As the winter solstice approached, the red lanterns under the eaves of the shops began to sway left and right, casting flickering light.

A few withered leaves flew in from afar, landing in various parts of the courtyard, adding to the desolate feeling of the blue bricks and black tiles.

Ye Jingcheng pushed open the door, feeling the wind on his face, but there was a hint of joy in his eyes.

It had been five days since he went into seclusion for alchemy. During these days, he refined two furnaces of Bone Transformation Pill, each producing three pills, with two of them even having Pill Patterns. It was considered quite successful.

Besides the Spirit Pills, he also checked the Stone Spirit Grotto Heaven.

Judging by the situation with the Five Poison Bee, he estimated that the Stone Spirit absorbing from the outside for one day would be enough for life within the Grotto Heaven for over ten days. Even if he and the Golden Scale Beast entered together, this consumption wouldn't increase much.

However, the consumption of Spiritual Energy was considerable, but this situation greatly improved after he buried many Spirit Stones.

Now within the Grotto Heaven, the Golden Scale Beast was continuously using the Earth Spike Skill, firstly to practice the application of magic, and secondly to test the strength of the Grotto Heaven.

If there were any problems, he could also discover them in time.

Meanwhile, he opened the Grotto Heaven of the room, fully absorbing Spiritual Energy and air. He estimated that once enough was absorbed, he could hide inside for several days or half a month without any issues.

The only concern was that the Stone Spirit might be picked up by someone.

Although the Stone Spirit would not have any Spiritual Energy fluctuation when closed, its body is extremely hard and its material is extraordinary, making it relatively easy to be discovered.

Of course, if hiding from Demon Beast danger, it was a very good solution indeed.

"Jingcheng, you've come out of seclusion." Ye Jingli at this moment also happened to come out of his room.

At this moment, he appeared more composed, less impetuous, holding a newly refined Magical Artifact in his hand, which still had a bit of the warmth of Demon Fire.

"Brother Liu, where are Third Uncle and Fourth Brother?" Ye Jingcheng asked.

"Third Uncle is on the second floor of the shop. He's personally selling Tier Two Spirit Pills now." Ye Jingli nodded in response.

Then he walked to Ye Jingcheng's side, glanced around, and transmitted to Ye Jingcheng.

"Jingcheng, I think Fourth Brother is suspicious. Keep an eye on Fourth Brother these few days. I told Third Uncle, but he didn't pay attention, even Second Brother didn't say anything?"

After speaking, Ye Jingli handed over a mirror to Ye Jingcheng.

"This is a mirror I recently refined that can detect the Spiritual Energy fluctuations of a cultivator. Fourth Brother's Spiritual Energy has significantly increased."

"Brother Liu, you've done a great job. I will inform Third Uncle about this matter." Ye Jingcheng praised as he took the mirror.

He also instructed Ye Jingli not to make a fuss.

Ye Jingcheng crossed the courtyard and went to the front yard. Unlike the back yard, which had several wooden houses built, the front yard was brought with many stone tables for the Ye Family members to rest.

Of course, more people were assisting in the Pill Shop. As the winter solstice approached, the buying of Spirit Pills at Chu Ye Pavilion increased.

Among them were clan cultivators, but also many loose cultivators.

During each large-scale exploration, some loose cultivators would join the clan cultivators under the temporary offering name, allowing them to gain a share in the exploration.

After all, this time entering the Taihang Mountain Range wasn't like the last time at Jade Dragon Valley, which only stayed on the periphery and wasn't particularly resource-rich.

This time it was near the Three-eyed Demon King's Chixia Peak, where resources and Spirit Medicines were plentiful. Even without entering the Secret Realm, the various Spiritual Herbs and Treasures were not scarce.

So, even the cultivators of Taichang Market, as long as they considered themselves somewhat strong, would basically participate.

Besides selling Spirit Pills, the Ye Family also recruited some manpower, but in Taichang Market, the Ye Family wasn't well-known, and Ye Haicheng was a newly promoted Purple Mansion cultivator, so not many people came.

Conversely, the Chu Family next door recruited smoothly.

In the courtyard, Ye Jingyu was walking around the room, occasionally greeting other Ye Family members, but if a true Ye Family member were here, they would notice that Ye Jingyu seemed somewhat unnatural.

He was always wearing a Spirit-Blocking Robe, only revealing a pair of eyes and a bland expression.

"Fourth Brother, are you adapting recently?" Ye Jingcheng asked.

"Adapting, if you have something to say, speak directly, Jingcheng." 'Ye Jingyu' responded with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

This 'Ye Jingyu' was naturally the Corpse Daoist of the Celestial Corpse Sect, who, after Ye Jingcheng's Stone Spirit awakened, took a Bone Transformation Pill and transformed into Ye Jingyu's appearance, sneaking into the Ye Family cultivators.

The guise could only be maintained before the exploration. Once at the Taihang Mountain Range, the True Masters would constantly oversee the cultivator team.

Even the slightest movement would be detected.

Of course, the hesitation of this 'Ye Jingyu' was due to Ye Jingcheng's attitude.

Ye Jingcheng's confidence at this moment made him feel a sense of unease.

Yet he didn't know where this unease came from.

He chose the Ye Family for two reasons. One was that the Ye Family wasn't particularly strong, having only one newly promoted Purple Mansion, and the remaining Foundation Establishment cultivators were only three.

The second was that Ye Jingcheng was being held by him.

Even the last time when his other self met Ye Jingcheng, the latter didn't give off such a feeling.

"There's nothing wrong, I just feel that Fourth Brother's cultivation has improved again." Ye Jingcheng handed over the mirror for Ye Jingyu to take a look.

He subtly reminded the latter.

