305: Chapter 305 A Thousand Sails Amidst Raging Waves

The next day, before dawn had even broken, the eastern sky was just beginning to turn the color of a fish's belly.

Ye Jing set out for the Lingxiao Sect with Ye Tianxue, Ye Tianyao, Ye Tianchi, and Ye Tianfeng, along with over twenty elite Retainers.

Wu Guiyun and Liu Xianglan led the clan's younger generation to the village entrance, repeatedly reminding the children to stay safe; it was quite a while before the two women finally waved a reluctant farewell.

This time, Ye Jing used the suyu boat given by the Qingyun Sect. This spiritual boat could accommodate dozens of people at once, and its speed was far greater than flying on a sword.

The Retainers, who were all former Cultivators from noble families, had never seen such a dazzling spiritual boat and looked around it with great curiosity.

The four young scions of the Ye Clan were also curious. Having grown up together since childhood, they shared deep bonds, and their constant laughter in the light breeze made for a warm and pleasant atmosphere.

Speeding along, the suyu boat brought them to the mountain gates of the Lingxiao Sect in just half a day.

The Lingxiao Sect was situated on Lingxiao Peak, a branch of the mountain range. The terrain was steep and the mountain gate majestic; although it had just been taken over by the Qingyun Sect, it still exuded the grandeur of a major Sect.

However, the guards at the gate had been replaced by Qingyun Sect Disciples. Seeing Ye Jing and the others arrive, they hurried forward to pay their respects, their eyes filled with awe.

Ye Jing nodded slightly and led the group into the Lingxiao Sect.

As they walked, they saw that the pavilions and towers within the Lingxiao Sect were arranged in an orderly fashion, with stretches of spiritual fields and cultivation rooms built into the mountainside, though a sense of desolation hung over everything.

Occasionally, they encountered a few remaining members of the former Lingxiao Sect. The looks they gave Ye Jing and his group were a mix of awe and defiance, as they watched them with sidelong glances.

Ye Tianyao, who had a hot temper, wanted to go forward and confront them, but Ye Jing raised a hand to stop him: "No need for trouble. We've just arrived, so there's no rush to assert authority. Time will reveal a person's heart."

The group went straight to the main hall of the Lingxiao Sect. The hall was spotless, and a Qingyun Sect Disciple sent by Yun Ling was waiting there; seeing Ye Jing's arrival,

he bowed and said, "Patriarch Ye, Sect Master Yun has instructed that the Lingxiao Sect's main hall is to be managed by you for now. You may freely allocate the Sect's storehouses, spiritual fields, and cultivation rooms."

The words of these Qingyun Sect Disciples were extremely respectful, as they did not dare to be the least bit negligent.

After all, in the past few days, Ye Jing had not only saved the two Sect Masters but had also single-handedly defeated the most powerful Late Foundation Establishment Stage Elder of the Lingxiao Sect; he was undeniably strong.

Ye Jing nodded in agreement. After dismissing the Qingyun Sect Disciple, he called Ye Tianyao and the others to his side.

He assigned tasks directly: "Tianyao, take five Retainers and be responsible for guarding the mountain gate. Strictly screen all outsiders and do not allow unauthorized people to enter. If any noble Family scions come to provoke us, do not strike first; report to me immediately."

"Tianxue, take two Retainers to the Medicinal Pill storehouse to take inventory of the pills and organize the herbs. If there is any damage or shortage, record it all."

"Tianchi and Tianfeng, you two take ten Retainers to inspect the spiritual fields and cultivation rooms. Check if the Spiritual Qi in the fields is sufficient and if the Formations in the cultivation rooms are intact. At the same time, keep an eye on the movements of the former Lingxiao Sect members. If there's anything unusual, report back immediately."

"Yes, Grandfather!" the four replied in unison, immediately leading the Retainers to begin their separate tasks.

Especially Ye Tianyao; after receiving his orders, he excitedly led his men toward the mountain gate, not forgetting to remind the Retainers along the way that if they encountered any provocation, they must notify him first, so he could properly 'teach a lesson' to those who were defiant.

Tianxue carefully made her way to the Medicinal Pill storehouse and inventoried the pills one by one. When she encountered herbs she didn't recognize, she carefully compared them with the Pill Formulas and recorded each one.

Ye Tianchi and Ye Tianfeng acted with composure, carefully inspecting every spiritual field and every cultivation room during their patrol.

