8: Chapter 8: Possessing both alchemy and talisman-making skills, yet abandoning the Ye family's generous support to travel far to Yunxi City?

"Spiritual Root overlay not activated... requires the descendant to step onto the path of cultivation?" Ye Linchuan realized.

It seems he would have to wait for Son to grow up and begin to Cultivate before this overlay could be activated.

This made perfect sense!

"System, lottery!"

"Ding! Lottery wheel spinning..."

In the end, the pointer's speed gradually slowed, slowly stopping in the Talisman Dao area!

"Ding! Congratulations Host, you have obtained the Talisman Dao [Second-Order Talisman Making technique]!"

Boom— A torrent of information regarding Talisman Making techniques surged into Ye Linchuan's Sea of Consciousness.

Calming the excitement of obtaining the Talisman Dao, Ye Linchuan began to check for other changes in himself.

The birth of a Spiritual Root descendant, besides the System rewards, should have a direct impact on him.

He circulated the Guiyuan Technique, attempting to absorb Spiritual Qi.

As expected...

Although it was still slow, the speed at which Spiritual Qi entered his body was clearly a sliver faster than before!

It was an improvement of about half a percent to one percent!

Moreover, when the Spiritual Qi circulated within his body, it seemed a sliver smoother, and his Meridians' affinity for Spiritual Qi had slightly increased.

"Is this the initial effect of the Spiritual Root overlay? Just the birth of one Spiritual Root descendant, and there is such an improvement..." Ye Linchuan felt a burning sensation in his heart.

If the number of descendants with Spiritual Roots increased in the future, and their quality improved, how terrifying would this overlay effect be?

"It seems the path of taking concubines, bearing children, and expanding the Family line must be followed firmly."

A look of determination flashed in Ye Linchuan's eyes.

This was not just for the System tasks and rewards, but more importantly, for his own path of the Dao!

However, he was also aware that the Ye Family had already given their final quota, and it was impossible to take concubines openly in the short term.

Most Ye Family women also lacked Spiritual Roots, making the efficiency too low.

"Perhaps the direction for the future needs to be placed on finding women who possess Spiritual Roots and are willing to join with me..."

A thought surfaced involuntarily, but it was immediately suppressed by him.

This matter required careful consideration and gradual planning.

What was most important right now was to digest the newly acquired Talisman Dao techniques.

Beyond Alchemy, he needed to quickly establish Talisman Dao as another pillar to enhance his own strength.

With both Alchemy and Talisman Dao mastered, the great Dao can be expected!

...

Son reached his first month.

Ye Linchuan was alone in the quiet room, looking at the moonlight outside the window, his eyes calm.

The waters of Biyang Valley were too deep.

Watching the other matrilocal Sons-in-law vying for favor and acting jealous, Ye Linchuan only felt a chill.

He was only at the second level of Qi Refining, and even with the System, he was just a consumable that could be sacrificed.

Staying here, he would sooner or later be dragged into it and die without a burial place.

He could feel that ever since his talent in Alchemy was revealed, especially after Cultivator Ye Xueyi began to look at him differently, the gazes others cast upon him had become complicated.

The sourness in the words of several other young direct descendants of the Ye Family was almost undisguised.

The shadow of internal strife had already quietly shrouded this valley.

And the external Song Family of Tianqing Valley was even more like a sharp sword hanging over their heads.

The injury of the Ye Family's Old Ancestor was not a top secret within the inner circle.

Once the Old Ancestor passed away, the Ye Family's strength would be greatly diminished, and the Song Family would certainly not let this opportunity pass.

At that time, Biyang Valley would be the eye of the storm.

If a battle were to truly occur... he was afraid he wouldn't even count as cannon fodder.

"I cannot stay here any longer."

Ye Linchuan made a decision in his heart, "I must find a reasonable excuse to leave, an excuse that will reassure the Ye Family and even make them happy to see it happen."

His gaze turned toward the vast and chaotic region outside Biyang Mountain.

Among them, Yunxi City entered his line of sight.

This city was located a thousand miles away from Biyang Mountain, and the Spiritual Qi was acceptable.

It produced many low-grade commonly used Spiritual Plants, attracting a large number of Loose Cultivator Alchemists, herb gatherers, and merchant caravans to gather.

But because of this, the forces there were intricate, and public order was chaotic.

The Ye Family only had a small shop there, and its influence was limited.

"Yunxi City..."

Ye Linchuan tapped his fingers on the table.

It was far from the Ye Family's core, which meant relative freedom.

As for the risk?

Compared to staying in Biyang Valley and waiting for death, he would rather go and take a gamble.

...

The next day, early morning.

Ye Linchuan arrived at the Butler's courtyard in Bizhu Manor.

At this moment, Butler Ye was pruning flower branches in the courtyard.

Seeing Ye Linchuan arrive, he put down his scissors, a warm smile on his face, "Son-in-law Ye, what brings you here today?"

"Butler Ye,"

Ye Linchuan cupped his hands, his expression solemn, "Junior has recently had some insights in Alchemy, and now has a fifty to sixty percent success rate in refining High Grade qi condensation pills, so I have come specifically to report this."

"Oh?"

A flash of light appeared in Butler Ye's eyes, and his smile became more genuine, "High Grade qi condensation pills? Is what you say true, Son-in-law?"

"I dare not deceive you."

Ye Linchuan said, taking out a jade bottle and offering it with both hands, "This is what Junior luckily refined, please verify it, Butler."

