The Divine Urban Physician Chapter 3709 - 3699: What Crime Is There? (Eighth Update)

"Fine, I can attempt to sway the sect master into showing leniency, but if their mind is made up, there’s naught I can do."

The elder, possessing an air of profound wisdom, addressed Jun Mo. Given Jun Mo's conviction in Ye Chen's future eminence, he was willing to extend a gesture of faith, as it entailed minimal effort merely to intercede.

A slight nod from Jun Mo conveyed his acceptance of this arrangement; it was the most feasible path, considering the elder's position was subordinate to the sect master's ultimate authority.

Nevertheless, having someone speak in one's stead was a considerable advantage, particularly as the matter Ye Chen was entangled in was of moderate gravity, entirely contingent on the judgment of Zhenyuan Palace's sect master.

Following this, the spectral form of the wise elder vanished from the communication tokens, and Jun Mo's gaze drifted toward the direction of Zhenyuan Palace.

"My efforts are complete; your destiny now rests on your own shoulders."

...

Concurrently, within the South Saint Restaurant, Elder Lin was immersed in his cultivation, seated cross-legged. A sudden ripple of energy disrupting his sanctuary caused his eyes to snap open.

"Hmm?"

Elder Lin grasped a bamboo slip and directed it at the source of the disturbance, realizing it was a Communication Talisman. Upon unfurling it, the message detailed Ye Chen's transgression against the Guardian God of Zhenyuan Palace and his subsequent apprehension.

"This is problematic!"

Elder Lin's countenance shifted drastically, and he promptly summoned Elder Gao from the adjacent chamber.

Both elders examined the Communication Talisman, their expressions etched with concern. Despite their reluctance to become embroiled in Ye Chen's predicaments, his affiliation with the Six Paths Sect precluded them from disengaging entirely.

Furthermore, a subtle intuition suggested to the two elders that Ye Chen possessed an unusual quality, hinting at truly exceptional talent. Consequently, they made haste toward Zhenyuan Palace.

...

At that precise moment, Ye Chen had already been escorted to Zhenyuan Palace under the charge of Elder Hei Zhi and his associates.

Zhenyuan Palace presented a spectacle of grandeur and immensity, its interior dotted with countless halls. The most imposing of these, exuding an aura of supreme authority and power, was the Heavenly Saint Hall, the venue for deliberations on critical sect matters.

This same hall also served as the place for dispensing judgment upon wayward disciples and adversaries, and it was to this location Ye Chen was being conveyed.

His eyes surveyed the formidable edifice, permeated by emanations of auspicious Qi and cloaked in dense Hongmeng Energy. Sensing the immense Great Power radiating from within, a faint smile touched Ye Chen's lips.

"Hmph, a final laugh before the abyss; tears shall soon follow!"

Elder Hei Zhi, observing Ye Chen's continued smile, shot him a withering glare before giving him a forceful shove. "Move along."

Stumbling from the impact, Ye Chen abruptly whirled around to confront Elder Hei Zhi, his gaze as profound as an unfathomable abyss, radiating a chilling resolve.

"I suggest you refrain from laying hands on me."

The intensity of Ye Chen's stare caused Elder Hei Zhi's composure to falter, a wave of unease washing over him. Yet, he quickly rallied, questioning his own susceptibility to intimidation by a mere disciple of the Six Paths Sect, a supposed prodigy in the Heavenly God Realm, while he held the status of a legitimate elder of Zhenyuan Palace.

As Elder Hei Zhi prepared to retaliate, he realized they had already entered the Heavenly Saint Hall. An assembly of Zhenyuan Palace elders occupied their places, accompanied by a contingent of inner disciples. Overseeing the proceedings, the sect master gazed down at Ye Chen with an expression of cold disdain.

"Now you need not concern yourself with acting; his doom is assured."

Witnessing the scene, Elder Hei Zhi smirked inwardly, a malicious gleam in his eyes.

Ye Chen, in turn, was meticulously assessing the individuals present in the grand hall. It was evident that Zhenyuan Palace had indeed outstripped the Six Paths Sect in development over the years, with numerous inner disciples here possessing greater strength than their counterparts in the Six Paths Sect.

