395: Chapter 396 The Spirit Testing Ceremony!

Liu Yiyi listened from the side and couldn't help but sigh softly. She walked over, wiped the ink smudge off her daughter's nose, and said gently, "Mother just wants you to learn an extra skill so that even if you don't rely on others in the future, you can still support yourself."

"But I don't like it." Ye Caizhen pouted and snuggled into Ye Changge's arms. "Daddy, that spirit bee you mentioned last time, has anyone found it yet?"

Ye Changge laughed upon hearing this and reached out to flick her little nose. "You, always thinking about your spirit bees. Don't worry, Daddy has already entrusted someone to look for them. I heard there is a type of 'Jade-Winged Golden-Patterned Bee' near Xiluo Lake. They are much smarter than ordinary spirit bees, and the honey they produce has the effect of beautifying the skin and extending life. Once found, I will bring it back for you."

"Really?!" Ye Caizhen's eyes lit up, then she looked at him warily. "Daddy, you are not allowed to lie."

"When has Daddy ever lied to you?" Ye Changge smiled and pinched her little cheek.

He had checked the child's Aptitude and talents in the System. Among all the panels, the highest one was 'Beast Taming,' which reached 29%, far exceeding her other talents.

Such talent was already considered a rare and good seedling in the Cultivation World. He had originally intended to let her look at the spirit fish in the Bibo Lake at home. If she liked raising fish, he could teach her some beast-taming techniques in the future, which would also be a decent path.

Who knew the little girl had absolutely no interest in fish, but instead had a special fondness for those buzzing bees. A few days ago, she accidentally heard him mention spirit bees and had been pestering him about them for days.

Ye Changge had always doted on his children, especially those born to Liu Yiyi. He loved them all the more for her sake and would grant their every request. Since she liked it, he would just put in some effort to find it.

"Hmph, you just spoil her too much." Liu Yiyi, watching from the side, couldn't help but huff, giving him a look that was half-reproachful and half-helpless. Although she said this, her eyes were clearly filled with smiles; it was obvious she had no real complaints about Ye Changge doting on their daughter like this.

Upon hearing this, Ye Changge gently set Ye Caizhen down from his arms, then turned and stretched out his arm, catching Liu Yiyi off guard and pulling her into his embrace. The movement was skilled and natural; clearly, this was not the first time he had done such a thing.

Liu Yiyi was caught off guard, her whole body pressed against his chest, and two blushes instantly flew onto her cheeks. She struggled a bit but couldn't break free, so she stopped moving and just whispered, "Husband... the child is still watching..."

"Let her watch." Ye Changge didn't care at all. He lowered his head and gently touched his forehead to hers, his voice filled with doting amusement. "My Yiyi, if you have any requests, I will try my best to satisfy them. What, do you feel that I have been neglecting you?"

Liu Yiyi was so embarrassed by his blunt words that even her ears turned red. She buried her head and refused to look up, her voice as thin as a mosquito's buzzing: "Husband only knows how to tease people..."

"Eeehh—" Ye Caizhen, off to the side, covered her eyes but peeked through her fingers, emitting a long, teasing "eeehh." Her little face was full of excitement, enjoying the spectacle.

Ye Changge laughed, released Liu Yiyi, and leaned down to pick up his daughter again. With one arm around his wife and the other supporting his daughter, he said to Ye Caizhen, "When the spirit bees arrive in a few days, Daddy will build you a beehive in the garden."

"Yay! Daddy is the best!" Ye Caizhen hugged his neck and gave him a loud kiss on the cheek. Liu Yiyi watched the father and daughter from the side; although she didn't say anything, the corners of her eyes curved into gentle crescents.

"Husband, in a few days, it will be the day of the Spiritual Testing Ceremony." When Ye Changge and Liu Yiyi returned to the main residence, Lu Shiyin saw Ye Changge and immediately stepped forward to speak. She was wearing a moon-white brocade dress today, her hair coiled high, her temperament gentle and dignified with a hint of capability. She had clearly just come from the accounting room, with a scroll of ledgers tucked under her arm.

Logically speaking, only three children from the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain needed to have their Spiritual Roots tested this year, so there was no need to make a big fuss and hold a Spiritual Testing Ceremony. But that was only the number of people from the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain themselves; there were also those Mortals left behind by the Li Family back then.

When Ye Changge annexed Longmai Mountain back then, most of the hundred or so Mortal households originally in the Spiritual Land chose to stay. Firstly, it was hard to leave their homeland, and secondly, these Mortals mostly possessed specialized skills—some were skilled at fishing, others were adept at planting spirit rice—which were exactly the tenant farmers and craftsmen the Ye Family needed.

If any seedlings with Spiritual Roots were detected among the children of these Mortal families, it would be an unexpected joy. If they were carefully nurtured and grew up, they would be people of the Ye Family. Whether they were brought into the clan to join the ranks or arranged to work in various industries, they would be excellent additions.

"Just hold it as usual," Ye Changge nodded and said. "Have everything that needs to be prepared ready, but don't be too extravagant. Just let those Mortals below feel the sincerity of our Ye Family."

Lu Shiyin acknowledged and then remembered something, saying, "The venue has already been arranged at the martial arts arena. The altar, the Spiritual Testing Stone, and the blessed spirit tea are all ready. At that time, several clan elders will also be present, which counts as a show of importance to these Mortal children."

Ye Changge nodded, quite satisfied with her arrangements. The two took their seats in the main hall. Liu Yiyi took Ye Caizhen to the backyard to wash up and change clothes, leaving only Ye Changge and Lu Shiyin in the hall.

After the maid served the spirit tea and withdrew, Lu Shiyin took the opportunity to open the ledger at her side and reported the recent operational situation of the household to Ye Changge.

"Currently, all affairs in the household—the spirit fields, Spirit Medicines, fish production, and the three major workshops—have been assigned managers. The accounts for each place are summarized once a month and sent to me for review," Lu Shiyin said clearly and logically while flipping through the ledger.

"The Talisman Workshop and the Winery Workshop are currently operating smoothly. In my opinion, it is estimated that in another year, these two places will be able to break even and gradually start making a profit."

She looked up at Ye Changge, her tone pausing slightly. "But regarding the Puppet Workshop... I am a bit unsure."

Ye Changge held his teacup and signaled for her to continue.

Lu Shiyin turned the ledger to a certain page and pointed her fingertip at a few lines of numbers. "Since the Puppet Workshop was established last year, tens of thousands of Spirit Stones have been invested in total."

"It is not that I do not trust your decision, Husband, but the household expenses are increasing day by day. The expansion of spirit fields, the nurturing of descendants, and the operation of various workshops all require Spirit Stones. If the Puppet Workshop does not produce results for a long time, I fear it will affect the expenses in other areas."

After listening to her, Ye Changge couldn't help but smile. He put down his teacup, reached out, and gently covered Lu Shiyin's hand with his, saying gently, "Shiyin, you have been thoughtful. That you can organize the accounts so clearly and consider things so comprehensively for me, I am very gratified."