Chapter 499

The courtyard was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Every gaze was fixed on Ye Tian. The air thrummed with anticipation and reverence. This young alchemist had already established unshakable authority in their hearts.

Ye Tian stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his robes fluttering without wind.

"Since you've chosen to remain in Alchemy City, I trust you all uphold the original purpose of healing the world." His voice was measured, each word striking like a hammer.

The words acted like a key, unlocking long-buried memories in the physicians present. The oaths they'd sworn when first picking up their medicine chests, the late nights spent poring over medical texts—all came rushing back, making their hearts pound anew.

A faint stir rippled through the crowd. Anyone could see this rising Alchemy City would become a force to be reckoned with in the martial world.

"But saving lives requires rules." Ye Tian raised his index finger. "The wicked and depraved—will not be treated!"

A second finger joined the first. "Those who come seeking trouble—will not be treated!"

When the third finger lifted, his voice turned icy. "Those attempting to defy the heavens and alter fate—will not be treated!"

Ji Bochang slammed the table and shot to his feet. "Alchemist Ye, these are outrageous claims! Who decides who deserves treatment and who doesn't?"

Ye Tian's eyes glinted with frost.

"Grandmaster Ji, your eagerness suggests you count yourself among the wicked?" A cold smile played on his lips. "The rules of Alchemy City aren't finished, yet you're already rushing to dictate terms?"

Ji Bochang's face darkened with rage. "How dare you!"

"Final warning." Ye Tian's voice could have frozen hell. "Either sit quietly, or get out of Alchemy City. If you want a fight, I'm ready anytime."

Tension crackled in the air like drawn blades.

Sang Xi hurried to mediate. "Grandmaster, please calm down. Alchemist Ye will surely explain—"

But Ye Tian had already turned back to address the physicians. "Those of Alchemy City may introduce themselves by name or simply as disciples of this city."

He paused, eyes flashing. "But oppression of patients is forbidden. No one may arbitrarily raise treatment fees. However—"

The pause made every ear strain forward.

"If the powerful try to bully you, there's no need to grovel." His words were a shot of courage straight to the heart. "Disciples of Alchemy City will never bow their heads!"

A murmur of awe spread through the crowd. Years of humiliation under the thumb of the privileged finally had an outlet.

"Two more rules." Ye Tian raised his fingers again. "First, anyone who dares provoke Alchemy City will be executed without mercy. Second, harm one of ours, and you face the entire city."

Leng Ningshuang couldn't help asking, "City Lord Ye, does this mean cutting ties with the Martial Alliance?"

Every eye locked onto Ye Tian.

"What?" He smirked. "Are you all complaining Alchemy City has too few rules and want to follow someone else's instead?"

The words landed like thunder.

Ji Bochang could no longer contain himself. "Arrogant fool! You'd make enemies of the entire martial world?"

Before the last syllable faded, he blurred into motion, a ghostly streak aimed straight at Ye Tian.

Lu Feng moved to intercept, but Ye Tian raised a hand. "Brother, stand down. Since the Grandmaster insists on seeing Alchemy City's power..."

With a flick of his sleeve, a massive formation diagram materialized above the city. A gale erupted as several pills in Ye Tian's palm disintegrated into powder.

The medicinal dust swirled on the wind. Before the Martial Alliance members could react, they toppled like wheat before a scythe.

Silence swallowed the courtyard whole.