Shan Hu's command was firm and conclusive, carrying an undeniable imperial aura.
Ye Chengye's heart was pounding. He knew what these twelve Foundation Establishment Pills meant to the Ye family. In a world of spiritual energy depletion like Earth, the Foundation Establishment Pill was an immensely rare immortal treasure. Just one pill could change a person's destiny, and twelve were enough to allow the Ye family to cultivate twelve true cultivators!
After respectfully retiring, Ye Chengye immediately summoned the core elders of the Ye family and conveyed Shan Hu's decree as quickly as possible.
"In three days, all clan members over eighteen with latent spiritual energy must gather in the backyard to receive Foundation Establishment!"
The news detonated within the Ye family's ancient estate like a thunderclap. Initially, there was shock, followed by overwhelming joy. Everyone knew this was an unparalleled opportunity for the Ye family's revival.
While Ye Chengye was busy strictly screening the aptitude and age of the clan's descendants, Shan Hu returned to his separate courtyard and began studying the ancient texts and maps that Ye Chengye had presented earlier.
Most of the ancient texts recorded the cultivation experiences of the Ye family's ancestors during Earth's spiritual prosperity, including records of long-vanished sect ruins. But what drew Shan Hu's interest more were the few yellowed ancient maps.
One map depicted the mountain terrain near the Capital, marking dozens of spiritual energy convergence points with vermilion ink. However, in the corner of the map, there was a vague mark that was deliberately circled.
The writing around this mark was ancient and obscure, but for Shan Hu, the Immortal Emperor, interpretation was not difficult.
"'Where the Dragon Vein enters the sea, the foundation of the Celestial Palace is hidden'… Interesting."
A sharp light flickered in Shan Hu's eyes. He had heard legends of the "Celestial Palace" (Tian Gong) in the Immortal World—a floating immortal residence built by unimaginably powerful beings in ancient times. The master of the Celestial Palace would typically establish the "Foundation of the Celestial Palace" at the most important spiritual vein node of a major world to absorb its spiritual energy.
If the "Foundation of the Celestial Palace" mentioned on this ancient map was real, the spiritual vein it was situated on was certainly incomparable to the small one beneath the Ye family.
Shan Hu repeatedly compared the layout of the mountains and rivers on the ancient map with a modern topographical map of the Capital using his Divine Sense.
"This location... it's beneath an ancient reservoir deep within the Yan Mountains, directly north of the Capital!"
This discovery stirred Shan Hu. A spiritual vein capable of supporting the "Foundation of the Celestial Palace," even in today's spiritually depleted world, could never be completely exhausted.
It was highly likely concealed and sealed by a more advanced array, far superior to the simple formations laid down by the Ye family ancestors.
"It seems this is the Ye family's true hidden resource, though they themselves are unaware of it."
Shan Hu immediately decided that after handling the Ye family's Foundation Establishment matter, he would personally head to the Yan Mountains to investigate this so-called "Foundation of the Celestial Palace." If he could find and open this hidden Dragon Vein, his speed in breaking through to the Golden Core stage would significantly increase.
This was the genuine resource that could support his path back to the Immortal Emperor position.
Time flew quickly amidst the anticipation of the Ye family descendants.
Three days later, nearly a hundred Ye family descendants gathered outside the rockery chamber in the backyard herb garden. They had been strictly screened by Ye Chengye, confirmed to be over eighteen years old, and possessing faint spiritual energy within their bodies.
Every face showed uncontrollable excitement and nervousness. They knew that this day would determine whether they could become true "Immortals."
Ye Chengye personally stood at the entrance of the chamber and announced in a deep voice: "Quiet! Today, the Immortal Master will personally help you establish your foundations. This is a rare opportunity for the Ye family in ten thousand years. You must treat this with reverence and piety!"
As Ye Chengye's voice faded, Shan Hu, clad in a simple azure gown, slowly walked out of the chamber. In the jade bottle he held, rested the twelve Foundation Establishment Pills, each emitting a faint azure glow.
Under the sunlight, the pills' radiance appeared especially soft and divine.