At the entrance of the Heavenly Heart Hall, another group of important figures from the Ye Family finally appeared, each one a heavyweight figure not inferior to the main family line.
Among them were several ancestor-level figures, very old, all ancient recluses at the peak of the Saint Treasury Realm. They had now appeared, followed by several Heaven's Pride prodigies, all representative figures of the Ye Family's younger generation, each one eye-catching.
Among them was the Young King Ye Heng. Ye Chen also saw another young man who was equally outstanding but appeared sharp and aggressive, wearing a jade crown and a qilin robe, walking with a dragon's stride and tiger's pace, possessing a kingly majesty that drew attention.
"That is Ye Feng, known as the Maple King, another Young King," Ye Zhengyang prompted beside him.
Ye Chen nodded. The Ye Family truly lived up to its reputation as a peerless imperial clan. Its heritage was unexpectedly powerful, actually producing two or three Young Kings consecutively in the younger generation. This was rare, as even an imperial clan couldn't easily cultivate Young Kings just because they wanted to.
He also saw Ye Zimei following beside Ye Feng, wearing an elegant palace dress, her hair styled up and adorned with hairpins. Though not as peerlessly beautiful through ancient and modern times as the five women, she was still a rare great beauty. Her pretty face held a pure yet seductive charm, her gaze sparkling with a uniquely captivating beauty.
Her long eyelashes were lowered, not paying attention to the situation in the Heavenly Heart Hall. Deep in her eyes, there seemed to be reluctance and a profound, helpless sorrow, evoking pity.
"Child." Xia Wei grasped Ye Chen's hand, her gaze towards Ye Zimei filled with heartache.
"Mother, don't worry, your son understands," Ye Chen said. The Primordial Female Saint Lord, Chen'er, Yi Wu, Ruoxi, and the others all looked towards Ye Zimei. Though they didn't know who this woman was, they guessed she had a significant relationship with Ye Chen.
"Family Head."
The important figures of this Ye Family bloodline stepped forward, nodding in salute to the Family Head. Behind them, Young Prodigies like Ye Heng and Ye Feng all saluted, not daring to be arrogant.
"You have come," the Ye Family Head nodded.
"Zimei."
At this moment, Ye Chen suddenly spoke up, staring intently at the young girl who had helped him so much in his youth.
Hearing this, Ye Zimei abruptly raised her head, looking at the young man calling her name. At first, she was somewhat surprised and doubtful, then seemed to understand something, her clear, spring-like eyes slowly widening.
Because the figure of this young man before her gradually overlapped with the image of the youth in her memory. They were the same, only more mature and possessing majesty, like a Saint Lord of the myriad heavens. Yet the smile at the corner of his mouth was still as warm and sunny as it had been back then.
"Brother Ye Chen." Ye Zimei covered her small mouth, her eyes misting over before crystalline teardrops fell, one after another, tears of joy.
Decades had passed since their parting back then. She never expected there would be a day they would meet again, filling her with immense joy.
No matter how many years had passed, the figure of that youth remained deeply engraved in her heart as always.
Ye Chen smiled slightly.
Beside them, the people of the other Ye Family bloodline looked at this scene with suspicion. Ye Heng appeared slightly surprised, but the Young King Ye Feng's expression directly darkened. He said in a deep voice, "Zimei, who is he?"
Ye Feng was a powerful Young King of the Ye Family's younger generation. His current cultivation was already comparable to the Saint Lord-level, and he held significant authority within the Ye Family, allowing him to speak up like this.
Ye Zimei was instantly jolted awake. She remembered that the Tian Du bloodline was being targeted, and Ye Feng was a powerful Young King with great influence. If they learned Ye Chen's identity, it might bring about undesirable consequences.
She hurriedly wiped the tears from her eyes, offering Ye Feng an apologetic smile. "You've misunderstood. I don't know him. He just resembles someone I knew before."
After speaking, she didn't even dare to look at Ye Chen, her bright eyes lowered, filled with sorrow and helplessness, making people pity this girl.
"So that's how it is." Ye Feng nodded, his gloomy expression easing slightly, though the aura around him remained intense.
Ye Chen and the others could tell that Ye Zimei had said she didn't know him to protect Ye Chen, which made them feel even more distressed. This girl was truly pitiable.
Ye Chen shook his head. "Zimei, why must you be like this?"
Hearing someone else address his fiancée's name so intimately, Ye Feng's expression, which had just eased, instantly darkened like water. He looked coldly at Ye Chen, exuding a powerful kingly pressure that solidified the surrounding space. "Who are you?"
If this weren't the Heavenly Heart Hall, the venue of the grand gathering, this Ye Family Maple King would likely have already made a move.
"Do you wish to attack me?" Ye Chen's gaze swept over, carrying a hint of a cold smile.
Beside him, the Primordial Female Saint Lord, the Goddess's Daughter, the Yaochi Saintess, the Xi Immortal Maiden, Yaya, and the others all looked over, their gazes icy.
"Ye Feng, you have overstepped." At this moment, the Family Head suddenly spoke up, but it was to admonish Ye Feng, causing the expressions of the important figures from the other bloodline to change slightly.
"Family Head, what is the meaning of this?" A Ye Family ancient recluse didn't quite understand the Ye Family Head's attitude, and the others frowned as well.
Ye Feng let out a cold laugh, his kingly pressure undiminished and even more concentrated, showing a strong impulse to act.
And at this moment, Ye Heng spoke up, sweeping a glance over Ye Ao, Xia Wei, Ye Zhengyang, and Ye Qing. "Family Head, you may not be aware. These people are from the sinner bloodline of that year, and this person is also very likely a sinner, not an honored guest invited by our Ye Family."
But right at this moment, Ye Heng clearly felt the gazes of everyone present simultaneously fall upon him, filled with pity and sympathy, as if looking at a lamb to be slaughtered.
Ye Heng's face changed slightly. What kind of look was this?
But he continued speaking, sweeping his gaze over Ye Chen and the others of the Tian Du bloodline, saying coldly, "Who gave you the qualification to enter the Heavenly Heart Hall? How dare descendants of a sinner bloodline enter? Sentence them immediately to three hundred years at the Sin Cliff."
"Family Head, please forgive them. They meant no harm," Ye Zimei's face changed color. She then turned to Ye Feng beside her, pleading, "Maple King, please help save them. I'll agree to whatever you want."
"Zimei, there's no need to beg him." Ye Chen spoke up, and at this very moment, a sharp, terrifying aura emerged, enough to make everyone tremble with fear.
The Ye Family Head immediately said, "Sir, please stop!"
But Ye Chen's figure had already vanished from his original spot. When he reappeared, he was amidst the numerous important figures of the other Ye Family bloodline. However, at this moment, he stood proudly, one hand gripping Ye Heng's neck, lifting him high as if holding a chick, effortlessly. A terrifying aura emanated from his body, plunging the entire Heavenly Heart Hall into a cold as icy as a cellar.
He looked down disdainfully at Ye Heng, saying coldly, "Who did you say is from the sinner bloodline? If you don't give a satisfactory answer, I wouldn't mind crushing you with one hand."
His icy voice was like the pronouncement of the god of death.