Mo Tiange's heart skipped a beat. She asked, "Where's your home?"
Ye Zhenji widened his eyes in confusion. "My home?"
Mo Tiange repeated, "Your home in the secular world."
Although he didn't understand what this grandmaster wanted to do, he still answered honestly, "My home is in Tong 'an City in Weiguo. Have you heard of it, Grandmaster?"
"Tong 'an City in Weiguo …" Mo Tiange muttered and frowned. It seemed to be the one Second Uncle mentioned.
She asked again, "Do you know the name Ye Cheng?"
Ye Zhenji looked confused. "This … I think Patriarch Grandpa's name is Ye Cheng, but I'm not sure …"
Patriarch Grandpa … Second Uncle moved Ye Clan out of Mount Qingmeng about twenty years ago. At that time, the Patriarch Ye Cheng, who stayed in the secular world, was in his forties and had very weak five spiritual roots. Now, he should be in his sixties.
"Tell me about your family. Let me hear about it."
A hint of vigilance appeared in Ye Zhenji's eyes. "Grandmaster, what do you want to hear?"
How could Mo Tiange not see that this child was wary of her? She smiled and said, "Could it be that there's something in your family that I covet?
Just tell me. "
Ye Zhenji thought about it and felt that it was reasonable. This grandmaster was the advanced inner disciple of a Nascent Soul cultivator. What could his declining family have that could attract her attention?
He asked, "Grandmaster, what do you want to know?"
"… Just tell me. For example, what's the situation of your family? Did you also live in Kunwu?"
"En."
When he mentioned his family's past, a smile appeared on Ye Zhenji's face. He said proudly, "My father said our family used to be in Kunwu, and our ancestors even produced many Core Formation cultivators. In the end, there was a granduncle who formed his Gold Core when he was just over a hundred years old. At that time, he was famous in west Kunwu!"
At this point, a regretful expression appeared on his little face. "But this granduncle also passed away more than twenty years ago. There weren't many people in our family, and there weren't many people with spiritual roots, so our family declined just like that."
"So, there are no cultivators in your family now?"
"Not really …" Ye Zhenji tilted his head and said, "In fact, I'm not sure.
My father said that at that time, there was another granduncle who was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and he left after sending us to the secular world.
However, that granduncle is old and hasn't contacted us for so many years, so we don't know if he's still around. "
"Didn't your granduncle leave behind any message talismans?"
"This … I don't know.
These are all things that happened before I was born. My father didn't tell me anything. "
It was normal for the child not to know such a question.
Mo Tiange had already made up her mind, so she no longer said anything. She raised her finger and forced out a drop of blood. With a wave of her spiritual aura, that drop of blood immediately rushed towards the child.
"Grandmaster, you …" Ye Zhenji turned pale with fright. However, before he could finish speaking, the drop of blood already entered the space between his eyebrows and disappeared without a trace.
Mo Tiange sensed that her blood essence entered the space between his eyebrows without any hindrance at all. It easily fused with him.
This child … was indeed her blood relative.
"Grandmaster …" Ye Zhenji sobered up and stared at her in horror. "What's this …"
As Mo Tiange stared at the child, she was also a bit surprised. Kunwu was so big, but Ye Clan's child actually happened to come to Xuanqing School.
"This is a drop of blood identification."
"Huh?" Ye Zhenji was bewildered. Drop of blood identification?
"My blood essence is compatible with yours, and there's no rejection at all. This means we're blood relatives."
Ye Zhenji was completely dumbfounded.
Mo Tiange stared at him. "I don't know how we should address each other, but the Core Formation granduncle you mentioned died more than twenty years ago should be my father."
* * *
"Martial Uncle, you're …" Xiuqin was stunned to see Mo Tiange leading a boy into the side hall of Shangqing Palace.
Ever since Mo Tiange taught them a lesson, Qin, Qi, Shu, and Hua became obedient. Even the other twelve people who heard about her methods also became a lot more restrained. They no longer gossiped in front of her, and their speech and behavior also became respectful and courteous.
Mo Tiange faintly glanced at her. "This is my grandnephew. I brought him here to pay respects to master."
"Grandnephew?" Xiuqin was stunned. This Martial Uncle Mo just went to Mengxue Hall and brought back a grandnephew?
Nevertheless, she was smart and didn't say much. She just bowed and said, "Yes, Grandmaster is still in the main hall. Martial Uncle can go and pay respects to him."
"En." Mo Tiange didn't linger and walked around Xiuqin while holding Ye Zhenji's hand.
