Chapter 106: Chapter 107: Five Venom Bees
The rain and fog on Lingyun Peak are abundant, and during the rainy season, the weather changes unexpectedly.
Dark clouds linger, and a fine drizzle falls continuously.
For this reason, the Ye Family has constructed a lake at the top of the peak, known as Lingyun Lake.
The trees on the mountain grow exceptionally lush, and the Cyan Stone Bamboo is no exception. Each one towers extraordinarily high, with thick, densely packed nodes covered in black bamboo moss.
And in the depths of the bamboo forest, a pavilion stands amidst the bamboo.
The pavilion is also woven from Stone Bamboo, and at this moment, the five of Ye Jingcheng sit within, savoring the sound of rain hitting the bamboo forest.
"Uncle Xingqun, your Spirit Wine even makes the heavens drool!" Ye Jingli spoke slightly exaggeratedly.
His hands were rubbing together, his face full of eager anticipation.
Ye Xingqun glanced at Ye Jingli, who immediately shrank his head back, quickly shutting his mouth with an embarrassed look, knowing he might have flattered the wrong way.
This glance also silenced Ye Jingteng beside him.
Today, Ye Jingcheng’s elder brother was indeed unlike any other day.
"Brother Liu, wine is not meant to be shared with the heavens!" Ye Jingcheng helplessly explained on the side.
Although it’s just a folk saying, drinking with the heavens always evokes an unpleasant association.
Not like some bravado before a mission.
Of course, these words wouldn’t really anger Ye Xingqun. It’s just that Ye Xingqun originally found Ye Jingcheng more agreeable, and when it came to Ye Jingli, he was just lacking, hence this glance.
Ye Xingqun took out a wine cup and poured wine for each of the four, yet his wine pot was a large-mouthed jade pot, with no lid, revealing a processed green bamboo inside.
A few Spirit Leaves and Spirit Flowers also floated in the wine.
However, as soon as the wine reached the cup, it became like jade nectar, a rich fragrance bursting forth. Among the four, even Ye Jingteng, who least enjoyed Spirit Wine, swallowed.
In the cool drizzle, a hint of thirst arose in the pavilion.
Cyan Bamboo Wine is naturally rich in aroma, and the Mo Family has used this wine to win over countless cultivators’ Spirit Stones.
"Everyone, try it, this large pot has been treasured for a long time!" Ye Xingqun raised his cup, and the other four followed, drinking it all in one go.
Instantly, the delicious wine lingered in the throat, the warm strength spreading through the meridians, slightly stirring the Spiritual Energy, and unlike ordinary Cyan Bamboo Wine, there was also a power of Qi Blood permeating the body.
It was a dual enhancement of Spiritual Power and physical body!
And when the effects of this Spirit Wine settled, they found the wine still rich and clear, like bamboo fresh after rain, enough to linger on the mind for a long time.
After finishing a cup, looking at the rain, and the bamboo forest and pavilion, it seemed even more wonderfully indescribable.
"After drinking Uncle Xingqun’s wine, ordinary Cyan Bamboo Wine will be as bland as water in the future!" Ye Jingcheng sighed, and the others nodded in agreement.
Ye Xingqun appeared quite pleased, sipping another mouthful alone.
Then, Ye Xingqun brought out a large bowl filled with Spiritual Cuisine Meat, red and enticing, arousing a strong appetite.
It was Lush Forest Boar Pork, especially the front shank meat, with even more abundant Spiritual Light.
"It’s not often that Jingteng comes by today, so do try your uncle’s handiwork!" Ye Xingqun looked at Ye Jingteng.
The elegant young man before him had the best Spirit Root among the younger generation of the Ye Family.
"Uncle Xingqun is too kind. Even at the Taiyi Sect, I rarely drink such wine or encounter such meat!" Ye Jingteng unexpectedly spoke, surprising Ye Jingcheng greatly.
This wasn’t the brother from a year or two ago, who would incessantly praise the Taiyi Sect.
Otherwise, the words of welcome from Ye Xingqun today wouldn’t have waited until now, but would have been said before drinking.
Only in the next moment did Ye Jingcheng notice that Ye Jingteng’s aura was exceedingly strong, clearly on the verge of another breakthrough.
Another breakthrough would lead to the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, allowing the storage of Good Deeds for exchange of a Foundation Establishment Pill and embarking on the Foundation Establishment Path.
But in the Taiyi Sect, even for Dual Spirit Roots disciples, contribution points had to be self-earned.
For Ye Jingteng, the immense contribution points were undoubtedly not something he could attain in the short term.
Therefore, the family became a consideration for him.
Moreover, there were limited slots for the Foundation Establishment Pill, with the Taiyi Sect producing it once every ten years. If missed in this decade, one must wait for the next.
With this in mind, Ye Jingcheng suddenly understood.
This time, either the family intends to transfer the Longquan Stone via Ye Jingteng or Ye Jingteng sought help, coming to the Ye Family on his own.
But Ye Jingcheng estimated the former as more likely, especially since Ye Jingteng’s senior brother had come along.
Following the incident with the Li Family at the mountain gate, selling this large batch of Longquan Stone became somewhat difficult for the Ye Family, as it might easily lead to investigations.
If word got to the Taihang Market, no other forces or big shops would take on the Longquan Stone, possibly even pressing the price hard. Handling it within the Taiyi Sect became a superb option.
"Uncle Xingqun, Uncle Xingyu, you should try these Jade Dew Fruits too. Although they’re just Tier One Middle, the Spiritual Energy is quite good, and they taste delicious!" Ye Jingteng also took out a bunch of grape-like berries.
Each of them was as beautiful as a Jade Bead, extremely bright.
Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingli tried one as well, with a crisp and fragrant taste. As soon as you bite down, a great amount of Spiritual Power bursts forth, rivaling a Spirit Pill.
It even increased Ye Jingcheng’s Water Attribute Spiritual Power by a few strands.
Clearly, this Heaven and Earth Spirit Fruit significantly enhances a cultivator’s cultivation, its value certainly extraordinary.
After finishing, Ye Xingyu and Ye Xingqun did not eat more but continued drinking. Ye Jingli initially wanted to eat a few more but, seeing Ye Jingcheng and the others not eating more, felt a bit regrettable and began drinking and eating meat.
One by one, they began discussing Stone Bamboo.
"This Stone Bamboo is from a bamboo root I found in the Taihang Mountain Range. While it’s not as good as the Cyan Spirit Bamboo from Taihang Market, its resilience is more fitting for us, cultivators!" Ye Xingqun, seeing others praising, started introducing on his own, which took the conversation further.
From interesting stories in the Cultivation Realm to secrets of the Taihang Mountain Range.
Ye Xingqun spoke freely, keeping everyone’s interest.
Only Ye Jingteng noticed at this moment, his expression slightly changing but patiently listening until a pot of Spirit Wine was finished, and everyone’s faces were flushed with redness. The pot of Lush Forest Boar Pork had also been completely consumed.
Unnoticed, the rain had already stopped, the sky still dim.
Each bamboo looked more vibrant, washed clean of much of the black moss.
Ye Jingteng finally found an opportunity to interject:
"I wonder if Uncle Xingqun and Uncle Xingyu have heard of Five Poison Mountain?"
"Oh? Nephew, are you planning to seek fortune at Five Poison Mountain?" Ye Xingqun seemed quite surprised.
"Indeed, I won’t hide it from you, uncles. I have already found an opportunity for breakthrough. Within a year, I can reach Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer. I wish to progress further on the Foundation Establishment Path, and strive for the Foundation Establishment Pill in five years!"
When a cultivator reaches Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, Spiritual Power nearly saturates, challenging to increase further. At this point, more tempering leads to preparing for breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, consolidating the Spirit Platform, and generating Liquid Spiritual Energy.
Ye Jingteng, now thirty-eight, isn’t too late nor too early, especially having Dual Spirit Roots. If he can strive for the Foundation Establishment Pill in five years, he might establish Foundation by forty-five.
Even if he fails this time, he still has another chance at fifty-three.
However, evidently, Ye Jingteng’s ambition is vast, not wanting to lag behind.
Unlike Foundation Establishment Clans, progress slows at Foundation Establishment; in a sect, there are still many secret realms and spirit medicines to quickly boost power.
A ten-year gap is considerable.
"I have gained family support near five thousand Contribution Points over the years and saved close to four thousand. Just one more effort can gather twelve thousand Contribution Points!"
"Moreover, I heard there’s the Inheritance Cave Mansion of the former Wu Du Ascendant at Five Poison Mountain!" Ye Jingteng took out a Jade Talisman, handing it to Ye Xingqun.
Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingli kept silent at the moment, watching intently, as Ye Jingteng had his eye on Ye Xingqun’s Black Wood Ant.
This Five Poison Mountain was also a place Ye Xingqun mentioned to Ye Jingcheng, teeming with countless venomous insects and ants.
Often, carelessness could lead to poisoning.
If encountering a powerful insect swarm, even Foundation Establishment cultivators could only flee hastily.
With Black Wood Ant scouting, it becomes much safer.
Moreover, the more dangerous the place, the less likely it’s explored. Unharvested spirit medicines, some poisonous insects that can be used as elixir ingredients, are all extremely valuable.
"Five Poison Mountain has seen Five Poison Bees, which could truly be possible!" Ye Xingqun hesitated; Five Poison Bee is the notorious poisonous insect of Wu Du Ascendant. This might truly be where Wu Du Ascendant passed away!
"Uncles, this matter is not too urgent. I’ve already claimed the task. It’s unlikely to be claimed again within the sect. Once I’ve broken through to Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, I wish to invite both uncles to seek treasure!"
"In this treasure hunt, my main goal is to complete the task, and any treasures acquired will follow family allocation rules. Additionally, if any uncles need spirit materials lately, I can use Contribution Points to exchange some!" Ye Jingteng carefully controlled his speaking pace.
These words prompted Ye Xingqun and Ye Xingyu to share a look, indeed tempted.
Not just the Inheritance Cave Mansion of Wu Du Ascendant, but this group of Five Poison Bees is what the Ye Family desires most.
This kind of Spirit Insect is highly poisonous, capable of releasing stingers, which typical cultivator’s Spirit Shield cannot withstand. A swarm descending is a mighty weapon!
Ye Xingqun’s Black Wood Ant, albeit formidable, has singles attack methods, only biting.
No comparison to Five Poison Bee’s dominance.
Furthermore, Five Poison Bees can harvest Spiritual Honey, though requiring special treatment, still worth plenty of Spirit Stones.
To a Beast Master, some Spirit Beasts are for Magical Combat, some for scouting, some for cultivation, and some specifically to earn Spirit Stones.
"Alright, but let Jingcheng be counted in as well!" Ye Xingqun glanced towards Ye Jingcheng.
Ye Jingcheng seemed hesitant at this moment, truth be told, without a family Elder or bringing the family’s Tier Two Spirit Beast, he was reluctant to take the risk.
Five Poison Mountain sounded notably dangerous.
"No need to decide immediately. Uncles and Jingcheng, you can deliberate for a few days. If you have any Jade Talismans, you can give them to me to get you some spirit medicines and spirit materials!"