As the saying went, small matters called for grand meetings, while great matters called for small meetings.
Chen Xingyun's return not only bolstered the Chen Household's prestige, but also brought back three slots that allowed direct entry into the Azure Profound Sect.
The holder of the Azure Profound Golden Token would have to wait for the Azure Profound Sect's once-in-a-decade opening of the mountain gates to accept disciples two years later before joining the sect and receiving the treatment of an Outer Sect disciple.
The two nominal servants, however, could return to the Azure Profound Sect with Chen Xingyun at any time, though they would only receive the treatment of menial disciples.
Yet whether one became an Outer Sect disciple or a menial disciple—
For many small families settled in the Moon Gazing Mountain Range, both were opportunities difficult to obtain.
Though the Chen Household had once enjoyed glory through its ancestors, it had ultimately fallen somewhat into decline.
Especially after Chen Mingyun, the Foundation Establishment Seed upon whom they had placed great hopes, gave up on himself and became utterly useless.
That had dealt the Chen Household no small blow.
Thus, these three slots for direct entry into the Azure Profound Sect concerned the Chen Household's rise and fall over the next century.
Naturally, they could not make a hasty decision. They had to choose with caution.
Especially after the matter of Chen Mingyun, the Chen Household's higher-ups now valued the temperament and character of their younger generation even more.
At this moment.
Jade Spring Mountain.
At the mountaintop, the Clan Assembly Hall.
The Clan Assembly Hall was where the Chen Household discussed major affairs.
Yet the normally spacious Clan Assembly Hall was completely empty.
The small council chamber within the Clan Assembly Hall, however, was packed with people.
Household Head Chen Xingyuan and the twelve elders at late Qi Refining had gathered together at the same time, an exceedingly rare occurrence.
Yet Clan Chief Chen Tianheng and Azure Profound True Disciple Chen Xingyun, the two Foundation Establishment true cultivators, were not present.
Who knew what the two of them had gone off to discuss?
Unlike the clan assembly a year ago, when everyone had discussed whom to send to participate in the decisive contest—
This time, Chen Xingyuan no longer wore a face as still as water and as dark as an abyss. Instead, his face glowed red with delight, joy written across his brows.
Cough, cough...
He coughed twice, looked at the people in the chamber, and said with a smile at the corner of his lips, "Elders, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend for those three slots?"
His tone was calm and unhurried, and his expression relaxed and at ease.
Although selecting candidates this time was likewise of great importance, it was a good thing.
It was unlike last time, when they had selected people to take part in the decisive contest and fight others to the death.
As soon as he spoke, the chamber fell silent.
Everyone began considering which outstanding younger members of the clan were suitable to be sent into the Azure Profound Sect.
After a moment of silence, Great Elder Chen Xingzhou stroked his short beard and was the first to speak.
"Since we are discussing this matter, the Household's interests must take precedence. The slots Xingyun brought back are precious. The candidates should possess outstanding aptitude, steadfast character, loyalty and reliability toward the Household, and bright prospects."
"In my view, Chen Heng, who rendered great service to the Household in this decisive contest, deserves one of those places."
His voice was steady as his gaze swept over everyone before finally settling on Chen Xingyuan. "Though this child was born into a minor branch, his talent, temperament, and combat ability have all been witnessed by everyone here."
"At the third layer of Qi Refining, he defeated the Luo Family's proud daughter through his own schemes. His Fiery Eyes Water Ape Transformation and Water Fire Heaven-Reaching Staff Technique have both reached the realm of mastery. More remarkably, at such a young age, he has already mastered the art of refining and become a first-rank mid-grade artificer."
"A talent developing so comprehensively, who has also rendered great service to the Household—if he enters the Azure Profound Sect and receives the cultivation of the superior sect, his future achievements may far surpass the expectations once placed on Mingyun. That is the first point."
"As for the second," Chen Xingzhou paused, and a trace of scrutiny entered his tone, "Xingyun has successfully achieved Foundation Establishment and now holds an honored position in the sect. In the future, he will surely contend against the outstanding talents of every family."
"Chen Heng is meticulous in thought and flexible in his methods. He has even defeated the Luo Family's proud daughter despite being weaker. Such adaptability in actual combat is precisely the aid Xingyun will need most in the sect's struggles."
"His Blade-Hiding Staff and his tactic of feigning defeat to lure the enemy—were they not clear proof that wisdom could triumph?"
"This concerns Xingyun's future, and it is also where our Chen Household must place its wager."
