Chapter 152: Chapter 153: Sha Yun Mountain
Under the starry sky, the Spiritual Ship resembled a silent eel diving into the deep sea, so quiet that one could hear each other’s faint heartbeat.
Compared to the mountains, occasionally echoing with the loud roars of beasts, it felt extremely out of place.
What reassured Ye Jingcheng was that, despite the speed of the Spiritual Ship not being slow, not many birds came to disturb them.
This was enough to show the concealment of the Spiritual Ship, as well as the family’s familiarity with the Taihang Mountain Range.
On the Spiritual Ship, the seating arrangement placed the Spirit-Blocking Robe Cultivator at the front, followed by Ye Haiyi sitting behind this cultivator, and then Ye Xingyu, Ye Jingyu, and Ye Jingcheng.
Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingyu were both curiously observing the Spirit-Blocking Robe Cultivator from behind.
Evidently, both were unfamiliar with this Spirit-Blocking Robe Cultivator.
On the contrary, Ye Xingyu seemed hesitant to speak beside them.
"This is your Fifteenth Ancestor, responsible for the family’s Dark Hall!" Ye Haiyi noticed Ye Xingyu’s hesitation and promptly explained.
Since they were now aboard the Spiritual Ship, there was no concern about revealing anything, thus no need for previous caution.
"Now, you can also be considered cultivators of the family’s Dark Hall!"
As he said this, the Spirit-Blocking Robe Cultivator turned around, revealing a slightly aged face, thus meeting the group.
"Fifteenth Ancestor!" Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingyu clasped their hands in greeting.
"Fifteenth Uncle!" Ye Xingyu also chimed in.
Because Ye Xingyu knew of Ye Xueliang’s existence before, his reaction was a beat slower.
"You’re indeed promising youngsters, but always remember to avoid haste and impatience. You are the hope of the family, with a long journey ahead!" Ye Xueliang’s voice was somewhat hoarse.
He had unique expectations for the group.
"You’ve probably guessed it, the family’s foundation and heritage surpass those ordinary Purple Mansion Foundation Establishment families, but the family’s enemies aren’t comparable to other families. Some vendettas remain unchanged even after a thousand years, and their intention to eliminate future threats is also strong..." Ye Xueliang continued, his eyes filled with hatred.
But more so was an expectation, as if he envisioned a future day when the Ye Family would no longer hide anything.
Ye Jingcheng perked up to understand more, but Ye Xueliang said no more.
In Ye Jingcheng’s view, the Ye Family likely had enemies in Golden Core clans.
Otherwise, the family wouldn’t need to be so cautious.
Furthermore, every family action had to be implemented through the Beast Communication Pattern.
Seeing Ye Jingcheng still puzzled, Ye Haiyi explained further to Ye Jingcheng:
"As for more details, you don’t need to know much until you reach Foundation Establishment. For now, the most important thing for the three of you is to achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible!"
"The family has high expectations from you; do not disappoint the family or yourself!" Ye Haiyi said.
These words were directed at Ye Xingyu as well, who ranked fifteenth among the Xing Generation.
Less than three years remained before the age limit of sixty.
If Ye Xingyu didn’t succeed, he would completely lose the possibility of Foundation Establishment.
Although Qi Blood Power can supplement, it rarely reverses, similar to lifespan.
Even if it existed, the family would save such Longevity Spirit Fruit spiritual objects for cultivators aspiring to higher realms.
"Thank you, Third Grandfather, for the guidance!"
"Thank you, Third Uncle, for the guidance!"
"Check out this Jade Talisman!" Ye Haiyi said, handing over three Jade Talismans to each person.
Ye Jingcheng pressed the Jade Talisman to his brow, finding information on how to navigate the Taihang Mountain Range.
It included their mission, introductions of Sha Yun Mountain, distributions of Tier Two, Tier One, and even Tier Three Demon Beasts.
Simultaneously, it contained alerts for urgent situations.
For instance, warnings of impending beast tides, patrols of Purple Mansion Great Demons and Golden Core Demon Kings, etc.
The content of this Jade Talisman was akin to secret treasures for many families.
Ye Jingcheng didn’t dare neglect the content, memorizing each detail.
After burning incense for a period, he completely absorbed the information and returned the Jade Talisman to Ye Haiyi.
His fourth brother and Fifteenth Ancestor were quite similar.
After reading the Jade Talisman, their seriousness diminished slightly.
After all, many things were no longer unknown.
And according to the family’s description, the family likely had numerous cultivators at Foundation Establishment, possibly even Purple Mansion ones.
However, these Purple Mansion cultivators were within the Taihang Mountain Range, so the family’s Spirit Vein hadn’t advanced.
This was evidenced by the recent advancement of Turtle Ancestor, when a Tier Two High-grade Profound Turtle Inner Core was genuinely present.
That Tier Two High-grade Profound Turtle Inner Core was likely slain by the family recently in the Taihang Mountain Range.
Unknowingly, the Spiritual Ship entered the Taihang Mountain Range.
As the horizon began to tint with dawn.
The Spiritual Ship created wind-cutting sounds as it gradually descended to the mountains below.
"The Spiritual Ship is forged from the Dark Star Bat wings, safer and more concealed for night flying!" Ye Xueliang explained.
Then he led them into a pre-existing cave.
The cave was arranged precisely as before, down to the mortal mechanism details inside.
However, Ye Xueliang stepped deeper into the cave, and from the ceiling, a palm-sized black poisonous scorpion fell into his hand.
This scorpion, known as Black Armored Scorpion, belonged to a communal type.