Even Yang Qianyu, hailed as the foremost talent within the Six Paths Sect, would struggle to rank among the top ten within Zhenyuan Palace's inner circle.

Now, all these inner disciples fixed their fierce stares upon Ye Chen, some even offering derisive smiles.

Above them, a council of elders was seated, each radiating an imposing presence. Their gazes, akin to those of stoic Great Buddhas, were filled with an icy detachment.

Presiding over the vast hall was the sect master, his demeanor impassive, yet his eyes burned with a palpable fury as he fixed his intense gaze upon Ye Chen.

This current sect master of Zhenyuan Palace, Yang Tiangyang by name, commanded a terrifying might; his mere presence seemed to shake the very foundations of existence, as though he held dominion over all Heavens and Myriads of Worlds, his eyes containing the very essence of life and death.

"Sect Master, the accused Ye Chen has been brought forth!"

Elder Hei Zhi announced, his tone laced with deference toward Yang Tiangyang.

"Excellent."

Yang Tiangyang inclined his head indifferently, gesturing for Elder Hei Zhi and the others to take their seats. His attention then pivoted back to Ye Chen.

"Ye Chen, do you confess your transgressions?"

Yang Tiangyang’s imposing aura surged with world-ending power, seemingly intending to obliterate Ye Chen.

Yet, as Ye Chen met Yang Tiangyang’s gaze, his own remained perfectly serene, undisturbed.

"Sin? What sin have I committed?"

Ye Chen questioned calmly. He had indeed approached the Guardian God Statue, but that action involved the sword qi left by Senior Ren, a mere exchange between him and Senior Ren, bearing no relation to Zhenyuan Palace. He maintained he was not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Hearing Ye Chen’s response, Yang Tiangyang’s expression immediately turned frigid.

Concurrently, a wave of indignation erupted from all the Zhenyuan Palace elders and numerous inner disciples present in the hall.

The Golden Dragon Statue was revered as the supreme savior by everyone in Zhenyuan Palace. Ye Chen’s sheer arrogance in touching the Guardian God Statue, thereby provoking the savior, and then audaciously claiming innocence, ignited their fury.

"Insolent fool, do you not comprehend the gravity of your transgression?"

Elder Hei Zhi was the first to unleash his anger upon Ye Chen, his deep displeasure evident, always eager to belittle Ye Chen.

"Those from the Six Paths Sect are truly contemptible, daring to offend our Zhenyuan Palace's supreme savior and still insisting they are innocent!"

Another elder, bearing a commanding presence, reprimanded Ye Chen harshly.

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen’s gaze abruptly sharpened, fixing a cold stare upon the white-haired elder.

"Watch your tongue," Ye Chen stated icily.

His words sent the Heavenly Saint Hall into an uproar. Ye Chen had not only committed a severe offense but was now refusing to admit fault and acting with such brazen disregard within their halls—it was sheer lawlessness and extreme hubris!

"Audacious wretch, you dare speak to me in such a manner!"

The white-haired elder’s beard trembled with rage, his chest heaving uncontrollably.

At this juncture, a multitude of inner sect disciples joined in the condemnation of Ye Chen.

"A mere cultivator at the Heavenly God Realm, from where do you muster the audacity to behave so wildly in our Zhenyuan Palace? Any disciple within the Heavenly Saint Hall could effortlessly crush you, you insignificant speck!"

"Hmph, the Six Paths Sect has truly declined, nurturing such an arrogant and shameless individual. My suggestion is to execute this waste immediately!"

"Indeed! We implore the Sect Master to pass the death sentence on Ye Chen and completely sever ties with the Six Paths Sect!"

The entire Heavenly Saint Hall resonated with the clamor. Zhenyuan Palace had harbored a long-standing desire to distance itself from the Six Paths Sect. Their ascent had been bolstered by the Six Paths Sect’s past support.

However, following the Six Paths Sect’s decline, Zhenyuan Palace increasingly viewed their prior assistance as a source of shame, given the Six Paths Sect’s current inferiority.

Every individual within the Heavenly Saint Hall now perceived Ye Chen’s situation as a golden opportunity to finally sever all connections with the Six Paths Sect.

