Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring the six-star Emperor-tier technique, the 'Desolate Heaven Art'!
Ding! Congratulations to the host for acquiring abundant cultivation reserves!
Ding! Mission over-fulfilled! Host has acquired [Invincible Stance]!
As the crisp notifications faded, Lu Xuan felt his cultivation reserves surge once more, pushing him to the very brink of Stage Five Profound Venerate.
Next, Lu Xuan casually inspected the 'Desolate Heaven Art.'
"I am the Desolate Heaven Emperor! I shall suppress all enemies in this world!"
A domineering voice, cutting across the river of time, reverberated through Lu Xuan's mind. Merely examining the technique unleashed a terrifying martial will that crashed against his sea of consciousness like an unstoppable flood.
Lu Xuan raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Could it be that guy? This technique was ridiculously potent; even its sheer willpower was defying the heavens. Once mastered, its offensive power would be absolutely monstrous!
"I'll give this to Ye Chen after the Ye Family's clan gathering," Lu Xuan muttered to himself. He, of course, wouldn't bother cultivating it. There was simply no need.
Next, Lu Xuan turned his attention to [Invincible Stance].
The System promptly clarified: "Invincible Stance allows the host to directly ignore one major cultivation realm, achieving instant kills across tiers!"
"So," Lu Xuan mused, "at Stage Five Profound Venerate, I can instantly kill a One-star Profound Saint?"
"Affirmative," the System replied.
Lu Xuan felt a jolt of excitement. A Profound Venerate, capable of matching a Saint! This was huge! After all, the Profound Saint realm was a massive chasm in cultivation. As the saying went: "Below a Saint, all are but ants!" Profound Venerates merely respected the power of heaven and earth, touching upon a faint trace of Dao rhythm, but a Profound Saint had taken a definitive step onto their own Path.
Yet now, he had effortlessly leapt across that chasm, able to instantly obliterate a One-star Profound Saint! The Ye Family Patriarch and Grand Elder, among others, were all One-star Profound Saints. Without realizing it, his battle prowess had already surpassed theirs!
A wave of casual exhilaration washed over Lu Xuan.
Not to mention, besides [Invincible Stance], he also possessed [Ten Thousand Laws Undefiled]! He was, quite simply, invincible.
A moment later, Lu Xuan composed himself.
Lu Xuan turned to Ye Chen. "After the clan gathering, you'll come back to the Grand Dao Sect with me. And then… I'll have another gift for you."
Ye Chen's eyes widened. Another gift?! His previous ones had been absolutely heaven-defying! What could this one possibly be? His heart swelled with anticipation, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Master's generosity is truly unmatched!"
Lu Xuan simply smiled. "You're my disciple, after all."
Just then, the Transmission Ring in Ye Chen's robes vibrated.
His father, the Patriarch, spoke, "Chen'er, the clan gathering is about to begin."
"Father, I'm ready," Ye Chen replied.
The Patriarch paused, then continued, "When Ye Liangchen challenges you later, surrender immediately! Otherwise, he might really try to kill you!"
Ye Chen simply smiled. "Don't worry, Father. I know what I'm doing."
"Alright then," the Patriarch said, "come quickly."
"Understood, Father," Ye Chen confirmed.
Ye Chen put away his Transmission Ring, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Master, could you perhaps help me conceal my cultivation?"
Lu Xuan chuckled. "Of course." This kid really wants to act weak to eat the tiger, doesn't he?
He extended a finger and gently tapped Ye Chen, instantly masking his cultivation. To any outsider, Ye Chen still appeared to be nothing more than a Qi Refining Stage Three cultivator!
Lu Xuan's lips curved into a subtle smile. "Disciple, since you're concealing your presence, I suppose I should do the same."
With that, a black hooded robe materialized around Lu Xuan, instantly rendering him imperceptible. Ye Chen immediately lost all trace of his master's aura.
Lu Xuan then raised a hand, casually dispelling the restrictions sealing the room, and the two of them stepped out of the Young Master's residence.
The Ye Family manor was buzzing with activity. The clan gathering was the most significant event of their year, drawing all main and branch family members back to participate in the grand affair. People surged through the grounds like a tide, all heading towards the main hall.
"Boom!"
The Patriarch and other elders collectively activated the Ye Family's guardian formation. With a deafening roar, brilliant spirit patterns erupted, forming a colossal dome that enveloped the entire area. Divine radiance permeated the surroundings, making the entire estate gleam like a giant, luminous pearl embedded in the earth.
Several major powers in Qingcheng extended their divine senses, curious about the Ye Family. They found it quite odd – the Ye Family's clan gathering this year hadn't even invited them! Seriously?
Meanwhile, in front of the Ye Family's main hall, elders and disciples swarmed, filling the plaza to capacity. Today was the stage for the younger generation of the Ye Family's various branches. Many young disciples, dressed in splendid robes, their faces flushed with excitement, eagerly awaited the start of the gathering.
Ye Liangchen, in a long azure gown, held a folding fan in one hand and wore an ancient jade pendant at his waist. His eyes sparkled with a predatory gleam. He stood apart from the other Ye Family geniuses, not deigning to interact with them. Today, he had meticulously prepared his attire. He was certain it would capture Empress Fuyao's attention.
A grey-robed disciple frowned, muttering, "How come that trash, Ye Chen, still hasn't arrived?"
As if on cue, Ye Chen slowly appeared in the distance.
Some disciples immediately sneered, "Speak of the devil, and he appears!"
Ye Liangchen cast a dismissive glance at Ye Chen, a flicker of killing intent in his eyes. That idiot Ye Chen probably has no idea he's about to die, does he? he thought with a cold smirk.
