, Heirs of Sacred Families Gather, Fairy Yao Xi

Chapter 80, Heirs of Sacred Families Gather, Fairy Yao Xi

Morning comes earlier in the holy city than elsewhere.

Before the sunlight had fully penetrated the city walls, figures were already appearing on the bluestone street in front of the Yaochi Stone Archway.

The news that the stone workshop had closed its doors to visitors a few days ago, and was dedicated to selecting stones and materials for the Holy Son alone, had already spread throughout the entire Holy City.

The second floor of the teahouse across the street, by the window, had long been booked by spies from various families.

Downstairs, a large number of independent cultivators had gathered, craning their necks to peer into the stone archway.

With the stone archway reopening today, the cultivators who had been waiting for several days could no longer contain their excitement.

"Elder Liu, what day is it today?"

"Is this a sign that they're reopening?"

A casual cultivator who frequented the stone archway came up to ask.

"Yaochi Stone Archway has been closed for several days and is now officially reopening."

Elder Liu replied with a smile.

The rogue cultivator's eyes darted around, and he lowered his voice: "I've heard that the Holy Son of Yaochi cut out several astonishing treasures in the Holy City a couple of days ago, including dragon-patterned black gold and the seed of the immortal elixir—"

Is this true?

Elder Liu's smile remained unchanged as he said, "In the world of jade gambling, gains and losses are common occurrences."

She brushed it off lightly, then turned and beckoned several female disciples to move the newly arrived stones into the warehouse.

But in his heart he was thinking: those who came today are probably more than just rogue cultivators.

"Elder Liu, I heard that your workshop has produced dragon-patterned black gold. Have you found anything new today?"

"May we see the sword blank that the nine-aperture stone man cut the other day?"

Elder Liu————

Elder Liu returned the greetings with clasped hands, but did not rush to reply.

She stepped aside to make way for them and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoists, please come in. Fine tea has been prepared. As for the materials, let's talk inside."

His tone was warm, yet he maintained a very steady and measured approach.

This woman, who had spent most of her life in the Stone Archway of the Holy City, knew better than anyone that probably very few of the people who came today were truly there for the stones.

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), footsteps were heard outside the door.

The person arrived at a leisurely pace, with steady steps.

Elder Liu looked up and his pupils contracted slightly.

The Jiang family, Jiang Yifei.

Today he was wearing a moon-white brocade robe, with a silver-threaded cloud-patterned belt around his waist, and a gentle smile on his face.

"Elder Liu, it's been a long time."

Jiang Yifei cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Young Master Jiang, your presence is an honor; I have failed to greet you properly."

Elder Liu greeted him with a smile, but his mind was racing.

The Jiang family and the Holy Son of Yaochi have a history of conflict, a fact known to many in the Eastern Wilderness.

Although Jiang Yifei had already signaled reconciliation at the ceremony for establishing the Holy Son, the relationship between the two families was still somewhat delicate.

"I wonder if Young Master Jiang has come to the stone workshop today to look at the stones?"

Elder Liu asked tentatively.

"I've come today for two reasons: first, to find some good stones; second—"

Jiang Yifei paused, his smile undiminished: "I'd like to catch up with the Holy Son of Yaochi."

Elder Liu understood and stepped aside to gesture for him to enter.

The rogue cultivators quickly made way for them, and some whispered among themselves, "The direct descendants of the Jiang family—are they here to cause trouble for the Holy Son of Yaochi?"

""

"Are you stupid? They're here to make friends."

"You're the idiot! Have you forgotten what happened between the Jiang family and the Holy Son of Yaochi?"

"What's that? What is the identity of the Holy Son of Yaochi now? He is the successor of the Source Celestial Master! Do you think the Jiang family would let this opportunity pass them by?"

'

The murmurs were subtle yet clear.

Jiang Yifei turned a deaf ear.

The inner courtyard of the stone archway.

An old apricot tree leans against the sky, and two people sit at a stone table under it.

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi is still dressed in white today, her face covered by a light veil.

