255: Chapter 255 Affection Between Children and Parents

After saying this...

The tips of Lu Shaoyou's ears turned slightly red, and his usually gentle and composed demeanor gained a hint of awkwardness.

He truly wanted to help Ye Tianyao resolve her worries, as a restless mind was the biggest taboo on the eve of Foundation Establishment, and that Misty Moon Spirit Cave was indeed an excellent place.

There was also a tiny bit of his own personal selfishness involved.

Ye Tianyao was stunned upon hearing this. Seeing the faint red on the Cultivator's ears, a mist of blush rose on her cheeks again. She quickly composed herself, feeling both grateful and at a loss.

She knew well that Wuyue Mountain was where the Sect Master resided, and ordinary Disciples were not allowed to enter at will, let alone a private Spirit Cave. This kindness was truly profound.

Thinking of this, Ye Tianyao spoke sincerely, "Senior Brother, I appreciate your kindness, but Wuyue Mountain is a special territory. As an Inner Sect Disciple, it would likely be against the rules for me to go there rashly."

"I have my own plans for Foundation Establishment; following the standard procedure is more stable."

Seeing her insistence, Lu Shaoyou sighed, "Very well, Junior Sister. I won't stay to disturb you further. Go find your brother. If you lack any Foundation Establishment records or spiritual materials later, feel free to come find me."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Ye Tianyao thanked him softly. Watching Lu Shaoyou cup his hands in farewell and turn to leave, she finally let out a slow breath. She raised her hand to lightly brush her lapel, suppressing the ripples in her heart.

She knew well that now was not the time for romantic feelings; the stability of her Family and her own Foundation Establishment were the top priorities.

After a moment of distraction, she stepped toward the depths of the male Disciples' caves, her pace steady and no longer panicked.

Ye Tianyao arrived before a quiet Immortal Cave and saw her brother from afar, sitting by a stone table near the cave, calmly drinking tea.

"Brother, how much did you hear?" Ye Tianyao asked out of the blue.

Ye Tianhao was now a Foundation Establishment Cultivator with keen hearing and sight; he surely must have known she was coming early on.

Ye Tianhao poured a cup of tea for Ye Tianyao and smiled, "Sigh, drink tea, drink tea! Tianyao, what brings you to see me?"

Ye Tianyao felt her face heat up at his act of playing dumb. She sat on the stone stool and took a sip of the tea.

She looked up and glared at her brother, her tone carrying a hint of playful annoyance.

"Brother, stop teasing me. I just achieved Qi Refining Perfection and was in a hurry to discuss serious matters with you."

Hearing this, Ye Tianhao's spiritual energy fluctuated slightly as he sensed the abundant and steady Peak Qi Refining energy within his sister. He couldn't help but nod and smile.

"Indeed, it is Qi Refining Perfection. The girls of our Ye Family truly do not disappoint. If Father and Second Uncle knew, they would surely hold a banquet to celebrate!"

Mentioning her grandfather and Family, Ye Tianyao said helplessly, "Brother, don't you know? Grandfather has led the whole clan to submit to the Qingyun Sect."

"I heard about that; it's quite normal. Our Ye Family has been entrenched in the Yan State for many years. With a Foundation Establishment Family Head and Grandfather widely recruiting Retainers, there were constant frictions with surrounding forces. It looked glorious, but it was like a withered tree unable to support itself."

Ye Tianhao analyzed, "Moreover, our Family has no Golden Core protector and has offended the Xuanyou Sect. Without a Golden Core backer, we would eventually be swallowed whole. Grandfather's submission is to find a way for the Ye Family to survive."

Ye Tianyao's heart jolted. Although she had guessed Grandfather had long-term considerations, she hadn't expected the Family's situation to be so perilous.

She clenched her hands and said softly, "Actually, I only found out through Xiaoque just now. I felt uneasy about it, but luckily I ran into Senior Brother."

"He said the Sect Master appreciates Grandfather quite a bit and even went to meet him personally, providing spiritual materials to help the Ye Family. Only then did I feel relieved."

"That's natural. Grandfather has always been meticulous. This alliance with the Qingyun Sect is a mutually beneficial matter."

