Contesting Power and Position

Three days later, after several detours, Wang Daoyuan finally returned to Jade Spring Peak.

He didn't go back to his own cave dwelling but headed straight to the Executive Hall by the Jade Dragon Spring to report the situation of his trip to the Great Elder, Wang Zhiren.

Previously, a few rogue cultivators who participated in the extermination of the Demonic Beasts had already returned, spreading some unfavorable news about the battle.

However, none of the people who went with the Wang Family Patriarch to exterminate the Demonic Beasts had returned yet, leaving the elders on standby extremely anxious. Seeing Wang Daoyuan return, Wang Zhiren was overjoyed and immediately convened a meeting of the family elders to reassure everyone.

After all, the Wang Family Patriarch and the designated Patriarch Successor were among those on this trip. If anything were to happen to them, it would inevitably lead to power struggles within the family.

A moment later, all the elders of the Wang Family who were still on Jade Spring Peak quickly arrived at the Council Hall. The Wang Family had a total of ten elders; two were missing and their whereabouts were unknown. Ninth Uncle, Wang Shoude, was stationed at Qingli Market. There were seven elders remaining on Jade Spring Peak handling daily affairs.

As soon as the elders arrived, they surrounded Wang Daoyuan, bombarding him with questions. Once everyone was present, Wang Zhiren said, "Silence, everyone is here. Let Daoyuan tell us first what exactly happened."

Wang Daoyuan briefly described the conflict upon entering Golden Goose City, the escape of the Qi Refining cultivators, and solemnly stated, "The Netherworld Sect elder ordered the Qi Refining cultivators to retreat, while the Foundation Establishment cultivators were to resist the Spirit Insects. Before we retreated, the Patriarch explicitly stated: if he does not return, then Twelfth Uncle Wang Shouye will inherit the position of Patriarch. If Twelfth Uncle also fails to return, then Third Brother Wang Daochang will inherit the position of Patriarch."

Upon hearing Wang Daoyuan's relayed words, the elders did not suspect anything. After all, Wang Shouye was the family's designated successor, and the Patriarch had repeatedly praised Wang Daochang for his steady personality, deeming him suitable to be the Patriarch. These words were reasonable and without any loopholes.

However, believing in one's heart and saying it out loud were two different matters. Although Wang Daoyuan's words were not suspicious, they were merely spoken words without any witnesses or evidence.

At this moment, a middle-aged elder spoke, "Does Daoyuan have any proof for his statement?"

This middle-aged elder's name was Wang Shoufeng. He was ranked sixth among the Shou generation. His aptitude was excellent, second only to Wang Shouye among his peers, and he was twenty years older than Wang Shouye.

Before Wang Shouye began cultivating, he had always been the family's primary focus for cultivation and was very likely to become a Foundation Establishment cultivator and inherit the position of Patriarch.

However, Wang Shouye emerged with exceptional talent, possessing the best aptitude since the Wang Family's Old Ancestor, completely overshadowing Wang Shoufeng.

Afterward, Wang Shouye's cultivation progressed rapidly, even reaching Qi Refining Peak earlier than Wang Shoufeng. Moreover, Wang Shouye was open-minded, did not pursue personal gain, and had high prestige within the family. In contrast, Wang Shoufeng was overly selfish and not very straightforward, making him an unsuitable successor.

After Wang Shouye reached Qi Refining Peak, he was designated as the Patriarch Successor. In the future, the family would go all out to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill and naturally give it to him.

Wang Shoufeng had harbored resentment towards Wang Shouye, believing that Wang Shouye had stolen what rightfully belonged to him.

With Wang Shouye's life and death currently unknown, Wang Shoufeng saw an opportunity to reclaim what he believed was his.

Although Wang Shoufeng's question was rhetorical, and everyone knew the truth, Wang Daoyuan truly had no evidence to present.

"Since there is no proof, we cannot verify the truth. How should the Patriarch be chosen then?"

