In the training grounds, the gathered youths were all dumbfounded.
Wasn't Ye Chen supposed to be a good-for-nothing? Ye Hua, while not exceptionally strong, was still at the sixth level of the Houtian realm. Ye Chen was only at the third level of Houtian—a gap of three whole realms. Yet now, he had been sent flying with a single kick. This contrast was simply too great.
Only Ye Zhengyang's pupils contracted slightly. This waste seemed to have improved significantly over the past four months.
Ye Zimei, however, was delighted, as she could sense that Ye Chen's strength had indeed increased considerably.
The Third Elder and the family stewards were also shocked. When had Ye Chen become so formidable? Even they hadn't noticed.
Ye Chen merely cast a faint glance at the fallen Ye Hua before turning to leave.
At that moment, Ye Hua, suppressing the intense pain, struggled to his feet. His eyes were bloodshot as he roared hoarsely, "Ye Chen! You dare kick me! This matter won't end here—"
"Brother Ye Chen, watch out!" Ye Zimei cried out in alarm.
However, before she could finish, Ye Chen delivered another kick to Ye Hua's face. The man was sent flying once more, his nose crushed, blood gushing from his mouth and nostrils, mixed with several teeth. It was a pitiful sight.
Completely disfigured. Stunned!
Everyone was utterly stunned!
The others present could only stare in shock. Wasn't this waste being excessively fierce?
Ye Chen clapped his hands lightly, glanced at Ye Hua lying on the ground, and said, "Who needs you to end anything? If you don't want to die, get lost. This young master has no time to play with you. If you dare make a move again, I'll cripple you directly."
Ye Hua had initially wanted to utter a few threatening words, but upon seeing Ye Chen's expression—those eyes filled with utter indifference, cold as a hunter gazing at prey—his heart filled with terror. He realized Ye Chen was absolutely not joking. He turned his head, seeking help from Ye Zhengyang.
At this moment, Ye Zhengyang's expression wasn't pleasant either. After all, today he was responsible for guiding these family juniors. Ye Chen's ruthless actions not only involved beating Ye Hua right in front of him but also completely stole his thunder.
If he didn't step in, where would his face be?
Ye Zhengyang stepped forward, his voice low and serious, "Cousin Ye Chen, today, as your elder brother, I am responsible for guiding these younger siblings. You struck Cousin Ye Hua without a word. Isn't that disregarding me, your elder brother?"
Ye Zimei's face changed slightly. She naturally understood Ye Zhengyang was deliberately making things difficult for Ye Chen and immediately spoke up in his defense, "Cousin Zhengyang, everyone present saw that Ye Hua was the first to attack, intending to harm Brother Ye Chen. Brother Ye Chen was merely defending himself rightfully. He did nothing wrong."
Seeing the woman he admired repeatedly speaking up for this waste Ye Chen, Ye Zhengyang's expression grew even darker. "Zimei, regardless, Ye Chen must give me an explanation today."
"Ye Zhengyang, you—" Ye Zimei was about to say more when her slender, delicate hand was suddenly pulled. She initially tried to break free but, realizing it was Ye Chen, relaxed, allowing him to hold it. A faint blush spread across her lovely face, yet she didn't struggle.
"Sister Zimei, let me handle this. Matters between men should be resolved by men." Ye Chen gave her a gentle smile. Ye Zimei was momentarily stunned before a deep blush covered her pretty face. She nodded shyly.
Witnessing this scene, Ye Zhengyang's expression turned icy. He was about to speak when Ye Chen suddenly addressed him, "Fine. Since Cousin Zhengyang has spoken, it wouldn't be right if I didn't give you an explanation. Cousin Zhengyang, I'm sorry. I hit Ye Hua. Is that acceptable?"
"..."
Ye Zhengyang's entire face darkened. What kind of explanation was this? It felt more like he was being played with, which infuriated him.
The other family juniors were also dumbfounded. So Ye Chen had beaten Ye Hua, fine. But now, his tone clearly seemed to be provoking Ye Zhengyang, the number one among the younger generation of the family. Wasn't his courage a bit too great?
"Ye Chen, are you toying with me?" Ye Zhengyang shouted.
"I say, Cousin Zhengyang, didn't you say I had to inform you if I hit Ye Hua? Now I've informed you. And you? You even accuse me of toying with you. Who's falsely accusing whom here?"
