"Family Head, all the clan members at Qingyun Sect have already returned," an elder reported upon returning.
Ye Zhentian merely nodded slightly to show that he understood.
Those seated in the Council Hall now were all elders of the Ye Family.
"Heh heh, Fifth Brother, this Kirin Son of yours truly does not take me, the Family Head, seriously.
Even the summons for a Lineage council meeting could not call him back."
There was obvious hostility in Ye Zhentian's tone.
The Third Elder spoke up as well. "That child Feiyang too—could it be that he is still brooding over what happened back then?
Wasn't that matter explained clearly long ago?
Fifth Brother, you should rein him in properly too."
The Fourth Elder also spoke at the right moment. "Fifth Brother, you know the Lineage rules are simply like this. Cultivation Resources are all tilted toward clan members with higher talent.
Back then, Feiyang's talent truly was a little lacking, so it was only natural that the resources were tilted elsewhere.
Moreover, over these years, the Lineage's allocation of resources to him could be considered repayment for all the resources he was shorted in those years.
You should still persuade him more. Everything is for the Lineage."
The Second Elder did not speak. He merely glanced at the Fifth Elder.
The Fifth Elder wore a troubled expression as well, though he was rather pleased deep down.
He had never expected his son's cultivation talent to erupt so suddenly. He was already clearly the strongest cultivator among the Ye Family's younger generation.
In any case, he was immensely proud of his son. His son was now the Ye Family's Kirin Son, his pride and joy.
In his eyes, nothing Ye Feiyang did was excessive.
Though he thought so inwardly, the Fifth Elder still said apologetically, "Feiyang is probably at a critical juncture of breakthrough recently, which is why he cannot return for the moment.
A few days ago, I even received word from him saying that he was about to break through again and asked me to send over some resources."
At the Fifth Elder's words, everyone in the hall, including Ye Zhentian, looked astonished.
However, Ye Zhentian still caught the implication in the Fifth Elder's words. He was hinting at him, asking him to send Cultivation Resources to Ye Feiyang.
"Is Feiyang about to break through again? If I recall correctly, it has only been half a year since his last breakthrough! If he is breaking through again, wouldn't that mean he is already at the Foundation Establishment Fourth Layer?"
"That has already surpassed us old fellows."
The tones of the elders had now all changed.
"Fifth Brother, rest assured. Since Feiyang is about to break through in cultivation,
I naturally will not take offense at his absence today.
As for Cultivation Resources, Fifth Brother, rest assured as well. Double their allocation at once and deliver it to Qingyun Sect tomorrow."
Ye Zhentian's sudden words startled the other elders.
Doubling the Cultivation Resources was no small amount!
However, since it was Ye Zhentian's decision, they would not oppose it.
Besides, tilting Cultivation Resources toward clan members with high talent was customary. Who could blame them for not having a Ye Feiyang in their own families?
"Then, on Feiyang's behalf, I thank the Family Head."
"Fifth Brother, no need for courtesy. It is only right."
After the Ye Family Head exchanged pleasantries with the Fifth Elder, he added, "As for Shopkeeper Tong's properties left behind in Wannan City, Fifth Brother, I will leave them to you to take over."
Once Ye Zhentian finished speaking, the other elders all looked at the Fifth Elder with envy in their eyes.
The meaning was already obvious. Shopkeeper Tong's properties would belong to the Fifth Elder from now on.
Even after handing over the Lineage's share, there would still be plenty of profit to skim.
The other elders could only feel envious, yet they did not dare voice any objections.
"Yes, Family Head. I will handle it at once." Delight surfaced on the Fifth Elder's face. This was Spirit Stones delivered straight into his hands.
"Alright, everything has been discussed. Go attend to your matters."
"Yes."
The elders left with their assignments, leaving only the Fourth Elder, who had not spoken and had received no task, in the hall.
"Second Elder, what do you think about this matter with Shopkeeper Tong?"
"Shopkeeper Tong's matter is not worth mentioning."
Ye Zhentian nodded slightly as well. He had never taken it to heart from beginning to end.
Shopkeeper Tong was bound to be dealt with sooner or later. It was merely a matter of sooner or later. Now that someone had done it for him, all the better.
"However, the matter of the fifth brother and Ye Feiyang deserves careful consideration."
"Hm?"
"Ye Feiyang's sudden rapid rise in cultivation is itself worth looking into. And the fifth brother seems to have become a little carried away lately. He should be given a warning," the Second Elder said darkly.
"I have already spoken to Ancestor about Ye Feiyang's rapid cultivation progress. Ancestor's intention is to focus on nurturing him."
"Ancestor has emerged from seclusion? Then Ancestor's cultivation..." the Fourth Elder asked in surprise.
The Ye Family Head did not answer, merely nodding faintly.
The Second Elder understood at once. The Ye Family had grown stronger again.
"As for the fifth brother, let him be. No matter what he does, he cannot stir up much of a storm. For now, we still need him to maintain ties with Ye Feiyang.
Ancestor's plans are vast, and he needs capable helpers. As long as Ancestor remains, our Ye Family will remain glorious—and may even grow stronger."
The Second Elder seemed to understand. He nodded lightly.
Then, a silent storm of blood and slaughter swept through Wannan City.
More than one family wanted to seize Shopkeeper Tong's properties, but after the Ye Family made its move, the other families all withdrew resentfully.
They knew full well that they could not contend with the Ye Family. Continuing would only provoke the Ye Family's wrath.
Inside a secret chamber somewhere in Wannan City, several people were holding a secret discussion.
"Why did the Ye Family suddenly make a move?"
"I do not know, but judging by the Ye Family's stance, they are determined to get it. If we continue fighting for it, only we will suffer."
"What is the City Lord's Mansion's position?"
"The City Lord's Mansion has not made any move for now."
"Forget it. It seems the City Lord's Mansion has compromised as well. They have even stopped investigating Shopkeeper Tong's matter. It seems they know some hidden truth. The Li Family withdraws."
"The Wang Family withdraws."
"The Liu Family withdraws as well."
"However, the Ye Family's recent movements are somewhat thought-provoking. We should all stay alert."
"Right. Our families should stick together for warmth."
"Sigh, we shall talk about it later."
These past two days, Chen Ze had been living quite leisurely. Other than discussing matters with Zhao Ling'er,
when he was interested, he would practice the Thirteen Swords of Star Movement and the Nine Heavens Dragon Roar Spear.
When he was not interested, he would lie down and rest. In any case, he never cultivated for more than two hours a day.
Those two bottles of Qi Gathering Pills were being consumed very slowly as well. Chen Ze ate at most two a day.
However, over these past two days, Chen Ze's cultivation had indeed improved by leaps and bounds.
Name: Chen Ze Cultivation: Qi Refining Fifth Layer 20/100 Talent: Earth-element Low-grade Spiritual Root Technique: Xuantian Record (Minor Accomplishment) 130/400 Spells: Earth Shield Art (Mastery) 2250/5000 Heart Piercing Stab (Proficient) 1/200 Soul Searching Technique (Proficient) 2/200 Thirteen Swords of Star Movement (Beginner) 10/100 Nine Heavens Dragon Roar Spear (Beginner) 10/100 Swallow Step (Beginner) 1/100 Ignition Art (Legendary) Breath Concealment Art (Legendary) Myriad Things Space: Level 2
"Not bad. My cultivation has already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer. Foundation Establishment is no longer a dream!"
After looking over the system interface, Chen Ze sighed.
"Ling'er, it is time to cook."
"Yes, Master."
"Such an immortal-like life—what more could I ask for? If it could go on like this forever, that would truly be sheer bliss."
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