The great hall was a seething cauldron of noise, filled with an endless stream of mockery and angry curses.

Yet, Shen Xian remained utterly composed, his expression unruffled.

While today’s scene was somewhat unexpected, it still fell well within his calculations.

“Everyone, have you said your piece?”

After a long while, Shen Xian finally spoke. His voice was not loud, but it swept through like a gentle breeze, gradually silencing the clamor in the hall.

everyone was taken aback for a moment, only for their anger to flare even hotter.

“Shen Xian! What is the meaning of this attitude?!”

“If you do not give our Ye Family a proper explanation today, do not dream of leaving here unscathed!”

Ye Mingyuan’s gaze was gloomy as he slowly said, “Third Young Master Shen, things have reached this point. What more do you have to say?”

Shen Xian smiled faintly. His eyes swept over the crowd before finally settling on the Matriarch, Ye Jingxin. He cupped his hands in a respectful salute. “Matriarch, I fear there has been a misunderstanding regarding this matter.”

“A misunderstanding?” someone sneered. “The items in that chest are clearly your Shen Family’s congratulatory gift. How could they be fake?”

Shen Xian shook his head, his tone leisurely. “The items in that chest are indeed from my Shen Family. However…” He paused, his gaze suddenly sharpening as he stared directly at Ye Mingyuan. “They are not the birthday gift. They are a return gift I prepared for Qingxian. I simply do not know why someone with ulterior motives took it upon themselves to have it carried up here.”

His words froze the entire hall.

“A return gift?” someone asked, confused.

Ye Mingyuan’s brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly recovered his composure and said indifferently, “Third Young Master Shen, that excuse is far too forced. The chest is clearly engraved with the character ‘Shen,’ and it was carried up as a congratulatory gift. How could it be your personal property?”

Shen Xian chuckled lightly. “I never ordered it to be brought up. You can ask Qingxian about this matter!”

Everyone looked toward Ye Qingxian.

“That is correct,” Ye Qingxian stated calmly from where she sat in serene silence, confirming that these items were not the birthday gift.

Ye Mingyuan’s heart sank slightly, but his expression remained steady. “If this is not the birthday gift, then where is the congratulatory gift Third Young Master Shen prepared? Surely… you are not planning to use something bestowed upon you by your family to make up the numbers?”

His words directly blocked Shen Xian’s escape route.

If what Shen Xian produced next did not resemble a proper birthday gift, it would mean either that the Shen Family had prepared no gift at all, or that they intended to use that chest of items to insult the Ye Family.

In either case, this direct descendant of the Shen Family would bear full responsibility.

The hall fell into complete silence. All eyes were focused on Shen Xian, awaiting his response.

“Fourth Uncle’s words miss the mark,” Shen Xian began slowly, his tone unhurried. “When I, Shen Xian, act, why would I need to borrow my family’s influence?”

With that, he flicked his sleeve. In his palm, a glazed lamp of crystalline purity suddenly appeared.

As soon as the object emerged, the spiritual light within the hall surged dramatically. The lamp was utterly translucent, containing shifting, rainbow-hued radiance within. At its wick, something resembling a flowing river of stars could be seen—profound and mysterious to the extreme.

“What is this?” Matriarch Ye Jingxin’s eyes focused intently as her gaze locked onto the glazed lamp.

Shen Xian smiled slightly and presented it with both hands. “Matriarch, this object is called the ‘Glazed Lamp of Retrospection.’ It is an inheritance token from the ancient sect, the Mystic Dream Pavilion—a top-grade spirit treasure!”

The hall instantly erupted into an uproar.

“The Glazed Lamp of Retrospection?!”

“An artifact from ancient times?!”

“This… this is actually a spirit treasure?!”

…

Ye Mingyuan’s pupils contracted sharply; shock filled his heart.

The mere fact that it was an ancient spirit treasure was enough to surpass the vast majority of treasures present in this hall. Using it as a birthday gift was more than sufficient.

But he was unwilling to concede. In a heavy voice, he asked, “Are you certain this is something you specifically prepared for the Matriarch?”

Shen Xian gave a faint smile and looked toward the Matriarch calmly. “Although this object is precious, it is typically used for appreciation and holds little practical use for the inexperienced younger generation. However, for someone like yourself, Matriarch, it possesses unique merits.”

He lightly tapped the glazed lamp with his fingertip, injecting a wisp of spiritual power into it. Instantly, radiant light swirled around the wick, transforming into a hazy play of light and shadow.

“This object can recreate scenes from memory, allowing the holder to feel immersed, as if returning to those bygone days.”

“Simultaneously, it can soothe one’s mind and spirit, preventing mental damage even if one becomes lost in its illusions.”

