253: Chapter 253 Recruiting Subordinates

Ye Jing stepped aside to lead the way, his expression calm.

The group walked through the bluestone-paved courtyard as Yun Ling observed the area out of the corner of his eye.

The Spiritual Qi here was dense and pure; although it was near a valley, the scenery was pleasant, making it an excellent Immortal Cave.

Yun Ling could tell there was a Spiritual Vein beneath the Ye family's grounds, and this was exactly where the destroyed Chen Family had been, though he didn't know what Ye Jing had done.

To bring a Spiritual Vein destroyed by the Xuanyou Sect back to life and sweep away the Devilish Qi that had lingered in the valley for years.

This Ye family was truly not simple.

Upon entering the Ye family's main hall, Yun Ling saw that the furnishings were minimalist, with tables and chairs made of ordinary spirit wood and a few landscape paintings hanging on the walls; there was no sign of luxury, yet everything was orderly and rigorous.

Ye Jing personally led Yun Ling to the guest seat beside the main seat and quickly served high-quality spirit tea.

The tea's fragrance was crisp and lingered around the nose.

Ye Jing stood below with his hands down, speaking respectfully: "Sect Master has come from afar. My humble abode is simple, and I have only this coarse tea to offer. I hope the Sect Master does not mind the lack of hospitality."

Yun Ling's smile remained as he spoke calmly: "Old Patriarch Ye is too modest. Your place is nestled against mountains and rivers, well-ordered and disciplined. That the Ye family is managed so prosperously shows the Patriarch's extraordinary skill!"

These words seemed like praise, but they were like a fine needle, gently pricking through Ye Jing's deliberate disguise as a "simple old man from the countryside."

Ye Jing felt a chill in his heart and cupped his hands: "The Sect Master overpraises me. This old man is merely guarding the meager inheritance of the Ye family's ancestors and trying to make a living for the clansmen in this cultivation world. Reaching this point is all due to luck; I dare not accept such praise from the Sect Master."

Standing beside Yun Ling, Yun Jian watched Ye Jing's cautiousness and couldn't help but feel some admiration for the old man.

Ye Jing was indeed no ordinary character. Anyone else praised like this by a Golden Core Sect Master would have been overwhelmed by the favor, yet he remained cautious, not showing the slightest flaw.

Yun Ling picked up the tea cup, took a small sip, his expression becoming more serious and his tone a bit cooler: "I believe Old Patriarch Ye is well aware of why I have come today; the situation in the Yan State is currently turbulent.

The Xuanyou Sect is slaughtering Sects and noble families with clear ambition, and some families have short-sightedly defected to the Lingxiao Sect, leaving my Qingyun Sect attacked from both sides.

If this Yan State territory continues to be in chaos, not only will my Qingyun Sect find no peace, but I fear all the noble families will suffer."

Ye Jing lowered his eyes, knowing the main topic had finally arrived. He said solemnly: "The Sect Master is absolutely right. The Xuanyou Sect has committed many evils, and all Cultivators in the world are resentful. I have always instructed my clansmen to stay behind closed doors, mind our own business, and not get involved in disputes, seeking only self-preservation."

"Self-preservation?"

Yun Ling gave a light laugh and looked directly at Ye Jing.

"Old Patriarch Ye has been lying low for years, and now, in just a few short years, you have gathered Loose Cultivators and solidified your Foundation. Are you truly someone who only seeks self-preservation? If the Ye family stays isolated in a corner, it won't be a long-term solution. When the nest is overturned, no egg stays unbroken; surely the Patriarch understands this logic."

These words hit the mark, and Ye Jing's whole body stiffened. He naturally knew that Yun Ling was a Golden Core Cultivator whose vision and power were far beyond his own.

There was no use in continuing the facade, so he spoke frankly: "The Sect Master has a Wisdom Eye; I dare not exaggerate. I ask the Sect Master to decide!"

Yun Ling smiled faintly: "I have come personally today because I wish to recruit the Ye family to serve my Qingyun Sect, to follow my orders and become the right-hand man of my Sect in the Yan State.

If the Ye family makes contributions in the future, I will not be stingy with rewards. Spirit Stones, Cultivation Techniques, Spiritual Veins—whatever my Qingyun Sect has, we will certainly not mistreat the Ye family."

Hearing this, Ye Jing fell silent. It was as he expected.

Yun Ling waited patiently for Ye Jing's reply, giving him plenty of time to think. The look in his eyes was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable pressure.

That was the innate aura of a Golden Core powerhouse; even when deliberately restrained, it still made Ye Jing feel breathless.

After a long time, Ye Jing took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Yun Ling.

