Turtle-Breath Qi-Hiding Art (Thanks to reportSM for the 2,000-coin tip)
In the underground hall, Ye Jingcheng's expression changed slightly. The questions about Ye Xingyu and Ye Jingyu had actually answered most of his doubts.
The rest, if asked further, would involve much more.
His fifteenth uncle and fourth brother were both rather conservative.
But seeing Ye Xuefu's slightly expectant look, Ye Jingcheng finally took a deep breath.
"Ninth Grand Uncle, I would like to ask, what is the origin of our Lineage?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the others changed slightly.
Even though Ye Xuefu was clearly somewhat surprised by Ye Jingcheng's question, he also understood that the Lineage's forbearance would definitely be misunderstood by some members of the clan.
After all, the Ye Family is not weak either.
Meanwhile, the Ye Family members were also looking forward to when the Lineage would be able to show its full strength.
Ye Xuefu's tone became more serious as he slowly added:
"A new cultivation region, a new territory for development, or perhaps a place with comparable strength!"
After saying that, he used his finger to trace the large characters "Taiyi Sect" and "Green River Sect" on the table.
"The good growth of spirit medicine on the mountain is not necessarily a good thing!"
"Take those Lineage Purple Mansion Golden Core cultivation, for example. Which one of them isn't living in constant fear, with outward glory masking underlying distrust?"
"Moreover, every few decades, there will be friction between subordinate forces, and a change of power between old and new forces..."
"As for the Ye Family itself, although it has a long history, compared to those more ancient and powerful forces, it is nothing more than a slightly grown worm while it is dozing off!" Ye Xuefu shook his head.
Everyone fell silent. That's how it is in the Cultivation World. Perhaps at the beginning, people will be humble and share with each other, and become true fellow cultivators.
Nowadays, resources are becoming increasingly scarce, and the world has long since devolved into a life-or-death struggle over a few resources.
For every bit of resources you consume, someone else loses a bit.
Only Lineage or sects band together.
Undoubtedly, sects exclude Lineage.
For the Ye Family to acquire new cultivation areas, new territory, or even the strength to rival major powers, none of these are easy tasks.
Without either of these, the Ye Family could only lie low in silence.
"However, there's no need for everyone to be so pessimistic. We cultivators are defying the heavens, living in seclusion in the mountains or in the world. This may not be a bad thing for us!"
"Moreover, according to the Lineage's secret records, there are seas in this world, which are even more vast and boundless. However, they require traversing too many cultivation kingdoms, which is beyond the reach of ordinary Lineage Non-Self. Only Ancient Teleportation Array can help!" Ye Xuefu said.
As he spoke, he took out a pot of Blue Wave Wine, and with a flick of his wrist, everyone seemed to hear the surging of waves.
This wine is certainly not made with the local recipe.
"The Lineage's current research focus is on the Mo Family!"
This Blue Wave Wine was brought out by the Mo Family, who claimed it to be a spirit wine from the Eastern Sea.
However, the latter is also Purple Mansion Lineage, and it is also highly regarded by the Taiyi Sect.
"Besides that, the Lineage is also searching for the Heavenly Sand Cultivation World and the Icefield Cultivation World, which are recorded in ancient books!" Ye Xuefu said, and then fell silent.
Ye Jingcheng roughly understood the situation.
The Ye Family's development was indeed not as good as expected.
But there was nothing he could do; bearing the Beast-Link Mark meant he was inherently a child holding gold.
If Ye Jingcheng's guess is correct, this Beast-Link Tower may have caused a sensation in the past and become well-known to major sects.
That's why the Ye Family is being so cautious.
Moving the Beast-Link Tower into the Taihang Mountain is certainly not feasible.
Such a treasure would surely be sensed by those Demon Kings and great demons.
Even the Demon Emperor would be tempted; at that time, the Ye Family would be surrounded by wolves and tigers.
Those from major sects who search for treasures are not ordinary cultivators who ask around aimlessly.
They will constantly replace old and new subordinate forces, making it more likely that the treasure will surface.
They would intercept the better treasures, while the less valuable ones would continue to circulate among their subordinate forces, like a flowing stream.
They only caught the fish inside.
The Ye Family keeps a low profile precisely because they don't want to cause turmoil during the water change.
Otherwise, if they truly become the number one Lineage in the Taihang Mountain, they will be feared, suspected, and studied in quick succession.
After all, how can you stand out if you don't have a good legacy?
