Chapter 454: The Most Primal Rule!
Before the ancestral temple of the Heavenly Marten Clan.
Normally, this sacred place was heavily guarded, considered one of the clan's most restricted zones. But today, it was bustling with people, filled with noise and excitement.
Because today, the Heavenly Marten Clan would decide the true candidate for their next clan leader.
Such an event was of utmost importance, and to show its significance, the ceremony was naturally held at the ancestral temple—an honored and sacred site.
In front of the temple lay a vast stone altar plaza, paved with ancient blue slabs. At the center stood a towering monument inscribed with the names of the clan's ancestors, each one a legendary figure in the clan's history.
A festive atmosphere blanketed the area. Yet beneath the lively surface, a strange undercurrent flowed—one that stemmed from the two opposing factions occupying either side of the plaza.
On the left stood a tall figure with striking, almost otherworldly good looks. His lips were tightly pressed into a sharp line, and his long, narrow eyes radiated natural arrogance and chill. He stood calmly, without the slightest ripple of emotion on his face.
It was Xiao Diao.
His arms hung loosely at his sides, his gaze fixed on the central monument. Unlike those behind him—who eyed the opposite faction with cold vigilance—he didn't spare them a single glance.
On the right stood an equally sizable group, led by none other than Hao Jiu You.
Though he lacked Xiao Diao's aura, he wore a gentle, smiling expression and casually chatted with those around him. His demeanor exuded warmth and grace, like a spring breeze.
"Hmph, what a fake bastard," Wu Zhong muttered with disdain as he looked at Hao Jiu You.
As a staunch supporter of Xiao Diao, he had absolutely no goodwill toward Hao Jiu You.
"Quiet. No need to give them anything to talk about," Xiao Diao said calmly without turning around.
Wu Zhong curled his lip in annoyance. If Xiao Diao hadn't disappeared for a hundred years, with his reputation and authority, even someone like Hao Jiu You wouldn't have dared to compete for power.
"I wonder how Brother Lin Dong is doing. It's been days since he entered the Heavenly Abyss," Wu Zhong murmured with concern.
On the night Lin Fan and Lin Dong had arrived at the Heavenly Marten Clan, the plan had been set in motion—Xiao Diao had created a distraction to draw attention away from the Heavenly Abyss's guardians, allowing Lin Dong to slip inside.
Several days had passed since.
At Wu Zhong's words, Xiao Diao's expression changed slightly, and he shook his head helplessly.
Lin Fan, standing beside him, chuckled. "Don't worry. Lin Dong will be fine."
"I trust him too," Xiao Diao replied with a light smile.
Many in the crowd had their eyes locked on the two figures at the front of each group, and those gazes that fell on Xiao Diao were tinged with a sense of pity.
Quite a few of those present had once been Xiao Diao's peers. They knew better than anyone who had truly held the utmost authority in the younger generation back then.
In those days, Xiao Diao's talent and prestige were unmatched in the Heavenly Marten Clan. Everyone had believed he would be the undisputed next clan leader.
But that one accident had changed everything…
The clamor around the ancestral temple continued until over a dozen elders appeared at the top of the temple's steps. Only then did the crowd begin to quiet down.
With the clan leader having been in seclusion for a century, and Xiao Diao having vanished during that time, it had been the elders who managed the clan's affairs—giving them immense authority.
At the head of the group stood a white-haired elder in gray robes. Though aged, his skin was smooth like a baby's, and even with his eyes closed, light seemed to flash behind his lids. His every movement radiated a powerful yuan force.
This was Zhu Li, the current Grand Elder of the Heavenly Marten Clan.
Zhu Li slowly swept his gaze across the altar plaza. Many clan members bowed respectfully as his gaze passed over them. But when he looked at Xiao Diao, the latter merely nodded in greeting.
Zhu Li nodded back, then spoke in a deep voice: "Everyone here already knows why we've gathered today. The clan leader has been in seclusion for a century…"
He went on at length, stating the official purpose of the gathering—to select the true heir to the clan.
And the method chosen…
Was the most primal rule of all: victory through combat.
"Ugh, so after all that talking, we're just going to fight," Wu Zhong muttered with a snort.
"It's the simplest and most direct method," Xiao Diao replied calmly.
"True," Lin Fan nodded. "Just be careful. Hao Jiu You isn't ordinary—he likely has some tricks up his sleeve from the Yi Mo."
Xiao Diao's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'll be careful."
"Do either of you object to the decision made by the Elder Council?" Zhu Li asked as his gaze landed on both contenders.
Hao Jiu You smiled gently and was just about to shake his head when someone beside him suddenly spoke up.
"Grand Elder, it was said that someone recently tried to barge into the Heavenly Abyss. Such an act violates clan law, does it not?"
Zhu Li's brow furrowed slightly as he glanced at the speaker. He did know about the incident, and although he hadn't intended to pursue it, now that it was brought up in public, he couldn't ignore it.
Just then, Hao Jiu You stepped forward and defended Xiao Diao, even rebuking the speaker.
This move immediately won him favor with many in the crowd.
And so, the duel proceeded as planned.
Not long after, both contenders stepped onto the spacious area in the center of the ancestral temple grounds.
"Hehe, Brother Diao, it's been a hundred years. I hope you'll grant me your guidance today," Hao Jiu You said with a smile, cupping his fists.
"You've changed a lot," Xiao Diao replied, glancing at him.
The once-timid boy who'd once trembled in Xiao Diao's presence had now transformed completely.
"Brother Diao, please go easy on me later," Hao Jiu You said, still smiling. But his eyes were devoid of warmth—only cold, icy resolve remained.
He would make sure everyone knew that the once-radiant genius of the Heavenly Marten Clan… would fall beneath his feet today.
Boom!
As his words fell, a powerful aura erupted from his body. Vast yuan power surged around him, laced with a chilling blend of life and death force—undeniably the mark of someone who had reached the Rotation Stage.
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