Chapter 2273: Respect Without Fear!

"Senior Ji Mo, how could an existence like the Medicine Ancestor hold such a grand Alchemy Convention for just one person, the Master?" Yun Yi couldn't help asking.

In the Tongtian Realm, to all alchemists, the Medicine Ancestor was a godlike existence!

In the Dao of Alchemy, no one could surpass the Medicine Ancestor.

He was like a totem, one that people dared not desecrate.

Although in the hearts of Yun Yi and the others, Ye Yuan was equally a godlike figure.

Yet, after all, he was only an eight-star Divine Alchemist.

They had never doubted that Ye Yuan would one day reach the realm of the Medicine Ancestor or the Grand Priest of the Holy Ancestor.

But that was not now.

Wasn't Ye Yuan now, going up against the Medicine Ancestor, like throwing an egg at a rock?

Ji Mo sneered and said, "The Medicine Ancestor is indeed exalted, and in the minds of alchemists, he is no less than the Dao Ancestor! Once upon a time, my Holy Ancestor also revered him as a deity. But since 'Mo Wen,' the Holy Ancestor has cast aside all those emotions. The Medicine Ancestor is powerful, yes, but he is narrow-minded and intolerant! After 'Mo Wen,' the Holy Ancestor was in a slump for tens of millions of years, nearly never recovering. If not for that, his current strength might be no less than the Medicine Ancestor's!"

"That's impossible!" Yun Yi and the others' expressions changed drastically.

They simply couldn't accept that the deity in their hearts was such a person!

The Medicine Ancestor was the totem of all alchemists. When that totem crumbled, people's first reaction could only be disbelief.

Power and status could sometimes cover up many things.

He was strong, so everything he did was right.

Even if the Grand Priest of the Holy Ancestor went around speaking ill of the Medicine Ancestor, it would only be dismissed as nonsense, a deliberate slander after defeat.

When Ji Mo said such things now, that was Yun Yi and the others' first thought.

Ji Mo just smiled without speaking, offering no explanation.

Ye Yuan, however, said calmly, "No one is perfect! No matter how strong divine realm experts are, they are not true gods; they still have human emotions. The Medicine Ancestor may be the supreme authority in alchemy, but unfortunately, he is that kind of person. I know it's hard for you to accept, but this is the Medicine Ancestor I came to know in the 'Mo Wen' chess game, and I believe it's accurate."

"This... this..."

Yun Yi and the others looked panicked and at a loss, feeling as if their worldview was collapsing.

Ji Mo said calmly, "So this so-called Myriad Domain Alchemy Convention is actually meant to destroy the Sub-Saint's faith and shatter the Dao in his heart. That way, the Sub-Saint cannot challenge his position."

Yun Yi and the others all looked at Ye Yuan, their faces filled with shock.

Just moments ago, they had felt honored by Ye Yuan's invitation, but now they couldn't help worrying for him.

If forced to choose between the Medicine Ancestor and Ye Yuan, they would naturally stand unhesitatingly with Ye Yuan.

"Master, maybe... we shouldn't go to this Alchemy Convention?" Yun Yi said cautiously.

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Ever since I entered the Tongtian Realm, I have imagined the day I would cross hands with the Medicine Ancestor. Now that this opportunity is before me, how could I miss it?"

"But... but that's the Medicine Ancestor!" Yun Yi said.

Ye Yuan said calmly, "So what if he's the Medicine Ancestor? Yun Yi, only by having no god in your heart can you become a god! If you regard your master as a god, you will never surpass me! Your talent, perseverance, and character are all top-notch! But if you cannot overcome the fear in your heart, you will forever remain my disciple! In the heart of a strong person, there is only respect, no fear!"

In the heart of a strong person, there is only respect, no fear!

These words struck like a thunderbolt, ringing in everyone's ears.

Even Ji Mo was shaken.

He had no reverence for the Medicine Ancestor, but he did have reverence for the Grand Priest of the Holy Ancestor!

This reverence was deeply etched into his bones, lasting tens of millions of years.

Surpassing his master—such a thing he had never even dared to think about!

He suddenly recalled the words Yi had said to him and finally understood why Ye Yuan had achieved what he had today.

Ye Yuan glanced at him and smiled, "I once said that I am the Grand Priest of the Holy Ancestor's opponent. That was not arrogant talk, but because I have the belief and courage to surpass him! My strength is inferior to his, so what? I will do my utmost to become stronger! Even if I fail, I will not regret it! I think the Grand Priest of the Holy Ancestor feels the same way; he is waiting for me to grow stronger! I respect the Grand Priest of the Holy Ancestor, not because he helped me, but because he is an opponent worthy of respect! But the Medicine Ancestor is not!"

Ji Mo was stunned!

What Ye Yuan said was almost identical to what his master had said!

Could this be the tacit understanding between the strong?

His master had said he was not afraid of failure!

What he feared was having no opponent!

Although Ye Yuan's current strength was still a world away from his master's.

Yet Ye Yuan's strength was already too dazzling to look at directly!

Beside him, Yun Yi's mind was greatly shaken.

He understood that his master was teaching him how to become a true strong person.

This kind of teaching was not about technique, but about the heart of a strong person!

Only by having no god in your heart can you become a god!

He had always thought that reverence was one word.

But now he realized he was wrong.

Respect is respect, fear is fear.

One can be respected, but not feared!

Yun Yi took a deep breath and nodded solemnly, "Master, I understand!"

Ye Yuan smiled, "Understanding is one thing; now cultivate your heart well! It's easy to say, but doing it is as hard as reaching the sky."

Ji Mo rose and, performing the disciple's salute, bowed respectfully to Ye Yuan, saying, "Thank you for the guidance, Sub-Saint!"

Ye Yuan accepted it calmly and smiled, "Is the Medicine Ancestor's move because of the Chaos Reincarnation Pill?"

Ji Mo nodded. Ye Yuan continued, "When I refined the Chaos Reincarnation Pill, I felt as if I had touched the origin of the Alchemy Dao, which seemed to be another realm, above the Ancestor realm! It seems that the Medicine Ancestor and the Grand Priest of the Holy Ancestor are at that level."

Ji Mo thought for a moment and asked, "Sub-Saint, what are your chances in this battle?"

Ye Yuan directly shook his head, "Not even one percent!"

Everyone's expression changed, but they heard Ye Yuan laugh, "But if the Medicine Ancestor thinks he can use this to shake my Dao heart, he is overthinking it. Alright, you go back first. I need to go to Tongtian Mountain. Once I break through to the Heavenly Emperor realm, I will head to the Priest Temple."

Ji Mo bowed and took his leave.

Ye Yuan was confident, but not blindly so.

This opponent was the number one figure in alchemy in the Tongtian Realm!

This man had stood at the pinnacle of alchemy in the Tongtian Realm for eons, never once shaken.

His strength needed no words to explain.

Being number one meant facing endless challenges!

The Grand Priest of the Holy Ancestor was just one of them.

The Medicine Ancestor's unyielding stance was earned through overwhelming strength, not through flattery.

Facing such an opponent, Ye Yuan had no confidence at all.

But so what?

He, Ye Yuan, never admitted defeat!