The Heart of Heaven Hall could not be described as particularly resplendent or dazzling, but it was grand, majestic, and solemn. Within it, the faint aura of an Emperor circulated. During the Mythical Era, the Heaven's Heart Sword Emperor had long resided in this hall, leaving behind traces of his presence.
The more powerful a person was, the more they could feel that supreme imperial aura upon arriving here, filling their hearts with a sense of awe that prevented any disrespect.
It was indeed a lively scene. The grand hall doors were wide open, and figures arrived one after another from the distant horizon. Their rumbling approach and the immortal light piercing through the sky drew attention, creating a bustling atmosphere akin to a celestial banquet where immortals and gods from all realms gathered.
This could be called a grand assembly, a spectacle rarely seen across the myriad realms. It was the Ye imperial clan's family competition.
When Ye Chen led his parents, Ye Zhengyang, and Young Qing, he simply distorted space, easily bypassing the clan elders and renowned seniors welcoming guests at the entrance and entered the Heart of Heaven Hall without difficulty.
A long time later, Ye Ao and the others still hadn't fully recovered from their astonishment. The Heart of Heaven Hall held immense significance for the Ye Family, and the clan elders and renowned seniors greeting guests at the door were true powerhouses. Yet, they had been circumvented so easily, leaving them all feeling somewhat incredulous.
But if they knew Ye Chen's true cultivation level, and if he couldn't even bypass these people, it would truly become a laughingstock if word got out.
When the group saw the numerous figures inside the Heart of Heaven Hall, all famous throughout the myriad realms, they were even more astounded. Almost every person present was a major figure they needed to look up to, someone the Ye imperial clan had to receive with courtesy. It could be said this was a heavyweight assembly.
Moreover, many of them nodded in their direction repeatedly, believing them to be true VIPs, which made the group feel immensely flattered. They had never received such treatment in their entire lives.
Ye Chen whispered, "Father, Mother, there's no need to be overly awestruck. Just treat this as an ordinary gathering. Although these people are major figures across the myriad realms, they are still just people, quite ordinary."
Hearing this, their hearts trembled, especially Ye Zhengyang, who knew of Ye Chen's formidable strength. Although he didn't yet know exactly how powerful he was, he probably could stand on equal footing with these people.
However, looking at the grand assembly before him, Ye Chen felt somewhat perplexed. Wasn't this just the Ye Family's internal competition? Why was it being held on such a grand scale, inviting distinguished guests from everywhere to observe? This was rather abnormal.
One could see the hall was vast and open, with banquet tables set up in succession. Countless distinguished figures in luxurious attire, along with many talented young men and noblewomen from across the world, mingled about, creating a lively scene.
Ye Family attendants in white robes weaved through the crowd, serving exquisite delicacies, immortal wines, and fine liquors to entertain the esteemed guests.
In the very center of the Heart of Heaven Hall stood the current Patriarch of the Ye Family. He was extremely powerful, a mighty Heavenly King figure, tall and imposing, possessing a majestic aura of one who commands the winds and clouds of the world, even stronger than the masters of other Immortal Sacred Lands.
Usually, the Ye Family Patriarch carried a great majesty, but today he wore a rare smile, also laughing and conversing with guests from all sides within the hall.
On the banquet tables, spread with all kinds of rare delicacies, the leaders of various major powers and talented youths lingered, either building connections or toasting each other, creating a very lively atmosphere.
Ye Chen also searched for the figures of the five women among the crowd and said to his parents, "Father, Mother, in a moment, I'll take you to meet your daughters-in-law."
"Daughters-in-law?" Ye Ao and Xia Wei exchanged glances, but upon realizing, they were overjoyed because their son Ye Chen had finally found a wife.
Xia Wei immediately urged, "Child, quickly take Mother to see your wife. Where is she?"
Seeing his wife's anxious appearance, Ye Ao said, "Wife, there's no need to be so impatient. You'll see her soon."
Xia Wei was somewhat displeased. "How can I not be anxious? After all, this is the first time Chen'er is bringing his wife back. Of course, I, as his mother, want to see her. I wonder if they have children yet. It would be best if they gave me a few grandsons and granddaughters; that would make me even happier."
Ye Chen gave a bitter smile. This mother of his was truly eager. But he was also searching for the five women.
Soon, he found one—but only one. It was Ruoxi. And at this moment, she had removed the light veil from her face, revealing her peerless beauty, instantly stunning the entire Heart of Heaven Hall.
The young maiden was graceful and elegant, her figure slender and enchanting. Three thousand strands of black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her immortal visage like jade, with bright eyes and white teeth, standing gracefully. She truly possessed a beauty that could topple cities and kingdoms.
