243: Chapter 243 Aristocratic Cultivators

Ye Jing, who had just escaped from the Minghai Realm, happened to run into Ye Tianyao.

He originally intended to leave quietly without alerting anyone, but a warning from the Immortal Willow signaled that Ye Tianyao was in danger, forcing him to turn back.

Seeing two monks who were only at Qi Refining Level 3 eating humans, he was instantly overcome with rage and killed the two scumbags on the spot.

He had also risen from the ranks of Mortals, experiencing attacks and sieges from demonic factions like the Red Lotus Cult and the Xuanyou Sect, repeatedly facing life and death.

Ye Jing had zero tolerance for these demonic Cultivators, let alone when they were targeting his own clansmen.

Because he was now an Immortal, He Sanguo and the merchants didn't dare refuse when he said he wanted to travel with their caravan.

And so, Ye Jing accompanied them along the way.

“Chief, do incidents of Cultivators slaughtering Mortals happen often around here?” Ye Jing suddenly asked.

He Sanguo trembled all over, stammering and not daring to speak: “Immortal! This...”

Ye Jing said, “No need to be nervous. I practice the Righteous Path, unlike those of the Demonic Path. Just answer my question.”

He Sanguo hurriedly said, “To answer the Immortal, many such traveling Immortals have appeared in the Yan State recently.

Most are just passing through and buying dry rations, not easily laying hands on Mortals. But some Immortals have started killing for treasures and consuming essence blood, like reincarnated evil ghosts.”

He paused, saying with lingering fear, “Actually, our Yan State is still considered peaceful. In some places, the residents of entire cities have vanished into thin air.

“The government can't control it, and the Sects are far away in the deep mountains. Ordinary merchants can only accept their bad luck.

We escorts try to stick to the main roads as much as possible, but this path is the only way to Yanggu County, it's unavoidable... Who would have thought we'd run into those two man-eating demonic monks today.”

Ye Jing frowned slightly. For Qi Refining Level 3 Cultivators to dare slaughter Mortals so brazenly, the overall environment must have fallen into chaos.

“Chief, do you know the origins of these Cultivators who have suddenly appeared?”

He Sanguo shook his head. “This lowly one is just a Mortal, how would I dare inquire about such things.

I've only heard rumors from passersby that several Immortal Noble Families were wiped out by a Demonic Path group called the Xuanyou Sect, and some of their Immortal descendants fled to various places.”

“Xuanyou Sect?”

“Yes, but fortunately, our Yan State's General is an Immortal. With him presiding, that Xuanyou Sect doesn't dare come here,” He Sanguo said fortunately.

Now the whole country knows that the Yan State's current prosperity is the result of that General's protection.

The General he spoke of was naturally Ye Jing's eldest son, Ye Yi. He campaigned all year round and mostly resided in the Imperial City, but in reality, the one truly deterring the Xuanyou Sect was the Ye Family.

Ye Jing was very clear on this point.

Furthermore, Ye Jing understood from his words that these emerging Cultivators were all from families that had been destroyed. These people had low cultivation and, without any restraint, committed evil deeds, which was truly despicable.

After all, the Xuanyou Sect had previously destroyed several families and nations to refine some damn Sacrificial Vessel, and the resulting destructive blow had instead affected the most innocent Mortals.

Ye Jing was glad he had led his Family onto the path of cultivation. Those Immortals were pitiful, but Mortals were even more so.

Amidst his reflections, Ye Jing saw Ye Tianyao looking at him with a face full of admiration. His fourth grandson was clearly itching to practice cultivation.

But for now, they still pretended not to know each other as they walked toward Yanggu County together.

Along the way, Ye Jing did see several low-level Qi Refining Stage Cultivators. They wore coarse clothes and looked extremely destitute, yet they still maintained an arrogant air, making some Mortals prostrate themselves in worship.

Ye Jing felt that these vagrant-like Cultivators staying among Mortals would ultimately be a hidden danger.

Three days later, they arrived at Yanggu County.

“Thank you, Immortal Master, for saving our lives!”

As they were about to part ways, He Sanguo thanked Ye Jing very enthusiastically. Throughout the journey, Ye Jing had put on no airs at all, and they had conversed pleasantly.

