The Divine Urban Physician Chapter 3710 - 3700: You Dare Order Me to Kneel?!

Instantly, the two elders of the Six Paths Sect, Gao Lin, looked up at the stern-faced Sect Leader Yang. They quickly entreated, "Sect Leader Yang, while Ye Chen has been somewhat unruly and caused a significant disaster, his heart is not inherently wicked. We sincerely hope Sect Leader Yang will show leniency towards Ye Chen."

"Sect Leader Yang, this is the Heavenly Treasure Demon Transformation Mirror, a sacred artifact bestowed by the Southern Saint upon our Six Paths Sect’s Grandmaster in ancient times. Our Six Paths Sect is prepared to return this Heavenly Treasure Demon Transformation Mirror. We implore you to forgive Ye Chen, for the sake of the Southern Saint and our Grandmaster's past friendship."

At this moment, upon witnessing the Heavenly Treasure Demon Transformation Mirror presented by the two elders, Gao Lin, Yang Tiangyang’s expression flickered subtly, and the elders of the Heavenly Saint Hall fell into a thoughtful silence.

The profound camaraderie between the Southern Saint and the Six Paths Sect’s Grandmaster Xiao Shuihan was a widely acknowledged truth among the sect master and elders of the Zhenyuan Palace. With the Heavenly Treasure Demon Transformation Mirror now presented by the two elders, Gao Lin, it was a matter that could not be easily dismissed.

At this juncture, the sage-like elder, Lv Tianlu, gazed at the Heavenly Treasure Demon Transformation Mirror, his eyes alight with a keen interest. He remarked, "Sect Master, although Ye Chen’s reckless actions have indeed angered the esteemed savior, it may have been unintentional. Perhaps it would be more prudent to spare him."

Upon hearing Lv Tianlu’s plea for Ye Chen, Yang Tiangyang couldn’t help but cast his gaze toward Lv Tianlu, only to notice Lv Tianlu subtly winking at him.

"Sect Master, by choosing to spare Ye Chen, we can seize this opportunity to completely sever ties with the Six Paths Sect. This would hardly be a disadvantageous outcome."

Presently, Lv Tianlu's voice resonated within Yang Tiangyang’s mind.

Upon receiving this telepathic communication, Yang Tiangyang's eyebrows lifted slightly, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face as he pondered why Lv Tianlu would intercede for Ye Chen. Now, the reason became clear.

Yang Tiangyang understood that Lv Tianlu harbored a disdain for the Six Paths Sect, and therefore, if an opportunity arose to dissolve their association, Lv Tianlu would undoubtedly seize it.

Weighing the potential consequences, Yang Tiangyang conceded that, just as Lv Tianlu had suggested, severing ties with the Six Paths Sect by using this incident would be far more beneficial than insisting on Ye Chen's demise. Furthermore, it would also bestow upon the Zhenyuan Palace the reputation of being magnanimous and upholding the sanctity of old friendships.

"Very well. Since the two elders, Gao Lin, have pleaded for Ye Chen and have presented a token of our Zhenyuan Palace’s Grandmaster, I am willing to spare Ye Chen's life, in honor of our Grandmaster's legacy."

Yang Tiangyang slowly nodded his assent.

However, upon hearing this decision, a wave of grim expressions washed over many elders and disciples of the Heavenly Saint Hall, as their fervent desire was to see Ye Chen meet his end!

Before these dissenters could voice their objections, Yang Tiangyang continued, "However, while I shall spare his life, Ye Chen must first kneel within this hall and perform one hundred prostrations before our Zhenyuan Palace Grandmaster’s statue. Furthermore, his cultivation must be crippled as a form of punishment!"

Hearing these harsh stipulations, the two elders, Gao Lin, were momentarily taken aback and were about to voice their protest, but Yang Tiangyang’s icy glare fixed upon them, silencing any further interjection.

"Additionally, following Ye Chen's reprieve, the Six Paths Sect must publicly announce its complete severance of ties with our Zhenyuan Palace. Only then will I consider this matter closed!"

Faced with Yang Tiangyang’s stringent conditions, the two elders, Gao Lin, wore troubled expressions. They exchanged a hesitant glance, inclined to argue further, but were abruptly waved away by Yang Tiangyang.

"These are the non-negotiable terms. If you refuse to comply, then you must hand Ye Chen over to our Zhenyuan Palace for judgment."

Yang Tiangyang's gaze pierced the two elders, Gao Lin, with icy finality.

At this moment, the elders and inner disciples of the Heavenly Saint Hall, who were initially displeased with Yang Tiangyang’s decision to spare Ye Chen, found a sense of relief upon hearing the conditions imposed. Some even displayed visible joy.

Should Ye Chen be forced to abase himself with a hundred kowtows before the Grandmaster’s statue and have his cultivation crippled, he would be utterly ruined, both in reputation and in his cultivation path, effectively reducing him to a mere husk of his former self.

And if Ye Chen were to be so thoroughly ruined, coupled with the Six Paths Sect’s public declaration of severing ties with the Zhenyuan Palace, thereby cutting off their karmic connection, this would be the precise outcome all within the Zhenyuan Palace ardently desired.

At this critical juncture, the two elders, Gao Lin, wore solemn expressions. Their primary intention was to preserve Ye Chen's cultivation base, but Yang Tiangyang's resolute stance left them with no room for negotiation. Facing the immense power of the Zhenyuan Palace, they understood they had no leverage.

As for the severing of relations between the Six Paths Sect and the Zhenyuan Palace, to be perfectly candid, the two elders, Gao Lin, held little emotional investment in this matter.

