The internal structure of the Suixin Pavilion was modeled after a southern merchant guild, meaning it was not dominated by a single family, but rather co-managed by multiple lineages.
The three main lineages holding a dominant position within were the Lei, Rong, and Bai families. They commanded the most assets, and each held a pivotal status, hence they were called the "master lineages". Lei Tong was the rising pillar of strength for the Lei family.
Slightly inferior to them were lineages such as the Shen, Ye, Xie, and Qiao. In addition, there were major clans like the Lü, He, Qiu, Fu, and Tushan that had been gradually annexed and become affiliated over the long passage of time.
Aside from the Lei, Rong, and Bai lineages, which had remained unchanged since the rise of the Suixin Pavilion, all other families experienced fluctuating fortunes and fierce competition. Just at the start of this tribulation, the Shen family—formerly the "foremost under the master lineages"—had rapidly declined, their clansmen successively stepping down from important positions and having their assets carved up by the remaining families.
Fan Lingrong had never looked favorably upon this pattern of "contention among numerous lineages". She believed that the Suixin Pavilion's ability to stand tall in the southern lands for several kalpas without falling relied by no means on the driving force generated by inter-lineage competition, but rather on the authority and efficiency of its core layer's "commands issuing from a single source".
Amidst the seemingly fierce competition within the Suixin Pavilion, the various lineages engaged in year-round intermarriages with mixed bloodlines, making it hard to distinguish inside from outside, and they always managed to leave a degree of leeway. Furthermore, the "master lineages" consistently suppressed and mediated from above, ensuring the various lineages "contended without falling into chaos". Most