Chapter 2440: Laid Bare for All to See!

“Hahaha... Lin Chaotian, justice lies in the hearts of the people. Did you hear that? Open your eyes and see—who would believe that a man who drove the divine race back into the abyss would betray humanity? Could a traitor to his own kind possess such overwhelming righteous energy?” Xuanji Heavenly Sovereign laughed heartily.

He hadn’t expected that Ye Yuan’s confrontation would lead to such an outcome.

Ever since he had gone to find Ye Yuan, Ye Yuan had been with him the whole time.

In fact, Ye Yuan had even instructed Pang Zhen and the others not to get involved in this matter.

He knew Ye Yuan was afraid of implicating them.

These people had all come of their own accord!

The tide of popular sentiment was clear as day!

Lin Chaotian’s gaze turned cold, and he said in a deep voice, “Truly worthy of the Azure Sage—such skill at swaying hearts and minds! Bringing so many people to the Origin Mountains—is this a show of force?”

Ye Yuan smiled faintly. “A show of force? Heh, you overestimate yourself. Now that you’re a Dao Ancestor, can’t you be a little more magnanimous?”

Lin Chaotian’s face darkened. These words were clearly lecturing him as if he were a junior!

Yet, he found himself unable to retort.

Lin Chaotian snorted coldly. “Ye Yuan, drop your Azure Sage airs! Fine, let’s set aside the matter of Tianhe for now. But you must explain this: the woman you love has become the Divine Maiden of the divine race. You say you won’t betray humanity, but if one day you meet her on the battlefield, what will you do? This time, you let her go!”

This was the crux of the matter!

It was also the key point Lin Chaotian used to convict Ye Yuan.

He had thoroughly investigated the relationship between Ye Yuan and Yue Mengli, as well as Ye Yuan’s character.

Ye Yuan was a man of deep loyalty, willing to go to any lengths for those close to him.

Now that Yue Mengli had become the Divine Maiden, Ye Yuan would never stand idly by, let alone take up arms against her!

And this was precisely Ye Yuan’s weakness!

Sure enough, at the mention of this, the muscles in Ye Yuan’s face twitched involuntarily.

This matter had become a thorn in his side.

Lin Chaotian bringing it up publicly was like rubbing salt into his wound.

Ye Yuan’s eyes turned icy cold, and he said in a deep voice, “Lin Chaotian, who do you think you are to demand an explanation from me? What I, Ye Yuan, choose to do is none of your business!”

Seeing Ye Yuan angered, Lin Chaotian smiled instead. “Oh? Angry? It seems the Azure Sage values this woman greatly! In that case, who can guarantee that you won’t betray humanity for her sake in the future? The Azure Sage must give us an explanation for this! Or perhaps you can personally kill this woman to prove your loyalty to your people! What say you all, am I right?”

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the crowd.

The crowd gasped!

This move was far too ruthless.

Forcing Ye Yuan to kill the woman he loved most—that was truly vicious!

Yet at this moment, no one could find any fault with it.

After all, humanity and the divine race were mortal enemies.

It was a matter of life or death.

There was no room for compromise between the two sides.

Ye Yuan’s anger was exactly what Lin Chaotian had hoped for.

When he realized his opponent was the Azure Sage, even Lin Chaotian, honored as a Dao Ancestor, had to tread carefully.

Who was the Azure Sage?

He was the supreme being who had single-handedly raised Lin Chaotian from obscurity to become the number one figure in the Tongtian Realm!

Others might not know the Azure Sage’s power, but Lin Chaotian, who had lived through that era, certainly did.

Ye Yuan’s cultivation level might not be high, but his potential was terrifying!

Without the Azure Sage, there would be no golden age for humanity today, and no Life Dao Ancestor.

Thus, he deliberately used the matter of Yue Mengli to provoke Ye Yuan.

Clearly, he had achieved his goal!

“Azure Sage, please explain!”

“Yes, we don’t believe you would betray humanity! But you must give us some explanation!”

…

The assembled experts were anxious. They found Ye Yuan too proud!

Too proud to even bother defending himself.

Even now, when his reputation as the Azure Sage was at stake!

Ye Yuan sneered, “Lin Chaotian, you overestimate yourself! Do you think I came here today to explain myself to you? Or do you imagine I care about the title of Azure Sage? Heh, in the end, you’re nothing but a frog at the bottom of a well!”

Ye Yuan’s words were laden with meaning.

Lin Chaotian’s heart felt as if pricked by something.

Everyone in the hall was stunned.

Ye Yuan had used the phrase “frog at the bottom of a well” to describe the number one figure in the Tongtian Realm, the Life Dao Ancestor!

The words sounded almost laughable.

But now, no one could laugh.

Ye Yuan continued, “My merits and faults will be judged by posterity. How can you sum them up with a single word? But what do I care whether I’m remembered with honor or infamy? I, Ye Yuan, act according to my conscience. Who are you to demand that I come and explain myself to you?”

“The reason I came was simply to see what it is about me that you covet! I confirmed it earlier at the mountain gate. Hah, it figures—aside from breaking the shackles, what else in this world could move the heart of the number one Dao Ancestor? You hide your selfish motives beneath the banner of humanity’s greater good—truly shameless!”

“If you had disregarded your status and attacked me personally, I might have thought slightly better of you. But though you are a Dao Ancestor, you are nothing but a petty man! You think that becoming a Dao Ancestor allows you to transcend your race and lord over the world? Little do you know, in the eyes of the Heavenly Dao, you are no more than an ant!”

After he finished speaking, the entire hall fell into dead silence.

Everyone’s mouths hung open, staring at Ye Yuan in shock.

“Breaking the shackles”—those four words seemed to possess a magic that seized everyone’s hearts.

“He... what did he just say? Breaking the shackles! Could it be that the Azure Sage can break through the shackles of the Dao Ancestor?”

“A secret that could allow a Dao Ancestor to advance further—no wonder the Life Dao Ancestor coveted it!”

“But how is that possible? Since ancient times, Dao Ancestors have been the strongest! Even during the age of divine rule, they couldn’t break through the Dao Ancestor’s limits. How could anyone possibly shatter the shackles of a Dao Ancestor?”

…

A single stone stirred a thousand ripples. Ye Yuan’s words ignited the emotions of everyone present.

What he had said was indeed earth-shattering.

Such a thing was too incredible, beyond their imagination.

They had been wondering why the Life Dao Ancestor was targeting the Azure Sage.

After all, the Azure Sage was a benefactor to all of humanity!

But if what Ye Yuan said was true, everything made sense!

Lin Chaotian’s expression did not change much, but inwardly he was seething with hatred.

He had underestimated Ye Yuan; he never expected Ye Yuan to be so astute!

From mere clues, he had seen through his intentions.

He thought he understood Ye Yuan, believing that Ye Yuan must care about the title of Azure Sage.

But he had only measured the gentleman’s heart with his own petty measure!

Ye Yuan’s mind had remained terrifyingly clear all along!