After explaining the situation truthfully, Lu Yue breathed a sigh of relief. She had always felt guilty, and now that she had gotten everything out, she felt much better.
No matter how Han Changjing treated her, she could accept it.
Han Changjiong hesitated for a moment, his face solemn, and said seriously: "Are you hiding anything? It's best not to hide it from me, otherwise I will be powerless to help you."
"I have nothing to hide. You can do whatever you want to me, but please don't hurt our child."
Lu Yue's eyes were blurred with tears, her hands were placed on her abdomen, her face full of love.
"Contact them in a few days and tell them that it is inconvenient for you to contact them recently. Ask them for more antidotes and give birth to the child first. I will not treat my woman badly."
Han Changjing held Lu Yue's hand tightly, and a determined expression appeared on his round, fat face.
"Husband!"
Lu Yue felt mixed emotions. She leaned her head on Han Changjiong's broad shoulders, tears flashing in her beautiful eyes.
Han Changjing sighed lightly. He didn't know whether what he did was right or wrong. He really couldn't bear to kill his Taoist partner who had slept in the same bed with him for many years with his own hands.
What's more, Lu Yue was pregnant with his child, so he couldn't do it anymore.
Huludao, in the meeting hall, Han Zhangxiang sat on the main seat, listening to the reports from his clansmen, while Ye Xue sat next to Han Zhangxiang and listened.
"Clan leader, our clan currently has 385 cultivators, 473,400 mortals, seven new cultivators, eight foundation-building cultivators in the Red Algae Sea, several foundation-building cultivators out, and 53 clan members at the ninth level of Qi Refining."
Thanks to the spirit stone mine, after more than ten years of mining, the Han family obtained a large amount of spirit stones, which were used to purchase a large number of immortal cultivation resources to enhance the family's strength. The seven foundation-building cultivators are Han Zhangxiang, Han Daobin, Han Daojing, Ye Xue, Han Changjiong, Han Changwu, Han Changxin, and Han Deling. Han Changming and the other five are not in the red algae sea and do not need to be counted.
In order to show his trust, Han Zhangxiang handed over part of the clan affairs to Ye Xue, while Han Daojing focused on his practice in seclusion.
Han Zhangxiang has now reached the great perfection of foundation building. Theoretically, he can strive for the Jindan stage, but without a Jindan spiritual object, the success rate is very low.
Ye Xue stood up, holding a thick account book in her hand, and said, "Patriarch, this year the entire clan earned 75,725 spirit stones, and spent 48,525 spirit stones, with a profit of 27,200 spirit stones. The store with the most profit this year is the talisman store, which accounts for 30% of the total income. The profit of the weapon store has decreased, and the least profitable is the grocery store. In terms of expenditure, the clan members' salaries account for 35%, the raw materials account for 50%, and 10% and 15% are for personal relationships. This is the specific list."
Ever since the Han family discovered a spirit stone mine, they have increased the training of their clan members year by year and have trained several alchemists and weapon refiners. However, the number of formation masters is relatively small. There is nothing that can be done about it as the Han family has no inheritance in this area.
Han Zhangxiang nodded, asked Ye Xue to sit down, and said, "The position of the Three Heroes is now vacant. Let's discuss it! Select new candidates and focus on training them."
Whether it is a sect or family of immortal cultivation, they will select some cultivators for intensive training.
"Benfu has been practicing very hard. I recommend her to become one of the three heroes of the Han family."
Ye Xue recommended Han Benfu regardless of his relationship with her.
She has put a lot of effort into Han Benfu over the years, urging her to learn and practice. Han Benfu has already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining. She is almost twenty years old. With her dual spiritual roots, this training speed is already very fast.
Before Han Changming left home, he left behind a lot of resources for cultivating immortals, which Ye Xue divided equally among Han Benfu and the other two. However, Han Benfu had better aptitude and cultivated faster.
Han Benzhi and Han Benyong are only at the second level of Qi Refining, far behind Han Benfu.
If one wants to become one of the three great men of the Han family, one must first consider one’s qualifications, secondly the contributions made by one’s parents, and thirdly one’s personal abilities.
Han Benfu has dual spiritual roots, but only some members of the clan know about her qualifications. Other members of the clan suspect that her qualifications are good, but do not know what spiritual roots she possesses. This is also a common practice. As the most qualified member of the Han family for hundreds of years, Han Zhangxiang has always been careful to protect Han Benfu to prevent her qualifications from being leaked out and being targeted when she travels in the future.
Other members of the tribe also said which tribe members they favored, and many elders recommended their own younger generations.
After more than an hour of discussion, Han Zhangxiang finally made the final decision on the new three heroes of the Han family, namely Han Changyan, Han Benfu, and Han Benmin.
Han Changyan is good at observing people's words and expressions and has been very smart since childhood. Han Benfu is a natural alchemist. As for Han Benmin, he is good at repelling insects and taming beasts. He has been fighting insects with Han Benfu since childhood and is proficient in the art of taming insects.
The three of them will be the key training targets of the Han family and will have special treatment of priority in foundation building.
"Okay, that's all for today, go away! Do whatever you need to do!"
