Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Driving Away Beasts
The dawn emerged from the ends of the mountain range, brushing over countless treetops and mountains, as if draping them in golden attire.
Ye Jingcheng gazed at the end of the mountain range. Despite having visited several times, the endless expanse of the Taihang Mountain Range, with peaks higher than the last, still left him in awe.
The Spiritual Ship passed through a valley Ye Jingcheng had been to before, then followed the perimeter to arrive at a cluster of small peaks.
In the Taihang Mountain Range, the height of a peak served as a warning. The taller it was, the more likely it housed Tier Two Demon Beasts or even Tier Three Great Demons.
"Ahead is Xiaochong Mountain; let’s continue with the Divine Movement Talisman!" Ye Haiyi said, and the group of cultivators disembarked from the Spiritual Ship, each taking out a Spirit Talisman.
This type of Divine Movement Talisman was particularly favored by loose cultivators and small clan cultivators in the mountain range.
Though merely a Tier One Lower Grade Spirit Talisman, when stuck on the body, it could be comparable to a small Tier One Middle-Class Light Body Skill. In such dangerous places where spiritual power needed to be conserved, a Divine Movement Talisman, priced at two for a Spirit Stone, was naturally the crowd’s choice.
Ye Haiyi summoned a Red Thousand Rat. This red Spirit Rat with a long nose seemed to have grown plumper recently, and its nose had become more sensitive.
As it started running, its speed was extremely swift.
The only thing that seemed out of place was its entirely red fur.
Leading the way, Ye Haiyi soon discovered a Cultivator’s Cave Mansion. With the opening of an array banner, a cave entrance appeared before everyone.
Inside, a cultivator wearing a black Spirit Separation Talisman also produced a Token.
It resonated with Ye Haiyi’s Token.
In an instant, everyone moved toward the inside.
Even after entering the cave mansion, everyone remained cautious. The layout inside the Ye Clan’s cave mansion was decorated with numerous wooden blocks and weeds.
Though these seemed ordinary, being mere mortal means, a misstep might make others suspect the presence of a cultivator from another clan.
The cave mansion was quite damp, and the walls had some holes, which Ye Jingcheng found peculiar. But soon, he discovered some little creatures inside these holes.
Inside the cave mansion was a large, long table on which lay a Spirit Diagram, curious enough with a winged Black Wood Ant standing on it.
This Black Wood Ant, unlike the Big-headed Ant, had a slender body, roughly the size of an adult’s thumb, and though not an Ant Queen, it had wings.
It belonged to an Early Stage of First Tier Spirit Beast group, while an Ant Queen was typically at Mid-stage First Tier.
As Ye Jingcheng passed by, he noticed his Treasure Book lighting up again.
However, the pattern was faint, and the spirit shadow displayed by the Treasure Book was not much different from the Black Wood Ant Queen.
This represented that the Black Wood Ant had some potential, but not much. Even with a Pill Formula, quite a few specially made Advancement Pills would be needed.
When advanced, its potential maximum would probably only be Tier Two.
Ye Jingcheng felt a bit envious; he naturally wanted such a special Spirit Ant. Unlike the Jade Ring Rat, Black Wood Ants could serve as cannon fodder in crucial times.
The function of the Jade Ring Rat nowadays was mainly for warning.
"Third Uncle, the Lush Forest Pig group should be birthing piglets in the coming days. They are currently spread out in Changqing Valley..."
The cultivator from before, evidently from the Xing Generation, dragged Ye Haiyi over to introduce everyone on the Spirit Diagram.
The Ye Family cultivators had prepared for so long precisely to wait for the Lush Forest Pigs to give birth.
The lush summer after the rain was a time when certain grasses would grow crazily. In places where spiritual energy gathered, even the grasses would absorb some spiritual energy, though not of high quality, they were fitting food for the Lush Forest Pigs.
The pig herd settling at a valley mouth rich with such grasses was normal, making it less likely to be a trap.
Thus, the Ye Family’s plan was formed, knowing that the strength of the Lush Forest Pigs was not formidable among demon beasts, with the only concern being the wild charge of the herd.
"What about that group?" Ye Haiyi asked, as if referring to someone specifically.
He was naturally inquiring about the Li Family.
The Li Family’s operating range in the Taihang Mountain Range was not far, one of the Four Great Foundation Establishment Clans relying on the mountain range to survive while serving as watchmen for the Taiyi Sect against beast tides from the mountains.
"Third Uncle, the Li Family cultivators are strange. They strictly guard their valley, while outside, they are much more relaxed. My Black Wood Ants can’t infiltrate!" Ye Xingqun from the Ye Family responded.
He frowned slightly, as the number of Lush Forest Pigs was quite large, requiring precautions not only against the pigs escaping but also against other demon beasts from the mountains, and naturally the spying of the Li Family.
"That’s normal; there might be great opportunities there!" Ye Haiyi shook his head, unconcerned.
"As long as they don’t disturb us this time, we shouldn’t worry!"
"Rest today, and we will begin the beast herding tomorrow; let the seniors guide the newcomers!!" Ye Haiyi made his decision, and Ye Xingqun nodded in agreement.
Then, he placed the Black Wood Ant Queen in his hand, releasing a bit of spiritual light. In no time, several Black Wood Ants came flying from the distant cave.
They started transmitting information slowly, appearing quite miraculous.
Of course, for Ye Xingqun, he could bring his divine sense upon other Black Wood Ants, but the Qi Cultivation Divine Sense was too weak, with a control range too limited.
Instead, relying on the ant’s communication was smoother and more convenient.
As for the beast-driving strategy, Ye Jingcheng was quite curious.
In the clan studies, Ye Jingcheng had learned that, naturally, eradicating demon beasts would cause slaughter, attracting fearsome carnivorous demon beasts. Only by driving the beasts in advance can safety be ensured.
For a Foundation Establishment Clan like the Ye Family, every step needed cautious consideration.
Soon, Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingli were each given two bottles of Beast-Repelling Powder.
This Beast-Repelling Powder was made from the feces of high-tier demon beasts, mixed with some special spirit medicines.
Ye Xingqun also assigned the locations to apply the powder, mainly deep within the Taihang Mountain Range.
The distances were precisely calculated.
They were also defending against Tier Two Demon Beasts since the commotion when capturing the pig herd would not be minor.
Ye Xingqun was also in charge of guiding Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingli.
After resting for an hour, Ye Xingqun, Ye Jingli, and Ye Jingcheng set out.
Ye Xingqun released another Black Wood Ant to lead the way, and the three followed steadily with the Divine Movement Talisman on their bodies.
During their pursuit, Ye Jingcheng took out the Jade Ring Rat.
This scene didn’t escape Ye Xingqun’s eyes; he looked at Ye Jingcheng, evidently somewhat surprised.
For Ye Jingcheng, entering the Taihang Mountain Range meant not incurring any loss.
Therefore, during this time, Ye Jingcheng fed two Spirit Nourishing Pills to the Jade Ring Rat and infused some Treasure Light. Its eyes glowed more brilliantly, and its large Jade Ring Ears became more radiant.