The sound was not soft, and given that no one in the hall dared to make a loud noise, everyone was watching Ye Wen seated there and the venerable Nangong Huang standing respectfully before him.

Even the two young disciples supporting Nangong Huang were trembling and dared not utter a sound, simultaneously sizing up Ye Wen with curiosity, wondering about the origins of this young man, roughly their own age, who spoke to their elder with such familiarity.

These two youngsters, though not Nangong Huang’s direct disciples, had attended to him for the past few years, thus inheriting a little of his legacy, and held deep respect for him—Nangong Huang’s deference to Ye Wen naturally put them slightly on edge.

Just then, a loud shout from over there startled the pair, causing them to jump, and they instantly knew who had arrived.

Ye Wen glanced over slightly, catching sight of a young man walking forward behind a middle-aged man around forty, glaring at him the whole way—the youth’s sulky expression was no different from a child whose toy had been snatched away.

Seeing this, Ye Wen sighed inwardly with exasperation: “Ning’er was always so mature and steady; I didn't expect his descendant to be so disappointing…”

As for the leading middle-aged man, from the way the surrounding Shu Mountain disciples addressed him as Sect Leader, Ye Wen knew this was Yue Ning’s son. He looked quite similar to Yue Ning, perhaps even more handsome, likely inheriting some good genes from his mother.

But beyond that, the bearing and the spirit radiating from his eyes failed to satisfy Ye Wen, who felt a flicker of anger: “How could such a person be made the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain?” He turned to look at Zhou Zhiruo, his expression tinged with annoyance, causing even the perpetually cool Zhou Zhiruo to involuntarily lower her head.

However, at this moment, he remained silent, focusing instead on observing the condition within Nangong Huang’s body, discovering that many of his meridians were severely damaged. It was only due to his own substantial internal power that he hadn't been crippled and reduced to a corpse.

A further probe revealed that even his Dantian was slightly wounded, indicating the severity of Nangong Huang’s injury at the time.

“This injury of yours… how many years has it been?”

Nangong Huang respectfully replied, “Replying to Martial Uncle, it has been about forty years!” Ye Wen calculated that the injury occurred after his own ascension. Back then, Nangong Huang was in his prime, and his cultivation was advancing rapidly. In terms of comprehension, he wasn't much inferior to Li Xiaoyao; who would have thought this injury would prevent his power from advancing, causing him to age despite practicing the Pure Yang Supreme Art, which was supposed to preserve youth.

Seeing his Martial Uncle remain silent, Nangong Huang assumed that his elder could do nothing about the injury. Still, considering he had been injured for forty years, even if a cure were possible, the delay meant there was likely no hope left.

Fortunately, given his advanced age, he had long since become philosophical about many things and felt no disappointment. He simply stepped respectfully aside, quietly awaiting Ye Wen’s command.

It so happened that due to his chronic injury, he seldom moved. But today, the commotion caused by Ye Wen’s return agitated his wound, eliciting a muffled groan and a few coughs, which abruptly pulled Ye Wen out of his contemplation.

Turning his head to look at Nangong Huang, who had moved to the side, Ye Wen smiled, “You have the same affliction as your master!” Then, flipping his palm, he produced a pill and casually tossed it into Nangong Huang’s hand: “Take this pill first; I’ll treat your injury later!” As soon as the pill appeared, the vast hall was instantly filled with fragrance. Merely smelling it energized everyone, making them instantly realize that the unassuming little pellet was a rare treasure spoken of only in legends.

Nangong Huang didn't overthink it, only feeling a surge of happiness upon hearing Ye Wen say his injury could be cured. He raised his hand and swallowed the pill. A wave of coolness flowed down his throat into his viscera, then spread outward, bringing a feeling of profound comfort throughout his body.

This pill was actually not one that Ye Wen had refined himself, but one he had found in the (South Sea Immortal Palace), along with quite a few other items. Thankfully, the vial was accompanied by an explanation, so despite the characters causing him a headache for a while, he eventually deciphered the uses of these elixirs.

However, few were truly applicable. Counting them up, only a few vials for healing and life-saving proved useful—these medicines seemed to belong to the Kunlun Sect!