Her gaze fell on Su Ye, who was resting with his eyes closed, and she suddenly said, "The Holy Son is probably not going to have any peace and quiet today."

Elder Liu then strode in from outside.

"Holy Son, Holy Daughter."

"Jiang Yifei, a direct descendant of the Jiang family, has arrived and requests an audience with the Holy Son."

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi raised her eyebrows slightly beneath her white veil.

"Jiang Yifei?"

Elder Liu nodded.

Su Ye stood up and straightened his sleeves.

"Please come in."

A moment later, Jiang Yifei walked in, and his gaze first fell on Su Ye.

The moment their eyes met, a smile appeared on Jiang Yifei's lips.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed, saying, "Holy Son, how have you been?"

"Brother Jiang, please have a seat."

Su Ye raised his finger and pointed to the other side of the stone table.

Jiang Yifei didn't stand on ceremony and sat down after lifting his clothes.

A maidservant served him some spiritual tea. He picked up the teacup, took a sip, and his gaze casually swept over the furnishings in the courtyard.

The inner courtyard of the stone archway is not luxurious, with several uncut stones casually piled up in the corner.

"I heard that Brother Su recently acquired several priceless treasures here, including dragon-patterned black gold and the seed of the immortal elixir, all of which are astonishing items."

Jiang Yifei put down his teacup and said sincerely, "Although I come from an ancient family, I have rarely heard of anyone who can cultivate the Origin Technique to this level."

"Brother Su is truly a man of great talent!"

Su Ye picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"It's just luck."

He doesn't understand source techniques at all; he's just trying to take shortcuts.

"luck?"

Jiang Yifei smiled and shook his head.

"The Holy City Stone Archway has existed for tens of thousands of years; how many people have actually cut out celestial gold from it?"

"How many people have actually managed to cut out the complete seed of the elixir of immortality?"

"The Holy Son has produced several extraordinary treasures in two days. If this is just luck, then the Eastern Wilderness's luck is far too favorable to Yaochi."

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi spoke softly from the side, her voice clear and cold like the clash of jade: "Brother Jiang, you haven't come here just to praise our Holy Son, have you?"

Jiang Yifei smiled awkwardly and said, "The Holy Maiden is certainly outspoken."

"Yifei has come here for two reasons: first, he genuinely admires the Holy Son's mastery of Origin Arts; second, he wishes to speak with the Holy Son in person—"

He picked up his teacup and said seriously.

"In the past, the fault indeed lay with the Jiang family."

"I cannot represent the entire Jiang family, but at least in Yifei's eyes, there should be no barriers between the Jiang family and Yaochi."

"My Jiang family has been on good terms with Yaochi for generations, and I would not want to miss out on someone like Brother Su."

That's a very straightforward statement.

Su Ye looked at him and suddenly said, "Brother Jiang, you flatter me."

"The path of cultivation is long, and the little storms of the past are nothing but a speck of dust."

Jiang Yifei's eyes flickered slightly, and then he smiled.

"The Holy Son is broad-minded, and Yifei is ashamed."

He picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

After finishing their tea, the atmosphere between the two noticeably relaxed.

The two chatted casually for a while, and then footsteps sounded outside the door again.

There were more people this time.

Elder Liu personally led the way, followed by three men and one woman.

The men were imposing and the women were graceful and charming; each of them wore robes embroidered with the unique emblems of their respective sacred families.

The Holy Maiden and Holy Son of the Sacred Land of Eternity entered side by side.

The Holy Maiden of the Beginning was dressed in a light purple dress, with a beautiful face and a spiritual aura between her brows.

The Holy Son of the Myriad Beginnings was a handsome young man with an ancient sword at his waist, exuding an extraordinary aura.

The two were followed by several disciples from the Myriad Beginnings Holy Land, making a much larger entourage than Jiang Yifei's.

Elder Liu smiled and said, "Holy Maiden Wan Chu and Holy Son Wan Chu, your arrival together brings great honor to our humble abode, Yaochi Stone Pavilion!"