Ruoxi's appearance immediately made the noble daughters of great sects and princesses of dynasties present seem dull and faded, like fireflies trying to compete with the bright moon.
It could be seen that many young talents surrounded her at this moment, all true prodigies, quite outstanding. Some among them were already leaders of major powers. Yet, none could ignore Ruoxi's world-shaking, peerless beauty.
They all admired her greatly, vying for her favor, hoping to win the beauty's heart.
Moreover, many knew she was the Xi Immortal Maiden of the Heavenly Gate. Because her beauty was unparalleled in the mortal realm, and she was the Battle Saint King's sister, her fame was great, known to many across the myriad realms.
"Xi Immortal Maiden, I have long heard of your peerless beauty that surpasses the mortal world. In the past, I somewhat doubted it, thinking it was just legends spread by people. But seeing you today, I am awestruck, truly meeting surpasses hearing. I had many doubts before, but finally seeing you today, I believe. I apologize for any past offenses, please forgive me, Immortal Maiden."
"Here is a dragon pearl obtained from an Abyssal Demonic Flood Dragon. As the saying goes, a precious sword is gifted to a hero, a bright pearl matches a beauty. If this dragon pearl were set into a necklace and worn around the Xi Immortal Maiden's jade neck, it would surely enhance her beauty even more."
Among the many young talents, there was a particularly handsome and majestic man, a prodigy of Ye Chen's generation who had also grown up, now the leader of a major power, truly holding a high position and great authority.
At this moment, to win the Xi Immortal Maiden's favor, he flipped his hand and produced a pearl shining with dawn light, emitting a soft radiance that captivated the mind. It caused many noble daughters of great sects and princesses present to momentarily lose focus, filled with envy and jealousy.
This was a truly rare dragon pearl, taken from a Saint-rank Demonic Flood Dragon, equivalent to a demon saint's inner core. It contained the essence of the Saint-rank Demonic Flood Dragon and even contained dragon blood, making it extremely precious with indescribable divine effects.
It could be said this was a very heavy gift, enough to make almost any woman fall for him. However, although Ruoxi wore a gentle and moving smile, there was also a faint sense of distance about her, approachable yet untouchable.
"This young maiden appreciates Palace Lord Cang Nan's kind intentions, but the gift is too heavy. Please forgive Ruoxi for not being able to accept it."
She gently shook her head and smiled lightly, as if ten thousand flowers were blooming, instantly adding color to the solemn and grand hall under her radiant smile.
Not only the surrounding young talents but even other older-generation figures who had cultivated for many years were momentarily entranced, inwardly sighing that she was indeed a peerless immortal maiden. Every smile and movement carried such world-toppling, peerless charm. In the future, who knew who would have the fortune to accompany such a beauty for a lifetime.
After a good while, the many young talents finally regained their composure. Thinking they had been entranced before the beauty, they couldn't help but blush slightly.
However, the Xi Immortal Maiden seemed not to mind. Her gaze wandered among the crowd in the Heart of Heaven Hall, as if searching for someone. But after a while, finding no trace of the person she sought, a hint of disappointment appeared on her peerlessly beautiful face.
This expression naturally fell into the eyes of others surrounding the immortal maiden, not without jealousy. They wondered who that scoundrel was that made the Xi Immortal Maiden care so much. They wished they could replace him, become that scoundrel, and have the Xi Immortal Maiden care about them just once to be satisfied.
Finally, her gaze fixed because she finally saw Ye Chen. She couldn't help but reveal a heartfelt smile, incredibly brilliant, even more radiant than before, putting the sun and moon to shame.
Ye Chen couldn't help but give a bitter smile. The women by his side were truly growing more beautiful, each one so stunningly beautiful.
Beside him, not to mention Ye Zhengyang and Young Qing, even Xia Wei couldn't help but murmur, "What a beautiful girl, truly enough to make others jealous."
Ye Chen said, "Mother, what if your child found three daughters-in-law just as beautiful?"
Xia Wei couldn't help but glance at Ye Chen, charmingly rolling her eyes and pinching the soft flesh at her son's waist. "Son, although Mother knows you're quite capable, you can't just dream like that. Meeting one such girl would be heaven-sent fortune for you. Having three would simply invite heavenly thunder to strike you; probably even Heaven would find it unacceptable."
Ye Chen curled his lips helplessly. Was there a mother who cursed her own child like this?
But indeed, whether it was Chen'er, the Goddess, or Yi Wu, any one of them was the most stunning, peerless immortal maiden. Throughout history, how many people could obtain their affection? That he had gained the liking of three women was indeed heaven-sent fortune.
