Translator: CinderTL
Hearing Ye Yangshu's words, Ye Bing immediately understood why he was so confident in luring Chi Qi out of hiding.
The Jade Marrow Stone was an extremely rare sixth-tier metallic spiritual material, imbued with an exceptionally potent Golden Sharp Qi. It was the perfect choice for crafting sharp mystic treasures like flying swords and short blades.
As for the Burning Heaven Abyss, it lay tens of thousands of miles east of Shangchu City, a vast region stretching over a million miles. Within its depths, molten lava flowed like wrathful crimson dragons, carving the land into a labyrinth of fissures and chasms.
As the lava surged, billowing yellow smoke rose skyward, piercing the heavens. This dense, perpetual haze blotted out the sun and shrouded the entire abyss in an eternal twilight.
The Burning Heaven Abyss was treacherous and perilous, teeming with fire-attribute and earth-attribute demonic beasts. Yet countless cultivators still risked venturing into its depths, drawn by the unique Spirit Herbs and demon beasts found within.
"Ye Bing, summon the person hiding behind you," Ye Yangshu said. "You've sworn this individual can defeat Chi Qi alone. I'm curious to see what kind of divine being you've brought."
Given Ye Bing's early-stage Void Refinement cultivation, Ye Yangshu naturally dismissed the notion that she could defeat Chi Qi on her own.
To gain Ye Yangshu's trust, Ye Bing had revealed Song Wen's existence to him two days prior when persuading him to join their alliance against Chi Qi.
"He's nearby," Ye Bing said. "If he wishes to reveal himself, he will appear."
Ye Yangshu scanned the surroundings, his brow furrowed. He detected no hidden presence.
Just as he was about to speak, he noticed a figure slowly descending from the dark sky in the distance.
It was Song Wen. Approaching the pair, he bowed to Ye Yangshu.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Ye. May I ask why you summoned me?"
Ye Yangshu's gaze swept Song Wen up and down, his brow slightly creased.
"Are you the 'Gou Jun' Ye Bing mentioned?"
"Indeed, I am," Song Wen replied.
"You have an unfamiliar appearance," Ye Yangshu observed. "You don't seem to be from the Qianchang Wilderness?"
"My origins are irrelevant," Song Wen countered. "What matters is that I can eliminate Chi Qi."
"You're merely at the early-stage Void Refinement realm," Ye Yangshu scoffed. "To claim you can single-handedly slay Chi Qi is sheer arrogance."
"That's none of your concern," Song Wen retorted. "I have my own methods."
"Hmph!" Ye Yangshu snorted coldly. "If Chi Qi were truly so easily dealt with, the Ye Family would have eliminated him long ago. Why would we need you and Ye Bing to come knocking? Chi Qi's natal magic treasure, the Soaring Sky Bow, is unstoppable. A single arrow can pierce even mid-grade defensive spirit treasures. Moreover, the Chi Family possesses the Profound Kun Heavy Earth Talisman, far more powerful than the Thick Earth Talisman, capable of withstanding nearly all mid-grade offensive spirit treasures. Even if Ye Gaozhuo himself were to intervene, he wouldn't be certain of victory. Where does your confidence come from?"
Before Song Wen could reply, Ye Yangshu continued, "To lure Chi Qi out, I've spared no expense, using the Jade Marrow Stone and a peak fifth-tier spirit beast, the Yellow Earth Giant Rhinoceros, as bait. We cannot afford any missteps. I'm uneasy relying solely on the two of you to handle Chi Qi. I have a proposal for your consideration."
Song Wen and Ye Bing exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of Ye Yangshu's true intentions.
"Ancestor Ye Yangshu, please speak plainly," Ye Bing urged.
Ye Yangshu smiled faintly. "My suggestion is that the four of us—myself, Ye Gaozhuo, and the two of you—join forces to confront Chi Qi together."
Ye Bing replied, "If the two Ancestors are willing to personally intervene, Gou Jun and I naturally have no objections."
Song Wen and Ye Bing remained uncertain of Ye Yangshu's true intentions, but they naturally wouldn't refuse help from someone willing to offer it.
They had initially assumed that Ye Gaozhuo and Ye Yangshu might fear Chi Qi's escape, which could ignite a feud between the Ye and Chi families, engulfing the entire Ye Family in the conflict. Their earlier proposal had suggested that Ye Gaozhuo and Ye Yangshu remain hidden, focusing solely on devising a plan to lure Chi Qi out. This way, even if Chi Qi managed to escape, the Ye Family would suffer no direct losses.
Ye Yangshu's sudden offer to personally intervene surprised Song Wen and Ye Bing.
"Don't agree too quickly," Ye Yangshu said. "I have a small request."
"Ancestor, please speak," Ye Bing replied.
Ye Yangshu continued, "Ye Bing, after eliminating Chi Qi, I want you to return to the Chi Family and become the Ye Family's third Ancestor. Rest assured, upon your return, I will personally compensate you for the family's past pursuit of you. Furthermore, all the authority I currently hold will gradually be transferred to you."
Ye Bing and Song Wen immediately realized that Ye Yangshu was seeking a successor.
Ye Yangshu's lifespan was nearing its end. After his death, Ye Gaozhuo would be left alone to shoulder the burden of leading the vast Ye Family, a task too heavy for one person to bear.
In this situation, whether Ye Bing returned to the Ye Family became critically important.
Ye Bing remained silent, neither agreeing nor objecting.
Seeing this, Song Wen spoke up.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Yangshu, whether you believe it or not, I am fully confident in my ability to deal with Chi Qi alone."
He then turned to Ye Bing.
"Ye Bing, the decision to return to the Ye Family is yours alone. Don't compromise your own interests for the sake of our personal vendetta."
Ye Yangshu retorted angrily, "Fellow Daoist, don't be so arrogant. I may not know the full extent of your grievances with Chi Qi, but if he escapes this time, you'll never get another chance like this!"
His voice was low and menacing, his gaze sharp as a blade, clearly displeased that Song Wen was disrupting his plans.
A cold smile curled Song Wen's lips. "Eliminating Chi Qi benefits your Ye Family as well. Now you want additional advantages? Aren't you being a bit greedy? Besides..."
Song Wen paused, turning his gaze southwestward.
The area was pitch-black, with only the faint outlines of towering mountain peaks and shadowy trees visible.
"Fellow Daoist, come out. Hiding in the shadows and eavesdropping on others' conversations is hardly the behavior of a gentleman."
As soon as the words left his mouth, a figure shot out from a mountain peak hundreds of miles away, soaring through the air toward them.
The newcomer was a middle-aged cultivator with a square face, his brow radiating an imposing, yet restrained authority.
"Ancestor Ye Gaozhuo!" Ye Bing exclaimed, her voice tinged with surprise as she recognized him.
As he approached, Ye Gaozhuo nodded gently, his demeanor remarkably amiable.
"Ye Bing, you truly live up to your Ye Family lineage. To advance to the Void Refinement Stage without relying on anyone is a rare feat indeed. Your talent and temperament likely rival my own. With the resources the Ye Family provides, you might one day surpass me in cultivation. In the past, due to various circumstances, the family has wronged you. I hope you bear no resentment."
Ye Bing remained unmoved by Ye Gaozhuo's words.
She and Ye Gaozhuo were virtual strangers, having met only a handful of times.
When she married, Ye Gaozhuo was already a lofty Void Refinement Stage cultivator. She, on the other hand, was merely a newly formed golden core cultivator, a marriage pawn with limited talent.
"Ancestor, you flatter me," Ye Bing replied.
(End of the Chapter)