Chapter 2302: Conversation with the Ancestor

In the great hall, an old man with white hair and beard slowly descended from the high seat and approached Ye Yuan.

He made a gesture of invitation and said, "Sub-Saint, please have a seat."

Ye Yuan nodded slightly and they sat down as host and guest.

The disciples were stunned by the old man's actions!

How exalted was the status of their master? Apart from those few old monsters, who could deserve such a humble welcome from him?

"Has the Sub-Saint already comprehended the Dao?" Maple Forest Ancestor asked calmly.

His tone seemed inquiring, but in his heart, he was already certain.

Otherwise, given his status, how could he have specially come down to sit on equal footing with Ye Yuan?

"I have gained some insight. Would Maple Forest Ancestor care to offer some guidance?" Ye Yuan said indifferently.

"No need. For beings like you and me, it's best not to act rashly. First, spiritual medicines are hard to come by; second, it's a matter of status." Maple Forest Ancestor directly refused.

"Ancestor, this makes things difficult for me." Ye Yuan said helplessly.

"Heh, I know the Sub-Saint has ulterior motives. But crossing swords with that one is not a wise move. You should understand that." Maple Forest Ancestor said with a serious expression.

"I understand, but... I fear nothing." Ye Yuan nodded.

Maple Forest Ancestor shook his head and laughed, "Truly a newborn calf who fears no tigers! But it won't work through me. Not just me, but probably not through the others either."

Ye Yuan gave a wry smile and said, "What a pity!"

The conversation between the two was cryptic, but the disciples understood it all.

The amount of information was overwhelming!

First, Ye Yuan had already reached the Dao Pill level!

Second, Ye Yuan intended to challenge the Medicine Ancestor!

Third, their master was unwilling to fight Ye Yuan!

Any one of these was earth-shattering news.

Maple Forest Ancestor was unwilling to fight Ye Yuan because victory or defeat would bring him no benefit.

Moreover, an old monster like him saw through everything clearly; how could he be easily used?

Previously, he hadn't known Ye Yuan's strength. Now that he did, he naturally didn't want to be the first to stick his neck out.

Bowing to Ye Yuan now could be excused as out of respect for the Holy Ancestor's High Priest.

But if they fought, winning would be expected and would only prove Ye Yuan had reached the Dao Pill realm, thus benefiting him.

Losing... would be a complete defeat.

Yun Suifeng and the others were already lost in endless shock, unable to snap out of it.

Comprehending the Dao!

What Dao had he comprehended?

None of them were fools; how could they not guess?

Ye Yuan had already comprehended the origin of the Alchemy Dao, reached the Dao Pill level, and was a powerhouse on par with their master!

But how was that possible?

This guy, whom they saw as a mere child, had already stood at the true pinnacle, reaching the realm of the ancestors!

Such a thing, they were unwilling to believe and simply couldn't believe it.

Especially Yun Suifeng, who had been stuck at this crossroads for who knows how many years, still clueless about the way forward.

Only a powerhouse like him could truly appreciate how difficult it was to take that step.

Previously, he had been unhurried, quietly waiting for that day to come.

But today, the situation had suddenly changed!

A latecomer who had started countless years after him had actually gotten ahead of him and was now sitting with his own master, discussing the Way.

The blow was simply unparalleled.

They could understand Ye Yuan defeating Zhu Tianxiang—after all, he was a sub-sage.

They could understand Ye Yuan defeating Gu Yulong—after all, he was a sub-sage.

They could even understand Ye Yuan defeating Yun Suifeng—after all, he was a sub-sage!

But how had he taken this step?

The Dao Pill!

That was a realm all alchemists sought but could never attain.

No matter how hard they tried, how much they struggled, they could never reach it.

This brat, so young it was unbelievable, had achieved it!

Just then, someone suddenly burst into the hall.

"Master, what happened? You... why are you here?"

Zhu Tianxiang rushed in hurriedly and was shocked to see Ye Yuan sitting opposite his master, chatting amiably.

Shouldn't Ye Yuan have been taken care of by his senior brothers by now?

How... was he chatting with the master?

He looked over at his senior brothers—each one was dejected, as if mourning a death.

Their expressions seemed stunned by something.

Zhu Tianxiang was full of doubts when he heard Maple Forest Ancestor coldly shout, "Wretch, look what you've done! Come over and kneel to apologize to the sub-sage!"

Zhu Tianxiang trembled all over, his face full of disbelief: "Master, you want me to kneel and apologize to this kid? This... wouldn't that tarnish your reputation?"

Zhu Tianxiang was extremely talented, and Maple Forest Ancestor usually doted on him.

He often turned a blind eye to many rules.

It was rare to see him so stern.

Maple Forest Ancestor's face darkened, and he said coldly, "What, is the master's word no longer valid? Or do you think you're ready to graduate?"

Zhu Tianxiang's expression changed drastically, realizing his master was not joking but serious.

From his words, if he didn't kneel and apologize, he might be expelled from the sect.

Thump!

Zhu Tianxiang knelt before Ye Yuan, his face full of reluctance.

"Master, I won't accept this! Why... why should he?" Zhu Tianxiang persisted in his defiance.

"How dare you! The sub-sage is of the same generation as your master; before him, you are a junior! Is this kneel not warranted? Besides, you fool, you were used by others without knowing it, and you even tried to shift the blame onto me! Now the entire Yunxia Mountain has become a laughingstock. Are you satisfied?" Maple Forest Ancestor said angrily.

Zhu Tianxiang still refused to accept it, but then Yun Suifeng said listlessly, "Little junior brother, stop arguing! The sub-sage has already comprehended the origin of the Dao of Alchemy and is a patriarch-level expert like Master. He is worthy of your kneel!"

"What! He... he... impossible!" Zhu Tianxiang shook violently, his eyes filled with terror as he looked at Ye Yuan.

Ye Yuan said calmly, "I gave you a chance. An apology would have sufficed. But now... it won't be so simple."

Maple Forest Ancestor's expression was also grim. Since Ye Yuan was a patriarch-level expert, this matter could not be easily brushed aside.

Otherwise, if Ye Yuan shamelessly insisted on challenging him, he would have to accept.

Then the entire Yunxia Mountain would truly become a laughingstock.

If Zhu Tianxiang apologized, Ye Yuan would have nothing more to say and naturally wouldn't spread the word.

In just a few words, Maple Forest Ancestor could tell that although Ye Yuan was extremely sharp, he was no greenhorn.

On the contrary, he was wiser than all his disciples!

Of course, how could someone who had reached such a realm at such a young age be a fool?

Suddenly, the space rippled, and figures stepped out of the void one after another.

Seeing these arrivals, Zhu Tianxiang's face changed even more drastically!