Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book Chapter 1024 - 713: Reform Proposals

Within the grand hall, an atmosphere of elation pervaded the moment.

After all, the child was a descendant of Ye Jingcheng. Though his Spirit Root was not exceptionally outstanding, a majority within the Ye Family held the belief that Ye Jingcheng possessed a hidden Spirit Body.

Furthermore, Chu Yanqing was also identified as a Spirit Body.

The offspring born from two Spirit Body cultivators, in their estimation, could not possibly be ordinary.

Anticipation had already begun to build regarding the length of the Beast Pattern on Ye Jingcheng's child.

It was known that Ye Jingcheng's own Beast Pattern measured seven inches, supplemented by five inches and two separate one-inch patterns, establishing him as the individual with the most potent Beast Pattern talent in the entire Ye Family.

It was precisely this innate talent that underpinned Ye Jingcheng's astonishing cultivation speed and his capacity to form contracts with numerous Spirit Beasts.

"Jingcheng, with the impending arrival of your child, it's an opportune moment to deliberate on the family's policies. Currently, spanning even the Cyan Cloud Sea Domain, our family comprises seven hundred and eighty-one cultivators. However, only two hundred and ten are part of the Inner Hall. While this number suffices for a Purple Mansion Clan, it is significantly lacking for a Golden Core Clan!" Ye Haicheng interjected with fitting sagacity.

The Ye Family had been actively promoting the establishment of families and the procreation of more children among its cultivators.

Yet, cultivators, by their nature, differed from mortals; mere decrees could not easily sway their deeply ingrained habits.

Moreover, for mortals, bearing a child with a Spirit Root was already considered a profound honor.

Cultivators, however, presented a different scenario. Many, even those with Five Spirit Roots or merely Qi Cultivators, harbored concerns that procreation might impede their cultivation progress and diminish their longevity.

Devising methods to encourage these family members, who possessed Spirit Roots, was proving to be a complex undertaking.

"Grandfather, my proposal is to significantly enhance our reward policies. Firstly, given that our Ye Family possesses ample Spirit Stones, every cultivator who manifests a detectable Spirit Root shall be presented with a Tier One entry-level Spirit Beast. The family will subsequently provide the necessary cultivation techniques, academic resources, magical instruction, and an introduction to the Four Skills of Cultivation."

"Until they reach the age of twenty, they will commence the Inner Hall trials. Those demonstrating superior talent can initiate these trials as early as fifteen, ensuring that every family cultivator has the potential to mature into a vital pillar, thereby instilling confidence in those apprehensive that their progeny might not measure up!"

"Secondly, the clan allowance must be doubled. Our existing framework exhibits evident deficiencies. Clan members residing on Lingyun Peak depend on competitions and the Four Skills of Cultivation, while Hidden Peak relies on external sources for Spirit Stones, an unsustainable model. Therefore, augmenting the clan allowance, along with an additional grant for procreation, is imperative!"

"Naturally, this supplementary allowance need not be substantial, perhaps equivalent to ten years' worth of the normal stipend. Even if a family member fathers ten offspring, they can utilize the bonus allowance from their Spirit Root children to concentrate on cultivating a single exceptional descendant! If their ambition is grander, they could leverage the additional allowances from ten descendants to advance their own cultivation! Our Ye Family is not merely a Qi Cultivation or Foundation Establishment Clan, hence the need for a more dynamic approach than mere counting!"

"Certainly, the additional reward allowance for descendants possessing Celestial Spirit Roots and those with Four or Five Spirit Roots must reflect their unique potential, and once family members successfully pass the Inner Hall trials, this supplemental allowance should be deferred for a decade before re-evaluation. This represents a distinct facet of our Ye Family's strategic focus, extending beyond mere Spirit Root potential!"

"Thirdly, concerning family members lacking direct Ye Family bloodline, apart from being granted our surname, they may be invited to join the Elder Council and participate in pivotal family deliberations. This measure can draw parallels from the tattoo Spirit Shadows observed in the Zhang and Jia Families, thereby safeguarding against infiltration!"

