"Master?" Chen Ze kept staring at her, and even though she was only a doppelganger, Zhao Ling'er felt a little embarrassed.
Only then did Chen Ze realize he had been staring at Zhao Ling'er the whole time, as though he harbored improper thoughts. His expression had indeed looked somewhat lecherous.
Chen Ze hastily composed himself. "Mm, sorry. I got so lost in thought just now.
I have no idea what the Ye Family is planning.
But if the Ye Family truly wanted to control the Qingyun Sect, it would not be so simple. After all, the Qingyun Sect had Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.
Unless the Ye Family could truly nurture several Nascent Soul Cultivators, they might really be able to cover the sky with one hand.
But by the time the Ye Family had Nascent Soul Cultivators, who knew how many years would have passed.
Still, when it came to cultivating to the Nascent Soul Realm, even if the Ye Family produced several favored children of heaven, they would still be no match for the system.
We need not worry about those matters. But we must fight for this Mysterious Iron Ore Mine, since the Ye Family was the one that first chose to do such harm.
Taking the Mysterious Iron Ore Mine would also allow us to save those miners being oppressed."
"Master, you are right. I was too shallow-minded."
"It's fine. You made a good point. Without your throwing out a brick to attract jade, I would not have thought of so much.
Now, let's think carefully about how we can first scheme this Mysterious Iron Ore Mine into our hands."
"Yes."
After that, Chen Ze and the doppelganger Zhao Ling'er carefully discussed how to obtain the Mysterious Iron Ore Mine without putting themselves in danger.
The Ye Family was still too powerful. Chen Ze did not have absolute confidence, and now was not the time to fight the Ye Family head-on.
Time passed swiftly.
The doppelganger Chen Fan continued gathering information outside, bringing Chen Ze different news every day.
Meanwhile, Chen Ze discussed the action plan with Zhao Ling'er. In his eyes, Zhao Ling'er was no longer merely a doppelganger who only knew how to obey orders.
She had become someone he could communicate with freely.
It could even be said that Zhao Ling'er had become Chen Ze's strategist.
Whenever Chen Ze thought of something, Zhao Ling'er would help him fill in the gaps and patch the leaks.
After traveling without rest for two straight days, the doppelganger Zhao Yun arrived at the Mine location extracted from Shopkeeper Tong's memories.
Aside from the time spent recovering spiritual energy, Zhao Yun had traveled the entire time during those two days.
If not for the Swallow Step Chen Ze had recently learned, Zhao Yun might not have made it there even in two days.
Fortunately, the Breath Concealment Art had kept him from encountering any danger along the way.
"Master, I have reached the outskirts of the Mysterious Iron Ore Mine. Security here is extremely tight.
There are also several powerful auras concealed in the shadows. They are likely all at Qi Refining Perfection.
Among those hidden auras, there may even be Foundation Establishment Realm experts.
Please instruct me on my next move."
Chen Ze sensed the message Zhao Yun had sent through their mental connection and replied directly, "Rest well for now and remain ready to act at any time. Do not deliberately conceal your aura. Just keep your cultivation displayed at the Qi Refining Third Layer."
"Yes."
Although the doppelganger Zhao Yun did not understand Chen Ze's intentions, he still chose to obey unconditionally.
Zhao Yun sat in meditation to recover his spiritual energy. He canceled the Breath Concealment Art he had been maintaining, no longer hiding his aura, though his cultivation only appeared to be at the Qi Refining Third Layer.
Zhao Yun's current location was still some distance from the guards of the Mysterious Iron Ore Mine, so they would not discover him immediately.
But it was only a matter of time before they did.
Once a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator conducted a Spiritual Sense patrol, Zhao Yun's aura would be discovered at once.
Wannan City, inside the main hall of the Ye Family estate.
From the seats of honor all the way to outside the hall, the place was filled with Ye Family clansmen.
Seated at the head of the hall was none other than the Ye Family Head, Ye Zhentian.
Below him sat several Ye Family elders in succession.
Beneath the elders sat the Ye Family's prodigies.
Outside the hall stood Ye Family clansmen with cultivation. Though they did not have the right to sit in the hall and speak during deliberations—
At every council meeting, all clansmen had to return to the Ye Family and await orders at any moment.
It was precisely because the Ye Family possessed such cohesion that they could become the foremost lineage in Wannan City and even scheme for something greater.
At that moment, Ye Zhentian, seated at the head of the hall, spoke. "Everyone present is a pillar of the Ye Family.
Today, we have specially summoned several clansmen back from the Qingyun Sect to participate in this discussion.
Today's council concerns the future of the Ye Family.
First, the Mysterious Iron Ore Mine we are jointly developing with Shopkeeper Tong of Tongfu Restaurant has yielded excellent profits recently. This is good news.
Then there is the matter of Shopkeeper Tong being abducted. Even now, we have not uncovered the slightest clue.
Half the reason I called you clansmen from the Qingyun Sect back was to ask about this matter.
Have you found any news? Was it the Qingyun Sect's doing?"
"Reporting to the Family Head, when we received the news from the Lineage, we immediately began making inquiries throughout the Qingyun Sect. We found no trace of information whatsoever, nor did we discover any abnormalities within the Qingyun Sect."
"Then this is rather strange. Our spies in the other major lineages and the City Lord's Mansion have likewise uncovered nothing.
Could it truly have only been a vendetta from the martial world?
I suppose Shopkeeper Tong was not a good man to begin with. Otherwise, he would never have thought of capturing people and making them miners.
Forget it. No one needs to concern themselves with Shopkeeper Tong's matter for the time being.
He was merely a Qi Refining Realm cultivator. Whether he was dead or missing no longer mattered. Just treat him as dead.
Now that Shopkeeper Tong is dead, this Mysterious Iron Ore Mine belongs solely to our Ye Family.
Over at the Mysterious Iron Ore Mine, immediately subdue Shopkeeper Tong's people.
Those willing to submit can go mine as well.
Those unwilling to submit, deal with them directly. Third Elder and Fourth Elder, take people and handle this matter."
"Yes, Family Head." The Third Elder and Fourth Elder rose and accepted the order.
"Remember to contact our clansmen over there in advance. Keep it discreet."
"Yes, Family Head. Please rest assured."
Ye Zhentian looked toward the few disciples from the Qingyun Sect. "What comes next concerns all of you."
"Please speak, Family Head."
"The Centennial Competition between the cultivation sects of the Dagan Dynasty will take place in two years.
I hope all of you will raise your cultivation as swiftly as possible.
First make a name for yourselves in the Qingyun Sect, then contend for supremacy in the Centennial Competition and win a reputation for yourselves.
The Lineage will support you without condition. Every one of you has the chance to receive an unlimited supply of Cultivation Resources.
Bring this news back to the Qingyun Sect. Pay special attention—make sure Ye Feiyang learns of this. The Lineage will forever be his support."
When Ye Zhentian spoke those final words, his tone carried a meaning that lingered in the mind.
"Yes, Family Head. Rest assured. We will brave boiling water and tread through fire, and we will certainly strive for the Lineage."
"I am very satisfied to see such resolve from you. Remember, when you are outside, everything is for the Lineage."
"Yes, Family Head."
"Very well. The Cultivation Resources for you have already been prepared. Take them now and return to the Qingyun Sect.
Remember to seize the time and cultivate. The Lineage needs you."
"Yes."
Ye Zhentian's words set the Ye Family clansmen's blood boiling, each of them looking as though they had been injected with chicken blood.
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