Beyond Saving

The Ye Family's Demon Hunting Hall stood halfway up Soaring Cloud Peak. It was a grand, magnificent two-story hall built in a split-level design.

The entire hall was constructed from century-old ironwood, with countless lifelike spirit beast carvings engraved upon it, lending the building an even more transcendent air.

Ye Jingcheng entered the hall and registered himself. Inside, quite a few Ye Family members were bustling about. Some still had beast blood staining their clothes, giving them a fierce, savage look.

They had clearly just returned from the depths of the Taihang Mountain Range.

Among them was Ye Haiyun, the Ye Family's most renowned alchemist.

Ye Haiyun crouched halfway down, studying an exotic beast laid out on a cloth on the ground. After a long while, he shook his head.

The beast was about the size of an ordinary fox, but its fur was fiery crimson and full of spirit. One of its forepaws had been injured, however, and the wound had already begun to blacken and dry up.

In particular, its intelligent eyes had gradually begun to dim, as though they might go out at any moment.

It let out weak cries, its voice growing fainter and fainter.

The Crimson Flame Fox was clearly grievously wounded and deeply poisoned. The fact that it still clung to a breath showed just how tough its life was—and how extraordinary its potential.

"This Crimson Flame Fox is beyond saving. What a pity, though—a fine demon beast with the potential to reach the peak of the second tier!"

As Ye Haiyun spoke, the other Ye Family members also sighed and lamented.

The Demon Race differed from humans in that they placed greater importance on bloodlines.

A good bloodline allowed one to reach higher realms.

A poor bloodline, on the other hand, consumed even more resources than a cultivator's training. That went against the very purpose of cultivators raising spirit beasts.

The Crimson Flame Fox before them could still be treated, but only a second-tier spirit pill offered any hope.

Moreover, even if the Crimson Flame Fox survived, it might not retain its former potential. To the Ye Family as a whole, such pills were exceedingly precious.

Only Ye Jingcheng's eyes suddenly widened. The ancient yellow book within his body began flipping through its pages one after another—this was the first time he had ever seen such a thing happen.

At last, the image froze. The dazzling pages, which had initially been on the first page, eerily turned to one in the middle. On that page was a crimson fox with no fewer than nine tails, its ferocious might soaring into the heavens!

As it swiped out with a claw, it seemed ready to tear open the entire firmament!

Seeing this phenomenon, how could Ye Jingcheng not realize that this Crimson Flame Fox might be anything but ordinary?

And his ancient book was related to raising spirit beasts as well.

But at this moment, he did not dare step forward.

Even if the ancient book within him might be worth trying.

Having lived two lives, he understood even more clearly the truth that a man is guilty simply for possessing jade.

"Aren't there still two Flying Cloud Leopards? Once grown, Flying Cloud Leopards have a chance of reaching the second tier and becoming existences comparable to Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivators. They are the greatest harvest of this expedition. Let those of the Jing generation choose carefully!" said the more stern Third Elder, Ye Haiyi, slowly.

The Ye Family had paid no small price for this expedition, exploring a demon valley and reaping an excellent harvest.

As a beast-taming family, however, there were still quite a few members of the Jing generation within the clan who lacked suitable spirit beasts.

It was not that the Ye Family did not raise spirit beasts. Truly good spirit beasts were simply far too scarce.

"Jingcheng, you don't have a spirit beast either, do you? Pick a cub here. There are five cubs available to choose from this time!" After Ye Haiyi sent out a message through a sound-transmitting talisman, he noticed Ye Jingcheng was there and spoke up.

He then spread out his hand. As the spirit beast pouch glowed, five different young beasts appeared before them.

The two Flying Cloud Leopards were clearly full of vigor, constantly stretching their heads around. Not only were they unafraid of the unfamiliar surroundings, they even let out low, intimidating growls.

The remaining three were an Azure-Scaled Snake and two Jade Ring Rats.

Those three looked rather listless.

Their physiques and potential were clearly several levels weaker.

