Competition for Quota

As the saying goes, small matters call for big meetings, and big matters call for small meetings.

Chen Xingyun's return not only boosted the Chen family's prestige but also brought three spots that allowed direct entry into the Azure Profound Sect.

Those who held the Azure Profound Golden Token would have to wait two years for the Azure Profound Sect's once-a-decade disciple recruitment to be able to join the sect and enjoy the treatment of an outer disciple.

The other two, nominally servants, could return to the Azure Profound Sect with Chen Xingyun at any time, but they would only have the treatment of labor disciples.

However, whether it was an outer disciple or a labor disciple.

For many small families settled in the Moon Gazing Mountain Range, these were opportunities that were difficult to obtain.

Although the Chen family had prospered in the past, they had inevitably declined somewhat.

Especially since Chen Mingyun, on whom they had placed great hope, had given up on himself and become a cripple.

This was a significant blow to the Chen family.

Therefore, these three spots that allowed direct entry into the Azure Profound Sect were crucial to the Chen family's prosperity for the next hundred years.

Naturally, a decision could not be made rashly, and they had to be chosen carefully.

Especially after the incident with Chen Mingyun, the higher-ups of the Chen family now placed more importance on the character of their own descendants.

At this moment.

Jade Spring Mountain.

At the summit, the Clan Assembly Hall.

The Clan Assembly Hall was where the Chen family discussed important matters.

However, the normally spacious Clan Assembly Hall was empty.

But the small conference room within the Clan Assembly Hall was packed with people.

The family head, Chen Xingyuan, and the twelve elders at the late Qi Refining stage had, very rarely, gathered together.

However, the clan leader Chen Tianheng and the Azure Profound True Disciple Chen Xingyun, two Foundation Establishment true cultivators, were not present.

One wondered what they were discussing?

Unlike the clan assembly a year ago, where they had discussed who would participate in the competition.

This time, Chen Xingyuan was no longer grim-faced and dark as an abyss, but his face was flushed with joy and beaming.

Cough, cough...

He cleared his throat twice, looked at the people in the hall, and said with a smile, "Elders, are there any suitable candidates you can recommend for those three spots?"

His tone was relaxed and leisurely, and his expression was also relaxed and comfortable.

Although the selection this time was also of great importance, it was a good thing.

Unlike last time, when they were selecting someone to participate in a competition and engage in a life-and-death battle with others.

As soon as he said this, the hall fell silent.

Everyone began to ponder which outstanding juniors in the clan were suitable to be sent to the Azure Profound Sect.

After a moment of silence in the hall, the Great Elder Chen Xingzhou stroked his short beard and spoke first:

"Since we are discussing this, we should prioritize the family's interests. The spots brought back by Xingyun are precious, and the candidates must have outstanding aptitude, tenacious character, be loyal and reliable to the family, and have a bright future."

"I believe that Chen Heng, who made great contributions to the family during the recent competition, deserves a spot."

His voice was steady, and his gaze swept across the crowd before finally landing on Chen Xingyuan: "Although this child comes from a branch family, his talent, character, and combat ability are evident to all."

"He was able to defeat the Luo family's proud daughter at the third level of Qi Refining with his own schemes. His Fiery Eyes Water Ape Transformation and Water Fire Heaven-Reaching Staff Technique have both reached the great accomplishment stage. What's more rare is that he has mastered the art of artifact refining at a young age and is already a mid-grade first-tier artifact refiner."

"Such a comprehensively developed talent, who has also made great contributions to the family, if he were to join the Azure Profound Sect and be cultivated by the sect, his future achievements might far exceed what Mingyun expected back then. This is the first."

"Secondly," Chen Xingzhou paused, his tone carrying a hint of scrutiny, "Xingyun has successfully established his foundation and holds a respected position in the sect. In the future, he will undoubtedly compete with the talents of various families."

"Chen Heng is meticulous in his thoughts and flexible in his methods. He has even defeated a stronger opponent by being weaker, reversing the situation against the Luo family's proud daughter. Such practical combat adaptability is precisely the assistance Xingyun needs most in sect competitions."

"Isn't his Blade-Hiding Staff and feigned defeat to lure the enemy strategy a testament to 'wisdom winning'?"

"This is for Xingyun's future considerations, and it is also where our Chen family places its bet."

He looked around: "Although Youngster Heng only has a fifth-grade mid-level spiritual root, judging by his cultivation progress, his mastery of techniques, his artifact refining talent, and his battlefield adaptability, all of them show extraordinary potential."