Wang Daoyuan fell into thought: the Patriarch had not left anything behind when he said those words. Sixth Uncle was clearly unwilling to acknowledge the situation and wanted to seize power to become Patriarch. He himself was not an elder and held no real power; he had no right to speak on this matter.

Helpless, he could only resort to a delaying tactic: "When the Patriarch said those words, all ten of us were present. Since I was able to escape back, it is not necessarily impossible for other clan members to escape back.

If anyone else manages to escape back, let them relay the Patriarch's words. If their account matches mine, it will prove that this is true. What do you elders think?"

Wang Zhiren, fearing that Wang Shoufeng might cause further trouble, interjected, "Daoyuan's reasoning is sound. We will make a decision after the next clan member returns."

Apart from the Great Elder, three other elders concurred, giving them the majority.

Wang Shoufeng had no excuse to object and also agreed with Wang Daoyuan's statement, saying, "Daoyuan's reasoning is sound, but the family cannot be without a leader for a single day. Before then, someone must act as the interim Patriarch."

Two elders supported Wang Shoufeng's statement.

Wang Daoyuan secretly thought: Where there are people, there is conflict. The family is not entirely harmonious either! Two factions have already emerged. If the family grows stronger in the future, who knows what it will become.

With the Patriarch in charge, no one dared to cause trouble. Now that the Patriarch was away and not returning, the Great Elder could not suppress everyone, and these three elders had come forward to stir up trouble.

However, Wang Daoyuan was powerless. In terms of seniority, strength, or real power, he was not qualified to express an opinion and could only watch.

Suddenly, a domineering aura pressed down, making everyone feel somewhat breathless. Then, a voice, ancient yet still commanding, echoed, "How about I, the elder, act as the interim Patriarch?"

This voice sounded both familiar and strange to Wang Daoyuan. It was definitely the Grand Elder, Wang Jize. What felt strange to Wang Daoyuan was that Wang Jize had always spoken kindly and amiably; he had never realized the old man had such a commanding side.

Wang Jize had always stayed in the Scripture Repository, not interfering in family affairs, so everyone had forgotten that such a Supreme Elder existed in the family.

Wang Jize, with his white beard and white hair, walked through the entrance of the Council Hall. His previously hunched back now stood as straight as a pine tree.

"I, in my capacity as Supreme Elder, will act as the interim Patriarch. Do any of you have any objections?"

The Great Elder and the other three were overjoyed, repeatedly stating they had no objections. Wang Shoufeng and the other two, though displeased, did not dare to voice their opposition.

The position of Supreme Elder was generally held by an elder of the Patriarch's generation, and their cultivation must also be sufficiently high. Their status was not below that of the Patriarch, and could even be higher. They simply did not manage affairs and held no real power.

However, the Supreme Elder possessed a significant authority: the power to depose or establish a Patriarch. With the current Patriarch away and not returning, it was reasonable for the Supreme Elder to temporarily assume the Patriarch's duties.

Wang Daoyuan was not qualified to express his opinion in front of the elders; this was a family rule. In the presence of the Supreme Elder, the elders also had no right to object; this was also a rule.

Seeing Wang Shoufeng and the other two looking dejected, Wang Daoyuan felt an immense sense of satisfaction. Although he was not familiar with this Sixth Uncle, Wang Shoufeng was still trying to seize power during a critical moment for the family. If someone like him, who prioritized personal gain over the family's well-being, became Patriarch, the family would quickly fall apart.

"Since none of you have any objections, I shall issue my commands. From this day forward, Zhiren will handle all family affairs with full authority. Shoufeng, for harboring selfish intentions during the family's time of crisis, you are stripped of your elder position and confined to your residence to reflect on your actions. You are not to leave without my or the Patriarch's command.

The remaining elders are to safeguard the foundation of the family. We must prepare for the worst. I will personally go to Qingli Market to bring Daochang back. If Zhian and Shouye do not return, Daochang will succeed as Patriarch.

Furthermore, anyone who acts for personal gain and disregards the family's survival will be severely punished."

Everyone responded in unison, "Yes."