Household Head Chen Xingyuan listened quietly, his gaze moving between the two sides of the dispute.
He looked toward Second Elder Chen Xinghai, who had remained silent and oversaw the Lineage's financial operations.
Chen Xinghai stroked his jade abacus and said only one thing softly to the Household Head: "The rewards Elder Xingyun brought back, especially the servant slots, if handled properly... might allow us to 'buy' Minghao a chance to enter the Outer Sect at a critical moment... so long as the resources are in place."
These words awakened Chen Xingyuan. Though the Azure Profound Sect was difficult to enter, disciples with good talent were not without a chance to bypass the entrance examinations if resources and connections were sufficient.
The servant slots likewise had their own flexibility.
As soon as these words were spoken, the arguments gradually subsided.
Chen Xingyuan drew a deep breath and swept his gaze across the room. "What every elder has said is reasonable. Chen Heng has rendered outstanding service and possesses considerable potential. He excels particularly in practical combat and artifact forging, and his temperament is resolute. Chen Minghao possesses peerless talent and exceptional spiritual roots. Both are treasures of the Lineage.
"Yet the slots are limited, and the choice is difficult..."
His gaze sharpened. "To ensure fairness and impartiality, while giving the fullest consideration to Elder Xingyun's needs and the Lineage's present and future interests, this old man proposes that we temporarily refrain from naming a specific candidate!"
"After Elder Xingyun and the Patriarch have discussed the matter, they may assess and observe the nominated junior candidates, or establish one or two trials, then make their decision based on performance and potential! What do you all think?"
This proposal was relatively balanced. It acknowledged the value of the candidates recommended by every side while handing the final decision to Chen Xingyun, the most crucial figure, avoiding further contention.
The elders pondered for a moment.
Great Elder Chen Xingzhou was the first to nod. "The Household Head's proposal is sound. This old man seconds it. The final candidate should naturally be decided by Elder Xingyun and the Patriarch."
On behalf of Chen Heng's side, he accepted this compromise.
"I second it."
"I second it."
"I second it."
The proposal gained the approval of most of the elders.
In the end, Chen Heng and Chen Minghao were nominated for the final candidate list, with Elder Xingyun and Patriarch Chen Tianheng to make the final observations and decision.
The candidates for the two servant slots would likewise fall within the scope of consideration.
The clan assembly ended, and everyone dispersed.
Chen Xingzhou glanced at Chen Xingyuan. Their gazes met, and both understood that the true power of decision now lay in a conversation between the two Foundation Establishment true cultivators atop the mountain.
At the summit of Jade Spring Mountain, Cloud-Watching Pavilion.
Patriarch Chen Tianheng and Chen Xingyun stood in the pavilion, leaning against the railing as they gazed into the distance.
A sea of clouds churned beneath their feet, thick spiritual energy curling through the air.
"Xingyun, how are things within the sect?" Chen Tianheng's voice was gentle, carrying an elder's concern.
Chen Xingyun's gaze was deep, faint flashes of lightning flowing within it. "The currents are treacherous and unpredictable, far surpassing the southern foothills. Several peaks stand side by side within the sect, and every peak has its own succession of true disciples."
"Lightning Roar Peak's disciples are known for their formidable combat prowess, but they have also made many enemies."
"Though the sect's resources are abundant, the competition is fierce. One step slow, and every step thereafter will be slow."
Chen Tianheng nodded in understanding. When a Lineage genius entered a great sect, it was like a small stream merging into the sea—those early days would inevitably be difficult.
"The Lineage has already made preliminary decisions regarding the three slots. It only awaits our consideration."
He succinctly informed Chen Xingyun of the clan assembly, particularly the nominations of Chen Heng and Chen Minghao, the reasons from both sides, and Chen Xinghai's advice regarding "resource management."
Chen Xingyun listened quietly, a faint silver-white arc of lightning flickering unsteadily at her fingertips.
"Chen Minghao... a seventh-grade upper spiritual root. His talent is indeed not bad."
She paused, her tone calm. "But he is a flower raised in a greenhouse, untempered by wind and rain, who has never even truly seen blood."
"The Outer Sect recruits quite a few talents like that every year, yet no small number vanish into the masses. The Azure Profound Sect is not Jade Spring Mountain. Its resources may be abundant, but its competition is a hundred times crueler."
The lightning arc at her fingertips vanished. Her gaze turned toward Green Bamboo Lodge below the mountain, as though she could see through the sea of bamboo to the person within.
"Chen Heng... I did take note of this name through the battle footage."
"At the third layer of Qi Refining, he was able to rely on calculations and that mundane Blade-Hiding Staff technique to counter-kill a Luo Family girl with an upper-grade wind spiritual root?"
"That calmness, that decisiveness in killing, and that eye and ruthlessness for finding the sole chance of victory amid disadvantage... such ability and temperament are even rarer."
