Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book Chapter 1029 - 718: Spirit Seed Spirit Nurturing, Qingnian and Qing Feng
Previously on Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book...
Rising high above the Desert Sea, two imposing mountain peaks pierced through the immense expanse of white mist.
They stood like the vibrant green shoots of spring, impossible to fully conceal even by the sea of clouds or the Ye Family's own intricate formations.
It is common for majestic mountains to ascend with the elevation of spirit veins, and Celestial Shadow Peak and Earth Shadow Peak were no exception to this rule.
Perched upon the mountainside of Celestial Shadow Peak, a flourishing spirit medicine garden was conspicuously situated, right in the heart of the swirling white mist.
Several Star Pear Woods commanded attention in the garden's center, their leaves shimmering with latent starlight, brilliantly pulsating in rhythm with the ebb and flow of spiritual energy.
A cultivator, clad in a crimson dress, was diligently applying spirit liquid to the Star Pear Woods.
"Elder Xing, is this spirit liquid deemed suitable?" the female cultivator inquired after meticulously watering the surroundings.
"Suitable indeed, Jingyu; this particular spirit liquid appears even more beneficial to us now than before!" The beings addressed as Elder Xing were Ye Jingcheng’s collective of Wood Demons. Though their soul contracts had not yet been dissolved, the family had already begun nurturing them. The harvest of star pear fruits was designated for the family, with half allocated to Ye Jingcheng. Should Ye Jingcheng forgo the star pear fruits, they would be converted into corresponding contribution points for his use.
Ye Jingyu and Ye Xinghan were spearheading the research into the Wood Heart Spirit Liquid. However, Ye Jingyu’s cultivation remained at the zenith of the Early Stage of Foundation Establishment.
In recent years, her attempts to communicate with a Tier Two Spirit Beast had unfortunately culminated in failure to advance to Tier Two. This setback caused a violent backlash in her bloodline, necessitating the rearing of a new spirit beast. Coupled with her ongoing research into Wood Patterns and Spirit Liquid, her cultivation progress had been notably sluggish.
This was largely due to the Ye Family's significant deficit in wood-attribute demon beasts.
"The better, the more welcome!" Ye Jingyu expressed considerable satisfaction upon receiving the affirmative responses from the Star Pear Wood Demons, confirming that her years of dedicated effort had not been in vain.
Once it reached a certain developmental stage, she could provide it to Ye Jingcheng. This would enable Peach Wood to also benefit from consuming both Wood Heart and spirit liquid, accelerating its breakthrough. Subsequently, the members of the Ye Family would have the opportunity to partake in spirit peaches imbued with enhanced life-extending properties.
Ye Jingyu found genuine pleasure in cultivating the Ye Family’s spirit plants. While the sale of spirit pills in Taichang Market had aided her in reaching Foundation Establishment, the cultivation of spirit medicine was now a heartfelt passion, and she persistently pursued the concept of 'stealing life'.
Considering the remarkably long lifespans of Wood Demons, her success in this research would undoubtedly secure a truly enduring legacy for the Ye Family’s future.
Peach Wood, in the end, had its limitations.
For cultivators, the perpetual bottleneck is always an insufficient lifespan.
However, even before that pursuit, determining how to cultivate more Wood Demons and researching spirit liquids that expedite the Demons’ cultivation were also crucial directions for her research.
"On a related note, Elder Xing, does the Spirit Seed Array function without any other complications?" Ye Jingyu posed another question.
This specific spirit medicine garden crowning Celestial Shadow Peak was no ordinary cultivation plot; it was enhanced by the Spirit Seed Spirit Nourishing Array, an acquisition from the Pill Desolate Secret Realm.
Nevertheless, as the Ye Family had undertaken its recreation, they remained in an exploratory phase, meticulously fine-tuning the proportions of various spirit medicines.
It was only natural to allow these Star Pear Woods, originally sourced from the spirit medicine gardens of the Pill Desolate Secret Realm, to lead the exploration.
"It is nearing perfection; this type of array significantly hastens our cultivation and amplifies the efficacy of our star pears!" the Star Pear Wood Great Demons disclosed without reservation.
At present, they expressed profound contentment with Celestial Shadow Peak, boasting a Tier Five Spirit Vein and the Spirit Seed Array – amenities they had previously only dared to envision.
They were, of course, fully aware that this favorable arrangement was due to the Ye Family’s current lack of abundant Tier Four Spirit Medicine for cultivation. Once a greater quantity of Tier Four Spirit Medicines became available, they recognized that their access to the Spirit Seed Array for their personal cultivation would undoubtedly cease.
"Very well, my gratitude, Elder Xing!" Ye Jingyu acknowledged with a nod, preparing to depart.
The Ye Family currently managed several spirit medicine gardens, including two designated for Tier Four Spirit Medicine, which placed a substantial weight of responsibility upon Ye Jingyu’s shoulders.
However, just as she was about to leave, her attention was captured by an imposing surge of spiritual pressure emanating from further up Celestial Shadow Peak’s mountainside.
Concurrently, a multitude of spiritual energies from across the mountain converged dramatically towards that singular focal point.