Two other vials, according to the accompanying notes, should have been native to the Dragon Palace. One was said to have the effect of nourishing the physique, but Ye Wen had used that one to feed his cat. That cat, having never grown larger over the years, seemed connected to that vial.

Seeing this vial, Ye Wen thought of Bai Suzhen, wondering why she hadn't used this medicine. But then he recalled seeing her casually produce a similar pill and administer it to the cat that day. In that light, it wasn't that she didn't use it, but that the medicine had no effect on her.

Lost in thought, he drew his gaze back from Nangong Huang to Yue Ning’s descendants. The young man who had been loudly berating him earlier was now silent, presumably having been admonished by an elder. However, the look he directed at Ye Wen remained full of suspicion, as if silently challenging: Little man, don't think you can fool me!

In an instant, Ye Wen discerned the young man’s thoughts, but he had no time to bicker with this brat. Instead, he asked Yue Ning’s son, “What is your name?”

This question made everyone present pause, but Zhou Zhiruo quickly realized that when her master left, the Eldest Senior Brother hadn't even married, so naturally, she wouldn't know Yue Ning’s son’s name.

The middle-aged man stepped forward and bowed respectfully, stating, “Martial Ancestor is above; my father gave his grandson the character Hai (Sea)!” “Yue Hai.”

“Yes!”

The name itself was neither good nor bad, but in terms of meaning, it wasn’t lacking, suggesting Yue Ning had held some expectations for his son, though this son seemed rather disappointing.

Ye Wen asked no more of the father and instead turned to Yue Ning’s grandson: “And you?”

This boy was quite stubborn, immediately throwing his head back with an air of, Why should I tell you? This reaction, however, didn't anger Ye Wen; instead, it annoyed Guo Jing, who had remained silent until now: “Insolent beast! Not only have you caused a great disaster, but you dare show such disrespect to your Martial Ancestor?”

Saying that, he raised his hand as if to strike, and with a single step forward, everyone in the hall could hear a dull, heavy thud. The sound was like a muffled thunderclap, not only causing their ears to ring but also making their hearts leap. Everyone secretly thought: The power of Old Senior Guo is truly terrifying; I fear an ordinary master couldn't withstand even half a move from him…

If even masters dared not receive Guo Jing’s palm strike, much less that boy? It was estimated that if Guo Jing’s blow landed, the boy would instantly perish. Seeing his uncle so enraged, Yue Hai also showed a look of panic, quickly pulling his son back and saying, “He is just a child who doesn’t know propriety; please don't be angry, Uncle!” He then turned and immediately scolded, “Your Martial Ancestor is asking you a question, what is your attitude? Why aren't you bowing respectfully to your Martial Ancestor and answering?”

“Father, how can this person possibly be our Shu Mountain Sect’s Martial Ancestor? Have you all lost your minds? Anyone who shows up claiming to be our Martial Ancestor should be accepted?”

He finished speaking without regard for his father’s expression, then turned around and declared, “Who are you, petty thief, daring to impersonate our sect’s Martial Ancestor? Who in the world doesn't know that our Ancestor Ye shattered the void fifty years ago! Moreover, that venerable elder has already…”

Before he could finish, he felt a sting on his face, followed by sharp pain, and the back of his knees suddenly gave way, causing him to drop to the ground with a thump.

Only then did he feel a burning sensation on his face, and his head swam, vaguely seeing several stars flashing before his eyes. When he regained focus, he saw Ye Wen sitting there without moving, looking at him as if regarding an ant.

Furious, he tried to jump up but found he couldn't move at all, only then becoming truly panicked: “You... what kind of sorcery is this?”

Ye Wen snorted, “You can’t even recognize your own sect’s ultimate technique?” He turned to Yue Hai, saying, “You certainly taught your son well!” Yue Hai’s face paled, unsure how to reply!

Truthfully, when the disciples first reported the return of Ancestor Ye, he hadn't believed it. What stature did Ancestor Ye hold? He was a legendary figure who had shattered the void long ago, having long since left this world—and no one had ever heard of someone who shattered the void returning.

