In this valley battle, Ye Jingcheng and the other three managed to obtain a total of seven early-stage long-eared deer fawns. According to his fourth brother's estimation, each fawn could be sold to the family for about thirty spirit stones.
Among the eighteen carcasses of early-stage adult deer, only seven were bucks, and only three had growing antlers. The value difference between having antlers and not having them was immense.
Those with antlers could sell for fifteen spirit stones, whereas those without could only fetch about eight spirit stones.
Additionally, there were ten middle-grade deer carcasses, among which nine were bucks, and five had antlers, each fetching thirty spirit stones, while those without antlers still had a value of twenty spirit stones each.
Solely from the long-eared deer, they acquired nearly six hundred spirit stones.
The Cyan Cloud Wolves had a more general value, with thirty lower-grade wolves worth about four spirit stones each and twelve middle-grade wolves valued at ten spirit stones each.
Totaling up, they had about eight hundred and twenty spirit stones, and after the deduction of some wolf meat kept to feed spirit beasts, along with some losses, there were still a full eight hundred spirit stones.
Of course, Ye Jingyu was entitled to a larger share since he had used two tier one high-grade Fire Rain Talismans, each worth two hundred spirit stones.
Ye Jingcheng wasn't clear on how much he could get, but it certainly wouldn't be less than a hundred.
When he went to the Alchemy Pavilion to refine spirit pills, a single session lasting three days yielded a net profit of only about twenty spirit stones.
In other words, even without considering the spring water he obtained, it was enough to cover five sessions of refining Spirit Nourishing Pills.
The mountain rain continued to fall heavily, with the mist constantly rising, making the entire Lingyun Peak appear even more obscure and elusive.
Amid his excitement, Ye Jingcheng couldn't help but glance towards the mountain top.
Apart from the forthcoming spoils, Ye Jingcheng was also worried that the changes in the Jade Ring Rat and the Red Flame Fox might arouse the family's suspicion.
Cultivation has always been cruel, though he knew the Ye Family had at least some warmth.
However, he had tested it before when his spirit root was detected, and the existence of an ancient book went unnoticed by the family's elders.
Having formed a blood contract with the Red Flame Fox, as long as Ye Jingcheng did not actively break the blood contract, the demon beast could not be contracted a second time.
Furthermore, having a blood contract twice in a short period could greatly weaken a demon beast's divine soul and might even result in death.
Ye Jingcheng shook his head, no longer watching the raindrops falling from the eaves, and instead went inside, taking out the Red Flame Fox and the Jade Ring Rat.
He brought out three bowls and poured a bowl of spring water.
The Jade Ring Rat was placed in a corner, drinking the spring water alone.
The Red Flame Fox actively climbed onto Ye Jingcheng's lap, looking at him with affection, its cries crisp and pleasant.
Its reddish tongue twirled playfully, coyly begging.
Then it eagerly eyed the bowl of spring water.
"You little Xiaoyan, you really know how to enjoy yourself!"
Although Ye Jingcheng grumbled a bit, he was genuinely fond of the Red Flame Fox, so he picked up the spring water and personally fed it to the fox.
After drinking the spring water, a slight spiritual light slowly shimmered over the Red Flame Fox, making its already red fur even more lustrous.
Ye Jingcheng gently stroked the Red Flame Fox's fur while taking a sip of his spring water with the other hand.
...
A bit higher up the mountainside of Lingyun Peak, endless mists swirled, creating a picturesque view amid the rain.
A grand hall sat quietly here, the Assembly Hall of the Ye Family.
At this moment, Ye Jingyu stood in a corner of the hall, his head lowered.
In front of him were several elders of the Ye Family. If Ye Jingcheng were here, he would see the former family patriarch, Ye Haicheng, and the current patriarch, Ye Xingliu.
Additionally, there were several elders of the ninth layer of Qi cultivation in the Ye Family.
