Nine Astra Skies

Previously, Ye Chen let Ye Zhanxiong and the others gather many orphans from the outside and let the clansmen raise them. The orphans were very young, around one or two years old. With more training and medicinal pills, in less than twenty years, the Ye Clan would have developed into a big shot, much less the number one clan in the Xiwu Empire!

It was a great undertaking!

Before, Ye Changxuan, Ye Zhantian, and the others did not dare to even think of this!

It was not surprising that Ye Chen dared to say that he wanted the Ye Clan in the Xiwu Empire to become a super martial arts family as large as the Ye Clan in the Central Empire!

The clansmen were fascinated. If they followed Ye Chen's instructions, it was not impossible! They could truly bring glory to their ancestors!

The people of this world had an unusual attachment to bringing glory to their ancestors.

Ye Changxuan, Ye Zhantian, and the others immediately agreed to Ye Chen's decision. Their hearts swelled.

"You must be extremely careful when selling the Lingzhi. You absolutely mustn't be targeted! Otherwise, it'll bring disaster to our Ye Clan! Except for the people going to sell the Lingzhi, no one else is allowed to leave the valley," Ye Chen said. Their goal was too large and far-reaching. They had to make full preparations.

"I have some ideas about this matter. These Lingzhi mustn't be sold to acquaintances. Let Zhanxiong and Zhanlong handle this. At the same time, we'll have to borrow Little Chen's Raven Hawk and Vermillion Spirit Condor. Zhanxiong and Zhanlong will ride on the Raven Hawk and Vermillion Spirit Condor to avoid being followed."

At the clan meeting, the clansmen discussed the sale of the Lingzhi, offering suggestions and advice. The atmosphere was warm. After some planning on how to sell the Lingzhi, they finally settled on the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce. The Tiandu Chamber of Commerce was the most famous chamber of commerce in the Great Eastern Continent. It had branches all over the Great Eastern Continent and traded all kinds of natural resources and treasures. It had the best reputation and had very strict confidentiality measures for their customers.

As soon as the meeting ended, Ye Zhanxiong rode on the Vermillion Spirit Condor and set off to contact the Tiandu Chamber of Commerce. Once the contact was made and safety was confirmed, the transaction could proceed.

Once a large amount of Lingzhi flowed out of the valley, it would have a profound impact on the entire Great Eastern Continent.

How much Lingzhi could be produced in a hundred-acre forest, even Ye Chen could not estimate. There were around ten acres of Lingzhi that Ye Chen had specially instructed not to pluck. They would be left for a few more years. Things like Lingzhi became more valuable the older they were.

The clansmen carefully watched after the forest, their hearts filled with expectation.

Ye Chen was also quite excited. From now on, the development of the Ye Clan had advanced a step forward and entered a high-speed passage. Even Ye Chen could not imagine how the Ye Clan would turn out in a few years.

"Sixth Uncle, Eldest Brother, there's good news!" Ye Zhanying excitedly came over.

"What is it?" Ye Changxuan asked.

"Great Emperor Mingwu issued an imperial edict. Liu Xun and Liu Kan planned to rebel, so the Ye Clan will no longer be prosecuted for killing Liu Xun and Liu Kan. Furthermore, the Ye Clan served the emperor diligently and rendered meritorious deeds. The emperor conferred Eldest Brother Zhantian as the new Second-rank Prince of Donglin with an additional reward of three thousand taels of gold." Ye Zhanying panted heavily. He rushed back as soon as he got the news.

Ye Changxuan and the others glanced at each other and their faces brightened. After all, the Ye Clan was unable to compete with the entire Xiwu Empire for now. If Great Emperor Mingwu insisted on destroying the Ye Clan, they could only hide in the valley and never come out. The Ye Clan would not dare to show up outside either. It was a good thing that Great Emperor Mingwu did not make things difficult for the Ye Clan.

"The Second-rank Prince of Donglin. Eldest Brother, will you accept the position?" Ye Zhanying asked Ye Zhantian.

This was an awkward position. Great Emperor Mingwu had already issued the imperial edict, so if he did not accept it, it was tantamount to challenging the emperor. However, if he accepted it, there would certainly be troubles in the future. In the past, Ye Zhantian would happily accept the position. If he became the Second-rank Prince, it would certainly be of great help to the clan, but now, with the huge income they would get from the Lingzhi, it did not matter if he was not the Second-rank Prince.

"Little Chen, what do you think?" Ye Zhantian looked at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen pondered for a moment and said, "Father, I think I'll be fine to accept the position. However, the clan still shouldn't leave the valley. If there's any danger, Father can take refuge in the valley at any time. If you become the Second-rank Prince, you'll be able to seize the opportunity to train your forces. The outside world is too chaotic, so that will always be useful."

Ye Chen's words immediately let the clansmen fall deep into thought. The House of Ye's Thunder Emperor Technique would not be spread outside, but the Ye Clan had rare cultivation system books from the House of Yun and the Second-rank Prince as well as the various martial arts techniques that Ye Chen had collected from the Sunken Jade Tower. It would be fine if those were spread outside. Once the Lingzhi transaction was successful, the Ye Clan would have financial resources beyond imagination. If Ye Zhantian became the Second-rank Prince of Donglin, it would be greatly convenient and they would be able to cultivate forces loyal to them. The world outside was chaotic and the people had no way of getting by. Only by showing them kindness would they win the hearts and minds of the people.

If they did not have this valley to rely on, Ye Zhantian would never become the Second-rank Prince. However, with this valley, Ye Zhantian could afford to suffer some losses. Even if the plan failed, he could still come back and hide in the valley.

Thinking about this, all doubts were cleared.

"I'll listen to Little Chen and become the Second-rank Prince of Donglin!" Ye Zhantian said gallantly. In his heart, he thought that with Little Chen's talent, his cultivation would certainly leave them far behind. In the future, they may no longer be able to help Little Chen. In that case, he would give Little Chen a solid backing and his greatest power to assist Little Chen in his cultivation!

Ye Zhantian suddenly felt tens of years younger and that he could still go on for decades.

"I'll let the Raven Hawk, Blizzard Leopard, and Lynx follow Father in the future. If you meet any strong enemies, they should be able to help!" Ye Chen said and gave Ye Zhantian a few high-tier spirit pills for him to feed the Raven Hawk, Blizzard Leopard, and Lynx.

"If Eldest Brother wants to be the Second-rank Prince, you must be careful. I asked around and heard that there have been people from the Nanman Kingdom coming and going recently. They're probably here looking for information," Ye Zhanying said. "Liu Xun had been colluding with the Nanman Kingdom. I'm afraid that they'll attack you."

"A few scouts from the Nanman Kingdom won't matter. There are dozens of ordinary Second-rank Princes like Liu Xun in the entire Xiwu Empire and there must be many of them colluding with the Nanman Kingdom. With the strength of the Nanman Kingdom, the death of one or two Second-rank Princes is nothing to them at all. On the other hand, it'll be unfavorable for them if they do something to me. Besides, with the Raven Hawk, Blizzard Leopard, and Lynx secretly protecting me, nothing will happen." Ye Zhantian chuckled. Mystical beasts were more conscientious than people and more trustworthy as well.