The Holy Maiden of the Beginning smiled slightly, her light sweeping around the stone archway before landing on the cyan figure in the corner.

"Elder Liu, you are too kind. We have come here today specifically to pay our respects to the Holy Son of Yaochi."

Her voice was clear and melodious, like jade beads falling onto a plate.

"I have long heard that the Holy Son of Yaochi possessed astonishing source techniques, and had even managed to cut down several precious treasures."

"Meeting you today, I can see your extraordinary bearing."

As she spoke, she walked towards Su Ye.

The Holy Son of the Myriad Beginnings followed behind her, his expression calm, but his eyes were secretly observing Su Ye.

Jiang Yifei sat to the side, holding a teacup, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He hadn't finished his private conversation with Su Ye when another one came.

Today, the Yaochi Stone Archway is going to be quite lively.

Su Ye stood up and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"You're too kind, please have a seat."

The Holy Maiden of the Beginning lingered on him for a moment.

He was in his early twenties, possessed the cultivation level of the fourth level of the Four Extremes Realm, had a handsome face, and a cool and aloof temperament.

This appearance is indeed top-tier among the younger generation in the Eastern Wilderness.

as predicted.

Before the two from the Wan Chu Holy Land could even settle in, the Holy Maiden from the Dao Yi Holy Land arrived.

The Holy Maiden of Daoyi wore a plain white Daoist robe, her long hair was simply tied in a bun, and her face was delicate and pretty.

Just by standing there quietly, a faint aura of the Great Dao emanates from him.

Her gaze immediately fell on Su Ye.

"The Holy Son of Yaochi".

Dao Yi, the Holy Maiden, bowed slightly, her tone more solemn than that of Wan Chu, the Holy Maiden.

"The other day, the Holy Son cut out a black gold sword blank with dragon patterns in my Dao Yi Stone Workshop. After returning home, my elders lost their appetite and said that they were blind and had left the precious gem in the stone workshop as if it were sand for nearly a thousand years."

Su Ye's lips curled up slightly.

"The nine-aperture stone figure in Daoyi Stone Archway is the archway's treasure. It has been there for hundreds of years and no one has dared to touch it. I was just lucky."

"Just lucky?"

Dao Yi Saintess gently shook her head.

She paused, a hint of emotion creeping into her voice.

"My elders say that the Holy Son's mastery of Origin Arts is beyond the comprehension of ordinary stone appraisers."

There was a moment of silence after these words were spoken.

The independent cultivators looked at each other in bewilderment.

The elders of Dao Yi Holy Land actually gave such a high evaluation.

Su Ye didn't reply, but simply nodded slightly.

Dao Yi Saintess's voice was like heavenly music as she continued, "I wonder who the Holy Son's source techniques came from?"

This question may seem casual, but it actually touches on a point that everyone cares about.

Jiang Yifei paused in his teacup, and the Holy Maiden of Wanchu narrowed her eyes.

Su Ye put down the teacup and looked up at Dao Yi Saintess.

"I belong to no particular sect or school; I figured it out on my own."

Dao Yi Saintess clearly did not believe it, but she did not press the matter.

The Holy Maiden of the Beginning appeared at some unknown time.

"Holy Son, I am quite interested in Origin Arts. May I ask you some questions?"

Her voice was soft, and her eyes curved into crescent moons.

Su Ye remained calm.

"Please speak, Holy Maiden."

The Holy Maiden of the Myriad Beginnings blinked and asked, "Holy Son, what exactly do you think is the difference between Origin Techniques and ordinary cultivation?"

"Why is it that some people cultivate diligently for a hundred years and still can't even grasp the basics of Source Technique, while others—"

She paused, then smiled and said, "Someone like the Holy Son, who has already reached such a high level at such a young age?"

Su Ye paused for a moment, then, combining the notes of the fifth-generation Source Master in the Holy Land's library, said solemnly, "The difficulty of Source Techniques lies in the comprehension of the situation."