The four children were quite shrewd and capable in their work, ensuring that the older Cultivators around them did not dare to underestimate them.

News of the Lingxiao Sect's downfall quickly spread throughout the region. The noble families in the surrounding area that were subordinate to the Lingxiao Sect learned that it had been occupied by a little-known Ye Clan.

For a moment, it stirred up a thousand waves.

None of these families were willing to accept it.

"What kind of thing is that Ye Family! A mere Mid-stage Foundation Establishment patriarch of the Ye Family actually took over the Lingxiao Sect?"

The one speaking this time was the patriarch of the Zhao Family, Zhao Hu. Sitting in the seat of honor in his Family's hall, he slammed the table with wide, angry eyes, his tone full of disdain and jealousy.

Relying on the protection of the Lingxiao Sect, the Zhao Family had long monopolized the surrounding Ore business. Now that the Lingxiao Sect had changed hands and a Ye Family had suddenly and inexplicably climbed over his head, he how could he endure it?

His eldest son, Zhao Gang, who was standing below, quickly agreed: "Father is right! That Ye Family is nothing but a small clan. I heard they don't even have a single Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator in their Family; they only dared to take the Lingxiao Sect because they have the Qingyun Sect backing them up."

A clan Elder on the side was also eager to plan: "Indeed, our Zhao Family has three Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators and several Late Stage Qi Refining Disciples. As long as we take the initiative to drive that Ye Family out, perhaps the Lingxiao Sect's spiritual fields and resources will all be ours to decide?"

A glint of greed flashed in Zhao Hu's eyes, but as a patriarch, he still understood the pros and cons. He said with some hesitation, "However, that Qingyun Sect is a problem. If we go against the Ye Family, that old fellow Yun Ling is not one to be trifled with."

The Elder's eyes darted around as he hurriedly said, "Patriarch, there's something you don't know. The Qingyun Sect's Sect Master Yun Ling seems to have been seriously injured and is recuperating. Otherwise, it wouldn't be the Ye Family's turn to take the Lingxiao Sect."

At this point, the Elder added, "Patriarch, if we wipe out this Ye Family and then go to curry favor with the Qingyun Sect, perhaps Yun Ling will see that we are much stronger than the Ye Family and hand the Lingxiao Sect over to us to manage. We might even be able to latch onto a Golden Core Cultivator through this!"

Zhao Gang's eyes lit up: "That's right, Clan Uncle. Yun Ling handing the Lingxiao Sect to the Ye Family is, to put it bluntly, making the Ye Family deal with the trouble for him. As long as we finish off the Ye Family and then show goodwill to the Qingyun Sect, they might not truly become our enemies."

Once these words were spoken, everyone in the hall nodded one after another, their eyes burning with covetousness.

The Lingxiao Sect's spiritual fields were fertile and rich in Spiritual Qi, and its storehouses were filled with many Medicinal Pills and Spiritual Artifacts. If they could take the Lingxiao Sect, their Family's strength would surely reach a new level.

As the news spread, it wasn't just the Zhao Family; the surrounding Liu, Wang, and Sun families, among others subordinate to the Lingxiao Sect, also began to have designs.

Except for the Li Family, which kept its doors closed and rejected all invitations.

The patriarchs of the most powerful and influential families under the Lingxiao Sect contacted each other in secret and soon reached a consensus, deciding to unite and go to the Lingxiao Sect to provoke them and force the Ye Family to withdraw voluntarily.

Ten days later.

A sudden clamor erupted outside the Lingxiao Sect's mountain gate.

Ye Tianyao was guarding the mountain gate with the horses and Retainers when he suddenly saw a group of Cultivators in various styles of clothing in the distance, surrounding several middle-aged men flying on swords, bringing with them an overwhelming pressure.

Leading them was a tall, sturdy man in fine clothing, his coarse face bearing a fierce Aura that made him look like someone not to be trifled with.

This man was none other than Zhao Hu, followed by the patriarchs of the Liu, Wang, and other noble families, each with an arrogant expression and unfriendly eyes.

Ye Tianyao immediately crushed a transmission jade token, then rose on his sword and questioned loudly, "Who goes there? The Lingxiao Sect has been taken over by the Ye Family; unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter!"

He stepped forward with his arms crossed; although he was only in his teens, he exuded an Aura that was no less than that of an adult.

Keeping his grandfather's instructions firmly in mind, Ye Tianyao did not take the initiative to attack, only rebuking them coldly.