In the tidied-up reception hall, Ye Feng saw that there were several groups of people inside, all seemingly cultivators.

"Who are these people?" Seeing this scene, Ye Feng asked with some confusion.

The Ye Family member responsible for receiving them quickly and respectfully answered, "They were originally small families relying on the Guo Family. Now that the Guo Family has been destroyed, they say they want to affiliate with us, seeking our protection."

"Something like this happened?" Hearing this, Ye Feng was a bit surprised.

Is this how the hidden sects operate? The big fish eat the little fish, and the little fish eat the shrimp?

"Greetings to Patriarch Ye!"

"Patriarch Ye is truly imposing, worthy of being an exceptional talent of the era!"

"I've long admired Patriarch Ye, and meeting you today, your reputation is indeed well-earned."

…

As Ye Feng appeared, these small family members began to flatter him, seemingly eager to make Ye Feng their grandfather.

Their fawning was truly over the top.

Ye Feng didn't expect that such talents existed within the hidden sects.

"Please have a seat!" Nevertheless, since the visitors were guests, Ye Feng glanced around and invited them to sit.

"Thank you, Patriarch Ye!" The crowd thanked him profusely as they took their seats.

"So, tell me! What do you want from the Ye Family? If you're here to avenge the Guo Family, you're welcome to challenge the Ye Family anytime." After everyone was seated, Ye Feng said teasingly.

"We wouldn't dare! Patriarch Ye, you're scaring us. Even if we had a hundred lives, we wouldn't dare."

"Exactly! Patriarch Ye, please see through it!"

With Ye Feng's words, these people were instantly flustered, hurriedly standing up from their chairs, kneeling in front of Ye Feng to explain.

"Then why have you come to the Ye Family?" Ye Feng asked, pretending to be unaware.

"We wish for the Ye Family to protect us. We are willing to offer resources regularly, as we did before."

"Patriarch Ye, please help us!"

…

Upon Ye Feng's inquiry, the patriarchs of these small families pleaded.

After understanding their intentions, Ye Feng also inquired about how they previously paid tribute to the Guo Family.

Although the resources weren't much, for a small family, it was quite substantial.

After a moment of silence, Ye Feng said, "Alright then, the tribute will be doubled, and our Ye Family will protect you. But if you use the Ye Family's name to do any wrongdoings outside, I will be the first to destroy you."

"These are my terms. Take it or leave it."

Ye Feng's words cast a silence over the group.

While they could accept the increased resources, the fact that Ye Family would only protect them from being bullied and wouldn't interfere if they caused trouble was hard to accept.

"See the guests out!" Seeing some hesitation among them, Ye Feng smiled and gestured.

At the same time, Ye Feng turned and left.

Ye Feng could take the benefits, but doing so at the cost of integrity was something he absolutely wouldn't do.

"Patriarch Ye, we agree, we are willing."

"Patriarch Ye, don't go! We agree."

…

Seeing Ye Feng turning to leave, a few patriarchs immediately panicked and hurriedly agreed.

Though they were somewhat unwilling, it was their only path. Without the Ye Family's protection, even survival would be a problem in the future. How could they not agree?

Seeing their agreement, Ye Feng nodded and continued, "Good! I will, in the name of the Ye Family, notify the major hidden families that Ye Family will protect these few families of yours."

"At the same time, I will inform everyone that if any of you use the Ye Family's name to oppress others or commit wrongdoings, anyone can report it, and upon verification, you will be severely punished. Is that clear?"

…

Ye Feng's first statement brought joy to the hearts of the patriarchs of these families.

But his following words made their hearts tighten.

Though it left them somewhat displeased, they no longer had the right to choose and could only agree.

Moreover, they had to restrain everyone within their families in the future to prevent any wrongdoing, otherwise facing them could be the calamity of extermination.

Once everything was agreed upon, the families left behind the resources they were supposed to pay and then left with their people.

As a return gesture, Ye Feng gave each of them a decent cultivation technique, making them as happy as fools.

Of course, such techniques weren't anything significant for Ye Feng, casually copied from the Guo Family.

Yet for these small families, they were priceless treasures, destined to become heirlooms.

After dealing with them, Ye Feng returned to the tasks of building the Ye Family.

…

At the same time, the deeds of the Ye Family became widely known, with discussions everywhere.

In a manor, some who knew Ye Feng were discussing.

"Do you think the Patriarch Ye, who defeated the peak Martial God, is really that badass we traded with before?"

"Haha! I also got some pills from a Divine Level expert, and I still haven't used them up. I must treat them as treasures."

"Patriarch Ye, peak Martial God, has he grown to such a degree? It hasn't even been that long, it's so exaggerated!"

"He's already this monstrous, what do you think Xu Tian, Master Xu, is at now? He must also be extremely monstrous, right?"

…

These were people who had traded pills with Ye Feng, from whom Ye Feng made a fortune, acquiring many resources that swiftly advanced his realm.

Otherwise, Ye Feng's cultivation path might not have been so smooth.

Inside the villa of the manor, Qian Bao, Qian Kun, and others, upon hearing their discussions, had changing expressions.

"Wha... what kind of person did I offend before? A peak Martial God? The head of a top family, Patriarch Ye? Is he going to retaliate against me?" Among them, Qian Bao was almost in tears, shivering uncontrollably.

"Phew! To think that Mr. Ye developed so quickly, in the blink of an eye leading the top family of Ye. Remembering how I dared to make a move in front of such a person, it scares me even now." Qian Kun also felt unsettled, patting his chest.

Thinking back on his reckless actions, he almost felt like he should immediately apologize and seek Ye Feng's forgiveness.

Little did he know, in Ye Feng's eyes, such small fry didn't even register, and he held no grudge.

"Ah! Back then I could think of myself highly, believing that Mr. Ye was no match for me. But after all this time, Mr. Ye has become so powerful, while I'm still at a standstill. It's truly embarrassing to say the least." Speaking of this, Li Qing beside him sighed.

Back then, he ignorantly sought to take Ye Feng's possessions, but thankfully he feared exposure and refrained.

Remembering this, he even felt somewhat grateful to the Celestial Punishment Association, otherwise, he'd have offended a peak Martial God Level expert….

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