At Taihang Market, in front of the Ye Family Shop, several figures in Spirit-Blocking Robes hurriedly entered the market.

"Has your Patriarch arrived?" he asked in a low voice.

It was still early morning, and the bamboo grove was silent, with few cultivators at the Ye Family Shop.

Occasionally, a spirit beast's roar could be heard.

"And who might you be?" Ye Xinghong asked hesitantly.

"An old friend of your Ye family," came the slightly impatient reply.

Ye Xinghong sensed something was amiss but remained calm and did not get angry at the other's tone.

"The Patriarch hasn't arrived yet, but the Master of Commerce Hall in our Ye family is here, and he is also in charge of the Ye Family Tavern's Pill Shop and Spirit Beast Shop," Ye Xinghong replied patiently.

"What good is that!" the cultivator huffed and left immediately.

Still puzzled, Ye Xinghong took out a jade talisman and transmitted a message to Ye Xinghe.

Shortly after that person left, a few people could be seen walking along the quiet street, stepping on the stone slabs.

The damp stone slabs made a somewhat dull sound as they walked.

Ye Xinghong looked up to see that it was Ye Jingcheng, Ye Jingli, and others.

"Patriarch!" Ye Xinghong waved repeatedly.

"Thirteenth Aunt, no need to be so formal. How are the preparations at the Ye Family Tavern?" Ye Jingcheng asked directly.

"Everything is almost ready. Some distinguished guests have been arranged in the rooms behind the Ye Family Tavern, and those rooms all have a Spirit Gathering Array set up," Ye Xinghong nodded.

Although Ye Xinghong mainly managed the Ye Family's Spirit Beast Shop, her long-term cooperation with Ye Xinghe gave her insight into the family's operations, and she rarely left the market, so secrecy was not a concern.

Other families wouldn't coerce Ye Xinghong for information, as it might alert their enemies, and whatever she did know could be easily discovered by anyone with diligence.

"Patriarch, someone was looking for you earlier; I think it was a Foundation Establishment cultivator wearing a Spirit-Blocking Robe. He was very anxious!" Ye Xinghong said.

"Oh?" Ye Jingcheng paused for a moment.

However, he soon paid it no mind, as he now needed to focus on the normal opening of the Ye Family Tavern.

This was his first step as the family's Patriarch, and he could not afford to be careless.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, Ye Jingcheng smiled when he saw the two rows of spirit beasts.

Thanks to the Beast Tide, there were quite a few spirit beast cubs in the Ye Family Shop.

Even some well-tempered adult spirit beasts were present, although they were all of gentle nature.

Most cultivators purchase spirit beasts to enhance their strength.

Similarly, some cultivators consider spirit beasts as companions or guardians.

The Ye family would capture some spirit beasts for this reason as well.

Among them were a few Jade Ring Rats, though they were far smaller and less clever than his own.

"Patriarch, you've arrived?" Ye Xinghe greeted Ye Jingcheng.

"Thank you for your hard work, Uncle," Ye Jingcheng responded quickly.

"How are the guest arrangements?"

"All set, we can ensure there won't be an empty table the entire day!" Ye Xinghe nodded.

This also highlighted Ye Xinghe's extensive connections.

Ye Jingcheng had great faith in this, as Ye Xinghe had once auctioned treasures on his behalf using loose cultivators.

The other families hadn't noticed this yet.

Even if they did now, it wouldn't matter; the Spiritual Cuisine targeted loose cultivators, and deceiving a few would suffice.

After verifying details with Ye Xinghe again, he nodded.

"How is the market now?" Ye Jingcheng suddenly recalled the mysterious Spirit-Blocking Robe cultivator.

"Not optimistic. The Kong Family has confirmed they are opening a Pill Shop, which will impact the Xu Family. If I'm not mistaken, the person earlier was most likely the current Patriarch of the Xu Family, Xu Wenjin, who recently reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment," said Ye Xinghe with certainty.

