246: Chapter 246 Becoming a disciple of a Core Formation Realm cultivator is not as good as following myself!

"Husband..." she said softly, "it's fine as long as you don't blame me."

Ye Changge shook his head gently and pulled her back into his arms.

"How could I ever blame you?"

He whispered into her ear:

"You've helped me watch over this home and taken care of so many children; you've already worked hard enough."

Lu Shiyin leaned against his chest, listening to that steady heartbeat, and the last trace of unease in her heart dissipated.

She gave a soft "mhm" and buried her face even deeper.

The two embraced for a long time before slowly separating.

Ye Changge took Lu Shiyin's hand and continued walking into the courtyard.

"Let's go, Shiyin."

He looked back at her with a smile in his eyes:

"I said I'd give you a surprise, and I can't break my word."

Lu Shiyin looked into those deep, bright eyes, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but curve upward.

She nodded gently:

"Mhm."

The two walked side by side toward the inner courtyard.

The morning light fell upon them, stretching their two figures very, very long.

While Ye Changge comforted Lu Shiyin with warm words, he was secretly frowning.

After all, in Lu Shiyin's view, that passing Core Formation True Person being willing to take Ye Zhenzhen as a Disciple was a massive Opportunity.

For the daughter of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to be chosen by a Core Formation True Person was a blessing earned over several lifetimes.

Furthermore, the other party was no ordinary Core Formation True Person, but an Elder from a great Sect in the Yue State, generous and possessing an extraordinary bearing.

In Lu Shiyin's eyes, such an Opportunity and such a backer were countless times better than staying in the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain.

That was why she had made the decision for her daughter and agreed.

Ye Changge understood all of this.

He held Lu Shiyin, his palm gently stroking her back, his tone remaining gentle while his mind was rapidly calculating.

Go to the Yue State?

Be taken as a Disciple by a Core Formation True Person?

It certainly sounded like a future of infinite glory. But it was, after all, a foreign land, far from her parents and far from her Family. How old was Ye Zhenzhen?

Ye Changge was a hundred times unwilling.

He knew Lu Shiyin did it for the children's sake. In this dog-eat-dog Cultivation World, being able to have a Core Formation Stage Revered Master's protection was something many Loose Cultivators wouldn't even dare to dream of.

To Lu Shiyin, this was simply a stroke of luck like a pie falling from the sky.

However—

Ye Changge sighed inwardly.

In Lu Shiyin's eyes, a Core Formation True Person was unreachable, and being able to apprentice under one was a great destiny.

But in Ye Changge's eyes, things were far from that simple.

Was his own home really inferior to a Core Formation True Person?

Of the Heaven Rank Cultivation Techniques he held, taking out any one of them would be enough to make those great Sects fight tooth and nail over it.

The "Yin Yang Creation Art," an Immortal Rank Cultivation Technique—one probably couldn't find a second copy in the entire Zhao State.

The "Jade Purity Beauty Cultivation Art," Heaven Rank; after cultivating it, one not only possesses techniques for preserving youth but can also accelerate their cultivation.

"The True Explanation of the Myriad Derivations Talisman Array," Heaven Rank; Talismans forming arrays to kill enemies above one's own level.

The "Kunpeng Refining Art," Heaven Rank; devouring Heaven And Earth Treasures for Body Refining, achieving sanctity through the Physical Body.

Which of these techniques wasn't a top-tier Legacy?

Not to mention, he also had the System in hand.

As long as he had enough offspring, the rewards would be endless.

Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, Spiritual Artifacts, exotic treasures... he had whatever he needed.

If Ye Zhenzhen stayed by his side, he could completely give her the best resources, the most suitable techniques, and the most meticulous guidance.

What would she lack?

She would lack nothing.

As Ye Changge thought this, he also recalled his usual teachings to his children.

That boy Ye Chen now already had a Sixth-grade Spiritual Root, and he often instilled some concepts of the sword dao into him.