Then, he pointed to the half-cut-off source in the corner and said, "Every source has its own power."

"It is a creation of nature, leaving no trace."

"Those who can see the trend can naturally enter the field; those who cannot see it will find it useless even if they cultivate for a hundred years."

Following his finger, the Holy Maiden of the Beginning looked at a grayish-white piece of waste rock and thoughtfully withdrew her gaze.

At this point, the young successors of the three sacred lands—Jiang Family, Wan Chu, and Dao Yi—gathered at Yaochi Stone Archway.

Elder Liu stood by the door.

She had worked in the stone archway for most of her life, and this was the first time she had ever seen such a scene.

Normally, it's rare to see any of these holy sons and daughters, but today, they've all come in droves.

She beckoned to a female disciple and instructed in a low voice, "Go and inform Elder Yao Jin."

The female disciple nodded and hurried away.

As the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) drew to a close, four groups of people were already seated inside the stone archway.

The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but undercurrents were actually swirling.

Under the guise of small talk, each family was subtly probing into Su Ye's background.

Some asked about the Origin Technique, some asked about the Immortal Gold, and others subtly inquired about the Qilin Divine Medicine Seed.

Su Ye always responded with a few words, neither too warm nor too impolite.

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi beside him occasionally spoke up, deftly deflecting some overly blatant probing.

The two sang in perfect harmony, their chemistry unmatched.

Jiang Yifei watched this scene and nodded inwardly.

This holy son of Yaochi not only possesses extraordinary source techniques, but also demonstrates considerable skill in handling interpersonal relationships.

In contrast, the Holy Son of Wan Chu was taciturn, and several times when he tried to speak, his Holy Daughter beat him to it.

He simply stopped talking and quietly drank his tea.

The Holy Maiden Dao asked only serious questions about stone materials and source techniques, without much probing.

The number of people in the courtyard gradually increased.

Elder Liu moved among them, beckoning the female disciples of the stone archway to serve tea and water, and to set out fruits and snacks.

The smile remained on her face the whole time.

Behind each of these young people stands a behemoth, and none of them can be underestimated.

"Elder Liu, you've worked hard."

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi appeared beside her at some point and whispered something.

Elder Liu said in a low voice, "Holy Maiden, this is the first time I have ever seen so many heirs of holy land families gathered together."

The Holy Maiden of Yaochi looked at the young talents chatting in twos and threes in the courtyard, but said nothing.

The eyes beneath the white veil remained fixed on Su Ye's direction.

Suddenly, a loud announcement was made.

"His Highness the Prince of the Great Xia Dynasty has arrived!"

Outside the door, a group of people filed in.

The leader was a young man, full of vigor and with an imposing presence.

Xia Yiming, a prince of the Great Xia Dynasty.

He was followed by a young nun dressed in white.

The girl's long hair was not shaved, and it was simply tied back with a plain-colored hairband.

Her face was small, and her skin was fair and flawless.

What's most special about her is her eyes.

Those eyes were clear and innocent.

The little princess of the Great Xia Dynasty, though not yet ordained, already possessed a resemblance to a Bodhisattva.

Behind the two, four guards in golden armor followed silently, their auras as deep and unfathomable as abyss.

Xia Yiming stepped into the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over everyone's faces before finally settling on Su Ye under the apricot tree.

He smiled and said, "This must be the Holy Son of Yaochi?"

Su Ye smiled faintly and clasped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness."

Xia Yiming waved his hand, his tone casual yet polite: "Brother Su, you can just call me Xia Yiming."

Xia Yiming.

As soon as the name was uttered, someone in the courtyard gasped softly.

This young man is not only a prince of the Great Xia Dynasty, but also the heir designated by the current emperor.

Xia Yiming himself didn't seem to care at all.

His gaze lingered on Su Ye for a moment, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"I heard about the Holy Son's deeds when I was in the capital."

Xia Yiming didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Holy Son, I have come to your door today with a request."

Everyone in the courtyard perked up their ears.

