Chapter 15: The Elemental Dao Sect Upcoming Exam

Chapter 15: The Elemental Dao Sect Upcoming Exam

The hall remained heavy with silence until a new voice rang out—calm, sharp, and laced with authority.

"Elders."

The Second Elder, Madam Xiao Ru, who had sat silent throughout the heated debate, finally spoke. Despite her composed tone, her words echoed through the chamber like a bell tolling judgment.

"We do not have time for endless debates. The family must be decisive. This matter… must be concluded now."

Her sharp gaze swept through the room, causing even the prideful Xiao Yang to instinctively lower his head.

"Xiao Chen," she continued, "will be stripped of his position as the family heir immediately and demoted to an ordinary disciple. That is the fairest path for now. He may still live within the Xiao family household… but with no privilege, no right to inherit the Patriarch's seat."

A cold smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she declared, "In his place… we will raise Xiao Han, his cousin, to the position of Young Master. From today forth, he will prepare as the next family Patriarch."

Xiao Hao's fist trembled on the table, but he remained silent.

Madam Xiao Ru's eyes narrowed slightly, landing on the few who still dared to hesitate. "And don't bring up Xiao Rongyu… Though she may be our greatest genius besides the now fallen genius Xiao Chen, she is not a direct bloodline of the Patriarch. Besides, she is a girl… my granddaughter. I will not have her pursuing power, politics, and the burden of leadership."

She paused, her voice softening, yet carrying unmistakable pride.

"She… will solely pursue the Martial Path. Bring glory to the Xiao Family with her own strength. That… is enough."

Her words hung in the air. No one dared oppose. Logic—cold, undeniable—backed her reasoning.

One by one, the elders nodded in silent agreement.

Xiao Yang, face flushed with excitement, could hardly contain his joy. His son, Xiao Han, would become the next Patriarch. His eyes darted to Elder Xiao Feng, who returned a knowing smile, silently offering his congratulations.

As for Xiao Hao, his eyes dimmed, his teeth gritted so hard they nearly cracked. But what could he do? Though Patriarch by name, he did not hold absolute power. The Elder Council was the true backbone of the family. Madam Xiao Ru's words were reasonable, strategic… irrefutable.

Seeing no opposition, Elder Xiao Jian stood. "Indeed, Second Elder speaks the truth. As unfortunate as this is… we cannot allow emotions to sway us further. There are matters far graver that demand our attention."

He glanced toward the silent group, gauging their reaction before speaking again.

"News reached me just yesterday… The Elemental Dao Sect will be holding their entrance examination one year from now. More importantly… their ambassador will personally visit Clear Water City."

His words caused a ripple of surprise, even greed, to stir in the elders' eyes.

"We must prepare our clan's finest disciples. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity," Elder Jian continued. "I have already sent word—our most talented juniors are on their way here. We must gather them… inform them of the coming examination."

His lips curled faintly. "I am certain… the Lao Family has heard the news as well. They will seize this chance to raise their own status. We… must not fall behind."

Madam Xiao Ru nodded approvingly. "Good. That is where our focus should lie now. The past is settled. The future… must be seized."

The First Elder, cold but calculating, added, "Then it's settled. Xiao Chen's fate is sealed. His rights as heir… revoked. But since he once brought glory, we will not cast him out completely—for now."

Xiao Feng snorted. "Hmph. He's finished either way. The next generation belongs to Xiao Han."

The Third Elder chuckled dryly, returning to counting his beads, his thoughts unknown. "We shall see… Sometimes… even a fallen star still shines in the night sky."

Everyone ignored his cryptic remark.

Xiao Hao sat back down slowly, his heart weighed down by defeat. He forced himself to steady his breath, knowing well he had no more power to resist—for now.

"Summon the youths," Elder Jian ordered. "It's time… they know what's expected of them."

"Yes, Great Elder," a vioce outside responded immediately.

The heavy atmosphere lightened slightly as the meeting's focus shifted.

