Chapter 2617: Taking an Oath

On True Feather Peak, you could hear a pin drop.

No one had expected that the Sect Master would rather abdicate than protect these two!

Even Ye Yuan was taken aback.

The Sect Master was the pillar of the sect.

Unless a major upheaval occurred within the sect, such a change was extremely rare.

Especially for someone like Feng Xuanyi, a sect master at the peak of his power!

Yet now, for him and Luo Yunqing, he was voluntarily stepping down.

A warmth flowed through Ye Yuan's heart.

For this trust alone, Ye Yuan would help Wuding Heavenly Sect through this crisis!

Grand Elder Shen Chang narrowed his eyes, his face full of emotion.

He hadn't expected Feng Xuanyi to be so resolute.

"Sect Master, you exaggerate!" Shen Chang sighed and said.

Feng Xuanyi, however, said calmly, "Grand Elder, it's not an exaggeration! This matter concerns the sect's fate, and I'm not acting on impulse! I admit that when I expelled Qin Shun from the sect, I severely underestimated the Alchemy Alliance's strength. But since a complete fallout is inevitable, there's no need for us to walk into humiliation!"

"If we bow our heads this time, not to mention how other sects will see us, will the Alchemy Alliance let us off? No one pities the weak. To stand against the Alchemy Alliance, we must strive tirelessly!"

Shi Feiyu sneered, "Sect Master, that sounds nice! Without heavenly pills, how can we strive tirelessly? Not to mention ordinary disciples, even we Jade Emperor Heaven experts have to buy heavenly pills from the Alchemy Alliance, right?"

Feng Xuanyi frowned, finding himself in a difficult position.

Wuding Heavenly Sect had no fourth-grade heavenly alchemists; their elders bought heavenly pills from the Alchemy Alliance.

That was precisely why the Alchemy Alliance's blockade was so formidable.

Feng Xuanyi had been forced to nod before, and the biggest reason was exactly this.

Without fourth-grade heavenly pills, their cultivation in Jade Emperor Heaven wouldn't stop, but it would certainly slow down significantly.

Over time, the sect's strength would inevitably be left behind.

Heavenly pills weren't essential, but without them, progress was impossible.

Even Ye Yuan had only broken through after consuming dozens of Imperial Heavenly Pills.

Shen Chang also nodded, "Sect Master, I can't bear the charge of forcing you to abdicate. But you must come up with a solution to the sect's current predicament, right? Empty talk about striving tirelessly won't work!"

These words were cutting, effectively putting him on the spot.

Feng Xuanyi's expression turned even more grim; he was now in a dilemma.

At this moment, Ye Yuan slowly stepped forward and said indifferently, "Grand Elder, does your empty talk about finding a solution work?"

Shen Chang frowned and said sternly, "How dare you! A brat like you, is this the place for you to speak?"

Ye Yuan smiled, "I wonder, has my elder position been revoked? If not, my status in the sect should be equal to the Grand Elder's, so it's not out of line, right?"

Shen Chang's face darkened, and he was choked speechless.

Over the years, everyone thought Ye Yuan was dead, so no one bothered about this elder.

A minor Extreme Heaven elder, dead was dead.

Even if he had caused a stir, it was only like a comet.

But now, it left Shen Chang speechless.

"It seems this elder still has the right to speak. Then, let me say a few words."

Ye Yuan cleared his throat, swept his gaze across the elders, and sneered, "Forgive my bluntness, but all of you here are trash!"

These words made everyone's expression change drastically.

Even Feng Xuanyi's face changed slightly.

This guy really wouldn't stop until he shocked everyone!

"Ye Yuan, you're only at Greater Heaven, yet you dare spout nonsense and insult all the elders!" Shi Feiyu roared angrily.

"Brat! You've brought such a calamity, and now you have the nerve to insult the sect's elders! Do you really think I dare not kill you?" the Grand Elder also thundered.

Ye Yuan, however, smiled scornfully and said disdainfully, "Tsk, so the Grand Elder knows it's a calamity! Since it's a calamity, what have you all done over the years? Huh? Sending the sect's most talented alchemy disciple to the enemy's bed! Making the sect's most powerful elder break his sword in grief! Hey, are you elders of Wuding Heavenly Sect, or of the Alchemy Alliance?"

"When enemies come, you don't think of uniting against them, but use every means against your own! Grand Elder, let me ask you: do you know how many Jade Emperor Heaven experts the Alchemy Alliance has? Do you know how many fourth-grade heavenly alchemists they have? Do you know what forces the Alchemy Alliance comprises? Hah, from your expression, you don't! You, all of you! You don't even know the enemy's strength, yet you only focus on dealing with your own! Calling you trash is an understatement!"

Ye Yuan spoke fiercely, pointing out their faults, his finger nearly reaching the Grand Elder's nose, making the elders bow their heads in shame.

Yes, they had no idea how strong the Alchemy Alliance was!

The Alchemy Alliance's blockade came very suddenly.

Then Wuding Heavenly Sect found they couldn't buy heavenly herbs or pills anymore.

All their previous channels for purchasing heavenly herbs and pills had vanished.

Feng Xuanyi had tried various methods, but to no avail.

Thus, the Alchemy Alliance's mystery and power became deeply ingrained.

But now, exposed by Ye Yuan, many blushed with shame.

Indeed, they had done nothing in these twenty years!

Ye Yuan looked at the glaring Shi Feiyu and sneered, "What are you looking at? Not convinced? I'm calling you out!"

Shi Feiyu retorted, "Heh, you're something! You cause this huge disaster, then dare to curse here—you're something! If you're capable, solve the sect's crisis!"

Ye Yuan said calmly, "I never counted on you anyway! Apart from roaring a few times and scheming against your own, you have no real skill."

Then he turned to Feng Xuanyi, cupped his fists, and said, "Sect Master, since this matter started with me, let me resolve it! Leave it to me!"

Feng Xuanyi smiled bitterly, "I know you're extraordinarily talented, but your cultivation is too low. What can you do against a behemoth like the Alchemy Alliance? Forget it, we need to discuss this carefully!"

Ye Yuan's words were satisfying, but Feng Xuanyi thought he was acting on impulse.

Sticking his neck out at a time like this was unnecessary and impossible.

How could mere Ye Yuan be a match for the Alchemy Alliance?

Ye Yuan, however, said, "Sect Master, I'm not acting on a momentary impulse! I will give the sect an explanation! But I also need the sect's full support! Give me twenty years, and I will break the Alchemy Alliance's monopoly! In twenty years, I will not only break this deadlock but also give the sect a fourth-grade heavenly alchemist! By then, the sect won't have to live under anyone's thumb!"

Ye Yuan's words made Feng Xuanyi's expression change slightly.

But the Grand Elder sneered, "You're blowing things out of proportion! If you can't do it, then what?"

Ye Yuan said calmly, "If I can't, I will slit my own throat to atone to the sect!"