14: Chapter 14 Family Meeting (Part 1)

The summit of Luomu Mountain has always been the residence of the Ye Family Clan's Clan Chief for cultivation. Since the first generation, the Ye Family has resided in the "Dali Courtyard" at the peak. It is a uniquely named courtyard, named after the Clan Chief's cultivation site, possessing an indescribable flavor.

Whenever close friends of past Clan Chiefs visit and arrive at the peak, seeing this name, the corners of their mouths would twitch inexplicably.

At this moment, in the meeting hall of the Dali Courtyard, seven people were seated around Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui, divided into three groups.

One group sat relatively close to the Clan Chief: Alchemy Elder Ye Jiefang, Talisman Elder Ye Jiexin, and Array Master Ye Jieguo.

On the left sat two people: Affairs Hall Elder Ye Tuanbang and Scripture Pavilion Elder Ye Jiezhu. There was also an Artifact Refining Elder, Ye Jietie, in their lineage, but he recently went out to find Materials for Artifact Refining and was not in the clan.

On the right sat Ye Yisong's grandfather, Cangjiang Prefecture Guarding Elder Ye Tuantu, and Ye Yisong's cheap father, Ye Jiesheng.

It can be said that these eight people in the hall, including the absent Ye Jietie, were one of the pillars of the Ye Family Clan's dominance in Cangjiang Prefecture.

Some Elders, under the clan's systematic training, mastered a specific skill and naturally took on the burden of that craft. For example, Talisman Elder Ye Jiexin—one could tell his ability just from his name.

However, up until now, most Elders' skill levels had only reached the Tier 3 Great Master stage; only Ye Jiexin had broken through to the fourth rank.

There were also some Elders who, well... only knew how to fight, so they were assigned the task of guarding, protecting the territory.

Being divided into three groups did not mean the Ye Family was split into three factions. It was just because the Elders in the same group had closer blood relations and interacted more frequently, making them more familiar with each other, which naturally led to this layout.

As for why no one was speaking, it was entirely due to the overwhelming might of Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui; he was currently the combat ceiling of the clan.

The key was the childhood trauma. Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui was on the older side among the fifth generation, so it could be said that everyone present had been beaten by the Clan Chief in their childhood. Even now, they still had lingering fears, and even the two from the fifth generation Tuan-generation were not spared.

Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui looked at the seven people sitting there and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "It seems I need to strengthen the construction of internal relationships. If even the Elders don't speak when they meet, how can the clan Disciples unite and forge ahead?"

Why is everyone not speaking? Do you not have any self-awareness in your heart?

"Since everyone is here, let's discuss the development of the Family this year, so that everyone is informed," Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui said, looking at the seven Family Elders who were staring blankly at each other, breaking the awkward silence with a gentle voice: "Jiefang, you go first and talk about the situation in the Pill Refining Room this year."

Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui had been in a state of seclusion since the last great battle—either in seclusion or on his way to seclusion—so he was not particularly familiar with the Family's situation. Family affairs were handled by the various Elders, hence this inquiry.

Alchemy Elder Ye Jiefang looked clean and scholarly. He was a 3-star Martial Ancestor and also a Tier 3 Medium Grade Alchemist, and he was quite famous in Cangjiang Prefecture.

He stood up, cupped his hands to everyone, and said: "The Family currently has one Tier 3 Alchemist, three Tier 2 Alchemists, and five Tier 1 Alchemists. There have been too few talented youths in these years, only three, and currently only that child Yitian has broken through to become a Tier 1 Medium Grade Alchemist."

After a pause, Alchemy Elder Ye Jiefang continued: "Last year, the Family's Alchemy sector earned a total of 800,000 Spirit Stones. Currently, the Medicinal Pills stored in the Family include 48 bottles of Tier 3 pills, 385 bottles of Tier 2 pills, 1,320 bottles of Tier 1 pills, and countless medicinal Materials."

After speaking, Alchemy Elder Ye Jiefang picked up the tea on the table and took a sip, then looked at Ye Jiexin.

This scholar was good at giving others eye signals. Ye Jiexin felt unhappy inside: "Would it kill you to say a word, or what?"

