**Chapter 2: No Hope**
The Ye family's Demon Hunting Hall was located halfway up Mount Lingyun in the Ye family's estate. It was a magnificent two-story hall, built with great splendor and elegance.
The entire hall was made of ironwood aged a hundred years and was adorned with numerous lifelike statues of spiritual beasts, adding to its ethereal ambiance.
Ye Jingcheng entered the hall and registered, noticing that many Ye family members were bustling about. Some were even covered in beast blood, looking quite fierce.
They had apparently just returned from deep within the Taihang Mountains.
Among them was Ye Haiyun, the most renowned alchemist of the Ye family.
Ye Haiyun crouched beside a cloth-covered exotic beast on the ground, shaking his head after a long look.
The beast on the ground was about the size of an ordinary fox, but its fur was red as fire, full of spiritual energy. Unfortunately, it had a severely injured forepaw, and the wound had started to blacken and dry out.
Its once bright eyes were now dimming, as if it might pass away at any moment.
It whimpered weakly, its voice growing fainter.
The crimson fox's injuries were severe, with deep poisoning. Its survival was a testament to its toughness and extraordinary potential.
"This Crimson Flame Fox is beyond saving. It's a pity for such a beast with potential to reach the second tier peak!" Ye Haiyun said, and other Ye family members sighed in sympathy.
Unlike humans, the quality of a spiritual beast is highly valued based on its bloodline. A good bloodline allows for reaching higher realms.
A poor bloodline consumes more resources than a cultivator's own cultivation, which contradicts the purpose of nurturing spiritual beasts.
The Crimson Flame Fox might still have a chance of recovery with a tier-two elixir, but even if it survived, its potential might not be as great. Such elixirs are extremely precious to the Ye family.
Ye Jingcheng, watching from the side, had his eyes widen as the ancient book within him began to flip through pages for the first time.
Finally, the book stopped on a page depicting a nine-tailed red fox with a fierce, imposing aura. Its claw seemed to reach out as if it could tear the heavens apart!
Seeing this, Ye Jingcheng realized that the Crimson Flame Fox might be extraordinary and that his ancient book was related to nurturing spiritual beasts!
However, he dared not step forward.
With two lifetimes of experience, he understood the perils of showing off one's secrets.
"Don't we have two Cloud Leopards? An adult Cloud Leopard can also reach the second tier, comparable to a foundation-building cultivator. It's the biggest gain of this expedition. The younger generation can choose from them!" Elder Ye Haiyi said with a serious tone.
[tarnslator: sauron]
The Ye family had paid a significant price for exploring a demon valley, but the harvest was excellent.
As a Beast Taming family, they still had many members of the younger generation without suitable spiritual beasts.
It wasn't that the Ye family didn't raise spiritual beasts; it was that good ones were incredibly rare.
"Jingcheng, you don't have a spiritual beast either. Choose one from the cubs here. There are five cubs available!" Ye Haiyi said after using a communication talisman. Seeing Ye Jingcheng present, he offered the choice.
He then revealed five different small beasts.
Two of them were Cloud Leopards, very energetic, stretching their heads around, undaunted by the unfamiliar environment, and emitting intimidating low growls!
The other three were a Green-scaled Snake and two Jade-ring Mice.
The latter three looked rather lethargic, with significantly weaker potential.
Ye Jingcheng had memorized the appearances of these spiritual beasts since he was young and had always hoped for them, so he was naturally pleased.
"Third Grandpa, let Fourth Brother and Second Brother choose first!" Ye Jingcheng, though visibly fond of the beasts, hesitated and declined.
His Fourth Brother and Second Brother were Ye family members who still lacked suitable spiritual beasts and both had three spiritual roots.
"It's fine. In the Ye family, you have good alchemy talent and work hard in cultivation, so you may choose first!" Ye Haiyi held a favorable view of Ye Jingcheng.
Among the younger generation, Ye Jingcheng might not have the best talent but was definitely the most diligent. He used every available moment for cultivation and alchemy practice.
In the cultivation world, weak talent doesn't necessarily mean a short journey, but lack of determination definitely does.
Ye Jingcheng still shook his head. If he chose first and didn't select a Cloud Leopard, it would be hard to justify.
Seeing Ye Jingcheng's insistence, Ye Haiyi said no more.
He closed his eyes slightly, waiting for the other younger generation members to arrive.
It wasn't long before several young people in Ye family attire strode in.
Leading the group was Ye Jingcheng's Second Brother, Ye Jingyong, followed by Fourth Brother Ye Jingyu, Sixth Brother Ye Jingli, and Seventh Sister Ye Jingyu.
Ye Jingcheng greeted them all.
He naturally fell to the back of the line.
Ye Haiyi and Ye Haiyun observed this with some shifting expressions and sighed.
In the cultivation world, such humility might not be a good thing!
The two exchanged a glance, preparing to find an opportunity to advise Ye Jingcheng.
As expected, Ye Jingyong and Ye Jingyu chose the two Cloud Leopards.
Ye Jingli and Ye Jingyu chose the Green-scaled Snake and Jade-ring Mouse, respectively!
Everyone took out their family tokens and began to calculate their contribution points. The Cloud Leopards cost 400 contribution points each, while the Green-scaled Snake and Jade-ring Mouse were 200 contribution points each.
It was now Ye Jingcheng's turn.
"Third Grandpa, Fourth Grandpa, may I choose the Crimson Flame Fox?" Ye Jingcheng asked.
He felt a bit anxious and hesitated for a long time.
The scene stunned the others, who were shocked and confused.
This Crimson Flame Fox was on the brink of death. When Ye Haiyi picked it up, it was with the attitude of giving it a try.
"This Crimson Flame Fox is already on the brink of death!" Ye Haiyun reminded.
Ye Haiyun had taught Ye Jingcheng alchemy and didn't want him to choose such a critically injured beast.
Ye Jingcheng nodded, acknowledging his understanding.
"In that case, you can have both. The total is 250 contribution points. If you don't have enough, you can owe the family!" Ye Haiyi proposed a compromise.
Ye Jingcheng gladly agreed, quickly taking out his family token for Ye Haiyi to deduct the points.
"Thank you, Third Grandpa, Fourth Grandpa!" Ye Jingcheng thanked them earnestly.
After the exchange, Ye Jingcheng chatted briefly with his older siblings and then, anxiously clutching the two spiritual beasts, headed back to his courtyard.
At this moment, if anyone could see inside Ye Jingcheng, they would notice that the ancient book within him was glowing with spiritual light, showing profound mysteries!
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This concludes the chapter.