Ye Chen walked through the crowd, hearing the whispers of derision and mockery. It was a scene mirroring countless past humiliations. But this time, he had been reborn.
Ye Chen looked towards his father, the Patriarch, who quickly gave him a reassuring smile and transmitted a message: "Chen'er, remember, when the Young Master Challenge starts, concede immediately!"
"Father, I understand," Ye Chen replied.
Soon, all the branch families had arrived. The Old Ancestors, however, remained in the ancestral land, awaiting the arrival of Empress Fuyao. As for the Nangong Family, they were also absent. Nangong Baixue had informed the Patriarch that she would only appear after the clan gathering concluded.
The Patriarch sighed inwardly. He knew the relationship between Nangong Baixue and Ye Chen had soured beyond repair, and now, Nangong Baixue didn't even want to witness Ye Chen's fight. He glanced at Ye Chen, a knot of worry in his stomach. First, the Young Master Challenge, then the annulment! Chen'er is just a child! Can he truly bear all this? A wave of profound self-reproach washed over the Patriarch; he felt he had failed in his duties as a father.
A moment later, the Patriarch composed himself and addressed the gathered crowd. "The Ye Family Clan Gathering will now officially commence!"
"The first order of business, as always, is the competition among the disciples from various branches…"
He hadn't even finished speaking when Ye Liangchen suddenly stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the Patriarch. "Patriarch, today's clan gathering is rather special. Why don't we move my Young Master Challenge against Ye Chen to the front? It could serve as a lively opening act!"
The Patriarch's expression darkened considerably.
"I agree!" A voice rang out.
Ye Chen had suddenly stepped forward. The Patriarch frantically motioned for him to retreat, but Ye Chen was already heading towards the dueling platform.
The Ye Family crowd erupted in an uproar. Ye Chen's courage was commendable, they thought, but this fight was utterly pointless. Ye Liangchen had already broken through to the Profound Emperor realm! How could Ye Chen, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, possibly fight him? It was like trying to smash a rock with an egg!
At this moment, the Grand Elder stepped forward. "Indeed, there's no harm in moving the Young Master Challenge forward! After all, it's the fight everyone's eager to see!"
Many in the Ye Family stirred with excitement. Ye Chen's lingering hold on the Young Master position for seven years after his cultivation fell had long been a source of resentment among the family.
The Patriarch rose, about to speak, but Ye Chen had already stepped onto the dueling platform. "Ye Liangchen, I'm ready. And this time, for the Young Master Challenge, I choose a Death Challenge!"
A Death Challenge!
At his words, the entire plaza fell into a stunned silence. Everyone gazed at Ye Chen in utter disbelief. Had they heard him correctly? A Death Challenge?! Was Ye Chen actively seeking his own demise?!
"Boom!"
Ye Liangchen leaped onto the platform, a sneer playing on his lips. "Everyone heard it, didn't you? Ye Chen wants a Death Challenge! And who am I to refuse?"
The Patriarch's face turned ashen. He rounded on the Grand Elder. "We're all family! A contest of skill is enough; why must it be to the death? Don't push things too far!"
Ye Liangchen shot the Patriarch a cold, disdainful look. "Patriarch, in my opinion, a piece of trash has no right to be called 'family'!"
The Grand Elder chuckled. "Liangchen is right! Our Ye Family doesn't tolerate idlers! Trash should either be expelled from the family or die, saving our precious resources."
As his words hung in the air, the Patriarch's face contorted into a menacing snarl. He leered, "Grand Elder, do you truly wish for Chen'er's death so badly?"
The Grand Elder scoffed. "He's not Chen'er; he's trash!"
Instantly, the atmosphere in the plaza solidified. Many elders watched the Grand Elder and Patriarch with shock. They knew the long-standing animosity between the two ran deep. Was the Grand Elder finally making his move today?
A look of mockery crossed the Grand Elder's face. In his mind, Ye Chen and his father were already dead men. Ye Liangchen would kill Ye Chen, and then he would kill the Patriarch!
With this thought, the Grand Elder commanded, "Liangchen, kill Ye Chen!"
The Young Master Challenge officially began.
Ye Liangchen lunged directly at Ye Chen, immediately unleashing a terrifying Spirit Fire Attack. He was going all out! He didn't just want to kill Ye Chen; he wanted to showcase the "Supreme Secret Art" he had comprehended just two days prior to the entire Ye Family!
In an instant, a monstrous spirit fire roared, transforming into a sea of flames. Blazing spiritual energy, vast as an abyss, and the crushing pressure of a Profound Emperor bore down on Ye Chen.
The Ye Family members gasped in shock. Killing a chicken with an ox-cleaver? With an attack like that, Ye Chen would surely be reduced to ash!
But in the very next moment, everyone present froze.
Ye Chen merely smiled faintly, casually raising his hand. With a single, effortless punch, he obliterated Ye Liangchen's attack.
Ye Liangchen was utterly dumbfounded. Before he could even react, Ye Chen was already standing right in front of him.
Ye Liangchen stared at Ye Chen in absolute shock, his jaw hanging open. "How… how did you, a piece of trash, get so strong?!" Ye Chen had effortlessly annihilated his attack! How was that even possible? That was his strongest strike!
The very next instant, Ye Chen's fist slammed into Ye Liangchen's chest.
"Crunch!"
A bloody hole instantly appeared in Ye Liangchen's chest. Blood splattered everywhere!
Ye Liangchen looked at Ye Chen in utter disbelief, his voice trembling.
"Brother Chen, spare me…"
Ye Liangchen's soul nearly fled his body; his scalp tingled with terror. He couldn't die! He couldn't die! He hadn't even gained Empress Fuyao's favor yet! As long as he met Empress Fuyao, he still had a chance! He had caused a Heaven and Earth Phenomenon, she would surely protect him!