Chapter 43: The Fall of the Turtle Ancestor?
After sending the message, Ye Jingcheng released his giant Red Flame Fox and Golden Scaled Beast, urgently starting a search. He was alone, waiting for communication from Ye Xingliu or a transmission talisman.
Despite the many scattered cultivators being slain by the Ye family, Ye Jingcheng remained calm, focusing on ensuring no hidden cultivators remained.
The Red Flame Fox shot fireballs, hitting various hills, while the Jade Ring Mouse's ears twitched, checking for any concealed presence.
The search was impressive in scale, but most of the family members remained focused on Lingyun Peak. Ye Jingcheng, too, was anxious and worried about whether his actions were too reckless.
However, given that he bore the Beast Contract Tattoo and had received personal guidance from Ye Haiyun, he felt a deep sense of gratitude. Every pill refining session had been conducted openly, a significant gesture of trust he could not forget.
Thus, he quickly set aside his doubts and continued to worry about the situation on Lingyun Peak.
The protection formation was still shaking violently, indicating the Turtle Ancestor's increasing madness.
Just then, a massive spiritual boat appeared in the distance. It was enormous, with a prominent "Xu" character fluttering in the wind, approaching Lingyun Peak.
The boat was three tiers high with eight masts, far more impressive than Ye Xingliu's boat. The boat was filled with cultivators, and Ye Jingcheng's face darkened upon seeing it—reinforcements from the Xu family, the Purple Mansion Clan, had arrived.
This scene was also noticed by Ye Jingyu and Ye Jingteng.
On the peak, a figure on a flying sword emerged, blocking the boat's path.
"Daoist Xu, what is the meaning of this?" Ye Xingliu, visibly enraged, demanded. His wind-rustling robe and blood-stained sword pointed almost accusingly at Xu Wenchang, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Xu family.
"Daoist Ye, there's been a misunderstanding. The Xu family was training its juniors these days. Since the Qing, Li, Chu, and Chen families are also involved, we thought to ask if the Ye family wanted to join," Xu Wenchang said with a righteous air.
"However, seeing such intense blood energy from afar suggests that a beast has gone mad. The Taichi Sect strictly prohibits such demonic beasts," he added. "If the Ye family cannot handle it, the Xu family is willing to assist."
Xu Wenchang's pretense of righteousness and the authority of the Taichi Sect made Ye Xingliu's expression darken further. The Taichi Sect prohibited demon cultivators and blood cultivators, and the Turtle Ancestor, afflicted by the magic worms, exuded a bloodthirsty aura.
Ye Xingliu could not refute Xu Wenchang's claim since he held a spiritual plate.
Instead, Ye Xingliu's gaze shifted to Li Muhe and the Li family head.
"Did you tamper with the Blood Heart Pills?" Ye Xingliu's eyes gleamed with killing intent.
He pointed his sword, its tip dripping with crimson blood.
In the cultivation world, pointing a weapon at someone was a severe taboo, especially with a blood-stained blade.
"Ye Xingliu, stop slandering! The Blood Heart Pills were sold by the Huayu Sect, and the auction was organized by the Xu family. All four families had auctioneers. Are you accusing someone?" Li Muhe, enraged, brandished a second-tier sword.
The tension escalated as Ye Xingliu, despite being alone, maintained an imposing presence.
Chu Xiyu, the Chu family head, stepped in to mediate. "Daoist Ye, if the issue lies with the pills, perhaps the beast itself has caused the problem. After all, the pill is from the Huayu Sect, not directly affiliated with the Taichi Sect. All four families have inspected it, and the Xu family did as well."
This statement shifted the atmosphere, as it affected reputations. Ye Xingliu's further accusations would embarrass the Xu family.
The current dispute was just Ye Xingliu's word against theirs.
"Daoist Xu, if you want to help, the monster hunting and junior training can wait," Xu Wenchang suggested.
"No need for assistance. The Ye family will handle it," Ye Xingliu replied through gritted teeth.
As the Ye family spoke, the battle at the peak reached its climax. The protection formation gathered energy for a final strike, aiming at the top of Lingyun Peak.
It was clear that the Ye family would lose a late-stage Foundation Establishment beast today. With the magic worms causing increasing terror, only a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator might manage to subdue it, making the use of the formation and other Foundation Establishment cultivators the only viable solution.
The Xu family and other clans present were effectively supervising the situation. Their strength meant that if the Ye family didn't act, they would.
Moreover, the presence of these clans allowed them to investigate the Ye family's true condition.
[Translator: sauron]
Countless ice crystal arrows, tiger roars, lizard screeches, and eagle cries erupted from Lingyun Peak, overwhelming even the protection formation.
The Ye family's reputation was at stake. Losing a Foundation Establishment beast would diminish their influence and damage their prestige.
After a long period, the disturbance on the peak subsided. Ye Haicheng, in his mid-Foundation Establishment peak state, emerged, visibly exhausted but holding a blood-red inner core from the beast.
The Xu family's blood disk glowed ominously, revealing the presence of magic worm toxins.
"Your gifts have been received, but the Ye family will return the favor in time," Ye Haicheng declared, his tone filled with anger. He also announced that Ye Jingteng had been accepted as a disciple by Master Taihao, sending a jade slip to the four families.
"Farewell for now. Please leave," Ye Haicheng added, his voice stern.
Xu Wenchang, his expression shifting, glanced at the jade slip and Ye Jingteng before making a brief exit.
The four families showed their satisfaction, as the Ye family's anger played into their hands. The relationship with Master Taihao added complexity to their efforts to marginalize the Ye family.
With the departure of the spiritual boats, Ye Haicheng landed above Lingyun Peak.
"The family competition will proceed as usual. From today, there will be significant changes to the family's stipends. Everyone must remember today. The Ye family will repay this debt a hundredfold!" Ye Haicheng's loud and furious declaration echoed.
Ye Jingcheng was puzzled and disheartened. His transmission talisman to Ye Xingliu had received no response.
(End of Chapter)