Although other cultivators didn't know much about Ye Jingyu, if his cultivation changed too drastically, it would still arouse suspicion.

Cooperating with the Celestial Corpse Sect was like dancing on the edge of a boiling oil pot.

The latter nodded repeatedly, and only then did Ye Jingcheng leave the courtyard and head towards the second floor of the shop.

Upon entering the second floor, Ye Xingliu was introducing a Pill Formula to another Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Ye Jingcheng did not disturb them, merely watched from the side. Once the person left, Ye Jingcheng called out:

"Third Uncle."

He took out a Pill Bottle and handed it to Ye Xingliu with both hands.

Inside the smooth jade bottle were three Tier Two Bone Transformation Pills.

With these three Bone Transformation Pills, their appearances and shapes could be changed twice.

Ye Xingliu examined the elixirs carefully and soon revealed a satisfied smile.

"As expected of the Ye Clan's top Alchemist."

"Third Uncle praises me too highly; I am far from being number one." Ye Jingcheng shook his head. He wouldn't accept the title. The clan's Hidden Peak had many Alchemists, like Ye Xuefu, whose alchemy skills surpassed his.

He even suspected there might be Tier Three Alchemists.

However, within the Ye Clan, if your skills are not at the pinnacle, you will never know how much the clan conceals.

"You returned from seclusion just in time. In three days, we'll set off. Tomorrow there's a Foundation Establishment exchange meeting. Jin Yutang, your elder brother, and Chu Yanqing all sent you an invitation." Ye Xingliu took out three palm-sized Jade Book invitations and handed them to Ye Jingcheng.

"If you spend anything, you can use the shop's Spirit Stones!" he added.

"Thank you, Third Uncle. Will you not attend?" Ye Jingcheng accepted two of the Jade Book invitations but left one for Ye Xingliu.

While speaking, he took the Spirit Tea from the table on the second floor of the shop and poured a cup for Ye Xingliu.

"No, I have to attend a confidential meeting on regional division. Many people only see the benefits of the Secret Realm during the attack on the Three-eyed Demon King's Chixia Peak, but in fact, it's uncertain we can capture it," Ye Xingliu said with a bit of a bitter smile.

The Demon Race of the Taihang Mountain Range is famous not because the Taiyi Sect wants to raise demons for power.

But because many Demon Kings within the Taihang Mountain Range are terrifyingly powerful and have formidable bloodlines.

It's bound to be a bloody battle.

Otherwise, the Taiyi Sect wouldn't allow so many Cultivation Clans to participate.

"By the way, Mo Hongwen from the Mo Family is also participating this time. His character is quite contrary to his name, so it might be good to familiarize yourself with him!" Ye Xingliu reminded.

"Also, pay attention to the Xu Family. They've brought over ten members this time, almost all their hidden Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

Ye Jingcheng nodded upon hearing this. The latent threat from the Mo Family was mostly resolved, but to be cautious, it might be best to eliminate Mo Hongwen as well. This way, not only would no one remember the Beast Tide incident, but the Mo Family would also gradually decline.

As for whether the Taiyi Sect would support a new Purple Mansion or Foundation Establishment Clan in the Taihang Commandery, it had nothing to do with the Ye Family.

"Third Uncle, I'd like to learn about Turtle Ancestor." At the end, Ye Jingcheng transmitted to Ye Xingliu.

As he said this, his eyes showed great interest.

After all, the Grotto Heaven of Turtle Ancestor had a long history.

Even Ye Haiyi used it often, so Ye Xingliu naturally knew a lot about it.

However, Ye Xingliu was extremely puzzled at the moment.

Uncertain why Ye Jingcheng mentioned Turtle Ancestor, but after hesitating for a moment, Ye Xingliu generously unfastened the Spirit Beast Bag from his waist and placed it on Ye Jingcheng's waist.

"Turtle Ancestor is in here, you can ask anything, Turtle Ancestor can respond." Ye Xingliu said.

Ye Jingcheng was instantly delighted upon seeing this. He accepted the Spirit Beast Bag and headed towards his own room.

Upon entering the room, he carefully patted the Spirit Beast Bag, infusing a bit of Spiritual Light.

In the next moment, a white-haired Profound Turtle, about the size of a basin, walked out from it.

"Turtle Ancestor, Junior Jingcheng greets Turtle Ancestor." Ye Jingcheng cupped his hands in respect.

He held great reverence for the Tai Cang Turtle.

After all, it was the Clan Guardian Spirit Beast and a Purple Mansion Great Demon.

"Young one, what is it?" Turtle Ancestor's voice sounded very old, but Ye Jingcheng detected a hint of affectation, as if deliberately altering its voice.

Of course, on the surface, Ye Jingcheng remained calm.

"Turtle Ancestor, I recently acquired a Grotto Pocket World Stone, may I ask if there are any flaws in such a Grotto Heaven?" Ye Jingcheng pointed to a large stone in the adjacent room.

He did not intend, nor could he, conceal information about the Stone Spirit. He simply wanted to clarify the flaws of the Grotto Heaven.

Previously, Ye Jingcheng searched the clan for information but found little documentation.

The Supreme Profound Turtle originally appeared aged and wise, but upon noticing the Stone Spirit, it moved much faster, extending its head to examine the Stone Spirit from all angles.

This made Ye Jingcheng more certain of his suspicion that despite its appearance, Turtle Ancestor might not be very old among turtles!

This left him puzzled as to why Turtle Ancestor would not, under such conditions, activate his Treasure Book now.

Turtle Ancestor must have great talent.

Moreover, if he remembered correctly, it had activated it before.

Perhaps Spirit Beasts contracted by Blood Contract cannot be recorded by the Treasure Book.

Ye Jingcheng confidently speculated in his heart.

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