Ye Jiang stared at the child before him in disbelief.
Just moments ago, Ye Jingwen had told him, "This is the daughter Senior Ye Hai left behind in the mortal world. I was ordered by my uncle-master to bring her here and deliver her into your hands."
A... daughter? He knew his elder brother had been wandering the mortal world those few years, later heading to Tianmo Mountain, where he perished before he could explain anything. But he never imagined he would have left behind a daughter!
Ye Jingwen continued, "Senior Ye left a final message before his passing. I shall deliver it to you now, Brother Ye."
Ye Jiang hastily took the jade slip and channeled his spiritual sense into it.
Green smoke rose before his eyes, coalescing into the form of a middle-aged scholar who looked at him and began to speak. "Second Brother, it seems Big Brother cannot escape this calamity. I can only entrust some matters to you. During this journey to Tianmo Mountain, I was trapped alongside Perfected Lord Shoujing of the Xuanqing Sect. After I finish this message, I will use my remaining power to help him escape, so he may bring these words to you. To be brief: First, after my fall, I fear the Ye Family will no longer be able to maintain its foothold on Qingmeng Mountain. You should relocate from Qingmeng Mountain. In all matters, prioritize preserving our bloodline. If one day our family produces another Core Formation cultivator, we can always reclaim the spiritual vein. Second, regarding the family's collection of texts and treasures: use whatever is useful to you; sell what is not. When your time comes, if there is no successor, leave the cultivation methods and collection within the family. Third, in the years before I went to Tianmo Mountain, I actually took a wife and had a daughter in the mortal world. Although she was a mortal, she possessed a Pure Yin Constitution. After much deliberation, I decided to have descendants with her. If a daughter was born who happened to inherit her Pure Yin Constitution and also possessed a Spirit Root, she would be the hope of our Ye Family. Unfortunately, my daughter had not yet been born when I departed, so I never knew if my wish came true. Fourth, I have entrusted my final affairs to Perfected Lord Shoujing. He will deliver my belongings to you. I have also asked him to search for my wife and daughter. If my wife is still alive, I hope you will treat the mother and daughter well. Fifth, Perfected Lord Shoujing has sworn a Heart Demon Oath to me. You can trust him completely..."
Mo Tiange timidly gazed at the old man before her. This person looked to be over fifty, his hair already white, almost like a grandfather. How could he be her uncle?
A pained expression appeared on Ye Jiang's face. Finally, he opened his eyes and his gaze immediately fell upon Mo Tiange. This child... her eyes and brows bore an uncanny resemblance to Big Brother. He believed she was truly his flesh and blood.
Thinking this, he extended his left palm. With his right hand, he gathered his Qi into a finger and forced a drop of blood from his fingertip. With a flick, the drop of blood flew toward Mo Tiange. Mo Tiange started in surprise. The drop of blood shot toward her with incredible speed, finally disappearing between her brows. She felt a sudden warmth in her head, a momentary confusion, then immediate clarity. She saw this uncle who seemed like a grandfather step forward, lower his head, and stroke the string of Spirit-Gathering Beads on her wrist. He repeated in a rush, "That's right, this is... this was gifted to Big Brother by the previous generation's Core Formation Ancestor when he reached Qi Refining Level 3." As he spoke, he took another step forward and tightly embraced her, saying repeatedly, "Child, poor child. You've truly suffered. Don't worry, from now on, your Second Uncle is here. I won't let you be helpless and alone anymore."
Although this Second Uncle was a complete stranger, and although she wasn't accustomed to relying on a stranger, Mo Tiange still didn't push him away. Perhaps, after her mother's passing, she had craved someone to care for her too much. Even though Second Uncle was completely unfamiliar, he seemed to value her greatly, making her reluctant to push him away.
After a long while, Ye Jiang released her, wiped the tears from his eyes, and asked gently, "Child, what is your name?"
"I... I'm called Mo Tiange."
"Mo?"
Ye Jingwen answered, "Brother Ye may not know. Senior Ye Hai entered into a matrilocal marriage in the mortal world. Therefore, this child follows her mother's surname."
"Oh, I see." Ye Jiang didn't mind. "We cultivators don't care about such worldly etiquette. Whatever the surname, she is still our family's child."
"Exactly so." Ye Jingwen hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Brother Ye, you must now understand the whole story. This child's mother indeed did not survive. My sincere apologies."
Ye Jiang shook his head, offering him a smile. "My elder brother has explained everything clearly in this jade slip. I must thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye, for finding and bringing back my niece. Ye Jiang expresses his deepest gratitude."
Ye Jingwen quickly made a gesture of polite refusal, then smiled. "Brother Ye, what a coincidence that we both share the surname Ye and have encountered such a fateful opportunity. If I may be so bold, how about I address you as Elder Brother?"
How could Ye Jiang not see that Ye Jingwen was an elite disciple of the Xuanqing Sect? He had established his Foundation at a young age and must hold a higher position within the sect than even Zheng Xuan, the manager of this Dongmeng Mountain shop. It was highly likely he would form his Golden Core in the future. As for himself, at his age, the hope of forming a Core was already slim. That Ye Jingwen wished to befriend him was actually the uncle and niece climbing high by association, undoubtedly for the sake of Perfected Lord Shoujing. However, this was beneficial and harmless for the two of them, so he did not refuse. "Since Brother thinks so highly of me, I'll presume upon our acquaintance and accept being called Elder Brother."