Ye Tianhao chuckled and refilled his sister's tea.

"Sect Master Yun Ling has presided over the Qingyun Sect for many years and urgently needs to expand his power to stabilize his Foundation. Our Ye Family has Foundation Establishment Cultivators, heritage, and connections, and we've submitted sincerely, so the Sect will naturally treat us well."

"Now that the Sect has allocated a dedicated market and spirit fields, the clan Disciples can Cultivate in peace and receive Sect resources. This is a hundred times better than struggling to survive in the cracks of the Yan State."

Ye Tianyao was happy to hear this and nodded, "Yes, as long as it's good for the Family."

At this point, she changed the subject, "However, Brother, I am already at Qi Refining Perfection and want to learn from your experience. Now that the Family is under the Qingyun Sect..."

"I need to achieve Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. That way, I can gain a firm foothold in the Sect and provide more leverage for the Ye Family in the eyes of the Qingyun Sect."

Hearing this, the smile faded from Ye Tianhao's face, replaced by solemnity. He withdrew his casual aura, and his Foundation Establishment Stage spiritual energy was slightly released.

It formed a gentle barrier, isolating surrounding noise to ensure their conversation wouldn't be overheard by outsiders.

"Foundation Establishment is the first major hurdle on the path of cultivation. Any slight mistake can cause spiritual energy to dissipate, leading to a drop in cultivation level at best, or severed Meridians at worst. You must not take it lightly."

He took a green Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Ye Tianyao: "This is the insight I compiled when I established my Foundation. It records the tricks of spiritual energy circulation and ways to deal with Heart Demons."

"There are also several techniques for breaking through common Foundation Establishment Bottlenecks. Keep it and study it carefully."

"As for the spiritual materials needed, Inner Sect Disciples can apply for Qi Gathering Pills and Clear Spirit Pills according to the rules. You already have a foundation establishment pill, but do not be rash or impatient. Just do your best."

Ye Tianyao nodded. They both knew the Ye Family could now independently refine foundation establishment pills, and Ye Tianyao had two more that Ye Jing had specifically sent to her.

Thus, she had three in total, but this was a secret.

"Then thank you, Brother!" Ye Tianyao couldn't help but smile.

Seeing his sister's rare smile, Ye Tianhao's tone softened a bit, then he turned serious: "By the way, regarding you and Senior Brother Lu just now—I can tell he has feelings for you. Moreover, Lu Shaoyou is a top Disciple with high prestige in the Sect. I wonder if you..."

Ye Tianyao's cheeks instantly flushed. She quickly lowered her head and took a sip of tea to hide her inner turmoil.

"Brother, Senior Brother and I only have a bond as fellow Disciples. Besides, I only want to achieve Foundation Establishment right now. Romantic feelings are..."

Speaking of which, Ye Tianyao didn't forget to tease Ye Tianhao: "Brother! What about you? Do you like any female immortal?"

As soon as these words were out, Ye Tianhao couldn't help but think of that masked female Disciple from the Shuangyue Sect in the Minghai Realm. He sighed, "It's not a matter of liking or not. I still prefer my sword."

"Brother, you really are a blockhead!"

Ye Tianyao couldn't help but laugh playfully.

Ye Tianhao shook his head helplessly at his sister's laughter, showing a rare bit of embarrassment: "You girl, you've turned around and started teasing your elder brother."

"A Sword Cultivator should be free of distractions. Only by cutting off stray thoughts can one progress. Romantic feelings only drag down one's sword cultivation. Nothing is as satisfying as holding a sword and cleaving the sky."

"That may be true, but the path of cultivation isn't all about fighting and killing."

Ye Tianyao stopped laughing and held her teacup, gently rubbing the rim, a flash of clarity in her eyes. "I am focused on Foundation Establishment, but I also understand the ways of the world."

"I understand Senior Brother's feelings, but now that the Ye Family relies on the Qingyun Sect, as a direct daughter of the Ye Family and an Inner Sect Disciple, my every word and action affect the Family's reputation. I cannot lose my sense of propriety over personal feelings."

"Once I have successfully established my Foundation, gained a firm foothold in the Sect, and the Family is completely stable, it won't be too late to talk about other things."