Ye Zhenji was very excited. He turned to look at Xiuqin, and when they were far away, he whispered, "Grandmaster, you're so proud! Last time, I saw Grandmaster Jinghe's martial uncle come to Mengxue Hall to pass a message, but he didn't even look at our manager!"
Mo Tiange smiled. The manager of Mengxue Hall was only an ordinary early stage Foundation Building cultivator, so how could he enter these women's eyes? They'd been with Nascent Soul grandmasters for a long time, so they didn't even pay attention to ordinary Core Formation cultivators.
Ye Zhenji looked around again, feeling very curious. Ever since he came to Xuanqing School, he'd only been to the main hall on the main peak once and spent the rest of his time in Mengxue Hall. He hadn't even seen an ordinary Foundation Building martial uncle's Immortal's Cave, let alone a Nascent Soul grandmaster's Immortal's Cave.
Mo Tiange couldn't help but smile as she looked at his innocent and happy appearance.
This child had been very excited ever since he recognized himself as his relative. He originally thought he didn't have any backing and would definitely be bullied by others. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, he had a grandmaster who was related to him by blood. Those children who bullied him before couldn't compare to him, so he was so happy that he didn't know what to say.
She recalled how Ye Zhenji proudly stuck out his chest when she explained the reason to the cultivator in charge of Mengxue Hall, which made her feel both funny and pitiful.
"Zhenji, our seniority can't be determined in a short time. I'm only ten years older than you, so you can just call me Auntie. There's no need to call me Grandmaster."
"Oh …" Ye Zhenji raised his head to look at her then called out in a low voice, "Auntie."
Mo Tiange smiled and stroked his head. "You don't have to be so reserved. We're relatives, so we're different from them."
Ye Zhenji finally became a bit more courageous. "I understand.
Auntie, can I follow you in the future? "
"… En, you should be able to.
But before that, I have to report to the grandmaster. "
In fact, Mo Tiange also wasn't sure. Her identity now was indeed different. Taking care of a blood-related junior shouldn't be a big problem, but she was now living in Lord Daoist Jinghe's Immortal's Cave, and this master of hers wasn't serious … She really couldn't say for sure.
"Auntie." Ye Zhenji raised his head to look at her then asked worriedly, "Won't this make things difficult for you?"
"En?" Mo Tiange was stunned. Just now, she unconsciously frowned, but this child was actually so sharp?
Ye Zhenji said, "Auntie, if you're in trouble, you don't have to worry about me. Now that they know you're my granduncle, they won't dare to bully me anymore."
Seeing the child's serious expression, Mo Tiange smiled and answered seriously, "You don't have to worry. You'll understand after you meet the grandmaster."
"En."
As they spoke, the two of them arrived at the main hall.
In Shangqing Palace, aside from Lord Daoist Jinghe himself, there were only the maids and her, so there was no need for anyone to report to them.
Leading Ye Zhenji into the main hall, Mo Tiange saw that Lord Daoist Jinghe was still lying on his dragon chair, enjoying the service of the maids while flipping through an unknown book. He was also mumbling something.
"Master."
Lord Daoist Jinghe didn't even raise his head. "Oh, you're back.
Why did you bring back a little guy today? "
Mo Tiange let go of Ye Zhenji's hand and signaled him with her eyes. The child very cleverly knelt down and kowtowed. "Ye Zhenji greets the grandmaster."
Mo Tiange said, "Master, this child is related to me by blood. I want to bring him back to teach him personally. I sincerely ask for your permission."
"En?"
Lord Daoist Jinghe was surprised. He then turned around and casually waved his hand at Ye Zhenji, signaling him to stand up. Then he turned to Mo Tiange. "What's going on? Where did this child come from?"
Mo Tiange patiently reported, "When I went to Mengxue Hall today, this child happened to be bullied by others, so I conveniently saved him. Unexpectedly, this child actually came from my clan in the secular world."
"Oh?
What a coincidence. "
Lord Daoist Jinghe wasn't interested in these trivial matters of the branch family. However, when he saw Ye Zhenji standing up and shrinking behind Mo Tiange timidly, his interest was piqued. "Little fella, come here and let Grandmaster have a look."
Ye Zhenji raised his head to look at Mo Tiange. It was only after he saw her nod that he carefully moved to Lord Daoist Jinghe's side.
He had never seen a Nascent Soul Realm Patriarch before. How imposing …
"The little guy looks pretty good. He looks like you."
