290: Chapter 290: The Foundation of the Heavenly Gods

Lu Shaoyou nodded, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward Ye Tianyao for a moment.

He quickly averted his eyes and said warmly, "Junior Sister Ye, you're being too polite. I've also collected a piece of Medium Grade Profound Iron for you as a gift. I hope you won't find it lacking."

Ye Tianyao's eyes sparkled as she teased, "Senior Brother, when other Senior Brothers give gifts to Junior Sisters, they send flowers or powder. Why are you giving me a lump of iron?"

Lu Shaoyou's face immediately turned red at her words, and he waved his hands hurriedly. "Junior Sister is no ordinary woman, and now that you've reached Foundation Establishment, your current thin sword is no longer a match for your power."

This Medium Grade Profound Iron is hard and can withstand the infusion of Foundation Establishment spiritual energy. You can take it to the Elders of the Forging Pavilion to forge a new sword. It will be of great use for self-defense or training in the future."

As he spoke, his eyes were sincere, but the tips of his ears were quietly flushed. He avoided Ye Tianyao's smiling gaze, staring only at the bluestone slabs beneath his feet, oblivious even to the wind rustling his bamboo-patterned robes.

Seeing his awkward state, Ye Tianyao couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes curving into crescents.

The slight doubt she had earlier due to her brother's absence mostly dissipated. "Senior Brother, you are very thoughtful. I was being too forward. I'll accept this Profound Iron. Thank you for your kindness."

As she spoke, she put the jade box and the Profound Iron into her Storage Pouch. Her fingertips inadvertently brushed against the back of Lu Shaoyou's hand, causing both of them to stiffen. Lu Shaoyou jerked his hand back, his fingertips feeling slightly hot.

"Ju... Junior Sister, there's no need to be so polite."

Lu Shaoyou composed himself, suppressing the panic in his heart, and his tone regained some of its steadiness.

"Junior Brother Ye urged you before he left to return to the Ye family quickly. The items in that jade box are vital to you; remember not to delay. "

"Furthermore, the trip to Red Copper Mountain is fraught with unknown dangers. Since you need to stabilize your cultivation, you must also prepare in advance. The Lingxiao Sect has been making frequent moves lately, and I fear things will not be peaceful at Red Copper Mountain."

The smile on Ye Tianyao's face instantly vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.

She knew her brother was always cautious; if he had left such instructions, he must have sensed something.

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I will head down the mountain and return to the Ye family tomorrow. Once my cultivation is stable, I will accompany the Sect Master to Red Copper Mountain."

She paused, then asked again.

"Does Senior Brother know what the Sect Masters are actually planning to do at Red Copper Mountain? It's the border between the Lingxiao Sect and the Ganglei Sect. Since the Ganglei Sect has been destroyed, why bother taking me and my brother there?"

Lu Shaoyou's brow furrowed slightly, and he lowered his voice. "The Sect Masters haven't stated the specifics clearly. I only happened to hear that the Lingxiao Sect specifically invited the two Sect Masters to Red Copper Mountain, seemingly to discuss something."

"As for why they're bringing you along, it's likely because they value your and Ye Tianhao's talent."

Ye Tianyao felt it was strange, but she nodded calmly. "I understand. Thank you for telling me, Senior Brother."

"Junior Sister, you're welcome."

Lu Shaoyou looked at her solemn expression and couldn't help but feel worried, yet he knew it wasn't his place to say more.

"It's getting late. Junior Sister, you should go back early to meditate. You have to head down the mountain tomorrow. I'll head back now and keep an eye out for news of Junior Brother Ye for you. If there's any change, I'll send word immediately."

"I'm in your debt, Senior Brother."

Early the next morning.

Ye Tianyao packed her gear simply and took her leave of Yun Ling to make a trip to the Ye family.

Yun Ling did not stop her, only instructing her to return as soon as her business was finished.

After leaving the Qingyun Sect, Ye Tianyao flew toward Lingyun Valley on her sword.

