Chapter 217: Speech

Ye Jun stood at the highest position in the hall, overlooking the people belonging to the absolute top of the world. Granted, they weren't the top powerhouses themselves, but they represented the people behind them. That alone said a lot.

Now, all of them had risen from their seats with wine glasses in their hands. Upon Song Yanyan's declaration, they all raised their drinks and congratulated him.

It felt surreal for a moment, but Ye Jun wasn't fooled by their sweet words. He could see that while their faces wore smiles, their eyes told a completely different story.

'They are unsettled,' Ye Jun thought, smiling as he bowed slightly to show his respect to them.

He already knew that the Empire didn't like the North standing so strong while remaining isolated from them. It didn't help that nature itself favored the North, separating it from the rest of the world through the Black Wind Wildlands.

Considering they were already wary of the Song Clan's strength, they certainly didn't welcome the addition of a prodigy like him. If they could, they would have already captured him or, at the very least, attempted to poach him.

Apparently, he possessed the potential to reach the Saint Realm, as Song Yanyan had told him. That was a realm even she hadn't reached despite decades of hard work and an endless supply of resources.

Naturally, the Empire didn't want another future Saint Realm powerhouse standing on the North's side. If that happened, the North would become completely beyond their control.

He exchanged a glance with Song Yanyan and caught the amused glint in her eyes. Seeing it, he relaxed slightly. She understood politics far better than he did, so she naturally understood the significance of today's announcement as well.

'This is going to be tough to deal with...' Ye Jun thought. 'I chose these responsibilities.'

All his life, responsibility and orders had been forced upon him, so he had gradually grown to dislike them. Yet, at this moment, he felt no resentment toward the responsibilities that came with becoming the Song Clan's Son-in-law.

It was because he had chosen them this time.

Beside him, Song Yanyan watched the atmosphere inside the grand hall gradually recover from the heavy discussion surrounding the Heaven Opening Chasm before smiling faintly.

Seeing the countless distinguished guests once again wearing courteous smiles instead of solemn expressions, she finally turned toward the two standing quietly beside her.

"Since today's banquet revolves around the two of you," she said leisurely, "it wouldn't be appropriate if only this Matriarch did all the talking."

Her dark eyes shifted between them.

"Liangxue. Ye Jun."

The pair instinctively straightened.

"Say a few words."

A wave of quiet laughter spread throughout the hall. The request itself wasn't surprising. After all, the marriage alliance announced today wasn't merely a private family affair—it was an event witnessed by nearly every major power across the empire. Naturally, the newly married couple had to address the guests themselves.

Ye Jun wasn't particularly nervous, but he certainly hadn't expected this. Thousands upon thousands of eyes immediately settled on him once again, each belonging to figures capable of shaking entire regions with a single command.

Even if many of them were merely representatives, the forces standing behind them were among the absolute strongest on the continent.

He glanced toward Song Liangxue.

She met his gaze before giving the slightest nod, the corners of her lips carrying an almost imperceptible smile.

The meaning couldn't have been more obvious.

You're first.

Ye Jun inwardly chuckled before taking two calm steps forward. His expression remained composed as he cupped his fists respectfully toward the sea of distinguished guests filling the enormous hall before him.

"This junior, Ye Jun, greets all the honored seniors."

His voice wasn't particularly loud, yet every cultivator present heard it with perfect clarity. The grand hall had long been covered by sound-transmitting formations specifically designed for ceremonies of this scale.

"I thank everyone for traveling such great distances to attend today's banquet." He paused briefly, allowing his gaze to sweep across the countless unfamiliar faces. "To be honest, I was never particularly good at making speeches."

That straightforward admission caused quite a few smiles to appear throughout the audience.

"So I won't waste everyone's valuable time saying things that sound pleasant but carry little meaning." After another brief pause, Ye Jun continued calmly. "The Matriarch has already announced everything that needed to be announced. Liangxue and I are now husband and wife. As for my position within the Song Clan..."

He looked toward Song Yanyan for the briefest of moments before returning his attention to the crowd.

"I understand the weight behind it. Many of the seniors present today have likely already formed your own opinions about me. Some may think highly of me, while others may believe I have yet to prove myself. I believe both are reasonable."

His words immediately caused several patriarchs to narrow their eyes ever so slightly.

Rather than denying the doubts surrounding him or boasting about his own achievements, Ye Jun openly acknowledged them. It wasn't the answer they had expected from someone so young.

"As for whether I truly deserve to stand here..." A faint smile appeared on his face. "Time and my actions will answer that question far better than anything I can say today."

He once again cupped his fists toward the assembly.

"So, for now... I simply thank everyone for honoring the Song Clan with your presence."

With those final words, Ye Jun quietly stepped back to his original position beside Song Liangxue.

The entire speech lasted barely a minute.

There were no grand declarations, no vows to shake the heavens, nor any arrogant promises about reaching the peak of cultivation. It was remarkably ordinary.

Yet, precisely because of that, many of the older figures found themselves reassessing the young man standing before them.

Song Yanyan smiled with clear satisfaction. She had expected exactly this kind of response from him.

Confident without being arrogant. Humble without appearing weak.

For someone who had only stepped onto the world's highest political stage mere moments ago, it was more than enough.

Her gaze then shifted toward her daughter.

"Liangxue."

A rare trace of amusement flashed through Song Liangxue's icy eyes before she gracefully stepped forward.