209: Chapter 209 Grand Gathering

Ye Yisong approached the treasure ship with slow, steady steps. As he drew nearer, the young members of the Ouyang Family on the deck fell into an even greater commotion.

"So that is Ye Yisong. What a handsome young man."

"Indeed, indeed. Should we capture him and take him back to be Eighth Sister's husband?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Heehee, Eighth Sister is feeling lovesick."

A group of girls who had just come of age gathered at the railing, pointing at Ye Yisong without reservation and teasing him.

"Is he really only sixteen?"

"So strong!"

"I have a feeling he will be a worthy opponent."

Several young members of the Ouyang Family gazed at Ye Yisong, filled with Battle Intent. Since no one was a match for Ye Yisong in terms of craftsmanship, they hoped to surpass him in martial prowess to regain some face.

Young people are always competitive!

"Do not act recklessly. Ye Yisong is an honored guest invited by the Clan Chief. The Clan Chief urgently summoned us this time specifically to ensure we do everything in our power to befriend him."

"If you injure him, do not blame the Clan Chief for being unkind to you," Ouyang Qingsheng warned his naive younger cousins.

"Rest assured, Third Brother. We know our limits; we won't hurt him," Ouyang Qinghai chuckled, looking every bit the roguish Young Master.

"That's right, Third Brother. We just want to make friends with him," Ouyang Qingxi said with a charming smile, like a flower blooming in spring, emphasizing the word "friends" significantly.

"Elder Ye, please, this way." After admonishing his younger siblings, Ouyang Qingsheng stepped forward to greet him and personally guided Ye Yisong.

"Sorry to trouble you, Third Brother Ouyang." Ye Yisong cupped his hands and responded politely.

During this past month, besides diligently Cultivating, Boss Ye had not wasted a single moment. He had thoroughly collected and organized intelligence on the influence and factional strength of the various Elders within the Ouyang Family, as well as the outstanding talents of the younger generation.

Before coming, Ye Yisong had already gained a preliminary understanding of the Ouyang Family's strength.

Standing at the very pinnacle of the Ouyang Family were two Martial King Old Ancestors. Beyond them, there were fifty-eight Martial Ancestor Elders, with eleven powerhouses at the Late Stage of the Martial Ancestor realm.

Among them, the most notable was Ouyang Xiuxin of the Xiu generation, a Nine-Star Martial Sect powerhouse. It was said that he was in seclusion, refining his cultivation and preparing to Breakthrough to the Martial King realm, and had not appeared in public for thirty years.

Next were the three heroes of the Qing generation: Ouyang Qingyue, Ouyang Qingfeng, and Ouyang Qingsheng.

The eldest of the three was no more than one hundred and twenty years old, while the youngest, Ouyang Qingsheng, had just passed one hundred.

Yet, the three of them possessed immense strength, all having reached the Late Stage of the Martial Ancestor realm.

They had carved out a name for themselves in Linhai Prefecture, leaving behind the resounding reputation of the "Ouyang Three Heroes."

The fact that the Ouyang Family dispatched Ouyang Qingsheng to personally accompany Ye Yisong to the Ding Family for the Four Great Clans exchange meeting showed how much they valued the occasion.

Ouyang Qingsheng led Ye Yisong into a lounge, and maids immediately served Spiritual Tea, placing it before the three of them.

"Please."

Ouyang Qingsheng gestured with his hand.

"Good tea!" Ye Yisong took a light sip and exclaimed in admiration, "Third Brother Ouyang, could this be the famous Soul-Nourishing Tea from the Western Province?"

After the Spiritual Tea entered his lungs, it actually provided a trace of nourishment to his Divine Soul. Consuming this tea long-term would certainly be highly beneficial and would be of great help in overcoming a Bottleneck.

"Hahaha, Elder Ye truly has a discerning Wisdom Eye. I intended to keep you guessing, but who would have thought you would see through it immediately." Ouyang Qingsheng smiled broadly, as cordial as a big brother next door, making one feel quite at ease.

