Chapter 12: The Family Council Meeting

A few days later...

"...The last item: the proposal for Yan Youhuan to become a candidate elder of the Yan family!"

At the Yan family headquarters, a guard opened the door to the meeting hall for Yan Youhuan.

Inside the hall, elegant square tables were arranged on either side, with five or six people seated. Most were elderly but still sat upright and looked at Yan Youhuan with unkind expressions.

These individuals were all candidate elders of the Yan family, with spiritual power levels equal to Yan Youhuan's.

At the far end of the room was a long table with seven people seated. Except for the middle-aged man, all wore the family's official uniform, indicating they were the six official elders of the Yan family.

The middle-aged man in the central position was the current Yan family head, Yan Songlin. He had neatly trimmed short hair and a resolute, composed demeanor, giving off an impression of focus and calm.

All eyes were on Yan Youhuan in the center of the hall.

"Greetings to the family head and the elders. I am Yan Youhuan. I am here to apply to become a candidate elder of the Yan family!" Yan Youhuan bowed slightly, then looked up at the family head and elders, speaking seriously, "On April 21, 206 of the New Calendar, just five days ago, I successfully advanced to a 4-star spiritual power level at the [Fragmented Stone Camp]."

"The situation is accurate!" The meeting's host, Inner Affairs Elder Hongliang, spoke up. "Elders with objections may now ask questions."

This was a necessary procedure. The Yan family head and the six official elders were the absolute authority. Only with their majority approval could Yan Youhuan become a candidate elder.

After becoming a candidate elder, Yan Youhuan would have to wait to become a full elder, a process that could be lengthy, as seen with the old men on either side of the room.

At this moment, the youngest and most robust elder among the seven spoke.

"Yan Youhuan is only 16 years old and has already reached 4-star spiritual power. This is indeed a remarkable achievement in other families."

Yan Youhuan looked expressionless at the speaking elder, not taking his words as praise.

This elder was the one Yan Youhuan had encountered a few days ago outside the town and seemed close to Yan Banyü.

"But, true talent should have shown from an early age! Yan Youhuan was previously silent and unknown in the family. Especially with his dual-elemental spiritual power and 4-star Card Square, these are resources he could not have accessed on his own. As the Guardian Elder, I must ensure the family's safety!"

This was a harsh statement. The implication was that Yan Youhuan had betrayed the Yan family and that his current achievements were the result of another family's investment.

"Destroy what cannot be obtained?" Yan Youhuan thought angrily to himself. "This fits Yan Banyü's style."

He stared at the Guardian Elder and began recounting his experience at the [Fragmented Stone Camp].

Of course, he omitted all information about the [Dream Garden].

"...In that cave, I encountered a human duelist's corpse who seemed to have died fighting monsters and subsequently obtained my current spiritual power method. As for the 4-star Card Square, it was entirely my own derivation!"

"Is it really so coincidental that you stumbled upon a deceased duelist's legacy in a random cave?" The Guardian Elder sneered, about to speak again when a voice interrupted.

"Yan Youhuan is not lying."

The voice was calm but silenced the entire meeting hall.

The speaker was Yan Songlin, the family head.

The Guardian Elder looked awkward and fell silent.

Yan Youhuan, while remaining outwardly composed, was surprised.

"Why is the family head speaking up for me? I've had no interaction with him over these sixteen years... Wait! He can determine if I am lying! That's a spiritual power skill!"

Yan Youhuan was startled but quickly controlled his emotions and cleared his mind.

This was the only logical explanation, and fortunately, Yan Youhuan had indeed told the truth, only omitting part of it.

He would have to be cautious in answering the other elders' questions.

"I heard that Yan Youhuan has also requested family arbitration to claim the property from his stepmother Yan Xiaohua." An elderly voice spoke. It was the Finance Elder. "Even before becoming an elder, he is already seeking personal gain. Once he becomes an elder, will he use his power to force others to serve his interests? I believe he needs further evaluation."

"This guy is a real piece of work!" Yan Youhuan thought angrily.

He still couldn't understand why, since his parents' death, this elder had consistently targeted and suppressed him as if he held a personal grudge.

He took a deep breath and calmly replied, "What I am claiming is simply what rightfully belongs to me. It is the inheritance left by my parents, and according to family rules, I am the legal heir."

"As for pursuing personal gain, I will not let personal interests affect the family's benefit and reputation. Elder Finance may supervise me on this matter."

The Finance Elder closed his eyes and said no more.

"Yan Youhuan was indeed outstanding during his schooling; he was the most diligent and talented among his peers." The Education Elder spoke with a friendly look towards Yan Youhuan. "I have a clear memory of him."

With someone speaking up for him, Yan Youhuan responded with a friendly smile.

The Education Elder, while holding the least power and overseeing family education, had a certain influence in the family. His support was crucial for Yan Youhuan.

After hearing the Education Elder's words, the Guardian Elder's eyes brightened, and he spoke again, "Good academic performance is ultimately theoretical. To be a candidate elder, one must have corresponding practical strength."

"Yan Youhuan, do you dare to prove your strength with a duel?"

"I know you are newly a 4-star and might lack 4-star monster cards. My guard captain is a 3-star expert..."

Yan family's guard captain, Yan Yun, was a well-known and loyal 3-star expert nurtured by the family from a young age.

"Please proceed! As a candidate elder, I am unafraid of any challenge!" Yan Youhuan declared boldly, placing his duel disk before his chest.

He had anticipated the possibility of a duel and was prepared for it.

After a discussion among the elders, the meeting was temporarily paused. The gray-clad guard captain, Yan Yun, was called over and stood opposite Yan Youhuan.

Both stood facing each other, setting up their duel disks, but no spiritual power shields appeared around them.

Both Yan Youhuan and Yan Yun were valuable family talents, so there was no need for a spiritual power duel. They would use regular card duels instead.

In the meeting hall, all eyes were on the upcoming duel.

"Duel!"

"Duel!"

[Yan Youhuan's Life Points: 8000]

[Yan Yun's Life Points: 8000]