Inside the room, Ye Xuan sat cross-legged on the bed, meditating. Ye Wushuang watched him quietly, a trace of worry on his face.

HUFF!

After about half an hour, Ye Xuan finally opened his eyes and let out a breath that rapidly transformed into a cold mist in the air.

Even Ye Rou failed to notice this subtle change. Seeing Ye Xuan awake, the worry on her face finally dissipated.

However, Ye Wushuang, who had been watching intently, did notice. He asked with a solemn expression, "Father, are you injured?"

Ye Xuan assumed Ye Wushuang was referring to his previous injuries and immediately said, "Don’t worry. I’ve broken through to the True Essence Third Layer. Luo Xun was merely at the True Essence Second Layer; he couldn’t hurt me."

"I’m talking about your internal injuries," Ye Wushuang said with a frown. Based on the symptoms, Ye Xuan’s internal injuries weren’t caused by Luo Xun.

"Internal injuries?"

Ye Rou’s eyes narrowed, not yet grasping the situation. "Xiaoshuang, what are you talking about?" she asked.

"It’s nothing!" Ye Xuan chuckled. "I just sustained some minor injuries when I ran into a Cold Ice Python while inspecting the family mines in the Blood Jade Mountain Range."

Inside the Chaos Space, the Dragon Cat muttered, ’Kid, don’t listen to your old man. His injuries are extremely serious!’

’You know about it?’ Ye Wushuang sent his Divine Sense into the Chaos Space.

The Dragon Cat responded, ’If Lord Cat’s estimate is correct, your old man has been afflicted with Cold Ice Poison. Every night, he endures the bone-chilling pain of the ice, and his Cultivation will gradually deteriorate. If it goes untreated, he’ll be reduced to a commoner in less than half a year.’

’Cold Ice Poison!’ Ye Wushuang’s expression sank.

’But don’t worry, kid. Just use that, uh, Fire Milk you have. Let him soak in a bath of it, and it’ll be sorted out in no time,’ the Dragon Cat said.

’Are you sure the Earth-Fire Spirit Milk can cure it?’ Ye Wushuang asked urgently.

’Kid, let me reiterate: do not question Lord Cat’s honor, alright?’ the Dragon Cat huffed, as if Ye Wushuang’s doubt had wounded its delicate little heart.

’Oh, right, give Lord Cat a few more barrels of that, uh, Fire Milk. Lord Cat feels that with a few more barrels, I’ll be able to leave the Chaos Space freely. Hehe, when that happens, Lord Cat can take you to plunder Ancient Tombs and storm the Secret Realms of the Nine Heavens! We’ll have an inexhaustible supply of Divine Soldiers and Divine Pills!’ the Dragon Cat said excitedly.

Hearing this, Ye Wushuang found it hard to believe a single word. ’This creature is all talk and no substance. How could it possibly plunder Ancient Tombs?’

However, the creature had indeed helped him just now, so a reward was in order. Ye Wushuang tossed it a few barrels of Earth-Fire Spirit Milk, then withdrew his Divine Sense from the Chaos Space.

’That kid doubts Lord Cat again,’ the Dragon Cat muttered to itself. ’Hmph, just wait until Lord Cat gets out of here. I’ll show him what Lord Cat is really capable of.’

"Shuang’er!"

Ye Xuan called out, seeing Ye Wushuang staring into space.

Ye Wushuang snapped out of it and said, "Father, I have a way to treat your internal injuries. Why don’t we do it now..."

"Let it be. The family meeting is about to start. We can talk about it after it’s over," Ye Xuan said with a smile. He was well aware of the state of his body; ’even a Treasure Pill would struggle to heal this injury.’

With that, Ye Xuan walked out.

Ye Wushuang moved to follow, but Ye Xuan was already gone. He thought for a moment, realizing he would have to wait until after the family meeting to treat his father.

「Four days passed in a flash.」

The Martial Arts Stage in the center of the Ye Family estate was more bustling than ever!

Young disciples of the Ye Family surrounded the Martial Arts Stage on all four sides, their passion palpable. Like the brilliant morning sun, they were high-spirited and brimming with youthful energy!

In a courtyard, Ye Wushuang emerged from his room. He gave a lazy stretch before heading out, but he hadn’t gone far before he saw Ye Xuan and Ye Rou approaching.

"Shuang’er!"

