Chapter 225: The Ye Family's Contingency Plan

An underground secret chamber in the Imperial Palace of the Ye Family.

"Is what that True Master Taibai from Tiannan said true or false? Have you investigated it clearly?"

Inside the secret chamber, besides the middle-aged Confucian scholar who is the current Great Elder of the Ye Family, there was also a Da Tou Guairen.

This person had scorched yellow eyebrows and tiny eyes, but his head was incomparably large, nearly half again the size of a normal person's, wobbling on his neck as if it might snap off at any moment; it was truly extremely bizarre.

He was precisely the second Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage of the Da Jin Imperial Ye Family. It was precisely because they possessed two Great Cultivators of Nascent Soul Late Stage that the Da Jin Imperial Ye Family dared to set their sights on the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure in Kunwu Mountain.

At this moment, because Yan Taibai had told the middle-aged Confucian scholar—the current Great Elder of the Ye Family—about the various sects in the Southern Border, the Righteous Path Taiyi Sect, the Demonic Path Heavenly Demon Sect, and the matters regarding Kunwu Mountain, he was forced to come and see this Da Tou Guairen ahead of schedule.

"This matter is of great importance. Although I have already sent people to investigate, the time has been too short, and there is no news yet."

The Ye Family Great Elder, the middle-aged Confucian scholar, replied.

"However, I feel that True Master Taibai from the Tiannan Cultivation World should not be lying to us. After all, with his strength to annihilate the Yinluo Sect Master, plus his knowledge of our Ye Family's plotting regarding Kunwu Mountain, he could completely hold the life and death of our Ye Family in his hands. Yet he did not do so, and instead chose to cooperate with our Ye Family and told us such important news. Clearly, he is also sincerely wanting to cooperate with our Ye Family to plot for the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure inside Kunwu Mountain."

The Ye Family Great Elder, the middle-aged Confucian scholar, said in a deep voice.

"Of course, he also stated clearly that another one of his goals is to annihilate the soul fragment of the Ancient Demon Realm Saint Ancestor sealed inside Kunwu Mountain. This matter should also be correct. I have consulted ancient texts these past few days and indeed found relevant records."

"However, it is also possible that he wants to release that soul fragment of the Ancient Demon Realm Saint Ancestor, but regardless of which one it is, our Ye Family no longer has a way back."

"You are right. As things stand, our Ye Family only has a glimmer of survival if we obtain the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure inside Kunwu Mountain. As for that True Master Taibai from the Tiannan Cultivation World, whatever his goal may be, it has nothing to do with our Ye Family. If he blocks us from obtaining the Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure, no matter what price must be paid, he must be annihilated."

The Da Tou Guairen nodded in agreement, his tone turning cold.

"Wanting to annihilate this person is likely somewhat difficult. After all, this person is extremely likely to be the one who wiped out the Yinluo Sect, or someone related to him. Therefore, wanting to behead this person is not something the Ye Family can achieve. But since Kunwu Mountain was once the number one cultivation holy land of the Human World and now seals the soul fragment of the Ancient Demon Realm Saint Ancestor, perhaps there are some means within it that can help us annihilate this True Master Taibai."

The Ye Family Great Elder, the middle-aged Confucian scholar, thought for a moment and said.

"Not bad, it can only be so."

After hearing the words of the Ye Family Great Elder, the middle-aged Confucian scholar, the Da Tou Guairen also expressed his agreement.

After all, even he could not annihilate the Yinluo Sect Master, and whether he was even a match for him was debatable, let alone wiping out the entire Yinluo Sect.

Therefore, what their Ye Family could choose was to find a way to use the potential absolute-kill array within Kunwu Mountain to annihilate Yan Taibai, this great threat.

But regarding this matter, they could only think about it for now; if it did not exist, then they had no other methods.

……

As for the two Great Cultivators of Nascent Soul Late Stage of the Imperial Ye Family plotting to kill him in Kunwu Mountain, Yan Taibai, who was currently at the auction, was naturally unaware.

At present, he was searching for the materials he needed. Although he had handed a portion over to the Ye Family, to be safe, Yan Taibai still needed to prepare a portion of materials himself.

After all, a Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage Puppet might be the only one in the entire Human World, so he naturally could not be careless.

Even though he had sufficient confidence in his own artifact refining techniques and puppet arts.

He still had to be extra careful.

And besides the materials Yan Taibai needed, the Tianlan Saintess Lin Yinping and Le Shennü had also successively made bids to compete for the materials they needed.

Although Yan Taibai did not know what they were doing, it was definitely related to the upcoming trip to Kunwu Mountain.

This was an intuition, but Yan Taibai believed his path would not be wrong.

"One piece of Moji, weighing three jin and four liang, a rare material for artifact refining, starting price thirty thousand Spirit Stones, each increment no less than two thousand."