"The Sect Master is full of sincerity. If I were to decline again, it would be ungrateful. The Ye family is willing to submit to the Qingyun Sect. From now on, we will follow the Sect Master's lead, remain loyal to our duties, and have no second thoughts!"

As those words were spoken, the smile on Yun Ling's face finally became much more genuine.

"Old Patriarch Ye is very sensible. This is a blessing for the Ye family and also for my Qingyun Sect.

From this day forward, the Ye family will be a noble family directly under the jurisdiction of my Qingyun Sect, enjoying the Sect's protection. If the Xuanyou Sect dares to attack, I will personally take action to ensure the Ye family's safety."

Ye Jing bowed and said: "Thank you for your favor, Sect Master!"

After accepting the Ye family, Yun Ling gave a look to Yun Jian behind him. Yun Jian understood and stepped forward: "Patriarch Ye, from now on, your Ye family is under our Qingyun Sect.

You also need to prepare tributes. The specialty golden spirit rice grown by your Ye family must be paid at three thousand catties annually, along with one thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones. If the Sect has temporary mobilizations, the Ye family must respond unconditionally without evasion or delay. What do you think?"

This requirement was not difficult for Ye Jing. He now produced tens of thousands of golden spirit rice annually, and his shop's profits could reach four or five thousand or more.

A hint of relief flashed in Ye Jing's eyes, and he immediately straightened his back, his tone steady and certain, without any hesitation: "Elder Yun Jian, rest assured. The Ye family can afford this tribute. Not to mention three thousand catties of golden spirit rice and one thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, even if it were thirty percent more, the Ye family would have no complaints.

As for Sect mobilizations, as long as a message is sent to the Ye family, I will personally lead the team in response, and all our elite disciples will be at your disposal."

His words both expressed loyalty and hinted at his confidence.

The Ye family had the strength to support the tribute and the sincerity to rely on the Qingyun Sect; they were by no means a group that had surrendered reluctantly.

Yun Jian nodded slightly upon hearing this, and Yun Ling's tone was calm but carried a hint of approval: "Since you are a noble family directly under the Sect, we are one family. No need for such formalities.

golden spirit rice is a top-tier spirit grain, and the Ye family has been deeply involved in this for many years. If you can improve the variety and increase the yield in the future, the Sect will naturally provide heavy rewards. We might even allocate a Low Grade Spiritual Vein to help the Ye family cultivate spirit fields; it all depends on the Ye family's luck."

These words reached Ye Jing's ears and instantly made his heart burn with excitement.

For a noble family, a Spiritual Vein is like their lifeblood. With the support of a Spiritual Vein, the yield and quality of golden spirit rice will surely reach a new level, and the Ye family's strength will rise accordingly.

Although there were the spirit fields of the Immortal Willow, Ye Jing still needed to grow some good Spirit Medicines there; it couldn't be used solely for spirit rice.

Having more spirit fields would always be better.

He quickly responded: "I will certainly urge my clansmen to farm meticulously and improve the cultivation methods for golden spirit rice, so as not to disappoint the Sect Master's expectations!"

Yun Jian turned to look at Yun Ling, and seeing no objection in the Sect Master's eyes, he took out a jade token glowing with green light.

He handed it to Ye Jing: "This is the exclusive Command Token for noble families directly under the Qingyun Sect. Holding this token allows entry and exit from the outer gate of the Qingyun Sect.

If you encounter harassment from the Xuanyou Sect, you can crush the token to send a message, and Qingyun Sect Cultivators within a thousand miles will certainly come to your aid immediately."

After saying that, Yun Jian also took out a Formation from his Storage Pouch, which emitted a faint green light.

But Ye Jing could see that this Formation was extremely extraordinary. Yun Jian said: "This is the second-grade defensive formation, the Green Spirit Formation. It can block a full-strength blow from a Golden Core Cultivator, which is enough for you to resist external enemies!"

Seeing this, Ye Jing was overjoyed.

In other words, with this Formation, unless that old demon Xuan Yin himself came, the other Xuanyou Sect Cultivators would be unable to do anything to him!

He carefully took the Green Spirit Formation Plate. The plate was cool to the touch, with complex and mysterious patterns, its spiritual light restrained yet hiding a formidable power.

Even just resting in his palm, he could feel layers of defensive barriers surrounding him.

Ye Jing had been in the cultivation world for many years and had seen many low-level Formations, but this was the first time he possessed such a high-quality second-grade Formation that could withstand a Golden Core blow.

Previously, even if he wanted to buy one, he suffered from a lack of connections and funds.

Now that the Qingyun Sect had casually bestowed such a heavy gift, it was clear to see the Sect Master's sincerity and the importance he placed on them.

This negotiation could be considered a happy ending for everyone.