Thousand Illusion Bead! The Cao and Ye Families Meet!

Sacred Pill City, outer region.

The courtyard rented by Ye Yan and the others.

Ever since Ye Jingheng returned from the Pill Tower, he had sent word back to the family.

Then he waited in the courtyard for Ye Yan's return, his heart filled with excitement.

Now, the Ye Family could be considered to have latched onto half a powerful backer.

Even now, he was still somewhat dazed, unable to understand why President Xuan Yi had suddenly wanted to take Ye Yan under her wing for a time.

Hadn't she said that Ye Yan's age and cultivation were unsuitable for joining the Pill Tower?

And with Tian Leizi investigating the Soul Hall, as long as Ye Zhong handled things properly, the Ye Family could also show its face before the Pill Tower's various factions.

Thus, Ye Jingheng no longer felt the worries he had carried when he first arrived in Sacred Pill City.

Meanwhile.

Outside the courtyard, in a secluded corner.

The empty air suddenly began to twist. Spatial ripples spread outward, eventually opening a pitch-black spatial fissure with faint glimmers of light within.

An ordinary-looking youth of twelve or thirteen stepped out from it.

This person was Ye Yan, who had obtained the Thousand Illusion Bead from Xuan Yi.

The Thousand Illusion Bead could freely alter one's clothing and conceal one's aura. It could even block the perception of experts at the Nine-Star Dou Zong level.

It was truly an excellent item for helping Ye Yan lie low.

Its only drawback was likely its heavy consumption of Dou Qi.

However, Xuan Yi knew Ye Yan's circumstances and had personally modified it, allowing the Thousand Illusion Bead to store a considerable amount of Dou Qi.

As long as he replenished it with Dou Qi regularly, he could use it easily.

Even Ye Yan was surprised. Xuan Yi was treating him far too well.

It was most likely because of the Bone Spirit Cold Flame.

Because of that Heavenly Flame, she believed that he had some connection with Yao Chen.

Only that could explain why she treated him this way.

Still, he had benefited from it.

Ye Yan touched the Thousand Illusion Bead on his chest, pondering how he should help Xuan Yi in the future.

Should he tell her news of Yao Chen? Or...

Lost in thought, Ye Yan had unknowingly arrived inside the courtyard.

"Little Yan, you're finally back."

Ye Jingheng hurried forward, his tone excited.

"Don't get worked up. Calm down."

Ye Yan replied blandly.

"Ahem. I've already sent word back to the family. Our business in Sacred Pill City is more or less complete now."

Seeing that Ye Yan, who was younger than him, could remain so composed, Ye Jingheng felt somewhat embarrassed and gave a few dry coughs.

Ye Yan nodded and walked into the courtyard.

After this matter, Xuan Kongzi and the other two would surely pay special attention to the Ye Family.

The Ye Family's crisis had been more than half resolved.

As for the remaining dangers, they stemmed from several other factions.

Such as Yao Chen's enemies...

However, within the Pill Region, Yao Chen's enemies would not be able to act freely.

Moreover, those who were truly powerful had likely already been dealt with by Venerable Feng.

So, all things considered, his decision to take advantage of the Azure Ice Flame's exposure and decisively disguise it as the Bone Spirit Cold Flame had been correct.

The sun set beyond the western mountains.

As a high-level Battle Sovereign, Tian Leizi traveled alone, repeatedly using spatial travel. Within a few hours, he had arrived at Ye City.

Looking at this city that had already been rebuilt, Tian Leizi turned his gaze toward its center.

"Quite lively."

At the same time.

The Ye Family's council hall.

Cao Yuan of the Cao Family had just brought his people to the Ye Family to discuss matters.

The four Ye Family elders sat on the left side of the hall. On the right sat Cao Yuan, Cao Chun, and a little girl.

"Elder Ye Zhong, why don't I see your Ye Family's genius?"

Cao Chun held Cao Ying's hand and asked curiously.

"Ah, that brat was frightened by the Black Fire Sect. He's out traveling to relax."

A smile curled at Ye Zhong's lips as he looked at the little girl being protected by Cao Yuan.

"This must be your Cao Family's once-in-a-century genius. She looks so adorable and well-behaved. She'll surely grow into a great beauty."

"When I grow up, I'll definitely be a great beauty. That's nothing remarkable. I want to become a tier-nine alchemist and defeat your family's genius."

Her soft, childish voice was full of confidence and ambition as it rang through the hall.