Among them were the elders of the Demon Hunting Hall, Ye Haiyi, and the Ye Family Pill Pavilion, Ye Haiyun.
Ye Xingliu wore an ordinary loose azure robe, yet it could not conceal his heroic spirit, showing clearly that Ye Jingyu's outstanding appearance was inherited from Ye Xingliu.
"What do you all think?" Ye Xingliu asked.
"I believe we overlooked something. That Red Fox indeed has exceptional talents. Since Jingcheng was able to save it, it speaks of his fortune, and we should allow Jingcheng to nurture it to its full potential, as our Ye family doesn't value spirit roots!"
"If he has sufficient beast-taming skills, the more diverse the spirit root attributes, the more worthy he is of the family's support!" Ye Haiyun was the first to speak.
Such words might shock others elsewhere, but the cultivators present in the grand hall remained exceptionally calm.
The others nodded in agreement, while Ye Xingliu looked towards Ye Haicheng above.
"Haven't you already made up your mind?" Ye Haicheng turned to ask Ye Xingliu.
"I can't hide anything from uncle!" Ye Xingliu smiled slightly, then looked at Jingyu.
"You reported this matter well. Jingcheng is a fine child, so take good care of him. The family will also increase his stipend!"
"Yes, Father!" Ye Jingyu nodded repeatedly. His report was not driven by thoughts of claiming the Red Flame Fox.
Rather, he felt such a formidable Red Flame Fox needed to be reported to the clan, and he trusted his father.
And now, this was the answer he wished to see.
The Ye Family has never oppressed or exploited its members but being cautious is indeed necessary.
After speaking, Ye Xingliu looked towards Ye Haiyun;
"I hope Uncle Four can find some time to guide Jingcheng more often. If he can break through as a tier one middle-grade alchemist, the support will be even more justified!"
"And it's said that his Spirit Nourishing Pills already produce a Spirit Fragrance, so we should arrange for his Inner Hall examination soon!"
"Yes, Patriarch!" Ye Haiyun nodded as well, regarding Ye Jingcheng highly. They all noticed Jingcheng's demeanor and character.
Besides being overly modest, he had no other faults to criticize.
Now that his talent with spirit beasts was evident, he was even more worthy of the Ye family's cultivation.
The reason the Ye family didn't prioritize spirit roots had its reasons.
...
At Ye Jingcheng's courtyard, Ye Jingcheng had rare rest after cultivating for a day.
As he exhaled a breath of turbid air, an additional wisp of Li Fire spiritual energy flowed through his meridians.
The feeling of an impending breakthrough made him very expectant.
This indicated a sign of an impending breakthrough.
Outside, the heavy rain ceased at some point, and sunlight now streamed in from the window.
Soon after, the voices of Ye Jingyu and Ye Jingyong were heard.
"Is Jingcheng here?"
"Yes, Second Brother, Fourth Brother!" Ye Jingcheng packed away the Red Flame Fox and the Jade Ring Rat before stepping out of the house.
He welcomed them both inside, hurriedly preparing tea for Ye Jingyu and Ye Jingyong.
Although the tea leaves were ordinary wild tea leaves, the water used was spring water, giving the tea a hint of spiritual energy and making it taste remarkably refreshing.
Ye Jingyu took a gentle sip, while Ye Jingyong downed a cup and seemed eager for a refill.
"Jingcheng, quickly pour Second Brother another cup. Fourth Brother said he claimed forty percent of the credit this time, you claimed thirty percent, and I claimed twenty percent!"
"Moreover, do you know how much the spirit stones sold for this time?"
"A full nine hundred spirit stones, and because the seven long-eared deer were of exceptional quality, the family gave an extra hundred spirit stones!"
"You've hit the jackpot. I must drink a few more cups of your spring water-brewed tea!"
"Moreover, because your Spirit Nourishing Pills were especially effective, the family has granted you free access to a tier one middle-grade spirit pill formula!" Ye Jingyong exclaimed excitedly in one breath!