Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Selection of Treasures
The following day, Lingyun Peak was graced with rain once more.
The rain began to fall in the latter half of the night.
It wasn’t the usual light drizzle; this time, it was a torrential downpour. Large raindrops pounded the ground, making a cracking sound.
Ye Jingcheng couldn’t recall how long it had been since he last saw such heavy rain.
All he knew, upon opening the doors and windows, was that the area was full of puddles, washed-away leaves, and mist rising all over the mountain.
At Lingyun Peak, unlike Taihang Market, the array didn’t prevent the rain from falling, a concept his fourth brother mentioned once, that the family preferred a more natural Daoist skill.
These simple four words left Ye Jingcheng somewhat unclear.
Ye Jingcheng continued to feed the spirit beasts as usual, especially after completing a competition.
First was the Red Flame Fox; its spiritual food standard required two Spirit Nourishing Pills, one Cyan Spirit Pill, and a large piece of Spirit Beast Meat. After eating the pills and food, the Red Flame Fox stretched its head out, letting Ye Jingcheng feel its warm forehead.
Ye Jingcheng delightedly pressed it twice, then infused the Treasure Book’s Treasure Light.
The Red Flame Fox slowly lay down, its two crimson forepaws placed in front.
Its gaze began to turn lazy.
After a while, Ye Jingcheng also took out the Golden Scale Beast, which required two Spirit Nourishing Pills, one Body Tempering Pill, and a large piece of Spirit Beast Meat for its spiritual food.
The latter’s Earth Spike Skill was also quite impressive. While it devoured the Spirit Beast Meat, Ye Jingcheng infused some Treasure Light from the Treasure Book.
Unlike when the Spirit Beasts were not his, previously only a small amount was infused. Now, what Ye Jingcheng infused was no less than what the Red Flame Fox received.
This was naturally related to the fact that Ye Jingcheng had flipped two pages of the Treasure Book, allowing for more Treasure Light accumulation.
Currently, the Treasure Book’s Treasure Light reserve was considerable, allowing Ye Jingcheng to supply the Golden Scale Beast and Red Flame Fox to their full potential.
However, he understood the Treasure Book’s role, besides healing, greatly helped in the robust growth of young beasts, enhancing their absorption of Spiritual Energy and Spiritual Food.
If a cultivator consumes a portion of Spiritual Food, they can absorb eighty percent through cultivation techniques.
However, Spirit Beasts can only absorb fifty percent through their bodily mechanisms, but with the addition of Spiritual Light, they can absorb one hundred percent.
Higher than some cultivators with ordinary cultivation techniques.
This is why Ye Jingcheng’s Spirit Beasts grow faster than other cultivators’.
After feeding the Golden Scale Beast, he also took out the Jade Ring Rat, though its feeding was less, requiring only one Spirit Nourishing Pill, some Spirit Beast Meat, and a bit of Treasure Light.
Given its limited potential, the Jade Ring Rat squeaked joyfully nonetheless, having mostly lived in the dim, depressing Cyan Cloud Mountain Range, devoid of such favorable conditions.
Regarding Treasure Light, Ye Jingcheng did not reduce its portion.
With all three Spirit Beasts quietly crouched, Ye Jingcheng stored them back into the Spirit Beast Bag.
The rain hadn’t stopped, yet Ye Jingcheng was eager. He cast the Rain Avoidance Skill and the Divine Movement Skill on himself and headed towards the Treasure Pavilion.
Today was the day to claim rewards. Considering his first-place finish, the rewards were bound to be exceptional.
Ye Jingcheng was quite hopeful about the cultivation techniques. Of course, he would be even more pleased if he could inspect the Spirit Beasts.
Following the winding cobblestone path, the Treasure Pavilion soon appeared before Ye Jingcheng.
Amid the mist and rain, the Treasure Pavilion appeared even more mysterious, and quite a few cultivators were present in front of it.
Those who participated in the family competition to obtain rewards were here for the exchange today.
Upon entering the Treasure Pavilion, Ye Jingcheng realized that it was not the Eighth Elder, Ye Haiping, distributing the rewards today, but rather Ye Xingqi from the Xing Generation, who wore the Ye family’s robe and appeared extraordinarily busy.