"It would be a regret for the family to lose such a fine talent because of his concubine-born status or the grade of his spiritual root."

"I propose that the 'Azure Profound Golden Token' be given to Chen Heng, to help him directly enter the outer sect in two years!"

The Fifth Elder, Chen Xingjiang, who was in charge of the family's artifact refining matters, also nodded slightly at this moment:

"The Great Elder's words are not wrong. Chen Heng has outstanding talent in artifact refining. In half a year, he went from nothing to a mid-grade first-tier. His comprehension and control of heat are so exquisite that he is unparalleled among the young generation of the clan."

"It is not easy for the family to cultivate a qualified artifact refiner. If such a seed of skill can be sent to the Azure Profound Sect and receive further training with the sect's more complete inheritance of artifact path, his future achievements might not be limited to the second tier, and it would also greatly benefit the family's inheritance of artifact path."

The Ninth Elder, Chen Xingyuan, who had been sitting quietly in the corner with a calm expression.

He slowly opened his eyes at this moment, his voice flat but clear: "His character is tenacious, he is not afraid of danger, and after winning the competition, he is neither arrogant nor impetuous. He has been cultivating diligently for half a year, detached from worldly affairs."

"Such a character is even rarer than talent. This child can be entrusted."

The three elders expressed their opinions one after another, setting a very high standard for Chen Heng.

However, not everyone agreed.

The Eighth Elder, Chen Xingmo, who was responsible for the disciples' training within the clan, frowned slightly and raised an objection: "Chen Heng's merits and character are both excellent, and I have no objections."

"But his spiritual root is only a fifth-grade mid-level. This is the foundation of cultivation. How fierce is the competition in the Azure Profound Sect?"

"Resource allocation is ultimately based on talent and potential."

"If we give him such a precious opportunity as the Golden Token, which can bypass the entrance examination and lead directly into the core circle of outer disciples, and if he is later limited by his spiritual root and his progress is hindered, wasting this hard-won chance, wouldn't that be a pity?"

"I believe the Golden Token should be bestowed upon Chen Minghao, who possesses a seventh-grade upper-level earth spiritual root. His talent is superior to Chen Heng's and he is more suited to the principle of resource allocation!"

"Also, Chen Mingyue, who has a sixth-grade fire-wood spiritual root, although young, can also be considered!"

Chen Minghao and Chen Mingyun were the only two in the Ming generation who possessed upper-grade spiritual roots.

The clan had originally envisioned one of them joining the Azure Profound Sect to develop, while the other would remain within the clan for cultivation.

Unfortunately, man proposes, but fate disposes.

An elder nodded in agreement upon hearing this: "Indeed, the slots should be prioritized for those most likely to yield the greatest returns. Chen Heng's aptitude is ultimately his shortcoming."

The Patriarch, Chen Xingyuan, with a calm expression, turned his gaze to the Third Elder, Chen Xingzhu, who was in charge of the cultivation affairs: "Elder Xingzhu, you manage the Scripture Pavilion and often observe the disciples. What are your thoughts?"

Chen Xingzhu pondered for a moment before slowly stating, "Spiritual root talent is indeed fundamental, but throughout history, there have been those who excelled without relying solely on their spiritual roots."

"Chen Heng's ability to cultivate great techniques and master profound artifact refining with only average talent demonstrates his unique qualities. While the Azure Profound Sect values talent in selecting disciples, they also value combat potential, character, and even expertise in various arts."

"The qualities Chen Heng has displayed better fit the requirements for disciples cultivated by the sect. In contrast, although Minghao's talent is excellent, his experience is still shallow and he needs time to grow."

"Giving the Golden Token to Chen Heng would be a dual consideration of his personal potential and the clan's immediate needs, though risks and opportunities coexist."

His words clearly showed he favored Chen Heng more than Chen Minghao, whose spiritual root grade was higher.

The assembly hall immediately erupted in discussion, forming two distinct factions.

One faction, led by Chen Xingzhou, argued that Chen Heng's comprehensive qualities, combat ability, artifact refining talent, and his potential value to Xingyun were more important, and he should receive the Golden Token.

The other faction emphasized the fundamental nature of spiritual root grade, believing the clan should invest more prudently in disciples with higher talent, reserving the Golden Token for those with outstanding spiritual roots like Chen Minghao.