The recovery of the Emperor's bloodline caused all members of the Tiandu branch to experience a surge in their cultivation. Their power levels rose by a significant margin almost in an instant.
The increase for the stronger cultivators wasn't as high, but the lower one's realm, the greater the boost they received.
Even a trace of the thin Emperor's bloodline held boundless potential, capable of elevating even cultivators in the Divine Transformation Realm.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The entire dilapidated hall trembled violently, with cracks rapidly spreading across it. Interfered with by the surging auras, it was on the verge of completely collapsing.
But Ye Chen stamped his foot, and a powerful aura quickly surged forth, completely stabilizing the entire hall.
He then uttered a light shout: "Steady!"
This was a Dao Sound of Stabilization, capable of calming everyone's minds. As if experiencing a sudden enlightenment, they all fell into a state of epiphany, sensing the rapid increase in their cultivation and the various changes within their bodies.
Even the newborn infants glowed all over, enveloped by the Emperor's bloodline. Though they were not yet truly aware and had not begun proper cultivation, their auras became unnaturally strong.
However, Ye Chen acted, directly transforming this trace of thin Emperor's bloodline into a Dao foundation for these infants, laying their foundation for cultivation. He did not boost their current strength, but their future path of cultivation would be much brighter.
Half a day later, everything settled down. Everyone in the hall awoke, feeling the powerful strength within their bodies, far surpassing their previous levels and still continuously growing. They were overjoyed.
This was simply a miraculous method. Even those super-powerful experts at the Saint Treasury Realm from the main imperial clan likely did not possess such means.
More people looked towards Ye Chen on the main seat, filled with reverence as if facing a peerless deity.
After so many years, just how far had the prodigy and monster of yesteryear grown? No one could tell.
At this moment, Ye Chen spoke up: "Fellow clansmen, although I have awakened your Emperor's bloodline, true cultivation relies on oneself. Any bloodline power is illusory; only one's own self is eternal. Please do not become arrogant or conceited."
He himself was the best proof.
"We respectfully obey the Young Clan Master's command."
In the hall, numerous clansmen bowed deeply in salute, revering Ye Chen from the depths of their hearts as if he were a deity, ready to follow his every word.
Soon after, many clansmen left one after another. Only Ye Ao and his wife, the three Elders, and Ye Zhengyang remained in the hall—the currently strongest members of the family who also held considerable authority.
Ye Chen had asked them to stay. He now spoke: "Father, Mother, three Elders, Cousin Zhengyang, why didn't I see Cousin Zimei?"
Regarding Ye Zimei, although her beauty couldn't be compared to that of the Goddess or the Three Immortal Maidens, in his youth in this life, she was one of the few who didn't disdain his crippled status and took great care of him. He regarded her as true family. Just now, with so many clansmen gathered in the hall, her absence made Ye Chen somewhat puzzled.
Logically, Ye Zimei wouldn't act this way.
Hearing this, the expressions of those present changed instantly. Ye Ao and his wife both sighed lightly. "Zimei is getting engaged tomorrow."
"Engaged?" Ye Chen was slightly taken aback. This should have been a joyous occasion, but he noticed their expressions weren't quite right.
"What's going on?" Ye Chen immediately inquired.
At this moment, the Third Elder suddenly knelt down, kowtowing heavily towards Ye Chen. "Young Clan Master, I beg of you, please save Zimei tomorrow."
Ye Chen hurriedly helped the Third Elder up, his eyes sharp. "Third Elder, quickly tell me what this is all about?"
"Zimei is being forced into this. She is not willing," the Third Elder's eyes reddened, because Ye Zimei was his granddaughter. He truly didn't want his granddaughter to fall into the tiger's mouth.
Soon, Ye Chen understood.
The person Ye Zimei was to be engaged to was actually Ye Feng, a young prodigy from the very branch that had expelled Ye Ruoxian from the imperial clan years ago. His grandfather was the Sixteenth Ancestor, a powerful Saint Lord-level figure within the Ye Family, immensely strong, holding a high position with great authority, capable of summoning wind and rain, and wielding significant influence. He even held considerable sway when facing the current clan head.
Earlier, when the Tiandu branch of the Ye Family was taken to the Tenfold Emperor's Pass and later returned to the Ye Family after many twists and turns, Ye Feng had set his sights on Ye Zimei.
Although Ye Zimei's cultivation was average, he had discerned that within her body lay a relatively pure and powerful Emperor's bloodline force, which could be called a Return to Ancestry bloodline. It was even more concentrated, refined, and powerful than the Emperor's bloodline within many direct descendants.
Ye Feng, as the most powerful prodigy among the Ye Family's younger generation, though already very strong, desired to become even stronger, to rival Ye Gucheng and the Imperial Son. He hoped to transfer the Emperor's bloodline force within her body to help him grow more powerful.
Naturally, Ye Zimei was unwilling to marry Ye Feng. Although Ye Feng didn't force her directly, he employed many secretive methods, leveraging his grandfather's influence to pressure and target the clansmen of the Tiandu branch everywhere. He even secretly injured Ye Ao and several Elders, making life difficult for this branch's clansmen, using this to threaten them.
In the end, Ye Zimei couldn't bear it any longer and finally agreed.
Earlier, Ye Ao had suffered severe injuries. The fact that he could hold on until now was also due to Ye Zimei. To prevent the Ye Family branch from being persecuted by that lineage, she silently followed that Ye Feng and also managed to obtain some precious miraculous elixirs to aid Ye Ao's recovery.
"Chen'er, we all know Zimei doesn't truly like that Ye Feng. She was forced into this. If possible, we hope you can act tomorrow to save Zimei from her dire straits," Xia Wei spoke up, her voice tinged with heartache.
After all, Ye Zimei had sacrificed too much for this family. None of them wanted her to lose the happiness she deserved.
Ye Chen's expression turned grave. "Don't worry. Even if you hadn't said anything, I would have done it."
How could he stand idly by when it concerned a sister who had treated him as her closest kin?
Moreover, he feared not even the entire Ye imperial clan, let alone a mere Ye Feng. If necessary, he wouldn't mind causing a major disturbance.
That day, Ye Chen did not leave but stayed in this mansion, accompanying his parents and fulfilling his filial duties, much to the comfort of Ye Ao and his wife.
Soon, a night passed, and the entire Ye Family immediately became bustling and lively. Streaks of light traversed the heavens and earth, auspicious colors descended—it was an extraordinarily exciting scene.
This day was the Ye imperial clan's family grand competition. Many major powers from the myriad realms had come. Numerous Ye Family elders and Elders came out to welcome them. Right in the Imperial City, the grand main gates were thrown open to receive guests from all directions.
Ye Chen let out a light sigh, gazing into the distance at the Imperial City, murmuring softly to himself: "This day has finally arrived."