Ye Yisong's eyes flickered slightly. Deep down, he gained a further understanding of the Ouyang Family's strength; they were actually able to purchase the Soul-Nourishing Tea, a specialty of the Western Province.

Soul-Nourishing Tea only circulated within the Western Province and was rarely traded with the outside world.

After the three sat down, the conversation was primarily between Ye Yisong and Ouyang Qingsheng. Ouyang Qingsheng enthusiastically introduced the situation regarding the Four Great Clans exchange meeting, with Ye Yisong interjecting a few questions along the way.

Boss Ye sat to the side, silent as a meditating monk, simply drinking the Soul-Nourishing Tea in his cup.

The Ouyang Family was not stingy either, serving Boss Ye three pots in succession.

After flying for a day, the treasure ship finally arrived at the Ding Family's Taoyuan Mountain.

An Elder of the Ding Family saw the Ouyang Family's treasure ship and immediately came out to welcome them, guiding everyone to the mountain peak prepared for their rest.

"I did not expect Elder Ouyang Qingsheng to personally lead the team this time," Ding Yuanchen, an Elder of the Ding Family, complimented.

"Elder Ding, have you not also taken up the role of a doorman yourself?" Ouyang Qingsheng replied with a return courtesy.

Among the Four Great Clans of Linhai Prefecture, the Ouyang Family and the Ding Family had always maintained a close relationship. Their Disciples often ventured out together to gain experience and hunt Yao Beasts, building a deep friendship.

Over time, the Disciples of the two families even established a network of marital ties spanning hundreds of years, making this friendship even stronger.

One could tell as much by looking at the mountain peak the Ding Family prepared for the Ouyang Family to rest on. This small peak of only five hundred meters actually had seven Tier 4 Spiritual Veins channeled into it, including one that was High Grade Tier 4.

Such a high level of hospitality was absolutely unique among the families attending this Grand Gathering.

Ding Yuanchen and Ouyang Qingsheng chatted about the Grand Gathering for half an hour before taking their leave to return to the mountain gate to welcome other families.

"Elder Ye, let this elegant small courtyard serve as your residence." Ouyang Qingsheng pointed to the secluded courtyard containing the High Grade Tier 4 Spiritual Vein, generously offering it to Ye Yisong.

"Many thanks, Third Brother Ouyang." Ye Yisong did not refuse and accepted.

Ye Yisong chose this courtyard not because of its Spiritual Qi concentration, but because he valued the security of its Tier 4 defensive Formation.

He harbored many secrets on his person that could not be revealed to outsiders in the slightest.

"This Elder Ye is certainly not shy."

After Ye Yisong and Boss Ye left, Ouyang Qingxi said, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

"You all should also choose a courtyard to settle in. Tomorrow, we will trade on our own first, and then gather here in three days to attend the exchange meeting together."

"Yes, Third Brother."

Ye Yisong and Boss Ye stood on the mountain peak, overlooking the peach orchard stretching for tens of miles. More than a month had passed, and the Ding Family was still clearing away the peach trees destroyed during the Yao Beast tide. Those that were dead were uprooted, and new Tier 2 or Tier 3 peach saplings were replanted. Those that could still be saved were carefully tended to, using Ever-Green Liquid to restore their vitality.

"If only our Family could also have a three-hundred-mile peach forest," Boss Ye said with envy.

"Indeed, the revenue this three-hundred-mile peach forest brings to the Ding Family is immense," Ye Yisong said with equal emotion.

"The exchange meeting has begun."

Ye Yisong watched as Martial Artists began to set up stalls one after another on a ten-mile-wide clearing on the front mountain, bringing out their treasures collected over the year to haggle with the passing Martial Artists.

The annual exchange meeting of the Four Great Clans of Linhai Prefecture was not just attended by the Four Great Clans; Martial Ancestor families from the various counties below would also send their Martial Artists to join in the excitement.

They utilized this opportunity to exchange Cultivation resources.

The first three days of the formal exchange meeting were merely appetizers, but they were quite lively.

From time to time, some heart-moving, rare treasures would appear, making it well worth attending.