221: Chapter 221 We'll be home soon!

News of the Demonic Path incident, like a sinister wind, blew through every corner of the Lingxiao Sect's territory.

The Ye Family of Longmai Mountain was naturally no exception.

Inside Changge Hall, Lu Shiyin and Ye Kaishan sat opposite each other, the atmosphere within the hall heavy and solemn.

"The remnants of the Jin Family are still at large, and Yan Family Fort was wiped out overnight."

Ye Kaishan's voice was low, and the worry etched between his brows had deepened. "A Family with three Foundation Establishment Cultivators didn't even last a single day."

Lu Shiyin nodded slightly, her fingers unconsciously stroking the jade slip in her hand.

Recorded within that jade slip was the latest intelligence sent back from the White Bird Market.

Jin Shirong—Middle Stage False Core, the current head of the Jin Family—had escaped amidst the chaos after the battle where the Lingxiao Sect's Core Formation True Persons led a campaign to surround and annihilate the Jin Family remnants.

After escaping, this man did not flee far; instead, he launched a campaign of frenzied revenge.

Yan Family Fort was the first.

"Three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, plus a protective Grand Array... even for a Middle Stage False Core, it should have been impossible to breach it overnight," Lu Shiyin said softly, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Unless..."

"A mole," Ye Kaishan interjected, his tone heavy.

"Someone inside Yan Family Fort opened the protective Grand Array from within."

The two looked at each other, both seeing deep apprehension in the other's eyes.

The Jin Family had been lurking in the Lingxiao Sect's territory for sixty years.

In those sixty years, how many hidden agents had they developed? How many families had they infiltrated?

No one knew.

But the destruction of Yan Family Fort was enough to explain everything.

"Longmai Mountain and Biluo Lake, two spiritual lands," Ye Kaishan said slowly. "If Jin Shirong is truly maddened enough to target us..."

He didn't continue, but the meaning was already clear.

Lu Shiyin was silent for a moment before saying, "Before my husband left, he left behind many second-rank talismans for offense, defense, and support. If ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators attack, they're enough to hold them off for a while."

She paused, her tone dropping slightly.

"But if it's the False Core stage... or worse, if Jin Shirong himself makes a move..."

Those Talismans could only stall for time.

Ye Kaishan nodded, his face becoming increasingly somber.

Although the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain had risen rapidly, their Foundation was ultimately too shallow.

Ye Changge had only been at Foundation Establishment for a little over a year. Besides him, the only other Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the Family was Old Ancestor Ye Fan.

Moreover, Old Ancestor Ye Fan was advanced in years and stationed at Biluo Lake year-round; he would not leave easily.

Such strength was already considered decent among ordinary Foundation Establishment families.

But facing the Middle Stage False Core Jin Shirong...

It was far from enough.

"Before Changge left, he mentioned he had a close friend in the Lingxiao Sect," Lu Shiyin suddenly spoke, her eyes brightening slightly. "That friend is a True Disciple with extraordinary cultivation and a deep background."

Hearing this, Ye Kaishan's spirits lifted. "Is that true?"

Lu Shiyin nodded. "My husband said that if we encounter a powerful enemy we cannot handle, we can use the Ten-Thousand-Mile Transmission Jade Slip to ask her for help. She... should step in to assist."

She paused and added, "I was thinking it would be better to send some of the children to the Lingxiao Sect Market. There are Lingxiao Sect Disciples stationed there, so it's safe. If anything happens, we can also ask that friend to look after them."

After hearing this, the worry on Ye Kaishan's face finally eased a bit.

"Good, good!" He nodded repeatedly, his tone carrying obvious relief. "It's wonderful that Changge has such a friend in the Lingxiao Sect!"

He took a deep breath, his gaze turning firm.

"Then let's send the children away in the next few days. With Sect Disciples stationed at the Lingxiao Sect Market, ordinary riffraff won't dare to act out. Even if Jin Shirong really targets us, it won't... it won't end our bloodline."

Lu Shiyin nodded gently.

She knew in her heart that sending the children to the Lingxiao Sect Market was less about asking Xia Qingyue for help and more about using the Lingxiao Sect's reputation to intimidate others.

The Lingxiao Sect was one of the Five Major Sects of the Zhao Kingdom.

True Disciples were the future pillars of the Sect.

With such a connection, even if it was just a vague or uncertain one, it was enough to make those Cultivators eyeing the spiritual lands of Longmai Mountain and Biluo Lake feel apprehensive.

As for a Pseudo-Core Cultivator like Jin Shirong...

Lu Shiyin sighed in her heart.

Such an existence was no longer a problem that could be solved by "intimidation."

But at least the children would be safe.

"The Spirit Boat is only so large; it can only take twelve children at a time," Lu Shiyin pulled her thoughts back and began to calculate. "The first batch... who should we send?"

Faces of young children appeared in her mind.

Ye Chen, Ye Zhenzhen, Ye Ruyi, Ye Xiu, Ye Zhi...

And those concubine-born children who were yet unnamed and still in their swaddling clothes.

Every one of them she had watched being born and growing up.

She was loath to part with any of them.

But now was not the time for sentimentality.

"Send those with high Spiritual Roots first," Ye Kaishan said, seemingly sensing her hesitation. "The higher the Spiritual Root, the greater their future achievements. The future of the Family depends on them."

Lu Shiyin was silent for a moment before finally nodding.

"Alright."

Meanwhile.

High in the sky tens of thousands of miles away.

The astral winds were biting, but they were blocked by the spiritual light barrier naturally emitted by the Wuji Heavenly Eagle, Little Gold.

Ye Changge sat cross-legged on the eagle's back, while Xiao Caiyue leaned in his arms, resting with her eyes closed.

After spending this time together, the once dignified and self-possessed female shopkeeper of the Formation shop—who had dealt with all kinds of Cultivators for years without losing her composure—had now grown accustomed to nestling in Ye Changge's embrace.

With one arm around her waist, Ye Changge spread out a beast-hide map with his other hand, his gaze quickly scanning it.

"There's still half a month's journey left." He looked up into the distance, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. "We'll be home soon."

He had been away from home for over a year.

To say he didn't miss it would be a lie.

Those wives and concubines at home, those children, and all those miscellaneous Family affairs...

He wondered how Lu Shiyin had been handling them.

"Husband," Xiao Caiyue called out softly, opening her eyes.

Ye Changge looked down at her. "What is it?"

Xiao Caiyue didn't answer but simply buried her face deeper into him.

Ye Changge chuckled and pulled her closer.

"Caiyue, we'll be home soon," he said warmly. "One of my wives cultivates the Taiyi Life-Water Art. This technique is remarkably effective for balancing Yin and Yang. Perhaps you can gain some inspiration for your Dragon Yang Body from her."

Hearing this, Xiao Caiyue felt a slight warmth in her heart.

She knew Ye Changge had many wives and concubines and had long been mentally prepared.

But hearing him mention the word "wife" so naturally still stirred a complex emotion within her.

It wasn't jealousy.

It was more of an indescribable... nervousness.

"Thank you, Husband," she said softly, her voice muffled.

Perceiving her unusual mood, Ye Changge didn't say much but simply patted her back gently.

Some things required time to adjust to.