Chapter 619: Competing for Clan Leader
"Since the Supreme Elder has spoken, this Enforcement Elder position is something this junior will respectfully accept."
Lin Langtian cupped his fists and spoke respectfully. Perhaps this was also the best way to resolve the current situation.
Otherwise, these Kun Peng Clan elders would truly be a bit unwilling to let the Dragon Kun essence blood fall into the hands of an outsider who had nothing to do with them.
As for getting entangled with the Kun Peng Clan, for him it was nothing but beneficial. As one of the four great hegemonic clans, they possessed no small deterrent power in the demonic beast world.
"Since there's nothing else, this one will take his leave first. Within these one or two days, I will likely be departing from the Kun Peng Clan."
Lin Langtian looked toward Kun Qiong. This trip to the Kun Peng Clan had seen the most important matter completed; there was no longer any need to remain.
Originally he had wanted to meet Jinwu's mother, but was informed that she was not imprisoned in the Kun Domain, so he gave up that idea.
"Mm."
Hearing this, Kun Qiong glanced at the Supreme Elder. The latter nodded slightly, and only then did Kun Qiong wave his hand. "Kun Jian, take young friend Langtian to rest for a day first. If he intends to leave, escort him out."
"Yes."
Not far away, Kun Jian answered respectfully, then smiled at Lin Langtian. "Come, Enforcement Elder."
Although Kun Jian's status within the Kun Peng Clan was very high, compared to Lin Langtian as Enforcement Elder, it was clearly somewhat inferior. After all, the Enforcement position was one even the clan leader and great elder had to respect.
Hearing this fresh title, Lin Langtian raised a brow, then smiled slightly, cupping his fists toward everyone once more before turning to leave.
On the mountain peak, the many elders watched Lin Langtian's departing figure and all sighed inwardly.
The emergence of the Dragon Kun essence blood was originally an earth-shaking event for their Kun Peng Clan, yet who would have thought it would end up like this.
"This Lin Langtian is no ordinary person. Although it seems he has taken advantage of our Kun Peng Clan now, who can say what will happen in the future?"
The Supreme Elder's eyes narrowed slightly, full of depth and wisdom. Then he spoke softly, "To be able to defeat the ancestor's will as an outsider is not something an ordinary person can accomplish."
"Besides, do you truly think that even if this old man acted, he could definitely keep the Dragon Kun essence blood? Did you not notice that although Lin Langtian was wary in secret, his face showed no great panic? This indicates that even if we tried to force him, he has a way to escape."
"What?"
Hearing this, the Kun Peng Clan elders, including Kun Qiong, were stunned, a trace of surprise appearing on their faces.
They knew this was their Kun Peng Clan's base camp. Wanting to keep a person here, even if the other party was a Reincarnation Realm powerhouse, they would be hard-pressed to escape.
Yet in front of Lin Langtian, who had only recently broken through to the Wheel Turning Realm, the Supreme Elder actually claimed he was helpless. Whether these words were exaggerated, or they themselves were too short-sighted to see Lin Langtian's depth, was unclear.
"Enough. Since the matter has already been decided, you needn't say more."
"In the future, treat Lin Langtian as a true elder of the Kun Peng Clan, showing him due respect. This order cannot be defied."
The Supreme Elder's gaze turned to the Kun Peng Clan elders, his voice growing heavier. The elders, not daring to object, answered respectfully in unison.
...
The next day.
When Lin Langtian walked out from his room, he saw Kun Jian, who had been waiting for some time. The latter walked up with a broad smile, his demeanor clearly more familiar than before, with even a trace of respect.
News of Lin Langtian obtaining the Dragon Kun essence blood had spread through the Kun Peng Clan, causing considerable shock.
Especially after others learned that even the Supreme Elder had appeared and appointed Lin Langtian as the Kun Peng Clan's new Enforcement Elder, they were left utterly astonished.
It was likely the first time in the Kun Peng Clan's history that an outsider had been made the clan's Enforcement Elder.
The two passed through the Kun Peng Clan together and saw many Kun Peng Clan members along the way. When those members saw Lin Langtian, their expressions turned somewhat strange. The arrogance in their eyes now carried a faint trace of fear.
Seeing this, Lin Langtian could clearly feel the pressure that came with the Enforcement Elder title.
Finally, the two arrived at the gate of the Kun Domain. There, Lin Langtian saw Kun Qiong. The Kun Peng Clan leader had personally come to see him off.
"Heh heh, young friend Langtian, although you are not of our Kun Peng Clan, you now possess Kun Peng Clan bloodline. From a certain perspective, you could be considered one of us."