Upon hearing this, Ye Jingcheng immediately understood.

Obviously, the Xu Family was eager to meet him, wanting to intimidate the Ye Family into aligning with them.

To resist the Kong Family and the Jin Family.

But before discovering the real motives of the Kong Family and the Jin Family, how could the Ye Family easily pick a side?

"And the Chu Family?" Ye Jingcheng inquired further.

"The Chu Family isn't in a good position either. Due to the Jin Family's presence, they have ceased their annexation of the Chen Family and are now pulling back their forces," Ye Xinghe replied.

"Patriarch, should we contact the Xu and Chu Families now?" Ye Xinghe sounded a bit worried.

Regarding the Jin Family, once the Kong Family establishes a foothold in Taihang Commandery, the Ye Family would be the first target.

After all, the Kong Family and the Ye Family have long been at odds.

And the Ye Family Tavern's opening didn't extend an invitation to the Kong Family.

"There's no rush for now. First, we need to gather information. With the presence of Tianzhen Ascendant and Supreme Taihao today, we won't face immediate issues."

"I'll head to the family's tavern to meet the two Ascendants and Liu Huan along with other core disciples of the Taiyi Sect," Ye Jingcheng stated.

The Xu and Ye Families have also long been hostile.

Ye Jingcheng had even wiped out more than a dozen of the Xu Family's Foundation Establishment members, possibly including one ancestor who had undergone possession.

Naturally, he couldn't cooperate with the Xu Family.

But rejecting them openly was not an option for now.

On the surface, at least, there could be some diplomatic interactions with the Xu Family.

Since the Xu Family still has a Purple Mansion cultivator, they could serve as a distraction for now.

Being in Taihang Commandery, Ye Jingcheng truly didn't believe the Xu Family didn't have some hidden card.

Even the Mo Family had hidden cards, and Ye Jingcheng long suspected the Xu Family harbored deep secrets too.

Let them fight among themselves first.

With this in mind, Ye Jingcheng proceeded toward the tavern.

The Ye Family Tavern was located where the Mo Family Tavern used to be but with new interiors and decor.

The Mo Family had Cyan Willow Inscriptions, whereas the Ye Family's inscriptions depicted various exotic beasts.

This was a characteristic of each family, as standing out in the Cultivation World was equally important for a force's identity.

Ye Jingcheng entered the pavilion, first sending out two spirit talismans.

Of course, the first visits were for Supreme Taihao and Tianzhen Ascendant.

The spirit talismans elicited a swift response, yet surprisingly, indicated the same room for both.

Hesitating briefly, Ye Jingcheng moved towards the third floor.

The Ye Family, now a Purple Mansion Clan, could construct a three-story tavern.

Guests from the sect were naturally accommodated on the third floor.

Ascending the stairs, Ye Jingcheng found the door slightly ajar.

"Elder Taihao, Elder Tianzhen, Lingyun Ye Family's Ye Jingcheng requests an audience!" Ye Jingcheng spoke softly.

"Enter," a particularly unfamiliar voice called out.

Startled, Ye Jingcheng entered the room to find Supreme Taihao and Tianzhen Ascendant seated on one side, while the person sitting at the head was an elderly man in a purple robe with a radiant complexion.

"No need to be nervous, Ye Kid. I am Supreme Taihao's mentor, though my expertise lies in alchemy."

Understanding dawned on Ye Jingcheng as he realized the man's identity.

Supreme Taihao had only one mentor: Master Tianfu.

"Jingcheng pays respects to Elder Tianfu!" Ye Jingcheng bowed repeatedly.

Internally, he felt a wave of tension; this time, he was without the Turtle Ancestor. Of course, he doubted it would help even if it was present.

Considering the chasm between him and the Purple Mansion and Golden Core levels.

He assumed there might even be a Spirit Inquiry Talisman here.

Therefore, he had to anticipate the worst situation and speak with utmost caution!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.