Ye Zhengyang?
Upon hearing this name, Ye Chen's footsteps halted. In his mind, a familiar yet somewhat arrogant figure involuntarily surfaced, leaving him somewhat stunned.
Could this Ye Zhengyang be the same person who had clashed with him in his youth in this lifetime?
His gaze followed the crowd, landing on a handsome young man among them. Though more mature now, that face held a vaguely familiar air—it was unmistakably Ye Zhengyang.
However, his current state was rather wretched. Surrounded by a large group of young Ye Family disciples, his clothes were disheveled and dirty, with several clear footprints stamped upon them, as if he had just been kicked and beaten.
At this moment, Ye Zhengyang's expression was cold as he stared intently at a richly dressed yellow-robed man leading the group before him. "Ye Tianyang, I advise you not to waste your efforts. I won't tell you anything about Cousin Zimei."
The yellow-robed man, Ye Tianyang, said, "Ye Zhengyang, you really refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Don't forget you're just from a third-rate branch family in the lower realm. Daring to oppose me, aren't you afraid of death? You'd better tell me about Cousin Zimei, or I can't guarantee what I might do. I recall your father serves as a guard in the Yueyang Palace. If I make a slight move, your father probably—"
He didn't finish the sentence, but the smile on his face looked utterly sinister, filled with threat—the meaning was clear.
This caused Ye Zhengyang's expression to change drastically instantly. He roared angrily, "Ye Tianyang, if anything happens to my father, I will never let you off!"
Ye Tianyang, however, reached out and patted Ye Zhengyang's cheek, his tone menacing. "Never let me off? I'd like to see how you won't let me—"
*Thud!*
Before he could finish, Ye Zhengyang headbutted Ye Tianyang squarely on the forehead. A dull thud sounded, accompanied by splattering blood.
Simultaneously, Ye Zhengyang charged forward, divine abilities manifesting. Clearly, he hadn't wasted these years; he was already a powerful cultivator at the Divine Transformation Realm. He closed in on Ye Tianyang and launched a fierce attack.
It all happened very quickly. However, Ye Tianyang was no ordinary spoiled young master. He unleashed an even more powerful aura—he was a formidable Heaven's Pride at the Seventh Heaven of Divine Transformation, considered a top figure among the entire new generation of the Ye Family. He said coldly, "Ye Zhengyang, you've got quite the nerve, actually making me bleed. Today, I'll give you an unforgettable lesson!"
He raised his hand and clashed head-on with Ye Zhengyang's palm. Brilliant divine radiance and Dao mark laws flashed, shattering the void. Ye Tianyang himself didn't retreat, but Ye Zhengyang was sent flying backward, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Clearly, in a direct confrontation, Ye Zhengyang was far inferior to Ye Tianyang.
At the same time, Ye Tianyang called out to the other young disciples, "Come, beat him to death! Cripple his cultivation! I'll take full responsibility for everything!"
Evidently, Ye Tianyang held considerable influence among the Ye Family's younger generation. The numerous Heaven's Pride onlookers obeyed his command, swarming forward and beating Ye Zhengyang mercilessly. Their punches and kicks carried the power of Dao mark laws, terrifying to behold.
Moreover, this space had long been sealed, making it impossible to soar into the sky and flee.
On the training ground, the other Ye Family disciples watched coldly from the sidelines. Clearly, this wasn't the first time such a situation had occurred.
In this world, the concept of 'the strong reign supreme' had always been upheld. Within the Ye imperial clan, this was practiced to the extreme among the younger generation. No one intervened.
Even the Young King seated cross-legged at the center of the training ground remained motionless, only absorbing the surging spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
"Damn it!"
Ye Zhengyang naturally knew he was no match for these people. He hurriedly protected his body with his arms and legs, defending himself as much as possible.
But he understood that even so, the likely outcome was severe injury. The only reason he wouldn't die was because the Ye Family had strict rules forbidding kinslaying within the clan, punishable by severe penalties.
Just as Ye Zhengyang was crossing his arms and legs to shield himself, a figure lightning-fast inserted itself into the crowd. So quick that the others didn't even react, they saw someone appear there.
But their attacks didn't stop; Dao mark laws descended fully. Intervening now was pure suicide.
*Boom!*
Suddenly, for some reason, all the attacking disciples were sent flying backward at an even faster speed, tumbling onto the training ground in disarray.
Witnessing this sudden turn of events left everyone dumbfounded and stunned. What had just happened?
Especially Ye Zhengyang, who stared blankly at the tall, straight-backed figure before him. For some reason, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity, as if he'd seen this person before, along with a bloodline-based closeness, like family.
But he shook his head with a bitter smile. Within the Ye imperial clan, aside from his own branch family, who would help them?
Only when outside would one realize that true closeness lay with the family one grew up with. Recalling past conflicts now evoked a strange sense of warmth.
He suddenly remembered that heroic youth who, during the invasion of the Tian Du Continent from the outside world, had brought their Luo Feng City onto the King's Ancient Path, then vanished. He didn't know how that youth was faring now. He didn't wish for any harm to come to that nominal cousin of his.
Recalling the past, Ye Zhengyang couldn't help but sigh softly. Then, collecting his thoughts, he clasped his fists toward the person shielding him, his gratitude tinged with worry. "Friend, I'm very grateful for your intervention. But please leave quickly. I can handle this alone. Moreover, these people are very tyrannical and not to be offended lightly. They have backing."
He was grateful for the newcomer's help but didn't want them to get into trouble because of him.
"Cousin Zhengyang, it's been many years. You've changed quite a bit." A hearty laugh rang out. The words "Cousin Zhengyang" left him stunned.
When that person turned to face him, Ye Zhengyang froze completely on the spot. Because although that face was mature and handsome, amidst the unfamiliarity, it held a hint of unforgettable familiarity.
He vaguely remembered—wasn't that youth who soared to great heights after a suicide attempt over love exactly like this?
"You... you are—Ye Chen?"
Ye Zhengyang spoke in a trembling voice, hardly daring to believe it. After decades apart, that Ye Family Heaven's Pride—impulsive in youth yet feeling particularly close outside—was he really appearing before his eyes like this?