Seeing Lin Langtian, Kun Qiong's once stern face was now full of smiles.
"This time was my gain at your expense. If the Kun Peng Clan should ever need assistance in the future, I will surely do all in my power." Lin Langtian cupped his fists solemnly toward Kun Qiong.
He had always been clear about gratitude and grudges. If the Kun Peng Clan had turned hostile over the Dragon Kun essence blood, he might never have paid attention to them again.
But now that the Kun Peng Clan had taken a course of action that was best for him, they had undoubtedly earned his genuine goodwill.
From another perspective, it had to be said that the Supreme Elder's methods were brilliant. This gentle strategy had granted the Kun Peng Clan an immensely promising ally.
Although this ally's current strength might not yet impress the Kun Peng Clan, perhaps before long, even a mighty clan like the Kun Peng Clan might come to rely on Lin Langtian's protection.
After all, although the Kun Peng Clan held great power in the Tianxuan Continent, in the vast Great Thousand World, the Tianxuan Continent was no more than a speck of sand, scattered and inconspicuous.
And Lin Langtian's achievements would not stop at the Tianxuan Continent.
Kun Qiong was quite satisfied with Lin Langtian's words and smiled. "Since that's the case, no need for more words. May the journey treat you well, young friend Langtian."
Lin Langtian nodded and once more solemnly cupped his fists to Kun Qiong. "This one takes his leave."
As his words fell, he wasted no further time. His figure moved, and as silver light flickered around him, a strange spatial fluctuation spread out. His body twisted within it, then vanished completely.
On the mountain peak, the chaotic spatial ripples gradually calmed. Kun Qiong looked at the spot where Lin Langtian had disappeared and sighed lightly, murmuring to himself.
"Hopefully, as the Supreme Elder said, this wager of ours will be worth it."
...
In the Seven Fiends Black Gold Wu Clan, inside a magnificent grand hall.
Within the hall sat the many high-level figures of the Seven Fiends Black Gold Wu Clan. Besides Great Elder Wu Qian and the various branch heads, Jinwu and Wu Ju were also among them.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the hall was extremely heavy. It seemed a new Elder Council meeting was being convened.
At the head of the hall, Great Elder Wu Qian's closed eyes slowly opened, revealing his old eyes filled with sharp light. His gaze swept across the hall, lingering a bit longer on Jinwu and his father, then he spoke softly.
"As is customary, today is the day for our Seven Fiends Black Gold Wu Clan's Elder Council meeting, held once every three years. And the subject of this meeting is to quickly decide the candidate for clan leader.
After all, the position of our clan leader has been vacant for many years. Although this old man has supported things so far, if this continues, it will not be good for our clan's future development."
As Wu Qian's words fell, the hall instantly fell silent.
Aside from Great Elder Wu Qian, the thirteen elders present all wore extremely solemn expressions. The Branch Head of the Lin Branch, Wu Jiu, and the Branch Head of the Fire Branch, Wu Yan, had a flicker of heated light in their eyes.
The clan leader's seat was the highest authority position in the Seven Fiends Black Gold Wu Clan. Whoever sat on it would command the vast Seven Fiends Black Gold Wu Clan and immediately become a top-tier figure in the Beast Domain and even the Tianxuan Continent.
For every member of the Seven Fiends Black Gold Wu Clan, this position was the highest dream of a lifetime.
But the requirements for strength and prestige to sit in this position were also exceptionally high.
Currently in the hall, those qualified to take that seat, besides the Lin Branch Head and Fire Branch Head, were only the recently released former Wind Branch Head, Wu Ju.
Thinking of this, Wu Jiu and Wu Yan exchanged glances, a trace of coldness flashing deep in their eyes.
After the branch battle ended, due to Lin Langtian's interference, the Wind Branch had snatched a seat each from the Lin and Fire Branch, returning to its four-seat status.
And these two seats had been assigned by Wu Xuan to Wu Ju and Jinwu. Otherwise, they wouldn't be qualified to attend the Elder Council meeting.
With four seats, the Wind Branch was now on equal footing with the Lin Branch. If they vied for the clan leader's position, they would be a huge threat.
For years, the Lin Branch and Fire Branch had continuously suppressed the Wind Branch. Thus, under no circumstances would they allow someone from the Wind Branch to sit on the clan leader's seat.
Sure enough, while Wu Jiu and Wu Yan pondered, Wu Xuan glanced at Wu Ju, then looked at the Great Elder with a smile. "I nominate Elder Wu Ju as the next clan leader candidate.
