"Lengling, don't laugh at your grandfather. That's impolite and improper," Ye Qinshui said, suppressing a smile as she scolded.
Ye Lengling playfully stuck her tongue out at Ye Qinshui. "Mother wants to laugh too."
"You child..." Ye Qinshui's expression changed slightly, her face turning stern as she prepared to lecture.
Ye Renxin shook his head with a smile. "Alright, Qinshui. The girl isn't wrong." As he spoke, he picked up a Marrow Cleansing Pill and sighed with emotion. "The Holy Son of the Spirit Hall truly lives up to being the number one genius in the Spirit Master World, and indeed the first Food System Spirit Master with Innate Full Soul Power in history! The effect of this Soul Skill makes even this old man unable to resist feeling envious. It's truly powerful!"
"Is it really that miraculous?" Ye Qinshui was slightly stunned. Just moments ago, she thought Ye Renxin's convulsive-like movements were just to amuse his granddaughter. She hadn't expected that Ye Renxin genuinely couldn't control his reaction.
"Grandpa, grandpa, can Lengling try one?" Ye Lengling asked eagerly.
"Haha—of course you can. These Pills are beneficial and harmless to anyone. Qinshui, you can try one too," Ye Renxin said, turning his gaze to Ye Qinshui.
"Mmm," Ye Qinshui nodded with a mix of belief and doubt.
"Mother, here. Let's try them together quickly," Ye Lengling quickly grabbed two pills and handed one to Ye Qinshui. Her sky-blue eyes blinked, making her look like a porcelain doll, exceptionally adorable.
"Alright," Ye Qinshui nodded with a smile, extending her delicate hand to take the Marrow Cleansing Pill.
Mother and daughter exchanged a glance, then simultaneously brought the Marrow Cleansing Pills to their lips, dropping them into their mouths and letting them slide down their throats with their saliva.
Almost simultaneously, in an instant, both women's eyes widened slightly. A tingling sensation like electric currents instantly spread through every cell in their bodies, making them feel invigorated.
"Hmm!" Ye Qinshui only let out a muffled groan, her face showing a hint of discomfort from losing her composure.
Ye Lengling cried out directly. "Ah!" As her mouth opened wide, she hurriedly covered it with both hands.
"Haha!" Now it was Ye Renxin's turn to tease Ye Qinshui and her daughter. "How about it? The pill is powerful, right?"
"Hmph! Grandpa, you're too mean!" Ye Lingleng blushed, glaring at Ye Renxin in reproach.
"The pill is indeed quite miraculous," Ye Qinshui pursed her red lips and nodded reservedly. In her heart, she couldn't help but marvel at Ye Tian's Soul Skill.
"Haha!" Ye Renxin continued to laugh heartily.
Just then, a dark green figure suddenly descended from the sky.
"It seems this old man has come at an inopportune time," a familiar voice rang out.
The smile on Ye Renxin's face quickly faded. Ye Qinshui and Ye Lengling also looked up toward the outside of the pavilion.
"Grandpa Dugu?" Ye Lengling's face showed curiosity. "Why has Grandpa Dugu returned? Did he forget something?"
"Not at all, not at all!" Dugu Bo shook his head with a smile, looking at Ye Renxin and teasing, "Although this old man cannot bear to ruin your enjoyment, since I'm already here..."
"Haha, Patriarch Dugu, please speak freely. Ye will certainly accompany you."
Ye Renxin stood up with a smile.
Ye Tian had sent Dugu Bo to deliver the Marrow Cleansing Pill, which completely dispelled his lingering worries... The damage caused by the Eternal Night Frostbloom to his body was gradually recovering.
"Earlier, I delivered a letter to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect on behalf of the Holy Son, and incidentally asked Sect Leader Ning to help facilitate an opportunity for us to contact Defense Clan Leader Niu Gao, to make things more convenient. Sect Leader Ning suggested that I go to the Longevity Pavilion to finalize the handover with Niu Gao and his group. I thought that since we intend to win over the Defense Clan, bringing along the Ye Family Head, who has an excellent reputation in the Spirit Master World, might make it easier to gain Niu Gao's trust."
"Haha~ Clan Leader Dugu, you flatter me."
Ye Renxin shook his head and praised in return: "If I may say so, your temperament is well-known throughout the Spirit Master World. Any force that earns your loyalty could hardly be ordinary."
Listening to the two elders exchanging compliments, Ye Qinshui couldn't help but chuckle.
"Father, Senior Dugu, if what you say is true, with both of you taking action, won't winning over the Defense Clan be as easy as reaching out and taking it?"
