Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book Chapter 1027 - 716: Five-Colored Bone Fire Beads

As early spring arrived, the land bloomed with competing flowers, and a gentle mist veiled the scenery.

Lingyun Peak’s Lingyun Lake saw its waters swell considerably, causing numerous Spirit Fish to leap from the surface with great vigor.

The immense Black Mushroom Fish, only needing a slight tremor of its body, sent ripples across the lake.

In the blink of an eye, a ripple path formed on the water, and Ye Jingli strode out with evident excitement.

"I can finally wield the Water Refining Device! My Five-Colored Bone Fire Bead is undeniably as potent as a strike from a Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivator!" Ye Jingli proclaimed with a booming voice.

He then surveyed his surroundings, a touch of solitude clouding his gaze, as he retrieved a Sound Transmission Jade Talisman. He realized with a sigh that only a handful of individuals were available to contact.

Ye Jingyun was situated within the Assembly Hall, and Ye Xingqun could be found in the Bamboo Forest.

However, the Bamboo Forest was no longer its ordinary self; it had been transformed into the resplendent Spiritual Bamboo.

After a brief period of contemplation, Ye Jingli set his course towards the Bamboo Forest.

The bamboo rats inhabiting the grove were in perpetual motion, growing larger with each bound, their energetic leaps causing the bamboo stalks to sway rhythmically. Simultaneously, a multitude of Five Poison Bees had established their aerial routes, seemingly as busy as bees could be during their prime flowering season.

Ye Jingli took a seat at the customary stone table, withdrew the Sound Transmission Jade Talisman only to place it back, and proceeded to savor his Spirit Wine.

The stone table remained unchanged, as did the elegant pavilion.

Four stools were present, yet he found himself drinking in solitude.

He had once believed that maturity entailed the suppression of emotions, but now, it appeared that growing up meant embracing the quiet company of oneself.

The eldest among the Jing Generation, Ye Jingteng, had reached one hundred and one years of age; those of the Jing Generation who failed to achieve Foundation Establishment would inevitably follow the same path as the Sea Generation before them.

And within the Xing Generation, only Ye Xingqun remained on the entirety of Lingyun Peak.

Ye Jingli retrieved the Jade Wave Wine, a purchase previously made by the Ye Family, and downed two generous swallows.

The wine retained its fiery character, yet it no longer evoked the sensations of a Sea Domain vintage.

"Why are you not in seclusion, but instead indulging in Cyan Bamboo Wine steeped with Cyan Snake?" Ye Xingqun’s voice suddenly echoed through the air.

Immediately following his words, an old, dust-covered jar of Spirit Wine was placed upon the table, stirring up a small cloud of dust.

"Uncle Xingqun, you've anticipated my craving!" Ye Jingli responded with a joyous grin, swiftly dusting off the stool adjacent to Ye Xingqun.

As if concerned about any lingering specks of dust on the seat.

He then produced a Black Mushroom Fish.

"Uncle Xingqun, the Black Mushroom Fish in Lingyun Lake have grown to an impressive size, it would be a true waste to simply sell them!" Ye Jingli enthusiastically began the preparation of the Spirit Fish.

His movements were so practiced and skillful that Ye Xingqun found himself somewhat surprised; Ye Jingli’s expertise in cooking Spirit Fish bore a striking resemblance to that of Ye Jingcheng.

Soon, as a delightful Spirit Fragrance permeated the surroundings, the Black Mushroom Fish was perfectly cooked.

"This is a bit too much for just the two of us to consume, such a large fish!" Ye Jingli remarked, finding a minor flaw in the otherwise flawless preparation.

Ye Xingqun offered no verbal reply, simply pouring Spirit Wine for Ye Jingli.

He cast a glance at Ye Jingli’s countenance, which remained cheerful, and responded with a knowing smile.

The two men vigorously clinked their glasses, consuming three cups in rapid succession. It was only after an entire pot of Spirit Wine had been emptied that Ye Jingli spoke, a smile gracing his lips:

"Uncle Xingqun, nearly seventy years have elapsed, and the taste remains precisely the same!"

"Well then, what delightful news do you bring to share?" Ye Xingqun inquired, finishing his drink and returning Ye Jingli’s smile with a slight curve of his own.

Previously, Ye Xingqun had held Ye Jingcheng in the highest regard, but now, it seemed that Ye Jingli was also growing increasingly favorable in his estimation.

Upon hearing the question, Ye Jingli produced two Five-Colored Fire Beads, each roughly the size of a baby’s clenched fist.

These beads radiated a distinct five-colored fiery pattern, and their aura was undeniably potent.

It was evident that their power level was that of a Tier Two Top-Grade artifact.

"Uncle Xingqun, these are the most recent consumable Five-Colored Bone Fire Beads, meticulously refined using five distinct types of Beast Fire. Much like a Magical Artifact, they can be integrated and absorbed into one’s being. In a critical moment, they can truly catch an adversary off guard. Even a Purple Mansion Cultivator could face significant peril if reckless, while those in the Early to Middle Stages of Foundation Establishment could be reduced to ashes in an instant!" Ye Jingli’s eyes sparkled with animation as he explained.

When discussing his creations among Magical Artifacts, his demeanor was brimming with expression and unwavering confidence.

