Chapter 44: The Start of the Clan Competition
At this moment, the atmosphere on Lingyun Peak shifted dramatically. The entire Ye family was filled with anger. Their guardian spirit beast, the Turtle Ancestor, had been forced to its death by other clans, and now they were leaving with a sense of triumph.
Ye Xingliu stepped forward as the head of the family, determined to restore their morale. "Starting today, family stipends will be increased by fifty percent. For those who have not shown progress in a long time, stipends will be halved. Additionally, the top three in the clan competition will receive a spirit beast or a cultivation method as a reward!"
"The top ten will receive spirit stones or a bottle of spirit pills or magic tools!"
"Furthermore, the details of the rewards and family policies will be updated soon. Pay attention to the new regulations!"
"Everyone must train diligently. If the family truly falls into decline and becomes a group of wandering cultivators, you all know how grim that situation will be!"
Ye Xingliu's commanding voice and the seriousness of his words changed the expressions of all present. Although the Ye family was not a Purple Mansion clan, being reduced to wandering cultivators would be a true nightmare.
The urgency and tension spread throughout the family, replacing their previous casualness.
Ye Jingcheng, filled with anger, reflected on the issue. The Blood Heart Pills he had spent thousands of spirit stones on had caused the death of the guardian beast. He also wondered why Ye Xingliu had not responded to him, and why the situation seemed to align so perfectly with the interests of the other four clans.
The clan competition began, and everyone gathered in the arena—a vast open space with numerous large stone platforms used for teaching cultivation techniques. Today, it would serve as the venue for the competition.
Ye Jingcheng noticed that almost all of the Ye family members were present, totaling over a hundred cultivators. Most were in the Qi Refining Stage, with only a small portion in the later stages.
The competition was divided into three stages: one for early Qi Refining, one for mid Qi Refining, and one for Qi Refining seventh and eighth layers. The Qi Refining ninth layer cultivators, being elders, were exempt.
Competitors were restricted to those under fifty years of age, as the ideal breakthrough time to Foundation Establishment was before sixty. Beyond this age, it was very difficult to succeed, and failing a breakthrough could be fatal without proper support.
Ye Jingcheng was placed in the mid Qi Refining group. Confident in his own abilities and those of his Red Flame Fox and Golden Scaled Beast, he aimed for a top-three finish to choose a superior cultivation method. Though he considered the blood leech spirit beast's egg, he quickly dismissed the thought due to his current shortage of spirit stones.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves. The competition will start in an hour!" announced Ye Xinghe, responsible for the mid Qi Refining stage, his tone reflecting displeasure.
Ye Jingcheng observed his second brother, Ye Jingyong, and sixth brother, Ye Jingli, his main competitors in the Qi Refining sixth layer. Ye Jingyong's strength was notable, and Ye Jingcheng was wary of his small seal magic tool.
As he meditated, Ye Xingliu's voice echoed again in his mind.
"If you don't want to be possessed, keep your secrets safe!"
Ye Jingcheng was startled and looked around, but found Ye Xingliu and Ye Haicheng, the Foundation Establishment cultivators, had disappeared.
"Don't look for them. Focus on the competition. Don't be complacent just because you have the Beast Contract Tattoo!" Ye Xingliu's voice warned again before fading.
[Translator: sauron]
Ye Jingcheng's heart raced. Ye Xingliu had received his message but didn't offer any solutions. Instead, he was told to keep his secret. Ye Jingcheng questioned whether the Turtle Ancestor had really fallen. He was anxious to know more but saw that the Ye family was more focused and driven than ever.
If the Turtle Ancestor had not truly perished, the Ye family might yet come out ahead, and Ye Haiyun might return. Ye Jingcheng realized that his current situation could be misleading.
He shook his head, deciding that his main focus should be on securing the top position in the mid Qi Refining stage and selecting a superior cultivation method, rather than dwelling on uncertainties.
As the competitors gathered, Ye Xinghe announced, "Prepare yourselves. It's time to draw lots!"
He produced numerous bamboo slips, each marked with a number, which would determine the matchups.
Ye Jingcheng approached to draw his lot. His second brother, Ye Jingyong, warned him, "Be careful. My Flying Cloud Leopard has grown stronger recently!"
Ye Jingcheng responded with a smile, hoping Ye Jingyong's beast had indeed improved, rather than feeling it would be an unfair advantage.
He knew that competing in the mid Qi Refining stage and securing a reward was more practical than attempting to enter the later stages.
(End of Chapter)