Han Zhangxiang waved his hand and gave orders.
The tribesmen left one after another, and only Ye Xue stayed. She seemed to be hesitant to speak, as if she had something to hide.
"There are no outsiders here, just say whatever you want to say!"
Han Zhangxiang said with a smile that Han Changming had left the family for several years. Han Zhangxiang knew that Ye Xue must be very concerned about the safety of Han Changming and Ye Xin.
"Chief, any news about my husband and sister?"
Ye Xue's eyes were full of anticipation. She hadn't heard from Han Changming and Ye Xin for nearly ten years. It was impossible for her to say that she was not worried.
"No, no news is the best news. If something happened to them, someone would come back to report. If no one reports, it means they are fine. Don't worry too much. Take good care of Benfu and the other three. Changming and Ye Xin might be surprised if they come back."
Han Zhangxiang spoke to comfort him. He was also a little worried. You know, Han Changming brought with him a huge sum of 500,000 spirit stones, which was half of the Han family's savings.
Ye Xue sighed lightly and nodded. This was all that could be done now.
When Ye Xue returned to her residence, she saw Han Benfu scolding Han Benzhi and Han Benyong. She was the eldest sister of this generation and had a high prestige for this generation.
"You are too lazy. You are still at the second level of Qi Refining. The tribesmen who started practicing with you are already at the third level of Qi Refining. If Dad and Aunt knew about this, they would definitely beat you up."
Han Benfu scolded with a stern face.
"Sister, we have tried very hard, but hard work alone does not guarantee success."
Han Benzhi argued in a low voice that even if they had the same three spiritual roots and the same amount of training time, it did not mean that the training speed was the same. There were many problems involved.
"Yeah! Sister, we can't compare to you."
Han Benyong begged desperately.
"No, from today on, I will start to urge you to practice. If you don't want Dad to be angry, then slack off in your practice."
When Han Benfu finished speaking, she saw Ye Xue and immediately smiled and ran over quickly.
"Mom, how are you? Any news about Dad and Aunt?"
Han Benzhi and Han Benyong looked at Ye Xue. They hadn't seen their parents for nearly ten years and they missed them very much.
"No, they can't come back yet, but your father sent someone to bring back a message, asking you to practice diligently. He will come back to check, and he will not let anyone off easily if they slack off."
Ye Xue said with a straight face and a stern tone, his eyes passing over Han Benzhi and Han Benyong.
Han Benzhi and Han Benyong lowered their heads guiltily. They were more playful at their age. But this was also related to their qualifications. After all, they were not Han Benfu, so their training speed was naturally not fast.
Many cultivators with three spiritual roots have not yet reached the sixth level of Qi Refining when they are twenty years old, but Han Benfu has already reached the eighth level of Qi Refining. This is the difference in aptitude.
"You have been practicing hard during this period, but you need to work harder in the future. Benfu, I forgot to tell you that you have just been selected as one of the three heroes of the Han family. You need to practice more diligently in the future, understand?"
The treatment of the three heroes of the Han family is very good, but it is also a huge pressure. If Han Benfu slacks off in her practice, it would be tantamount to slapping the faces of other elders in the family, and people might even say that the family is unfair. Therefore, Han Benfu needs to practice more diligently.
"Got it, Mom. I will work harder and be better than Dad."
Han Benfu said seriously, looking very confident.
Ye Xue smiled knowingly and said nothing.
······
Golden Dragon Sea, Golden Dragon City.
In a secret room, Han Changying was sitting cross-legged on a green cushion, with a large piece of yellow sand floating in front of her. Each grain of yellow sand was only the size of a fingernail, and they were densely packed and arranged in a piece.
Not far in front of her, there was a three-legged refining furnace that was more than one person tall. The furnace was red in color, and a small red snake pattern was engraved on the body of the furnace. There was a large area of red flames under the furnace.
She pinched her fingers and a spell hit the purple refining furnace. The top cover suddenly flew up and a large amount of boiling purple liquid flew out.
"go."
Han Changying changed his magic spell and lightly pointed at the yellow gravel, and the purple liquid wrapped up the yellow gravel.
The purple and yellow lights flickered, slowly merged together and turned into scarlet red.
Half a quarter of an hour later, the yellow sand turned completely red. Under the guidance of Han Changying's spiritual sense, it flew back into the refining furnace. The top cover automatically flew up and closed.
Her spell changed, and the flame at the bottom of the refining furnace became much smaller.
As time passed, Han Changying's face turned pale. She had stayed in the secret room for more than a month. Purple Fire Crystal was a third-grade refining material. It was not easy for a foundation-building cultivator's innate true fire to process Purple Fire Crystal. It took her more than half a month to turn the Purple Fire Crystal into liquid.
This is the case of refining the Purple Fire Crystal into the Qiantu Zhenyang Sand. If a magic weapon is refined using the Purple Fire Crystal, its power will definitely be much greater than that of a second-level magic weapon.
However, with her level of refining skills, she might not be able to use the third-level refining materials to refine a magical weapon, and it would be too extravagant. In comparison, it is much easier to refine the Purple Fire Crystal into the Dry Earth True Yang Sand.