Ye Jingcheng articulated these three points consecutively.

He firmly believed that reforms in reward structures and incentives for procreation were intrinsically linked.

During his tenure on Lingyun Peak, he had indeed initiated reforms concerning clan allowances and the support of families.

However, the impact had been restricted, not solely due to the insufficient intensity of the reforms but also because of Lingyun Peak's inherent limitations.

Now, situated in the Desert Sea, the Ye Family's initiatives could be implemented on a grander and more ambitious scale.

Despite the considerable number of oases the Ye Family had distributed, they still retained over fifty, and the cultivators assigned to develop the four major oases remained inadequate.

Although the Ye Family numbered over seven hundred individuals, barely more than four hundred resided within the Desert Sea.

Furthermore, the Ye Family maintained over a hundred members in the Cyan Cloud Sea Domain, along with a significant contingent of cultivators operating in the Taichang Market on Lingyun Peak and within the various caravans at Taihang Market.

Beyond these immediate family members, Ye Family personnel were also stationed in Yanhui Commandery and the Pill Desolate Secret Realm.

Within the vast expanse of the Desert Sea, comprising over four hundred individuals, a significant portion, specifically sixty to seventy, remain immersed in their clan studies. Consequently, these members are naturally excluded from participating in crucial family affairs. This situation precisely illustrates the necessity behind the Ye Family’s establishment of the Foreign Affairs Tower, as the family finds itself genuinely short of capable personnel, despite an abundance of resources.

“Grandfather, that concludes my report for now. I believe it’s imperative we convene a family meeting. First, we must deliberate on the resources under the control of the Inner Hall and assess our current financial standing for income, before making any detailed plans!” Ye Jingcheng added after concluding his statement.

Ye Haicheng responded with a smile upon hearing this, a reaction that stirred a sense of unease within Ye Jingcheng.

“Jingcheng, do you know what your Fifteenth Ancestor and I discussed? Our proposal is for you to continue as the Patriarch!” Ye Haicheng tentatively suggested, but Ye Jingcheng immediately clasped his hands in refusal.

“Grandfather, absolutely not. I can, at most, serve as an Alchemy Supreme Elder!” Ye Jingcheng firmly declined. His current focus is on researching numerous pill formulas, especially since Ye Qingyan has already succeeded in developing the Tier Two Vein-Protecting Pill. He cannot afford to fall behind, as doubling the clan's Purple Mansion cultivators is a critical objective. Thus, with a substantial number of Spirit Pills to refine, coupled with his personal cultivation needs and the responsibility of two children, Ye Jingcheng’s refusal was resolute.

Witnessing this unwavering stance, Ye Haicheng appeared somewhat disappointed. Currently, the Ye Family possesses a scarce number of individuals truly capable of assuming the role of Patriarch. While Ye Jingyu and Ye Xingliu possess the qualifications, they are both stationed in the distant Cyan Cloud Sea Domain. Ye Jingyun, though not entirely incapable of managing emergencies in the absence of most family members, lacks sufficient resolve. Furthermore, with the precarious situation at Lingyun Peak, Ye Jingyun is unable to depart. As for Ye Jing Hu, his personality is far too straightforward and impulsive. Ye Xingqun and Ye Jingfeng, on the other hand, lack the comprehensive foresight required for such a position.

After careful consideration, Ye Haicheng could only let out a helpless sigh. Seeing his grandfather’s sigh, Ye Jingcheng offered a faint smile.

“Grandfather, based on the brilliant strategy you employed back then, the position of Patriarch for the Nascent Soul Clan should rightfully belong to you!” Ye Jingcheng remarked humorously. He was referring to the time when the Xu and Mo Families, in collusion with five other clans, plotted against the Tai Cang Turtle. Ye Haicheng, with astute foresight, had used a deceased turtle as a decoy to trap their enemies, thereby extricating the Ye Family from the conflict. Subsequently, he managed to gradually defeat the other clans within Taihang Commandery. Even amidst such uncertainty, he had reached out to Ye Xingliu, intending to leverage the Treasure Light for assistance. Since that pivotal event, his standing within the family had soared meteorically.