Hearing the two words "Moji," Yan Taibai's eyes lit up. His gaze fell upon the middle-aged cultivator presiding over the auction, who was holding up a jade tray on which sat a piece of strange metal, black as ink but faintly flashing with golden light.

It was precisely the Moji he needed.

Of course, it was not just him who needed it; the Imperial Ye Family also needed it, but since Yan Taibai had encountered it, he naturally could not let it go to the Imperial Ye Family.

Although there might be more later, and he could even ask the Imperial Ye Family for it, it was ultimately not as good as obtaining it now.

Therefore, Yan Taibai immediately bid to compete, and equally nervous was Xin Ruyin by his side.

After all, this Moji was precisely an important material needed for the Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage Puppet of Dayan Shenjun.

However, the competing Nascent Soul cultivators were not just Yan Taibai and the cultivator brought by the Ye Family.

One must know that a material like Moji, looking at the entire cultivation world, was, if not less, then certainly no more common than the Thunder Spirit Crystal Yan Taibai had previously obtained from the hands of the old man surnamed Fu of the Tianji Pavilion and Jiuyou Sect; it was rare to the extreme.

It was not quite "once in a hundred years," but it was close.

It was only in such a large auction that it might appear; if it were an ordinary auction, it would be impossible.

If a Nascent Soul cultivator obtained it, they would basically refine it into a Dharma Treasure at the first opportunity, or sacrifice it into their own Life-Bound Magical Treasure, just like Geng Gold.

So in just a short while, the price of the Moji climbed step by step, reaching as much as fifty thousand Spirit Stones.

And this had already eliminated most of the competing Nascent Soul cultivators; those remaining were the ones who would not let go.

"One hundred thousand Spirit Stones."

Without any intention of wasting words with others, Yan Taibai directly raised the price to one hundred thousand Spirit Stones in one go.

This price directly scared off the remaining competing Nascent Soul cultivators.

"One hundred and ten thousand Spirit Stones."

Only one Nascent Soul cultivator remained; this was a cultivator located toward the back of the great hall, whose entire body was shrouded in pale black mist.

Although it was impossible to see even half of their true appearance, judging from the vaguely visible clothing, it should be an old man.

And Yan Taibai knew very clearly that this person was the one brought by the Imperial Ye Family.

"Forget it, I'll just ask the Ye Family for it directly."

Facing the price of one hundred and ten thousand Spirit Stones, Yan Taibai chose to ask the Ye Family for it directly. He would no longer compete, which could also save a sum of Spirit Stones.

Although he was not lacking in Spirit Stones, who would complain about having too many?

Yan Taibai naturally would not complain, and just like that, this piece of Moji was purchased by the person brought by the Ye Family for the price of one hundred and ten thousand Spirit Stones.

"Brother Yan!"

Seeing the Moji being purchased by someone else, Xin Ruyin's expression was quite ugly, and she could not help but look at Yan Taibai, her eyes full of confusion.

"Don't worry, Ruyin. When the auction ends today, I will get this piece of Moji for you."

Yan Taibai smiled slightly to comfort her.

"Does Brother Yan want to kill to seize the treasure?"

Upon hearing Yan Taibai's words, this thought immediately appeared in Xin Ruyin's mind, and she blurted it out.

"Rest assured! I will not kill to seize treasures. I only need to know who exactly wants this piece of Moji, and I will just ask them for it. It even saves a sum of Spirit Stones."

Yan Taibai said with a chuckle.

"The Imperial Ye Family." Upon hearing Yan Taibai's words, Xin Ruyin thought of the Imperial Ye Family immediately.

After all, in the entire Jin Capital, only the Imperial Ye Family had dealings with Yan Taibai.

"Ruyin is indeed clever; it is exactly the Ye Family."

Yan Taibai smiled slightly and nodded in praise.

Subsequently, this topic of "Moji" came to an end.

Yan Taibai had no interest in the materials that came after the Moji.

Until the auction ended that day, he did not continue to place any bids.

And as soon as it ended, Yan Taibai kept his eyes on the old man who had just obtained the Moji and followed him to an inconspicuous private residence in the Jin Capital.

After the old man handed the "Moji" to the Wuguan Elder of the Ye Family and left the residence, Yan Taibai revealed himself and blocked the path of the Ye Family's Wuguan Elder.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, I also need this Moji, so I must trouble you." This simple sentence made the Ye Family's Wuguan Elder's face turn pale and livid, yet he had no choice but to force a smile.

"Since True Master Taibai also needs it, then this Moji shall be gifted to True Master Taibai."

Saying this, the Ye Family's Wuguan Elder painfully handed the Moji he had just obtained to Yan Taibai.

"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Ye. Rest assured, the things I promised your Ye Family will certainly be done. Farewell."

With the Moji in hand, the smile on Yan Taibai's face deepened, and after saying his thanks, he left the residence.

As for what the Ye Family's Wuguan Elder was thinking afterward, it had nothing to do with him.

