Chapter 68: A Beautiful Sight

Ye Zhantian was delighted too. With two more additions to the mid Ninth Level team, the Ye Clan had a total of five Ninth Level combatants now. If one considered Ye Chen a mid Ninth Level combatant, then the clan had a total of four mid Ninth Level fighters. After that great battle, Ye Zhantian was close to attaining mid Ninth Level following the breakthrough in his Celestial Chi. By then, the clan would truly have five mid Ninth Level fighters. In such an isolated place, the Ye Clan was considered the strongest clan in the area.

"Little Chen, there'll be many clans from Donglin County who will come forward to congratulate you at the celebration tomorrow. You should head back and make your preparations, give our clan a good name. It's been a long while since the clan had such a glorious moment!" Ye Zhantian said gleefully. He looked to the distance. "It's not safe to put Fluffy One and Fluffy Two at the castle gate. I'll dig up a spot in the backyard and make them a den!"

The entire clan was in a festive mood. They had been greeted with wave after wave of good news and could see the positive changes coming to the clan. The news of Ye Chen's miraculous deeds had reached the ears of many families and now, he was adored and regarded by many with the utmost respect.

The Ye Castle was in a state of euphoria. The crowd banged their gongs in excitement the moment the Scarlet Sky Tiger and the Stormphantom Panther set foot in the castle grounds. Colorful lanterns decorated the castle, signifying joy and happiness.

The following day, before the sun barely rose, the people were already up and hard at work. The streets in the castle had turned lively.

Ye Changxuan and Ye Zhantian had already gotten down to their chores. Ye Chen, who knew nothing, remained by the side and offered an occasional hand.

Everyone in the castle wore a happy face.

"I heard at least ten clans are attending the celebration today."

"I doubt it's just ten. After all, the elder chief was selected to be Master Apothecary Xuanyi's disciple, it's a big deal. I'm sure clans from all over the place would flock over to offer their greeting. Finally, the clan is getting the recognition it deserves!"

The people's words moved the elderly to tears. They were now at peace knowing that the clan was finally glorious again. 

"Did you guys hear that Fluffy One and Fluffy Two tagged along with Ye Meng and the rest of the boys for a nightly patrol?"

"Fluffy One and Fluffy Two are obedient."

"Right! I even fed them two pieces of meat each this morning!"

The people of the Ye Clan were relatively simple. As long as they were treated with kindness, they would return the kindness twofold, two beasts included.

The sky was barely lit but there was already a long line outside the castle gate. Groups of people carrying baskets of goods waited outside. Henceforth, the Ye Clan was the strongest clan within the vicinity. Once Ye Chen became Master Apothecary Xuanyi's disciple, the entire Donglin County would have to bow to them. Neither dared to take the celebration lightly. 

The castle gates opened with a loud creak. The men tasked with security and ushering the guests were all shocked by the turnup. The crowd was so huge that they could not possibly scan the crowd with one look. Dear lord, there were many people!

"Get in line and enter one by one. Leave your invitation passes at the door!"

Soon, the first wave of guests began to pour into the castle.

"Xu Clan from the North of Donglin County, presenting us with a Violet Coral, a piece of Clarity Jade, ten Centenarian Lingzhi, thirty Centenarian Fire Ginseng, a hundred-and-fifty-year-old Heavenly Glacial Herb…" a member of the clan announced.

The rest of the guests behind the line widened their eyes upon hearing the announcement. The Xu Clan were going all out. Some were beginning to have mixed feelings. Very few clans had brought gifts on the level of the Xu Clan, some of them feared that they had brought too little gifts.

After they were done reading with the first slip, they proceeded with the second and read aloud, "Yi Clan from the South of Donglin County. One Saliva of Skyflame Snake, one Eighty Years of Heavenly Motion, and One Violet Pangolin Scale!" 

The crowd broke into an uproar.

"The Yi Clan from the south gifted them a Saliva of Skyflame Snake!"

The men in charge of receiving the door gifts were becoming more excited. All the gifts that the clan had received were rarities. For hundreds of years, the Ye Clan had never received such flattery. They could not help but be moved.

Clan after clan entered the castle. Meanwhile, their gifts were all wheeled into the Ye Clan's treasure vault. For so long, the Ye Clan's treasure vault looked sad and pathetic, the entire place was depressingly empty but now, piles upon piles of treasure filled the vault to the point that it was beginning to be super packed.

Even Ye Changxuan and Ye Zhantian did not lag when it came to helping out at the event.

Bigger clans like the Xu Clan and the Yi Clan brought valuable gifts. The clans who were a little well to do however gave Chi Amassing Pills and Chi Deposition Pills instead. Some gave up to one or two hundred Chi Amassing Pills. Those with a little more generosity gave an additional one or two hundred Chi Deposition Pills.

After a thorough count, it was found that the clan had received a hundred thirty gifts in total, all tightly crammed into the clan's tiny treasure vault. The clan had never been this extravagant. All members of the Ye Clan strode down the hallways and corridors with their chest puffed up, beaming with pride.

After three to four hours, the gift reception had finally come to an end. A portion of people who showed up with gifts were all ushered into the castle and placed at the guest house at the east of the castle. Due to the lack of space, the rest could only wait outside. Most elder chiefs and lords however, were shown to the grand hall.

Ye Chen sat at the upper end and looked at the crowd of elder chiefs and lords. Even though they were prominent figures in Donglin County, he was not the slightest bit nervous. He was very calm and composed.

"Gentlemen. I forgot to say this. My son, Ye Chen, is now the clan's elder chief." Ye Zhantian saluted the crowd. "Thank you all for coming this far. The Ye Clan is extremely honored to have you here."

"Don't be." The guests returned the gesture. Neither of them was surprised that Ye Chen had become the elder chief. If they had such a promising talent in their clan, they would want to put said talent in the elder chief's seat too!

They looked at Ye Chen who sat at the upper end with envy and jealousy. How come they never had a prodigy in their clan? Hundreds of clans came forth to offer their greetings. It was a beautiful sight at the Ye Castle today! 

Ye Zhantian scanned the masses. He did not recognize some of the guests but he made out a few faces like Yan Yinn and Qin Yu among the crowd. All smiled and greeted Ye Zhantian.

Ye Zhantian paid no attention to them. Instead, he gave them the cold shoulder. He had to give these hypocrites a taste of their own medicine for once. Then again, now that Yan Yin and Qin Yu had disassociated themselves with the Yun Clan, there was no need for the clan to antagonize them either. They could not push these people back to the Yun Clan. 

"Fellow guests, the clan will be organizing a banquet in the afternoon. I hope all of you will stay for the occasion. We have another hour to go before the main event. I suggest we remain here to mingle," Ye Zhantian gleefully exclaimed.

"Don't mind us then!" the crowd responded. 

The lords surrounded Ye Zhantian, Ye Changxuan, and Ye Zhanlong and they entertained their guests.

Ye Chen remained on the upper end to enjoy his personal space. The sheer amount of people had put him off. He would rather remain up there than to head down and entertain the guests.

Ye Chen could see Ye Rou standing at a corner in the sea of Ye Clan members. She was dressed in a white silk skirt, captivating like a white lotus. Ye Rou sensed Ye Chen looking at her and smiled at him.