In the backyard of the Dongfang Family, under a thousand-year-old ancient tree.
Ye Qiu and Dongfang Mo sat facing each other on the ground. When the Dongfang Family's disciples brought firewood, Dongfang Mo swung his right arm, and cooking smoke rose faintly. He then placed a small cauldron over the fire.
The small cauldron was filled with a century-old vintage treasured by Dongfang Mo.
Dongfang Mo was a lover of wine, especially fond of good wines that had aged for years. He cherished them immensely, and would only pour a few glasses to indulge when entertaining guests.
But this time, facing Ye Qiu, he unexpectedly and generously took out all his fine wines.
The two of them, under the thousand-year-old ancient tree, cooked wine, drank together, and discussed martial arts and philosophy.
It had a striking resemblance to the time when Cao Cao and Liu Bei cooked wine and talked about heroes.
Drinking the fine wine, chatting and laughing, without realizing it, they exchanged conversations for more than half a day.
Just like the Monk Duren at the time, Dongfang Mo withheld nothing from the insights and experiences he gained from his usual training, sharing them all with Ye Qiu.
Of course, Ye Qiu was not stingy, understanding Dongfang Mo's impressive explosive power, he also shared many crucial insights.
After a round of exchanges, both of them benefited tremendously.
To Dongfang Mo's surprise, after he expressed his insights, Ye Qiu had an even deeper understanding based on his shared experience.
Ye Qiu's understanding even directly solved a problem that had troubled Dongfang Mo for five or six years!
"This child's talent is truly beyond imagination. I've lived for decades, and it's my first time seeing someone with such exceptional talent,"
Dongfang Mo mused silently, once again elevating his regard for Ye Qiu.
He even thought that if Ye Qiu could develop smoothly, he would surely become the youngest Divinity Transformation expert.
At the same time, Dongfang Mo repeatedly congratulated himself, feeling his past decisions were wise not to offend Ye Qiu due to family reasons.
"Young brother!"
Dongfang Mo pondered for a moment, then decisively gritted his teeth, pulled out an ancient book from his chest, and handed it to Ye Qiu, smiling: "This ancient book records the cultivation insights of successive clan leaders of our Dongfang Family.
Many contents within it are difficult for even me to understand now, but I believe it should be quite helpful to you."
If the elders of the Dongfang Family saw this scene, their eyes would undoubtedly pop out in shock!
What Dongfang Mo handed to Ye Qiu was the Dongfang Family's most precious tome!
By rights, this tome should never be shown to outsiders!
Dongfang Mo's decision to offer it came after meticulous considerations and he endured immense pressure to make it.
For no other reason but the Dongfang Family's future!
The Dongfang Family, although one of the hidden clans within Huaxia, was near its decline, and Dongfang Mo knew clearly that if the current state continued, once he fell, the Dongfang Family would almost lose its qualification as a hidden clan.
As the clan leader of the Dongfang Family, how could Dongfang Mo be willing to see such an outcome?
He certainly wanted to restore the family's former glory!
Dongfang Mo had pondered this for a long time but had no better solutions, or perhaps it was a case of having the heart but lacking the strength. No matter how hard he worked, it only depended on his own strength, and he was already old, what else could he do?
Even if the family's little girl Dongfang Qing had excellent talent and a significant chance to break through to Half-Step Divinity Transformation, what good would it do?
Ultimately, Dongfang Qing was just a little girl, and Dongfang Mo had never had much faith in her from beginning to end.
Ye Qiu, on the other hand, was different!
Young yet stepping into Half-Step Divinity Transformation, moreover, exceedingly capable, with vast development potential in every aspect. Despite not being part of the Dongfang Family, Dongfang Mo felt that befriending Ye Qiu would greatly aid the Dongfang Family's development.
"Dongfang Family's tome?"
Ye Qiu was shocked, never expecting Dongfang Mo to make such a significant gesture for him.
Thinking briefly, he knew the tome in Dongfang Mo's hands was equivalent to the manuscript that was returned to Du Ren at the time, such a tome shouldn't be shown to outsiders by rights.
Back then, after receiving the manuscript in Shao's Secret Realm, Monk Duren merely contemplated it for a while and his strength saw a dramatic change. Remembering that scenario, Ye Qiu naturally had high expectations for Dongfang Mo's tome.
However, Ye Qiu did not immediately accept the tome but stood up, smiled at Dongfang Mo with respect, and said: "One should not receive a reward without merit; I'm afraid Ye Mou cannot accept this tome."
"Huh?" Dongfang Mo was slightly stunned.
Observing Ye Qiu's expression earlier, Dongfang Mo realized Ye Qiu had already discerned the importance of the tome and could see that Ye Qiu was very much looking forward to its content.
What Dongfang Mo didn't expect was that Ye Qiu could reject such a precious tome so decisively!
"This child is truly extraordinary, truly extraordinary! Being able to make such a connection is indeed a blessing for my Dongfang Family!"
Dongfang Mo mused repeatedly, once again elevating his regard for Ye Qiu!
Young, exceptionally talented, with such temperament, each trait is essential for becoming a prominent figure!
If such a person develops well, even if they don't intend to rule a region, it would be difficult not to!
After being rejected by Ye Qiu, Dongfang Mo did not give up the idea of trying to win over Ye Qiu; rather, his conviction became even stronger. He directly pushed the tome into Ye Qiu's hands and smiled: "Young brother, don't overthink it. You mentioned that one should not receive a reward without merit, so naturally, our Dongfang Family wouldn't give away this tome for free.
If you don't mind, we could make a deal. You get to study our Dongfang Family's tome in detail, and once you've done, you can return it to me. If the tome's content doesn't help you at all, our deal is naturally void. Conversely, if it proves quite helpful, you should offer something in return.
Should our Dongfang Family face a major predicament someday, I'd ask for your assistance."
"Since that's the case, I'll temporarily accept it." This time, Ye Qiu did not refuse again, after Dongfang Mo explained, he understood Dongfang Mo's intent.
Simply put, establishing a connection would be beneficial for the Dongfang Family's future development, considering it a form of utilization.
However, Ye Qiu did not reject this utilization, merely treating it as a kind of transaction.
Given that Ye Qiu, indeed, needed the assistance of such precious tomes currently, it could very well help him find a chance to break through to Divinity Transformation.
With an opponent like that, without breaking through to Divinity Transformation, Ye Qiu felt uneasy every day…
After accepting the tome, Dongfang Mo subtly relaxed, thought for a moment, and continued, "I wonder if young brother is interested in Divinity Transformation?"