Ye Jingwen nodded with a smile. Meanwhile, Zheng Xuan, standing to the side, laughed heartily. "Brother Ye, now we've truly become one family! Since you have ties with Uncle-Master Shoujing, and you and my Junior Brother Ye are now sworn brothers, we need not stand on ceremony anymore."
Ye Jiang also smiled, stroking his beard and nodding. Then, his expression turned apologetic. "However, there is one matter for which I must ask Brother Zheng's forgiveness. My elder brother has given his orders, and I have just found this niece of mine. Might I be allowed to be more selective about the items I sell?"
"Naturally, naturally." Not a hint of displeasure showed on Zheng Xuan's face; on the contrary, he was extremely amiable. "Brother Ye, please don't stand on ceremony. From now on, let's consider each other as family."
Ye Jingwen said to Zheng Xuan, "Senior Brother Zheng, I've spent some days with this child and have grown rather fond of her. How about I see Elder Brother off?"
Zheng Xuan, as the manager of a major market, was naturally very perceptive. He could tell Ye Jingwen had other important matters to discuss and didn't ask any questions. "Of course, Junior Brother Ye, please go ahead."
Both Ye Jingwen and Ye Jiang offered apologetic bows, then left with Mo Tiange.
As they departed, Ye Jiang very naturally took Mo Tiange's hand, leading her onto his own flying artifact before saying to Ye Jingwen, "Brother, why not come to this humble brother's temporary cave abode for a talk?"
Ye Jingwen had been thinking the same thing and didn't hesitate. "Very well."
Ye Jiang's flying artifact was a horsetail whisk. Its flight speed wasn't fast, and Dongmeng Mountain didn't permit rapid flight anyway. Wherever other cultivators were present, everyone observed this rule. Flight was forbidden within the market itself, and even in the surrounding areas, speed had to be reduced. The three of them flew slowly eastward, soon arriving at Ye Jiang's temporary cave abode. With a wave of his hand, Ye Jiang closed the cave's defensive formation. Once they were seated, Mo Tiange looked around.
This was her first time seeing a cave abode. Everything seemed to be made of either stone or jade. The ceiling of the cave was inlaid with glowing stones, which looked exactly like the Moonlight Stones she had once seen Li Yushan take out.
Ye Jiang asked her a few more questions. Seeing her great interest in the cave abode, he let her go explore on her own while he spoke with Ye Jingwen.
Watching Mo Tiange leave, Ye Jingwen sighed. "To be honest with you, Elder Brother, over these past few days, I've truly grown somewhat attached to Tian Ge. This child has suffered much. In terms of temperament and will, she is much stronger than an ordinary child."
Hearing him praise Mo Tiange, Ye Jiang stroked his beard and smiled. "I hope this child proves to be promising material. By the way, what is her Spirit Root like?"
Hearing this question, Ye Jingwen hesitated slightly. "I've already tested it. This child has a Five Spirit Roots and a Pure Yin Constitution. I'm not sure whether to consider that fortunate or unfortunate."
To inherit both a Spirit Root and the Pure Yin Constitution was certainly fortunate. But for the Pure Yin Constitution to be paired with Five Spirit Roots... if she had a better Spirit Root, her future achievements would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
"What?" Ye Jiang was shocked. "This child truly inherited the Pure Yin Constitution?" He hadn't held out much hope. Seeing the child had reached Qi Refining Level 2, he simply felt relieved that she at least had a Spirit Root. As for the Pure Yin Constitution, he hadn't dared hope, given the low probability.
Ye Jingwen nodded. "Indeed. With merely the aptitude of Five Spirit Roots, to have cultivated to Qi Refining Level 2 in the mortal world—although that string of Spirit-Gathering Beads played a part—without the Pure Yin Constitution and a good cultivation method, she absolutely could not have reached this level."
Hearing this, Ye Jiang's heart was filled with mixed emotions, unsure whether to be happy or worried. The Pure Yin Constitution was an excellent physique for cultivation. Unfortunately, this child also had Five Spirit Roots. If she failed in her cultivation, this constitution would become a liability, a source of trouble if discovered by others...
Observing Ye Jiang's expression, Ye Jingwen guessed his thoughts and smiled. "Rest assured, Elder Brother. My Uncle-Master Shoujing gifted her a Concealing Spirit Pendant. As long as she never takes it off, she will certainly not be discovered."
"Oh?" Ye Jiang was somewhat surprised, then felt relieved. This had been his greatest concern.
Ye Jingwen then took a pouch from his robes and handed it to Ye Jiang. "Elder Brother, these are your elder brother's belongings. The cultivation method inside is the Ye Family's secret manual. There are also medicinal pills, Spirit Stones, and other items. I presume the two of you won't lack for resources for the time being."
Ye Jiang accepted it, his face filled with gratitude. "Thank you." When a cultivator passed away, their possessions were usually divided among the living. Presumably, Perfected Lord Shoujing owed a great debt of gratitude, which was why he had these items returned. Otherwise, even if he had kept them, no one would have said anything.
Finally, Ye Jingwen said, "Elder Brother, Uncle-Master Shoujing instructed me to ask you: are you willing to join the Xuanqing Sect?"
"This..." This question took Ye Jiang completely by surprise. Logically, Perfected Lord Shoujing had already repaid his former debt by doing all this. To actually invite them to join the Xuanqing Sect was far beyond his expectations.
Ye Jingwen simply smiled and stood up. "Elder Brother, please consider it carefully. I won't disturb your conversation with your niece any longer. Once you've made a decision, please come to the shop and inform me, so I may return and report."
Ye Jiang hurriedly stood to see him out. "Yes, I will think it over properly. Once I've decided, I will certainly let you know, Brother."