366: Chapter 367 The Tip of the Iceberg!

Ye Changge gently closed the yellowed genealogy, his fingertips tracing the archaic "Ye" character on the cover, as the insights regarding Bloodline tracing and the traction of Luck slowly settled in his heart.

This genealogy gifted by the System was far from an ordinary record of lineage; it was like an invisible web that faintly connected everyone in the Ye family—their Luck, their fates, and even the hidden potential within their Bloodline.

The more he examined it, the more he felt its infinite mystery.

He carefully put away the genealogy, smoothed his robes, and walked through the corridor toward the reception hall in the front courtyard.

Before he had even stepped into the hall, he heard several overlapping voices coming from inside: a youth's clear and bright voice, a woman's gentle laughter, and occasionally, a few slightly restrained replies.

Ye Changge's lips curled up slightly, and without stopping, he stepped over the threshold.

The hall was bright, with a few strands of warm afternoon sunlight spilling in through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

By the window, Zhao Xiaoguang was sitting stiffly on a wooden chair. He had been saying something just moments ago, but upon seeing Ye Changge enter, he stood up quickly, his face showing a mix of tension and reverence typical of a youth.

Beside him, Zhao Qingli, dressed in a simple lotus-root pink dress, was holding a teacup. Seeing Ye Changge enter, a gentle smile rippled across her eyes, and she set down the teacup and rose as well.

On the other side, Wan'er was sitting next to a beautiful woman with a refined appearance.

The woman wore a light cyan Daoist robe, her long hair loosely tied up with a wooden hairpin. Her features were delicate, and her eyes revealed focus and calmness; she was none other than Wan'er's Senior Sister, Xiao Qingxue.

The two had seemingly been whispering to each other, but upon seeing Ye Changge enter, they both stood up as well.

"Husband!" Zhao Qingli spoke first, her voice as soft as a spring breeze.

"Husband." Wan'er followed immediately after, her voice crisp and clear, her eyes filled with joy.

"Brother... Brother-in-law." Zhao Xiaoguang straightened his back slightly, trying to make his voice sound steady, but when the word "Brother-in-law" came out, it still carried a hint of the shyness typical of a youth.

"Fellow Daoist Ye." Xiao Qingxue nodded slightly, her posture graceful, her tone calm, neither servile nor overbearing.

Ye Changge waved his hand with a smile, signaling everyone not to stand on ceremony. He found a seat and sat down, his gaze sweeping over them as he said warmly, "No need to be so restrained, everyone sit. Did I interrupt you? I heard the lively chatter from afar just now; what were you talking about?"

Everyone shook their heads and waved their hands.

Zhao Qingli pursed her lips and smiled, "Husband, your arrival is timely. We were just talking about Xiaoguang's time in the Sect. This child has really made something of himself now."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaoguang scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, his cheeks flushing slightly, though he couldn't hide a touch of pride in his eyes.

Ye Changge looked at him and smiled, "Oh? Tell me about it."

Zhao Xiaoguang cleared his throat and recounted his experiences at the Artifact Refining Peak of the Qingyun Sect over the past few months, detail by detail.

It turned out that after joining the Artifact Refining Peak, because of his steady mind and skillful, meticulous hands, he was highly regarded by an officiating Elder of the peak, who had painstakingly taught him the basic techniques of Artifact Refining.

Although his talent was not stunningly brilliant, he excelled in his willingness to work hard, studying day and night. Now, he could independently refine some simple first-rank Magical Artifacts, having firmly stepped across the threshold of an Artifact Refiner.

"I have now reached the Mid Qi Refining Stage. Plus the stipend from the Artifact Refining Peak and taking on some scattered Artifact Refining commissions in the Outer Sect, I can earn at least one hundred Spirit Stones every month!"

As Zhao Xiaoguang said this, he puffed out his chest slightly, his face filled with the youthful vigor and confidence typical of his age.

Zhao Qingli listened from the side, her eyes full of gratification. She reached out and gently stroked her younger brother's shoulder without saying a word, but the gentle concern of an Elder sister acting as a mother was evident in her silence.

Ye Changge nodded upon hearing this, his eyes showing approval as he smiled, "Not bad. To have reached this step in such a short time is already rare. The Dao of Artifact Refining prizes perseverance; the fact that you can settle your heart already puts you ahead of many others."

He pondered for a moment, then unbuckled a Storage Pouch from his waist and tossed it casually to Zhao Xiaoguang.

Zhao Xiaoguang caught it in a fluster and looked at Ye Changge in a daze.

Ye Changge said, "There are three thousand Spirit Stones inside, along with a few second-rank talismans. Keep them. Use the Spirit Stones to purchase some handy Artifact Refining Materials, and keep the Talismans for self-defense. Your sister often worries about you; since you are cultivating outside, you must have some means of protecting your life."

Zhao Xiaoguang held the Storage Pouch, stunned for a moment.

Three thousand Spirit Stones was a huge sum for an Outer Sect Disciple who had just joined the Sect.

He subconsciously looked at Zhao Qingli, feeling a bit at a loss.

Zhao Qingli quickly stood up and said urgently, "Husband, this won't do! The Spirit Stones you give me daily are already far too many; I can't even use them all and have been saving them for Xiaoguang. This... this is truly too much..."

As she spoke, she moved to stop him, her eyes filled with both emotion and a trace of unease.

She knew Ye Changge treated her well, but this kindness was so heavy that it made her feel a bit fearful.

Ye Changge waved his hand gently, signaling her to sit, his tone gentle but brooking no refusal, "You are pregnant, which is already the most exhausting time; do not worry about these trifles. Xiaoguang is your only relative, which makes him my brother-in-law, so it is only right that I look after him. Besides—" He looked at Zhao Xiaoguang and smiled, "He is a promising child. Once these Spirit Stones are in his hands, he will naturally use them for the right path and will not waste them in vain."

Zhao Qingli opened her mouth, but in the end, she did not refuse again. Her eye sockets turned slightly red, and she lowered her head, softly saying, "Mn."

She raised her hand to quickly wipe the corners of her eyes with her sleeve. When she looked up again, she had blossomed into a gentle smile once more, though that smile now held a hint of undisguisable gratitude and attachment.

Wan'er, who was on the side, watched this scene quietly, warmth rising in her eyes.

She turned her head to look at her Senior Sister, Xiao Qingxue, beside her, and whispered, "Senior Sister, look, Husband is truly good to his family; he is never stingy."

Xiao Qingxue nodded slightly but did not respond.

She had been silently observing Ye Changge's every move just now.

This Ancestor Ye, who was rumored in the outside world to be decisive in killing and ruthless in his methods, had completely changed his demeanor when facing his wives, concubines, and young brother-in-law at home. He was gentle, patient, and considerate, with his words revealing heartfelt care.

She suddenly understood why Wan'er's eyes always held such bright radiance whenever she mentioned this husband of hers.

She sighed inwardly, thinking that the rumors about him in the outside world were, after all, merely the tip of the iceberg.

After soothing Zhao Qingli's emotions, Ye Changge turned his head to look at Zhao Xiaoguang again, saying warmly, "The situation in the Immortal City is currently unsettled; the remnants of the Demonic Path have not yet been completely wiped out."