Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book

Chapter 644: Chapter 494: Yun Family’s Probing

After the summer solstice in the Cyan Cloud Sea Domain, the entire sea area was directly exposed to the scorching sun, creating terrifyingly high temperatures that dried out large stretches of marshland.

Even the Cloud Wood on Purple Wood Island started to wither under the intense sunlight.

In contrast, the underground hall beneath Purple Wood Island was cool and refreshing.

Not many clan members were coming and going, making the entire hall appear even more spacious and deserted.

On one hand, it was due to the actions of the Qingling Merchants, and on the other hand, recently, the Ye Family had intensified the development of the Hidden Island, and with several cultivators in seclusion, there weren’t many completing tasks.

Ye Jingcheng stepped into the hall and headed straight to Ye Xuefan’s abode.

“Have you had a breakthrough?” Ye Xuefan, who was studying a set of array banners, saw Ye Jingcheng approaching and put down his work, smiling kindly at Ye Jingcheng.

“Yes, Fourth Great Uncle, I’m preparing to visit the Celestial Cloud Islands to discuss matters regarding Lingyun Peak, and I’m here now to exchange some materials!” Ye Jingcheng began.

“I am aware of your matters; if it’s not feasible, do not force it, even if Lingyun Peak is exposed, it will be fine!” Ye Xuefan said with a frown, not hiding anything, but plainly telling Ye Jingcheng.

“The family’s current opportunities are not small, and the Taiyi Sect is on the brink, so there’s no need to over-concern with them!” Ye Xuefan continued, not making it an absolute.

Then he handed Ye Jingcheng a storage bracelet.

“These are some spirit materials you need, totaling one hundred thousand contribution points!” Ye Jingcheng received the storage bracelet.

Inside there were spirit materials for the Tier Two Moon Spirit Pill, some materials for the Tier Three Roc Fish Pill, and finally, some spirit materials for the Lifebound Magical Treasure Profound Wood Disc.

Unfortunately, there’s still a missing piece, the Thousand-Year Profound Wood Heart, but for Ye Jingcheng, it was still a considerable gain.

If left to him to collect, who knows how long it would take, and it could easily attract the covetous eyes of some cultivators.

But with the family gathering them, it’s an exchange between powers.

When power is equal, the interaction between them is exceedingly peaceful.

Just like the current Profound Sword Pavilion Haoran Trading Association and Purple Wood Sect.

“These inner cores of the Tier Three Great Demons are not trivial either!” At this moment, Ye Jingcheng found some Great Demon Cores.

“The family’s alchemy master has the requirement to refine spirit pills for the family.” Ye Xuefan narrowed his eyes at Ye Jingcheng, a smile appearing on his face.

Ye Jingcheng then understood.

As in the past, three sets of materials were given, and one spirit pill would be left for the family.

Previously it was just Lingyun Peak, but now it also includes the Hidden Island and the entire Ye Family.

This made Ye Jingcheng extremely satisfied.

After all, with the Celestial Bull Green-Red Furnace, his pill formation rate had greatly increased, and he was now very confident in refining Tier Three Middle-Grade Spirit Pills.

With one set of materials, two or three pills can be refined, and with two successes out of three sets, there is substantial profit to be made.

After all, Ye Jingcheng didn’t have that many materials himself, so he couldn’t refine so many spirit pills.

Even the Great Demons he killed before, their materials had been exhausted by now.

Now that the family is providing them, it’s certainly good news for him.

“Fourth Great Uncle, these are some Moon Spirit Beads collected recently!” Suddenly thinking of something, Ye Jingcheng also handed over a storage bracelet to Ye Xuefan.

Inside were some Moon Spirit Beads meant for the cultivators of the Ye Family in the Cyan Cloud Sea Domain for cultivation.

These spirit beads were all Tier Two spirit beads.

“Do you want to exchange for contribution points?” Ye Xuefan asked.

“No, Fourth Great Uncle, this time I want to exchange for a Spirit Gathering Array and Qi-Introducing Stones to upgrade the spirit vein!” Ye Jingcheng shook his head.

“Tier Two will suffice!” Seeing Ye Xuefan still somewhat puzzled, he added again.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed; he realized he hadn’t made it clear, letting Ye Xuefan mistakenly think he wanted a Tier Three Middle-Grade Spirit Gathering Array and Qi-Introducing Stones.

The cost for those would not be something a few Tier Two Moon Spirit Beads could exchange for.

Having exchanged the treasures, Ye Jingcheng left directly, heading towards the Celestial Cloud Islands.