“You haven’t changed one bit! However, there’s no need to make a decision so hastily. Perhaps once the Eastern Domain war concludes, your Third Uncle and Fourth Brother can return, alleviating the need for my old bones!” Ye Haicheng, sensing Ye Jingcheng’s reluctance, deftly shifted the topic. He then turned his gaze back to Ye Jingcheng, inquiring, “Jingcheng, how many portions of Purple Mansion Jade Liquid have you refined? We might need to send a portion to Cyan Cloud Nunnery. Should any unforeseen problems arise, our future exchanges will have to depend on Cyan Cloud Nunnery within the Yan Kingdom!”

The Ye Family's Lingyun Peak is, without a doubt, situated in a perilously dangerous locale. It is paramount for the Ye Family to establish contingency plans. If Cyan Cloud Nunnery were to ascend to the status of a Purple Mansion Clan, it would be highly unlikely for anyone to suspect any affiliation with the Ye Family, especially considering one is a sect of female cultivators and the other a family of male cultivators!

This strategic alliance would enable the Ye Family to gradually transition from selling Alchemy Spirit Beasts to engaging in the artifact refining and talisman making businesses of Cyan Cloud Nunnery. Secretly, they could dispatch caravans and conduct trade with the Cyan Spirit Market. Simultaneously, in the event of any adverse circumstances, Cyan Cloud Nunnery could shelter the mortal members of the Ye Family.

“There are two portions remaining, and additionally, there is one Purple Jade Fruit that has yet to be refined!” Ye Jingcheng nodded, promptly retrieving the items and handing one portion to Ye Haicheng and the other to Ye Xueliang.

“Jingcheng, I do not require it!” Ye Xueliang directly refused. Although he had utilized life-extension Spirit Medicine in the past, he was now nearing his absolute limit. Even if he were to attempt a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion realm, he would not squander the family’s precious Purple Mansion Jade Liquid.

“Fifteenth Ancestor, our family currently has an insufficient number of Purple Mansion cultivators; you cannot shirk your responsibility!” Ye Jingcheng swiftly produced a Longevity Spiritual Peach, appealing to a sense of duty. He observed that the elder generation of the Ye Family consistently prioritized the clan’s welfare above their own individual needs. Ye Haiyun had exemplified this, as had Ye Haiyi, and even Ye Haitian and Ye Xinghe had followed suit!

“This…” Ye Xueliang hesitated for a moment.

“Fifteenth Ancestor, the Advancement Pill for your contracted Silver Moon Python is nearing completion in our family’s research!” Ye Jingcheng added, pressing his case.

"Fifteenth Ancestor, I also have two Purple Jade Fruits; with Jingcheng’s Tier Four Alchemist status, refining five or six portions of Purple Mansion Jade Liquid is no problem, just accept them!" Ye Haicheng added, presenting two Purple Jade Fruits!

"Alright!" Ye Xueliang, never one to dither, readily accepted the Purple Mansion Jade Liquid and the Longevity Spiritual Peach upon hearing this.

Merely looking at Ye Jingcheng, his gaze was already brimming with a complex mix of emotions.

He also reminisced about the time when Ye Jingcheng first arrived at Sand Cloud Hideout.

At that point, Ye Jingcheng hadn't even achieved Foundation Establishment!

Now, Ye Jingcheng has reached the Golden Core stage, while he himself remains at the Peak of Foundation Establishment.

"Then, I offer my best wishes in advance to Fifteenth Ancestor for your breakthrough to the Purple Mansion; I will bring the two youngsters to celebrate with you, Fifteenth Ancestor!" Ye Jingcheng clasped his hands once more, and the entire family erupted in joyful laughter.

Subsequently, Ye Haicheng and Ye Xueliang presented the Spirit Materials they had gathered to Ye Jingcheng.

This significant meeting thus reached its conclusion.