He rubbed his chin, suddenly suspecting that the reason his heavenly tribulation was so terrifying might have a lot to do with this.
Because Ruoxi's gaze looked over, others also looked in that direction, toward where Ye Chen was. For a moment, many eyes fixed on that area.
And then they saw the Xi Immortal Maiden lightly move her lotus steps, walking over, causing a stir.
Ye Chen was about to step forward when a voice sounded from behind, addressing Ruoxi from a distance with a cupped fist salute, smiling before even speaking, appearing suave and dashing: "This humble one, Ye Tianyang, pays respects to the Xi Immortal Maiden. Greetings."
Ye Chen was taken aback, then chuckled. Did this Ye Tianyang really think Ruoxi's radiant smile was directed at him?
But he didn't expose it, watching Ye Tianyang with a spectator's mindset. Beside him, Ye Zhengyang and Ye Qing didn't know the real reason, because Ruoxi was indeed looking toward Ye Tianyang. They felt somewhat unbalanced, and Ye Qing even snorted, "Where did this scoundrel get such luck, actually gaining the Xi Immortal Maiden's attention? He must have stepped in heavenly dog shit."
Xia Wei, however, was somewhat disappointed. "What a pity, this little scoundrel got there first. I wanted to go over and strike up a conversation to act as a matchmaker for Chen'er."
Hearing Xia Wei's words, even Ye Chen couldn't help but stagger, almost falling over. Speechless, he said, "Mother, your son isn't so unwanted, is he?"
Xia Wei glanced at Ye Chen. "Who knows? You said you brought daughters-in-law, but I still don't see any sign of them. How can I, as your mother, not worry for you? Such a pretty girl is right here. Whether she's pretty or not isn't too important; what matters is Mother thinks this girl looks kind-hearted, a good girl with a benevolent heart, worth getting to know. She wouldn't abandon you in times of great difficulty."
"..." Ye Chen was left speechless.
Then he said to those beside him, "Don't worry, this Ye Tianyang won't succeed."
"Why?"
They were all somewhat puzzled.
Ye Chen smiled. "Just watch and you'll know."
At this moment, seeing Ye Tianyang suddenly appear, Ruoxi slightly frowned but still spoke politely: "This young maiden also greets Young Master Tianyang."
Receiving the Xi Immortal Maiden's greeting, Ye Tianyang felt like he was floating on air, as if his body had become several ounces lighter. This also drew many envious and jealous gazes from the young talents. They inwardly thought this guy didn't know what kind of dog shit luck he had stepped in to receive the Xi Immortal Maiden's personal greeting—a treatment many young talents dreamed of.
Ye Tianyang quickly stepped forward, about to say a few more words to the Xi Immortal Maiden, when he suddenly noticed the figures of Ye Chen and the others. He stopped, perhaps wanting to display his authority before the Xi Immortal Maiden. He immediately cupped his fist and said amiably to the Xi Immortal Maiden, "Xi Immortal Maiden, please wait a moment. There are some unidentified individuals who have barged in here. This humble one will first expel them."
Then he suddenly looked at Ye Chen and the others, his expression turning cold. "Ye Ao, Ye Zhengyang, Xia Wei, Ye Qing, and you. How did you people appear here? This is an important place hosting a grand assembly, not somewhere you side-branch members can casually enter. Although I don't know how you got in, punishment is necessary. Guards, take these lowly branch clan members out, cripple their cultivation, and sentence them to a hundred years of confinement at the Sin Cliff."
Ye Ao, Xia Wei, and the others immediately paled. Having lived in the Ye Family for decades, they naturally knew what the Sin Cliff was. It had always been where the most serious criminals were imprisoned, a place of great hardship where many prisoners were tortured to death.
Ye Zhengyang hurriedly said, "Ye Tianyang, you can't do this. Even if we barged in, we shouldn't be sentenced to the Sin Cliff."
"Why shouldn't you? This is where the main family speaks, not a place you exiled side-branch criminals can trespass upon," Ye Tianyang snorted coldly.
Ye Ao hurried forward. "Ye Tianyang, you can punish me, but you can't sentence my wife there. She's just a weak woman; she can't endure that hardship."
But Ye Tianyang was cold and merciless. "What can't she endure? Those who dare trespass upon Ye Family important grounds must receive corresponding punishment. Otherwise, you criminals will think you can trespass anywhere in the Ye Family? Guards, quickly, seize them and take them out."
But Ye Chen stepped forward, coldly staring at Ye Tianyang. "Are you serious?"