"His feigned defeat to lure the enemy may have looked like a dangerous gambit, but in truth, every step had been carefully laid. He even deceived that old fox of the Luo Family. Such intellect and adaptability in actual battle... cannot be measured simply by spiritual-root talent."
A trace of approval flashed through Chen Xingyun's eyes. "Within the sect, there are many with astonishing talent, but only those who can remain meticulous and ruthless in life-and-death spell battles can walk farther."
"He was able to find another path and master artifact forging while the Lineage lacked resources, which reveals his self-driven strength all the more."
"More importantly, he has mastered the Fiery Eyes Water Ape Transformation... This art is incomplete, yet he was able to cultivate it successfully. He must possess something exceptional. A talent like this is precisely the aid I lack."
"As for his spiritual roots?"
Chen Xingyun shook her head slightly. Lightning appeared at her fingertips once more, far stronger this time. "I have seen too many people in the sect with ordinary talent rise above the rest through unyielding will, special opportunities, or a unique skill."
"With fifth-grade spiritual roots, he brought his spells to major accomplishment and entered the ranks of artifact refiners after only half a year. That already proves his potential and resilience in overcoming the limits of talent."
"The sect's secret medicines and high-grade cultivation arts may not be unable to make up for some of it. Besides..."
She paused, and her tone became meaningful. "The sect is not wholly peaceful either. Some enemies may not fight with open and honorable spell battles."
"A helper as meticulous as hair, decisive in striking, and equipped with a craft like artifact forging... is far more useful than a 'genius sapling' who merely possesses good talent yet still requires long-term nurturing and protection."
By this point, Chen Tianheng already understood Chen Xingyun's inclination.
What she valued was the immediate combat strength Chen Heng had displayed, as well as his immense potential.
That potential lay not merely in cultivation, but also in his adaptability against enemies, battle wisdom, resilient temperament, survival ability, and the artifact-forging talent he had already begun to reveal.
It better suited her judgment of, and needs for, the intense competitive environment awaiting her within the sect.
"That Azure Profound Golden Token... you favor him?" Chen Tianheng confirmed.
"Yes." Chen Xingyun nodded, her tone certain. "Rather than gamble on the growth of an unpolished jade in a cruel environment, it is better to accept a blade that has already revealed its edge and wisdom."
"He has the ability to survive in Azure Profound's Outer Sect, and even more so the ability to grow into my aid. There are risks, but it is worth the gamble."
She looked at Chen Tianheng. "What does Granduncle think?"
Chen Tianheng stroked his beard and smiled. "Xingyun, your considerations are thorough. You stand in the present while looking toward the future, and your choice better suits the practical needs of both you and the Lineage over the coming decades."
"This old man also approves of this choice. The Lineage's concern over aptitude and endowment merely follows conventional reasoning.
"In extraordinary times, extraordinary talents must be used. Chen Heng's achievements, ability, temperament, and potential make him worthy of this Golden Token! I will coordinate matters within the Lineage."
"As for Chen Minghao..." Chen Xingyun added, "talent is still a good foundation. One of the two servant slots may be given to him, allowing him to enter the sect with me and witness the grandeur of a superior sect."
"If his will can withstand tempering, he may yet contend for a future. The other servant may be Chen Mingyue. She is young; if she enters the sect and tempers her foundation, her future is likewise promising."
"Good!" Chen Tianheng nodded. "Such an arrangement is most appropriate."
Chen Xingyun looked toward the distant heavens. Thunder rumbled faintly within the clouds. "Now that the slots have been decided, the news should be announced far and wide—to set the record straight, calm hearts, bolster our momentum, and save the Lineage from breeding further doubts."
"It will also deter outside enemies and show that the Chen Lineage has successors!" Her eyes gleamed with sharpness. "As for Chen Heng... I will meet him personally."
"I want to see what kind of attitude he has toward this matter, toward entering the Azure Profound Sect, and toward Luo Yuyan's Three Year Pact!"
Atop the mountain, the two had made their decision.
When the news was announced, the Chen Lineage of Jade Spring Mountain erupted once more.
Direct-line disciple Chen Minghao received a servant slot to accompany Elder Xingyun into the sect. Though disappointed that he had not obtained the Golden Token, he understood that this was another kind of opportunity.
Meanwhile, Chen Heng, an illegitimate son of a branch line, received the "Azure Profound Golden Token," symbolizing the qualifications for core cultivation!
In two years, he would directly enter the Azure Profound Sect's Outer Sect. This utterly ignited the Lineage's discussions—astonishment, envy, jealousy, and complicated emotions all mingled together.
Countless gazes once more focused on that youth who had once been obscure, but had now leapt in a single bound to become a rising star of the Chen Lineage.
Before you continue