After all, the Zhenyuan Palace had proven itself ungrateful, and such a sect was beneath the Six Paths Sect's standing. In truth, both factions had harbored a mutual desire to dissolve their karmic threads, but they had refrained out of respect for the Grandmaster's enduring goodwill.

"Very well, Sect Leader Yang. We agree to your terms. We shall comply with your demands."

Elder Gao gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed on Yang Tiangyang as he reluctantly agreed.

"Very well, let us commence then."

A glint of mockery flashed in Yang Tiangyang’s eyes before he turned his gaze towards Ye Chen.

Within the grand Heavenly Saint Hall, all attention, from Yang Tiangyang and the assembled elders to the numerous inner sect disciples of Zhenyuan Palace, and even the two elders Gao Lin, was fixated upon Ye Chen.

The prevailing belief was that Ye Chen had no other recourse but to submit. Even the prominent elders Gao Lin of the Six Paths Sect had reportedly conceded; what disruption could an ant like Ye Chen, merely in the Heavenly God Realm, possibly create? Compliance was his only conceivable path.

Even the venerable Lv Tianlu, seemingly wise, shared this conviction, deeming that a hundred kowtows and the forfeiture of his cultivation was indeed Ye Chen’s most prudent option.

After all, Ye Chen possessed remarkable talent. As long as he could preserve his life, a fresh start would always be possible.

Yet, in this precise moment, everyone was mistaken. Their assumptions were, in Ye Chen’s eyes, utterly devoid of reality.

Now, with the multitude’s gazes upon him, Ye Chen’s eyes met Yang Tiangyang’s, brimming with a distinct sense of amusement. "I shall not abolish my cultivation, nor is it possible for me to kneel and kowtow!"

Ye Chen’s voice was cool as he spoke, his gaze fixed intently on Yang Tiangyang.

The declaration sent ripples of shock through the Heavenly Saint Hall. Every single person stared at Ye Chen, their faces etched with disbelief, unable to fathom his refusal.

"Is this young fellow weary of his existence? If he refuses to kneel, a swift death is surely his fate."

"Hmph, what an utter fool. Does he truly believe such a stance grants him dignity? Without life itself, what meaning does dignity hold!"

"In that case, let us dispatch this arrogant simpleton immediately, and subsequently sever all ties with the Six Paths Sect!"

Anger erupted in the hall, with shouts echoing loudly. Even the wise old man was taken aback, his stare fixed on Ye Chen in utter bafflement at his refusal to kneel and kowtow, a path he perceived as Ye Chen's sole chance for survival.

"This child… is he truly prepared to sacrifice his life for the sake of dignity?"

A flicker of astonishment crossed the old man’s eyes.

Simultaneously, Yang Tiangyang narrowed his gaze at Ye Chen. To him, Ye Chen’s defiance felt like a profound insult, especially since he had been willing to grant Ye Chen leniency in exchange for mere kneeling and the abandonment of his cultivation.

When weighed against the value of his own life, Yang Tiangyang considered his demands trivial. Yet, Ye Chen’s rationale remained utterly incomprehensible to him.

The Grandmaster of the Six Paths Sect, Xiao Shuihan, was Ye Chen’s disciple. Furthermore, the Southern Saint was a friend of Xiao Shuihan. By virtue of this connection, Ye Chen logically held seniority over the Southern Saint. Forcing him to kneel before the Southern Saint’s effigy was an act even the Southern Saint himself would hesitate to instigate!

The subtle, unseen Karma that permeates the fabric of existence could potentially be disturbed. Should Ye Chen kneel and kowtow to the Southern Saint's statue, it might inadvertently trigger the fundamental laws of the universe. The statue could erupt spontaneously, shattering into pieces, and in such an event, Ye Chen's true identity as the Samsara Master might very well be exposed.

At this juncture, the two elders, Gao Lin, also fixed their gazes upon Ye Chen, their eyes blazing with indignation.

"Ye Chen, why do you refuse to kneel? Compared to your very life, what significance do kneeling and kowtowing truly hold? If you manage to preserve your life, hope for the future still remains."

Elder Gao could not restrain his urge to reprimand Ye Chen.

"Indeed, Ye Chen, heed our counsel. Kneel! If you do not, your demise is assured this very day, and all will be irrevocably over."

Elder Lin voiced his concerns with a troubled expression, imploring Ye Chen to yield.

However, faced with the earnest entreaties of the two elders, Gao Lin, Ye Chen remained steadfastly unmoved. "It is utterly impossible for me to kneel and kowtow."

"What is this Zhenyuan Palace! Do they truly possess the audacity to command me to kneel? And even if I were to comply, could they possibly bear the ramifications!"

Ye Chen’s gaze intensified, abruptly turning icy as it swept across everyone present in the Heavenly Saint Hall, including Sect Leader Yang Tiangyang himself.

He even employed the emphatic pronoun "吾" (wú – I)!

The moment these words left his lips, the very foundations of the Heavenly Saint Hall seemed to tremble violently. Even the color of the sky shifted dramatically, punctuated by the descent of countless bolts of lightning.

"A mere Zhenyuan Palace dares to speak of executing me? Are you even worthy of such a pronouncement!"

Ye Chen's voice thundered, each sentence delivered with earth-shattering force. The heavens themselves appeared on the verge of cracking, and the Heavenly Saint Hall quaked under the immense pressure.

The entirety of Zhenyuan Palace was consumed by a collective rage. Every elder and inner sect disciple glared at Ye Chen, their murderous intent surging forth with such ferocity that it coalesced into a spectral visage of a god of slaughter looming in the sky.