Ye Xuan called out with a smile, "I was just on my way to get you."

"Let’s go. I’m afraid those people are getting impatient." Ye Wushuang returned the smile, though his held a cold glint. He started walking toward the Martial Arts Arena.

"Shuang’er, just do your best. I don’t care about any of that; I only want the two of you to be safe," Ye Xuan said along the way.

"I understand." Ye Wushuang nodded. ’The position of Patriarch is just a title. Strength is what truly decides everything.’

’With enough strength, forget the position of Patriarch—even becoming the Emperor of a nation would be within my grasp!’

Ye Xuan knew this well, which was why he didn’t care.

Ye Wushuang didn’t care either, but for a different reason. ’I pursue the path to invincibility. If my strength is peerless, Heaven and Earth will be mine. This small family is not my stage!’

’But those people have gone too far. For the sake of the Patriarch’s seat, they’ve constantly targeted and undermined my father, disregarding all familial bonds. I just want to settle the score, and I’ll do it today!’

The three of them crossed a long corridor and arrived at the Martial Arts Arena.

Most of the people had already gathered at the Martial Arts Arena. The arrival of Ye Wushuang and his family immediately drew everyone’s attention. Their gazes were filled with a strange mix of curiosity and ridicule.

That ridicule was aimed at Ye Wushuang. Three times in three years... how could he not be familiar with such gazes?

"Ye Wushuang!"

At the same time, Ye Feng’s icy voice, laced with killing intent, sounded from nearby.

Ye Wushuang turned to see Ye Xiong and his two sons also entering the Martial Arts Arena.

Upon seeing Ye Xiong, a crowd of Ye Family Elders and others immediately swarmed him with smiling faces and enthusiastic greetings, as if Ye Xiong were the true Patriarch and master of the Ye Family.

In contrast, not a single person came forward to greet Ye Xuan’s group, save for Ye Wushuang and Ye Rou who stood by his side—even though Ye Xuan was the head of the family.

However, no one found this strange. As things stood in the Ye Family, Ye Xiong had already won the support of the Elders and had the best chance of becoming the next Patriarch. No one dared to disrespect him.

Furthermore, with Ye Cheng’s breakthrough to the Qi Vortex Eighth Layer, his position as the family’s number one genius was cemented. The role of Patriarch was sure to fall to him in the future, so everyone wanted to get on his good side in hopes of benefiting from his success later on.

Ye Xiong shot Ye Xuan’s trio a cold smile before walking toward the high platform at the side.

"Ye Wushuang, you just wait. I won’t let you get away with this." Ye Feng shot Ye Wushuang a venomous glare. ’Today, I will cripple him and get revenge for my arm.’

"I’ll be waiting," Ye Wushuang replied with a cold smile.

"Shuang’er, let’s go up as well." Ye Xuan suppressed his anger and led Ye Wushuang and Ye Rou onto the high platform.

On the high platform was a row of seats where Ye Xiong, Ye Xiao, and a group of Elders were already seated.

Ye Cheng, Ye Feng, and others of their generation were also seated there. They held the special status of "family geniuses" and were therefore qualified to sit in those seats!

Ye Xuan took the main seat and called to Ye Wushuang and Ye Rou, "You two, sit next to me."

Ye Wushuang nodded and prepared to sit down.

However...

The Fourth Elder, seated nearby, suddenly stood up. "That seat is already taken," he declared, cupping his fist. "He cannot sit there."

At these words, Ye Xuan’s gaze turned cold. "Fourth Elder, may I ask who the current Patriarch of the Ye Family is?"

"Of course, it is you, Patriarch," the Fourth Elder replied with a frown.

"Since you still acknowledge me as the Patriarch, let me ask you another question: am I not the one who makes the decisions in the Ye Family?" Ye Xuan’s gaze grew even colder.

"You are!"

Even though the Fourth Elder was reluctant to admit it, the fact remained: Ye Xuan was still the Ye Family Patriarch, and he still had the final say in the family’s affairs.

"Since that’s the case! Then what right do you have to question my words? I told my son to sit beside me. What right do you have to say he cannot!"

Ye Xuan stared coldly at the Fourth Elder, his voice ringing with one question after another, his domineering aura bearing down on the man. ’A mere Elder dares to walk all over me, the Patriarch, and target my son? How could I possibly tolerate this?’