"Alright, among the three of you, how do you choose between Hidden Peak and Soaring Cloud Peak?" Having moved past the heavy topics, it's time to discuss personnel arrangements.
Having advanced to the Foundation Establishment, they naturally couldn't stay here any longer; the Spirit Beast and resources here were only suitable for two to three people.
Foundation Establishment would make resources seem scarce.
This is detrimental to the Ye Family's original intention of accumulating strength.
"Reporting to Ninth Grandfather, Father instructed me and Jingcheng to return!" Ye Jingyu said.
"Very well, you two are indeed more suited to Soaring Cloud Peak, to stay in the open. Xingyu, what about you?" Ye Xuefu glanced at Ye Jingcheng and Ye Jingyu, then nodded and looked at Ye Xingyu.
"Ninth Uncle, I'll stay!" Ye Xingyu replied directly.
He can clearly develop better here, and he also needs to cultivate the Golden-Eyed Crow, which requires a lot of Spirit Beast Materials.
For Ye Jingcheng, the Taihang Mountain Range are actually a good fit; the existence of these Hidden Peak is better for his development.
Since Ye Xingliu had said so, Ye Jingcheng nodded in agreement.
"Now that our Lineage has been promoted to the Purple Mansion Lineage, we definitely need a second-tier Alchemist," Ye Xuefu commented again.
For them, it would be natural to want their Lineage's Hidden Peak to be stronger, as this would be the only way to preserve the Ye Family's hidden base of operations.
Don't think that the Hidden Peak of the Ye Family are safe. When great demons or even Demon King are in turmoil, it takes strength to quell the unrest.
Moreover, this is also good for Ye Jingcheng, since he still has two Spirit Beasts that need to advance.
We also need to find another natal Spirit Beast.
Otherwise, if one of the four elements of the Cultivation Method is missing, not only will it be impossible to improve, but at the very least, the speed will probably not be much faster than that of a technique with four Spirit Root.
That way, the full power of the Ye Family's Beast Communion cannot be unleashed.
"By the way, here is a Turtle-Breath Qi-Hiding Art. Once you've mastered this technique to a minor level, you can hide your cultivation level. It won't make you completely undetectable, but it will at least make things a bit easier for you!"
"Also, Jingcheng, you stay here until your alchemy skills have fully transformed before you leave!"
Ye Jingcheng's alchemy training here has only progressed to the melting of medicine.
Then there's the condensation of the elixir.
Ye Jingcheng only knew a few second-tier Pill Formula.
"Thank you very much, Ninth Grand Uncle!" Ye Jingcheng nodded; his alchemy skills had improved rapidly here.
However, if he were to return to Soaring Cloud Peak, he would be the most skilled Alchemist, and Ye Haiyun wouldn't be able to offer him much help.
He was more than happy to stay here and continue his studies.
Sharpening your axe won't delay your woodcutting; if you can break through to the second-tier Alchemist here...
Once he returns to Soaring Cloud Peak, he can maximize the maintenance of his three Spirit Beast just by refining pills.
Moreover, he also needs to find a fourth Spirit Beast, otherwise it will be extremely difficult for him to break through to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
He progressed from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment because the birth of his Spirit Platform allowed him to make significant progress in both his Wood and Earth elements.
However, from the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, all four phases need to progress together.
We don't expect them to be completely identical, but the differences shouldn't be too great.
In other words, if the Crimson Flame Fox reaches the mid-second stage, Ye Jingcheng will need to sever the connection between the Crimson Flame Fox and his Beast Communion, and wait for the other beasts to arrive.
Otherwise, it would be even more difficult for him to break through.
Correspondingly, if he maintains this perfectly, the bottlenecks in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage and Foundation Establishment Late Stage will be much weaker, and his advancement will be much smoother than others.
They parted ways in the hall, and Ye Xingyu was somewhat pleased to learn that he could stay there.
There's a fire vein here, which is also suitable for him to refine weapons.
It's also suitable for him to train the Golden-Eyed Crow.
The group ate a spiritual meal and drank some spiritual wine.
This time, the group didn't talk about cultivation or anything else.
Instead, Ye Xuefu and Ye Xueliang inquired about the Lineage of the individuals.
For example, the marriages of certain clansmen, and the recent population situation in the mortal town.
Having stayed in the mountains for a long time, they also developed a longing for the world outside. Normally, as elders, they would keep their feelings to themselves, but now, drinking together, they drank heartily.