Ye Zhong and the other three were so startled that they exchanged glances. In the end, they could only praise her, "What ambition!"

"My daughter has been spoiled by me since she was young, and she is very curious about your Ye Family's genius. That is why she spoke so boldly. Please forgive her."

Cao Yuan explained as he stroked his daughter's head.

"Not at all. I also hope that the Ye Family's genius will have an opponent so they can spur each other onward."

Ye Zhong laughed heartily.

Cao Ying pouted. They clearly did not believe her!

Although she was only two years old, she said nothing upon seeing this.

She merely remembered the Ye Family genius in her heart.

So what if he was a few years older than her? She would cultivate diligently in the future and beat him flat.

Then he would cry and say that Miss Cao Ying was the strongest.

Thinking of that scene, Cao Ying's fighting spirit soared.

Far away in Sacred Pill City, Ye Yan had no idea that he had already been targeted by a two-year-old little girl. He merely continued cultivating and refining pills.

Just as Ye Zhong and Cao Yuan chatted idly, waiting for the other side to bring up the matter of the Heavenly Flame.

In the center of the council hall.

Space shattered like glass with a cracking sound, and a pitch-black fissure appeared.

Cao Yuan, Ye Zhong, and the others, who had been chatting moments ago, all rose tensely to their feet.

The next moment, a voice emerged from the fissure.

"Cao Family, Ye Family, you two families seem quite lively."

Dark-skinned and powerfully built, Tian Leizi stepped out of the spatial fissure and looked at the people in the council hall.

Cao Yuan and Ye Zhong had been somewhat worried, but upon seeing who had come, they immediately relaxed and bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, President Tian Leizi!"

After Cao Yuan and Ye Zhong spoke, the Ye Family's other three elders and Cao Chun echoed their greeting.

"No need for formalities. I came here on business."

Tian Leizi spoke brightly as he looked at Ye Zhong.

"Recently, your Ye Family has been attracting quite a bit of attention. The three of us already know about it."

"Not at all. We were merely fortunate enough to encounter a senior expert." Ye Zhong cupped his hands politely.

Tian Leizi glanced at Cao Yuan and the others from the corner of his eye before speaking again.

"Forget it. I have already learned most of the details from your family's genius at the Pill Tower, so there is no need for you to explain."

"Thank you for the trouble, President Tian..."

"No need for pleasantries. I came here for one matter..."

Tian Leizi interrupted Ye Zhong. "Does the Black Fire Sect truly have ties to the Soul Hall, and what is the Black Fire Sect's usual way of doing things?"

"This..." Ye Zhong pondered for a moment, unsure how to respond.

"Cao Yuan, you speak first!"

"President, we do not know whether the Black Fire Sect has any connection to the Soul Hall, but their conduct is indeed different from ours."

Cao Yuan wore a thoughtful expression as he carefully chose his words.

"However, since Elder Ye Zhong has said this, he should have some confidence. We could even send people to the Black Fire Sect's location now and see whether there is truly a problem. If there is, with this information spreading, they will surely make some moves."

Ye Zhong lowered his head slightly, delight flashing in his eyes.

With Cao Yuan's words, the Black Fire Sect was afraid to be in serious trouble.

Behind him, the Second Elder and the others were delighted as well, though none of them showed anything on their faces.

After all, according to their plan, the Ye Family also had powerful experts protecting them.

Tian Leizi said, "Good. Cao Yuan, then follow your own suggestion and assist the Ye Family in investigating the Black Fire Sect."

"Yes. My Cao Family will certainly do everything in our power to assist the Ye Family in uncovering the Black Fire Sect's true background."

Joy appeared on Cao Yuan's face.

With this matter, the Cao Family could draw closer to the Ye Family and increase Cao Ying's chances of being accepted as a disciple by one of the giants.

It would be best if they could leave an impression of Ying'er now.

Perhaps because a child among a group of old men and middle-aged men was simply too conspicuous.

Tian Leizi's gaze was inevitably drawn to her.

"Little girl, come over here and let me take a look."

Tian Leizi waved at Cao Ying.

Cao Chun promptly let go of her hand, inwardly wishing that Tian Leizi would accept her as his disciple on the spot.

Unfortunately, after Tian Leizi examined Cao Ying's aptitude.

He merely remarked that Cao Ying possessed great soul talent and was also suited to alchemy.

As for why he had said "also."

One could only say that Ye Zhong and the others were overjoyed.