**Chapter 29: Organizing the Gains
In a small courtyard, Ye Jingcheng opened his eyes, exhaled deeply, and put away the jade slip where he had recorded and summarized his experiences.
He needed to thoroughly review and summarize this battle with the cultivators.
For example, why was the Red-Flame Fox, which was mentally linked with him, so quickly trapped by that bell artifact?
And why did he, despite his lack of proficiency in close combat, leave the spiritual shield? Even if he extended the casting range a bit, what use would it be?
...
Additionally, he needed to evaluate if the Red-Flame Fox's Fireball Technique and his Ironwood Plate could coordinate as seamlessly as the Lizard Lord and his third uncle, Ye Xingliu.
Counting carefully, the experience and techniques in combat were as intricate as the alchemy formulas.
This time, he had only fought against rogue cultivators with the support of elders. If he did not improve, how would he handle the ruthless family cultivators who might act maliciously in the future?
Ye Jingcheng planned to make some adjustments to his upcoming training.
Alchemy could not be neglected, at least not until he had perfected the alchemy formulas from the ancient book. Additionally, his nightly practice was essential.
However, he needed to allocate time to improve coordination with the Red-Flame Fox, aiming to achieve a level where at least one enemy would be hit during joint attacks, or all would have to endure!
With these decisions made, he felt a sense of relief.
He then joyfully examined his recent gains. He found a palm-sized storage bag in his hand.
This storage bag was similar in size to his own. Since its owner was dead, he used his spiritual sense to imprint a simple spiritual mark before opening it.
With a flash of spiritual light, Ye Jingcheng quickly extracted the items from the bag.
There weren't many items, but they filled the stone table to some extent.
The most noticeable items were over fifty spiritual stones. In addition, there were three spiritual talismans: two were first-grade water shield talismans, and the last one was a land spike talisman.
There were also some bottles and jars, but Ye Jingcheng was instantly disappointed to find that they contained only ordinary pills or low-grade spiritual pills from street vendors. Even the Vitality Pills were of inferior quality.
He shook his head; as expected, they were rogue cultivators.
After storing all the spiritual stones and talismans, Ye Jingcheng examined the three magical artifacts he had obtained.
The most intriguing was the bell artifact. This bell, transformed into a large clock, was excellent for trapping both people and beasts. If he could use it in future battles, it would give him a significant advantage in a multi-against-one scenario.
"I'll call you the Celestial Trap Clock for now!" Ye Jingcheng fondled the bell's patterns, feeling its bronze-like texture with a cool, jade-like touch.
Apart from the Celestial Trap Clock, Ye Jingcheng took out nine silver snow needles and laid them on the stone table. Each needle was as thin as a snowflake; it was difficult to distinguish them with the naked eye alone.
The silver snow needles had left a significant impression on him. However, he thought they were more suitable for ambushes. The black-faced cultivator had no other suitable attacking artifacts, so he had to use the silver snow needles as his main weapon.
Otherwise, Ye Jingcheng's situation would have been even more perilous.
These silver snow needles consumed a lot of spiritual energy. He estimated that if he controlled a full set of them, he would be unable to use other artifacts effectively. Controlling just one, however, seemed much easier.
Ye Jingcheng was very satisfied as he stored the silver snow needles. Finally, he retrieved a scorched black-gold iron plate.
This plate was a small shield artifact, of first-grade middle quality, though slightly deformed from being hit. It indicated that the Red-Flame Fox's Fireball Technique was indeed no ordinary fireball technique.
This shield would need to be repaired by a blacksmith.
Although its value wouldn't be very high even after repair, it was still a considerable gain for him.
So, he treasured the small shield artifact.
Creak!
A gentle breeze stirred the wooden window. Looking outside, Ye Jingcheng saw that the fine rain was falling again.
The changing weather of the vernal equinox and the misty twilight in the mountains resembled a hazy landscape painting.
The mountain's tenderness was vividly apparent at that moment.
Ye Jingcheng, as usual, released the Red-Flame Fox and the Jade Ring Rat. Since he no longer had the spring water with spiritual effects, he used ordinary mountain spring water from the Ye family.
He supplemented their meals with two feeding spiritual pills and two body-tempering pills each, as well as several pounds of spirit beast meat. Because he had collected many spiritual stones and a few artifacts, Ye Jingcheng prepared two body-tempering pills and a large piece of spirit beast meat for the Jade Ring Rat as well.
The Jade Ring Rat had never received such treatment before.
The Jade Ring Rat's large ears had shown their alert effect, making Ye Jingcheng see its potential.
The Red-Flame Fox, however, was indifferent to these spiritual pills and spirit beast meat, which were now commonplace. The Jade Ring Rat, however, was visibly surprised.
It hadn't expected to receive body-tempering pills, two feeding spiritual pills, and a substantial amount of spirit beast meat.
Usually, it only got one feeding spiritual pill and a small amount of spirit beast meat.
"Eat up and maintain this sensitivity in the future!" Ye Jingcheng encouraged.
Both beasts quickly consumed the spiritual pills and began devouring the spirit beast meat!
After finishing their meals, Ye Jingcheng also infused some precious light into both spirit beasts.
The Red-Flame Fox, being more perceptive, showed a greater affinity for Ye Jingcheng. Its fur became smoother, and its warm, comforting presence made Ye Jingcheng want to keep stroking it.
The Jade Ring Rat, under the precious light, squeaked with excitement.
In the past, to reduce others' suspicions, Ye Jingcheng had applied less precious light to the Jade Ring Rat.
This time, he was generous with the precious light.
It seemed that the soothing effect caused the Jade Ring Rat's large jade-like ears to rhythmically flap.
After feeding the spirit beasts, Ye Jingcheng lay down on the stone bed and began his cultivation.
He took out a pill bottle containing a Green Spirit Pill but then reconsidered and put the pill back.
He immersed himself in his cultivation.
Such days continued for five more days!
When Ye Jingcheng was still hesitating, a flash of spiritual light appeared at his window under the smoky rain and twilight.
The spiritual light was again from Ye Xingliu.
This time, the message was also urgent, but without specifics. Ye Jingcheng remembered Ye Xingyu's advice to prepare.
He felt a faint sense of anticipation.
So, he applied a minor spell to make the family robe look cleaner and more presentable.
After taking a deep breath, he followed the guidance of the spiritual light and arrived at the hall of discussion. Ye Xingliu was already waiting at the hall's entrance, dressed in neat family attire.
"Patriarch!" Ye Jingcheng quickly bowed.
"Jingcheng, follow me!" Ye Xingliu said without further explanation and continued walking up the mountainside.
Ye Jingcheng, feeling slightly excited, quickly followed.
Soon, they reached a higher part of Lingyun Peak, where the mist was denser.
A family ancestral hall appeared in Ye Jingcheng's view from afar.
(End of Chapter)