He did not consider himself the supreme Artifact Refiner in existence, but he believed himself to be at least competent and remarkably imaginative.

Ye Xingqun, upon learning of the Five-Colored Bone Fire Beads, offered enthusiastic praise but soon fell into a contemplative silence, as if a particular memory had been stirred within him.

For a brief period, he remained wordless, but Ye Jingli simply smiled and raised his cup for another toast.

Drinking deeply, his vision began to soften and blur.

Outside the pavilion, a gentle rain began to fall.

Ye Xingqun managed to maintain his composure, but Ye Jingli was truly becoming inebriated, his footing unsteady; neither of them utilized Spiritual Energy to dispel the effects of the alcohol.

Ye Xingqun recognized that within Ye Jingli’s heart lay a considerable amount of unresolved sorrow.

"Jing Li, do you recall Uncle Haitian?"

"He consistently preached that 'Unfairness is, in reality, the greatest form of fairness!'" Ye Xingqun began, his voice measured.

He was uncertain if Ye Jingli’s evident drunkenness prevented him from grasping the sentiment.

Nevertheless, he cleared his throat and proceeded to elaborate.

"When I was younger, I couldn't fathom the true meaning of family, being solely focused on diligent Cultivation and the pursuit of immortality. Yet, only those who have tread this path understand the illusory nature of Cultivation and longevity: a practitioner of Qi Cultivation lives for a hundred and twenty years, Foundation Establishment cultivators for two hundred and fifty, and even Nascent Soul cultivators, the most powerful among us, are granted only two thousand years of Lifespan. Life is transient, akin to a fleeting dream. What true significance does Cultivation hold for me?"

"Therefore, I discovered solace in the Dao of Insect Control. Although a Spirit Insect may perish, as long as it continually lays eggs, its swarm will invariably expand."

"The old succumb, the new emerge, the new age and yield to yet more newcomers, a cycle of unending hope!"

"And in what way is this not a familial bond? The elder generations pave the way, and eventually, we ourselves will ascend to become the elders."

"Consequently, when I rediscovered hope in Foundation Establishment amidst despair, my resolve was reignited, not driven by a thirst for Cultivation, but by the imperative of persistence in leaving a legacy. Hope is what we, the lesser figures in the Cultivation Realm, truly pursue: as long as the family endures, hope persists, and with it, our legacy!"

Ye Xingqun paused, lifting his cup once more. Raindrops, curving in the wind, fell into his drink.

Unperturbed, Ye Xingqun continued to drink heartily.

"Unfairness has perpetually existed, yet it has consistently shifted focus from the younger members of the family to the elder ones. In former times, a Qi Cultivation Cultivator with meager talent might have struggled to capture a Spirit Beast, or perhaps never found one at all, whereas now, with sufficient Spirit Stones, they are readily acquired. Compared to those past difficulties, how could we possibly assert that fairness prevails?" Ye Xingqun articulated each word with deliberate emphasis.

On the other side of the table, Ye Jingli’s eyes had already welled up with tears.

Indeed, it wasn't just them moving forward, but the entire family.

"Uncle Xingqun, I understand..." Ye Jingli nodded, finally resting his head upon the table.

The Ye Family had indeed achieved liberation, but for those residing on Lingyun Peak, they were consigned to an eternal confinement.

They were rendered immobile, unable to depart, their Spirit Insects remaining outside were constantly under the subtle influence of a Divine Sense.

These belonged to the Black Mushroom Fish merchants, who possessed the capacity to annihilate Ye Family Cultivators at any given moment.

And they were aware, even though a significant portion of the East Sea and Celestial Horse Sea Domain had been devastated, they had defended it; though two Nascent Souls had fallen, more than four Great Cultivators had emerged within the Cyan Cloud Sea Domain. The conclusion of the Beast Tide was merely a matter of time.

When the Beast Tide finally subsided, whether Qinghe Sect and Medicine King Valley would shoulder the accountability, or if the Ye Family and Taiyi Sect would, no one could ascertain.

This represented a grander strategic game, one to which they lacked the standing to participate; their only recourse was to await the outcome.

Yet, even in their most optimistic hopes, they harbored a sliver of optimism. The bleakest possibility remained that they might become expendable pawns...

"Jingli, in one month’s time, there will be the family clan gathering; you are to represent Lingyun Peak and participate!" Ye Xingqun added, his tone firm.

However, Ye Jingli still conveyed his refusal with a shake of his head.

"Uncle Xingqun, I intend to enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough. I shall not emerge until I have successfully reached the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment!"

"Jing Hu is on the verge of breaking through to the Purple Mansion stage; I cannot afford to fall too far behind!"

Observing this unyielding determination, Ye Xingqun let out a silent sigh. He retrieved two of the Three Five-Colored Bone Fire Beads and responded softly.

"This particular bead, I shall bestow upon Jing Yun!" With that, Ye Xingqun drained another cup, emptying the wine jar completely.

At some indistinct point, the rain from the horizon intensified, its pattering rhythm causing the bamboo rats within the forest to scatter in disarray.

The raindrops drummed incessantly upon the bamboo leaves and the pavilion’s roof, their impact creating ripples that spread outwards in successive layers...