As Lord Daoist Jinghe spoke, he grabbed Ye Zhenji's wrist. "Your aptitude is a bit lacking. You have three spiritual roots … en, fortunately, all of your spiritual roots are fine, so building your foundation shouldn't be a problem. If you work hard, there's also hope for you to form your Gold Core."
Ye Zhenji widened his eyes.
He wasn't sad at all that the sovereign said his aptitude was a bit lacking because disciples who could enter Xuanqing School all had excellent aptitudes. He only had three spiritual roots, so he could only be considered barely qualified.
However, the Ancestral Master said that if he worked hard, he would be able to form his Gold Core. This was something he had never thought of!
"That'll do. This kind of trivial matter, do as you see fit."
Lord Daoist Jinghe let go of Ye Zhenji's hand then lay back down. "You haven't formed your Gold Core yet, so you don't have the qualifications to accept disciples. Just leave him by your side for now."
Mo Tiange was delighted to receive his consent. "Thank you, Master."
"Hehe, thank me?
Girl, you've been cursing me behind my back a lot. Forget it! "Lord Daoist Jinghe waved his hand." Go. "
Mo Tiange didn't feel embarrassed even though she was exposed in public. In any case, it was a fact that this cheap master of hers didn't act respectfully. She only saluted him one last time then took Ye Zhenji away.
"Zhenji, now that the sovereign has agreed, you can stay by my side from now on.
I'll try my best to help you, but you also have to work hard, understand? "
"En!" Ye Zhenji's face flushed with excitement. A Nascent Soul sovereign! He actually met a Nascent Soul sovereign!
He thought for a moment then asked, "Auntie, do I still have to go to Mengxue Hall in the future?"
"Of course," Mo Tiange said, "You haven't finished learning the Daoist scriptures, so you still have to go. What? You don't want to go?"
"No, no." Ye Zhenji repeatedly waved his hand, revealing a slightly embarrassed smile. He then secretly said, "Auntie, I actually want to go. I have Auntie now, so Ji 'an and the others won't dare to bully me anymore!
I just want to go and see their faces! "
Mo Tiange couldn't help but laugh when she heard what he said.
Sure enough, he was still a child. He was bullied in the past, but now he wanted to hold his head high.
Mo Tiange nodded. "There's nothing wrong with being quick to repay gratitude and enmity.
But you mustn't be too stubborn, understand? "
"En."
When they arrived at Mingxin Residence, Mo Tiange opened the restriction. After thinking for a moment, she took out a blank jade tablet and engraved some instructions on it. She then handed it to Ye Zhenji. "In the future, use this to open the defensive formation."
Once they entered Mingxin Residence, a small spiritual beast pounced on them and squeaked, startling Ye Zhenji.
Mo Tiange said to Ye Zhenji, "This is Auntie's spiritual beast. You can call it Xiaohuo.
It's very smart, and its cultivation level is equivalent to an early stage Foundation Building cultivator. In the future, if you need anything, you can call it. "
She then crouched down and stroked the Inferno Beast's head. "This is Zhenji. He's my nephew. In the future, treat him like you treat me, understand?"
The Inferno Beast squeaked again and intimately bit the hem of Ye Zhenji's robe. It didn't stop until Ye Zhenji also stroked its head.
Mo Tiange smiled. She took out a jade bottle and poured several medicinal pills into it. "Eat them and go play. If you want to go to the back mountain, that's fine."
The Inferno Beast rolled its tongue and swallowed the medicinal pills. It then nodded at her and ran out of Mingxin Residence, probably heading towards the spiritual beast courtyard in the back mountain.
This Inferno Beast's cultivation level rose very quickly. Ever since they moved to Shangqing Palace, Mo Tiange let it roam freely, so it often ran to the back mountain to play.
Because there were restrictions in the Immortal's Cave, Mo Tiange also let it go.
After leading Ye Zhenji into the courtyard, Mo Tiange introduced everything to him one by one. "This is Auntie's Immortal's Cave. This is the concocting room, this is the tool-refining room, and this is the cultivation room.
As for this resting room, it'll be yours from now on. If you need anything, you can just ask the martial uncles here. They're the grandmaster's maids, so all the affairs in Shangqing Palace are managed by them. "
"Got it, Auntie." Ye Zhenji stood in the resting room and carefully touched the bed made of cold jade.
There weren't many things in the room, but everything was so exquisite that he couldn't help but stare.
"Where's your luggage?"
Upon hearing Mo Tiange's question, Ye Zhenji took off the Qiankun Bag hanging from his waist and poured out the things somewhat embarrassedly.