"Rest for a day; we’ll arrive by tomorrow night!" Ye Xueliang placed the scorpion on the ground, and the scorpion slowly crawled out of the cave.
Seemingly to explore the path they took, checking for cultivator tracking.
Ye Jingcheng released the Jade Ring Rat; with this rat, he felt much safer in the Taihang Mountain Range.
During the day, nothing eventful occurred once again. Ye Jingcheng did learn from Ye Xingyu that recently, the major families of the Taihang Mountain Range have been rather unsettled, although the Ye Family remains uninvolved.
The Chu Family purchased Purple Mansion Jade Liquid, and the elder patriarch of the Chu Family has already secluded himself directly in the Taichang Market.
Breaking through to Purple Mansion.
If the breakthrough succeeds, they become a Purple Mansion Clan.
This indeed makes the Xu Family and Mo Family exceedingly anxious, as an additional Purple Mansion Clan would mean sharing more profits.
Yet, they have no recourse.
Even within Taichang Market, Golden Core Clans can’t extend their reach.
They can only hope for the Chu Family’s breakthrough to fail.
Thus, in recent years, certain territories and talents of the Chu Family have become targets of tribulation cultivators.
Their aim is to strengthen Chu Tianfen’s heart demon, thereby causing his breakthrough to fail.
Meanwhile, the Chen Family faced quite the plight. The cultivator they sent to purchase the Foundation Establishment Pill was robbed on the way.
Not only did they lose the Spirit Stones, but they also didn’t bring back the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Additionally, the Chen Family compensated the Ye Family with a significant amount of Spirit Stones, ultimately settling with a Tier Two Spiritual Artifact.
On the other hand, the Li Family brought back two Foundation Establishment Pills, and two cultivators have already begun secluded breakthroughs to Foundation Establishment.
Ye Jingcheng did not pay much attention to these matters. Understanding the family’s situation, his interest in the other major Foundation Establishment Clans also waned significantly.
He just couldn’t discern the family’s objectives at present.
Certainly, suppressing oneself can secretly accumulate strength.
However, at the same time, many family resources and treasures could be missed.
At dusk, the Spiritual Ship once again began to soar, flying towards the mountain range under the cover of night.
This time, however, the flight altitude was much lower.
Even though the Dark Star Ship made from Dark Star Bat wings possesses extreme concealment, the eyesight of those Great Demon Kings within the mountain range is also astonishing. If attention is drawn, the Ye Family might not fare well.
This time, instead of flying for the entire night, the Spiritual Ship descended on a mine at midnight.
The vegetation on the mountain was sparse, looking scattered. Still, with a wave of Ye Xueliang’s hand, countless Black Armored Scorpions crawled out from the mountain’s cave, instantly filling the area densely.
Under the starlight, these Black Armored Scorpions emitted a chilling spiritual aura.
Ye Xueliang clapped again, and the Black Armored Scorpions retreated into the earth, disappearing.
"These Black Armored Scorpions guard Sha Yun Mountain at night and herd Sand Antelopes in Sand Cloud Valley during the day!"
"Each of you will take a Black Scorpion Pill shortly, then these Black Armored Scorpions will harbor no ill will towards you," Ye Xueliang explained.
Aside from Ye Jingcheng, the others showed some envious glances.
After all, collective spirit insects sometimes indeed possess certain innate advantages.
Then, Ye Xueliang gave each of the four a Black Scorpion Pill.
After taking them, the four followed as they headed towards Sha Yun Mountain’s peak.
Reaching the peak, another dark passage appeared.
Entering the passage, there was an underground hall.
Inside, there were many stone chambers, each etched with numerous spirit patterns.
These spirit patterns are stealth-type ones, and moving through the spirit pattern stone chamber leads to a corridor, where an elder still stood.
"Uncle Nine!" Ye Haiyi bowed and spoke.
He then looked at Ye Jingcheng and the others, introducing:
"This is your Ninth Ancestor, Ancestor Xuefu!"
"Ninth Ancestor!"
"Ninth Uncle!"
"Well, which one of you is Jingcheng?" Ye Xuefu asked.
"Replying to Ninth Ancestor, I am." Ye Jingcheng answered.
"Very good, follow me. The rest of you find a room yourselves!" Ye Xuefu led Ye Jingcheng to a room.
The room opened with a surge of terrifying high temperature. Ye Jingcheng glanced again; the layout inside was surprisingly identical to the Ye Family’s Earth Fire Room!
The fire vein was present below as well.
No wonder the mountain peak lacks vegetation.
The presence of the underground fire vein destined this peak to be deprived of rain and dew.
"Refine a Cyan Spirit Pill for me to see!" Ye Xuefu instructed.
"Yes, Ninth Ancestor!" Ye Jingcheng nodded and took out the Cyan Elephant Furnace to begin refining the Cyan Spirit Pill.
From the jade talisman, he already knew that Ye Xuefu was a Tier Two middle-grade alchemist in the family.
Of course, this doesn’t mean Ye Xuefu can only refine Tier Two middle-grade spirit pills.
Ye Xuefu believes that a pill without spirit fragrance isn’t complete.
Thus he calls himself a Tier Two middle-grade alchemist.
But in fact, he can refine Tier Two high-grade spirit pills.
This is the foundation of the Ye Family, which makes Ye Jingcheng especially tense at the moment.
Judging by Ye Xuefu’s demeanor now, he has evidently been recommended by Ye Haiyun.
And he doesn’t have the Red Flame Fox, making refining spirit pills certainly less smooth.
However, fortunately, this time, he’s refining the Cyan Spirit Pill.