268: Chapter 268 An Unexpected Marriage

After he finished speaking,

Ye Jing leaped away and headed straight for his Immortal Cave.

He now began to Cultivate the "Azure Feather Wind-Riding Art"; this technique combined with spiritual power, causing the spiritual power throughout his body to circulate.

Combined with spiritual power, this technique caused the circulation of spiritual power throughout his body to suddenly change its trajectory.

The previously fierce, overbearing, and rampaging spiritual power now followed the Cultivation Technique's mnemonic like a gentle breeze wrapping around the body or a feather falling without a trace, slowly wandering through the Meridians of his body. No longer solely focused on aggressive force, it instead gained a touch of agility and elegance.

Ye Jing sat cross-legged on a bluestone within the Immortal Cave, eyes slightly closed and fingers forming a seal. Following the methods recorded in the scroll, he drew the free-floating wind-attribute Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth into his body.

The surrounding air trembled slightly as tiny azure light spots, like flying feathers filling the sky, entered his Meridians through his pores and merged with his own spiritual power.

At first, there was some sluggishness. After all, he had Cultivated fierce Cultivation Techniques for many years, and his Meridians were long accustomed to majestic brute force. This gentle and continuous way of circulation almost made it impossible for him to control his strength.

He calmed his mind, discarded distracting thoughts, and slowly drew out his Divine Soul's essence to interweave with the wind spirits of heaven and earth.

According to the mnemonic, using the Divine Soul as a guide and Spiritual Qi as a medium, he condensed the first wisp of Azure Feather Qi.

In a few moments, ripples of azure light rose within his Dantian's Qi Sea. A slender yet extremely resilient azure current slowly took shape, resembling half a wing. As it trembled gently, it actually carried a momentum that could pierce the air.

Ye Jing pressed on to condense this Azure Feather Qi within his body. The Body Art Technique he had previously Cultivated, the "Thunderbolt Flame Art," had already fully completed his Body Tempering, and now he had this Azure Feather Qi.

It was like wind meeting fire; the spiritual power burned more and more vigorously, making his body—which had not respired spiritual power for many days—feel light and airy.

While using Spirit Medicines as aids and respiring to draw in Qi, his Cultivation was twice as effective with half the effort and extremely easy.

At this time, Ye Xuan...

Because of Ye Jing's instructions, he also managed the people within the Family in an orderly fashion. Everything was basically running normally, and aside from being at odds with the Li Family, he was quite content and relaxed.

Until another year passed in the blink of an eye.

One day, while Ye Xuan was at home discussing how to distribute the golden spirit rice fields among the branch families, Yun Jian, whom he hadn't seen for many days, suddenly arrived riding his sword.

This greatly surprised Ye Xuan, and he hurriedly welcomed Yun Jian into the main hall.

Seeing Yun Jian's face beaming with joy, he didn't even wait for Ye Xuan to ask the reason for his visit before directly asking, "Patriarch Ye, I have come to share some joyful news."

Ye Xuan was stunned and unconsciously tightened his grip on his teacup, his heart filled with doubts.

Ever since Ye Jing went into secluded Cultivation and stopped concerning himself with Family affairs, Ye Xuan had taken over the position of Patriarch in a time of crisis, and the burden on his shoulders had increased several times over.

Over these years, the Ye Family had barely managed to gain a foothold by relying on spiritual materials like golden spirit rice.

On one hand, they had to put on an act with the Li Family, and on the other, they had to pay tribute to the Qingyun Sect on time. Living life as if walking on thin ice, what "joyful news" could there be?

He suppressed his emotions, stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior Yun Jian, you must be joking. The Ye Family now only seeks to live in peace. To be able to pay our tribute safely is already a great fortune. I hope Senior can speak plainly and stop teasing this Junior."

Hearing this, Yun Jian's smile widened. He gestured for Ye Xuan to sit, leaned forward slightly, and lowered his voice to explain the situation: "Patriarch Ye, you may not know, but this time the Shuangyue Sect took the initiative to ask someone to find the Qingyun Sect to act as a matchmaker. They specifically named your eldest Young Master, Ye Tianhao, to enter into a marriage alliance!"

These words were like a thunderclap in his ears. Ye Xuan suppressed his shock, his voice trembling slightly: "The Shuangyue Sect? Senior, are you serious? That is a famous great Sect with deep foundations and thousands of Disciples. How could they take an interest in a mere Disciple of my Ye Family?"

Although the Shuangyue Sect's strength was similar to the Qingyun Sect's, the Sect consisted entirely of female cultivators, and their Cultivation Techniques were known for their icy, clear, and agile Spiritual Qi.