"Haha~ This girl Qinshui speaks wisely."
Dugu Bo laughed heartily in agreement.
"Clan Leader Ye, I think it's best if you set aside family matters for now and accompany me on this trip."
"That seems appropriate."
Ye Renxin nodded lightly with a smile.
Turning to Ye Qinshui and Ye Lengleng, Ye Qinshui said cheerfully, "Father, don't worry, just go ahead. There's plenty of time."
"Yes, yes! And no drinking!"
Ye Lengleng nodded repeatedly, adding a firm reminder.
"Alright, alright, I definitely won't drink."
Ye Renxin laughed heartily, slowly walking over to Dugu Bo and waving his sleeve.
"Clan Leader Dugu, after you!"
"Very well!"
Dugu Bo nodded emphatically.
On the bustling streets of Heaven Dou City, in front of the already noble and imposing Moon Pavilion, an even taller and more magnificent structure had risen from the ground. Covering over a thousand square meters, though only three stories high, it stood dozens of meters tall... Peering from the outside street into the grand and majestic entrance hall.
Only the surface layout of the first floor was visible.
It clearly resembled a commercial guild, with numerous transparent glass-covered counters arranged inside.
Even with such a simple setup.
The ceiling height reached a full five meters, adorned with luxurious chandeliers hanging from above, studded with gleaming gemstones that radiated light.
The outer walls of the first and second floors were made of solid granite.
While the third floor's outer walls were crafted from precious glass that shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.
From the outside looking in, only the reflections of the surrounding scenery on the glass could be seen. But if one could enter the interior, they would discover that the periphery of the third floor was actually a corridor-like balcony, enclosed by glass. From the outside, the interior remained hidden, but from within, the outside scenery was fully visible.
Though surrounded by glass, there were still gaps—only visible when looking down from above.
Aside from Ning Fengzhi, Ye Tian, and the Defense Clan responsible for the construction.
No one knew the more intricate internal structure.
The reason for such great height was entirely because Ye Tian had incorporated a remarkably large-scale auction house within this Longevity Pavilion!
According to Ye Tian's vision.
The first floor served as the public-facing facade.
The items for sale here are only unranked pills suitable for ordinary civilians, as well as Yellow Rank Pills applicable to Soul Scholars, Soul Masters, and Great Soul Masters.
Further inside, on the first floor, there is a mezzanine. Looking down from this mezzanine, one can just see the counter area on the first floor where Yellow Rank Pills are sold. On this mezzanine, what is sold are Mysterious Rank Pills suitable for Soul Venerables and Soul Grandmasters.
As for Earth Rank Pills suitable for Soul Kings, Soul Emperors, and even Soul Sages, as well as other special pills...
Ye Tian currently has no plans to sell them publicly.
Instead, they are exchanged through barter in the VIP rooms, or auctioned off to the highest bidder!
As for the other vacant rooms, Ye Tian has no particular plans for them at the moment.
However, on the top floor of the Longevity Pavilion, he has reserved his exclusive living area.
Along with a sufficiently large Simulated Cultivation Area.
Five massive Pill Furnaces, arranged in a Five Elements Orientation, are placed in the center of the Eternal Heaven on the top floor!
But all of this will have to wait a while longer...
Before Ye Tian can enjoy it.
At this moment, standing at the entrance of the newly completed Longevity Pavilion opposite the Moon Pavilion is a middle-aged man with a face as ruddy as a jujube.
His hair, short and stiff as steel needles, is already turning gray at the tips. His complexion is exceptionally rosy, and his large, bell-like eyes are bright and piercing. Tall, burly, and broad-shouldered, even the robe he wears cannot conceal his powerfully built physique. The entire man looks like a broad, solid fortress.
Beside this middle-aged man are two others who also resemble fortresses, though their builds are considerably smaller than the man in front.
One of them has a youthful face.
Yet his physique is far more robust than that of an average adult.
"Clan Leader, is the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect really this generous? After making such a large deal with us, they're even willing to support us for another month... Are you really not considering joining the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect?"
The clan leader referred to by this youth.
Is, of course, the owner of the solid and imposing figure standing before him—the middle-aged man with graying hair.
He is Niu Gao, the current leader of the Defense Clan.
Niu Gao glanced back at the younger generation and, without a second thought, replied in a firm tone, "Niu Jiao, don't say such things again. The Clear Sky School's betrayal of us is still fresh in our minds... For now, our top priority is to regroup. Even if we develop independently, we can still establish ourselves firmly in the Spirit Master World!"
The youth named Niu Jiao nodded slightly and said no more.
