Not long after, the ten clansmen seated on the Dao platforms awoke one by one, Ye Chen naturally among them.
At this moment, aside from Ye Chen, the others were all greatly startled by the sudden appearance of several important figures of the Ye Family.
In their impression, each of these individuals was an important figure with significant authority within the clan, daring to speak frankly even in front of the current family head. Moreover, they were all influential figures who could command the wind and rain, dominating entire regions even when viewed across the myriad realms.
For several such figures to appear all at once now was a rare occurrence even on ordinary days. Feeling shocked, they were also somewhat fearful, worried that these figures might attack them.
Although the important figures found the situation strange, their first action was to extend their divine sense to investigate everything within the Bloodline Heavenly Stele.
However, when their divine sense swept through, they found everything as before: the blood pool was still there, the Black-robed Heavenly King was also present—everything was normal.
"For what purpose have you probed with your divine sense?" At this moment, the Black-robed Heavenly King suddenly spoke, his tone filled with indifference, causing the important figures to tremble. They hurriedly replied, "Senior Black, you misunderstand. Earlier, we noticed some anomalies in the Bloodline Heavenly Stele and thought something unusual had occurred, so we investigated. Please forgive us, Senior Black."
The Black-robed Heavenly King was, of course, not real; it was Ye Chen in disguise, created using the Heaven-Stealing, Earth-Altering Mystic Technique to avoid being discovered prematurely.
The blood pool below was also conjured using the same method.
"Black-robed Heavenly King" snorted coldly, "With me here, what is there to fear about anomalies? Are you questioning my ability?"
"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare!" the important figures hastily responded.
"In that case, why haven't you left quickly? Do you wish to stay and have me guide your cultivation?" "Black-robed Heavenly King" snorted again, his tone impatient.
"Yes, yes!"
How could these influential figures within the imperial clan dare to delay? They hurriedly withdrew their divine sense from the stele's space and let out a soft sigh of relief, their scalps tingling.
After all, that Black-robed Heavenly King was a true ancient recluse within the clan, with incomparably powerful cultivation. Even if he were merely a lingering Imprint, they wouldn't dare to offend him.
Moreover, he had always silently guarded this pool of Emperor's bloodline power, allowing no mistakes.
What they didn't know was that the true Imprint of the Black-robed Heavenly King had long been annihilated by Ye Chen, and the three-zhang-wide blood pool had been taken away. What remained now was merely an illusion.
The blood pool that the Ye Family had spent who knows how many years accumulating and condensing had been completely plundered by Ye Chen. If this were discovered, the entire Ye imperial clan would undoubtedly be enraged beyond measure.
Having been scolded by the Black-robed Heavenly King, the important figures couldn't help but rebuke the clan elder, blaming him for making a fuss over nothing. Then, they soared into the sky, heading toward the central treasure pavilion, as they still needed to receive guests from all sides there.
At this time, in a mysterious void space countless li away from the Ye imperial clan, frenzied yet incredibly pure heaven and earth spiritual energy raged. One could clearly sense the Heavenly Dao principles here—it was a special cultivation treasure land.
Within, a black-robed old man was seated in meditation. If Ye Chen were here, he would recognize this person as the Black-robed Heavenly King he had just fought—and this was his true form, far more powerful than that Imprint.
At this moment, the true form of the Black-robed Heavenly King suddenly opened his eyes. Sharp sword radiance burst forth, slicing through one alternate dimension after another ahead, directly grinding them to dust until nothing remained.
For in that very instant, he had sensed that the Imprint he left within the Bloodline Heavenly Stele had been destroyed by someone.
"Who dares to destroy my Imprint left in the Bloodline Heavenly Stele? Seeking death!"
The Black-robed Heavenly King was furious. He sensed it in his heart and immediately began to deduce, restoring everything that had happened in the stele's space. When he saw the figure of a young yet incredibly powerful man, his expression instantly turned grim.
"Daring to destroy my Imprint and steal the clan's Emperor's bloodline pool—today, even if an ancient Great Sage steps forward to help you, you will die!"
The Black-robed Heavenly King roared, immediately soaring from this meditation site where he had cultivated for at least several hundred, if not a thousand, years. He tore through layer after layer of void, rushing continuously toward the location of the Ye imperial clan.
In this region, other reclusive experts in meditation were all startled, opening their eyes to watch the Black-robed Heavenly King's lightning-fast departure with shock and suspicion.
Just who had provoked this fearsome deity?
Ye Chen knew nothing of all this. However, after leaving the Bloodline Heavenly Stele, he now had a three-zhang blood pool within his body. Naturally, he used a secret technique to seal it immediately; otherwise, it could easily be discovered. Although he feared no discovery, he didn't wish to attract trouble prematurely.
In the time that followed, the clansmen from numerous branches gradually unlocked the seals within their bodies, awakening their Emperor's bloodline power. Yet, over half of that power was still silently devoured, ultimately ending up within the divine sense clone Ye Chen had left behind before silently passing through the void into Ye Chen's body.
All of this was done without a sound, undetectable by anyone.
The unlocking of the Emperor's bloodline power had concluded. All branch clansmen were to be sent back, but just as they were about to leave the Imperial City, Ye Chen said, "Father, Mother, Cousin Zhengyang, Young Qing, I'll take you to see the real grand event."
"Chen'er, what do you intend to do?" Xia Wei was somewhat afraid, worried that her son was about to clash head-on with the Ye Family.
"Mother, don't worry. Your child isn't acting recklessly," Chen'er comforted Xia Wei. However, if his past enemies were to hear this, they'd probably curse inwardly.
The Saint King of Battle indeed did not act recklessly, but once he acted, it was far from mere recklessness.
Whoosh—
Ye Chen twisted the void, instantly disappearing with Ye Ao, Xia Wei, Ye Zhengyang, and the previously seen Young Qing. It happened so fast that no one noticed.
As for the three elders, Ye Chen had already secretly reminded them. They alone would lead the other clansmen back, and everything would proceed as usual.
Meanwhile, the central treasure pavilion of the Ye Family's Imperial City was bustling with activity. The Heavenly Heart Hall had opened, and distinguished guests from all directions had gathered. Numerous renowned elders and clan elders of the Ye Family appeared, continuously receiving the arriving guests.
"The Saint Lord of the Ancient One Sacred Land has arrived—"
"The Valley Master of Black Mountain Valley has arrived—"
"The Master of Five Elements Mountain has arrived—"
"The Deputy Palace Master of the Myriad Worlds Palace has arrived—"
...
One great figure after another, famous throughout the myriad realms, descended in succession. Some were figures who had been renowned for many years, while others were leaders of forces who had grown from the young geniuses of past generations. Behind them followed the prodigies of the new generation, continuously emerging and gathering in the Heavenly Heart Hall, creating a very lively scene.