Before long, the silhouette of Lingyun Valley appeared before her eyes. Ye Tianyao put away her thin sword and walked slowly into the valley. The valley remained peaceful, but a faint lingering pressure of a Golden Core remained in the air, which was unsettling.

She walked straight to the Ye family estate. Wu Guiyun, who had received the news ahead of time, saw her daughter returning and joyfully came out to greet her.

"Tianyao!"

"Mother!"

Ever since she left home to train with her brother, Ye Tianyao had not seen her mother for many years.

Thanks to Wu Guiyun being a Cultivator, her aging was naturally slow. With a cultivation at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, she was nearly fifty years old, yet she still looked extremely young.

She wore a soft satin jacket and skirt in white embroidered with lotus-pink begonias, which complemented her gentle and graceful figure. Her jet-black hair was tied in an elegant flowing cloud bun, pinned only with a suet jade hairpin.

Her skin was fair and delicate, possessing the clear luster unique to Cultivators. Not a single wrinkle was visible; only in the depths of her eyes lay an undetectable gentleness and concern, adding to her charm as a graceful mature woman.

Looking at Ye Tianyao again, after the trials of the Sect and the transformation of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, she was no longer the naive young girl from years ago.

She wore light green martial attire. Her skin was as white and lustrous as porcelain, her brows were slightly raised, and her almond eyes were like cold stars. She possessed both the spirit of a young girl and the steadiness of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Compared to Wu Guiyun's gentle softness, she had a bit more sharpness and heroism, yet one could see a resemblance in the contours of their eyes and brows.

Wu Guiyun stepped forward quickly, reaching out as if to touch her daughter's cheek, but her fingertips paused for a moment just before contact.

Tiny tears flickered in her eyes, and her voice choked up slightly. "My Yaoer, you've really grown up. You've become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, even more outstanding than your father was back then."

Ye Tianyao's nose felt a bit sore. She stepped forward and gently hugged her mother, subconsciously restraining her Foundation Establishment spiritual energy and leaving only a gentle warmth. Her voice softened. "Mother, I've kept you waiting. Your daughter is back."

During these years of training outside with her brother, she had never been afraid of blades or shadows. But now, nestled in her mother's arms, the grievances and longing hidden in her heart finally couldn't help but surge up.

After the mother and daughter exchanged a few words of affection, Wu Guiyun led Ye Tianyao into the house.

At this time, Ye Jing, draped in a dark black outer robe, was sitting upright in the hall. His cheeks were somewhat thin and pale; that time facing a Golden Core had taken a significant toll on his body.

As soon as Ye Tianyao entered and saw her grandfather, she rushed over with moist eyes.

"Grandfather!"

Ye Jing coughed and patted his granddaughter's head. "Tianyao, it's been many days. You've broken through to Foundation Establishment. This is truly something to celebrate!"

Ye Tianyao's eyes were full of tears. "Grandfather, if only I had broken through a bit sooner, you wouldn't have ended up like this."

"Heh! Don't say such silly things! It's just a minor injury; I can recover from it," Ye Jing comforted her with a faint smile.

Ye Tianyao wiped her tears and then said, "Grandfather, I didn't just come down the mountain to catch up. I also have something I want to tell you."

With that, she recounted everything Lu Shaoyou had told her, specifically mentioning that the three Sect Masters were all going to Red Copper Mountain to discuss some matters.

Ye Jing pondered for a moment and then thought, "Tianyao, their discussion this time is likely about wanting to completely carve up the Ganglei Sect."

"Grandfather, you knew?" Ye Tianyao was startled and asked hurriedly.

Ye Jing nodded. He could naturally guess it. The Xuanyou Sect wasn't much of a threat; Qingyun and Frost Moon were allied, and Lingxiao was the strongest. The only thing that could bring three Sect Masters together was the Ganglei Sect, which had already been wiped out.

After all, a hundred-legged insect dies but never falls down. The Ganglei Sect was gone, but the spirit mines, treasures, and territories under its name still remained.

As long as they could get a piece, it would be a huge prize for any Sect.