Elder Fu Junrang said, "Sect Master, by rights all the Elders of Purple Gold Cave should be present for this matter. Shouldn't we gather everyone before discussing it?"
"That is only proper!" Yin Yide and the others echoed one after another.
Gong Lince understood what they meant. The Elders stationed in the various prefectures outside were all his people; in other words, every prefecture was under his control. If one of them were sent off to the Sacred Realm, there would be one fewer person holding the fort, and someone from among these people would inevitably have to be chosen to replace him.
But this was exactly what he did not wish to see. It would dilute his actual power. Thus, he said blandly, "Of the three days, one has already passed. If we send word now and wait for everyone to come discuss it, I fear it will be too late."
Yuan An said, "Sect Master, I suggest we hear the opinions of the senior elders on this matter. We might as well invite them over. As long as the candidate is decided promptly, even if an Elder stationed elsewhere is selected, there will be no problem with him hurrying to the Sacred Realm."
Fu Junrang nodded. "I think that will do."
Gong Lince cast them a glance. How could he not know what they were thinking? They wanted to bring out the masters behind each of them to pressure him.
Then again, if these people had not all had someone backing them, he would have long since swept the council hall clean and replaced every last one with his own people.
Yet the sect rules laid down by the founding Patriarch were meant to prevent anyone from acting recklessly and ruling by personal fiat. To a certain extent,