287: Chapter 287 The one who holds the cauldron is the patriarch of my Taihu clan.

Xu Ruyu's tone was calm, carrying a hint of curiosity about the final trial.

However, as he asked this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became... strange.

The Clan Chief and the Grand Mage looked at each other; both the moonlight and the phantom appeared somewhat... embarrassed? Or perhaps, bewildered.

"This..." The Clan Chief was uncharacteristically at a loss for words, hesitating as he said, "Holy Master Xu... this ninth trial, the 'Heart of Dao-Seeking'... to be honest, we only know its name from the fragments and the Formation compendium left by our ancestors.

"As for the specifics of the trial, its location, or its rules... the records have been lost. We... know nothing about it."

The Grand Mage also let out a soft sigh, her ethereal voice filled with helplessness: "'Heart of Dao-Seeking', as the name suggests, should be a test of a cultivator's original heart and their steadfastness toward the 'Dao' they pursue.

"But how it tests, or what it tests, has been unknown since ancient times, and no one has ever triggered it.

"Perhaps... this trial is formless and only manifests when specific conditions are met? Or... it simply doesn't exist within this Formation at all?"

Xu Ruyu was stunned.

The Nine-Aperture Exquisite Array was said to have nine trials.

He had fought with his life, weathered countless dangers, and cleared the first eight trials, only to find that even the Taihu Clan itself didn't know where the final trial was or how it was conducted?

It felt like finally beating the first eight chapters of a game, only for the developer to tell you the final boss stage hadn't been designed yet, or it required a hidden condition to unlock, and as for what that condition was... they didn't know.

Even with Xu Ruyu's firm resolve, he was a bit dazed at this moment.

So, did this count as completing the trial? Did he pass? Could the protection for the people of the Hehuan Sect still be implemented?

Just as Xu Ruyu stood there looking bewildered and the people in the hall fell silent due to this sudden awkwardness—

The Clan Chief suddenly took a step forward, and then, under Xu Ruyu's astonished gaze, he slowly and with utmost solemnity dropped to one knee before him!

It wasn't just him!

The phantom of the Grand Mage bowed slightly, performing an ancient salute that represented the highest respect.

The Grand Elder, Elder Lan Yi, and all the other Elders of the Taihu Clan in the hall followed suit, dropping to one knee before Xu Ruyu in unison!

Even Lady Qingli, after a brief hesitation, bowed gracefully with a complex expression.

"What are you all... doing? Please, stand up!"

Xu Ruyu was startled and quickly stepped aside to avoid the gesture, trying to help the Clan Chief up.

But the Clan Chief looked up, his gaze under the moonlight incredibly firm, his voice clear and powerful as it echoed through the entire hall:

"Since the Holy Master has gained the recognition of the taihu sacred tripod, you are the 'Tripod Bearer' ordained by the Progenitor!

"The Tripod Bearer is as if the Progenitor himself has arrived, wielding the Sacred Relic, carrying the clan's fortune, and commanding the entire clan; none shall dare disobey!"

"According to our clan's oldest and most central Supreme Law, originating from the era of our Celestial Ancestors—the Tripod Bearer is the sole and supreme leader of the Taihu Clan!"

"Therefore," the Clan Chief's voice was resolute, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness, "from this moment on, Holy Master Xu, you are the new Clan Chief of our Taihu Clan!"

"The new Clan Chief?!"

Xu Ruyu felt like he had been struck by lightning, completely dumbfounded!

He was an outsider, a "guest" seeking protection. How could he, in the blink of an eye, become the "Clan Chief" of this ancient clan? What kind of Cultivation World joke was this?!

"Clan Chief! This is absolutely out of the question!"

Xu Ruyu waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head like a rattle: "How can this be? This Junior is an outsider and knows nothing of your clan's affairs. My cultivation is low; by what merit or ability could I hold the position of Clan Chief?

"This taihu tripod is your clan's Sacred Relic. This Junior is unworthy of it, let alone using it to overstep my bounds!

"I beg the Clan Chief to rescind the order. This Junior absolutely dares not accept the position of Clan Chief!"

He was sincerely declining.

Being a Clan Chief? What a joke!

Just the Hehuan Sect alone was enough to give him a headache—that was forced upon him by Old Ancestor Qingtian, and he couldn't shake it off.

Now add a Taihu Clan with an even longer history and potentially more complex internal relations?

And even become the Clan Chief? Then how was he supposed to cultivate?

How would he study his "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy"? He'd probably be buried every day in endless affairs and bickering!

However, the Clan Chief's attitude was exceptionally firm: "The Holy Master is mistaken!

"The taihu tripod choosing its master is not something human effort can change. This is the will of the Progenitor and the destiny of the clan!

"Since you have gained the tripod's recognition, you are the Clan Chief destined by heaven!

"This decree stands above all else; even I must obey it!"

"Indeed!"

The Grand Mage also spoke, her ethereal voice carrying an unquestionable authority: "The Tripod Bearer is the Clan Chief.

"This is an iron law written deep within our clan's Bloodline Legacy, and it is also the responsibility of the one recognized by the Sacred Tripod.

"Holy Master, this is destiny; you cannot refuse."

The other Elders kneeling in the hall had varying expressions, but most showed signs of agreement or awe.

The Progenitor manifesting and the Sacred Relic recognizing a master—this was an unprecedented miracle in the history of the Taihu Clan!

Having the Tripod Bearer recognized by the Sacred Relic serve as the Clan Chief was beyond reproach in terms of both law and faith.

But, not everyone was truly convinced.

Just as the matter seemed settled, a slightly shrill voice, filled with deep unwillingness and resentment, rang out abruptly:

"I object!"

Everyone looked toward the source of the voice and saw a man suddenly stand up from among the kneeling crowd. It was Elder Mo Feng, who had previously had many disagreements with Lady Qingli, had repeatedly mocked Xu Ruyu during the trials, and had later been slighted by the Clan Chief!

His face was flushed, his eyes bloodshot, and he pointed at Xu Ruyu, his voice cracking slightly with emotion:

"Clan Chief! Grand Mage! Elders! This must not be!

"Xu Ruyu is an outsider!

"He does not possess our Taihu Bloodline!

"How can he possibly hold the position of our Clan Chief?!

"This violates the Ancestral System and goes against the rules!"