Ye Family Council Hall

"Master?" Seeing Chen Ze staring at her, even as a doppelganger, Zhao Ling'er felt a bit embarrassed.

Chen Ze realized he had been staring at Zhao Ling'er, as if he harbored some improper thoughts; his expression had indeed been a bit lecherous.

Chen Ze quickly regained his composure. "Um, sorry, I was just lost in thought for a moment."

"I wonder what the Ye family is planning."

"However, it won't be that simple for the Ye family to truly control the Qingyun Sect. After all, the Qingyun Sect does have Nascent Soul Cultivators."

"Unless the Ye family can truly cultivate a few Nascent Soul Cultivators of their own, it would be impossible for them to cover the sky with one hand."

"Who knows how many years it will take for the Ye family to produce a Nascent Soul Cultivator."

"But when it comes to reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, even if the Ye family had several heaven-gifted geniuses, they still couldn't compare to the System."

"We don't need to worry about those things, but we must contend for this Mysterious Iron Ore. After all, the Ye family started this harmful business first."

"Taking down the Mysterious Iron Ore will also serve to rescue those oppressed miners."

"Master, you are right. I was being shallow."

"It's fine, you spoke well. If you hadn't thrown out a brick to attract jade, I wouldn't have been able to connect so many dots."

"Now, let's think carefully about how we can plot to get our hands on this Mysterious Iron Ore."

"Yes."

Following this, Chen Ze and his doppelganger Zhao Ling'er discussed in detail how to secure the Mysterious Iron Ore, all while ensuring there was no danger to themselves.

The Ye family's strength was still too formidable; Chen Ze did not have absolute certainty, and now was not the time for a head-on collision with the Ye family.

Time passed quickly.

His doppelganger Chen Fan was out constantly gathering intelligence, bringing back different information to Chen Ze every day.

Chen Ze, meanwhile, discussed the action plan with Zhao Ling'er. In Chen Ze's eyes, Zhao Ling'er was no longer just a doppelganger who only knew how to follow orders.

She had become someone who could truly communicate with him fluently; one could even say that Zhao Ling'er had become Chen Ze's strategist.

Every time Chen Ze thought of a point, Zhao Ling'er would help him check for gaps and make improvements.

The doppelganger Zhao Yun had also arrived at the location of the mine—extracted from Shopkeeper Tong's memories—after two days of non-stop travel.

Over these two days, apart from the time spent recovering his spiritual power, Zhao Yun had been on the move.

If not for the Swallow Step that Chen Ze had recently learned, Zhao Yun might not have even made it in two days.

Fortunately, with the aid of the Breath Concealment Art, Zhao Yun had not encountered any danger along the way.

"Master, I have reached the outskirts of the Mysterious Iron Ore mine. The guard here is very tight."

"Furthermore, there are several powerful auras hidden in the shadows; I estimate they are all at the Perfection of the Qi Refining Realm."

"Among these hidden auras, there might even be experts at the Foundation Establishment Realm."

"Please instruct me on my next move."

Chen Ze sensed the information transmitted by Zhao Yun through his consciousness and replied directly: "Rest well for now and be ready to act at any time. You don't need to deliberately hide 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 intention, he chose to obey unconditionally.

Zhao Yun sat in meditation to recover his spiritual power, canceling the Breath Concealment Art he had been using. He no longer hid his aura, but his cultivation level was only displayed at the Qi Refining Third Layer.

Zhao Yun's current position was still some distance from the guards of the Mysterious Iron Ore, so he wouldn't be discovered immediately.

However, being discovered was only a matter of time.

Once a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator performed a sweep with their Spiritual Sense, they would immediately detect Zhao Yun's aura.

Wannan City, inside the main hall of the Ye family estate.

From the high seats down to the area outside the hall, the space was filled with members of the Ye clan.

At the head of the hall sat the head of the Ye family, Ye Zhentian.

Seated in order below him were several elders of the Ye family.

Below the elders sat the geniuses of the Ye family.

Outside the hall were the clan members who possessed cultivation; although they lacked the standing to sit in the hall and participate in the council, every clan member was required to return to the Ye family estate during every council meeting to await orders at any time.

It was precisely because of such cohesion that the Ye family was able to become the number one family in Wannan City, and even harbor ambitions for something greater.

At this moment, Ye Zhentian, seated at the head of the hall, spoke: "Everyone here is a pillar of our Ye family. Today, we have specifically recalled several clan members from the Qingyun Sect to participate in the discussion."

"Today's council concerns the future of our Ye family."

"First, the first matter is the Mysterious Iron Ore we are developing jointly with Shopkeeper Tong of the Tongfu Restaurant. The recent profits have been excellent; it is a joyous occasion."

"Next is the matter of Shopkeeper Tong being abducted. To this day, we haven't been able to find any information."

"Half the reason for calling you clan members back from the Qingyun Sect is to ask about this matter."

"Have you discovered any news? Was it the Qingyun Sect that made the move?"

"Reporting to the Patriarch, the moment we received word from within the family, we began making inquiries across the Qingyun Sect. There hasn't been the slightest bit of news, nor have we discovered any abnormalities within the sect."

"That is rather strange. Our spies in the other families and the City Lord's Mansion haven't uncovered any information either. Could it really just be a grudge match in the underworld? Come to think of it, Shopkeeper Tong was never a good man to begin with; otherwise, he wouldn't have come up with the idea of kidnapping people to work as miners. Forget it, everyone can stop worrying about this Shopkeeper Tong business for now. He was merely a cultivator in the Qi Refining Realm; whether he is dead or missing is no longer important. Just treat him as dead."

"Now that Shopkeeper Tong is dead, this Mysterious Iron Ore mine belongs solely to our Ye Family. As for the mine, subdue all of Shopkeeper Tong's men immediately. If they are willing to submit, let them go dig for ore as well. If they are unwilling, deal with them directly. Third Elder, Fourth Elder, take your men to handle this."

"Yes, Patriarch." The Third Elder and Fourth Elder stood up to accept the order.

"Remember to contact our clansmen over there beforehand and keep it discreet."

"Understood, please rest assured, Patriarch."

Ye Zhentian looked toward the disciples from the Qingyun Sect. "The next matter concerns all of you."

"Please speak, Patriarch."

"The Centennial Competition between the various immortal cultivation sects of the Dagan Dynasty is only two years away. I hope you will all increase your cultivation levels as quickly as possible. First, distinguish yourselves within the Qingyun Sect, and then compete for glory at the Centennial Competition to earn a name for yourselves. The family will provide you with unconditional support; every one of you will have the opportunity to receive an unlimited supply of Cultivation Resources. Take this news back to the Qingyun Sect, and pay special attention to informing Ye Feiyang—the family will always be his backing."

When Ye Zhentian said these final words, his tone carried a hint of intrigue.

"Yes, please rest assured, Patriarch. We will certainly go through fire and water, and we will surely strive for the sake of the family."

"Seeing that you have such determination, I am very satisfied. You must remember while you are out there that everything is for the sake of the family."

"Yes, Patriarch."

"Very well, the Cultivation Resources for you have all been prepared. Take them now and return to the Qingyun Sect! Remember to seize every moment to cultivate; the family needs you."

"Yes."

Ye Zhentian's words left these Ye Family members burning with fervor, each of them as energized as if they had been injected with chicken blood.