South of the Yangtze River, the Ye Family Courtyard was pervaded by a thick atmosphere of desolation.
Elder Ye Changfeng sat expressionless at the head, with ten urns arranged in a row on the long table before him.
A three-star general clad in camouflage solemnly stood by the side, his face heavy as he opened the death notices in his hands.
"Ye Zhengguo, 48 years old, died in battle in the Northern Region on July 28th, no remains were left."
"Ye Zhenghua, 43 years old, died in battle in the Eastern Region on July 28th, no remains were left."
"Ye Lingtian, 27 years old, died in battle in the Southern Region on July 28th, no remains were left."
"Ye Lingjun, 26 years old, died in battle on the Southeastern Frontier on July 28th, no remains were left."
...
After the ten death notices were read out, the entire hall fell eerily silent.
Ten loyal and courageous members of the Ye family's third generation had died in battle on the same day across the Six Major War Zones of Great Xia, almost wiping out the Ye family. Such grief caused the air throughout the entire courtyard to feel stifling.
Boom! Boom!
Above the Ye Family Courtyard, thirty-six fighter jets roared as they circled overhead, with nineteen gun salutes sounding off in unison. The alarms were sounded throughout, and the flag was lowered to half-mast, bidding farewell to the loyal fallen of the Ye family.
But all these could not change the grim fate of the Ye family's fallen.
"Old general, the enemy's plan was too meticulous this time. We didn't foresee such a tragedy, condolences..." The three-star general Ning Yu bowed towards Ye Changfeng, his voice somewhat hoarse.
The Ten Great Proud Sons of Heaven from the Ye family had all been ambushed and killed on the same day in different War Zones of Great Xia.
Even a fool would know that such a coincidence was impossible!
This was a calculated operation aimed at completely eradicating the Ye family!
Ning Tao glanced at Ye Fan, who stood behind Ye Changfeng, the last sole scion of the Ye family.
Five years ago, Ye Fan was the number one prodigy talent of Great Xia, but following a car accident, he had become an idiot.
At this moment, Ye Fan, holding a pink Little Pig Peiqi in his arms, had a foolish look on his face, seemingly unaware of what had happened.
What nobody noticed was the faint glimmer of gold suddenly emerging on a jade pendant on Ye Fan's chest, followed by a soft crack. The pendant shattered on the spot, revealing uniform cracks. Strands of golden light burst from the broken pendant and quickly entered Ye Fan's body.
In an instant, a look of sharp intelligence flashed through Ye Fan's otherwise blank stare.
"Damn! I actually sealed myself for five years... speechless..."
Five years ago, the 15-year-old Ye Fan had already stepped onto the path of martial arts, mastered Energy Transformation, achieved control, broke through to the Grandmaster Realm, and became rightfully the number one prodigious talent of the younger generation in Great Xia.
But while Ye Fan was researching how to break through to the Martial Venerable Realm using Rune Talismans, he was suddenly hit by a car. Following a series of unfortunate events, he locked two of his three souls and six of his seven spirits inside the jade pendant on his chest, leaving only a single soul and spirit to support his body through five clueless years.
Even if he couldn't leave a descendant, with the marriage to Xuan Yufei, at least after his own death, the Xuan Family could protect Ye Fan for the rest of his life.
At the scene, everyone who saw Ye Changfeng in such a state was deeply moved.
"Ah! It hasn't been easy for the old general. The Ye Family established grand military merits for the empire back in the day; it's tragic to see them like this now..."
"Isn't it so! Ten great generals of a family being attacked and killed on the same day, it's too abnormal!"
"They're trying to uproot them completely, and this matter must have had inside help – and from a very high position at that!"
"Shush! Don't talk nonsense, do you want to bring disaster upon yourself?"
Just when there was a commotion at the scene, suddenly two figures quickly walked towards the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please excuse the interruption, taking advantage of the presence of so many people here as witnesses, I, Xuan Zhengguo, on behalf of Princess Yu, would like to announce something..."
The one who went up on the stage was the second son of the Xuan Family, Xuan Zhengguo, and beside him was the young lady of the Xuan Family, Xuan Yufei!
"You are all aware, back in the day, the Xuan Family and the Ye Family had an engagement! But now, Ye Fan has become a fool, and my Xuan Family has decided... to annul the marriage, please nod your approval, Old Master!" Xuan Zhengguo, holding the microphone, announced the news with an indifferent tone.
Yet, these words were undoubtedly a bombshell at the scene.
Suddenly, everyone started to stir!
What?
The Ye Family has faced such a great calamity, and the Xuan Family wants to cancel the marriage at this time?
How is this any different from kicking a man while he's down?
"That's too cruel! Is the Xuan Family in such a hurry to completely sever ties with the Ye Family?"
"Alas! Probably the Xuan Family is afraid. With the fall of the Ye Family, those enemies will definitely take action against families close to the Ye Family. If the Xuan Family does not annul the marriage, they might be the first to be dealt with!"
"But there was no need to be so hasty, how could Elder Ye bear this?"
Swish swish!
All eyes turned towards Ye Changfeng, filled with concern.
"You..."
Pfft!
Ye Changfeng had only spoken a single word when he suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and staggered backward, falling to the ground.
The nearly eighty-year-old Old Master Ye finally fell!
The Xuan Family's annulment became the last straw that broke Ye Changfeng...