Powerhouses of the Clan

"Brother Feng, Xuan'er..."

Inside the Patriarch's study, Gu Qin wore an expression of pride and worry. That was her son.

Xiao Feng said, "Haha, worthy of being my son. Good!

Let's not interfere with the boy's decision.

Though he's young, he has an exceptionally strong mind of his own.

Let's see how those people, those old fossils, can remain dissatisfied now.

If their descendants can defeat Xuan'er, then I'll have nothing to say."

"Yes. One can imagine that a large portion of the younger generation has already been completely convinced by him.

At such a young age, with such influence... if he becomes Patriarch, who knows whether it will be a blessing or a curse."

Xiao Feng understood his wife's concerns and comforted her, "We should trust and support our son, shouldn't we? Don't overthink it!

Those old fellows must have considered this as well.

This is their only chance to contend for the position of Patriarch. One can imagine that they will put even more effort into training their own descendants.

But looking at it from the other direction, once Xuan'er defeats and wins over the future Patriarch candidates they have painstakingly nurtured, then with the methods Xuan'er displayed today, they will merely have helped him cultivate even stronger and more capable right-hand men."

Outside the academy, Xiao Xuan had not thought that much about it. He had merely recalled the Xiao Clan's fate from his memories and spoken from the heart.

Besides, he was confident that he could defeat any challenger.

Once he grew a little older, he planned to leave the Xiao Realm and venture alone across the Dou Qi Continent.

Without weathering wind and rain, how could one ever see a rainbow?

From that day onward, his words won him a group of devoted young admirers.

Because of Xiao Xuan's words, the Xiao Clan ultimately convened a massive meeting.

Every Saint Level existence in the Xiao Clan, whether high, middle, or low rank, attended this meeting.

Other than the ancestor Xiao Tian, who was in seclusion, everyone gathered in the solemn hall.

At the head naturally sat Xiao Feng, the Patriarch. Beside him was Xiao Xuan, who ordinarily would not have been qualified to sit there.

However, this matter concerned him, so an exception was made.

Below the Patriarch's seat sat five elderly men. Behind each of them stood several Dou Saints, the Saint Level members of their respective factions. Xiao Gong of the Scripture Depository was among them.

Aside from Xiao Gong, the others were First Elder Xiao Kong, Second Elder Xiao Jing, Xiao Chen, commander of the Mysterious Armor Army, and Xiao Yu, master of the Medicine Refining Pavilion. Every one of them was an Eight-Star Dou Saint.

The rest were Seven-Star, Six-Star, Five-Star, and even lower-ranked Dou Saints.

"Patriarch!"

"There is no need for such formality, Elders!"

Xiao Jing said, "May I ask why the Patriarch has summoned us? Has something happened within the clan?"

Aside from Xiao Gong, who snorted and glared, the other elders merely watched and listened in silence.

Xiao Feng spoke bluntly. "I summoned everyone today to discuss a matter.

I believe the title of Young Patriarch should be left undecided for now.

What can lead the Xiao Clan to rise is not one's status, but strength, ability, and wisdom.

Therefore, any outstanding descendants of the Elders who believe themselves capable

may participate in the future election for Patriarch.

What do you all think?"

"Patriarch, this must not be done! He is the head of an entire clan. How can this be treated as a child's game?"

The others were greatly shocked upon hearing this. They had given much thought to Xiao Xuan's words, but in the end could only dismiss them as childish nonsense born of ignorance.

Xiao Gong said, "Words spoken are like water spilled. Since Xuan'er has such confidence, this old man believes the Patriarch's proposal can be considered.

Shouldn't all of you have confidence in Xuan'er as well?"

Confidence? You old fellow, is there anyone who praises his own grandson like that?

Still, they could not be bothered to argue with the old man. Since even the Patriarch's direct uncle had spoken, what else could they say?

Xiao Chen said, "Very well. Since these are Xuan'er's words, and both the Patriarch and you, old ghost Xiao, agree, then I have nothing to object to.

However, Xuan'er said one thing very well. As members of the Xiao Clan, regardless of how close or distant our relations are, we are all family, all brothers and sisters.

We are the community bound together by shared interests. We rise together and fall together.

Competition is allowed, but it must not divide us into separate factions.

Otherwise, do not blame the Mysterious Armor Army for showing no mercy. This old man will show no mercy either.

Xuan'er, what do you think?"

It was rare for Xiao Chen to ask Xiao Xuan's opinion. As Xiao Chen's grandfather, his own grandson's talent was not much inferior to Xiao Xuan's.

Yet, with his upright and impartial nature, he still placed the Xiao Clan's interests first.

Xiao Xuan's small face was filled with determination as he said, "Rest assured, Grandpa Chen. Rest assured, Grandfathers, Uncles, and Elder Uncles.

Since I have said it, I naturally do not fear competition from my clansmen.

For me, only competition and pressure can provide motivation.

As for the brothers and sisters participating in the election, having a clear goal will also benefit their cultivation.

In the end, so long as it is properly controlled, the ones who become stronger will be the Xiao Clan as a whole.

As for the extent to which it should be controlled, how it should be controlled, and the methods of control, that will depend on all of you, Grandfathers, Uncles, and Elder Uncles."

"Haha, good! Worthy of a son of my Xiao Clan, truly after my own heart.

I approve of this. From now on, all of you should pay closer attention and keep watch over it."

The Void rippled, and an elderly man with white hair and a skeletal frame appeared. He looked as though a gust of wind could blow him over, yet he gazed at Xiao Xuan with appreciation.

"Greetings, Ancestor Xiao Tian! We shall obey Ancestor's decree!"

Even Xiao Feng rose to his feet, showing the utmost respect.

"There is no need for such formality.

Xuan'er, very good. This ancestor looks forward to the day when you rely on your own strength to earn the position of Patriarch.

I look forward even more to the Xiao Clan advancing further under your leadership."

Xiao Xuan respectfully replied, "Yes, Ancestor!

Xuan'er cannot say for certain that I will lead the Xiao Clan to greater heights, but I will certainly do my utmost."

Xiao Tian smiled bitterly. "One should not speak too absolutely, nor act too completely.

I heard that you boy are very mature, but I never expected you to be mature to this extent.

Still, that is good as well. Think thrice before acting, lest you regret your past recklessness in the future."

Xiao Tian appeared briefly before vanishing once more, no one knowing where he had gone.

This meeting also came to an end because of Xiao Tian's few words.

In the years that followed, Xiao Xuan had wanted to leave the Xiao Realm and venture out.

But Xiao Gong, Xiao Feng, and Gu Qin adamantly refused.

The boy was not one to behave either. He ran away from home many times, but every plan failed, and he was dragged back.

Later, Xiao Gong simply kept him in the Scripture Depository by force and personally taught him.

What else could Xiao Xuan do? Under the watch of several Dou Saints, he could only behave himself and wait until he was older before leaving.

He spent seven or eight years in the Scripture Depository.

Over those years, in order to dispel his desire to run away from home, Xiao Gong had also taken him traveling across the continent.

Moreover, under Xiao Xuan's unnoticed guidance, they truly encountered a Heavenly Flame deep within the Shennong Mountain Range of the Central Plains.

The Life Flame was like green liquid. Its flames swelled in the wind into a Flame Sea of green liquid, while layers of mist rose through it, giving off a life aura that stirred the heart.