However, seeing the respectful demeanor of all his elders, their posture clearly indicating they had confirmed this young man, who looked similar in age to his own son, was indeed their sect’s Martial Ancestor, he suppressed any doubts he might have had.

Since the elders all acknowledge him, it must be true! This thought became Yue Hai’s current state of mind. It could be said that this person had lacked self-will since childhood, always acting according to his elders’ words. If Ye Wen knew what he was thinking, he might become angry again.

But everything that had just transpired made him discard his lingering doubts. His son might not recognize it, but how could he not? What had just occurred was clearly the Purple Qi Heavenly Net, and moreover, the Heavenly Net Aura that his own father hadn't fully mastered. His father had told him when he was young that only Martial Ancestor Ye Wen had truly mastered this Heavenly Net Aura.

Although his father had also learned the technique, due to his own limited talent and not having focused too intensely on this martial art, his Purple Qi Heavenly Net wasn't profound. Besides that, no one else in the Shu Mountain Sect understood this technique.

Yue Hai had studied it briefly under his father, but his talent was poor, and his Purple Qi Heavenly Net was stuck at the stage of forming a net of vital energy; the Aura field was practically an unreachable realm for him.

If he hadn't personally experienced his father using this technique, he might not have recognized it today, but even his father, Yue Ning, couldn't deploy the Purple Qi Heavenly Net Aura with such ease.

Thump. Yue Hai immediately knelt before Ye Wen, hurriedly begging for punishment: “Please punish your Martial Ancestor!” Ye Wen did not respond, realizing that Yue Hai seemed fiercely protective of his kin. While this request was for punishment, it was effectively interceding for his son, implying, This is my failure in guidance, not my son’s fault; punish me instead…

Ignoring Yue Hai, Ye Wen asked the boy again: “What is your name?”

This time, the boy didn't resist. He knew the situation was against him. Even if this person were a fake Martial Ancestor, such uncanny and unpredictable skills were not something he could afford to offend. He stammered out, “Yue… Yue Pan!” Ye Wen heard this and sighed, “What a pity for the character Pan (Plate/Revolve)!”

Before the others in the hall could decipher what Ye Wen meant by that statement, they heard him turn and address Wang Pengzu: “Was it this one who killed your nephew?”

Throughout this entire sequence, the focus of the Main Hall seemed to revolve entirely around the Shu Mountain Sect. Everything that unfolded after Ye Wen’s sudden appearance was too bizarre; the assembled guests had long forgotten their original reasons for coming to Shu Mountain, eagerly watching to see the final outcome of this matter concerning the sect.

This was an event rarely seen in a millennium: the Martial Ancestor who shattered the void decades ago suddenly returned, looking exactly as he did fifty years prior—how astonishing! Which spectator would miss such thrilling and amusing gossip? They all played docile, hoping to see and hear more, ensuring they would have topics to boast about with their martial peers upon leaving.

Moreover, this strange incident was happening within the Shu Mountain Sect, which had been the most prominent force in recent decades? It was known that after Ye Wen and Xu Xian shattered the void fifty years ago, Shu Mountain’s prestige was unmatched. Later, even though their disciples did not shatter the void, they were all top masters in the martial world, already commanding attention. Now, with such a major event occurring...

It wasn't until Ye Wen suddenly spoke to Wang Pengzu that everyone recalled their original purpose, curious how this Elder Ye would handle the situation?

Would he shield his own disciples? Or would he administer justice impartially, assigning a severe punishment to that Yue Pan?

Wang Pengzu had been sitting there, and only after Ye Wen addressed him did he pause for a moment before snapping back to attention. He immediately spoke a few words to someone beside him, then respectfully stood up and replied to Ye Wen: “Replying to the Elder, it is indeed this person!” Ye Wen nodded, then instructed Wang Pengzu to recount the entire sequence of events in detail before everyone. Wang Pengzu immediately understood that this Elder Ye intended to grant him justice, and he began recounting the original facts honestly.

It turned out that the rumors circulating were still not the truth; those whispers had already been lenient on the Shu Mountain Sect. The reality of the situation was even more malicious than what people had heard. Yue Pan had not only attempted to forcibly seize someone but had also threatened the Wang family, declaring he would wipe out their entire clan.