Although Ye Chen was still young, under his influence, the boy had already shown extraordinary interest and talent in the way of the sword.

Ye Changge sometimes thought that when Ye Chen got a bit older, he would pass down several Sword Dao Cultivation Techniques he had obtained from the System.

As for Ye Zhenzhen...

Ye Changge thought of his adorable little daughter, who looked as if she were carved from pink jade, and a wave of softness welled up in his heart.

Ye Zhenzhen was the daughter of him and Lu Shiyin.

Lu Shiyin was his lawfully wedded wife, and the two shared deep feelings; he naturally loved the daughter just as much, doting on her to his very core.

Usually, whenever he was free, he would hold Ye Zhenzhen, tell her stories of the Cultivation World, and teach her to recognize various spirit plants and medicines.

Though the little girl was still small, those big, dark eyes were always darting around, and she listened with great interest.

Sometimes when he reviewed the Family ledgers, Ye Zhenzhen would lean against his knee, being quiet and peaceful without making a fuss.

Sometimes when he practiced in the courtyard, Ye Zhenzhen would sit on the stone steps nearby, her little hands propping up her chin as she watched without blinking.

That well-behaved and cute appearance filled Ye Changge's heart with softness.

He had originally planned that when Ye Zhenzhen got a bit older, he would personally choose a suitable technique for her and teach her to Cultivate hand-in-hand.

But now...

His daughter had been taken away by a Core Formation True Person he had never even met.

And she was even taken to the Yue State.

A deep sense of helplessness surged in Ye Changge's heart.

The Yue State.

That was a country tens of thousands of miles to the south of the Zhao State.

It was separated from the Zhao State by several large and small countries; the journey was long, and with Yao Beasts running rampant and frequent banditry along the way, even a Foundation Establishment Cultivator would find the journey fraught with danger if they tried to cross alone.

He did have many trump cards, and his strength far exceeded Cultivators of the same level.

At the Foundation Establishment Second Layer, he could use a Secret Art to suppress and kill three Foundation Establishment Mid-stage Bandit Cultivators; if this matter were to spread, it would be enough to shock the entire Zhao State Cultivation World.

But no matter how one put it, he was still just a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator might be considered a local powerhouse in the Zhao State, capable of founding a Sect or leading a clan.

But looking at the entire Cultivation World, what did a Foundation Establishment Cultivator count for?

They were nothing more than small figures who had just stepped onto the path of cultivation.

When Nascent Soul True Lords do not appear, Core Formation True Persons are the Dominators of this world.

And he was still a hundred and eight thousand miles away from that Realm.

Go to the Yue State to find his daughter?

That was easier said than done.

Setting aside the long distance, just crossing those desolate mountains and wild ridges where Yao Beasts roamed was a narrow escape from death.

Furthermore, the relationship between the Yue State and the Zhao State was subtle; Cultivators traveling between the two countries had to pass through numerous checkpoints, and any slight carelessness could lead to being captured as a spy.

He couldn't exactly move his entire Family to the Yue State, could he?

Ye Changge felt helpless to the extreme.

But he couldn't say anything.

This matter wasn't Lu Shiyin's fault.

She was truly and sincerely considering what was best for their daughter.

A Core Formation True Person taking the initiative to accept a Disciple and promising many resources—any mother would have made the same choice.

Moreover, Ye Changge wasn't home at the time, and Lu Shiyin, facing that Core Formation True Person alone, had limited choices to begin with.

She couldn't exactly refuse on the spot and offend a Core Formation True Person, could she?

In that case, not only would Ye Zhenzhen's Opportunity be gone, but the entire Ye Family might have invited disaster.

Ultimately, he could only blame himself for this.

Ye Changge gave a bitter smile in his heart.

It was all because he had been delayed for too long on the road.

First, he had encountered Su Xiaotang halfway; although he had saved the girl in passing, it had still delayed his journey by a few days.