"We implore the Sect Master to execute Ye Chen and sever all ties with the Six Paths Sect!"

A significant majority of the elders present in the grand hall vociferously supported this unprecedented resolution, their voices echoing, save for a select few whose expressions shifted subtly, remaining silent.

Among this minority was the sage-like elder seated in the foremost row to the right, positioned below the Sect Master.

Elder Lv Tianlu, adorned in robes trimmed with gold thread, exuded an aura of profound distinction as he fixed his intense gaze upon Ye Chen.

Having received a summons from Jun Mo, Lv Tianlu had made his way to the Heavenly Saint Hall. From the moment Ye Chen entered, Lv Tianlu’s attention had been solely on him.

Lv Tianlu sought confirmation of Ye Chen’s potential, as vouched by Jun Mo—whether he truly possessed the capacity for immeasurable future achievements.

Throughout this period, Lv Tianlu observed Ye Chen’s remarkable bearing. Even under the immense pressure exerted by Sect Master Yang Tiangyang and the assembled elders, Ye Chen, despite being merely in the Heavenly God Realm, displayed unwavering composure. This alone served as ample evidence of Ye Chen’s exceptional nature.

"This young man shows promise; he is worth protecting,"

Lv Tianlu mused internally, his gaze lingering on Ye Chen.

Within the Heavenly Saint Hall, a relentless chorus of voices petitioned the Sect Master for Ye Chen’s execution and the definitive severance of ties with the Six Paths Sect.

Yang Tiangyang, his eyes narrowed, scrutinized Ye Chen, deliberating whether to yield to the collective will of his sect members.

Yang Tiangyang harbored a deep-seated disdain for the Six Paths Sect and yearned to break away from them. However, the imposing presence of the Southern Saint Stone Statue within the Heavenly Saint Hall gave him pause.

The Southern Saint and Xiao Shuihan, the founder of the Six Paths Sect, were once close companions, and seeing the current turn of events, it was unlikely the Southern Saint would tacitly permit such an outcome.

Yang Tiangyang, burdened with the entire Zhenyuan Palace's welfare, recognized the gravity of each decision, especially one as monumental as severing ties with the Six Paths Sect, which stirred considerable apprehension and left him momentarily undecided.

Just then, two figures descended from the heavens, streaking into the Heavenly Saint Hall and making their dramatic entrance into the main chamber.

"Elder Gao, Elder Lin?"

Upon recognizing the arriving individuals, Ye Chen's eyebrows lifted subtly, the presence of Elders Gao and Lin being quite unexpected.

However, Ye Chen's understanding was swift; the elders Gao and Lin had undoubtedly been alerted by Jun Mo.

From his vantage point above the Heavenly Saint Hall, Elder Lv Tianlu, witnessing the arrival of Elders Gao and Lin, found his previously opened mouth closing mid-sentence, having been poised to intercede for Ye Chen.

The appearance of Elders Gao and Lin at this juncture only served to inflame the anger of the numerous Zhenyuan Palace elders further.

"Elder Gao! Observe the disciple cultivated by your Six Paths Sect – utterly reckless! The Six Paths Sect truly seems to be declining!"

"Elder Lin, we extended a sincere invitation for you to grace Zhenyuan Palace as esteemed guests, and this is how you conduct yourselves? Abominable! Ye Chen must perish today!"

"We demand Ye Chen's execution and the complete severance of all relations with the Six Paths Sect!"

In the face of the seething elders, Gao and Lin's expressions darkened considerably.

Both elders harbored dissatisfaction with Zhenyuan Palace's denigration of the Six Paths Sect and felt anger towards Ye Chen for his rash actions. He was fully aware that Zhenyuan Palace would undoubtedly seek repercussions, yet he still dared to tamper with Zhenyuan Palace's Guardian God Statue, precipitating a tremendous disaster.

Nevertheless, regardless of the circumstances, Ye Chen, as a disciple of the Six Paths Sect, could not be abandoned, especially when Wu Duan Cang had repeatedly implored them to ensure Ye Chen's safety upon his departure from the sect.