There were some clothes, a few Daoist scriptures and mental cultivation techniques, some children's toys, three spirit stones, and several worn-out jade bottles. Mo Tiange opened them to take a look. There were healing medicinal pills and Aura-Nourishing Pills, but there were only two or three of them. Among them, there was even an Aura-Nourishing Pill that seemed to be half-eaten.
Ye Zhenji seemed to feel his things were too shabby, so he said with a red face, "Auntie, when I left home, there wasn't much left in the house. I only left these few things, and Grandpa Patriarch gave them all to me."
Mo Tiange smiled. Presumably, those people in the Ye Clan with meager spiritual roots were still unwilling to leave, so even though they stayed in the secular world, they still cultivated. Moreover, most of the valuable things were with Second Uncle, so they originally didn't have anything valuable. After twenty years, it was very normal for there to be nothing left.
She thought for a moment then took out seven or eight jade bottles from her Qiankun Bag. "These two bottles contain Aura-Nourishing Pills. There are a hundred pills in each bottle. You should know how to use them.
These are Aura-Converging Pills. They're also medicinal pills for cultivation, and their effects are ten times better than Aura-Nourishing Pills. However, you'd better increase your cultivation level before taking them. The medicinal effects are too strong, and your current cultivation level is too low.
These are Aura-Purifying Pills. For every ten Aura-Nourishing Pills you take, you'll have to take one to expel pill toxins.
These are Refreshing Pills. They're used to detoxify poisons. Presumably, all the poisons you've come into contact with can be detoxified with these pills.
These are Restorative Panaceas. You'll use up all your spiritual aura in a fight of magical powers, so taking one can restore a lot of your spiritual aura.
These are Mind-Clearing Pills. They're used to calm the mind. If you feel uneasy, you can take one. "
Seeing that Ye Zhenji's hands were trembling while holding the jade bottles, Mo Tiange smiled and took out a small pouch. "There are two hundred spirit stones in here. I know you new disciples haven't graduated from Mengxue Hall yet, so you can't get a disciple's share. I'll give you these first for your cultivation."
He only had two spirit stones in his possession, and he was reluctant to use them for a long time. Now that he suddenly received two hundred spirit stones, Ye Zhenji was completely dumbfounded.
But it wasn't over yet. Mo Tiange thought for a moment then took out the Green-Wood Sword and the Spirit-Gathering Pearl she no longer used.
Touching these two things, she heaved a soft sigh.
The Spirit-Gathering Pearl wasn't a good thing, but it was left behind by her father. Moreover, it also guided her on the path of cultivation. After thinking for a while, she put it away and replaced it with a Spirit-Gathering Formation she made herself.
"This is the Green-Wood Sword. My second uncle passed it on to me. Now, I'll pass it on to you. This thing has been refined by a Core Formation cultivator, so ordinary spirit tools can't compare to it. You have to use it well.
As for this Spirit-Gathering Formation, when you cultivate, you can place it in the surroundings to increase the density of spiritual aura. "
Ye Zhenji received these things in a daze.
Although he was only a new disciple, after entering Xuanqing School, he still had some experience. He had seen spirit tools in the hands of fellow disciples, but they hadn't graduated from Mengxue Hall, so the school wouldn't give them spirit tools. Those who could have spirit tools were all people with powerful backgrounds. A small disciple from the secular world like him could only look at them with envy.
However, this Green-Wood Sword was obviously a high grade spirit tool — it was much better than the ones he had seen before!
"Auntie, this … this is a lot …"
"Since you're my relative, I'll naturally give you the best."
Mo Tiange's expression turned serious. "However, you also have to remember that you can only rely on yourself to walk on the path of cultivation. If you're complacent and don't move forward, then no matter how many treasures you have, it'll be useless!"
Ye Zhenji was startled by Mo Tiange's stern shout, but he soon regained his composure. He obediently lowered his head and said, "I understand. I'll cultivate diligently and live up to Auntie's expectations."
Mo Tiange was very satisfied that this child was so obedient. She stroked his head and said, "Alright, Auntie's going to cultivate. It's good for you to cultivate and familiarize yourself with it first. If you need anything, just call me outside the cultivation room."
"Yes."
Mo Tiange turned around and was about to leave, but Ye Zhenji hastily called out, "Auntie!"
Mo Tiange stopped. When she saw Ye Zhenji looking at her, she blushed and said in a low voice, "I'm hungry."
Stunned, she couldn't help but knock her own head then said with a smile, "Auntie hasn't eaten for a long time, so I forgot you still need to eat.