He looked around. "Though Youngster Heng possesses no more than a fifth-grade mid-level spiritual root, his cultivation progress, attainments in techniques, talent for refining, and adaptability in battle all reveal extraordinary potential."
"If we lose such a fine talent merely because of his humble birth or spiritual root grade, it would truly be a regret for the Household."
"I propose that the Azure Profound Golden Token be given to Chen Heng, allowing him to enter the Outer Sect directly two years from now!"
Fifth Elder Chen Xingjiang, the elder responsible for the clan's refining affairs, also nodded slightly at this moment.
"What the Great Elder says is true. Chen Heng's talent in the path of refining is outstanding. In half a year, he rose from nothing to become a first-rank mid-grade artificer. The subtlety of his comprehension and control over the heat is utterly without equal among the Household's younger generation."
"It is exceptionally difficult for the Household to cultivate a qualified artificer. If such a seed of skill can be sent into the Azure Profound Sect to pursue further study through the superior sect's more complete inheritance of the path of refining, his future achievements may not stop at the second rank. It would also greatly benefit the Household's inheritance in refining."
Ninth Elder Chen Xingyuan, who had been sitting quietly in the corner with an expression as placid as an ancient well, also slowly opened his eyes.
At this moment, he said in a calm yet clear voice, "His character is steadfast, and he does not fear danger. After winning the decisive contest, he did not grow arrogant or impatient. Instead, he cultivated in seclusion for half a year and paid no heed to worldly affairs.
"Such temperament is even rarer than talent. This child may be entrusted with great responsibility."
The three elders stated their positions in succession, setting an extremely high tone for Chen Heng.
However, not everyone agreed.
Eighth Elder Chen Xingmo, who was responsible for training the clan's disciples, frowned slightly and raised an objection. "Chen Heng's contributions and temperament are both excellent. This old man has no objection to that."
"Yet his spiritual root is ultimately only fifth-grade mid-level. This is the foundation of cultivation. How brutal is the competition in Azure Profound?
"The allocation of resources is ultimately measured mostly by talent and potential."
"If such a precious opportunity as the golden token, which allows one to skip the entry examination and go directly into the Outer Sect's core circle, is given to him, and his progress is later hindered by his spiritual root limitations, wasting this hard-won opportunity, would that not be regrettable?
"This old man believes the golden token should instead be granted to Chen Minghao, who possesses a seventh-grade high-level earth spiritual root. His talent surpasses Chen Heng's by a notch and better accords with the principle of concentrating resources!"
"Also, Chen Mingyue possesses sixth-grade fire and wood spiritual roots. Though she is young, she can be considered as well!"
Chen Minghao and Chen Mingyun were the only two members of the Ming generation with high-grade spiritual roots.
The clan had originally envisioned that one would enter the Azure Profound Sect to develop, while the other would remain in the Household for cultivation.
Unfortunately, man proposed, Heaven disposed.
Upon hearing this, some elders nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Slots should be given priority to those most likely to yield the greatest returns. Chen Heng's aptitude is ultimately his weakness."
Household Head Chen Xingyuan remained calm as he turned his gaze toward Third Elder Chen Xingzhu, who oversaw the transmission of teachings. "Elder Xingzhu, you manage the Scripture Pavilion and often observe the younger generation coming and going. What are your thoughts?"
Chen Xingzhu pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "Spiritual root aptitude is indeed the foundation, yet throughout the ages, there have also been those who rose alone without relying on their spiritual roots."
"Chen Heng has, with merely ordinary aptitude, cultivated his techniques to mastery and mastered profound refining skills. This already reveals his uniqueness. While the Azure Profound Sect values talent when selecting disciples, it also values practical combat potential, temperament, and even special skills in the hundred arts."
"The qualities Chen Heng has displayed better suit the sect's requirements for nurturing disciples. Minghao, by comparison, has fine talent, but his experience remains shallow and he still needs time to grow."
"If the golden token is given to Chen Heng, it would be a consideration of both his personal potential and the Household's recent needs. However, risks and opportunities coexist."
His words clearly favored Chen Heng rather than Chen Minghao, whose spiritual root grade was higher.
Discussion immediately broke out throughout the council chamber, and two distinct factions formed.
One faction, led by Chen Xingzhou, believed that Chen Heng's overall qualities, combat ability, refining talent, and potential value to Xingyun were more important, and that he should receive the golden token.
The other faction stressed the fundamental importance of spiritual root grade, believing the Household should invest more steadily in disciples with greater talent and reserve the golden token for those with exceptional spiritual roots, such as Chen Minghao.
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