“For your thousand-year birthday celebration, Matriarch, you must have many past events worth reminiscing about. This object is perfectly suited for you.”

His voice was not loud, yet each word was clear and distinct, reaching everyone’s ears.

The expressions in the hall shifted…

They hadn’t expected this ancient spirit treasure to have such seemingly trivial functions. Yet, some realized that this object truly seemed most suitable as a birthday gift after all.

Elders enjoyed nostalgia. This Matriarch had experienced much in her youth and witnessed the entire rise and fall of the Ye Family; naturally, she had many stories worth revisiting.

And indeed…

Originally calm and unruffled, a flicker of emotion passed through Ye Jingxin’s eyes. She slowly reached out and took the glazed lamp. As her fingertip lightly touched the wick, fragmented images, like pieces of memory, began to flow before her eyes.

She seemed to see her own youthful appearance once more… saw comrades-in-arms who had fought alongside her… saw those long-vanished years…

A trace of rare softness actually surfaced in the depths of her eyes.

“What an exquisite Glazed Lamp of Retrospection…” she murmured softly; her tone carried a hint of emotion.

Witnessing this scene deepened everyone’s shock!

The Matriarch had always been dignified and profound; her emotions never showed on her face. Yet, at this moment, she was visibly moved by a mere glazed lamp!

This alone demonstrated how great an attraction this object held for her!

Ye Mingyuan’s face darkened; hatred churned in his heart. But matters had reached this point; finding further fault would be difficult now. He could only force out a strained smile. “Third Young Master Shen is indeed thoughtful; this object truly is precious.”

“This is my Shen Family’s true birthday gift,” Shen Xian said while staring at Ye Mingyuan. “As for that chest… who knows who brought it up.”

Suddenly, everyone understood.

Only now did they realize that this direct descendant of the Shen Family seemed different from the rumored good-for-nothing waste.

And those high-ranking members of the Ye Family also realized they might have been used by someone with ulterior motives; displeasure showed on their faces.

Ye Mingyuan felt extremely awkward—especially since he himself had emphasized earlier that he ordered it brought up.

“This matter was my oversight; my apologies, Third Young Master Shen!” He cupped his hands in a stiff apology.

But Shen Xian didn’t even glance at him before turning around, intending to return to his seat among the honored guests.

However… Ye Jingxin spoke. “Son-in-law Shen! Wait!”

Shen Xian halted mid-step, then turned back, respectfully saluting. “What instructions does the Matriarch have?”

Ye Jingxin gently stroked the Glazed Lamp of Retrospection with her fingertips; fleeting reminiscence flashed through her eyes.

A moment later, she slowly raised her left hand. A jade ring, entirely emerald green, slid from her finger and hovered in mid-air.

“This ring is called the Evergreen Ring. I obtained it five hundred years ago within an ancient ruin.” Her voice remained gentle yet caused everyone present within the hall to collectively gasp sharply. “The wearer may extend their lifespan by thirty years while also nourishing their meridians, greatly benefiting cultivation practice…”

On the surface, Shen Xian possessed ninth-grade spiritual roots and might be stuck at the second layer of the Qi Refining Realm his entire life—this item could indeed extend his lifespan.

Originally, Ye Jingxin hadn’t planned on bestowing such an item.

But firstly, she felt great interest toward the ancient spirit treasure itself. Secondly, she actually knew the behind-the-scenes truth regarding the gift presentation involved interference from Ye Mingyuan. Yet, witnessing the composed response from Shen Xian made her view of this seemingly talentless direct descendant somewhat higher.

Upon hearing these words, the entire assembly erupted anew!

For cultivators, lifespan remained the most precious thing, always sought after.

Extending one’s lifespan by thirty years represented an immense temptation to many people.

Most importantly, the act of gifting this conveyed a message—the Matriarch held great fondness toward this direct descendant of the Shen Family.

Behind the jade curtain, Ye Mingyuan’s face instantly turned an ashen iron-gray. The fist hidden within his sleeve clenched tight unconsciously.

He stared fixedly at the jade ring, the coldness deepening within the depths of his gaze.

Shen Xian displayed a look of surprise. “Matriarch… This…”

“Since you gifted me the Glazed Lamp of Retrospection, I naturally must reciprocate.” Ye Jingxin smiled faintly, and the jade ring slowly drifted toward Shen Xian. “Moreover, since you married Qingxian, you are no longer considered an outsider.”

The jade ring landed in Shen Xian’s palm, warm and smooth, yet carrying a hint of coolness.

Shen Xian could clearly sense the vast, vigorous vitality contained within.

“Many thanks, Matriarch, for your generous bestowal.” He saluted solemnly and respectfully.