Ye Jiexin continued after Alchemy Elder Ye Jiefang's report: "The Family currently has one Fourth-Rank Talisman Master, 3 Tier 3 Talisman Masters, 7 Tier 2 Talisman Masters, and 38 Tier 1 Talisman Masters. Last year, we earned a total of 9.4 million Spirit Stones. We currently have 200 Tier 4 Talismans, 900 Tier 3 Talismans, 4,800 Tier 2 Talismans, and countless Tier 1 Talismans in storage."

Hearing Ye Jiexin say "countless" Tier 1 Talismans, the Elders of the other halls showed envious gazes. They all wished they could split one Spirit Stone into two to spend; this landlord was truly wealthy.

Moreover, this old guy was good at hiding his true capabilities. Except for the Clan Chief, no one knew how deep the waters of the Talisman Hall really were.

When the Elders present heard there were 7 Tier 2 Talisman Masters and 38 Tier 1 Talisman Masters, their eyes turned over, all wanting to know who among the Tier 1 Talisman Masters had broken through.

Ye Jiexin did not keep them in suspense and said directly: "It's that kid Yisong. What? Fifth Brother, you didn't know? Hahaha."

"Good."

"That kid is only fifteen, right?"

"Fifth Brother's Family, you've raised a good seed!"

...

Ye Jiexin's last sentence was addressed to Ye Jiesheng. He was ranked fifth in the sixth generation, so Ye Jiexin called him Fifth Brother. Ye Jiesheng ignored Ye Jiexin's prank. He knew that the kid must have broken through in the last few days, and it must have been this guy who told Ye Yisong to keep it a secret, just wanting to watch him make a fool of himself now, causing him to not even know his own son had broken through to become a Tier 2 Talisman Maker. Hmph!

Isn't it just owing you a few Spirit Stones? Is it necessary? You shameless old man!

If Ye Yisong knew about Ye Jiesheng's internal monologue, he would definitely... not explain. He was just worried that he had broken through too quickly recently, fearing that Ye Jiesheng would discover it and confiscate his tools.

Everyone watched Ye Jiexin's prank and laughed out loud. A father not knowing about his son—it was really interesting.

However, they couldn't laugh for long. Ye Jiexin had originally wanted to enjoy this moment of happiness alone, but it was shared by others without permission, and split into several pieces at that. How could he be willing? "You guys, after the clan meeting ends, pay back the Spirit Stones you owe the Talisman Hall, especially you, Array Hall. The Talisman Hall is almost unable to put food on the table."

Array Master Ye Jieguo had just laughed the loudest and was specifically targeted: Damn it, a moment ago they were earning over 9 million Spirit Stones, and in the blink of an eye, he turned his face. This guy had a donkey's face; he was good at eating alone and didn't want anyone to take even the slightest advantage of him.

What's wrong with sharing a little happiness? What's wrong with it?

Speaking of paying back money, Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui saw that everyone had stopped talking and came out to smooth things over: "Alright, let's talk about this later. Tuanbang, tell us, how are the statistics on your side?"

Although each craft hall of the Ye Family Clan operated independently, they had to hand over 70% of their Spirit Stone earnings to the Family Affairs Hall for unified planning and management; this included reporting Breakthroughs of Family Disciples to the Affairs Hall, and only after verification would their corresponding treatment be improved.

That was why Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui asked Ye Tuanbang about the Family's income and expenditure and the cultivation status of the Disciples.

Affairs Hall Elder Ye Tuanbang was 193 years old this year and was a 1-star Martial Ancestor powerhouse. His white hair was neatly groomed. At a glance, he looked very much like a patriarch, kind and benevolent, making people want to approach him.

Ye Tuanbang sat in his position, nodded to the Clan Chief, and said: "The Spirit Stones handed in by the various halls this year, combined with the Family's surplus from last year, leave the Family with 56 million Spirit Stones."

The Elders were secretly happy when they heard the Family's Spirit Stone surplus that Ye Tuanbang mentioned; this was the result of their collective hard work.

"After decades of recuperation, the sixth and seventh generation Disciples of the Family have gradually developed, and the Family's salary and welfare expenditures have also increased significantly, requiring about 8 million Spirit Stones annually."

"Next, I will focus on the cultivation status of the Family Disciples. Among the sixth generation, only Jiechen can participate in the upcoming Provincial Examination Martial Examination. Others are either over the age limit or lack the strength."

"There are also some younger ones who have started participating in the County Exam this year."

"As for the seventh generation Disciples... Sigh!"