"Hasn't this occurred for the fifth time this month already?" Ye Jingyu’s eyes reflected a complex blend of wistful envy and familial pride.
The significant stircations arose as numerous individuals were advancing from Qi Cultivation to the Foundation Establishment realm.
Following the Ye Family's trials, including the harrowing Beast Tide and the arduous Desert Sea War, a multitude of their members had amassed considerable resources. These accumulated assets encompassed rare treasures, potent spirit medicines, invaluable combat experience, and an unyielding determination, all converging to critical junctures ripe for cultivation breakthroughs.
With the Desert Sea now experiencing a period of stability, ascensions to higher cultivation realms were occurring with remarkable frequency, akin to the rapid emergence of bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
This surge in progress did not even account for those merely advancing a minor cultivation tier.
Were those incremental advancements included, the numbers would be even more astounding; within the span of the last six months alone, a staggering one-fourth of the Ye family's total membership had achieved a breakthrough.
The primary reason for this less-than-universal rapid advancement was attributed to the prolonged seclusion periods some members required for their intricate cultivation breakthroughs.
"This breakthrough anomaly should correspond to someone from the Qing Generation!" Ye Jingyu deduced, pinpointing the likely origin based on the observed location of the cave mansion.
Presently, the Ye Family, having successfully secured dominion over the Celestial Phoenix Oasis, possessed an abundance of unclaimed spirit veins and available mountain peaks.
Cultivators who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage were now afforded the liberty to select and establish their personal cave mansions on alternative peaks, rather than being restricted to the confines of Celestial Shadow Peak and Earth Shadow Peak.
This newfound freedom offered greater convenience, particularly for the nurturing and raising of spirit beasts. Most of these clan members chose to occupy a peak individually or with one or two others, only returning to the designated seclusion grounds on Celestial Shadow Peak and Earth Shadow Peak when the crucial period for their breakthrough arrived.
After observing the situation for a while longer, Ye Jingyu subsequently murmured to himself:
"Once the upcoming family meeting concludes, I too must enter a period of profound seclusion!"
...
On Celestial Shadow Peak, within the secluded cave mansion belonging to Ye Jingcheng, Chu Yanqing's abdomen was visibly and impressively rounded.
At this precise moment, she was situated beneath the shade of a Spiritual Apricot Tree, leisurely basking in the warm sunlight while engrossed in the study of a jade talisman.
Due to the significant demands of her pregnancy, her dedicated cultivation time had naturally diminished. This reduction allowed her more time to focus on artifact refining, primarily dedicating herself to examining artifact refining jade talismans.
The artifact refining jade talismans originating from the Zhang family contained a wealth of advanced knowledge, with some even pertaining to the intricate refinement of Tier Four Magical Treasures, subjects that deeply captivated Chu Yanqing's interest.
Her most fervent desire at this current juncture was to successfully refine a lifebound magical treasure specifically for Ye Jingcheng.
Although her current cultivation level precluded her from undertaking such a complex task, she was determined to master the necessary skills early on. This would enable her to commence the refinement process the moment her cultivation ascended to the required threshold.
Chu Yanqing was so deeply engrossed in her studies that she remained completely oblivious to Ye Jingcheng's presence beside her until he was standing quite near.
Ye Jingcheng, choosing not to disturb her intense concentration, stood quietly by her side. His gaze occasionally shifted to Chu Yanqing's tranquil face and then down to her swollen belly, a gentle smile spontaneously gracing his features.
"Brother Cheng, you have emerged from seclusion?" Chu Yanqing finally noticed Ye Jingcheng's presence beside her and expressed her surprise. She immediately made a move as if to pour spirit tea for him.
In the vicinity of this cave dwelling, a small spirit field had been meticulously established. Within this field, Chu Yanqing had personally transplanted a selection of Yunfu Tea and Spring Tea plants.
The Spring Tea was known for its rapid growth, while the Yunfu Tea represented a heritage brew of the Ye Family, also classified as a tier two spirit tea.
Regarding tier three spirit tea, there was presently only a solitary plant, carefully cultivated within the protected confines of the tier four spirit medicine garden.
"There is no need, I shall attend to it myself!" Ye Jingcheng gently took the teapot from her grasp and proceeded to prepare the tea himself.
At this moment, from Ye Jingcheng's perspective, Chu Yanqing should naturally avoid any strenuous movements that could potentially risk the stability of the fetal energy.
By recounting the days, it was evident that the birth was not far off.
The conception had occurred during the summer months, and it was now the cusp of early spring.
"Have you given any consideration to potential names yet?" Chu Yanqing inquired, breaking the silence.
"Indeed, I have pondered this matter. Let us decide on the names Ye Qingnian and Ye Qingfeng!" Ye Jingcheng responded.
For practitioners of cultivation, discerning the gender of a child still within the womb was a readily achievable feat.
At this specific juncture, marking the first year of the Ye Family's settled existence in the Desert Sea, bestowing the name Qingnian upon a son seemed fittingly appropriate. For a daughter, born amidst the flourishing Celestial Phoenix Oasis—a symbol of the Ye Family's profound rebirth—the name Qingfeng resonated with greater suitability.
