227: Chapter 227 The show begins, a fierce argument ensues.

However, not everyone joined this "revelry."

In the front row of the crowd, Granny Jingxu, whose aura was withered and who was supported by two female Disciples on a soft chair, slightly opened and closed her cloudy old eyes. She looked at the "terrified" Xu Ruyu above and then at the impatient, spitting Elders below. Her wrinkled face showed no expression; she only let out a barely audible sigh and closed her eyes again.

The backlash from Summoning the Ancestor had severely damaged her Origin Qi, and the internal strife of the Sect exhausted her mind and spirit. At this moment, she just wanted some peace and quiet.

If the new Sect Master hadn't claimed there were important matters to discuss, she would have only wanted to rest and recover in peace.

Among the ranks of the Elders, several also remained silent.

One of them was an old man standing near the front, with white hair and beard, a primitive countenance, and an aura as deep as an abyss.

He was the oldest and most highly cultivated Grand Elder of the Hehuan Sect—Venerable Kumu (not the same person as the Elder Kumu on the Law Execution Platform earlier; he was his Senior Brother, who usually remained in secluded cultivation and only appeared today due to major events).

His eyelids drooped as if he were dozing off, turning a deaf ear to the surrounding clamor, only slowly fiddling with a string of simple wooden prayer beads in his hand.

Another was a woman who looked to be about thirty years old, graceful and elegant, with a hint of laziness and a scholarly air between her brows.

She wore a simple and elegant long dress with a jade flute tucked into her waist; she was the Fifth Elder of the Hehuan Sect—Hua Xunhuan.

She was specifically in charge of the Sect's ancient texts and Legacy education. With a detached nature, she had always disliked conflict. At this moment, she just stood there quietly, her beautiful eyes carrying a faint trace of worry and helplessness as she watched her colleagues competing to perform.

There were a few others who either had upright characters and couldn't stand such behavior, or truly felt the Old Ancestor's decree could not be violated, or simply didn't want to get involved in this muddy water, so they also remained silent, watching coldly from the sidelines.

But in the eyes of the already excited Elders, their silence was undoubtedly equivalent to acquiescence, or perhaps even cowardice!

Seeing many respondents, Wang Tiexin felt greatly reassured and his courage grew even stronger.

He took a step forward, scanning everyone with piercing eyes, his voice rising an octave:

"Everyone! Since Little Friend Xu is so understanding of the greater good, our Hehuan Sect cannot let his intentions go to waste!

The urgent priority is to quickly nominate a talent who meets everyone's expectations and is capable of taking on the heavy responsibility of Sect Master, to stabilize the situation and deal with the crisis!"

He paused, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally sweeping across several Elders who were on good terms with him or whom he thought he could win over, and continued: "Our Hehuan Sect has been established for many years, and many talents have emerged!

The Elders present here are all pillars of the Sect, with rich experience and profound cultivation!

In my opinion, this new Sect Master should be chosen from among you!"

"Elder Wang is right!" Li Wancai immediately chimed in, the smile on his face becoming even more brilliant. "The Sect is in a time of crisis and needs a leader who can command respect, has means, and can unite people's hearts!

I, Li, am untalented, but having held the position of Punishment Hall Elder for many years and being in charge of the Sect's laws, I am quite familiar with both internal and external affairs. If everyone doesn't mind..."

Before he could finish, a brawny, red-faced old man with a voice like a booming bell immediately interrupted him: "Elder Li! You manage external affairs and are a master of business, but Sect combat and defending against external enemies are not like bargaining in business!

With a great enemy currently at our doorstep, in my opinion, the position of Sect Master should be held by someone proficient in combat with powerful battle strength!"

I, Huo Lianzi, oversee the Artifact Refining Hall, and my own cultivation has reached the Mid-Nascent Soul Stage. I am skilled in both refining and controlling Magic Treasures. Regarding battle strength, how many of you present here dare to say you can definitely defeat me?"

Elder Huo Lianzi had a fiery temper and directly began to recommend himself, faintly considering himself the number one in battle strength.

"Huo Lianzi! Cease your wild talk!" A middle-aged beautiful woman with a gloomy face and a faint cold air circulating around her said coldly, "Powerful battle strength? Those clumsy Magical Artifacts of yours might be fine against those of the same rank, but if you encounter an opponent with eerie movement techniques who excels in assassination, you probably won't even be able to touch them!

I, Leng Mian, oversee the Law Enforcement Hall. Tracking, assassination, and defending against assassins are all my duties. My cultivation has also reached the Mid-Nascent Soul Stage. How can this Sect Master position be something a boor who only knows how to strike iron can handle?"

Law Enforcement Elder Leng Mian also began to compete.

"Humph! Leng Mian, are those underhanded methods of yours even worthy of being shown in public? A Sect Master needs to be open and upright, commanding the overall situation!"

Yet another Elder joined the fray.

"Speaking of overall coordination, who can compare to me, Dan Xiazi? Medicinal Pills are the foundation of cultivation. I oversee the Pill Cauldron Pavilion, with many Disciples and abundant resources. If I can take over as Sect Master, I will surely distribute Medicinal Pills widely to enhance the strength of the entire Sect!"

An old man with an immortal air but shrewd light flashing in his eyes said while stroking his beard.

"A joke! Can Medicinal Pills be eaten as food? Can they repel powerful enemies? What we lack most now are the Mountain Protection Array and defensive measures!

I, Zhen Xuanzi, have studied Formations for hundreds of years. If I can preside over the Sect's array, it will surely be as solid as a rock!"

A thin old man with bright, piercing eyes also refused to be outdone.

For a moment, the Council Hall was like a boiling pot!

The Elders who had just been "praising" Xu Ruyu for his understanding of the greater good turned around in the blink of an eye and began a fierce argument and mutual attacks for the vacant Sect Master's throne!

They scrambled to state their "advantages" and belittle others' "shortcomings," from cultivation and battle strength to management ability, resources, connections, and professional expertise... arguing until they were red in the face and spitting everywhere!

Where was there even a hint of the demeanor of a high-level cultivator? They were simply like vendors in a marketplace fighting for a stall, or politicians in court attacking those of a different party!