202: Chapter 202 The Ouyang Family's Invitation

"Absolutely not," Grandfather Ye Tuantu immediately voiced his opposition.

The Family has just made a major Breakthrough, possessing two Fourth-Rank Talisman Masters simultaneously. Now, we don't need to do anything; we just need to let time take its course, and we will usher in an even more prosperous period.

Why be in such a hurry to make such a risky move!

Whether it is Ye Jiexin or Ye Yisong, losing either one would be an immeasurable loss to the Family.

Ever since Ye Jiexin broke through to become a Fourth-Rank Talisman Master, the Family's rapid development over these past hundred years has brought us resources far more abundant than before. Everyone sitting here has experienced this firsthand.

After Grandfather Ye Tuantu voiced his opposition, Ye Tuanbang, Alchemy Elder Ye Jiefang, Array Master Ye Jieguo, and others also spoke out in opposition.

Placing one of the Family's Fourth-Rank Talisman Masters in the treacherous Linhai Prefecture—how could the Clan Chief have such a dangerous idea?

"I understand everyone's concerns. This matter isn't entirely for the sake of the Family's Talisman business in Linhai Prefecture," Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui said, raising a hand to quiet the crowd before taking out a jade Talisman. "The Ouyang Family sent a letter stating that Great Master Ouyang Guanhai was accidentally injured by a Late Stage Fourth-Rank Deep Sea Giant Turtle during this beast tide. He needs to go into seclusion for several months to heal his injuries, during which time he will be unable to craft Tier 4 Talismans."

"They also heard that our Family has a Prodigy who has broken through to become a Fourth-Rank Talisman Master, so they sent a letter inviting one of our Fourth-Rank Talisman Masters to travel to Linhai Prefecture and help them overcome this difficulty."

Ouyang Guanhai is the Ouyang Family's Fourth-Rank Talisman Master, and more than half of the Tier 4 Talismans in Linhai Prefecture come from his hand. With him in seclusion for several months, the Ouyang Family will have no Fourth-Rank Talisman Master to hold the fort, and I fear the Talisman market in Linhai Prefecture will be monopolized by the Zhao Family.

By the time Ouyang Guanhai emerges from seclusion, it will be difficult for them to maintain their original market share.

The Ouyang Family has been able to dominate Linhai Prefecture for over two thousand years primarily by relying on two pillar industries: Artifact Refining and Talisman Making.

How could they just watch one of their pillar industries fall into crisis? Therefore, after consulting with their Elders, they decided to spend a heavy price to invite a Fourth-Rank Talisman Master from the Ye Family to Linhai Prefecture to hold the fort for a few months.

Five million Spirit Stones, plus two Low Grade Fourth-Rank Puppets!

Furthermore, they promised that after Ouyang Guanhai emerges from seclusion, one of the Ouyang Family's Old Ancestors would personally escort the Ye Family's Talisman Maker back to Luomu Mountain.

The promise of an Advanced Martial Artist is not something said lightly; it cannot be reneged upon casually, as the Karma involved is profoundly mysterious.

Few Advanced Martial Artists dare to break their word casually, as not everyone can bear the consequences of the resulting Karma.

"This is not something that cannot be considered, but who should go?" Upon hearing the Ouyang Family's promise to guarantee the safety of the Family's Talisman Maker and the compensation offered, Ye Tuanbang was no longer as resistant to the matter as before.

"I will go. I haven't seen Great Master Ouyang in decades. I can take this opportunity to have a good discussion with him about the Dao of Talisman Making," Ye Jiexin offered.

Ye Jiexin's ability to break through and become a Fourth-Rank Talisman Master can be said to be closely related to Ouyang Guanhai. It was a notebook that Ouyang Guanhai gave him years ago that allowed Ye Jiexin to find inspiration, thereby breaking through to become a Fourth-Rank Talisman Master.

In this regard, Ye Jiexin owes Ouyang Guanhai a great debt of Karma.

The Ye Family also owes the Ouyang Family a great debt of Karma, which is why the Clan Chief found it difficult to refuse the Ouyang Family's request and instead brought the matter to the Clan Council for the Elders to discuss together.

