Chapter 42: Bloodthirsty Magic Worm
At Lingyun Peak of the Ye family, Ye Xinghe's spiritual boat emerged from the clouds, revealing a reddish sky in the distance.
Without the cover of thick clouds, the crimson morning glow was particularly glaring.
Lingyun Peak slowly came into view beneath the clouds.
The mood aboard the boat was tense and full of uncertainty. Nearby, another boat, the Ye family's monster hunting boat from Qingyun Mountain, added to the eerie atmosphere.
Ye Jinghao and Ye Xinghong had begun to suspect that this was more than just a family competition.
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a beast's roar echoed from the distant clouds, drawing everyone's attention to the peak of Lingyun Mountain.
Ye Jingcheng was equally concerned. The peak was a restricted area, and the terrifying roar suggested a serious problem, likely involving a powerful beast.
The roar shook the earth and mountains.
They looked toward Ye Xinghe, who, usually calm and unflappable, now had a furrowed brow and deep, focused eyes, watching the situation ahead.
No one asked questions, and Ye Xinghe remained silent. When they reached Lingyun Peak, they found the area in a state of high alert, with the mountain protection formation fully activated.
Many Ye family cultivators and spiritual beasts were present on the peak, and the atmosphere was chaotic.
"Stay here and guard. I'll go to the peak," Ye Xinghe ordered, dropping Ye Jingcheng and the others off before heading up the mountain with members of the monster hunting team and Ye Xingyu.
Ye Jingcheng saw his older brothers, Ye Jingyu, Ye Jingyong, and Ye Jingteng, among the crowd. Ye Jingteng, whom Ye Jingcheng rarely saw, was a family member with dual spiritual roots and had entered the Taiyi Sect. He was said to be at the eighth level of Qi Refining, close to the ninth level, and likely to establish his foundation before turning forty.
"Jingcheng is back?" Ye Jingyu did not speak; it was Ye Jingyong who addressed him.
"The clan's guardian spiritual beast has gone berserk and is out of control. The family head even sent a summons for Fourth Grandpa to return!"
Ye Jingcheng was taken aback and puzzled. This was the first time the guardian beast had gone wild. He recalled the previous incident involving the Blood Heart Pills, which had strained the family finances and almost disrupted their trade with the Huayu Sect. Despite this, the Blood Heart Pills had ended up in the Ye family's possession, which seemed suspicious upon reflection.
Ye Jingcheng felt regretful and considered whether he should investigate further, as he had access to the family's treasure book.
The beast's roars grew louder, causing the ground to tremble as if a giant beast was shaking Lingyun Peak. Despite the peak having a second-tier superior protection formation, the chaos continued.
Numerous birds and beasts, including advanced Firebirds and Red Cloud Bees, were visible on the peak. Cultivators at the eighth and ninth levels of Qi Refining were heading towards the summit.
Those below the eighth level, like Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingyu, were stationed at the base of the mountain.
Ye Jingteng, despite being at the eighth level, was exempt from direct involvement due to his status and specialization.
"Fourth Brother, what's going on?" Ye Jingcheng asked Ye Jingyu, who likely knew more given his position as the family head's son.
Ye Jingyu's expression was grim. "The medicine from last time was contaminated with colorless and odorless second-tier bloodthirsty magic worms."
"This poison has a delayed onset, taking three years to manifest," Ye Jingyu continued, his face pale.
[Translator: sauron]
The Ye family's position among the four major families was tied to their spiritual beasts, and the most powerful of these was the Turtle Ancestor, rumored to have protected the family for five or six centuries and reached the late stage of the second tier.
The death of the Turtle Ancestor would be catastrophic for the Ye family. Thus, all family cultivators had returned, including those previously called away by the sect.
The peak was a battleground of spiritual light and spells, with roars of tigers and cries of eagles blending into the chaos.
The situation was even worse than anticipated. The Turtle Ancestor, lacking a successor and spiritual bond, had gone mad, and the consequences were dire.
The sky continued to darken, with the blazing sun high above. The Ye family members, including those who had waited for days, grew increasingly anxious.
A massive ice crystal arrow struck the protective formation, causing a thunderous impact and cracks to appear in the shield, threatening to shatter.
"All Ye family members, prepare your magical tools and seal off a thirty-mile radius around Lingyun Peak. No unauthorized beings are allowed near!" Ye Xingliu's commanding voice echoed with authority.
Ye Jingyu led the charge, with Ye Jingteng and Ye Jingyong also joining in. The lower-level cultivators and those not directly involved remained behind to guard.
It became evident that there were hidden scouts among the commoners. These were likely spies from rival factions.
The Ye family was determined to prevent any information leakage, and any scout or spy was to be eliminated.
Ye Jingcheng found a secluded spot and sent a transmission talisman to the peak. Though this might expose the treasure book, he realized that if the family fell, his situation would worsen.
The family's trust in him, despite the potential dangers, was a source of gratitude. Many in the cultivation world would betray family for treasure, but the Ye family showed a rare level of trust.
The light from the treasure book was not detectable by outsiders, and Ye Jingcheng could claim he was a special spiritual entity capable of healing beasts, a notion already partially suspected by the higher-ups in the Ye family.
The Red Flame Fox's strong constitution allowed it to deceive the younger members of the family, but the elders could easily discern the true state of their beasts.
(End of Chapter)