82: Chapter 82 Heading to the Immortal City!

The Family Assembly of the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain had just concluded.

Ye Changge sat in his study, with a detailed "Five-Year Family Development Plan" spread out before him, in which the preliminary surveys and site selection for the "Puppet assembly line" had already been completed.

However, what followed was an account of Spirit Stones being spent like flowing water.

He looked at the rapidly decreasing numbers in the ledger and rubbed his temples.

Building the Puppet factory... every single item was a massive expense.

"If this keeps up, I'll be eating dirt."

Ye Changge closed the ledger and cast his gaze toward the distant east outside the window.

"On this trip to the Sky Dome Immortal City, I must find a way to earn some Spirit Stones."

Calculating the time, he had to leave in these next few days, otherwise, he wouldn't make it to the auction.

Before setting off, there were still a few things he needed to settle.

The first was the cultivation of his eldest son, Ye Bufan.

Ye Changge arrived at Ye Bufan's small courtyard; the Spiritual Qi within was dense, clearly due to a Spirit Gathering Formation having been set up.

He saw Ye Bufan sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his brows tightly locked. His Qi and blood were circulating, and a faint phantom of a Kunpeng flickered, yet it appeared sluggish and unstable.

Ye Changge watched quietly from the side for a moment and immediately saw where the problem lay.

Although the Kunpeng Refining Art was a top-tier Body Refining Cultivation Technique, it was extremely difficult to master. It had harsh requirements for the circulation routes of Qi and blood and the timing of striking the acupoints.

After all, Ye Bufan was young and his cultivation level was still shallow. A few subtle deviations in his understanding had led to the Qi and blood not circulating smoothly, significantly reducing the effectiveness of tempering his bones and muscles.

About an incense stick's time later, Ye Bufan exhaled a breath of turbid air containing Impurities and slowly ended his practice. Opening his eyes, he saw his father standing with his hands behind his back and was startled, quickly rising:

"Father! When did you arrive?"

"I came to check on your progress with the Cultivation Technique." Ye Changge's tone was calm.

"Just now, when you were circulating your Qi, the order of the Qi and blood strikes at the Danzhong, Qi Sea, and the Yongquan points on your feet was incorrect. Furthermore, your understanding of the 'Peng Wing Spread' technique was off by thirty percent, causing slight swelling and pain in your Meridians. Is that so?"

Ye Bufan's face flushed red, and he said shamefully:

"Father is truly discerning... Your child is dull-witted. I have studied it for several months but have yet to truly enter the gate; these few barriers have indeed troubled me for a long time."

"It is no matter. The Cultivation Technique is profound, and it is common for the entry to be difficult." Ye Changge gestured for him to sit back down.

"Today, Father will personally guide you. You must concentrate, calm your spirit, and carefully experience the wonder of the Qi and blood circulation."

Over the next three days, Ye Changge barely left Ye Bufan's courtyard, breaking down and explaining in minute detail the subtle changes in the various key points of the Qi Refining chapter of the Kunpeng Refining Art.

With his Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation and his understanding of the Cultivation Technique which had already reached Major Achievement, guiding a child at the Early Stage of Qi Refining was naturally effortless.

Under Ye Changge's meticulous guidance, Ye Bufan finally broke through that barrier.

On the evening of the third day, following a low, thunder-like hum that resonated from within his body, the Qi and blood throughout his body surged through, and a faint bronze luster appeared on the surface of his skin before immediately receding.

A force of Qi and blood, several times stronger than before, surged and flowed through his Meridians.

Kunpeng Refining Art, entry achieved!

Almost at the same time, a surge of power fed back into Ye Changge's Physical Body.

This was the feedback from his direct descendant breaking through in the Cultivation Technique, though it was weak.

"Very good!" Ye Changge looked pleased and took out a short halberd that was dark red all over, handing it to Ye Bufan.

"This is the 'Flame Scale Halberd', a top-grade fire-attribute Magical Artifact, perfectly suited to be driven by the Qi and blood power you have just mastered. You must refine it well."

