As a member of the Ye Family arranging a marriage with other families, there's concern over whether secrets will be leaked.

And marrying an ordinary Loose Cultivator comes with the fear of spies from hostile forces.

Ye Jingcheng is a cautious person, so he manages both the family and cultivation well, ensuring the family isn't troubled.

Yet this caution inevitably creates obstacles when he seeks to form a union.

In this world, it's not common for women to pursue men.

"He'll handle this well on his own; just help find that female cultivator!" Ye Haicheng ultimately trusted and instructed Ye Xinghe.

Ye Xinghe also nodded.

The Ye Family indeed pays attention to the matters between Ye Jingcheng and Xu Xiuqing.

The family providing Ye Jingcheng with a Foundation Establishment Pill signifies trust in him, and if a match is made, it could become a beautiful story.

But after a failure to progress, the family shouldn't seek it any longer.

Whether they find her or not, it's not good news for the Ye Family.

If they do, continue providing Foundation Establishment Pills? Or watch Ye Jingcheng remain heartbroken?

...

The following time, Ye Jingcheng sat in his room, drinking Spirit Tea.

Unusually, a Jade Ring Rat was at his feet.

With years of care, the Jade Ring Rat's aura finally reached Late Stage Tier One with Minor Achievement, akin to the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer for human cultivators.

To other Spirit Beasts, this might be just a small step.

But for the Jade Ring Rat, it's a leap over most of its life.

It squeaked incessantly, sensing a vague sadness in Ye Jingcheng today, too complex for it to understand, only able to flap its ears gently against Ye Jingcheng's leg.

Observing the Jade Ring Rat's intelligence, Ye Jingcheng sighed deeply.

Next time, it might be a farewell with the Jade Ring Rat.

Although Spirit Beasts live longer than ordinary beasts, it's a miracle for a Tier One Spirit Rat to live a century.

Yet, Ye Jingcheng couldn't do much, as the Jade Ring Rat lacks bloodline talent.

Even the powder of the Golden Scale Pill was hard to handle.

The once refreshing Spring Tea was dry and harsh today.

The Spirit Sandalwood in the room lost its divine fragrance, seemingly mixed with a choking scent.

Amidst repeated chirps, Ye Jingcheng was brought back to focus.

The Red Flame Fox appeared, chirping to indicate that Ye Jingcheng hadn't sought it for alchemy in a long time.

Ye Jingcheng nodded at this and began the alchemy process, only to make numerous mistakes, leaving the Red Flame Fox utterly bewildered.

It took him half a day to finally refine a furnace of Spirit Cultivation Pills.

Only four or five were produced.

...

The morning light rose again over Taihang Market in Taihang Commandery, certainly not considered an internal location.

If not for the abundant Bamboo Forest, it would be an excellent spot for viewing the mountains.

Ye Jingcheng collected his thoughts, leaving the courtyard, facing the glaring morning light, with a renewed resolve in his eyes.

Joining him were Ye Haicheng and Ye Xinghe.

This time, all three would attend the auction redivision meeting.

Upon their arrival at Taihang Market's auction hall, many cultivators were already present.

The Chu Family was represented by Chu Xiyu, Chu Yanhao, and Chu Tianfen.

The Xu Family sent Xu Chunlin and Xu Wenjin.

The Chen Family was represented by Chen Haobin, known to be almost a puppet.

In the hall, Jiang Jinghe had arrived early, currently holding a teapot, serving tea to others.

Though serving tea seemed demeaning, he wouldn't interfere with today's distribution.

After all, no matter how fiercely the families battled below, none dared absorb the sect's 40% cut.

Hence, he cared little for the day's outcome, merely ensuring no issues for himself.

Determined not to leave during his tenure at Taihang Market, no families could secretly harm him.

"Master Jiang, Ye Daoist, Xu Daoist, Chu Daoist, a pleasure to finally meet you all today!" A voice came from the entrance, soon revealing Kong Yulong leading the Kong Family's younger members inside.

Following him was Jin Zongliang from the Jin Family, representing its Purple Mansion status, appearing alongside the Kong Family, signaling bad news for the three families present.

"Kong Daoist, if we didn't show, Taihang Commandery might as well be called Kong Commandery!" Ye Haicheng was the first to speak.

The Ye and Kong families had long been at odds and saw no need to show face.

This statement changed Market Master Jiang's complexion, thinking he would rather hear nothing.

"What's this from Ye Daoist?" Kong Yulong's aura didn't weaken.

"According to sect rules, protecting Taihang Market and Taihang Commandery is paramount. Recently, in family territories, Tribulation and Demon Cultivators rise frequently. Without our Jin and Kong presence, it may worsen!"

"Or does the Ye Family think they can handle Taihang Commandery's Tribulation and Demon Cultivators without us?"

"The Taichang Commandery's Kong Family, sure, but don't forget, this is just a branch!" Ye Haicheng didn't relent.

"Ye Daoist is correct. Though our families lack Golden Core True Masters, we can still besiege some Purple Mansion Demon Cultivators. Before the Jin and Kong Families arrived, we maintained an unprecedented peace."

Xu Chunlin breathed a sigh of relief.

With the Ye Family taking the lead, he too saw no reason to change the Market shares.

Currently, as all families are of the Purple Mansion Clan, dividing into five shares is optimal.

"What does Chu Daoist think?" Jin Zongliang spoke, appearing alarmingly composed.

This made Ye Haicheng and Ye Jingcheng uneasy.

"Chu believes in considering the bigger picture; extraordinary times require extraordinary measures!" As Chu Tianfen spoke, confusion and then alarm swept over Ye Haicheng and Xu Chunlin's faces.

This signaled Chu Tianfen had been pressured by the Jin Family.

"Let's discuss how to divide the shares!" Jiang Jinghe interjected.

Seeing the Jin and Kong hold sway, he naturally sided with them.

No one else opposed this proposal.

"Continue as before with either a Purple Mansion contest or a Foundation Establishment contest!"

"Divide the shares by four-four-two!"

"The two strongest families take four, leaving two for the remaining four families!" Kong Yulong spoke again.

This statement changed everyone's demeanor, especially Xu Chunlin's.

The Xu Family alone previously had such favorable terms, now seemingly excluded from any share.

Moreover, it implied the Chen Family too would share.

But it was known the Foundation Establishment Chen Family had been devoured by the Jin Family, existing in name only.

"Of course, you can concede, with a minimum yield of half a share!"

"The Chu Family concedes to half a share," Chu Tianfen spoke almost instantly.

The elder appeared particularly helpless, a bitter expression spreading across his face.

Ye Jingcheng knew the Chu Family was under threat.

Also considering their store for magical artifacts was maliciously targeted without resistance.

This likely connected to Chu Xiyu.

With some thought, it was clear.

The Chu Family was initially a Foundation Establishment Clan, insufficiently rooted, yet in forty years, they had more than two Foundation Establishment Cultivators, could buy Purple Mansion Jade Liquid, and fund Tier Three Magical Treasure research.

They also shined in auctions.

This outcome suggested either discovery of an exceptional Spirit Stone ore or undisclosed transactions.

Regardless, it was known to the Jin Family.

"Let it be Purple Mansion!" With the Chu Family conceding, Xu Chunlin had no choice, oppressed by the Kong Family for years, and since Xu Hanqing buried all Foundation Establishment resources in a Secret Realm three years ago, they couldn't field a single Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Competing in Purple Mansion, Xu Chunlin still had a chance.

At least Kong Yulong and Jin Zongliang weren't seasoned Purple Mansion cultivators and weren't at Late Stage of Purple Mansion."

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