Chapter 15

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As night quietly fell, large red lanterns were hung along the corridors and walkways of the Ye family estate, festooned with decorations. In the main hall, the faces of the main members of the Ye family were lit up with smiles that had been long absent.

In recent times, the family's situation had cast a gloomy shadow over all the clan members, so it was rare to have a joyful event to lift their spirits.

At the banquet in the main hall, Grandfather Ye Zhengqing sat in the main seat, a dignified old man in his seventies with white hair and beard. Due to his cultivation, he was in excellent health, his face glowing with a healthy red hue, and his entire presence exuded an aura of authority.

To his left were Uncle Ye Hai, Uncle Ye Han, Father Ye Yi, and Uncle Ye Yu. To his right were Aunt Ye Jingjing, and the outstanding younger generations: Cousin Ye Zhong, Cousin Ye Xuan, Cousin Ye Qiu, and Cousin Ye Ling.

Uncle Ye Hai was already a First Rank Condensation Essence expert, while Uncle Ye Han, Father Ye Yi, and Uncle Ye Yu were all at the Tenth Rank Warrior realm.

In wealthy and influential families, seating arrangements were very particular. Those with average talents like Ye Wei could only sit in the corners, next to their mothers. Despite this, the atmosphere in the hall was very harmonious, without the strict hierarchy found in other noble families, and the younger generations could speak freely.

Ye Wei looked at Grandfather Ye Zhengqing, who, despite his imposing presence and strong aura, showed a hint of fatigue in his expression. The various events in the clan recently must have left him feeling exhausted.

Ye Wei felt a bit uneasy, wishing he could help his grandfather shoulder some of the burden.

"Our Ye family hasn't held a family banquet for over three months. This banquet is mainly to celebrate Jingjing's breakthrough to the Seventh Rank Warrior realm!" Ye Zhengqing's powerful voice echoed.

Ye Zhengqing patted his youngest daughter, Ye Jingjing, on the shoulder, clearly proud, and said to the family, "I hope our younger generations will strive to strengthen and bring glory to our Ye family!"

"Congratulations, little sister! Our Ye family has another Seventh Rank Warrior. Here, big brother toasts you!" Uncle Ye Hai stood up first, smiling heartily, and raised his glass to Ye Jingjing.

"Big brother is already a Condensation Essence expert, I still have a long way to go!" Ye Jingjing raised her glass and drank it in one go, extremely bold.

"Not as good as big brother, but almost surpassing me. Here, second brother toasts you!" Uncle Ye Han laughed and also raised his glass.

"Thank you, second brother!" Aunt Ye Jingjing drank it in one go, showing no feminine reserve, extremely graceful.

Ye Jingjing was decisive and straightforward, as bold as a man, very different from the gentle and virtuous young ladies. That's why she was still unmarried at twenty-six. However, she was a very good person, and since Grandfather Ye Zhengqing and the uncles were often away, she usually managed the family affairs and took good care of Ye Wei.

Ye Wei vaguely remembered that Aunt Jingjing once said that even if she never married, she would still protect the Ye family and watch them grow, which would make her happy. Back then, Ye Wei thought she was joking, but now, thinking about it, his eyes welled up slightly.

Aunt Jingjing didn't want to see the Ye family decline!

"Let's eat!" Ye Zhengqing, looking at the warm and harmonious family, smiled, picked up his chopsticks, and said to everyone.

Although there was a rare touch of joy at the banquet, everyone still felt a deep bitterness, as the family's crisis loomed like a dark cloud.

As they ate and chatted, they temporarily put aside their worries.

When he was half full, Ye Wei walked out of the hall, strolled around, and enjoyed the cool breeze, thinking about how to use the divine pattern knowledge in his mind to help the family out of its current predicament. With Lin Ziyuan's recommendation, he might become Master Yi's disciple.

Master Yi was the most prestigious of the three divine pattern masters in Qingyue City. Becoming Master Yi's disciple should help alleviate the family's crisis, right?

Ye Wei clenched his fists tightly, determined to do just that!

While deep in thought, Uncle Ye Hai walked straight toward him.

Among the uncles, Ye Wei had the worst relationship with Uncle Ye Hai, who was extremely strict and harsh with him. Ye Wei also didn't feel much affection for him and always felt a bit afraid when he saw him.

Seeing Ye Hai approaching, Ye Wei quickly lowered his head, preparing to slip away.

"Ye Wei, stop!" Ye Hai barked, clearly not letting him off.

"Uncle..." Ye Wei steeled himself and called out.

"Aren't you supposed to be studying at South Star Academy? Why are you back today?" Ye Hai's face showed a flash of anger.

"I..." Ye Wei was about to explain.

"Did you skip school again? If you don't study hard, when will you break through to the Second Rank Apprentice realm?" Ye Hai said sternly, his tone very severe. "Among all the younger generations, you have the lowest cultivation. Look at your younger brothers and sisters; they have already far surpassed you!"

Ye Wei wanted to say that he was already a Second Rank Apprentice, but the words died on his lips. Seeing Ye Hai's stern expression, he lowered his head and said, "Yes, I will work hard!" He thought to himself that there was no need to argue, and one day, he would prove himself with his actions!

Seeing Ye Wei's submissive demeanor, Ye Hai's expression softened slightly, and he said with a lack of interest, "Forget it, you can go. The family is in a difficult situation now, and you younger generations must work even harder!"

Surprised that Uncle Ye Hai would let him off so easily, Ye Wei quickly left. Seeing the disappointed look on Ye Hai's face, Ye Wei felt an even stronger urge to become stronger!

In your eyes, I will always be the weakest, the one at the bottom. One day, I will make you all see me differently! The young man silently vowed in his heart.

As he walked past a corner, Ye Wei caught a glimpse of Grandfather Ye Zhengqing and Uncle Ye Han walking over to Ye Hai with serious expressions. Curious about what they would discuss, Ye Wei slowed his steps, stood behind the wall, and listened quietly.

In the night, the three figures stood alone and proud, the pillars of the Ye family!

"Ye Hai, how is the divine scroll business?" Ye Zhengqing asked in a low voice. Uncle Ye Hai was in charge of the family's most important divine scroll business.

"The price of divine scrolls has dropped by thirty percent, but there's still no business, it's like a deserted temple..." Ye Hai said gloomily. "The Du family's divine scrolls, crafted by the chief disciple of a divine pattern master, can unleash thirty percent of the original divine power. Our Ye family's divine scrolls can only unleash twenty percent, even with the price drop, we have no advantage."

A bitter smile appeared on Uncle Ye Hai's face. He had done his best, but still couldn't turn the business around.

Hearing Uncle Ye Hai's words, Ye Wei suddenly realized that this strong and domineering man could also be so dispirited. The family's situation must be truly dire.

"Older brother, how about the Dao weapon business?" Grandfather Ye Zhengqing frowned slightly, looking at Uncle Ye Han, who was in charge of the Dao weapon business.

Although the Ye family had many businesses, the most profitable were the divine scroll and Dao weapon businesses!

"The Du family's Dao weapons are forty percent cheaper than ours. In the past two months, we have only sold two Dao weapons! Moreover, Master Yi's registered disciple has already passed on a message that if our business doesn't improve, they will revoke our agency rights and give them to another family!" Uncle Ye Han's face was grim. The most profitable businesses, the divine scroll and Dao weapon businesses, were just agency businesses, buying from others and reselling them!

"Truly worthy of being one of the three major families in Qingyue City, their methods are indeed ruthless!"

"The Du family is too overbearing!"

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