His appearance once again transformed into Tang Cheng’s, and the spirit shuttle became an ordinary one.

He drifted along the sea waves towards the Celestial Cloud Islands.

In his hand was a jade talisman regarding the Heaven-Opening Divine Drum Insect Array.

Earlier there was no time, and after his breakthrough, it was natural to nurture the insect array now.

Before him, there were twenty Tier One Thunder Rhinoceros Insects, a bit more robust.

These twenty Thunder Rhinoceros Insects were considered ones with significant potential, capable of advancing twice, just right to serve as insect generals in the insect array.

Presently, he used the Spirit Transformation Pill to first cultivate their spiritual wisdom.

…

In the Celestial Cloud Islands, Celestial One City, the entire city was still overrun with cultivators.

On the sea were countless spirit shuttles and large spiritual ships, slowly heading towards the island.

On these spiritual ships, there were some filled with spirit rice, others carrying various goods, and a large number of cultivators returning from the Outer Sea.

Ye Jingcheng mingled among them, paying the spirit stones for entry into the city.

However, to Ye Jingcheng’s surprise, the leader of the city guards, after looking at him, not only did not collect his spirit stones but also greeted him repeatedly.

“Elder Tang.”

“Elder Tang.”

Ye Jingcheng was somewhat taken aback at first by being called Elder Tang, then he quickly realized.

After all, he was just a disciple of the Purple Wood Sect, even though he had received Fairy Wu Xin from the Profound Sword Pavilion and Chief Steward Xiao from the Haoran Trading Association before.

It couldn’t change the fact that he was only a regular disciple of the Purple Wood Sect.

Moreover, the cultivation he displayed now was only at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment.

“Who is this fellow Daoist…” Ye Jingcheng hesitated.

The man had a broad face, kind eyes, and a smiling expression, making it impossible for anyone to harbor ill intentions.

“Elder Tang seems to have forgotten; earlier at the Purple Wood Sect ceremony, I accompanied my Ninth Uncle Yun Baiyuan!” The broad-faced cultivator clearly counted as a leader and was extremely shrewd.

However, Ye Jingcheng had never seen him before, which could only indicate that it was either the arrangement of his family ancestors or Yun Baiyuan waiting for him.

And mentioning the Ninth Uncle suggested the latter possibility was greater.

“Oh, so it is a friend of the Yun Family; in that case, I should indeed give these!” Ye Jingcheng placed twenty spirit stones back in their hands.

“Elder Tang, these twenty spirit stones are nothing; there’s really no need!” The official shook his head again.

“Moreover, my Ninth Uncle has opened a tavern in the city, waiting for Elder Tang to grace it with your presence.”

Ye Jingcheng was confused by these words.

How Yun Baiyuan knew he would come was baffling, and he couldn’t help but think Ye Xuecang was involved.

Ye Jingcheng thought about this and finally nodded in agreement.

“Little brother Yun Chuanzhi, Elder Tang can simply call me Chuanzhi!” The man saw Ye Jingcheng’s confusion and continued to lead the way.

Halfway through, he introduced Ye Jingcheng to the current collaboration between the Purple Wood Sect and the Yun Family.

Now, the Purple Cloud Wood and Cyan Fish of Purple Wood Sect are selling excellently in Celestial One City, having opened the Purple Wood Tavern and Purple Cloud Tower.

The business has already surpassed the Haoran Trading Association.

Each word in their conversation made Ye Jingcheng feel uneasy.

This Yun Baiyuan was clearly probing him.

It seemed that more members of the Yun Family suspected something was amiss with their ancestor.

They were catching a core cultivator from the Purple Wood Sect to question, right?

Even the slow pace indicated waiting for arrangements at the tavern side.

Having understood this, Ye Jingcheng was no longer worried; with Ye Xuecang around, he won’t be in danger on the Celestial Cloud Islands, only the Yun Family might face risks.

The Yun Family has eight Purple Mansion cultivators in total, and according to Ye Jingcheng’s knowledge, three have already fallen.

Ye Jingcheng was unsure whether the Yun Family’s Purple Mansion cultivators had been swapped or replaced.

After all, Ye Haige could still swap positions covertly within the Yun Family.

Finally, they arrived in front of a brightly red tavern.

Cloud Crane Tower.

A name full of poetic meaning, the entire tavern was constructed in magnificent style.

“Elder Tang, Ninth Uncle is waiting for you upstairs!” Yun Chuanzhi continued leading Ye Jingcheng upstairs.

They soon reached a private room on the third floor, where spiritual cuisine was already placed within.

There were also three kinds of spirit wine and spirit tea, none below Tier Two.

