someone half his age.
"It's Sir Alex!" one of the scholars whispered.
"Sir Alex has arrived!"
The gathered scholars and Heimleck quickly bowed in reverence. "Master Alex, may the light of wisdom always shine on you."
The old man, known as Sir Alex, was a sanctuary magician—an individual of immense power and knowledge. Reaching level 75 and the rank of a sixth-order magician, a sanctuary magician was a being who had unlocked their personal domain, earning them the title of "sanctuary" in the game world. Such individuals were among the most powerful NPCs, their numbers limited to just over 1,000 across all the races in the game, including humans, elves, orcs, and even abyssal demons.
Alex nodded at the scholars before slowly walking toward Su Yu. "Young man, I am Alex, a sixth-order sanctuary magician. I have the authority to decide if you may participate in the [Advanced Scholar Exam]."
Su Yu bowed respectfully. "It is an honor to meet you, Sir Alex."
He smiled warmly at the older man. "I simply wish to prove to Heimleck that even us 'nouveau riche' are capable of possessing great knowledge."
Alex's eyes twinkled with amusement, and Heimleck could only stare in silence, feeling utterly defeated. To wield such wealth at such a young age—this young adventurer had shattered all his preconceptions. He was no longer just a "nouveau riche" but something far more formidable.
"You may indeed take the [Advanced Scholar Exam]," Alex declared with a nod. "And if you pass, the [Scholars Temple] will welcome you with open arms."
Su Yu smiled, his confidence unwavering. "It will be an honor to join the temple."
"Follow me, then," Alex said, gesturing toward the inner sanctum of the temple.
As Su Yu followed, the gathered scholars, curious to witness the rare exam, eagerly trailed behind. Heimleck, though still reeling, made no move to stop them.
Behind the statue of the stone book lay a long corridor. At the end was a lush atrium, filled with vibrant flowers and plants, resembling a vast garden. Several scholars sat among the greenery, engrossed in their studies, seemingly unaware of the world beyond the temple walls.
"This place is like a paradise compared to the chaos outside the city," Su Yu thought as they passed by.
Eventually, Alex led them to a quiet room at the edge of the atrium. "The [Advanced Scholar Exam] will take place here. I will serve as your chief examiner."
Su Yu nodded. "One last thing—should we sign a magical contract to formalize the bet?"
Alex waved a hand dismissively. "There's no need. I trust your character."
With a final smile, the sanctuary magician stepped into the exam room.
(End of Chapter)