454: The most primitive rules! [Seeking follow-up reading]

Before the Ancestral Temple of the Sky Demon Mink Clan.

Normally, the Ancestral Temple was a critical area within the clan, with extremely strict defenses, but today, this region was bustling with activity and exceptionally lively.

Because today, the Sky Demon Mink Clan would decide the true candidate for the next Clan Chief.

Such an event was considered extraordinarily significant within the Sky Demon Mink Clan, and to show its importance, it naturally needed to be held in a sacred place like the Ancestral Temple.

In front of the Ancestral Temple, there was an ancient altar plaza paved with bluestone. On the altar, a colossal stone tablet stood, and upon it were carved the names of many Sky Demon Mink Clan ancestors, all of whom had achieved immense accomplishments.

A lively atmosphere enveloped the altar plaza in front of the Ancestral Temple, but beneath the clamor, the mood was subtly strange. This strangeness stemmed from two distinct groups of people on the plaza.

On the left side, the leader was tall and slender, with a face as beautiful as a demon. His lips were tightly pressed, like a blade, exuding a cold sharpness. In his narrow eyes, there was still that innate arrogance, and standing there, he appeared quite distinguished.

This figure was naturally Xiao Diao. At this moment, his hands hung lightly, his eyes fixed only on the stone tablet ahead, his handsome face unperturbed.

He did not, like the group of people behind him, stare at the group on the right with cold, wary eyes.

And that group also had a considerable number of people, with Hao Jiuyou as their leader.

Although his Aura was not as strong as Xiao Diao's, his face was filled with a gentle smile. He would occasionally converse with others, and his laughter gave people a feeling of warmth, as if bathed in a spring breeze.

“Hmph, this hypocritical fellow.”

Beside Xiao Diao, Wu Zhong glanced at Hao Jiuyou and snorted coldly, his voice full of disdain.

As a follower of Xiao Diao, he naturally had no good feelings towards Hao Jiuyou.

“Be quiet,” Xiao Diao said without turning his head, “lest you give others more reason to gossip.”

Wu Zhong pouted unhappily. If Xiao Diao hadn't disappeared for a hundred years, with his prestige within the Sky Demon Mink Clan, even if Hao Jiuyou had more guts, he probably wouldn't dare act like this.

“I wonder how Brother Lin Dong is doing. He’s been in the Heavenly Cave for several days now,” Wu Zhong lowered his voice, a hint of worry in his tone.

On the very night Lin Fan and Lin Dong arrived at the Sky Demon Mink Clan, they proceeded with their plan: Xiao Diao attracted the attention of the Heavenly Cave Guardian, and Lin Dong seized the opportunity to sneak into the Heavenly Cave.

Several days had passed since then.

Xiao Diao’s expression fluctuated slightly upon hearing Wu Zhong's words, then he shook his head helplessly.

Lin Fan, beside Xiao Diao, chuckled and said, “Don’t worry, Lin Dong will definitely be fine.”

Xiao Diao smiled and said, “I naturally trust him too.”

On the plaza, many gazes lingered on the two figures at the forefront of both groups, and those looking at Xiao Diao all held a hint of regret.

Many here were his peers from back then, and they clearly knew who truly possessed absolute prestige within the Sky Demon Mink Clan at that time.

Back then, Xiao Diao’s talent and prestige were unmatched among the younger generation of the Sky Demon Mink. Everyone almost believed that Xiao Diao would be the undisputed next Clan Chief of the Sky Demon Mink Clan, but that accident completely changed the situation…

The clamor continued in front of the Ancestral Temple until more than ten Elders appeared on the steps leading up to the Ancestral Temple, at which point the noise gradually subsided.

Over the years, with the old Clan Chief entering seclusion, and Xiao Diao, who could have used this opportunity to establish his true position in the clan, having disappeared for a hundred years, it was the Elders who managed all clan affairs. Their status within the Sky Demon Mink Clan was clearly quite high.

On the steps, ten Elders were led by a gray-robed old man. His hair was white, and though he was old, his skin was like a baby’s. In his slightly closed eyes, a sharp glint flickered, and with every movement, powerful Yuan Qi fluctuations emanated.

This person was the current Grand Elder of the Sky Demon Mink Clan, Zhu Li, Grand Elder.

Zhu Li, Grand Elder’s gaze slowly swept across the altar plaza. Under his gaze, many Sky Demon Mink Clan members showed respectful expressions. When his gaze shifted to Xiao Diao, the latter merely nodded slightly at him.

Zhu Li, Grand Elder looked at Xiao Diao, also nodded, then withdrew his gaze and said in a deep voice, “The purpose of gathering everyone here today, I believe, you all already know. The Clan Chief has been in seclusion for a hundred years…”

Zhu Li, Grand Elder spoke at length, essentially saying that the purpose of this gathering at the Ancestral Temple was to select the true Clan Chief candidate.

And, they would use the most primitive rule: the victor takes all!

“After all that talk, isn’t it just going to be a fight?” Wu Zhong pouted and said.

“This is the most direct and simplest method,” Xiao Diao said indifferently.

“Indeed,” Lin Fan nodded slightly and said, “Be careful later. That Hao Jiuyou is not simple; he probably possesses some means of the Demonic Tribe.”

Xiao Diao’s eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing this, and he nodded, “I will be careful.”

The original text can be read on Liu #9 @ Shu / Ba!

“Do either of you have any objections to the Elder Council’s decision?” Zhu Li, Grand Elder looked at Xiao Diao and Hao Jiuyou and asked.

Hao Jiuyou smiled slightly upon hearing this, and just as he was about to shake his head, someone beside him suddenly said, “Grand Elder, I heard that someone tried to rashly charge into the Heavenly Cave a few days ago. Such behavior violates clan rules.”

Zhu Li, Grand Elder frowned slightly, glancing at the person next to Hao Jiuyou. He naturally knew about this matter, but had not intended to pursue it. Now that it had been brought up publicly, it seemed inappropriate for him not to say something.

Just then, Hao Jiuyou stepped forward to intercede for Xiao Diao and reprimanded the previous speaker, thereby gaining the goodwill of many clan members.

And so, the duel proceeded as scheduled.

Before long, both men walked to an open clearing in the center of the Ancestral Temple.

“Haha, Brother A Diao, it’s been a hundred years. I hope you’ll enlighten me today,” Hao Jiuyou cupped his fist at Xiao Diao and said with a smile.

“You’ve changed quite a bit,” Xiao Diao glanced lightly at Hao Jiuyou. The young man who, when he first stood before him, was trembling slightly, even somewhat silent and insecure, had now completely transformed.

“Brother A Diao, when we spar later, I hope you’ll go easy on me.”

Hao Jiuyou wore a beaming smile, yet there was not a hint of mirth in his eyes; instead, there was a coldness.

He wanted everyone to know that the most dazzling Genius in the Sky Demon Mink Clan would now be trampled under his feet!

“Boom!”

And just as his voice fell, an astonishing Aura instantly surged out from his body. Vast Yuan Qi surged around Hao Jiuyou, and within that Yuan Qi, the Qi of life and death were perfectly fused, clearly indicating the true Reincarnation Realm level. (End of Chapter)