Myriad Spirits Immortal Clan

Chapter 2: Hopeless

The Ye Family's Demon Hunting Hall stood midway up Lingyun Peak, a grand two-story complex built with great magnificence.

The entire building was crafted from century-old heavy ironwood, its surfaces carved with lifelike spirit beasts that gave the hall an extraordinary, almost otherworldly feel.

Ye Jingcheng stepped inside and registered himself, only to find the hall abuzz with activity. Many Ye clansmen hurried about, some still stained with beast blood, looking somewhat fierce.

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

Among them was the most famous alchemist of the Ye Family, Ye Haiyun.

He was half-crouched, studying a strange beast laid out on a cloth on the floor. After a long time, he shook his head.

It was about the size of a regular fox, but its fur was a fiery crimson and brimming with spiritual energy. However, one of its forelegs was injured, and the wound had already begun to blacken and dry out.

Worse yet, its once-bright and spirited eyes were slowly dimming, as if its life could fade away at any moment.

It let out weak, faltering cries, each softer than the last.

The red fox’s injuries were clearly severe, and it was deeply poisoned. The fact that it still had a breath spoke volumes of its resilience and extraordinary potential.

“This Crimson Flame Fox can’t be saved. What a shame for a demon beast with potential to reach the peak of Rank 2!”

As Ye Haiyun spoke, the other Ye clansmen around him also sighed in regret.

Unlike humans, the demon race place more importance on bloodline.

A superior bloodline guaranteed higher realms of power.

An inferior one, however, would demand even more resources than a cultivator—defeating the very purpose of raising spirit beasts.

There was still technically hope to save the Crimson Flame Fox, but it would require at least a Rank 2 spirit pill.

And even if it survived, its potential might be crippled. For the Ye Family, such pills were extremely precious.

Only Ye Jingcheng, standing off to the side, suddenly widened his eyes. Because the yellow ancient book within him began flipping page by page—something he was seeing for the first time.

Finally, it settled on a spread near the middle. And on the page was a majestic red fox with nine tails.

One swipe of its claw seemed capable of tearing the heavens apart!

Seeing this strange phenomenon, how could Ye Jingcheng not realize that this Crimson Flame Fox was anything but simple?

And that his ancient book was also related to cultivating spirit beasts!

However, he dared not step forward at this moment.

Even if the ancient book in his body might offer a chance.

Having lived two lives, he understood very well that ‘a man’s wealth is his own ruin.ʼ

“Aren't there still two Flying Cloud Leopards? Flying Cloud Leopards have a chance to reach Rank 2 when they mature, which is comparable to early stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. They’re the biggest spoils of this expedition. Let the juniors of the ‘Jing’ generation have a good pick!” The more stern 3rd Elder, Ye Haiyi, said slowly.

The Ye Family had paid a heavy price to explore the demon valley, but the harvest was excellent.

Despite being a beast taming family, there were still quite a few disciples of the Jing generation who didn't have suitable spirit beasts.

It wasn’t that the family didn’t raise spirit beasts, it was just that good spirit beasts were simply too rare.

“Jingcheng, you don’t have a spirit beast yet either, right? Then pick a cub here. This time there are five cubs available for selection!” After Ye Haiyi sent a message using a sound transmission talisman, he saw Ye Jingcheng was also there and immediately spoke.

With a wave of his hand, the spirit beast pouch lit up, and five different small beasts appeared before them.

Among them, the two Flying Cloud Leopards were very energetic, constantly looking around. Not only were they unafraid of the unfamiliar environment, but they even let out low growls!

The other three were a Green Scale Snake and two Jade Ring Mouse.

These three, in contrast, looked much more listless.

Their physiques and potential were clearly several ranks lower.

Ye Jingcheng had memorized the appearances of spirit beasts by heart since childhood, and he had once longed for this moment. Naturally, he liked what he was seeing now.

“3rd Elder, let's wait for 4th Brother and 2nd Brother to pick first!” Ye Jingcheng said with a face full of fondness, but after seeming to think of something, he reluctantly declined.

The 4th Brother and 2nd Brother he mentioned were both Ye Family members who currently didn’t have suitable spirit beasts, and both of them had Three Spiritual Roots.

“No matter. In the Ye Family, your talent in alchemy is good and you cultivate diligently, so you can pick first.” Ye Haiyi had a good impression of Ye Jingcheng.

Among the Jing generation disciples, Ye Jingcheng might not be the one with the best talent, but he was definitely the most hardworking and diligent. He seized every moment to cultivate, and he studied alchemy and practiced pill refining in his spare time.

In the cultivation world, weak talent didn’t necessarily mean one couldn’t go far, but a weak will definitely meant so!

But Ye Jingcheng still shook his head. If he picked first and didn’t choose the Flying Cloud Leopard, it would raise too many questions.

Seeing Ye Jingcheng’s continued insistence, Ye Haiyi didn’t press further.

He simply closed his eyes and waited for the arrival of the rest of the Jing generation disciples.

Soon, several young men in Ye Family robes strode into the hall.

At the very front of the group was Ye Jingcheng’s 2nd Brother Ye Jingyong, followed by his 4th Brother Ye Jingyu, 6th Brother Ye Jingli, and 7th Sister Ye Jingyuh.

Ye Jingcheng greeted each of them one by one.

Then, he naturally fell to the back.

Seeing this, there was a slight flicker in Ye Haiyi's and Ye Haiyun's eyes.

They couldn’t help but sigh.

In the cultivation world, such humility was not a good thing!

The two exchanged a glance, planning to find an opportunity to advise Ye Jingcheng.

As expected, Ye Jingyong and Ye Jingyu each chose a Flying Cloud Leopard.

Meanwhile, Ye Jingli and Ye Jingyuh picked the Green Scale Snake and the Jade Ring Mouse respectively.

Each of them took out their family tokens to deduct their contribution points. The Flying Cloud Leopard was 400 contribution points, and the Green Scale Snake and Jade Ring Mouse were 200 contribution points.

At last, it was Ye Jingcheng’s turn to step forward.

“3rd Elder, 4th Elder, can I pick this Crimson Flame Fox?” Ye Jingcheng asked.

At this moment, he couldn’t help feeling a little nervous.

He had hesitated for a very long time.

This scene left everyone shocked and confused.

The Crimson Flame Fox was already a dying beast. When Ye Haiyi brought it back, he had done so with that mindset.

“This Crimson Flame Fox is already at death’s door!” Ye Haiyun reminded from the side.

Ye Haiyun was the one who taught Ye Jingcheng alchemy, and he couldn’t bear to see Ye Jingcheng choose such a Crimson Flame Fox.

Ye Jingcheng nodded, indicating that he understood.

“In that case, take both. That's 250 contribution points. If you don’t have enough, you can owe the family for now!” Ye Haiyi then came up with a compromise.

Ye Jingcheng readily agreed and quickly took out his family token, letting Ye Haiyi deduct the contribution points.

“Thank you, 3rd Elder! 4th Elder!” Ye Jingcheng quickly expressed his gratitude.

After the handover, Ye Jingcheng chatted a bit more with his brothers and sister, then anxiously rushed off toward his courtyard with the two spirit beasts.

At this moment, if someone could see inside Ye Jingcheng’s body, they would find that the ancient book was continuously emitting a spiritual light!