Shan Xia decisively stepped forward and spoke, "All of you Old Seniors are accomplished and widely respected. Forcing a Gu from a junior like this is somewhat inappropriate. Why not consider another method—one that preserves your reputation while still allowing you to obtain the Human Elixir Gu, achieving the best of both worlds?"
Hearing this, Huang Ming's eyes brightened slightly, and he followed up, "Indeed, we should consider other approaches. We cannot discourage a genius. All of you have already achieved much in your lives—will an extra ten years truly bring new glory? Why not let things take their natural course?"
The father and daughter moved in quiet coordination, their words reinforcing each other. The atmosphere in the hall shifted as several of the Old Gu Masters gradually calmed, some falling into thought, others showing hesitation.
They were all old. What they had sought, they had already pursued. What they wished to enjoy, they had already experienced.
Could ten more years truly allow them to break through to Rank 4? And even if they did, what then? Could they reach Rank 5? Could they achieve Immortal Ascension?
If, instead, they tarnished their reputation in their final years, leaving behind a stain in the Family's records… would they not become a laughingstock for future generations?
While some of the Old Gu Masters hesitated, two of them—Shen Kuang and Huang Hui, who had taken the lead in this matter—showed no intention of backing down.
Shen Kuang shook his head and said, "That is incorrect. We are not forcing Lin Yan. Every member of the Family has the obligation to contribute. Thirty years ago, during that great sandstorm, I disregarded my own safety and ventured into the eye of the storm… forty years ago…"
He began listing his past achievements one by one, his tone calm yet heavy, before finally standing on the moral high ground and speaking indifferently, "If I could do such things, I do not expect Lin Yan to reach my level. But if he can achieve even half of it, then offering the Human Elixir Gu would not be a betrayal of the Family's cultivation."
"That's right," Huang Hui added sharply. "From what I know, even Lin Qingyao and the other two A-grade geniuses are actively taking on Family missions. Yet Lin Yan has remained inactive for quite some time. I believe this person has no intention of contributing to the Family."
Shan Xia's expression tightened. This was indeed a weakness in Lin Yan's situation, and she could only respond with some difficulty, "He has gained a great deal recently and needs time to consolidate it."
"That is no excuse to evade Family responsibilities!"
Clan Head, Huang Ming pondered for a moment, already feeling that this matter was inappropriate, and had even decided to use his authority to suppress it outright.
Unexpectedly, Huang Feng, another Rank 5 expert, suddenly spoke up, "Since this matter is difficult to resolve, why not let Shen Kuang take the lead, along with Shan Xia. The two of you can represent the Family and speak with Lin Yan to discuss a solution."
Huang Ming's eyes flickered slightly. He looked at Huang Feng, who appeared refined and at ease, and immediately understood who had stirred this situation.
However, Huang Feng was also a Rank 5 Gu Master. Rejecting him directly was not easy. With Shan Xia involved, the outcome was neither too good nor too bad—at the very least, Lin Yan would not suffer excessive losses.
Moreover, one point raised earlier was not entirely wrong. As a member of the Family, one should possess a sense of contribution and responsibility. When the First Elder had previously proposed focusing resources on cultivating Lin Yan, it was not only Huang Ming who had concerns—many Rank 4 Family Elders had also opposed it.
Perhaps this could be turned into an opportunity. If Lin Yan was willing to hand over the Lifespan-related Gu, the Family would then have a proper reason to invest more heavily in him.
With that thought, Huang Ming chose to tacitly accept the arrangement. After the meeting ended, Shen Kuang wasted no time. Together with Shan Xia, he went to visit Lin Yan.
At that very moment, Lin Yan had just emerged from seclusion after refining two Red Steel Relic Gu, and soon learned everything that had transpired in the hall.
Lin Yan sneered, a trace of disgust flashing through his eyes. A group of old fossils. For the first time, he truly felt the weight of the Family's restraint. The older generation always spoke of "tempering," but in truth, it was nothing more than suppression—pressing down the new generation, keeping geniuses firmly within a controllable, exploitable position.
The internal structure of the Family was far from harmonious. Factions were everywhere, deeply rooted. He had won the newcomer competition with overwhelming brilliance, yet three full months had passed without any concrete cultivation plan from the Family.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingyao and the other two geniuses of the same generation were advancing rapidly under the direct support of three Rank 5 experts.
The contrast was obvious. The only solution was to break through to Rank 3 as soon as possible and step out of this layer of constraint. A Rank 3 cultivation meant true independence—one could roam the wilderness alone. In a medium-sized Family, it meant becoming a Family Elder with real authority. Even in a large Family, one would still hold a significant position, overseeing part of its power or resources.
His uncle, Shan Shayuan, had also sent word, telling him to cultivate in peace and leave everything else to him.
Seeing this, Lin Yan felt a rare warmth in his heart. Since his transmigration, Shan Shayuan had supported him without reservation. No one could remain unmoved by such care. When he rose in the future, he would repay it in full.
"It's just…" Lin Yan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"At the council, why would Huang Feng, a Rank 5 expert, deliberately make things difficult for me?"
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