Ye Jingcheng had memorized the appearances of these spirit beasts by heart since childhood. He had once looked forward to having one himself, so he naturally liked them very much now.

"Third Granduncle, it's better to wait for Fourth Brother and Second Brother to choose first!" Though Ye Jingcheng's eyes were filled with longing, he seemed to think of something and reluctantly declined.

The Fourth Brother and Second Brother he spoke of were both Ye Family members who currently lacked suitable spirit beasts, and both possessed three spirit roots.

"It's fine. In the Ye Family, you have a decent talent for alchemy, and you cultivate diligently as well. You choose first!" Ye Haiyi had a fairly good impression of Ye Jingcheng.

Among the Jing generation, Ye Jingcheng might not have possessed the best talent, but he was undoubtedly the most diligent and hardworking. He seized every moment to cultivate, and in his spare time, he studied alchemy books and practiced alchemy.

In the world of cultivation, weak talent did not necessarily mean one could not go far, but an unsteady will certainly meant one could not!

Ye Jingcheng still shook his head. If he chose first yet did not choose a Flying Cloud Leopard, it would be far too hard to justify.

Seeing that Ye Jingcheng remained insistent, Ye Haiyi said no more.

He merely closed his eyes slightly and waited for the other members of the Jing generation to arrive.

Not much time passed before several youths dressed in Ye Family attire strode into the hall.

The broad-chested man at the front was Ye Jingcheng's Second Brother, Ye Jingyong. Behind him came Fourth Brother Ye Jingyu, Sixth Brother Ye Jingli, and Seventh Sister Ye Jingyu.

Ye Jingcheng greeted them one by one.

Then, with complete naturalness, he moved to the very back.

Seeing this, Ye Haiyi and Ye Haiyun's gazes both stirred slightly.

Yet they could only sigh.

In the world of immortals, such excessive humility was hardly a good thing!

The two exchanged a glance, intending to find an opportunity to persuade Ye Jingcheng.

There was no suspense. Ye Jingyong and Ye Jingyu chose a Flying Cloud Leopard each.

Meanwhile, Ye Jingli and Ye Jingyu selected the Azure-Scaled Snake and the Jade Ring Rat respectively!

They all took out their family tokens and began deducting contribution points. The Flying Cloud Leopards cost four hundred contribution points, while the Azure-Scaled Snake and Jade Ring Rat cost two hundred each.

Then it was Ye Jingcheng's turn to step forward.

His mind was racing. He did not have many contribution points, enough neither to exchange for two spirit beasts.

Unless the Crimson Flame Fox was discounted somewhat.

"Third Granduncle, Fourth Granduncle, how many contribution points does this Crimson Flame Fox cost?" Ye Jingcheng asked.

He felt somewhat uneasy inside.

The others were all stunned and baffled by the sight.

This Crimson Flame Fox was a beast on the verge of death. When Ye Haiyi had brought it back, he had merely been trying his luck.

"This Crimson Flame Fox is already dying," Ye Haiyun reminded him from the side.

"If you don't have enough contribution points, you can borrow some from the family for now."

Ye Jingcheng's alchemy had been taught by Ye Haiyun, and Ye Haiyun could not bear to see him choose such a Crimson Flame Fox.

"Third Granduncle, I have enough," Ye Jingcheng replied, nodding to show that he understood.

"Then take them both. Two hundred and fifty contribution points in total!" Ye Haiyi promptly came up with a solution that satisfied both sides.

Ye Jingcheng nodded happily and hurriedly took out his family token for Ye Haiyi to deduct the points.

"Thank you, Third Granduncle. Thank you, Fourth Granduncle!" Ye Jingcheng quickly expressed his gratitude.

Once the exchange was complete, Ye Jingcheng chatted with his elder brothers and sister for a while. Then, clutching the two spirit beasts anxiously, he hurried toward his courtyard room.

At that moment, if anyone could see inside Ye Jingcheng's body, they would discover that the ancient book was continuously emitting spiritual light, profound and wondrous beyond measure!