Upon hearing this, a collective uproar swept through the hall, and even Ye Wen was enraged. A burst of vital energy erupted from his hand, instantly turning the nearby tea table to dust, startling everyone present.

“What profound power is that?”

“It seems this person truly is Elder Ye of the Shu Mountain Sect, absolutely no doubt. Such power—how can it be humanly possessed?”

The crowd exchanged glances, sensing that the Shu Mountain Sect was about to become even more formidable. With the old monster from decades ago returned, what hope did other sects have? They might as well content themselves with vying for the title of the second-greatest sect; the first position was out of reach unless this old immortal left again.

When Wang Pengzu finished speaking, Ye Wen roared at Yue Pan: “Is a single word he spoke untrue?”

Yue Pan had intended to utter some sophistry, but when Ye Wen’s furious shout echoed, his mind went blank. Terrified, he dared not lie, and merely stated: “No!” He did not realize that Ye Wen’s roar, driven by wrath, had agitated the formidable Buddhist power within him. In that single cry of anger, the effect of the Buddhist Great Thunder Sound Technique was vaguely apparent. Ordinarily, with Ye Wen’s meager Buddhist cultivation, attempting to use the Great Thunder Sound Technique against an enemy would be a joke. However, none of the people before him could truly be called an enemy, so it still achieved some effect.

Ye Wen’s face was icy, making the Shu Mountain disciples anxious, unsure how this ancestor would deal with Yue Pan. Those within the sect who had close ties to Yue Pan also felt their hearts race, wondering if they would be implicated.

These thoughts were merely fleeting notions in their minds, but at this moment, with Ye Wen’s Buddhist power surging, these slight thoughts were momentarily laid bare by their fear. Ye Wen instantly perceived a flood of information. Although none of it was particularly useful, he wasn't a fool; these tiny pieces of data allowed him to deduce more, worse scenarios.

“Good! Good! Good!” Ye Wen uttered a ‘Good’ and pointed at a person. From Zhou Zhiruo to Yue Hai, and then from Yue Hai to Yue Pan, each ‘Good’ felt like a massive hammer striking their hearts.

When the three ‘Good’s concluded, Ye Wen suddenly demanded: “What other evil deeds have you committed? Speak them all now…”

At this pronouncement, the Shu Mountain disciples were stunned. Those with guilty consciences felt a jolt, their hearts nearly stopping. They looked at Yue Pan with expressions of desperate hope: Please don't say it…

Seeing no one speak, Ye Wen turned to the crowd of martial artists: “Gentlemen, you have come to Shu Mountain not just to watch a spectacle. Since many of you intended to seek redress here, why not speak up now while the opportunity is here!” The assembled martial artists stiffened and exchanged glances. While many were confused, one person suddenly strode out from the crowd and announced loudly: “Elder Ye is willing to preside over justice for this junior today; this junior certainly cannot be ungrateful!” As this person stepped forward, Ye Wen perceived he was one of those who had spoken on the plaza earlier, the one who informed Ye Wen that Yue Pan was Yue Ning’s sole grandson.

He scrutinized the man, seeing he was not yet thirty, dressed like a scholar, and based on his gait and breathing, not a master.

“What do you wish to say?”

The scholar pointed at Yue Pan: “Yue Pan has been bullying others by relying on his power. He not only beat our academy students arbitrarily, but several of our teachers were also beaten by him…”

“Academy?”

“Shu Mountain Academy…”

Hearing this, Ye Wen’s anger intensified. He then summoned the students and teachers of the Shu Mountain Academy to question them one by one, confirming that everything the scholar had said was true.

Once one person took the lead, others followed ceaselessly. Ye Wen discovered that the areas surrounding Shu Mountain had been thoroughly ravaged by this youth. People from several surrounding prefectures had come to Shu Mountain seeking justice. It turned out that Yue Pan had earned the title of ‘Little Tyrant’ in the martial world. After hearing all this, Ye Wen’s fury reached its peak.

Just then, a person stepped forward with a statement that directly stirred Ye Wen’s intent to kill: “This vile thief forcibly took the body of a virtuous woman, then tossed aside some silver and walked away, forcing that woman to hang herself…”