Ordinary noble families could never hope to gain even a bit of connection with them, yet now they had actually taken the initiative to propose a marriage to the Ye Family. Such an honor was something that not even the first-rate families in the region might encounter, let alone the Ye Family.

Seeing this, Yun Jian nodded with a smile to confirm: "It is absolutely true. An Elder of the Shuangyue Sect came in person and spoke with great sincerity, saying they favor Tian Hao's excellent bone structure and extraordinary talent, deeming him a perfect match. They wish to betroth a core female Disciple of the Sect to him."

Hearing this, Ye Xuan's mind raced. In this Canggu Realm, the four Sects of Lingxiao, Ganglei, Qingyun, and Frost Moon stood as equals. Among them, Lingxiao and Ganglei were the strongest, while Qingyun and Frost Moon were secondary.

Now that Tian Hao was already a Disciple of the Qingyun Sect, this sudden marriage alliance most likely meant the two Sects were planning to unite as allies.

And so, his eldest son was being pushed forward for this purpose.

Ye Xuan looked at Yun Jian with a heavy gaze.

"Senior Yun Jian, this is no small matter. My Ye Family is but a small secular clan under the jurisdiction of the Qingyun Sect. How could we be worthy of a great Sect like the Shuangyue Sect coming to propose marriage in person?"

Yun Jian stroked his beard and smiled: "Patriarch Ye, this is a joyful occasion. Are you not happy?"

This counter-question made Ye Xuan's heart tremble, and he quickly said: "This Junior simply feels it is a bit too sudden. Why don't we wait for the Old Ancestor to come out of seclusion before discussing it?"

Hearing this, the smile on Yun Jian's face faded slightly, and his beard-stroking slowed down. His gaze fell upon Ye Xuan with a hint of unquestionable authority.

"Your Old Ancestor Ye Jing has been in seclusion for over a year now, and no one knows when he will emerge.

The Shuangyue Sect has shown proper etiquette and full sincerity, but they will not wait indefinitely.

The Qingyun Sect is acting as the intermediary matchmaker.

In three days, the Shuangyue Sect will send people to visit in person. At that time, this marriage alliance must be concluded."

Yun Jian's words were very direct; this marriage alliance was something both Sects had agreed upon, and the Ye Family had to accept it.

Helpless, Ye Xuan could only bow slowly: "Senior has spoken clearly; this Junior understands. I wonder if I might be allowed to go see Tian Hao?"

Only then did a gentle smile reappear on Yun Jian's face as he reached out to help him up.

"Patriarch Ye is a sensible man. For Tian Hao to win the favor of a core Disciple of the Shuangyue Sect is his good fortune, and even more so a blessing for the Ye Family.

In the future, when the two Sects are on good terms, your Ye Family will be able to truly gain a firm foothold in this Canggu Realm, and no one will ever dare to bully you again."

Ye Xuan listened and merely nodded slightly.

Then, he rode a sword along with Yun Jian toward the Qingyun Sect.

In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, the majestic mountain gate of the Qingyun Sect came into view.

Amidst the swirling mist, halls and palaces were arranged in rows. The Spiritual Qi was so dense it had practically materialized. The Disciples coming and going were all upright and steady in aura, exuding the majesty of a great Sect everywhere.

Ye Xuan followed Yun Jian through layers of Restrictions without anyone stopping them; clearly, Yun Jian had already made all the arrangements.

It wasn't until they reached the seclusion area in the back mountain, at a bamboo house hidden within a grove of spiritual bamboo, that they finally stopped.

"Tian Hao is right here; I won't go in," Yun Jian stood outside the bamboo house, his tone gentle.

Ye Xuan took a deep breath, suppressed his surging emotions, and pushed open the bamboo door.

Inside, the room was filled with dense Spiritual Qi. Ye Tianhao sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, eyes tightly shut, with a faint spiritual light swirling around him, clearly still in the middle of a meditative session.

Hearing the noise, he slowly opened his eyes. A sharp light flashed through his pupils and vanished, his usual coldness fading to be replaced by the warmth between father and son: "Father, why have you come here? Has something happened in the Family?"

Ye Xuan had not seen his eldest son for a long time. Looking at his son's mature face, he couldn't help but recall the days when the Family members were still Martial Artists and the two of them would spar and fight.

He then stepped forward and punched Ye Tianhao directly on the shoulder: "You rascal! When did you get connected with a great Sect like the Shuangyue Sect? You've given your father quite a fright!"