Butler Ye took it and poured out a Medicinal Pill.

The Medicinal Pill was round and smooth, with faint cloud patterns, and the scent was pure; it was clearly a High Grade qi condensation pill of excellent quality!

He was deeply shaken in his heart.

How long had it been?

From touching Alchemy until now, at most it had only been a year or so, and this young man could already refine High Grade Medicinal Pills?

This talent was truly shocking!

"Good! Good!"

Butler Ye said "good" twice in succession, the smile on his face deepening, "Son-in-law is truly an Alchemy prodigy!"

"Such a major event must be reported to the Patriarch immediately!"

"Son-in-law, wait a moment, I will be right back!"

...

An hour later.

Butler Ye, Patriarch Ye Tianying, and... Cultivator Ye Xueyi had all arrived.

Patriarch Ye Tianying was dressed in a brocade robe, his face dignified.

At this moment, the gaze he directed at Ye Linchuan was filled with undisguised admiration.

Cultivator Ye Xueyi was still dressed in white as snow, cold and ethereal.

"Greetings, Patriarch, Young Miss."

Ye Linchuan bowed and saluted.

"No need for formalities."

Patriarch Ye Tianying smiled and waved his hand, walking straight into the courtyard.

His gaze swept across the slightly simple courtyard, and finally landed burning brightly on Ye Linchuan, "Linchuan, Butler Ye says you can already refine High Grade qi condensation pills?"

"Junior dares not deceive the Patriarch, it was a lucky success, and it is not yet stable."

Ye Linchuan remained humble.

"Fetch a Pill Furnace and Materials, and refine a batch on the spot!"

Patriarch Ye Tianying ordered; he wanted to witness it with his own eyes.

Butler Ye had already prepared them.

Ye Linchuan walked to the stone table in the courtyard, took out his own Purple Copper Fire-Nurturing Furnace and a portion of qi condensation pill Materials.

He took a deep breath and began to process the medicinal Materials.

His movements still carried a deliberately displayed unfamiliarity and caution, and he sought to keep the heat control steady.

The entire process was several times slower than when he refined in private.

Finally, the furnace lid was lifted, and the scent of the Medicinal Pill filled the air.

At the bottom of the furnace lay three Medicinal Pills; two were lustrous with faint cloud patterns (High Grade), and one was slightly duller (Medium Grade).

"Three pills in one batch, two High Grade, one Medium Grade!"

Butler Ye exclaimed in a low voice.

Patriarch Ye Tianying picked up a High Grade pill and carefully sensed the pure medicinal power within it, the joy in his eyes deepening, and he looked at Cultivator Ye Xueyi, "Xueyi, what do you think?"

Cultivator Ye Xueyi took the Medicinal Pill, a warm and smooth touch coming from her fingertips, and she nodded slightly, "The pill has formed cloud patterns, and the medicinal power is pure; it is undoubtedly a First-Order High Grade qi condensation pill."

"The success rate and quality are sufficient to certify a First-Order Alchemist."

"Good! Good! Good!"

Patriarch Ye Tianying clapped his hands and laughed, saying the word "good" three times, "Linchuan, you have truly given my Ye Family a huge surprise!"

"A First-Order Alchemist!"

He paced the courtyard twice in excitement, turning to Butler Ye, "Butler Ye, immediately handle a new identity plaque for Linchuan, promote him to a core Family Alchemist, and let him enjoy Elder-level resource offerings!"

"Select a top-tier Immortal Cave in Biyang Valley, and equip him with Alchemy attendants, guards..."

"Patriarch!"

Ye Linchuan suddenly spoke up, interrupting Patriarch Ye Tianying's arrangements.

Patriarch Ye Tianying stopped and looked at him in confusion.

Ye Linchuan stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said in a sincere tone, "Patriarch, your kindness is overwhelming, and Junior is deeply grateful."

"However, in Junior's humble opinion, remaining in the valley to enjoy such generous treatment at this time is not the best choice, nor is it what Junior wishes."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?"

Patriarch Ye Tianying raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Junior comes from humble beginnings, and it is only because the Family did not abandon me that I am here today."

"Now that my Alchemy has begun to take shape, I am thinking of how to repay the Family."

Ye Linchuan raised his head, his gaze clear, "Junior has heard that the Family's shop in Yunxi City has been tepid in its Medicinal Pill business due to the lack of a stable Alchemist to oversee it, and the profits are meager."

"And Yunxi City is rich in low-grade Spiritual Plants, with a gathering of Loose Cultivators and merchant caravans, so the demand for Medicinal Pills is immense."

He paused, observing Patriarch Ye Tianying's expression, and continued: "Junior is willing to volunteer to go to Yunxi City and open up a new path for the Family!"

"Junior can guarantee to provide the Family shop with a stable and sufficient amount of Medium Grade and High Grade Medicinal Pills every month."

"And by utilizing the convenience of local Spiritual Plants, I can reduce costs and open up sales channels."

"The profits obtained, excluding costs and Junior's basic needs, will all be turned over to the Family."

"In this way, not only can it solve the urgent needs of the Family shop and expand financial resources, but it also allows Junior to hone my Alchemy in actual combat, stay away from the comfort of the valley, and focus on my Cultivation."

"Yunxi City?"

Patriarch Ye Tianying frowned slightly, "It is a place where dragons and snakes are mixed, quite chaotic, and our Ye Family's influence is thin. If you go alone... I am afraid?"