The great hall.
Normally, not many clansmen would be present here, as most were either busy cultivating or dispatched on tasks by the main family or other important figures of the imperial clan. Today, however, from the three Elders above to the newly born clansmen below, hundreds of people—over ninety percent of the clan—had gathered together in the hall.
Under ordinary circumstances, such an assembly would only occur when the Tian Du branch of the Ye Family faced truly significant events.
Today was precisely such an occasion.
At the center of the hall, on the main seat, sat the family head, Ye Ao. Beside him, however, were not the three Elders, but a young man. A faint moon mark shimmered indistinctly between his eyebrows. He appeared gentle and sunny, with black hair cascading like a waterfall, drawing the attention of all the clansmen.
The reason all the clansmen had gathered in the hall was because of this man—the family head's son, and also the most dazzlingly monstrous Heaven's Pride genius in the history of the Tian Du branch: Ye Chen. He had returned.
Almost every clansman of the Tian Du branch knew how monstrous that Ye Chen of the past had been. In his youth, he had surpassed the Ancient Talents of several great empires to become the foremost among the younger generation. Later, he had even invited the lofty Saint to help, moving the entire Luo Feng City onto the King's Ancient Path to avert a disaster.
Though many years had passed and Ye Chen had once completely lost contact with the clan, stories about him had been passed down orally among this branch, enduring without fading. He was the idol in the hearts of many clansmen and the goal pursued by the younger generation.
Now he had returned. Moreover, Ye Zhengyang had informed everyone of the events that had recently transpired in the training square, leaving them utterly astonished.
Clearly, after several decades, Ye Chen's current achievements far exceeded everyone's imagination. It was even highly likely he could now be mentioned in the same breath as the overlord-level figures currently in the main family.
Many clansmen in the hall looked upon him with a gaze of reverence. Those of the younger generation held not only reverence but also worship.
"Young Clan Master, you have finally returned."
Seeing Ye Chen return safely, even the three Elders, who had clashed with him in his youth, couldn't help but feel excited. He was an even more monstrous Heaven's Pride genius, the hope for this branch's future.
Furthermore, seeing that Ye Ao, who had been bedridden with illness, had not only miraculously recovered but also seen his cultivation soar to the Divine Transformation Seventh Heaven, they naturally knew all this was Ye Chen's doing. Yet they still marveled at his extraordinary methods.
Ye Chen's gaze swept over the numerous clansmen in the hall. He noticed that many of the pampered young masters and misses from his generation had now grown up. Many had children of their own and appeared more mature. He felt a slight pang of emotion at the passage of time.
However, it was evident that everyone's lives had not been easy. In fact, compared to their days in Luo Feng City, there seemed to be a decline.
His gaze then fell upon the three Elders. He noticed their complexions were somewhat pale, bearing injuries of varying degrees. Clearly, the entire branch had not fared well within the Ye imperial clan.
The coldness in Ye Chen's eyes deepened. Yet when he looked at the clansmen, a rare softness appeared. "Father, Elders, everyone... exactly who has been targeting our branch? And who injured Father and all of you? You can tell me. I will seek justice for everyone."
These words caused many among the younger generation to stir with excitement. They had heard of Ye Chen's fame as a Heaven's Pride since childhood. Now, hearing that Ye Chen would stand up for them, they were naturally overjoyed.
In the hearts of many, Ye Chen's status was comparable to that of a deity.
However, whether it was Ye Ao or the three Elders, they all spoke evasively, unwilling to say more.
Ye Chen might have grown much stronger over the years, but the true main family was, after all, a peerless imperial clan that dominated the myriad realms and was invincible in the world. No matter how monstrously powerful Ye Chen was, he could not possibly contend with an imperial clan alone. They did not want Ye Chen to throw an egg against a rock and come to harm.
The Grand Elder chuckled, "Young Clan Master, you've misunderstood. No one has bullied us. We are living quite well."
The other clansmen all seemed to have something to say but held back. Under the warning and restraining gazes of their elders, they could do nothing.
Ye Chen frowned. He naturally understood their intention—they were worried for him. Although he could tell them not to worry, they probably wouldn't believe his words. Knowing they wouldn't speak further, he did not force the issue.
He would naturally learn everything tomorrow during the so-called Ye Family clan competition.
When the time came, even if the entire Ye imperial clan were to mobilize, he would seek justice for the people of his branch.
If others do not offend me, I will not offend them. If others offend me, I will repay them tenfold. This was Ye Chen's belief, and the imperial clan was no exception.
"Since you won't say, I won't force you. However, you are all injured. Let me heal you now. Don't move."
Sitting on the main seat, hundreds of golden beams of light suddenly shot forth from the crown of Ye Chen's head, directly entering the bodies of the numerous clansmen. Using the blood energy of his own Saint Body, he directly cleansed the hidden ailments within them.
Moments later, the golden radiance dissipated. Everyone discovered that their hidden injuries and ailments had been completely eliminated, one by one. They were astonished and overjoyed, as if witnessing a miracle.
Even the three Elders had their injuries fully healed. Their complexions were ruddy, and their essence, energy, and spirit appeared full and vigorous. They were pleasantly surprised and then bowed deeply to Ye Chen. "We thank the Young Clan Master for your intervention."
"We thank the Young Clan Master for your intervention!"
The numerous clansmen expressed their gratitude profusely. Ye Chen said, "We are all members of the Tian Du branch of the Ye Family. There's no need for such formality. Additionally, the Emperor and Sovereign bloodlines within everyone have been sealed. Although they could be unsealed tomorrow, there's no need to wait. Today, I will remove the seals within each of you, one by one."
The person who had sealed Ye Ruoxian's Emperor and Sovereign bloodline back then was powerful, but not a Heavenly King. Now that Ye Chen was honored as a Heavenly King, he naturally possessed sufficient means to undo the seals.
Hundreds of divine beams of light flew out once more from the crown of his head, swishing into the bodies of clansmen one after another.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Almost immediately, their auras suddenly surged explosively. A powerful force rapidly swelled within each of them, carrying strands of formidable pressure.
This was the sealed Emperor and Sovereign bloodline being activated. Perhaps after many generations, the power of the bloodline had long become thin and diluted. However, Emperors and Sovereigns were ultimately the most powerful existences between heaven and earth. Even the faintest trace of their bloodline power was unimaginably potent.
In the hall, many people immediately saw their cultivation realms climb steadily. Those with weaker cultivation experienced the fastest realm advancement.
For example, Ye Ao, Ye Zhengyang, and others also saw improvements, but at most by one or two Heavens. Like the young Qing from earlier, who was only at the Xiantian realm, she almost instantly ascended from the third to the seventh level, and was still rapidly rising—truly astonishing.