**Chapter 4: Procuring Spirit Stones**
At the waist of Mount Lingyun stood a grand hall, heavily guarded, with only a small blue stone staircase, worn with patches of moss, winding its way up.
Beside the blue stone stairs was a field with patches of strange-colored spirit flowers.
But Ye Jingcheng did not dare to look too closely. This hall was the Ye family's treasure vault, a place for exchanging valuable items.
These grassy areas were part of formations, and only this blue stone staircase was unaffected by the formations, allowing passage.
Ye Jingcheng had a stock of Spirit Nourishment Pills, but with the rapid consumption by the Crimson Flame Fox and the addition of a Jade-ring Mouse, his supply was depleted in less than ten days.
He needed to exchange for more spiritual herbs at the treasure hall, refine additional Spirit Nourishment Pills in the alchemy hall, and also intended to acquire some spirit beast meat.
Moreover, if possible, he wanted to gather the elixirs listed in the ancient book as soon as possible.
Soon, he reached the front of the grand hall. The hall was bustling with cultivators exchanging items.
Among them was Ye Jingcheng's second brother, Ye Jingyong, who had also come to exchange items. Ye Jingcheng saw his second brother looking troubled, which was quite different from the joyful expression he had when he first brought back the Flying Cloud Leopard, a beast requiring more food than his Crimson Flame Fox.
"Second Brother!" Ye Jingcheng greeted.
Ye Jingyong looked over and, upon recognizing Ye Jingcheng, managed a wry smile: "Jingcheng, here to exchange for spirit food too? Now I understand why our Ye family is so poor!" Ye Jingyong said with a frown.
"I've been here three times, and my spirit herbs and contribution points are all gone!"
"With two spiritual beasts, you've also been here several times, right?"
"Yes!" Ye Jingcheng nodded. Although it was his first time, he could see the longing in Ye Jingyong's eyes and nodded in agreement.
"By the way, Jingcheng, since you're here, let me take you to get spirit stones. I'm sure you'll have plenty to spare!" Ye Jingyong suddenly remembered something, rubbing his thumb, index, and middle fingers together, and finally showing a smile.
Ye Jingcheng, however, had doubts about this.
Growing up at Lingyun Peak, he knew Ye Jingyong's character well. He was not enthusiastic about Ye Jingyong's method of acquiring spirit stones.
"Don't worry, it's not me, it's the Fourth Brother leading the team. He told me this, so you should believe it now!"
"The Fourth Brother?" Ye Jingcheng became interested. The Fourth Brother, Ye Jingyu, was the exact opposite of Ye Jingyong—one was the strategist of the Ye family, while the other was more impulsive!
"Of course. But the Fourth Brother said to wait another month!" Ye Jingyong said.
Seeing Ye Jingcheng nodding, he leaned in closer.
"It's the Demon Valley the family cleared out. There's a spiritual vein there, which will definitely attract demons!"
After saying this, Ye Jingyong left.
Ye Jingcheng thought for a moment and nodded. His Fourth Brother was indeed a strategist. The Demon Valley still had a lot of bloody scent, which meant powerful demons would not return so soon. Instead, the lower-level demons would be tempted by the spiritual vein and occupy it first.
If timed well, it could yield substantial rewards.
Of course, another reason Ye Jingcheng agreed was that Ye Jingyu's father was the family head, Ye Xingliu, one of the two foundation-building cultivators in the Ye family. With Ye Jingyu's safety ensured, any potential danger would not be too grave.
After some consideration, Ye Jingcheng shook his head and dismissed the thoughts. There was still a month left, and there was no need to rush.
He then entered the treasure hall, holding the family token, to exchange for spiritual herbs.
The person in charge of the treasure hall was Ye Jingcheng's Eighth Uncle, Ye Haiping.
"Eighth Uncle!" Ye Jingcheng approached, helping to organize the spiritual herbs he had just taken, which were now half used, and putting them back on the counter.
The Ye family's spiritual herbs were divided into two types. Those of lower grade, below first rank mid-grade, were mostly stored in the back's magical tool counter, while those of higher grade were kept in storage bags with spiritual jade.
[Translator: sauron]
"Jingcheng, you're doing fine. It won't take long!"
"Eighth Uncle, Jingcheng is eager to exchange for spirit herbs!" Ye Jingcheng smiled in response.
Understanding Ye Jingcheng's good intentions, Ye Haiping allowed him to assist.
After a few moments, everything was categorized and sorted.
"What do you need to exchange for?" Ye Haiping clapped his hands.
"Ten portions of herbs for Spirit Nourishment Pills, twenty pounds of spirit beast meat, two Detoxification Pills, and two Blood Essence Pills!" Ye Jingcheng listed them one by one.
These requests were premeditated. The Crimson Flame Fox could not recover instantly; it had to be a gradual process.
Ye Haiping noticed this and asked with some surprise, "Has the Crimson Flame Fox recovered?"
Ye Jingcheng shook his head, "Not that lucky. It's only showing some signs of life, and the poison seems to have receded a bit. Jingcheng is merely hoping for a chance."
"As long as it survives, that beast is not simple. If it can endure, it means its talent is beyond our expectations. You're indeed lucky!" Ye Haiping nodded, praising him.
A fully matured Crimson Flame Fox cub would require at least 600-700 contribution points. Ye Jingcheng had definitely gotten a bargain.
Ye Haiping went to the back counter and soon produced ten portions of Spirit Nourishment Pill herbs.
He also retrieved a large wooden box from the spirit beast bag, which contained twenty pounds of first-rank Iron Skin Pig meat!
Finally, he took out two pill bottles, each containing two pills.
"Spirit Nourishment Pill herbs are 2 contribution points per portion, totaling 20 contribution points. Spirit beast meat is 1 contribution point per 2 pounds, totaling 10 contribution points. Detoxification Pills and Blood Essence Pills are 5 contribution points each, totaling 20 contribution points. The total is 50 contribution points!"
Ye Jingcheng nodded, handing over the family token, which would deduct the contribution points.
The spirit beast meat and herb materials were added to his storage bag.
"Eighth Uncle, may I consult you on something else?" Ye Jingcheng took out a jade slip.
He had inscribed the unfamiliar herbs from the ancient book into it.
"This is the Bluefish Fruit, named for its resemblance to bluefish. It is a first-rank upper-grade spiritual fruit…"
...
Ye Haiping explained each one to Ye Jingcheng!
Ye Jingcheng felt a bit bitter. The elixirs, at least of first-rank upper-grade, were beyond his current alchemy skills.
"Eighth Uncle, I'd like to exchange for some talismans as well. I need two Golden Sword Talismans, two Wooden Vine Talismans, and two Water Shield Talismans!" Ye Jingcheng hesitated and then handed over the token.
Preparing for the Demon Valley in a month required thorough preparation, and talismans were the best option.
"Alright!" Ye Haiping reached into the storage bag and soon pulled out six talismans, all first-rank mid-grade, which were normally ten contribution points each even within the family.
"That will be 60 contribution points!"
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**(End of Chapter)**