After all, it truly had nothing to do with him anymore.

When the Ye Family's Wuguan Elder returned to the Imperial Palace and told the middle-aged scholar, the Great Elder of the Ye Family, about this matter, although the other party's expression was also quite ugly, he still spoke up.

"It is fine. There is someone exchanging this item at the underground auction in a few days. I have already inquired clearly about the exchange materials, so you may rest assured."

"Understood, but what if he comes to compete for it again?"

The Ye Family's Wuguan Elder asked, still worried.

"Rest assured, he will not."

The middle-aged scholar, the Great Elder of the Ye Family, seemed quite confident about this.

"Understood! I know, I will go arrange for people to prepare now."

Hearing this, the Ye Family's Wuguan Elder nodded.

"Remember to clean up thoroughly afterward, so as not to be noticed by others. Although there is no second True Master Taibai in this Jin Capital, other cultivators are not to be underestimated."

The middle-aged scholar, the Great Elder of the Ye Family, reminded him again.

"Great Elder, rest assured, I know."

Hearing this, the Ye Family's Wuguan Elder nodded.

Immediately, he left to arrange the personnel; such matters absolutely could not be handled by their Ye Family directly, and they needed to arrange for other people.

As long as they cleaned up thoroughly afterward, their Ye Family had done this countless times, and there would be absolutely no problems.

After all, it was far too normal for a portion of cultivators to go missing at such a large auction.

In the following few days, Yan Taibai and the others attended the grand auction at the Nine Heavens Hall.

However, the harvest was not much.

On the day after it ended, the Tianlan Saintess Lin Yinping brought Yan Taibai and Le Shennü to an underground hall, which had as many as four or five hundred seats, all distributed evenly around a circular open space in the center.

When entering this hall, everyone would be given a special Talisman by a masked cultivator at the entrance to stick on their body, and then they would pass through a simple Transmission Array; as soon as they were transported to this place, their figures would immediately be shrouded in a green glow, making them appear indistinct.

Yan Taibai had long anticipated all of this, so he was not overly surprised, but Le Shennü was quite astonished.

As for why Xin Ruyin did not come, it was naturally due to her cultivation realm; the lowest level of cultivator coming here needed to be at the Nascent Soul Early Stage, and as for Great Cultivators of Nascent Soul Late Stage, in Yan Taibai's sensing, there were no fewer than ten, which was the foundation of the Dajin Cultivation World.

It was far from comparable to the Tiannan Cultivation World. And this was just the beginning; as time passed, more and more cultivators entered.

By the time Yan Taibai opened his eyes, there were as many as three or four hundred cultivators in the hall, and the number of Great Cultivators of Nascent Soul Late Stage had increased by five or six more.

At the same time, a white jade table several feet wide appeared in the circular open space in the center.

After another long while, a flash of spiritual light appeared near the white jade table, and a figure shrouded in white light suddenly appeared behind the table.

"The time is almost up, and the fellow daoists who should have arrived have arrived. The exchange meeting now begins."

The figure in the white light looked around before speaking.

Then, he waved his sleeve, and immediately, three or four Storage Bags appeared on the table; clearly, these were the items for this auction.

The appearance of the Storage Bags also made the atmosphere much more heated.

At this time, the cultivator in the white light spoke.

"This exchange meeting is the same as in the past. At the beginning, we are responsible for providing materials and treasures for exchange and auction, and afterward, it will be for you fellow daoists to exchange items by barter. Besides this, there is also a major client this time who has brought a heavy treasure. As for whether you fellow daoists can obtain it, it will all depend on luck and fortune."

"A heavy treasure? What exactly is it to be exchanged for? Materials, pills, or Dharma Treasures? Can you tell us first, Fellow Daoist? Otherwise, if the items needed for this treasure are exchanged away beforehand, wouldn't one regret it?"

As soon as the voice fell, someone asked impatiently.

As for Yan Taibai, he naturally knew what the "heavy treasure" was, and he had come for this very treasure; as for materials and Spirit Stones, he had none at all, yet he was the only one who dared to do so.

This was also his agreement with the Ye Family, and at the same time, this heavy treasure was the deposit the Ye Family gave him.

Otherwise, he would not have easily taken action.

"Brother Yan, this heavy treasure is also the purpose of your trip, right?"

The Tianlan Saintess Lin Yinping sent a voice transmission.

"Correct, this is my agreement with the Ye Family. And this heavy treasure is the reward promised by the Ye Family."

Yan Taibai did not hide anything and told the Tianlan Saintess Lin Yinping directly.

After all, there was nothing to hide about this.

"Then what exactly is this heavy treasure?"

Tianlan Saintess Lin Yinping asked again, full of curiosity.

Clearly, she wanted to know the answer a step ahead of others.

"A replica of a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure; the Ye Family is using this very thing to attract the attention of both the righteous and demonic paths of Da Jin."

Yan Taibai explained.

(End of chapter)