214: Chapter 214 The Ding Family Patriarch Summons Him

Zhao Xuanbin's final sell-off allowed everyone present to discern some clues; the Zhao Family must have found a way to heal the Four-Star Martial King Zhao Licheng, but they were still slightly short on Spirit Stones.

That was the only reason they were trading such a large quantity of high-quality Medicinal Pills all at once—a situation that had never occurred before.

"High Grade Tier 4 Puppet, two million Spirit Stones."

Ouyang Qingsheng took a lifelike Puppet out from his Storage Pouch and placed it on the high platform.

The entire Puppet was two meters tall, its exoskeleton crafted entirely from High Grade Tier 4 Materials, and a High Grade Tier 4 Monster Core was embedded in its core. The aura it emitted caused everyone present to feel a sense of trepidation.

Ouyang Qingsheng took out one thousand Spirit Stones, placed them into the energy storage box, and used a control token to manipulate the Puppet, demonstrating three sword techniques. The red light emitted from the Puppet's body immediately dimmed.

"This Puppet is inscribed with five types of Tier 4 techniques, possessing both offensive and defensive capabilities. It can assist a Martial Artist in defending against enemies, hunting monsters, treasure hunting, and exploring Secret Realms. It is a rare treasure for any Family to protect their heritage."

"Everyone, please place your bids!"

"Has the Ouyang Family's Artifact Refiner already achieved a Breakthrough to High Grade Tier 4?"

"The Ouyang Family is planning to get the upper hand over the Zhao Family."

"Would the Zhao Family be willing to just hand over the throne of the number one Family in Linhai to the Ouyang Family? After the exchange meeting, we should quickly go home and lay low. It's likely a fight will break out later."

"Indeed, we must not let the innocent be harmed."

The Ouyang Family's move was less about selling a High Grade Tier 4 Puppet and more about using this exchange meeting to showcase their strength before all the major Families of Linhai Prefecture.

They wanted everyone to clearly see the future direction of Linhai Prefecture and not be stubborn or follow the wrong person.

"It's a good item, but unfortunately, it's just too expensive." Ye Yisong smacked his lips, suppressing his excitement.

"Indeed, the sky over Linhai Prefecture is about to change." Having gone through so many storms, Boss Ye saw through the implications at a glance and realized that the Ye Family had been played by the Ouyang Family of Linhai.

However, it was too late to react now. In the face of absolute strength, they could only follow the Ouyang Family to the end.

Otherwise, if they offended two Martial King Families simultaneously, the Ye Family could not withstand their combined hunt.

"Two million Spirit Stones."

In the end, it was the Song Family, who had suffered the least losses during this beast tide, that called out the price and successfully secured the High Grade Tier 4 Puppet.

Buying a Tier 4 Magic Treasure for two million Spirit Stones was actually a loss, not to mention that the High Grade Tier 4 Monster Core in its control center would become smaller and smaller with each use until it vanished into nothingness.

That aside, the amount of Spirit Stones consumed when Ouyang Qingsheng operated the Puppet was also astonishing.

Merely demonstrating three Tier 4 sword techniques consumed one thousand Spirit Stones. Aside from big spenders like the Four Great Clans of Linhai Prefecture, who could afford to use such a Puppet?

But the Puppet had an advantage that a Martial Artist could never replace: it followed orders and would never go back on its word or cause trouble halfway through.

With such a high-tier Puppet by one's side, anyone below the level of a Martial King would find it difficult to gain any advantage.

"Are there any other Fellow Daoists who wish to trade treasures?"

Seeing that no one had stepped onto the high platform for a long time, Ding Shangyan asked aloud.

"Many thanks to all Fellow Daoists for gracing us with your presence. This exchange meeting concludes here. We will see you all next year, Fellow Daoists."

Ding Shangyan looked around, and when no one spoke up, he cupped his hands to the crowd and announced that the exchange meeting had ended.

Ye Yisong secretly felt it was a pity. The grade of this Four Great Clans exchange meeting was indeed not low; even several High Grade Tier 4 treasures had appeared.

But something was still missing. It seemed that every Family had extremely strict controls on treasures above Tier 5 and would absolutely not let them flow out.

