Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book Chapter 1035 - 722: Tianlin Visits the Xiao Family; Old Cheng Is Here Too? (Double-Length)

At the Assembly Hall of Lingyun Peak.

Ye Jingyun, Ye Xingqun, and Ye Jingli convened, their expressions grave.

Two middle-aged cultivators stood before them, heads bowed low, not daring to meet their gaze.

"Jingsheng, Qinglin, speak. When did you two arrive on this mountain?" Ye Jingyun inquired, his tone placid.

Jingsheng was tasked with escorting the caravans connecting Lingyun Peak and Taihang Market, while Qinglin was a recognized Artifact Refiner within the Ye Family.

Despite not possessing the Beast Communication Pattern found at Lingyun Peak, they were nevertheless regarded with a degree of importance.

Yet, their unauthorized private communications with Ye Qingwen and Ye Jingting had understandably caused displeasure.

"Ninth Uncle, Uncle Liu, Uncle Xingqun, I maintain there is no wrongdoing. The clan clearly harbors a significant secret, so why conceal it? Must we remain here guarding Lingyun Peak?" Ye Qinglin, understanding Ye Jingyun's implication, voiced his thoughts.

He believed his cultivation and dedication at Lingyun Peak were second to none. Now in his early fifties, he had reached the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, with expectations of reaching Foundation Establishment within a decade.

Rumors about the Beast Desolate Wasteland had reached him. Initially dismissive, the recent emptying of numerous seclusion chambers on Lingyun Peak led him to realize that those remaining at Lingyun Peak and the Taihang and Taichang Markets were effectively abandoned.

Unwilling to openly defy the clan elders, he first consulted Ye Jingsheng, who had already achieved Foundation Establishment. Subsequently, they briefly broached the subject with Ye Qingwen, who reacted with extreme agitation and departed immediately.

"Jingsheng, and you? When did you come to the mountain?" Ye Jingyun sidestepped Ye Qinglin’s question, directing his gaze to Ye Jingsheng.

This inquiry threw both men into palpable unease.

"Over seventy years ago!" Ye Jingsheng responded, his initial intent to speak altered.

He was now eighty, roughly the same age Ye Jingting and Ye Jing Hu were upon their arrival here.

"You possess Three Spirit Roots, do you not? And of the lower grade at that!" Ye Jingyun pressed.

"Indeed!" Ye Jingsheng affirmed.

Merely hearing this confirmed, Ye Jingsheng's body trembled.

He suddenly comprehended that an ordinary cultivator with Three Spirit Roots, especially of lower grade, possessed no exceptional Cultivation talent. Such a Spirit Root might offer little advantage over Four Spirit Roots.

With the Ye Family's backing, achieving Foundation Establishment was already a considerable boon.

In any other clan, he would have had no prospect of Foundation Establishment. Even with a Foundation Establishment Pill, it would not have been within his reach. Could he have even reached Foundation Establishment without the clan's hidden advantages?

Reflecting on this, he found himself utterly speechless.

"Brother Jiu, we erred. I am prepared to defend Lingyun Peak until my last breath!"

Ye Jingyun remained silent upon hearing Jingsheng’s declaration, instead looking to Ye Xingqun. After Ye Xingqun nodded, Ye Jingyun also nodded and subtly employed the Spirit Inquiry Talisman.

"You are dismissed. I shall confer with Qinglin separately!" Ye Jingyun gestured, allowing Ye Jingsheng to exit the hall.

Only Ye Qinglin appeared somewhat bewildered.

Unbeknownst to him, Ye Xingqun had already positioned himself behind him.

...

Shortly after, tranquility returned to the hall. Ye Xingqun and Ye Jingli turned their attention to Ye Jingyun, both feeling a profound sense of disquiet.

The necessity for clan cultivators to engage in external affairs presented a challenge; if others adopted similar conduct, it would prove detrimental to the Ye Family.

"Reconvene the clan studies, impart the history of Lingyun Peak, and reinforce our sense of clan honor. Furthermore, at the conclusion of these studies, all members will swear a Heavenly Dao Oath and undergo the Upper Soul Ban. Concurrently, new clan regulations shall be promulgated. The clan's current substantial allowances are opportune for implementation, leaving no room for complaint, and this measure will also aid in identifying any nascent cultivator spies!"

"In accordance with the revised clan regulations, supplementary Spirit Pill benefits for clan members residing at Lingyun Peak can be processed and administered. While this may not completely resolve the underlying issues, it should prevent any significant oversights!"

"Ah, and Brother Liu, caution all clan members possessing the Beast Communication Pattern at Lingyun Peak to exercise vigilance. We must prevent the Zhang Family's secrets from being exposed before our own Ye Family's predicament is revealed!" Ye Jingyun declared with stern resolve.

"Moreover, maintain surveillance on Jingsheng. When the clan requires miners, assign him to such duties for several decades!" Ye Jingyun added sternly.

Some past mistakes may not be forgiven now, but that doesn't mean they won't be held accountable eventually.

Though arduous, toiling day and night in the Spiritual Ore mines also tempers the spirit. Should his performance be commendable, he can naturally atone for his errors and make a return. If not, he will continue to serve the Ye Family.

"Uncle Xingqun, another matter requires our attention: the clan desires us to establish contact with the Tian Dao Sect..."

"While approaching the Tian Dao Sect directly presents considerable challenges, we could initiate contact with the Mad Saber Xiao Family, a subordinate clan of Tian Dao Sect. They are likely in need of powerful magical artifact spiritual sabers, and we could offer them at a low price!" Ye Xingqun responded after a brief contemplation.

As the current figurehead of the Ye Family, he possessed comprehensive knowledge of the various powers within the Yan Kingdom.

The Tian Dao Sect shares its borders with the Qinghe Sect and the Celestial Arrival Commandery. Within the Celestial Arrival Commandery, the Xiao Family stands as a renowned Purple Mansion Clan, neither overwhelmingly powerful nor insignificantly small.

This family also excels in sword techniques. External whispers even suggest that the Tian Dao Sect lends its support to this Xiao Family.

"Some years back, I had an encounter with the Patriarch of the Xiao Family, Xiao Shao'an," Ye Xingqun mentioned, unable to contain his recollection.

Ye Jingyun inclined his head and then shifted his gaze to Ye Jingli.

His deepest concern remained the internal turmoil brewing within Ye Jingli.

"Brother Liu..."