"Jingcheng, Eighth Uncle is on the second floor of the Treasure Pavilion!" Ye Xingqi said amiably while busy, seemingly noticing Ye Jingcheng’s confusion.
"Thank you, Uncle Qi!" Ye Jingcheng nodded and headed to the second floor. This was his third time there, but his anticipation was greater this time because he could choose a full Profound Tier technique.
In the Great Yu Cultivation Realm, cultivation techniques are divided into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Each tier has four grades: top, upper, middle, and lower.
His Li Fire Skill was merely a Yellow Tier Middle Grade Technique, its only advantage being decent power and simplicity in cultivation.
Although Ye Jingcheng now had Four Spirit Roots, the enhancement from his Spirit Beasts meant he no longer needed to choose simple techniques.
Upon reaching the second floor, Ye Jingcheng found Ye Jingyu, Ye Jingteng, and Ye Jingyong present as well.
"Fifteenth Uncle, Big Brother, Second Brother, Fourth Brother!"
Ye Jingcheng greeted each of them, then bowed to Ye Haiping in front.
"Eighth Grandpa!"
The latter glanced at Ye Jingcheng and finally spoke.
"Alright, it’s time. We can begin. Everyone stay in place and follow me one by one!"
"There is an array set up here, different from ordinary days!" Ye Haiping warned again.
Ye Jingcheng noticed the second floor had undergone obvious changes today, with the display counters and wall columns glowing with Spirit Patterns.
Ye Jingcheng and the others nodded in agreement.
The first to follow Ye Haiping was Ye Jingteng, whose Late Stage of Qi Cultivation earned him first place and the family’s reward.
Ye Jingteng came out soon after, looking rather disappointed, as if no technique met his standards.
"Big Brother, how was your gain?" While Ye Jingyu remained silent, Ye Jingyong asked openly.
Ye Jingteng merely shook his head, wanting to say something but refrained.
Next came Ye Jingyu and Uncle from the Xing Generation.
As they followed Ye Haiping inside, their faces displayed similar disappointment upon exiting.
Then it was Ye Jingcheng’s turn.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Jingcheng held on to his expectations.
As Ye Haiping led the way, Ye Jingcheng followed perfectly, reaching the end of the wooden shelves and entering a small compartment.
Within the compartment stood a lone wooden shelf holding some Jade Talismans.
When Ye Jingcheng entered, the entrance shut, layers of Spiritual Light rippling, forming a seamless array.
"Bright Pattern!" Ye Haiping stated solemnly.
Hearing this, Ye Jingcheng froze, revealing a puzzled expression. Ye Haiping’s expression remained unchanged, but he spread his hands, revealing two three-inch Beast Communication Patterns.
"Not bad, being cautious!"
Embarrassed, Ye Jingcheng smiled, revealing his five-inch Beast Communication Pattern. At this moment, the pattern held a Spirit Shadow of a small Red Fox.
"Indeed, five inches!" Ye Haiping nodded approvingly.
"The techniques are here; both Profound Tier and Top-Grade Yellow Tier techniques are available. You weren’t given Yellow Tier techniques; remember, though you can choose freely, not a single detail is to be leaked!" With a wave, Ye Haiping produced several more Jade Talismans on the shelf.
Seeing the Jade Talismans, Ye Jingcheng felt slightly awkward, understanding why Ye Jingteng felt disappointed.
The family was cautious of him.
Recalling the scene of advising Ye Jingyu, he speculated Ye Jingteng was unaware of the Beast Communication Pattern.
It should be noted that Ye Jingteng had Dual Spirit Roots.
Ye Jingcheng pondered the family’s judgment criteria, curious about the qualifications needed to practice the Beast Communication Pattern.
"Additionally, take a look at the Spirit Beasts here. You can choose a Spirit Beast, although it’s not highly recommended." Ye Haiping added, handing over another Jade Talisman.
The Spirit Beasts had no actual information for observation, only portrayed through the Jade Talisman’s imagery.