"Brother Cheng, what if our children happen to be born without any spirit roots?" Chu Yanqing voiced her concern, a hint of worry clouding her expression.
It was a widely acknowledged phenomenon within the cultivation world for offspring to be born without the essential spirit roots. Consequently, many cultivators harbored a reluctance towards procreation, as the absence of spirit roots often led to the tragic fate of burying their young, a deeply sorrowful experience.
"Refrain from worrying, for they are destined to possess spirit roots, and their innate talents will surely be exceptional!" Ye Jingcheng reassured her with a confident smile.
Admittedly, inwardly, he did not possess absolute certainty regarding this prediction.
However, in comparison to the predicament of other cultivators, as long as the Ye Family bloodline flowed through their veins, the unique Beast Communication Pattern offered a substantial fallback.
Even if a child were born with five spirit roots, provided their Beast Communication Pattern measured more than five inches, Ye Jingcheng was confident he could arrange a suitable spirit beast companion for them.
After all, his existing five spirit beasts were poised to commence their own breeding cycle, thus expanding their numbers.
Upon hearing Ye Jingcheng's comforting words, Chu Yanqing's face also broke into a warm smile.
"They feel so restless inside my stomach!"
Hearing this, Ye Jingcheng bent down, intending to lecture the two little ones with all seriousness.
"Brother Cheng, the clan meeting is apparently set to begin in a few days; you should attend to it. I heard there are quite a number of immortal seedlings spotted this year!" Chu Yanqing observed Ye Jingcheng lingering, aware of his significant responsibilities as a core member of the Ye Family and its sole Golden Core cultivator. She was deeply moved that he could spare even a moment for her, having been born into a cultivating family and understanding that many clan cultivators, even after marriage, paid little attention to their kin. This was especially true since all cultivators had undergone the clan studies, a process where the clan's influence reigned supreme.
"Very well!" Ye Jingcheng didn't feign modesty; tending to clan affairs was indeed necessary. After all, Ye Xuefan was still in seclusion, as were Ye Haiyan and Ye Haifei. Ye Xueliang had commenced his seclusion months prior, with his sights set on the Purple Mansion stage.
Currently, the clan's operations rested on the shoulders of Ye Haicheng, Ye Jingfeng, and Ye Haisheng. The ongoing clan reforms and the establishment of new halls had reached a crucial juncture.
Naturally, Chu Yanqing's mention of numerous immortal seedlings also stirred his interest. The most significant weakness of the Ye Family lay in its pool of clan members. Even those without the direct Ye Family bloodline were worth nurturing, especially at their young age of around ten years. They would naturally develop a deep bond with the clan after undergoing the clan studies. While they might not achieve world-shattering feats, they could at least contribute to maintaining the Desert Sea for the Ye Family and assist in exploring various spirit vein ores.
Of course, the Ye Family also needed to take stock of its current resources.
With that, Ye Jingcheng soared towards the clan’s assembly hall.
In a short span, he found himself before a grand, five-story structure.
This hall wasn't originally constructed by the Ye Family; it was an earlier creation of the Zhang Family, who clearly considered themselves a Nascent Soul power. Furthermore, the materials used in its construction were tier-two spirit materials, making the entire hall nearly as valuable as spirit stones. The Ye Family, naturally, wouldn't let such resources go to waste, opting instead to replace the plaque, adjust the wall murals, and modify some unique architectural elements before putting it to use.
Upon entering, Ye Jingcheng's gaze fell upon numerous young clan members from the Ye Family's Lingyun Peak, including Ye Qingwen, Ye Qingfeng, Ye Jingting, and others. They were all presently kneeling before Ye Haicheng.
At this moment, Ye Haicheng appeared deeply troubled, which left Ye Jingcheng somewhat perplexed.
"Eleventh Uncle, you are also here. Qingwen ventures to ask, how will the Lingyun Peak clan members be allocated from this day forward?" Ye Qingwen spoke first, then produced a storage bag. "This contains my earnings from the Desert Sea over the years and my spoils from the Secret Realm. I haven't used a single bit of it!" Ye Qingwen elaborated further.
Ye Jingcheng immediately grasped the situation: these Lingyun Peak clan members were discontented. While those from Hidden Peak could freely cultivate in the Desert Sea, the Lingyun Peak members were confined to Lingyun Peak, Taihang Market, and Taichang Market, perpetually living under strain. As the clan's secrets were progressively revealed to all, it became evident that clan members were beginning to seek a sense of fairness within the Ye Family!
This sentiment was easily understood by the older generation, who had witnessed numerous events within the Ye Family. For these younger members, however, it felt as though the Ye Family was neglecting Lingyun Peak. They might even suspect Ye Jingcheng and Ye Haicheng of showing favoritism towards Hidden Peak.
"Eleventh Brother, Second Brother, Sixth Brother, Brother Jiu, and Qing Yan cannot attend the clan meeting; therefore, it cannot truly be considered a Ye Family clan meeting!" Even Ye Jingting couldn't refrain from voicing his concern.