Beast Taming Clan: I Have a Jade Book

Chapter 1513: Chapter 1090: Profound Puppet Sect’s Concerns

Inside the palace, Ye Jingcheng drank his Spirit Wine alone, no longer engaging in further conversation.

The more he pondered, the clearer the truth became to him.

Regarding today’s matter, Mansion Master Lu was clearly unaware. His people knew even less about Ye Jingcheng’s affairs than the Golden Cores of Xiaoshan Prefecture did. Most likely, the bulk of what they had heard were merely fragments of his exploits in the Earth Immortal Realm. However, during his time in the Earth Immortal Realm, Ye Jingcheng had deliberately concealed portions of his strength. Those actions had served merely as a warning, meaning his reputation elsewhere wouldn’t appear overwhelmingly formidable.

If this weren’t the case, Lu Qiuxuan wouldn’t have behaved so differently before and after. Moreover, they might not be clear about the agreement between the Ye family and the Hegu Sect.

Master Qingzhu and Master Celestial Fire were Mansion Master Lu’s enforcers. It was standard practice for them to go around issuing warnings. If Ye Jingcheng himself were to take over a new Mansion, he would also arrange for subordinates to throw their weight around and assert dominance. These enforcers didn’t need to be particularly clever, but they absolutely had to be arrogant. This way, when Mansion Master Lu stepped in to restore order, it would be extremely easy for him to win people’s hearts.

What was unusual was how the Cyan Heaven Sect knew the specific situation of the Hegu Sect. How did they know that Zilan possessed a Spirit Body, and that dual cultivation with her would greatly benefit Golden Core Cultivators?

One had to consider that the total time the Hegu Sect had been in Xiaoshan Prefecture was barely six years. The Hegu Sect certainly wouldn’t recklessly spread such sensitive information themselves. After all, even the Celestial Sand Sect and the Ye family didn’t know exactly what kind of Spirit Body Zilan Ascendant possessed. For other Golden Core Influences—no matter how extraordinary their methods—finding out would undoubtedly be an arduous task.

Ye Jingcheng couldn’t help but suspect Mansion Master Xiao and Prince Wang above them. Of course, it was highly likely that it wasn’t just the two Mansion Masters, but also the forces operating behind them.

This was exactly why Ye Jingcheng had personally come to the Xiaoshan Market instead of going directly to Liu Zhou State Governor and Prince Wang.

Furthermore, a change of Mansion Masters was a massive event. Yet, shockingly, Mansion Master Xiao and Prince Wang hadn’t informed the Celestial Sand Sect or the Ye family, nor had they given any instructions regarding their new arrangements. Instead, they had heavily cold-shouldered the Celestial Sand Sect.

If Ye Jingcheng’s guess was correct, the people backing Mansion Master Wang Xiao were probably already impatient to uncover the secrets and origins of the Ye family. Everything that had transpired today was orchestrated to create conflict between the Ye family and Mansion Master Lu.

First, this maneuver would completely isolate Ye Jingcheng from the other Righteous Sects. Second, it would force the Ye family to feel deeply grateful to them. Third, it would allow them to investigate all of the Ye family’s hidden strengths.

If his deductions held true, Mansion Master Lu might not even be their chosen candidate. Alternatively, perhaps Mansion Master Lu’s temperament was inherently irrational. This was the only way to guarantee there would be no possibility of reconciliation between Mansion Master Lu and the Ye family.

The most crucial point was that, in their eyes, Ye Jingcheng would definitely stand firmly on their side.

Unfortunately for them, Ye Jingcheng had long passed the age of impulsiveness. He was now part of a Nascent Soul Clan and no longer needed to rely entirely on the Nascent Souls of these Righteous Sects, as he had in the past. Instead, the Ye family and the Celestial Sand Sect were now a force that *they* needed to win over.

Therefore, although Ye Jingcheng had shown his attitude, he hadn’t pushed things to the absolute limit. He even provided Mansion Master Lu a graceful way out. To verify this hypothesis next, Ye Jingcheng only needed to investigate Mansion Master Lu’s habits to make a sound judgment.

Before that, however, he needed to consider how to lay his cards on the table with Mansion Master Xiao, Prince Wang, and the figures behind them.

Moreover, the Ye family was now a Nascent Soul Power, considered one of the five major subordinate Nascent Soul Powers in the Southern Wilderness Province. Even though he had previously taken a side, they should still reap sufficient benefits in the future. This was the price the other party simply had to pay. They could not rely on petty tricks to bind the Celestial Sand Sect and the Ye family tighter.

