Testing the Bottom Line

Faced with this choice, the clan leaders present couldn't help but fall into deep thought. Some lowered their heads in contemplation, some exchanged glances with those next to them, and some exchanged secret glances.

Each family occupies a different position, operates in different industries, and has different allied families and sects; all of these factors influence their choices.

The white-bearded old man Chen Yan, sat at the head of the table, taking in their expressions and understanding their thoughts.

The Seven Great Families today are no longer united as they once were, and each has its own agenda, including the Chen Family.

As time passed, the discussions and debates gradually subsided. Chen Yan tapped the table to draw everyone's attention to himself.

"Alright, make your decision now. Those who agree to the changes, please raise your hands."

Under everyone's astonished gaze, Chen Yan was the first to raise his hand. This largest conservative among the Seven Great Families agreed to make the change.

"Old Chen, you..."

Ignoring Mu Lantian, the head of the Mu Family, Chen Yan's sharp gaze swept over all the family heads present.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's vote."

Soest followed suit and raised his hand, not forgetting to give Mu Lantian a smug look, but he was also thinking about what the Chen Family really meant.

The Li Family agreed, and the heads of the Zhao and Qian families exchanged a glance and chose to give up. Mu Lantian sat in silence for a long time, but in the end, he still did not raise his hand.

"Three against three, Du Xing, you're the last one left."

The old woman sitting at the end of the table had not expected this outcome. Her family was in the intelligence business, and she knew more about the situation on the mainland than the other clan leaders.

The Douluo Continent today is like a powder keg, where any spark could ignite a massive war that could engulf the entire continent.

Looking at Chen Yan, who always wore a faint smile, sitting in the first seat, Du Xing's mind was filled with a thousand thoughts.

Even with her vast knowledge of human nature and her extensive study of human psychology, she still couldn't see through the thoughts of the only Super Douluo among the Seven Great Families.

"Chen Yan, I want to ask you a question, is that alright?"

"You say."

"If we seek change, how will the Spirit Hall respond? Will they pay the 'protection fee' or not, and how much will they have to pay?"

If they don't give it to us, how can we fight back? The few of us are far from enough.

Upon Du Xing's words, everyone present instantly changed their expressions, especially the clan leaders of the Zhao Qian Mu Three Families. It seemed that Du Xing intended to make changes.

They hold this kind of meeting once a year. In the past, only the Suo Family and the Li Family had the idea of breaking away from the Spirit Hall and establishing their own independent forces.

They assumed this meeting was just another formality, and that they would continue to stand under the Spirit Hall's command, so they didn't give the question raised by Du Xing much thought.

Unexpectedly, not only Chen Yan made a change this time, but the Du Family also seemed to have some other ideas.

The heads of the major families turned their attention to Chen Yan, hoping he could offer some explanation. Even Soest was also concerned about this issue.

Despite his usual advocacy of breaking away from the Spirit Hall's archives, he wouldn't dare to do it alone without the support of other families.

"Hehe, we still have to pay the 'protection fee' from the Spirit Hall, but we can no longer let them have the final say on this matter."

As he spoke, Chen Yan unleashed a powerful aura, surprising everyone present. Even the weakest old woman, Du Xing, couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

"Old Chen, when did you break through?"

Soest stood up in surprise. He had thought he would catch up with Chen Yan soon, but he hadn't expected that Chen Yan had quietly broken through to Level 96.

It's important to know that Level 95 is the watershed for Titled Douluo. Each level above that is a step up, and a Level 96 Titled Douluo is considered a very high-ranking member even in the Spirit Hall.

Chen Yan ignored Mu Lantian's question, his gentle smile vanished, and he stared intently at Du Xing, who was sitting at the back.

"This is my method. Are you satisfied?"

"Of course, my Du Family agrees to make changes, but I hope to continue paying 'protection fees,' even if it's just to keep things as they are."

"Hehe, no problem at all. My Chen Family doesn't want to go against the Spirit Hall either."

Chen Yan resumed his usual cheerful and easygoing demeanor, but his smile sent chills down the spines of the other clan leaders.

However, Chen Yan's ultimate goal has been achieved: their Seven Great Families are no longer beings who can be manipulated by the Spirit Hall.

"Four votes to three, we reject the Spirit Hall's demand to increase 'protection fees,' and we will keep things as they are. Each family should go back and prepare the resources they will send to the Spirit Hall this year."

Remember our promise, everyone: only by standing together, can we establish ourselves on this continent.

After the meeting ended, the clan leaders dispersed and returned to their clans to prepare for the follow-up matters, leaving Chen Yan alone sitting in his seat, quietly thinking.

Suddenly, the conference room door opened, and a middle-aged man wearing Soul Master robe decorated with gold thread walked in.

"Clan leader, everything has been arranged. This year, the total amount of 'protection fees' we pay to the Spirit Hall will remain the same, but the amount of Gold Soul Coin has increased significantly, while the amount of rare resources has decreased by 20%."

"Good. In this world, rare cultivation resources are the most precious things."

"Chaoran, I remember you once mentioned to me that you made a deal with the Star Crown Sect?"

"That's right. We made contact in Vast Sea City. They exchanged the Long-Distance Soul Tool with Mu Ying and sailed at sea for a full ten years."

"Do you know why they've been at sea for so long?"

"Rumor has it that they returned in a more powerful nautical Soul Tool, and it is highly likely that they discovered some ancient ruins."

"I understand, you can go now."

"Yes."

Chen Chaoran got in touch with Mu Ying, the City Lord of Vast Sea City, and his status in the family rose rapidly. Later, he was even valued by Chen Yan and became the young patriarch of the Chen Family.

After he left, Chen Yan sat alone in the conference room for a long time, thinking, and did not come out until the candle burned out.

Only the Spirit Hall knows the final outcome of this meeting of the Seven Great Families. Along with the 'protection fee,' they also received news that Chen Yan, the Chen Family Head, had broken through to Level 96.

With Bibi Dong away Soul Hunting, Qian Daoliu, who was temporarily in charge of the entire Spirit Hall, sat on his throne with a gloomy face as he looked at the gift list of the Seven Great Families compiled by his subordinates.

The situation at the Spirit Hall has deteriorated to such an extent that even the Seven Great Families, who used to follow the Spirit Hall's lead, have their own ulterior motives.

Not only did they reject the Spirit Hall's demands, they also replaced the rare resources with useless things like Gold Soul Coin.

Qian Daoliu was filled with rage, but there was nothing he could do. The ancestral lands of the Seven Great Families were hidden, and what the Spirit Hall knew was just an empty shell.

He also wanted to make an example of them, but even if he could find the people to kill, he couldn't find anyone to replace these families.