Chapter 270: You Zi Xiao Hu
“So, this is the Ye Family Market? Uncle Yanshui, this place is much bigger than the markets our
family operates!”
Sitting on Yun Yanshui’s shoulders, Yun Wenzhan blinked his bright black eyes, excitedly
scanning the vast Ye Family Market.
As he observed, the Canglan Ye family, once the leader of the top three families, still possessed
a deep foundation that far surpassed other clans.
The market they operated was several times larger than the Yun family’s and bustled with
countless spiritual root cultivators and wandering cultivators from various families.
“It’s no surprise that their market is so large, given the Ye family’s former status as the leader of
the top three families.
Moreover, in recent years, they’ve absorbed parts of the Tongshan Xia and Yulin Wang clans’
assets.
With such a solid foundation, it’s only natural that their market would be so prosperous,” Yun
Yanshui said, carrying Yun Wenzhan as they navigated the crowded streets of the market, his
gaze constantly scanning their surroundings.
Street vendors lined the road, selling various items such as spiritual pills, herbs, cultivation
techniques, and Taoist arts.
Many of the spiritual pills and herbs being sold were rare, items that even the Yun family’s
markets didn’t carry.
“Brother, where is the Linglong Grass being sold?”
Walking beside her brother through the bustling market, Yun Yanshuang curiously looked
around before asking her question.
“The Ye family is holding an auction in this market. According to the information, the Linglong
Grass will be one of the items up for auction.”
“Do we have enough spirit stones to win the Linglong Grass?”
Yun Yanshuang asked with concern.
Although she had never attended an auction, she had heard of them. The participants were
often wealthy and powerful individuals, many with substantial resources.
Linglong Grass, a Grade-1 Profound spiritual herb, was highly sought after. It was likely that
many spiritual root cultivators and wandering cultivators would compete for it.
When the auction began, the price for the herb would likely soar to an astronomical level.
“I don’t know. We’ll just have to try our luck.
If we can’t get it, we’ll think of another way.
For now, no one in the family is on the verge of breaking through to the Foundation
Establishment stage, so we have time to prepare,” Yun Yanshui replied.
Hearing this, Yun Yanshuang nodded in agreement.
“Uncle Yanshui, I want a candied fruit skewer!”
At that moment, Yun Wenzhan’s eyes lit up as he spotted a vendor selling candied fruit skewers.
“Little rascal, I brought you along, and now you want this and that. Do you think your uncle has
an endless supply of spirit stones? If I run out, who will I ask?”
Although he complained, Yun Yanshui’s tone was indulgent. He followed the child’s pointing
finger and made his way toward the vendor selling candied fruit.
“Welcome, are you here to buy candied fruit?”
Seeing the trio approach, the vendor greeted them with a friendly smile.
Yun Yanshui noticed that the vendor was a wandering cultivator with a cultivation level of the
third stage of the Embryo Breath realm.
The candied fruit skewers were not made from ordinary hawthorn and sugar but crafted from
spiritual fruits glazed with honey produced by spirit bees.
While they weren’t particularly beneficial for cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, they could
strengthen the body and enhance vitality for those in the Embryo Breath realm.
“How much for one?”
“Not much, just five low-grade spirit stones each.”
“I’ll take one.”
Yun Yanshui handed over five low-grade spirit stones and let Yun Wenzhan pick out his favorite
skewer.
“By the way, could you tell me how to get to the Ye family’s auction venue?”
After buying the candied fruit, Yun Yanshui turned to the vendor.
“Just follow this street straight ahead, then take a left turn. You’ll find it there.”
“Thank you!”
“It’s no trouble at all, sir!”
The vendor smiled warmly and watched as the trio disappeared into the bustling crowd.
“Canglan Tower!”
Following the directions given by the vendor, Yun Yanshui, Yun Yanshuang, and Yun Wenzhan
arrived at the towering and luxurious building.
A large plaque hung above its entrance, and they saw many spiritual root cultivators and
wandering cultivators presenting invitation letters to the Ye family guards before entering the
building.
Just as the three were about to approach, a young man dressed in a dark crimson robe stepped
forward with a warm smile.
Bowing politely, he addressed Yun Yanshuang, “Are you Lady Yanshuang of Yun Cang Yun?”
“And you are?”
Yun Yanshuang returned the bow, her curiosity piqued as she observed the young man before
her.