Wait a moment, I'll call someone to bring you some food. "
After returning to the cultivation room, Mo Tiange first sent a Summoning Talisman to Xiuqin, asking her to call someone to bring her food every day. After that, she arranged a formation and entered the Virtual Sky World.
Standing inside the Virtual Sky World, she felt the gentle breeze and exhaled. However, she didn't immediately enter the hut to cultivate. Instead, she sat down by the stream.
She didn't expect to run into someone from Ye Clan …
She never grew up in Ye Clan, so Ye Clan only existed in her imagination.
However, before Second Uncle passed away, he always told her to take care of Ye Clan if she had the ability in the future.
Now that she ran into a child from Ye Clan, she naturally couldn't ignore him.
This child told her that Ye Clan lived a good life in the secular world. There were still several cultivators in the clan. Although their cultivation levels were low and not worth mentioning in Kunwu, they were immortals in the eyes of mortals. Ye Clan quickly gained a foothold in Wei Country. Now, they were rich and healthy, and they even became Marquis Chang Ninghou in Wei Country.
Hearing this, Mo Tiange felt relieved.
In the past, Ye Clan was forced to move to the secular world because apart from Second Uncle, they didn't have any real cultivators. Even if they had spiritual roots, they only had five spiritual roots and could barely reach the second or third layer of the Aura Refining realm by relying on medicinal pills.
However, living in the secular world was already enough. Far away from the bloody storms of the cultivation world, they could still enjoy glory, splendor, wealth, and rank in the secular world. What else could they ask for?
Even if Lord Daoist Jinghe's clan in the secular world produced a Nascent Soul cultivator and a Core Formation cultivator, it was still just an ordinary rich clan.
At first, those people from Ye Clan also gave up. However, ten years ago, Ye Zhenji was born and was unexpectedly tested to have three spiritual roots. Ye Clan was wild with joy.
Later, when Xuanqing School disciples ran errands in the secular world, the Patriarch of Ye Clan treated Ye Zhenji with a lot of money, so Ye Zhenji was able to return to Kunwu and even entered a famous clan.
This matter was only a trivial matter, so even the steward's hall of Clear Spring Peak didn't know Ye Zhenji's identity and origin. Thus, they didn't report it to Lord Daoist Jinghe or Master Daoist Shoujing, so Mo Tiange naturally had no way of knowing.
If it wasn't for Lord Daoist Jinghe tormenting her and Luo Fengxue making her go to Mengxue Hall, she would've probably waited until she formed her Gold Core and went to the secular world to fulfill Second Uncle's wish before she learned of Ye Zhenji's existence. At that time, if Ye Zhenji's luck wasn't good, he might've already become old.
Ye Clan racked their brains to send Ye Zhenji to Xuanqing School. First, they didn't want to waste Ye Zhenji's talent. Second, they probably wanted to revitalize their clan.
However, Ye Zhenji's spiritual roots were only ordinary. He was already very lucky to be able to enter a big cultivation group, so Ye Clan didn't have any delusions.
However, because of this, Mo Tiange had another thought. It had only been a few years since Ye Clan left Kunwu, so they obviously still wanted to return to Kunwu. If they found out about her existence, she was afraid they might have some other thoughts.
Thinking up to this point, Mo Tiange made a decision.
That being the case, she didn't plan to let Ye Clan know of her existence for the time being. If they found out, some troubles would inevitably arise.
Of course, she didn't want to hide it forever. When the time was right, she would go back to Ye Clan and tell them Second Uncle's last wish.
But in that case, she would inevitably warn Ye Clan that if they didn't have enough high level cultivators, they shouldn't think about returning to Kunwu. How many small cultivation clans had been wiped out in Kunwu?
Yu Clan from Danding School still had several Foundation Building cultivators, but after a disaster, they declined just like that. Mo Tiange didn't know whether they could survive or not.
In that case, it would be better to stay in the secular world and enjoy glory, splendor, wealth, and rank. If they produced a descendant with good spiritual roots, she would naturally lend a helping hand.
Mo Tiange shook her head and threw these thoughts to the back of her mind.
She stood up and returned to the small room inside the Virtual Sky World, preparing to cultivate.
Ye Zhenji hadn't even finished reading the Daoist scriptures, so he still had a long way to go. When the time came, she would give him some medicinal pills and ask her master to help him. Presumably, building his foundation wouldn't be a problem, and he might even have a high chance of forming his Gold Core.
After making this decision, Mo Tiange sat down, sank her aura into her dantian, and started today's cultivation.