"I heard that the Holy Son cut out a piece of black gold with dragon patterns the size of an infant's fist from the Yaochi Stone Archway, and then cut out a black gold sword blank with dragon patterns from the nine-aperture stone figure in the Daoyi Stone Archway."

Xia Yiming's tone suddenly became serious, no longer as casual as before: "Dragon Pattern Black Gold is a supreme immortal material for refining ultimate imperial artifacts, and it is extremely rare in the world."

"I am forging the instrument of enlightenment, but I am struggling to find the right ultimate divine material."

He paused, clasped his hands together, and bent slightly at the waist.

"I implore the Holy Son to part with either of the two pieces of celestial gold, or both."

You could hear a pin drop in the courtyard.

"Our Great Xia Dynasty is willing to exchange an astronomical price for the treasure vault, which may allow the Holy Son to choose rare and precious treasures."

"Ancient books and classics can also be brought out for exchange."

"In short, we will never let the Holy Son suffer a loss!"

Xia Yiming raised his head and looked intently at Su Ye.

The young nun beside him also raised her clear eyes and looked at Su Ye.

There was no coercion or enticement in those eyes, only a pure expectation.

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the courtyard had a very interesting expression.

Jiang Yifei held his teacup without moving, but a slight smile appeared on his lips.

The Saintess of the Beginning of Ten Thousand Years narrowed her peach blossom eyes into slits, while the Saintess of the First Way of the Dao looked thoughtful.

Just as Su Ye was pondering, a voice came from the side.

"Your Highness."

The voice carried a natural allure mixed with a cool and detached quality, like spring water melting broken ice.

"Immortal Gold is priceless, extremely rare in the world, and cannot be measured by ordinary source stones."

All eyes turned to the person who had spoken.

A graceful figure entered through the stone gate.

She wore a pale gold dress with a white jade belt around her waist, outlining her breathtaking curves.

Her face was stunningly beautiful, her eyebrows like distant mountains, and her eyes like autumn water.

A faint smile played at the corners of his lips.

She is like both a bewitching witch and an ethereal fairy.

Two completely different temperaments intertwine in the same person, yet they blend together seamlessly and without any sense of incongruity.

Yao Xi, the Holy Maiden of Yao Guang.

The subtle fluctuations of her cultivation at the second level of the Fourth Realm emanated from her, enough for everyone present to know that the strength of this Holy Maiden of Yao Guang was not to be underestimated.

Elder Liu's expression changed slightly.

She was all too aware of the subtle relationship between the Yao Guang Holy Land and the Yao Chi Holy Land.

The Yao Guang Holy Land once attacked Su Ye.

Although they later toned it down considerably on the surface, the undercurrents between the two families never subsided.

Yao Xi's appearance at Yaochi Stone Archway today is no coincidence.

Yao Xi chuckled softly, her gaze shifting between Xia Yiming and Su Ye.

"Dragon-patterned black gold is the supreme immortal material for refining ultimate imperial artifacts. In the entire Big Dipper, it may not be possible to find a single piece even in tens of thousands of years."

"Now that the Holy Son holds two pieces at the same time, such an opportunity can only be described as a gift from heaven."

She paused, then looked at Xia Yiming.

"If Your Highness wishes to exchange these two pieces of immortal gold for source stones, it would be a bit of an insult to them."

Xia Yiming glanced back at Yao Xi, showing no anger, and simply asked, "What does Saintess Yao mean?"

Yao Xi tilted her head slightly, her silver earrings swaying gently, reflecting a wisp of light.

"Xi's meaning is very simple."

She took two steps forward, her skirt swaying gently: "Immortal Gold isn't something you can buy just by offering the highest price."

"Its ownership depends on fate, and also on—"

Her gaze shifted to Su Ye, her red lips parted slightly, and she said softly, "The Holy Son's intentions."

Su Ye didn't keep everyone waiting for long.

He looked at Xia Yiming, his tone calm but undeniable: "I appreciate Brother Xia's kindness."