Yue Qingshan sneered at the indignant elders.
"Elders, you're still Yue Family members. Old age doesn't mean your eyes have gone blind.
Did Yue Ming do anything wrong? She only spoke one sentence. Is that truly a crime worthy of punishment?!"
His last sentence was a direct challenge—accusing them of being unreasonable, illogical mummies. He didn't call them fossils outright, but the meaning was clear.
The elders flushed with anger. As proud elders of the Yue Family, their dignity mattered, and they wouldn't be scolded by a young upstart.
"Enough!" The Grand Elder cut in, his voice thick with displeasure.
Yue Qingshan's words had included him, and the elders knew Yue Ming had only spoken a single sentence. But could they defy the Ye Family, who controlled their fate?
That senseless junior was still too young, too arrogant. The Grand Elder saw no point in arguing with a child.
"Yue Qingshan, watch your words. Utter such nonsense again, and don't blame me for being impolite."
It was an open threat. The Grand Elder was furious. A genius junior might bring vitality to the family, but that didn't mean he could act as he pleased before the ancestors.
In this Immortal Realm, strength was supreme.
"Grand Elder, you...!"
Yue Qingshan longed to fight back, to voice his protest, but as he met the Grand Elder's piercing, unyielding stare, he instantly fell silent.
He knew well that the Grand Elder was the most formidable figure in the clan—so formidable that even the Family Head had to show him respect.
Yet Yue Qingshan could not accept it. Could this matter truly be left unresolved? Yue Ming remained under house arrest, forbidden even from receiving visitors.
Yue Qingshan clenched his fists, his mind already set on a plan.
Dear Yue Ming! Don't worry. I will save you. When the time comes, we'll escape together!
Just then, a thunderous announcement boomed from outside.
"The Ye Family Immortal Envoy has arrived!"
At the mention of "Ye Family Immortal Envoy," the entire scene fell into a deathly silence. The air grew thick and heavy. For days, everyone present had been on edge, uncertain of how the Ye Family would settle this matter. They were like lambs awaiting slaughter, able only to whisper among themselves, powerless to act.
Now, the Ye Family's representative had finally arrived, and everyone waited anxiously to hear what demands would be made.
Ye Family!
Yue Qingshan felt the oppressive weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the room. He clenched his fists tightly, his eyes flashing with cold resolve. Deep inside, he seethed with contempt.
Ye Qian is only powerful because of his clan's backing. Without that, he would never be my equal.
The Ye Family loomed over Yue Qingshan like a towering mountain, crushing him beneath its shadow. He chafed against it, but dared not provoke them openly.
Family Head Yue Bo rose and addressed the gathered elders. "Let's go. Everyone, follow me to welcome the Ye Family Immortal Envoy. When the Envoy arrives, we must show no negligence."
The group left the main hall and made their way toward the main gate. Yue Qingshan hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and followed.
I want to see how the Ye Family will handle this matter.
If the Ye Family intended to harm Yue Ming, Yue Qingshan had already resolved to find a way to rescue her. Then the two would flee together.
Becoming a pair of fugitive lovers was not out of the question.
Once he matured, he would settle scores with the Ye Family. With his talent and aptitude, achieving Great Emperor status was certain.
…
At that moment, the Ye Family Immortal Envoy stood coldly at the main gate of the Yue Family's territory.
Clad entirely in black, his face hidden behind a dark mask, he radiated a chilling aura. The surrounding servants and guards dared not come near; some were so terrified they hid far away.
Most of the servants were ordinary people. Faced with the terrifying power of the Ye Family Immortal Envoy, they could only cower in fear.
Within moments, many members of the Yue Family had gathered, careful not to show even a hint of negligence before the Immortal Envoy.
"What kind of order do you think the Immortal Envoy will bring this time?"
"Who can say for sure? But it's certainly related to the Young Master's incident."
"Alas! It's all because of that Yue Ming, insisting on proposing such conditions. That was the Young Master! Now that such a catastrophe has occurred, I feel the whole Yue Family has been implicated!"
"Indeed. Being favored by the Young Master is such an honor, yet she actually refused! You know, that's something many girls wish for but can't obtain!"
Many grumbled about Yue Ming, blaming her for the entire incident. If she hadn't proposed those conditions, Ye Qian wouldn't have rushed to break through and suffered Qi Deviation, and the Yue Family wouldn't now be walking on thin ice.
Yue Bo and the elders, who had hurried over, as well as Yue Qingshan following behind, naturally heard the clansmen's murmurs. Yue Qingshan shot a cold glare at those blaming Yue Ming, his heart filled with disdain.
These people only know how to shift the blame onto Yue Ming. She only spoke a single sentence and did nothing. Why should she bear the responsibility?
Approaching the front, Yue Bo respectfully cupped his hands and asked, "Immortal Envoy, Yue Bo was late. Please forgive me. May I ask what instructions the Immortal Envoy has?"
The Ye Family Immortal Envoy, his face still hidden behind the black mask, did not even glance at Yue Bo. He spoke with icy indifference.
"I am here to convey the Family Head's order."
He had every right to look down on Yue Bo. The other was merely from a small family—an insignificant ant beneath his notice.
When Yue Bo heard it was the Ye Family Head's order, he immediately dropped to one knee.
The elders behind him followed without hesitation, kneeling as one.
As for the clansmen, their own Family Head and Elders had already knelt. How could they remain standing? One by one, they lowered themselves to the ground.
The entire scene now had only one focal point:
Yue Qingshan.
Everyone else had knelt. Only he stood firm.
Seeing this, the Ye Family Immortal Envoy's eyes, visible beneath his mask, flashed with cold light.