C14 Face off

The Ye family, too, relied on Marrow-Cleansing Pills for sustenance, but these pills required consumption based on one's age. Take Ye Tian, for instance, at seventeen years old, he needed to take seventeen pills just to experience the slightest benefit. This is precisely why Level-1 pills weren't highly valued; they were effective, but the cost of use soared with age.

Shortly afterward, Ye Chengfeng watched as the Lin family's servants approached with an exquisitely crafted small box. Inside, upon opening it, were ten Marrow-Cleansing Pills.

"Brother Ye, please accept this as a token of my goodwill. Let's not speak of debts between us; consider this a gift," Lin Yuting offered with a grand gesture, though his tone left Ye Chengfeng feeling a chill of desolation.

Lin Yuting's words were pleasant, but Ye Chengfeng could see through them. Lin Yuting held no regard for him, even harboring a sense of disdain, though he didn't fully let it show. Throughout the encounter, Lin Yuting remained seated, his air of superiority unmistakable.

And these ten Marrow-Cleansing Pills, if spoken of openly, would seem like nothing more than Lin Yuting's charity to Ye Chengfeng.

"Patriarch Lin, as you're aware, Tian is already seventeen. These ten pills, even if taken, would be ineffective. Perhaps we could discuss a solution..." Ye Chengfeng began.

But Lin Yuting cut him off with a wave of his hand, his previously calm eyes now heavy with gravity. "Chengfeng, as I've said before, my daughter is exceptionally talented. At just sixteen, her potential is boundless. The Lin family's resources, even now, are barely sufficient for her."

"Besides, these ten Marrow-Cleansing Pills came from my personal stock. Given your current predicament, I shouldn't need to elaborate. Are you still going to nitpick?"

"Your son, Ye Tian, whether he's a waste or not, can't even surpass my daughter's current level. To squander resources on him would be nothing short of a sin."

Lin Yuting's tone had lost all prior courtesy, now stern as if he were admonishing a beggar. He even omitted the respectful 'Brother Ye', fearing that Ye Chengfeng might shamelessly impose again.

In Lin Yuting's eyes, Ye Tian was nothing but a complete waste, and that perception hadn't changed one bit. Even Ye Chengfeng, once a celebrated figure in Luoshui City, was on the verge of being relegated to the same status.

Lin Yuting had only offered the ten Marrow-Cleansing Pills as a final gesture to sever ties. Without that intention, he wouldn't have parted with so much as half a blade of grass.

"Haha..." Upon hearing Lin Yuting's words, Ye Chengfeng fell silent, then let out a soft chuckle tinged with profound melancholy. "How splendid, truly splendid. To think that I, Ye Chengfeng, have become the punchline of a grand joke!"

With self-derision, Ye Chengfeng continued, fixing his gaze on Lin Yuting, "Lin Yuting, we once called each other brothers. Even your current seat as the Patriarch was granted due to the Lin family's deference to my influence."

"Now look at how you repay that brotherhood—truly commendable!"

Ye Chengfeng's voice was raspy, his eyes bloodshot with unspoken sorrow as he stared at Lin Yuting.

Lin Yuting had once hung on Ye Chengfeng's every word, owing to the latter's clout in Luoshui City, which had prompted the Lin family to install Lin Yuting as Patriarch and bind themselves to Ye Chengfeng's fortunes. But with Ye Chengfeng's fall from grace, the Lin family's previous adulation was nowhere to be seen. Such was the harsh reality of their world.

"Ye Chengfeng, the past is just that—past. No amount of talking will change things now. Better to focus on how you and your good-for-nothing son will survive the days ahead," Lin Yuting said with a cold snort. A servant promptly approached Ye Chengfeng, signaling it was time for him to leave.

The fickleness of human relationships was on full display as Ye Chengfeng's face turned beet red and he began to cough violently, the anger taking its toll on his health.

After regaining some composure, Ye Chengfeng turned to depart. Just then, a Lin family servant excitedly ushered in an elderly man heading for the main hall.

"Patriarch, the Left Manager from the Heavenly Pill Alliance has arrived to craft the Small Revolving Pill you requested!"

The servant quickly addressed Lin Yuting, while the elderly man beside him, with his youthful appearance and white hair, offered a serene smile. This was none other than Zuo Qiu, the esteemed head of the Heavenly Pill Alliance!

Upon noticing Ye Chengfeng's imminent departure, Zuo Qiu gave a courteous nod. Lin Yuting then rose from his seat and approached with great respect.

"Elder Zuo, I appreciate your attention to the matter I entrusted to you. The small Revolving Pill is of great significance to my daughter!"

Approaching Zuo Qiu with a reverent demeanor, Lin Yuting resembled a deferential student, fully aware that as the head of the Heavenly Pill Alliance's Luoshui City branch, Zuo Qiu's status far surpassed that of a minor family patriarch like himself.

It was Lin Yuting who had spared no expense to invite Zuo Qiu to the Lin family, bringing with him the small Revolving Pill they had purchased. This second-grade small Revolving Pill was not only less troublesome than the Marrow-Cleansing Pill but also boasted an efficacy many times greater!

"Hehe, Master Lin, you flatter me. Had I known you had a guest, I would have postponed my visit," Zuo Qiu responded with equal courtesy, his noble status not detracting from his humility and approachability.

"Oh, it's no trouble at all, Elder Zuo. This gentleman is Ye Chengfeng from the Ye family, once a notable figure in Luoshui City. As for now, well... tsk tsk," Lin Yuting said, introducing him quickly but with a hint of disdain in his tone following their earlier dispute.

Zuo Qiu had previously noticed something amiss with Ye Chengfeng but had considered it none of his concern. However, upon hearing Ye Chengfeng's surname, his expression shifted, and he called out to the departing figure.

"Please, hold on a moment!"

Zuo Qiu approached Ye Chengfeng, who showed little interest in making acquaintances.

"Sir, as a distinguished member of the Ye family, may I inquire how the prodigious alchemist in your household is faring?"

Zuo Qiu's question caught Ye Chengfeng off guard, and what he couldn't have anticipated was that Zuo Qiu was actually referring to his own son, Ye Tian!

Zuo Qiu had been unable to shake the memory of witnessing Ye Tian effortlessly craft three Purple Flame Pills at the Heavenly Pill Alliance.

Knowing only that Ye Tian bore the Ye surname, Zuo Qiu was otherwise in the dark about him. So, encountering the Ye family today, he was eager to engage in conversation.

"You must mean my older brother's son, Zonglei. Indeed, the boy has a remarkable grasp of alchemy for his age!"

Ye Chengfeng was aware of Ye Zonglei's emerging alchemical gift, a talent that Ye Tian had never shown within the family.

Despite being aware of his elder brother Ye Chengyun's disdain for him, Ye Chengfeng had no desire to disparage his kin to outsiders.

"So, it seems you're speaking of Zonglei. A true young prodigy. Once this time has passed, I'll definitely seek out the young man for a proper chat!"