Ye Chu was not particularly afraid that the imperial city’s Ye family would suppress the Ye family in Yao City. After all, three years had already passed since the events. If the imperial city’s Ye family were to dredge up old matters now, how would the branch families view them? They would only see the main family as lacking in magnanimity, which would lead to further estrangement and disloyalty!
Of course, the imperial city’s Ye family would not openly suppress the Yao City branch. However, if Ye Yuande were to bypass the family and secretly pull strings or create obstacles, that was not entirely impossible. As the heir of the imperial city’s Ye family, any underhanded moves from Ye Yuande would carry considerable influence.
But compared to the colossal entity that was the imperial city’s Ye family, Ye Chu had far fewer reservations about Ye Yuande himself. Ye Chu was powerless against the entire Ye family of the capital, yet when it came to dealing with just Ye Yuande alone, he was not without the means to resist.
If Ye Yuande was foolish enough to actually try something like that, Ye Chu would not mind playing seriously with him! Although Ye Chu’s strength was indeed inferior, that did not mean Ye Yuande could walk away unscathed.
Ye Jingyun was still stunned in place by Ye Chu’s domineering words. Watching him mingle effortlessly among the group of young noblemen and ladies like a fish in water, she could not help thinking that this young man truly did not seem to come from a small place like Yao City!
“Hmph! Still so full of himself in the imperial city. I would like to see how you end up dying!” To cover her own frustration and embarrassment, Ye Jingyun muttered under her breath and vented by kicking a nearby stool with her long, shapely legs.
…
“I heard you are lacking a suitable Spirit Moulding technique?” Qing Wenting had gotten the information from Pang Shao and could not help asking Ye Chu out of curiosity.
“Mm.” Ye Chu did not deny it. Looking at Qing Wenting, he said, “It is not exactly that I lack one, just that I have not found one particularly suited to me.”
Qing Wenting suddenly understood. She thought to herself that in Qingmi Mountain, how could such things be scarce? However, not having a suitable Spirit Moulding technique was extremely detrimental for Ye Chu. Generally speaking, once one reached the Innate Realm, one should begin cultivating a Spirit Moulding technique. Only then could one maximise their potential and make their spiritual energy far denser.
If Ye Chu still did not cultivate one at this point, he would soon be left far behind by others.
“What exactly are you thinking?” Qing Wenting said to Ye Chu. “My sect does have some Spirit Moulding techniques. Would you like to take a look?”
“Could your sect’s supreme treasure be taken out for me to cultivate?” Ye Chu looked at Qing Wenting with a sweet smile.
“In your dreams!” Qing Wenting rolled her eyes. That ancient manual was something even within the entire sect, fewer than five people were qualified to cultivate. How could it possibly be given to an outsider?
“There you go then!” Ye Chu said. “I will just figure something out myself. If it really comes to it, I will have to go back to the mountain and ask the old madman for something suitable.”
“But you have already reached the Innate Realm. If you do not start cultivating now, it will affect the shaping of your primal spirit to some extent,” Qing Wenting sighed.
Tan Miaotong had been standing quietly to the side without interrupting, but now she suddenly spoke up. “Shaping the spirit does not necessarily require a Spirit Moulding technique. Actually, I know of something that would be perfect for Ye Chu right now. If he obtains that item, even if he does not have a suitable Spirit Moulding technique in the short term, it could still greatly shape his primal spirit.”
Tan Miaotong’s voice was soft, ethereal, and extremely pleasing to the ear. Both Ye Chu and Qing Wenting turned their gazes towards her. “What do you mean?”
“Have you two ever heard of ‘Demon Origin Grass’?” Tan Miaotong’s lively eyes shimmered with a watery gleam, utterly enchanting.
“Demon Origin Grass?” Ye Chu and Tan Miaotong exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in the other’s eyes. Of course they had heard of Demon Origin Grass. It was a rare herb capable of nourishing the primal spirit, even beneficial to great cultivators. Normally, it was used by those at the Primal Spirit Realm or higher to temper and purify their primal spirit. Using it on someone at the Innate Realm would be considered overkill.
Precisely because Demon Origin Grass was so rare and its medicinal power so pure, when used by someone at the Innate Realm, the Spirit Moulding effect would be the most pronounced! It was like a bottle of pesticide: an adult might drink a sip without dying, but even a tiny trace would kill an insect instantly.
Compared to those at the Primal Spirit Realm and above, someone at the Innate Realm was like an adult compared to an insect. If Demon Origin Grass was greatly useful to Primal Spirit Realm cultivators and higher, its effect on the Innate Realm was naturally even more dramatic.
With the aid of Demon Origin Grass, Ye Chu could indeed go without a Spirit Moulding technique until he reached the fifth layer of the Innate Realm. Of course, having a suitable technique in addition would be even better, multiplying the effect.
“Demon Origin Grass is indeed an excellent item. With its help, in the short term it would be equivalent to having an extremely superior Spirit Moulding technique. But Demon Origin Grass is extremely precious. It rarely appears in the empire, and even when it does, cultivators at the Primal Spirit Realm and above would fight over it. There is no way we could obtain one,” Qing Wenting shook her head. “So this is not a practical solution.”
Tan Miaotong smiled sweetly. “I know where there is some, and it is still growing there, untouched by anyone!”
“Where?” Ye Chu’s eyes lit up. Looking at the stunningly beautiful Tan Miaotong before him, his gaze carried a touch of heat.
Being stared at so intently by Ye Chu made Tan Miaotong’s pretty face flush faintly with red. Ye Chu loved seeing her in this shy, adorable state; it was enough to whet any man’s appetite.
“Miaotong, do not tell him just yet. If we do not squeeze some benefits out of this, how can we give him such important information?” Qing Wenting giggled, holding onto Tan Miaotong to stop her from speaking.
Ye Chu shrugged. “Tell me, and consider that I owe you a favour. In the future, if Miaotong has any requests, just mention them. As long as I can do it, I will not refuse. Besides, even without this, if Miaotong asks for something, I would still do my best.”
Hearing Ye Chu’s words, Qing Wenting felt an urge to smash a stool over his head. What did this bastard mean? When she helped him with major favours, he stubbornly refused to admit owing her anything. Yet with Tan Miaotong, he was so generous, promising such a favour before she had even done anything for him.
“I guarantee you, Ye Chu definitely has designs on you!” Qing Wenting almost gritted her teeth as she whispered into Tan Miaotong’s ear.
Her words made Tan Miaotong’s ears burn red. Her face flushed hot as she protested coquettishly, “What nonsense are you talking about!”
“Fine! I have known Ye Chu for so long. Do I not know what kind of person he is? He has never been this straightforward before!” Qing Wenting rolled her eyes, then turned to Ye Chu with a playful smile. “Ye Chu, you are not going to deny it, are you?”
Ye Chu completely ignored Qing Wenting’s words. He thought to himself that if he were ever that straightforward with Qing Wenting, she would probably sell him out in an instant. How could Qing Wenting even compare herself to Tan Miaotong?
Tan Miaotong stole a quick glance at Ye Chu. Seeing that he did not deny it, her heart suddenly pounded fiercely. A charming glow spread across her tender, flushed face, dazzling several young men who were secretly watching from the side. They felt somewhat faint-headed, wondering where the Holy Maiden had found such a captivating beauty.
Afraid that Qing Wenting would tease her further, Tan Miaotong quickly said, “There is a place called Demon Origin Cave outside the imperial city. Demon Origin Grass grows inside it, but getting in is somewhat troublesome. A village is situated there. The village is very martial in nature, and with the aid of the Demon Origin Cave, though it is called a village, it is actually extremely powerful.”