"Hmph!" A cold snort escaped the lips of the Ye Clan Envoy.
Immediately following it, a staggering wave of oppressive pressure descended directly onto Yue Qingshan.
Beneath the weight of that suffocating aura, his lungs seized, rendering him completely unable to draw breath.
His face flushed a dark, angry red as he frantically channeled his cultivation technique.
Yet, at a mere Supernatural Powers Realm, how could he possibly withstand the crushing authority of a powerhouse representing the Ye Clan?
Just as Yue Qingshan reached his absolute limit, the jade thumb ring on his right hand flickered with a faint, ephemeral green glow.
In an instant, the crushing weight vanished into thin air.
Only Yue Qingshan knew the truth: the Master residing within the ring had intervened, shielding him from the overwhelming aura.
Remembering that he possessed a remnant soul of a Great Saint Realm master as his guide—even if reduced to a spirit—fueled his arrogant heart.
Yue Qingshan lifted his chin, carrying himself with an insufferable air of self-importance, as if he answered to no one under the heavens.
Behind his black mask, a flicker of surprise flashed in the Envoy's eyes upon seeing the youth remain standing, unbowed.
He had not expected this fledgling brat to possess such resilience; perhaps a formidable figure shielded him from the shadows.
Regardless, the Envoy was merely here to deliver a decree and saw no need to waste time entangled with an insect.
Ignoring Yue Qingshan entirely, the Envoy redirected his icy gaze onto the kneeling members of the Yue Family.
"Yue Clan, hear the decree of the Clan Patriarch: Within three days, deliver Yue Mingkong to the Young Master. There shall be no delay. Should you exceed these three days, you will bear the consequences yourselves... Do not say you were not warned. Hmph!"
With another heavy snort, the Envoy turned away. He held not a shred of goodwill toward the Yue Family.
Ye Yun was the Young Master of the Ye Clan and its future overlord; how could a minor vassal clan be permitted to slight him?
Since they committed the offense, they had to pay the price.
Did Yue Mingkong not consider herself above the rest?
Then her own family would hand her over personally.
Without another word, the Ye Clan Envoy dissolved into a plume of black smoke, vanishing into thin air.
The suffocating weight lifted, allowing the half-kneeling, head-bowed members of the Yue Family to finally breathe again.
Relief washed over them as restless chatter erupted among the crowd.
"What horrifying pressure... As expected of an Envoy from the Ye Clan. He could have snuffed out my life with a flick of his finger."
"Indeed. That pressure was far too terrifying, vastly overwhelming even our Patriarch and elders."
"At least they didn't unleash their wrath directly upon our family. Delivering Yue Mingkong is a blessing amidst misfortune."
"We only have three days. What will the Patriarch decide?"
...
The majority of the clan expressed sheer relief; at the very least, the Ye Clan had not vented its fury upon the entire family.
Otherwise, even a hundred Yue Families would not survive the wrath of such an overlord.
Yue Feng stood up, his countenance dark and heavy.
Behind him, the elders breathed collective sighs of relief.
The First Elder looked deeply at Yue Feng, speaking in a solemn, grave tone.
"Fortunately, there is still room to salvage this. Patriarch, Mingkong must be sent to the Ye Clan. Otherwise, our Yue Family... will be erased from the Immortal World."
Hearing those words, Yue Feng's expression grew even gloomier.
He was not merely Yue Mingkong's father; he was the Patriarch of the Yue Family.
If he insisted on protecting his daughter, he would be abandoning his entire clan, forfeiting his right to hold the Patriarch's seat.
Observing Yue Feng's hesitation, the Second Elder seized the moment to strike while the iron was hot.
"Indeed, Patriarch! We have no choice left. That girl Mingkong must be handed over, lest the entire clan be dragged into her grave!"
The Third Elder stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing slightly into a calculating slit as he murmured.
"Patriarch, you must choose between the entire clan and Mingkong. In my view, sending Mingkong to the Ye Clan might not even be a bad thing. Doesn't the Young Master of the Ye Clan favor her? I am certain Young Master Ye Yun will not harm her."
"Perhaps Mingkong might even secure a position as one of his concubines. Should that happen, our Yue Family could cling to his status and rise to prominence. This could be a monumental blessing!"
Listening to the incessant persuasions of the elders, Yue Feng closed his eyes as a decision solidified in his heart.
However, standing behind them, Yue Qingshan burned with incandescent rage upon hearing the elders' hollow excuses.
He surged forward to the very front, shouting in fierce condemnation.
"Absolutely not! How can Mingkong be handed over like a sacrificial lamb?! Patriarch! Mingkong is your flesh and blood! Are you truly going to stand by and watch your own daughter be pushed into a pit of fire?!"
Yue Qingshan's sudden outburst instantly shattered Yue Feng's train of thought.
Just as the matter was nearing a final conclusion, this foolish boy had barged in to cause trouble once again.
Unable to contain his fury any longer, the First Elder let out a thunderous roar and swept his grand sleeve outward.
"Impudent brat! How dare you spew such wild insolence!"
Before Yue Qingshan could react, a powerful gravitational force latched onto him.
Stumbling two steps forward, he proved entirely incapable of resisting the force, dragged helplessly toward the First Elder, who clamped a hand around his throat.
"This decision belongs solely to the Patriarch and the elders! What right does an insignificant brat like you have to interfere?! Begone!"
With a violent swing, the First Elder hurled Yue Qingshan through the air.
BANG!!
Yue Qingshan shattered a decorative stone pillar before crashing heavily onto the ground.
"Pfft!"
A mouthful of stale blood spurted from his lips, leaving him battered and disheveled.
He had never anticipated the First Elder taking action against him so suddenly and ruthlessly.
As the First Elder stepped forward with killing intent, preparing to strike him down permanently, the remnant soul inside Yue Qingshan's ring readied its power to shield his disciple.
However, a hand reached out and intercepted the First Elder.
"Enough! First Elder, regardless of his cheek, Qingshan remains a talent of our clan. Severely injuring him would be a loss for our family. Let it go."
The one who intervened was, naturally, Yue Feng. He held great appreciation for Yue Qingshan's talent and was unwilling to see him perish here.
Seeing the Patriarch step in, the First Elder suppressed his anger and snapped his sleeve back violently.
"Hmph! Since the Patriarch pleads on your behalf, I shall spare you. But... do not let there be a second time!"
His icy eyes burned with disgust; he harbored intense disdain for Yue Qingshan's reckless defiance.
Turning his attention back to Yue Feng, the First Elder urged earnestly.
"Patriarch, we truly have no alternative this time. Unless you wish for the entire Yue Family to be buried alongside her, Mingkong must be surrendered."
"I trust you understand the weight of this choice. For the sake of the clan, consider the bigger picture. Entering the Ye Clan might not be a misfortune for her after all."
Patting Yue Feng on the shoulder, the First Elder turned and walked away.