The platform of Linhai Prefecture was still too small; it could not compare to places like the East Sea Prefecture, where talents gathered.

"Elder Ye, please wait. My Old Ancestor has summoned you; please come with me." Just as Ye Yisong was about to step out of the tower, Ding Shangyan called out to stop him.

"The Ding Family Ancestor is summoning me?"

Ding Shangyan's words moved all the Martial Ancestors attending the exchange meeting. Every Martial King enjoyed a lofty status in Linhai Prefecture; a single stomp of their feet could cause the winds and clouds to change color.

"I am deeply honored by the summons from the Ding Family Ancestor. I apologize for the trouble, Elder Ding, please lead the way." Ye Yisong gave a few instructions to Boss Ye, then followed Ding Shangyan as they flew toward the highest peak of Taoyuan Mountain.

When Ye Yisong stepped onto the highest peak of Taoyuan Mountain, he saw an old man dressed in coarse cloth sitting in a pavilion, looking down at the Ding Family members below as they carefully watered and pruned the peach trees.

From time to time, he would fly into a rage, cursing and swearing, berating the Ding Family members below.

"Ye Yisong of the Cangjiang Ye Family pays respects to the Ding Family Ancestor." Ye Yisong stepped forward twice and bowed respectfully.

"Kid, you're here. Sit." Ancestor Ding Yuze pointed to the seat opposite him. "Tea or alcohol?"

"This Junior prefers tea, though I occasionally drink alcohol," Ye Yisong answered truthfully. In front of these old monsters, it was better not to play any little tricks.

"Then we shall drink alcohol." Ancestor Ding Yuze took a clay jar from under the table, broke the mud seal on top, poured a cup, and handed it to Ye Yisong. "Taste it."

"Many thanks, Ding Family Ancestor." Ye Yisong looked at the cup of yellow wine before him that emitted a mellow fragrance. Without suspicion, he picked it up and drank it in one gulp. He wiped the spilled wine from the corner of his mouth and praised, "Good wine!"

"Kid, straightforward!" Ancestor Ding Yuze clapped his hands and laughed. "I like you."

"Unlike those Juniors of mine, who are all fidgety and shy in front of me—nothing like a Martial Artist."

"You are too kind, Old Ancestor. Your Juniors just respect you, which is why they are a bit constrained," Ye Yisong said with a smile.

"Oh, so you mean you don't respect me?" Ancestor Ding Yuze frowned and said.

"How would I dare?" Ye Yisong immediately stood up and bowed respectfully.

"Hahaha."

Seeing Ye Yisong's panicked appearance, Ancestor Ding Yuze seemed even happier. He raised his hand to help Ye Yisong up and said, "Sit, sit, sit. I was just teasing you."

"I do not know why the Ding Family Ancestor has summoned this Junior. If there is anything I can do, I will certainly try my best." Ye Yisong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and asked tentatively.

"I summoned you here for no particular reason, just to forge a good connection with you." Ancestor Ding Yuze filled Ye Yisong's cup again and stared at him. "I have a premonition that sooner or later, you will be on equal footing with me."

"The Ding Family Ancestor is too generous with your praise. With my meager cultivation, how could I compare to you?" Ye Yisong sat upright in his chair, met Ancestor Ding Yuze's gaze for a moment, and immediately withdrew his eyes.

Ancestor Ding Yuze's gaze was too penetrating, as if he wanted to see right through Ye Yisong, making all the hairs on the back of Ye Yisong's neck stand up unnaturally.

"It is rare for you to visit the Ding Family, and I have nothing else to give you. Take this Spirit Peach as a gift." Ancestor Ding Yuze took a jade box out of his Storage Pouch and handed it to Ye Yisong.

"I cannot accept a reward without merit. How can I accept your gift?" Ye Yisong declined.

"Have you forgotten what I just said?" Ancestor Ding Yuze said with a straight face, sounding annoyed.

"Many thanks for the generous gift, Ding Family Ancestor. I will certainly repay this favor in the future," Ye Yisong said sincerely as he accepted the jade box.

"Go. Do not forget what you said today." Ancestor Ding Yuze waved his hand, signaling for Ye Yisong to leave on his own.