CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: THE CLAN COMPETITION BEGINS

At this moment, the entire Lingyun Peak’s momentum shifted instantly.

Every cultivator of the Ye Family wore expressions of anger.

Their guardian spirit beast, the Ancestral Turtle, was driven to death by the other clans in such a manner and then allowed them to leave.

At this moment, they were full of rage.

Ye Xingliu also stepped forward. As the Patriarch, he had to speak now to restore the Ye Family’s momentum:

"From today, the clan allowance is increased by fifty percent. Meanwhile, for cultivators who haven’t progressed for a long time, the allowance is halved. Additionally, the top three in the family competition will receive rewards of the clan’s spirit beasts or cultivation techniques!"

"The top ten in the family competition can receive Spirit Stone rewards or a bottle of Spiritual Elixirs and Magical Artifacts!"

"Further reward details and clan policies will also see major changes and will be officially announced at that time!"

"In short, cultivate well, otherwise, if the clan truly declines and becomes loose cultivators, I needn’t say more about those days!"

...

Ye Xingliu continued speaking with great authority. His words changed the expressions of everyone present.

Although the Ye Family isn’t a Purple Mansion Race, it is one of the Four Great Foundation Establishment Clans south of Taihang. Becoming loose cultivators would be the true nightmare!

The sense of urgency and tension began to spread from top to bottom among everyone.

All slack and leisure of the past were put away.

Ye Jingcheng felt a similar rage internally.

Spending tens of thousands of Spirit Stones to purchase the Blood Heart Pill, which had issues, led to the death of the Guardian Spirit Beast.

Yet, he was still puzzled that Ye Xingliu had not responded or replied to him, plus he felt everything seemed too convenient for the other four families’ agendas.

In his observation, the Ye Family shouldn’t be like this...

While Ye Jingcheng hesitated, the family competition had already commenced.

Everyone retreated to the Martial Arts Arena.

This vast open area with numerous large stone platforms was where the Ye Family cultivators usually practiced magic and taught.

It was also used for today’s family competition.

Upon arriving at the square, Ye Jingcheng noticed almost all Ye Family members were present this time.

A glance showed over a hundred cultivators.

Most were at the Middle Stage and Early Stage of Qi Cultivation, with only a small portion at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation.

The family competition divided into three arenas: one for the Early Stage of Qi Cultivation, one for the Middle Stage, and one for the Seventh and Eighth Layers of Qi Cultivation.

As for the Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation, they were elders of the Ye Family and did not participate.

The competing cultivators were all below fifty years of age.

There were about fifty participants: twenty in the Early Stage, twenty in the Middle Stage, and only eight at the Seventh and Eighth Layers.

The competition would yield rewards.

Cultivators above fifty were excluded because, in the Cultivation Realm, the best time to break through to Foundation Establishment is before sixty.

Past that age, blood and Qi deteriorate, making breakthroughs unlikely.

Without a Foundation Establishment Pill to protect the heart vessel during a breakthrough, failure means death.

A Foundation Establishment Clan like the Ye Family couldn’t accept numerous cultivators failing in their breakthroughs.

Ye Jingcheng was assigned to the Middle Stage group, confident in his abilities, whether in his own methods or his Red Flame Fox and Golden Scale Beast, allowing him the potential to challenge the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation.

At this moment, he aspired to compete for the top three and choose a better cultivation technique from the clan.

As for the spirit beasts, he considered the Blood Leech Spirit Beast’s Spirit Egg but then shook his head.

What he lacked was Spirit Stones, and nurturing two spirit beasts already gave him a headache.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves. It begins in an hour!" announced Ye Xinghe, who was in charge of the Middle Stage arena, his face exuding an arrogant air yet looking different from how Ye Jingcheng remembered his uncle.

Clearly, Ye Xinghe was the one who bought the Blood Heart Pill, and he likely didn’t feel well about it.

Ye Jingcheng sat down cross-legged to rest. Although he hadn’t wasted much Spiritual Energy earlier, maintaining his peak condition would aid him in securing first place in the Middle Stage.

He glanced at his second brother, Ye Jingyong, and then at his sixth brother, Ye Jingli—his main competitors, both at the Sixth Layer of Qi Cultivation.

Especially his second brother Ye Jingyong, whose strength in the Ye Jing Generation was well recognized, and whose Small Seal Magical Artifact Ye Jingcheng greatly dreaded!

While meditating, Ye Xingliu’s transmission echoed in Ye Jingcheng’s mind again.

"If you don’t want to be possessed, keep your secret safe!"

Ye Jingcheng was shocked, looking around for Ye Xingliu, only to realize that when the family competition started, Ye Xingliu and Ye Haicheng, the Foundation Establishment cultivators, had disappeared.

"Stop looking. Focus on the competition. Don’t assume the Beast Communication Pattern allows carelessness!"

"Also, today’s transmission should stay with you to the grave!"

Ye Xingliu’s voice sounded again before disappearing.

At this moment, Ye Jingcheng’s heart raced wildly.

Ye Xingliu received his transmission but didn’t let him try, and now urged him to keep it secret, fueling his doubts.

Was the Ancestral Turtle truly dead?

He wanted to ask more, full of questions, but seeing all the Ye Family members before him training with intense focus, he refrained.

The other three families and the Xu Family would likely let down their guard as well.

If the Ancestral Turtle hadn’t fallen, the Ye Family might indeed emerge the true victor this time!

Moreover, Ye Haiyun could then return from leave as a result.

Ye Jingcheng dared not imagine further, yet he suddenly realized he might have seen something contrary to reality.

He shook his head swiftly; he was merely a Middle Stage Qi Cultivation cultivator and needn’t overthink.

Instead, seizing first place in the Middle Stage and choosing a cultivation technique better than the Li Fire Skill was his current priority.

Having resolved this, Ye Jingcheng began to focus and calm his mind.

Since restoring Spiritual Energy wasn’t needed, he gradually practiced the Li Fire Skill, refining his Spiritual Power a bit more.

The Spirit Array was wide open now, releasing more Spiritual Energy from the Spirit Vein, further benefiting his cultivation.

"Alright, just about adjusted, come and draw lots!" Ye Xinghe’s heavy voice roused everyone.

He then took out countless bamboo sticks, each marked with a number.

These numbers would determine the challengers!

Ye Jingcheng stood and stepped forward to draw a lot.

"Jingcheng, you must be careful. My Flying Cloud Leopard has recently gotten stronger!" Ye Jingyong said when he saw Ye Jingcheng.

His second brother liked to speak and was competitive.

Ye Jingcheng responded with a smile.

Internally, he hoped Ye Jingyong’s Flying Cloud Leopard had genuinely grown stronger.

Otherwise, he felt unfair drawing out the Red Flame Fox!

He should perhaps compete in the Late Stage group!

However, he preferred staying in the Middle Stage, where he could still earn rewards!