Coupled with having a powerful Cultivator like Ye Jing presiding, they easily handled several highwayman Cultivators encountered on the way. The journey was incredibly smooth, leaving He Sanguo and the merchants deeply grateful.

Ye Jing smiled and didn't say much.

Ye Tianyao had been holding himself back from acknowledging his grandfather, and now that they were parting, he looked at Ye Jing with a heart full of longing.

As a grandfather, how could Ye Jing not know his thoughts? He sent a voice transmission using spiritual power: “Follow your master well. There's no rush on the path of cultivation; Grandfather will bring you into the fold very soon!”

Upon hearing this, a brilliant light instantly burst from the depths of Ye Tianyao's eyes. It was the wild joy of a long-suppressed anticipation finally being fulfilled.

He bit his lower lip hard to avoid crying out in excitement, his voice carrying an unhideable sob: “Grandson... will obey Grandfather's orders!”

With that, Ye Jing stayed no longer. He turned and walked into the depths of Yanggu County, his steps composed and his back as straight as a pine, quickly blending into the bustling crowds of the county town.

Ye Tianyao watched that receding figure, clenched his fists, buried that excitement deep in his heart, and turned to follow the escort team to settle the goods.

Every word and action became a bit more steady, with none of his former impulsiveness.

He Sanguo looked in the direction where Ye Jing had disappeared, still full of awe, repeatedly cupping his hands in respect: “Truly a master of this age, approachable yet with heaven-reaching strength. If all the Immortals in the world were like this Immortal Master, we Mortals could live peaceful lives.”

After saying this, he led the escort team and merchants to the county post station, completely letting go of the fear that had gripped them throughout the journey.

On the other side, Ye Jing strolled through the streets of Yanggu County.

It had been a long time since he last came to Yanggu County. The town was teeming with people and the atmosphere was lively, with the cries of street vendors rising and falling.

Many surrounding shops hung the Ye Clan sign, and business looked very good.

He had already sent word home that he had safely returned from the Minghai Realm. He would walk around here first, treating it as a return visit for leisure.

“You are... it really is you! Senior!”

Just as Ye Jing was walking aimlessly down the street, a surprised shout came from behind him.

Ye Jing instinctively turned around and saw two somewhat familiar middle-aged Cultivators standing behind him, faces full of pleasant surprise.

These two wore ragged clothes and had thin frames, looking quite destitute, but Ye Jing felt spiritual power fluctuations from them.

“You are...” Ye Jing narrowed his eyes.

One of the middle-aged men stepped forward and said to Ye Jing, “Senior, don't you remember us? Ten years ago, you saved us from the jaws of a green snake, and we even took you to the Tiangong Market!”

Upon hearing this, Ye Jing immediately remembered. He smiled and said, “So it's Fellow Daoist Su and Fellow Daoist Liu! Long time no see!”

These two Cultivators were the two Loose Cultivators Ye Jing had accidentally met over ten years ago, named Su Dadan and Liu Qing. Back then, they were only Qi Refining Level 2 Cultivators, but now they were both at Level 4.

Su Dadan stepped forward with a respectful smile, about to bow down with Liu Qing: “We don't deserve such a title. Old Senior still possesses such extraordinary grace!”

They saw that although Ye Jing had white hair and wore simple clothes, his spiritual power was robust and his eyes were clear. He was even more energetic than ten years ago, showing no signs of aging whatsoever.

Qi Refining Mortals have limited lifespans, yet the elderly Ye Jing was extremely vigorous, like a man in his prime. Perhaps the elder standing before them was already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!

Ye Jing looked at the two before him, a flash of understanding crossing his eyes.

Ten years is but a blink for a Cultivator. Back then, these two young Loose Cultivators who trembled before a green snake and could hardly protect themselves had now become middle-aged men with graying temples and faces marked by the weariness of age.

He raised his hand to support them, stopping the grand gesture Su Dadan was about to perform, his tone peaceful without a hint of arrogance:

“It was just a small matter, you needn't dwell on it. However, after not seeing you for many years, how did you end up in such a state?”