While the gathered forces debated amongst themselves, a deep rumble shattered the sky.
A radiant glow spread across the horizon, and from that brilliance emerged several rare one‑horned Immortal Beasts—rhinoceros beetle horses with thick, armored carapaces.
Their heavy hooves struck invisible currents as they pulled a magnificent carriage through the air.
On the lacquered surface, an immortal lotus had been carved in exquisite detail, and at its center blazed a single character: 'Ye'.
The moment the carriage came into view, every representative abandoned their seats and rose as one. They knew exactly who commanded such a procession.
The vehicle descended with practiced grace, settling onto the open courtyard beside the reception hall.
Pfft~!
One of the beasts snorted—a sharp, disdainful sound—its eyes gleaming with arrogance.
The rhinoceros beetle horse understood its station well enough: the passenger within this carriage held status so high that no one would dare stand without bowing.
Two maids emerged and swept the curtain aside, dropping into deep, reverent bows to welcome the figure within.
She stepped down in a flowing gown of pale green immortal silk, her long black hair cascading over graceful shoulders.
Her hands rested before her, poised and serene, radiating the quiet elegance of practiced nobility.
Yun Yao, Ye Qian's mother, had arrived.
"Greetings, Ye Family Madam!"
The collective voices rang out as one.
Every head bowed. Every gaze fell to the ground.
No one dared let their eyes wander, for such disrespect on Ye Family grounds could mean they would never leave with their heads still upon their shoulders.
Beside Yun Yao stood another woman—exquisitely beautiful, tall and willowy, her figure wrapped in pure white robes that shimmered like moonlight on water.
Her expression remained tranquil, untouched by worldly concerns, as though she were a celestial fairy who had descended by accident.
Yun Xi, who had arrived only yesterday.
Many hearts stirred at the sight of her ethereal beauty, but the gathered representatives knew their place.
Anyone who stood beside the Ye Family Madam, bearing a faint resemblance to her features, clearly possessed significant standing.
The bolder among them speculated silently: perhaps someone from the Yun Family itself, and of no minor rank.
Yun Yao's gaze swept over the representatives from thousands of forces. She nodded once, then led Yun Xi to the central dais.
"Everyone, take your seats."
Her voice carried both gentleness and frost, reaching every ear with perfect clarity.
They responded immediately, returning to their places without a murmur. The discussions that had filled the hall moments ago died completely.
Ye Changkong had his own affairs to manage, and occasions such as these typically fell to Yun Yao's jurisdiction. She represented the Ye Family in all its terrible glory.
Everyone present understood the precarious nature of their position.
They stood on Ye Family territory, facing the Ye Family Madam herself. A single careless word, one thoughtless gesture, could summon disaster swift and absolute.
Yet as Yun Yao settled into her seat, she noticed something amiss. Her son—Ye Qian, the very reason for this banquet—had not yet appeared.
Her brow creased slightly. She turned toward a nearby servant, her voice dropping to a low murmur.
"Where is the Young Master? Why hasn't he arrived? I sent word to him already."
The servant, caught off-guard by the direct question, trembled with nervous energy.
"Madam, the Young Master received your message. He should be en route as we speak."
He spoke only what he knew, offering no speculation or assumption.
Working within the Ye Family demanded absolute precision. Those who guessed incorrectly rarely had the opportunity to regret their mistakes.
Learning that Ye Qian had yet to arrive, Yun Yao shook her head with helpless affection.
"This banquet was arranged in his honor, and he still manages to be late..."
Though her tone carried faint reproach, every syllable overflowed with maternal devotion.
Beyond her husband Ye Changkong, the person she treasured most in all existence was her son.
From infancy, she had cradled him in her palms, terrified he might fall; held him close, afraid he might vanish like morning mist.
Beside her, Yun Xi gently tugged at her sleeve and pointed toward the distant sky.
"Aunt, Brother Qian is here."
Yun Yao followed her gesture.
Four qilin appeared on the horizon, their hooves striking thunder across the heavens as they galloped forward in perfect formation.
Trails of verdant light streamed behind them like ribbons of pure spiritual energy.
Inside the qilin carriage, Ye Qian had already observed the assembled guests below.
Their numbers didn't concern him. Their impatience didn't move him.
As long as he wasn't in a hurry, no one else could afford to be.
That was the privilege absolute power afforded—no one dared provoke him, and no one dared show him anything less than infinite patience.
"Young Master, so many guests came today."
Xia He peered through the window, her eyes widening at the sheer scale of the gathering. She'd expected a substantial crowd, but nothing like this magnitude.
The Ye Family had hosted grand events before—significant Family ceremonies that drew forces from across the realm—and she'd witnessed spectacles even greater than this one.
What surprised her was that so many had come specifically for a banquet celebrating Ye Qian's recovery from Qi Deviation.
The scale was extraordinary.
Simply entertaining this many guests would consume vast quantities of spirit stones. But the Ye family's wealth ran deeper than the ocean floor; such expenses barely registered.
Beyond their unfathomable accumulated heritage, countless forces paid substantial annual tributes to the Ye Family.
Returning a fraction of that wealth now meant nothing, especially since each guest would present generous gifts in turn.
No one dared arrive empty-handed at a Ye Family banquet. Such brazen disrespect was tantamount to suicide.
Ye Qian shrugged with casual indifference.
"Let them come. Mother invited them, so naturally the turnout is impressive."
His mother, Yun Yao, had clearly orchestrated this grand display.
Ye Qian didn't mind the spectacle. An even larger gathering would have suited him just as well.
This occasion presented an excellent opportunity to search the assembled powers for Children of Destiny or Daughters of Heaven.
If he discovered a Child of Destiny lurking among them, he'd find a proper method to eliminate the threat and plunder their Luck.
If he encountered a Daughter of Heaven instead, he'd consider nurturing her talents and bringing her under his command—just as he had done with Yue Ming.
The guests who had settled into their seats noticed the rapidly approaching qilin carriage.
One by one, they rose again, their movements swift and synchronized.
They knew exactly who traveled within that magnificent vehicle.
Across the entire Immortal Realm, only one person commanded four qilin of different attributes to draw his carriage.
Ye Qian, Young Master of the Ye Family.