Chapter 41: Urgent Recall
Inside the room, Ye Jingcheng had set up a larger formation, creating an expansive barrier.
Refining pills indoors significantly impacted the surroundings. Six months ago, Ye Jingcheng had to replace the formation disk, or the room would have burned down under the intense heat of the Red Flame Fox's flames, despite the formations inscribed.
Currently, the Red Flame Fox had grown longer, its red fur more vibrant and covered with a beautiful spiritual sheen. Its tail was now as large as a blazing fire, comparable in size to a lion.
Most notably, the red mark on its forehead was more prominent. Under Ye Jingcheng's command, the fox began breathing out flames, rapidly increasing the room's temperature.
Ye Jingcheng skillfully adjusted the pill furnace into the flames, replicating the technique of Elder Ye Haiyun from his past. This method allowed him to efficiently heat the furnace, greatly saving time and improving pill refining efficiency.
For an ordinary alchemist, this may not be crucial, but for a beast-taming alchemist of the Ye family, it was essential. Despite Ye Jingcheng's expertise, he still lagged behind Elder Ye Haiyun.
After several moments, the spiritual patterns on the furnace began to animate, forming a vivid red spiritual image. Ye Jingcheng, calm and composed, proceeded with refining the pills.
He was preparing Ice Clear Pills, a first-tier superior grade pill that was also the fifth attempt. Previous attempts had failed, costing him considerable spiritual herbs. This time, he applied all his previous lessons, meticulously ensuring each step.
As the herbs took shape, the flame fluctuated with Ye Jingcheng's will. Unlike before, the Red Flame Fox assisted with unwavering focus, controlling the fire's temperature precisely.
After some time, the furnace began to shake, and Ye Jingcheng's brow furrowed in concentration. After several rotations, the lid of the furnace finally lifted, and the flame reduced to a small fire, revealing two perfectly formed Ice Clear Pills slowly rotating inside.
"Success!" Ye Jingcheng was delighted, collecting the pills into a bottle. This marked his achievement as a first-tier superior alchemist, earning him a notable position even within the Ye family.
More importantly, he was now closer to refining the advancement pills for the Red Flame Fox. He had already gathered half of the necessary materials for the Golden Scaled Beast's advancement, and once the time came, both his spiritual beasts could progress further.
[Translator: sauron]
However, Ye Jingcheng now needed to consider his own cultivation. With his four spiritual roots and slow cultivation speed, he practiced the single-attribute Li Huo Gong. But with the Golden Scaled Beast and Red Flame Fox, he could shift to dual-attribute techniques, optimizing his spiritual vein usage and accelerating his progress.
The Ye family's treasure vault contained such techniques, but Ye Jingcheng found it odd that the family's alchemists and smiths had not yet returned. Nearly three years had passed since the Tianyi Sect's call for alchemists and blacksmiths.
As he pondered, a sudden commotion erupted in the inner courtyard, accompanied by a hurriedly sent spiritual talisman.
"Quick, get out!" The urgency in the voice was unprecedented for Ye Jingcheng.
Upon exiting the inner courtyard, he saw Ye Xinghe, Ye Xingyun, and Ye Xingyu all looking puzzled, while Ye Xinghe was notably anxious.
"The family is urgently holding a grand competition. We leave today, and the shops in the market will be closed for half a month!" Ye Xinghe's announcement left everyone confused, but he did not provide any explanation.
Even Ye Xinghong and Ye Jinghao quickly packed their belongings, taking valuable items from the shop. Ye Jingcheng realized that something serious might have happened to the Ye family, though Ye Xinghe seemed to be hiding the details.
Ye Xinghe hung a sign on the Ye family shop indicating the family competition and then led everyone through a secret passage.
This passage was different from the previous ones, suggesting the Ye family's shop had multiple hidden routes. Exiting the passage, Ye Xinghe produced a spiritual boat, heading swiftly towards Lingyun Peak.
Ye Xinghe and Ye Jinghao were visibly excited, having been away from Lingyun Peak for too long. Ye Jingcheng and others, meanwhile, were filled with confusion.
---
In the Taihang Market, in a secret hall, Li Mutian sat in a grand chair, sipping spiritual tea.
At this moment, a cultivator rushed in.
"Uncle Tian, important news!" Li Mutian put down his tea and quickly activated a formation disk, covering the room.
"What's going on?" he asked urgently.
"The Ye family left the market overnight and put up a notice about the clan competition!" the cultivator reported.
"Perfect!" Li Mutian burst into laughter.
"Good job. Keep this confidential and don't tell anyone else. Also, arrange a meeting with the heads of the other two families to discuss the specifics of the third market auction!" Li Mutian instructed.
"Yes!" The cultivator hurried off.
---
At the same time, the Chu and Chen families were equally anxious. After years of planning, their opportunity had finally arrived. They quickly headed towards the tavern Li Mutian had arranged.
As the heads of the Chu and Chen families arrived, Li Mutian spoke.
"Not only did the Ye family's shop personnel evacuate, but their disciples in the sect are also requesting leave!"
"Yet the Ye family has been cautious. The Blood Heart Pills were laced with invisible and odorless magic worms that don't activate immediately!" added the head of the Chu family with a cold snort.
Although the Ye family was known for its poverty, it was the most ancient and substantial among the four families.
(End of Chapter)