Ye Bufan received the short halberd with both hands; it felt warm and smooth to the touch yet contained a hidden intensity. His face flushed red with excitement:

"Thank you, Father! Bufan will certainly not disappoint you; I will cultivate diligently without stopping!"

Having resolved his eldest son's cultivation matter, a weight was lifted from Ye Changge's heart.

However, as he was about to travel far, the internal safety of the Family still needed to be arranged.

He summoned Lu Shiyin to the secret chamber.

"Shiyin, on this trip to the Sky Dome Immortal City, I will be gone for two months at the shortest, and half a year at the longest. I entrust the safety of our home to you," Ye Changge said solemnly.

Lu Shiyin nodded gently: "Rest assured, Husband. I, along with the clan elders, will certainly guard our foundation well."

Ye Changge pondered for a moment and said:

"There is one more thing I must tell you. I have left a 'Bean General' with Xiaotian; by injecting enough Spiritual Qi, it can manifest a Bean Soldier Puppet comparable to the Foundation Establishment Stage. The technique to drive this item is in this jade slip. If you encounter an emergency, you may take it out and use it."

He handed a jade slip to Lu Shiyin.

Lu Shiyin carefully put it away, a flash of surprise in her eyes. Her husband's Opportunity and foundation were truly unfathomable.

Ye Changge then took out a Storage Pouch:

"Inside are various second-rank talismans, covering offense, defense, and support. There is also this 'Ten Thousand Mile Message jade slip', which I have already paired with the one held by Fairy Xia of the Lingxiao Sect. If there is truly a powerful enemy that the Ye Family cannot handle, you can use this to call for her aid. I have... some friendship with her, and she should be willing to help."

Mentioning Xia Qingyue, his tone paused slightly.

Lu Shiyin's eyes flickered slightly as she took the jade slip, knowing that her husband's relationship with Fairy Xia was quite extraordinary. She did not ask further, only saying softly:

"I have noted it. Husband, please be careful while you are away; the Immortal City is a place where dragons and snakes mix, unlike our home."

Afterward, Ye Changge informed his other wives, Liu Yiyi, Lu Shiqing, and others, about his departure.

Upon hearing this, Lu Shiqing immediately pouted, pulling on Ye Changge's sleeve and refusing to let go:

"Husband~ I've only just been diagnosed with pregnancy, and you're already leaving! Will you be able to make it back when the child is born?"

Ye Changge looked at Lu Shiqing's still-flat abdomen and was left between laughter and tears. The Bloodline enhancement brought by the System was perhaps a bit too efficient.

He could only gently soothe her, promising that he would definitely return before the child was delivered, and promised many "compensations" before finally coaxing this proud little wife from anger to joy.

With everything arranged, Ye Changge announced to the outside world that he would be going into seclusion for a period of time to comprehend a newly acquired Divine Ability.

In reality, on a morning when the sky was just beginning to brighten, he quietly arrived at a secluded valley behind the mountain.

With a thought, accompanied by a clear, cloud-piercing cry, a huge golden figure broke through the morning mist, swooped down, and landed steadily before him. It was none other than the Wuji Heavenly Eagle, Xiaojin.

Compared to a year ago, Xiaojin's size had nearly doubled, its wingspan reaching seven or eight zhang wide. Its golden feathers were even more dazzling, with a faint metallic luster flowing along the edges. Its eyes were sharp as lightning, and in its gaze, it naturally exuded the majesty of the king of beasts.

Its aura had clearly and steadily entered the Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, even approaching the Late Stage. It was evident that it had grown rapidly after devouring the Yao Beast flesh and Cultivator "essence" that Ye Changge provided from time to time.

"Good fellow, your appearance is becoming more and more majestic." Ye Changge smiled and stroked Xiaojin's lowered head.

Xiaojin affectionately rubbed against his palm, emitting a happy low cry.

Ye Changge leaped onto the eagle's back. Xiaojin flapped its wings, whipping up a gust of wind, and transformed into a golden streak of light, shooting straight into the sky and speeding off toward the distant Sky Dome Immortal City in the east.