Seeing Ye Cangtian's great progress in such a short period, Old Long was quite satisfied and nodded slightly:
"Very good, kid, you've done even better than I asked!"
"Heh heh, it's all thanks to your guidance, old man."
Ye Cangtian buttered him up and quickly asked, "Old man, how should I train next."
"Simple, add a piece of paper every centimeter, and the number of paper pieces must not be less than ten. That's passing."
Hearing the old man's words, Ye Cangtian frowned. He had managed to make two pieces of paper float when stacked, so he knew how difficult it was.
To put it simply, it was about channeling spiritual energy out of the body, first to the first piece of paper, and then to the second.
A lot of the spiritual energy was already consumed when it passed through the body. After further consumption on the first piece of paper, the remaining spiritual energy acting on the second piece of paper was already minuscule.
Thus, if more paper pieces were added, the consumption would be absolutely immense, and the difficulty would increase by more than just a little.
He suspected that even he wouldn't be able to achieve it in a short period.
However, despite this, Ye Cangtian was highly motivated.
Since he started cultivating according to Old Long's instructions, he had gained more control over his spiritual energy.
And through cultivation, with each instance of spiritual energy depletion followed by replenishment, the spiritual energy within him continued to increase, gradually boosting his overall strength.
With such benefits, he naturally wouldn't back down due to difficulties.
After having a drink with Old Long, Ye Cangtian returned to his residence.
...
Upon arriving at the courtyard, Ye Cangtian was a bit stunned.
The size of the courtyard was definitely among the top in Dragon City.
However, it only contained a single pavilion and a tea-drinking and zither-playing pavilion. Unlike other families, it wasn't a series of nested courtyards. Still, it was quite suitable for solitary living.
A mansion like this, coupled with its location, must be quite expensive!
Muttering to himself, Ye Cangtian walked into the pavilion.
The interior was decorated in a simple and stylish manner, with all necessary living items. This met Ye Cangtian's requirements.
The only thing that didn't quite fit him was the dressing table and some rouge and powder, but these were not major issues.
After a simple tidying up, Ye Cangtian returned to the bedroom and began to cultivate.
*Ding!*
After an unknown period, a simple bell rang.
Ye Cangtian went to the window and scanned the direction of the courtyard gate. He saw a carriage parked outside.
The carriage looked somewhat familiar; it seemed to be from the Bai family.
Huh?
It's so late, why would the Bai family be here?
With a hint of doubt, Ye Cangtian walked out of the pavilion and approached the courtyard gate.
Opening the courtyard gate, Ye Cangtian saw Bai Zhenshan, dressed entirely in white, slowly alighting from the carriage.
"Patriarch Bai, coming so late at night, what business do you have?"
Ye Cangtian said calmly. He had some conflict with Bai Zhenshan and never expected him to come knocking.
However, considering Bai Zhenshan was an elder of the Hidden Organization, he didn't turn him away and instead invited him in.
"I heard you completed your mission and were rewarded with a mansion. I've come specifically to pay my respects today and take a look. Mr. Ye wouldn't mind, would he?"
Bai Zhenshan smiled slightly, gesturing to the coachman to present the gifts he brought.
"Unsolicited kindness often conceals ulterior motives!"
Ye Cangtian pouted as he looked at the gift box in the coachman's hand, his heart immediately on guard.
Even though he knew the other party wasn't being entirely benevolent.
But not hitting a smiling face, Ye Cangtian directly led Bai Zhenshan into the pavilion and gave the room a brief tour.
Looking at the luxurious pavilion and the large courtyard along the way, Bai Zhenshan mused inwardly.
It seemed Dongfang Mingyue truly considered Ye Cangtian one of her own, even giving him the mansion prepared for her own residence.
It was as if she was keeping a kept man; when had she ever been this good to anyone?
However, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. The better Dongfang Mingyue treated Ye Cangtian, the more it showed her regard for him.
Then his purpose for coming today was correct!
With this thought, Bai Zhenshan was led by Ye Cangtian to the living room and sat down.
Ye Cangtian poured two cups of tea, handed them over, and said with a light smile, "Patriarch Bai, you've gone to great expense. Thank you."
"A small gesture."
Bai Zhenshan waved his hand with a smile and continued, "We had some disagreements before, and there were many improprieties. I hope through this occasion, we can let bygones be bygones, Mr. Ye."
"That would be for the best."
Ye Cangtian said with a feigned smile. He could tell that the other party wanted to win him over.
But to think that these gift boxes alone would be enough to win him over was perhaps a bit naive.
Not to mention their past grievances, just the conflicts between the Bai family and the Dongfang family, and between the Bai family and Old Long, he couldn't possibly agree.
The other party shouldn't be unaware of these things!
Perhaps sensing Ye Cangtian's attitude, Bai Zhenshan paused for a moment and said, "Mr. Ye, I've brought my sincerity this time. Would you be interested in hearing it?"
"Hmm?"
"There's other sincerity?"
Ye Cangtian was slightly taken aback, then said, "Then please, Patriarch Bai, enlighten me!"
He was also curious what sincerity Bai Zhenshan had brought that could impress him.
Hearing this, Bai Zhenshan spoke frankly, "I can obtain the relevant documents concerning Tang Qingshan and his wife and hand them over to you."
What?
Ye Cangtian's eyes widened instantly.
He had just spoken with Dongfang Mingyue earlier, and even she was helpless regarding these documents. How had this person managed it?
Thinking this, Ye Cangtian glanced at him and said, "So, your condition is for me to secretly form an alliance with the Bai family and jointly deal with the Dongfang family in the future?"
"Heh heh, it's always easier to deal with intelligent people." Bai Zhenshan did not deny it.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian's expression turned grim, "Bai Zhenshan, you've come to the wrong person. I want to investigate the truth, but I don't want to see internal strife within the Hidden Organization, which would affect the entire ruins."
"That won't happen. The Bai family isn't that ruthless, nor do they have such great ambitions."
Bai Zhenshan waved his hand and continued, "The Bai family has no intention of monopolizing the Hidden Organization. They just don't want to be constantly suppressed by the Dongfang family. To be able to stand on equal footing with the Dongfang family is already enough."
Bai Zhenshan was speaking his mind. Whether it was the Bai family or the Dongfang family.
If either side were to be annihilated, the strength of the Hidden Organization would undoubtedly be greatly reduced, attracting the wicked from all directions, and the entire ruins would face an unprecedented catastrophe.
This was not something Bai Zhenshan was willing to see.
He only wished to escape the oppression of the Dongfang family and be on equal footing with them regarding influence, so the Hidden Organization would not suffer much.
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian's expression softened, but he felt a bit relieved.
It seemed the Bai family's ambition was not that great, and their desire for power had not reached a state of madness.
However, was standing on equal footing really a good thing?
How could one force allow two absolute voices of authority? Wouldn't that be inviting disaster?
"In that case, I can help you, but I want to see the documents first." Ye Cangtian said, his mind made up.
He had already formulated a plan.
"Then it's a deal!"
Bai Zhenshan's face immediately lit up with a smile, still thinking inwardly how shrewd his third brother was to have Ye Cangtian completely in his grasp.
...