Mention of the Clear Sky School sparked a flash of hatred in his eyes.
His parents lost their lives covering the retreat of their Defense Clan members when the Clear Sky School abandoned them.
It could be said that the Clear Sky School is half responsible for the death of his parents!
"For now, let's just wait patiently for the person coming to inspect this building."
Niu Gao continued to gaze ahead.
Because of the Clear Sky School, he dared not consider aligning with any other major power for the time being. Yet, the kindness of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect could not go unrepaid. Otherwise, how could his Defense Clan stand firm in the vast Spirit Master World?
Logically speaking, with the project nearing completion.
Their cooperation with the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect should also come to an end.
For some reason, Ning Fengzhi insisted they stay in Heaven Dou City for another month.
Food and lodging were provided, and they were even paid wages.
All this just to promptly address any potential oversights during the construction process.
Only a fool would believe such an excuse!
Yet given the current situation of the Defense Clan, Niu Gao had no choice but to accept.
This one month would undoubtedly allow the many members of the Defense Clan to accumulate considerable wealth, lifting them out of their previous state of rebuilding from scratch.
Niu Gao sighed helplessly and said calmly, "We of the Defense Clan can only keep this month of hospitality in our hearts and repay it when the opportunity arises."
"Understood, Clan Leader."
Niu Jiao and the other Defense Clan member nodded.
In truth, Niu Gao had misunderstood.
Ning Fengzhi wanted them to stay in Heaven Dou City for a month not to win them over, but to give Dugu Bo and the others enough time to persuade the Defense Clan. It was, in a way, indirectly handing the Defense Clan over to Ye Tian.
Before long.
Under Niu Gao's somewhat puzzled gaze.
A middle-aged man with jet-black hair, eyebrows, and pupils, accompanied by another middle-aged man wearing an apricot-yellow physician's robe, slowly approached them.
Such distinctive features with jet-black attire...
As the leader of the Defense Clan, how could Niu Gao not recognize them?
Judging by their demeanor.
They clearly had something to discuss with him.
It definitely wasn't a casual visit, as he had been in Heaven Dou City for over two months now.
If it were just a friendly call, they would have come much earlier.
Besides, they weren't particularly close to begin with.
The visitors arrived faster than he had anticipated.
In just a moment, they stood before him, and he heard their greetings.
"Niu Gao, long time no see!"
Niu Gao raised his thick eyebrows and, skipping the pleasantries, looked at the two men before him and asked directly, "Dugu Bo, and Pavilion Master Ye, what brings you here?"
"Haha~ Pavilion Master Ye, it seems your reputation in the Spirit Master World is truly well-regarded."
Hearing the difference in how Niu Gao addressed them, Dugu Bo couldn't help but tease Ye Renxin beside him.
Ye Renxin remained silent, only shaking his head with a wry smile.
"Dugu Bo, what do you mean by that? If you have something to say, just say it... I don't have time to chat with you today!"
Niu Gao frowned, reminding them.
Although the Defense Clan had left the Clear Sky School and was suppressed by the Spirit Hall, they were not to be bullied by others.
Ye Renxin stepped forward and explained with a smile, "Clan Leader Niu, please don't misunderstand. We're not here to cause trouble. We're here to take over the completed building... Please, Clan Leader Niu, do us the favor of showing us around. If everything is in order, we can proceed with the inspection."
"You? Here for the inspection?!"
Niu Gao's eyes widened, and his thick, dark eyebrows furrowed tightly. If it weren't for the fact that Ye Renxin had spoken, he might have lost his temper on the spot.
"Pavilion Master Ye, are you mistaken? This project is a collaboration between us and the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. What does it have to do with the two of you?"
"Haha~ Niu Gao, this project in Sect Leader Ning's hands was commissioned by the master of our Longevity Pavilion. Do you think Pavilion Master Ye and I would joke about something like this?"
Dugu Bo couldn't help but chuckle.
He pulled a token of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect from his sleeve and placed it before Niu Gao.
"!!!"
Seeing the token in Dugu Bo's hand, Niu Gao instantly understood.
Ye Renxin had spoken the truth.
Yet a great question now hung in Niu Gao's mind.
"Longevity Pavilion? What is that?"
"Clan Leader Niu, the place we are standing under right now is the roof of Longevity Pavilion."
Ye Renxin explained with a smile.
"Niu Gao, if you want to know what kind of power Longevity Pavilion is, let's talk as we walk..."
Dugu Bo and Ye Renxin did not offer further explanations. Instead, they directly passed by Niu Gao and the other two, heading into the still unmarked Longevity Pavilion.