"Hmm," Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui nodded. The Ouyang Family had practically named Ye Jiexin in their letter, and furthermore, it was more appropriate for Ye Jiexin to go than Ye Yisong.

First, Ye Jiexin and Ouyang Guanhai have had a good personal friendship for nearly a hundred years, making it easier for him to integrate into the Ouyang Family. Second, Ye Yisong is young after all, having just broken through to become a Fourth-Rank Talisman Maker; his success rate in Talisman Making is not yet high, and he might not be able to command the situation.

Grandfather Ye Tuantu and Ye Tuanbang immediately expressed their agreement as well; Ye Jiexin had accompanied the Old Ancestor to the Ouyang Family several times in the past and understood the relationships between the various forces in Linhai Prefecture better than Ye Yisong, making him indeed the more suitable candidate.

With Ye Jiexin going, it might even lead to deeper cooperation between the Ye Family and the Ouyang Family, allowing the Ye Family's strength to improve once again.

"Old man, let me go instead. Look at how exhausted you are; you should just stay home and get some proper rest," Ye Yisong unceremoniously exposed Ye Jiexin's facade in front of everyone.

From the moment Ye Jiexin stepped into the Council Hall, Ye Yisong knew that during the time he had been away, Ye Jiexin had not rested properly at all. His Mental Energy appeared vigorous, but in reality, it was like a castle in the air—very hollow.

"You little brat, stop talking nonsense. With your Talisman Making success rate, what could you possibly do there? Sell things at a loss?" Ye Jiexin stood up, walked a few steps to Ye Yisong, and reached out to pinch his ear.

"Clan Chief Grandfather, you are the strongest one here; why don't you properly check the old man's Mental Energy and see if it's on the verge of exhaustion?" Ye Yisong quickly hid behind Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui and instigated.

"Nonsense!" Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui didn't even need to check; the moment Ye Yisong voiced his reminder, he had already noticed that something was wrong with Ye Jiexin.

"For this period, you will stay with me. You are not to leave until your Mental Energy has fully recovered."

"Clan Chief, I'm fine..."

"What? Now that your strength has increased, you don't listen to the Clan Chief anymore?" Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui said with a darkened face. If not for Ye Yisong's timely reminder, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

If Ye Jiexin's Mental Energy were to be completely depleted and his Sea of Consciousness collapsed, not even a god could save him!

"Jiexin, the Ye Family is no longer as fragile as it was a hundred years ago. There is no need for you to risk your Origin Qi like this; we old folks are not dead yet!" Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui looked at his nephew with reddened eyes and gently patted his shoulder.

"That's right, Jiexin, taking care of your health is what matters most. Just rest properly at the Clan Chief's place for a while. Yisong has grown up and can share the burden for the Family," Grandfather Ye Tuantu joined in to persuade him.

"That's right, Ninth Brother, you still have us!"

"For this trip to Linhai Prefecture, let Yisong go. It will be a good chance to temper him," Clan Leader Ye Tuanhui said, making the final decision without asking for anyone else's opinion this time.

"I will respectfully obey the Clan Chief's order," Ye Yisong said with a flourish. Even if Ye Jiexin's Mental Energy hadn't been an issue, Ye Yisong would have argued strongly to be the one to go on this trip to Linhai Prefecture.

He had been looking for a chance to get away and hide, and now the opportunity had arrived.

By the time Ye Yisong returned in a few months, Zhao Fenghua would have long since returned to Donghai Province.

This would save Zhao Fenghua from pestering Ye Yisong to be his granddaughter's husband. Why hadn't the wind of free love blown to Great Wei yet? They were still engaging in the old-fashioned arranged marriages; how tacky!

Furthermore, Ye Yisong had long heard that the Spirit Peaches of the Ding Family in Linhai Prefecture had infinite wonderful uses, and he wanted a share of them.

"Hahaha, in the blink of an eye, this little rascal has grown up," Ye Jiexin said, dropping his facade and revealing a weak expression as he patted Ye Yisong's head with gratification.