Among them, the spirit tea was the Tier Two High-grade Cloud Conceal Tea.

This Cloud Conceal Tea wasn’t available on the Celestial Cloud Islands but was sold by the Haoran Trading Association; Ye Jingcheng usually couldn’t afford to buy it, as just one or two ounces of Cloud Conceal Tea cost nearly a thousand spirit stones.

It could be considered the epitome of luxury.

Of course, these spiritual cuisine offerings meant little when Yun Baiyuan, with his burly stature, was hosting him with the air of honoring a distinguished guest.

The number of people who could receive such hospitality was few among the Profound Sword Pavilion, Haoran Trading Association, and Purple Wood Sect.

“Tang Daoist, take a seat; I’ve heard that the Zimu Ascendant of the Purple Wood Sect accepted a disciple and I’ve never had the chance to see him, until today!”

“Elder Yun, you’ve made the junior feel a bit overwhelmed!” Ye Jingcheng bowed repeatedly, yet he did not accept the gesture nor took a seat.

“Tang Daoist, there’s no need to be formal; Yun here already knows a little but just wants peace of mind!” Yun Baiyuan surprisingly opened up directly.

It seemed he already knew that his family ancestor had been replaced.

He also knew this couldn’t be hidden on the Celestial Cloud Islands.

Of course, they did not want to leave their current position.

After all, no regular Purple Mansion cultivator could command the prestige of the Yun Family’s Purple Mansion.

“This is a portion of Purple Mansion Jade Liquid; Tang Daoist, please help to connect!” Yun Baiyuan opened up unexpectedly.

He had no thoughts of revenge because of whatever happened to the Yun Family.

However, Ye Jingcheng shook his head and still did not accept.

“Elder Yun, I am merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, albeit apprenticed to the Zimu Ascendant, but have not seen him often. Lately, I also need the Purple Mansion Jade Liquid, but it’s beyond my capability, so naturally, I cannot accept it!” Ye Jingcheng shook his head and after raising a glass of wine to penalize himself, directly exited the room.

“I apologize for my rudeness today!”

After Ye Jingcheng left, Yun Baiyuan was also momentarily stunned.

Beside the tavern, two cultivators emerged; if Ye Jingcheng were there, he would surely recognize them as the two remaining Purple Mansion cultivators of the Yun Family.

Clearly, the three were trying to obtain information about the Purple Wood Sect.

But many in the Purple Wood Sect, the Yun Family also knew, were not core members, only this Tang Cheng, in their eyes, could host Fairy Wu Xin and Chief Steward Xiao, indicating he was definitely a central sect cultivator.

“Could it be we guessed wrong?” Yun Baiyuan was the first to question the remaining two.

He seemed to be somewhat straightforward.

“Regardless of whether we guessed wrong, it’s troublesome either way; we have no evidence of this matter and no opportunity to ask Cyan Cloud Alliance other True Masters for assistance!”

“Moreover, truly seeking help may not make it better than it currently is!” one person sighed again.

“Of course, maybe we overthought, but Qian Yu has already been out of touch for quite some time!”

…

Ye Jingcheng left the large building and headed toward the Purple Cloud Tower of the Purple Wood Sect.

Since his Divine Sense was nearly Late Stage Purple Mansion, he naturally sensed something was amiss with the tavern.

Probably all the Yun Family’s Purple Mansion cultivators were there, waiting to test.

If he had the slightest thought of accepting gifts or becoming arrogant.

In their eyes, he would be an absolute confirmation that the Yun Family ancestor had been replaced.

And that it was replaced with someone from the Purple Wood Sect.

When Ye Jingcheng settled in the tavern and looked at his clan token.

He also received a message from Ye Xuecang.

“Switch identities and leave the tavern!”

Seeing this, Ye Jingcheng immediately nodded; he took out two Bone Transformation Pills.

That very night, like Ye Haifei and the others, he used the Bone Transformation Pills and left the tavern.

He approached a small merchant shop.

After entering through the back door of the shop, he saw arrays set up all around.

Then Ye Xuecang and Ye Haige also appeared directly.

Ye Jingcheng suddenly understood.

Of the five Purple Mansion cultivators of the Yun Family, only four should be left.

The other had become Ye Haige.

“Jingcheng Bright Pattern!” Ye Xuecang stretched out his hand, a Beast Communication Pattern flashed past, followed by Ye Jingcheng and Ye Haige showing bright patterns.

After completing the Beast Communication Pattern, Ye Jingcheng also breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, the clan had arrangements within the Yun Family, if he performed poorly, it could ruin the clan’s success!