“I am Ye Xiaohu, a disciple of the Ye family.”
“A pleasure to meet you!”
“Are the three of you here to attend the auction?”
“Indeed.”
“It is an honor for my Ye family to host esteemed guests such as Miss Yanshuang and your
companions. Please, allow me to guide you inside,” Ye Xiaohu said with a smile, gesturing
courteously for them to follow.
He personally escorted Yun Yanshui and his group through a private entrance into the Canglan
Tower.
Given Yun Cang Yun’s rise in prominence in recent years and Yun Yanshuang’s reputation as a
prodigy of the clan, Ye Xiaohu dared not show the slightest disrespect.
“Brother, what brings you here?”
Ye Wusheng entered the second-floor balcony and spotted his elder brother, Ye Wuwei, sitting
by the window. He was sipping tea and nibbling on spiritual fruits with a calm demeanor. Ye
Wusheng quickly approached with a smile.
“With the family auction about to begin, I wanted to see how things are going,” Ye Wuwei
replied.
“With me here, was there really any need for you to come in person?”
Ye Wusheng chuckled as he sat across from his brother.
“I didn’t come just for the auction; there’s another matter,” Ye Wuwei said, setting his teacup
down and looking at his brother with a composed expression.
“What is it?”
“Yun Cang Yun’s cultivators, Yun Yanshuang and Yun Wenzhan, have arrived at our family’s
market.
According to the information gathered, Yun Yanshuang is here to participate in our family’s
auction and intends to acquire the Linglong Grass.”
“Rest assured, Brother. I won’t let the Yun family’s cultivators get the Linglong Grass so easily!”
“That’s not what I want. If they have the resources to buy it, why not sell it to them?”
“Then what do you mean, Brother?” Ye Wusheng asked, his expression puzzled.
“Gather some skilled operatives. Once the auction ends and Yun Yanshuang’s group leaves our
market, ensure they are eliminated quietly,” Ye Wuwei instructed with a serious tone.
“And remember—keep it clean. Don’t leave any traces.”
“Don’t worry, Brother. I know what to do.
Coincidentally, I’ve been raising a group of loyal dead soldiers in secret. No one but me knows
their origins.
After the job is done, they’ll carry it out without exposing our family.”
“Good. But be cautious. That Yun Yanshuang isn’t easy to deal with. She’s at the peak of the
third stage of Qi Refining and on the verge of breaking into the fourth stage.
Moreover, she has mastered sword intent, making her combat strength comparable to someone
at the peak of the fourth stage.”
“Make sure you send only the best of your operatives.”
“Understood.”
“And as for Yun Wenzhan, he’s the emperor’s cherished grandson. What do you plan to do with
him?”
“Capture him alive,” Ye Wuwei said after a moment of contemplation.
“The emperor treasures him deeply. If we capture him and hold him as leverage, our family
could turn the tables on the court’s suppression.
This could buy us enough breathing room until one of our ancestors breaks through to the
Foundation Establishment stage.
At that point, our family could reclaim the glory we had during the old ancestor’s time.”
“Understood. I’ll ensure everything is arranged properly.”
“This mission is entirely in your hands. If it succeeds, the family will gain the bargaining chip it
needs.
If it fails, you know what awaits you. The family won’t shield you,” Ye Wuwei said coldly, giving
his brother a sharp look.
Ye Wusheng fell silent, fully aware of the stakes. If the mission failed and the emperor’s forces
uncovered their involvement, the family would face even greater danger.
At that point, he would have to step forward and take full responsibility, even if it meant
sacrificing his life.
“All for the family. I understand,” Ye Wusheng replied with resolve after a long pause, meeting
his brother’s gaze.
“Good. There are still many matters to handle back at the family. I’ll take my leave now,” Ye
Wuwei said, standing up and patting his brother on the shoulder before leaving with a group of
Ye family guards.
“Uncle Wusheng, the auction is about to begin. Spiritual root cultivators and wandering
cultivators from various families have already entered,” Ye Xiaohu said respectfully as he
approached Ye Wusheng after Ye Wuwei’s departure.
“Have you seen the Yun Cang Yun cultivators?”
“Yes, I personally escorted them to a private VIP box.”
“Do you want to meet them?”
“No need. You handle entertaining them. I have other arrangements to prepare,” Ye Wusheng
replied, his tone calm but laced with calculation.