A quarter of an hour later, Han Changying retracted his magic spell, the flames flashed and extinguished, and the top cover flew up automatically.
A large piece of red sand flew out and danced around her, creating waves of heat wherever the red sand passed.
Han Changying's pale face showed a hint of joy, and he said to himself: "Finally succeeded, I hope my ninth brother will be satisfied."
She took out a yellow gourd and collected the red sand.
She put away the refining furnace and the refining materials on the ground and sat cross-legged in meditation.
An hour later, Han Changying got up and walked out.
Not long after, she appeared on the busy street and started strolling.
After the beast tide receded, Golden Dragon City became even more prosperous. The reason for this was that Golden Dragon City killed a large number of cultivators and obtained a large amount of monster materials, which attracted many cultivators.
After a while, Han Changying came to Guangyuanju and Han Delei was greeting guests.
"Uncle Jiu, is my ninth brother here?"
Han Changying asked casually and walked towards the backyard.
"Changming hasn't been to Guangyuanju for more than a month. He said he was in seclusion for training. Changying, I have something to ask you."
After seeing off the guests, Han Delei and Han Changying came to the backyard.
"Changying, you are close to Changming. Have you noticed that there is a problem between Changming and Ye Xin?"
Han Delei asked solemnly.
"Problem? What problem? My ninth brother and his wife are very loving."
Han Changying was completely confused. She didn't know what Han Delei was going to ask.
"Some tribesmen have discovered that Ye Xin has been going to the White Crane Pavilion frequently in the past month. She always comes alone and stays with a married man. She stays in the White Crane Pavilion for several hours each time. I can't contact Chang Ming, and I'm so worried."
Speaking of this, Han Delei's face was full of worry. Baihe Pavilion was a shop opened by the Zheng family that sold formations. Ye Xin went to Baihe Pavilion for several hours every day, and each time she went there alone. He couldn't help but become suspicious, as he was worried that Ye Xin was having an affair.
"I haven't known my sister-in-law for long, but I believe she is not that kind of person. Let me find a chance to ask her."
"Forget it! How can I ask her about this? What if she doesn't admit it?"
Han Changying chuckled and said disapprovingly: "We are a family, there is nothing we can't ask. I will just ask her why she went to Baihe Pavilion. If she is willing to be honest, then she can be honest. If she is not willing, then forget it."
She doesn't like beating around the bush and prefers to get straight to the point.
"this······"
Han Delei looked hesitant. He was worried that he had misunderstood and that it would be difficult to get along with them in the future.
"Leave it to me. I just happen to have something to ask my ninth brother. There's nothing to worry about."
Han Changying patted his chest and said, then stood up and left.
A quarter of an hour later, she appeared at the door of Baihe Pavilion and walked in.
Monks came in and out from time to time, making it very lively. Han Changying stood in an inconspicuous place.
After a while, Ye Xin and Zheng Guangyao came out from the backyard. Ye Xin's face was full of joy and she looked very happy.
Zheng Guangyao personally escorted Ye Xin out of Baihe Pavilion. Not long after Ye Xin left, Han Changying hurriedly chased after her.
"Sister-in-law, wait."
Han Changying called Ye Xin.
Ye Xin turned her head and smiled, saying, "Fifth sister, it's you."
She saw that Han Changying was very natural and there was nothing unusual about it.
"I have refined what Ninth Brother wants. Let's go to your place and talk!"
Ye Xin smiled happily and nodded in agreement.
When they arrived at the residence, Ye Xin made tea to entertain Han Changying.
"My husband has been in seclusion for a while. Fifth sister, please forgive me for the poor hospitality."
Ye Xin poured tea for Han Changying and said politely.
Han Changying took a sip of the spiritual tea and said, "Sister-in-law, have you been to the White Crane Pavilion often recently? Have you encountered any difficulties?"
"Nothing! Nothing difficult."
Ye Xin flatly denied it. Zheng Guangyao didn't want them to spread the news. If the matter got out, he would have a hard time explaining to his family.
"Sister-in-law, is Ninth Brother treating you badly? If he treats you badly, tell me and I will take care of it for you. You must not do anything to let Ninth Brother down."
Han Changying's expression was solemn. The cultivators in the Golden Dragon Sea were relatively wealthy, and she was worried that Ye Xin would be dazzled by the glamorous world.
Ye Xin was slightly stunned, smiled bitterly, and immediately understood what Han Changying said.
She hesitated for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "I learned the formation from Fellow Daoist Zheng, but it was Fellow Daoist Zheng who didn't allow us to pass it on to others. Fifth sister, my husband treats me very well. I'm not that kind of person. I know how to write the word shame. You misunderstood."
She briefly explained what had happened. If Han Changying hadn't misunderstood her, she really wouldn't have wanted to say it. After all, this was Zheng Guangyao's repeated request. And it wasn't Han Changying's fault, as Han Changming happened to be in seclusion.
Han Changying suddenly realized and nodded, saying, "So that's how it is. I said you're not that kind of person, but you should also pay attention to the impact. Let's do this! You guys go to my place in the future, so you can avoid gossip and this matter won't get out."