Ye Chen shrugged, wearing an innocent expression. Although everyone felt Ye Chen seemed to have a point, it sounded incredibly awkward.
Ye Zhengyang snorted. "Be that as it may, acting without permission and striking someone in front of your elder brother, Cousin Ye Chen, you show far too little regard for me."
Ye Chen laughed, though it was more of a cold sneer. He looked at Ye Zhengyang and said, "Ye Zhengyang, everyone saw what just happened. As for your talk of 'acting without permission and striking someone,' anyone with eyes could see Ye Hua attacked first. I didn't see you stopping him. Now, I merely retaliated, and you blame me? I have to say, aren't you being overly biased against me?"
Many of the family juniors couldn't help but nod in agreement. However, under Ye Zhengyang's icy gaze, they all lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.
The Third Elder and several stewards remained silent. They looked at Ye Zhengyang. This, too, was a test.
Ye Zhengyang said coldly, "Daring to quibble even now. Everyone has witnessed it clearly. You, Ye Chen, intentionally harmed Ye Hua, disrupted the order of the training grounds, defied your superiors, and challenged the instructor's authority. Third Elder, I request that Ye Chen undergo a Family Trial."
Family Trial!?
Upon hearing this term, Ye Chen's expression immediately sank slightly.
The so-called Family Trial was a judgment conducted for family members accused of major offenses. All family elders would convene to determine the accused's guilt.
If found innocent, that was one thing. But if found guilty...
The lightest punishment was imprisonment. The heaviest involved severe torture, even the complete loss of all cultivation.
The other junior disciples present couldn't help but suck in a cold breath, casting pitying looks at Ye Chen. Basically, those subjected to a Family Trial never met a good end.
"Third Grandfather, no!" Ye Zimei urgently tried to stop him. Once the trial began, Ye Chen's situation would become grave.
However, after a moment of silence, the Third Elder actually nodded. "Very well. Guards, apprehend Ye Chen. Commence the Family Trial."
As his words fell, several burly figures swiftly emerged from the shadows, moving to seize Ye Chen and restrain his movements. But Ye Chen's internal energy erupted, repelling these men, preventing them from getting close.
The Third Elder's aged eyes widened as he shouted, "Ye Chen! Do you dare to resist?"
Ye Chen merely offered a cold smile, flicking his sleeve. "I can walk on my own."
He knew resistance was futile now. The family elder had spoken, wielding authority second only to the Patriarch, his father. Resistance would only add unnecessary trouble.
The Third Elder's face darkened further, but he said no more. The burly men naturally didn't dare to press forward.
"Ye Chen, does this old man need to lend a hand? Dealing with these people would be as easy as turning over my palm." An ethereal voice sounded. A translucent figure drifted out from the ancient ring—it was the mysterious Elder Yan. He casually glanced at the others as he spoke.
Yet, with Elder Yan's sudden appearance, everyone present acted as if he weren't there—or rather, they simply couldn't see him at all.
This was one of Elder Yan's techniques. Unless one's strength reached a terrifyingly high level, no one could perceive his presence unless he chose to reveal himself.
Ye Chen shook his head. He wanted to see exactly how these family elders would judge him. If they truly intended to arbitrarily impose charges on him, suppress him, and persecute him, then he wouldn't mind teaching these old fellows a lesson they'd never forget.
As for the so-called Family Trial, he had never held it in any regard.
"Brother Ye Chen, don't worry. Ye Zimei will testify to your innocence." Ye Zimei stepped forward. Her exquisite, captivating little face came into view, accompanied by a faint, pleasant fragrance that was intoxicating.
"Thank you." Ye Chen expressed his sincere gratitude. That she would stand up for him at such a time gave him a very favorable impression. He reached out and gently pinched the girl's slightly rosy cheek, offering a warm, radiant smile. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
Gazing at the youth's handsome and sunny smiling face, Ye Zimei was momentarily lost in thought...
...
In the eastern district of Luo Feng City, within a grand manor, the main gate was wide open. A dignified white-robed elder walked out.
As the elder appeared, whenever others on the street noticed the emblem on his chest—a cauldron-shaped badge shimmering with a single star—they invariably added a look of reverence to their expressions.
A luxurious carriage stopped before the white-robed elder. The coachman said respectfully, "Master Li Yun, where would you like to go?"
The white-robed elder smiled slightly. "The Ye family."