The Ye Clan's arrival was even faster than Lin Yang had imagined.
In less than two days, Lin Yang met the Ye Clan's acting patriarch—Ye Lingling's grandfather, Ye Xuanyin.
He was an old man with a youthful face and crane-white hair, full of vigor, wearing a gentle smile.
"Hahaha, old Ye, you're still alive?"
When Dugu Bo saw Ye Xuanyin, his face carried a smile and his attitude was extremely familiar. Clearly, they knew each other and their relationship was quite good.
That made sense. There were only so many famous people standing at the peak of the continent; everyone knew everyone.
Faced with Dugu Bo's "collision," Ye Xuanyin was not angry. Instead, a sharp glint flashed in his pupils as he replied in a vigorous voice, "This old bag of bones can still hold on for a few more years. On the contrary, you… you're getting younger and younger. Congratulations."
Those words weren't wrong. Judging by appearance alone, Dugu Bo looked slightly older than Ye Xuanyin, but in reality, Dugu Bo was nearly ten years younger.
"Luck. I resolved an old heart ailment."
Dugu Bo didn't say much more on the topic.
The two chatted as they led their respective juniors into the private room and took their seats.
Lin Yang and Dugu Yan naturally sat on Dugu Bo's side, while Ye Lingling sat behind Ye Xuanyin.
Lin Yang nodded slightly at Ye Lingling across from him.
However, Ye Lingling's reaction was a bit strange. Her gaze remained cold, yet there was a faint "gritting teeth" feeling to it.
An illusion?
Lin Yang didn't pay too much attention and instead quietly observed the Ye Clan's acting patriarch.
Ye Xuanyin was an 87th-rank Power Attack System Soul Douluo. His martial soul was the Tyrant Crimson Flame Lotus, an extremely aggressive fire-attribute martial soul.
The reason he didn't possess the Ye Clan's Nine-Hearted Begonia martial soul was nothing special. He was originally an adopted son of the Ye Clan, given the Ye surname from a young age. He grew up as childhood sweethearts with the Ye Clan's direct daughter—Ye Lingling's grandmother—and naturally married her when they came of age.
He was also well-versed in medical principles. While not top-tier, he was definitely competent. He could become the acting patriarch partly due to being Ye Lingling's grandfather, and partly because he currently had the highest cultivation in the Ye Clan.
After chatting with Dugu Bo for a while, Ye Xuanyin's gaze fell on Lin Yang.
In the past few days, he had heard far too many things about Lin Yang from his granddaughter. Younger than Lingling, yet his cultivation far surpassed hers. With his self-created soul skills, his strength was comparable to a Soul King.
Most importantly, the other party had actually opened an entirely new path. Without soul skills, relying solely on herbs to achieve the same effects as soul skills. This achievement was revolutionary!
The current potions could restore soul power. In the future, could they assist cultivation, increase soul power, or even help people without soul power awaken innate soul force?
Although the process would be incredibly difficult, as long as there was a beginning, there would be no shortage of people willing to research it.
Moreover, this was also an opportunity for the Ye Clan.
Therefore, upon hearing that Lin Yang was willing to cooperate with the Ye Clan, he had not hesitated much and personally came to Heaven Dou City.
Even though the other party was only a Soul Elder, both his cultivation talent and achievements in potions were enough to warrant his attention.
"So this little friend is the Lin Yang that Lingling mentioned." Ye Xuanyin's face was kind.
Lin Yang slightly bowed. "Greetings, Senior Ye."
"Lingling mentioned you when she returned, saying you are a genius. Seeing you today, it is indeed true."
Ye Xuanyin paused, then smiled again. "You know my granddaughter. She usually doesn't speak more than a few words to anyone. You are the first person she has taken the initiative to speak to."
Lin Yang replied modestly, "Senior Ye flatters me."
At this moment, Dugu Bo spoke up from the side: "Alright, old Ye, let's skip the unnecessary pleasantries. Since you came personally, it means you've already verified the two potions. What are your thoughts?"
"I've examined the two potions Lingling brought back. They are indeed effective. I just want to ask…"
Ye Xuanyin stared at Lin Yang with burning eyes. "How exactly did you achieve this?"
He understood pharmacology and had researched herbs his entire life. Yet no matter what he did, he could not fuse the medicinal properties so perfectly. It was like a perfect puzzle, fitting seamlessly. One piece more or less could make the difference between heaven and earth.
Such precision should not be achievable through manual compounding. That was why these potions were almost impossible to replicate. There was only one source in the world!
Lin Yang smiled, but his attitude was extremely firm. "This is this junior's secret. Please forgive me, Senior."
Ye Xuanyin sighed, but he wasn't too disappointed. "I was being presumptuous."
Lin Yang smiled and said nothing. In truth, he could achieve this thanks to his Demon God Body martial soul. His Demon God Body was immune to toxins. Whether it was herbs or poisons, once he tried them once, he could instantly analyze their properties and even extract the core essence.
Combined with consuming the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, plus a second awakening, one could say his body was a precise high-pressure chemical reactor.
The delicate operations that others struggled to complete with experience were no problem inside the Demon God Body. It could react however he wanted.
Therefore, even if others knew the potion formula, they would find it extremely difficult to replicate.
"What's wrong, old Ye?" Dugu Bo looked at Ye Xuanyin with a sinister gaze, his tone not very pleasant. "Are you doubting us?"
"I wouldn't dare." Ye Xuanyin casually waved his hand. "This old man was simply curious."
Immediately after, Ye Xuanyin's expression turned serious as he got to the point. "Next, we should discuss the cooperation."
In fact, there wasn't much to discuss. At their level, ordinary wealth could no longer interest them. But there was an old saying: money can make ghosts push mills!
If there was a chance to make money, they wouldn't push it away. Moreover, both Dugu Bo and Ye Xuanyin valued Lin Yang's future.
Based on this, the cooperation method was settled in just a few sentences.
The Dugu Clan would provide core medicinal herbs and take 30%. The Ye Clan would provide basic medicinal herbs and sales channels, also taking 30%. Lin Yang controlled the core technology and took 40%.
All three parties were very satisfied with this result. Especially Dugu Bo. He basically contributed zero cost. Those so-called rare medicinal herbs grew in bunches inside the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well and were still "madly" growing. There were more than they could ever use.
He also didn't need to worry about management. He only needed to intimidate troublemakers at critical moments.
After the cooperation was reached, the group had a meal together.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes, Ye Xuanyin made a request that even surprised Lin Yang.
"Lin Yang, can you let Lingling join your Butterfly House?"