Yan Gushen looked gloomily at Yan Wushuang and his master, especially at that perfect figure, and said coldly, "I don't care who your master is. Daring to trespass into my Imperial Clan's forbidden grounds is a crime punishable by death. And you, Yan Wushuang, daring to bring an outsider inside, share the same crime and deserve execution. I, Yan Gushen, representing the Jiuyan Imperial Clan, hereby strip you of your eligibility for the chieftain position and will have you imprisoned immediately."
"Heh, the Jiuyan Imperial Clan has quite the nerve, actually wanting to kill me. But you should understand one thing: even your clan's Imperial Son would never dare act like this in front of me."
Suddenly, Ye Chen chuckled softly, his tone carrying a hint of disdain.
"What do you mean by that?"
Yan Gushen's heart skipped a beat, sensing that the other party's origins were far from simple.
Just as Ye Chen was about to speak, he turned his head towards the main entrance.
At that moment, several aged figures with faintly decaying auras appeared. Their hair was sparse and white, their forms withered—each one an Old Antique of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan, of great age, emerging from their long slumber through the ages in hopes of finding an opportunity for advancement.
"Elders!"
Seeing the appearance of these Old Antiques, the high-ranking members of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan did not dare show the slightest neglect. Even Yan Gushen had to perform a deep bow, solely because their seniority was exceedingly high.
"No need for formalities."
The Old Antiques spoke, then turned their gaze to Ye Chen. Their ancient, withered faces were filled with absolute indifference as they said calmly, "Our arrival is simply to find out exactly who this personage is, who even our clan's Imperial Son Young Ancestor would not dare to offend."
As they spoke, they released faint wisps of terrifying aura that surpassed the Divine King level—they were unmistakably Quasi-Monarchs, incredibly powerful.
These were the hidden foundations of the Jiuyan Imperial Clan, astonishingly formidable.
Beside him, Yan Wushuang was also tense. Although he knew his master was powerful—so much so that he couldn't even perceive his master's true realm—those Old Antiques were similarly unfathomable.
Ye Chen patted Yan Wushuang's shoulder, as if a surge of power flowed into him, easing his nervousness considerably. Yan Wushuang understood deeply that since his master dared to come here, he must have absolute confidence.
Ye Chen smiled slightly, flicked a finger, and the Quasi-Monarch imposing might enveloping the hall was effortlessly dissolved, astonishing everyone. Such a method proved he was no ordinary individual.
"A Quasi-Monarch?"
The Imperial Clan Old Antiques were inwardly shocked. If the other party was also a Quasi-Monarch, that would prove him to be monstrously talented. Especially given his extreme youth, yet already a Quasi-Monarch with peak blood energy—as fellow Quasi-Monarchs, he would be far more powerful than them.
This made them all rather grave.
The other Imperial Clan higher-ups were equally astonished. Just who was Yan Wushuang's master, to have become a Quasi-Monarch at such a young age?
A thick flash of jealousy passed through Yan Gushen's eyes.
Yan Wushuang becoming a Divine King at such a young age already posed a major threat to him. And now his master, equally young, had become a Quasi-Monarch—undoubtedly an even greater threat.
"Young Friend, if you leave immediately, we old fellows can guarantee to let bygones be bygones."
Suddenly, one of the Imperial Clan Old Antiques spoke, his words carrying a hint of conciliation.
"Ancestor!" Yan Gushen exclaimed in surprise, hurriedly speaking up.
"Silence."
The Old Antique coldly snapped, sweeping a glance at him that made Yan Gushen's face flush red, yet he dared not retort.
These Old Antiques were each the true guardian deities of the Imperial Clan. They usually paid no heed to clan affairs, but their authority was implicitly overwhelming. Not to mention the current him, even if he truly became chieftain, he would have to show them respect and generally wouldn't dare to contradict them.
Clearly, a Quasi-Monarch this young was no simple figure. Behind him might lie a terrifying power. Unless absolutely necessary, the several Quasi-Monarch Old Antiques were unwilling to provoke him lightly.
If a battle ensued, the other party, with his peak blood energy and sufficient youth, could recover quickly. But their own blood energy was depleted; using a bit meant losing a bit, which would accelerate the premature arrival of their lifespan's end.
This was definitely not a good thing.
If possible, they would avoid fighting if they could.
How could Ye Chen not know these Old Antiques' intentions? He chuckled lightly and pointed at Yan Wushuang. "Wanting me to leave isn't impossible, but I have one condition: let my disciple become the Imperial Clan's new chieftain."
"Impossible!"
Almost immediately, Yan Gushen spoke up.
The several Imperial Clan Old Antiques also frowned, saying gloomily, "Young Friend, don't go too far. We admit you are indeed strong and sufficiently young. In a one-on-one situation, we're probably no match for you. But you shouldn't be overly arrogant either. This is the Jiuyan Imperial Clan, not your backyard where you can do whatever you please."
"If it truly comes to a fight, at the cost of some price, your life might remain here forever."
The threat in their words was clear and unambiguous.
A threat originating from several Quasi-Monarch Old Antiques would make even Imperial Clans and Immortal Clans wary.
However, Ye Chen merely raised an eyebrow and uttered a light "Oh," with a seemingly amused expression. "Oh, is that so? I'd like to know, just how do you few Quasi-Monarchs plan to keep me here?"
Just as the several Imperial Clan Old Antiques were about to show anger on their faces and prepare to take action, suddenly, the anger on their faces vanished, replaced by intense shock.
For from Ye Chen's body, they faintly sensed a transcendent aura surpassing the Quasi-Monarch level—the heavenly might belonging to an Ancient Monarch, wisp by wisp, not dense but unmistakably accurate.
"An... Ancient Monarch!"
Their eyes widened in disbelief!
An Ancient Monarch, hailed as a Universe Overlord, a peerless and invincible majestic existence.
Such an existence was enough to preside over an Imperial Clan and awe the universe for countless eons.
But becoming an Ancient Monarch required an immense expenditure of time—generally at least over a million years.
Like them, their existences spanned over a million years, even longer, yet they had never broken through that final barrier, remaining only Quasi-Monarchs. The hardships involved could be glimpsed, and were imaginable.
Perhaps only supreme offspring like Imperial Sons and Daughters, Immortal Dao progeny, or the legendary Supreme Geniuses with the strongest Emperor potential—who were in no way inferior to supreme offspring—could become Ancient Monarchs within several thousand years, the shortest possible time.
This person before them, so young, his blood energy containing the vigor of youth, yet already an Ancient Monarch—could he also be an Imperial Son?
Within the hall, the other Imperial Clan higher-ups were even more shocked.
An Ancient Monarch, and also an Imperial Son!
Yan Gushen looked at Yan Wushuang with an expression filled with unparalleled jealousy.
Why?
Why did this bastard gain the appreciation of such an important figure and be taken as a disciple?
"So it's Your Highness the Imperial Son. We were disrespectful," the several Imperial Clan Old Antiques immediately bowed slightly, performing a salute, their attitude very humble.