Elder Wu Ju is the son of the previous clan leader, with noble bloodline and great strength. In my view, he is fully qualified to be the clan leader."
Hearing this, Wu Qian looked at Wu Ju, whose face remained calm, and slightly narrowed his eyes. A trace of contemplation flashed across his aged face.
As for the clan leader's position, Wu Ju was indeed a suitable candidate. If not for that incident years ago, he would likely have already been sitting in the clan leader's seat. It was just...
"I object!"
While the Great Elder was still pondering, a voice of opposition suddenly rang out. Wu Yan stood up with a gloomy expression and said in a low voice.
"I object to Wu Ju being chosen as clan leader. Hmph, Wu Xuan, don't forget that if not for Wu Ju back then, our Seven Fiends Black Gold Wu Clan wouldn't have suffered such massive losses. Even the old clan leader passed away early from anger because of it.
Therefore, no matter what, Wu Ju absolutely cannot become the next clan leader. Otherwise, how could you expect the entire clan to accept it?"
Hearing Wu Yan's objection, Wu Xuan was briefly speechless. Although inwardly enraged, he had nothing to refute at this moment.
After all, that incident years ago was indeed a stain on Wu Ju and the entire Wind Branch. In normal circumstances, it might have been forgotten, but when competing for the clan leader position, it would always leave people unconvinced.
Although Wu Ju's expression was calm, hearing the mention of the old clan leader's passing brought a trace of desolation to his eyes.
Jinwu saw this and pursed his lips slightly, a trace of heartache flashing in his gaze toward his father. It seemed that because of that incident, his father had borne tremendous pressure...
After suppressing the Wind Branch's momentum, Wu Yan's lips curved into a satisfied smile. Then his eyes flickered, and he said, "As for the clan leader candidate, my Fire Branch nominates Branch Head Wu Jiu as our next clan leader!"
Wu Yan knew that to counter the revitalized Wind Branch, he had to tightly unite with the Lin Branch. Since he himself had little chance of becoming clan leader, he might as well push Wu Jiu forward.
This way, he could both prevent the Wind Branch from rising and gain a great favor from the Lin Branch. In the future, even if Wu Jiu became clan leader, he would surely not treat him poorly.
Sure enough, hearing Wu Yan's words, Wu Jiu was briefly dazed. When he understood, a look of joy immediately appeared in his eyes.
Even he had not expected Wu Yan to forgo his own chance to compete for clan leader and instead nominate him.
With the Lin Branch's four seats and the Fire Branch's three, their odds rose drastically.
Thinking this, Wu Jiu suppressed his inner joy and stood up, smiling at Wu Yan. "Thank you, Branch Head Wu Yan, for your support. If I become clan leader, I will not forget the support of my clansmen."
In the end, Wu Jiu's voice grew slightly heavier. Clearly, these words were a guarantee to Wu Yan.
Hearing Wu Jiu's hint, Wu Yan also smiled slightly. He believed Wu Jiu wouldn't go back on his word, because even if Wu Jiu took the clan leader seat, he would still need the Fire Branch's support to suppress the Wind Branch.
Thus, this deal wasn't a loss.
On the other side, hearing Wu Yan relinquish the clan leader competition to nominate Wu Jiu, Wu Xuan's brows furrowed tightly, inwardly cursing.
Sure enough, to deal with the Wind Branch, the Fire Branch and Lin Branch had again joined hands.
Those two old foxes were truly despicable.
Although angered, Wu Xuan was helpless, knowing this didn't violate the clan rules. More importantly, due to that incident, Wu Ju had already lost his eligibility.
Even Great Elder Wu Qian's gaze kept shifting between Wu Ju and Wu Jiu. In all fairness, he very much hoped Wu Ju could stand back up, take up his father's burden, and become the new clan leader.
But seeing Wu Ju's desolate appearance, Wu Qian couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Perhaps that old incident and decades of imprisonment had dealt a massive blow to this once peerless genius.
Thinking this, Wu Qian shook his head and looked again at Wu Jiu.
Although Wu Jiu wasn't an ideal clan leader candidate, the clan leader seat couldn't remain vacant any longer.
With the strong backing of the Lin and Fire Branches, plus his own assistance, entrusting the clan leader position to Wu Jiu was a workable compromise.
Decision made, just as Wu Jiu eagerly awaited Wu Qian to announce the result, a familiar light laugh suddenly rang out in the grand hall.
"Heh heh, Great Elder Wu Qian, how about giving this clan leader position to my brother Jinwu instead?"
(END CHAPTER)
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