While Ye Jingcheng pondered on the sidelines, the rest of the Golden Cores didn’t disturb him. They continued to pull Ye Jing Hu along, fervently discussing the situation in Xiaoshan Prefecture and the current state of the Profound Celestial Demon Sect.

At the same time, they began to renegotiate the distribution of interests regarding the Spirit Mountains and Markets of Xiaoshan Prefecture. When it came to a Golden Core Influence, a Market would allocate a few shops to a Golden Core Clan. Now that the Ye family was a Nascent Soul Clan, they deserved an even larger share.

Furthermore, the Ye family and the Celestial Sand Sect would be able to establish a Spirit Mountain next to the Xiaoshan Market in the future. This Spirit Mountain—much like the one owned by the Profound Puppet Sect—would serve both as a symbol of status and as a guardian presence for the Xiaoshan Market. Even if this Spirit Mountain wasn’t available right away, Xiaoshan Prefecture would need to arrange for its establishment in the near future.

***

The Golden Core Cultivators debated passionately. In their midst, Ye Jing Hu was actually somewhat unaccustomed to it all; he wasn’t used to these Golden Cores being so enthusiastic.

Although the barriers between Golden Cores had significantly diminished, Ye Jing Hu was still only at the Early Stage of Golden Core. Among the rest of the gathered Golden Cores, the only others currently at the Early Stage were Duan Chuanyun and Master Qingzhu. Normally, Ye Jing Hu would have the least right to speak, and he was quite accustomed to that dynamic. Being showered with such flattery now naturally made him feel out of place.

Fortunately, Ye Jing Hu had undergone training within his family beforehand regarding how Mansion Master Lu would allocate resources, territories, and shops to the Celestial Sand Sect.

The first rule was never to show any joy; instead, he had to occasionally furrow his brows.

The second rule was to constantly glance at Shan Kui True Master.

Mansion Master Lu couldn’t possibly reduce the power of the Profound Puppet Sect. The Celestial Sand Sect didn’t even need to fiercely advocate for anything; as long as he looked toward Shan Kui True Master, Mansion Master Lu would understand the Celestial Sand Sect’s stance.

As a result, even surrounded by these seasoned, crafty veteran Golden Cores, Ye Jing Hu didn’t display any shortcomings like a lack of experience or an insufficient aura.

After a while, following the arrival of a Transmission, Xuan Kui True Monarch finally made his belated entrance.

He wore a Puppet Robe and immediately cupped his hands in greeting toward Ye Jingcheng upon entering.

“Qianchen Daoist, congratulations,” Xuan Kui True Monarch said, his tone carrying a hint of enthusiasm.

Ye Jingcheng returned the gesture. “Thank you, Xuan Kui Daoist. Come and try this Red Lotus Blood Clear Wine.”

Taking the opportunity to play the gracious host, Ye Jingcheng poured a cup of Spirit Wine for Xuan Kui True Monarch.

Seeing this posture, Ye Jingcheng figured he already knew the reason for Xuan Kui True Monarch’s enthusiasm. The ones who understood the Celestial Sand Sect and him the best, aside from Mansion Master Xiao and Prince Wang, were the Profound Puppet Sect.

The other party was clearly worried that the Celestial Sand Sect occupying too much territory in Xiaoshan Prefecture and Wangqing Prefecture would hamper the development of the Profound Puppet Sect. After all, the dozen or so Prefectures across the entire Southern Wilderness Province had previously been divided among four Nascent Souls. Xiaoshan Prefecture and Wangqing Prefecture were the primary spheres of influence for the Profound Puppet Sect.

Since the Ye family also had considerable backing, the ensuing conversation would likely be a session of pouring out grievances, followed by a negotiation on how to divide the territories between the two sects.

Therefore, at this moment, whoever adopted a more accommodating and humble posture was more likely to gain the upper hand later. This was exactly why Ye Jingcheng took the initiative to offer and pour the wine.

“Qianchen Daoist, your esteemed sect is now a Nascent Soul Sect, yet I received the news so late. I deserve to be penalized. Let the penalty be a few Tier Four Spirit Puppets,” Xuan Kui True Monarch declared.

As he spoke, he took out a Storage Bag and placed it in Ye Jingcheng’s hands.

After Ye Jingcheng accepted it, Xuan Kui True Monarch added, “There is no need to stand on ceremony, Qianchen Daoist. Once Mansion Master Lu’s conference concludes, I will deliver a major business deal to the Celestial Sand Sect.”

With that said, he turned to Mansion Master Lu and began exchanging pleasantries with him as well.