On this day, Ye Chen and the others walked out of the luxurious Longevity Palace and let out a light sigh.
Since the Ye Family was not far away, just a thousand li behind Maple City, the group did not plan to pilot a Great Power-level divine ship, instead traveling through the air.
In the sky, there were quite a few people traveling with Ye Chen's group, all from major powers who had accepted the Ye Family's invitation.
Naturally, any power invited by the Ye Family was extraordinary, if not an Immortal Sacred Land, then something close to it. There were even supreme sacred lands arriving, and among them were other imperial clans. Streaks of light crisscrossed the heavens and earth, divine ships sailed side by side, and exotic beasts roared, creating a spectacular and eye-catching scene.
A journey of a thousand li was nothing to Ye Chen and the others. Even if they deliberately slowed their pace to stay with the main group, they arrived in a mere moment.
From the sky, one could see from afar how magnificent the Ye Family's estate was. The first thing that entered their sight was a pitch-black ancient pass, towering into the clouds like several divine peaks merged together. It was as solemn and majestic as the former Tai Sheng Huang's imperial clan, giving off an unshakable feeling.
Moreover, the ancient pass was guarded by powerful members of the Forbidden Army; it was not a place just anyone could enter.
Furthermore, an ancient aura emanated from the ancient pass, as if it had crossed over from antiquity, flowing with a layer of hazy, mysterious radiance and an undying aura, seemingly capable of making all living beings in the myriad realms submit. This was shocking and inspired awe.
"Although this ancient pass was not left behind by the Heavenly Heart Sword Emperor, it is rumored that he left behind a wisp of Emperor's power to protect it, allowing the pass to remain eternally undying. It can be considered impregnable," the Goddess spoke. She was the female Saint Lord of the Tai Chu Sacred Land and knew quite a bit about the secrets of the myriad realms.
"A wisp of Emperor's power is indeed extraordinary, not something ordinary people can break through. Even ancient Great Sages would have a headache coming here," Ye Chen nodded. This was also why, upon approaching the ancient pass, there was an oppressive pressure emanating from the soul—it originated from this wisp of Emperor's power.
"Let's go down. To enter the Ye Family, one cannot fly directly in. That would be seen as disrespectful and would provoke the Ye Family to act," the Goddess said.
Naturally, none of the group would be presumptuous. They all descended from the sky to the ground, their figures equally swift. In just a few steps, they crossed a great distance and arrived directly at the main gate of the Ye Family.
At this moment, powerful individuals from various major powers had already arrived at the Ye Family's main gate, all here to observe the Ye Family's clan competition.
Furthermore, this time, only guests possessing an invitation from the Ye Family could enter. Otherwise, even a Heavenly King would not dare to rashly trespass into such a forbidden place.
As figures descended from the sky one after another, powerful Forbidden Army personnel emerged from the ancient pass, standing guard at the main gate. Among them were experts at the Saint Treasury Realm, and even a few particularly powerful auras surfaced—they were actually overlord-level figures stationed here to prevent anyone from taking the opportunity to cause trouble.
When Ye Chen's gaze swept over the crowd, he suddenly paused because he saw a few familiar faces.
These people were none other than the Heaven's Pride he had encountered in Maple City not long ago, with Li Heng among them.
Similarly, the other party also saw Ye Chen and the others. After a moment of astonishment, a sinister smile appeared on their faces.
Having suffered a loss before Ye Chen last time and being humiliated in front of so many people, they had held a grudge all along. Now that they had a chance for revenge, how could they let it go?
Especially Li Heng, who looked over with a particularly sinister gaze. Suddenly, he spoke up loudly, "Kid, do you know this is the main gate of the Ye Family? You need an invitation from the Ye Family to enter. What are you, a wild nobody, doing here again? Are you trying to cause trouble?"
His words immediately drew the attention of others, who all looked toward Ye Chen and his group, also feeling stunned by the beauty of the five women.
The commander of the Ye Family stationed here was a stern middle-aged man named Ye Nan, an overlord-level commander. Hearing this, his expression immediately darkened slightly as he addressed Ye Chen, "Young friend, do you have an invitation?"
"No," Ye Chen was straightforward. When Ye Gucheng had come to the Central Imperial City, he had not given him any so-called invitation but another token. At that time, he had said that as long as one held this token, they could pass almost unhindered within the Ye Family, except for some special forbidden areas.
"Hahaha, you dare to come without an invitation? Kid, I have to say you really have no shame," Li Heng laughed heartily. The experts from other forces frowned, while the Ye Family's experts' expressions turned icy. Was this an attempt to sneak in under the cover of chaos?
"My apologies, I truly don't have one, but—" Just as Ye Chen was about to take out the item Ye Gucheng had given him, Li Heng interrupted him, "But what? If you don't have one, get lost immediately. Did you think the Ye Family is a place you can just come to as you please?"
The Ye Family commander also spoke indifferently, "Please leave the Ye Family. Only those with invitations may enter."
Ye Chen frowned. If it weren't for his parents and relatives being inside the Ye Family, he truly wouldn't want to enter.
For the sake of his parents and relatives, even though Ye Chen was domineering enough, he intended to endure for now and said, "Commander, although I don't have an invitation, I have a token from someone else—"
Before he could finish his words, Li Heng interrupted him again, "Third Commander, please don't believe what this kid says. Besides invitations, what other so-called token can substitute for an invitation to enter the Ye Family? Clearly, he's trying to sneak in under the cover of chaos."
"Third Commander, this junior suggests you teach this arrogant fellow a lesson. Otherwise, people might think the Ye Family is a place anyone can enter casually, and the Ye Family's majesty needs to be upheld," Li Heng said.
Ye Nan frowned slightly because there were indeed some tokens that could substitute for invitations to enter the Ye Family, but those were only possessed or bestowed by individuals of extraordinary status within the Ye Family. He did not believe Ye Chen had the qualification to possess one. He immediately nodded, releasing a supremely powerful aura that directly pressed over, "I'll cripple your cultivation and give you some punishment!"
Ye Chen frowned, "Does the Ye Family act against people without even asking for an explanation?"
"For those who dare to offend the Ye Family's majesty, there is no need to ask. We can act directly," the Third Commander made his move. Immediately, the wind and clouds changed color. He was a very powerful expert, a true overlord, indeed possessing the qualification to dominate.
However, before he could fully unleash his attack, Ye Chen strode forward, closing the distance, and also slapped out, clashing directly with the Third Commander.
This made the few Heaven's Pride sneer coldly. Although they didn't know who he was, daring to clash head-on with an overlord was clearly like an egg striking a rock—seeking death!
But in the next moment, everyone was dumbfounded because the Third Commander's figure, which had come swiftly, retreated even faster. He was sent flying, crashing into the ancient pass and causing a tremor.
Stunned!
Everyone was utterly stunned!