Madam Xiao Ru stood, her cold gaze sweeping across the chamber one final time. "Let it be known. From today onward… Xiao Han is the Young Master of the Xiao Family."

And so, the decision was made.

As footsteps echoed in the distance, the elders turned their gaze toward the grand doors, awaiting the arrival of the clan's young talents.

For better or worse… the wheel of fate had begun to turn.

----

Moments later, a voice rang out from outside the inner chamber, breaking the heavy silence.

"Masters, they are here."

The door creaked open. A short man dressed in long black robes, bearing the golden dragon and flowing river insignia of the Xiao Family, stepped in. The insignia shimmered faintly, its pale golden hue marking him as a Deacon—a mid-tier figure within the family hierarchy.

His hair was disheveled, his beard hastily shaved, leaving uneven patches. He appeared to be in his mid-thirties, and though his appearance was unkempt, his steady aura betrayed his cultivation—Mid-Stage Martial Master Realm.

"They are waiting outside, Masters," the Deacon reported, bowing low with practiced respect.

Elder Xiao Jian nodded lightly, his voice calm. "Good work, Deacon Mo. Go coordinate them. We will be there shortly."

"Yes, Great Elder."

Deacon Mo bowed once more and turned, his black robes brushing the floor as he exited swiftly.

—

Meanwhile, in the Main Chamber of the Xiao Family Hall, nine figures stood silently. Each carried the pride and burden of their generation, having partaken in the Martial Spirit Awakening Ceremony, they were the Xiao family best talents of the young generation.

At the forefront stood Xiao Han, proud and sharp-eyed, exuding a faint arrogance now backed by his newfound status. Beside him stood Xiao Rongyu, her cold beauty enhanced by her calm, yet distant gaze. The temperature around her was unnaturally chilly, a lingering after-effect of her terrifyingly potent Fire affinity.

The infamous twins, Xiao Lan and Xiao Li, stood nearby. Xiao Lan wore a subtle grin, his eyes dancing with curiosity and mischief, while Xiao Li remained expressionless, her crimson eyes cold and calculating.

Xiao Boyan, ever the bootlicker, positioned himself loyally by Xiao Han's side, shooting wary glances around as if constantly seeking his next target to flatter. The remaining three were lesser-known, though each bore the proud aura of an Early Stage Martial Soul Realm cultivator. Their status, however, paled in comparison to the core heirs.

At the far end of the chamber, separated from the group, Xiao Chen leaned lazily against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze indifferent and distant. His presence was restrained—so deeply that even his aura seemed to vanish into the air, like he didn't exist.

A mocking voice broke the quiet.

"Hey! Cousin Chen," Xiao Han called out, loud enough for all to hear, his lips curled into a smirk. "Why are you sulking alone over there? There's no need to isolate yourself just because you awakened… trash, right?"

Xiao Boyan seized the moment and laughed scornfully. "Hmph! At least he knows his place now."

Before another word could be spoken, a sharp, cold voice lashed out.

"Watch your mouth, Xiao Boyan. You dare insult Brother Chen in my presence?"

The air crackled as Xiao Rongyu snapped, her tone biting cold. Instantly, the temperature in the chamber dropped several degrees. A faint, crimson flame flickered at her fingertips, yet instead of emitting heat—it spread a terrifying, bone-piercing chill.

Xiao Boyan trembled, his face pale as he instinctively shrank behind Xiao Han, cold sweat running down his back.

"Sister Rongyu, don't pursue this," Xiao Han quickly intervened, masking his inner displeasure with a calm smile. "I'm sure he didn't mean it… seriously."

"Hmph," Xiao Rongyu snorted coldly, though the flame dissipated from her fingertips.

Yet, deep inside, Xiao Han cursed viciously. "Damn bitch… always thinking she's above everyone because of her top-grade Fire affinity. One day, I'll make her regret looking down on me."

A hushed voice broke the lingering tension.

"As expected… someone with a top-grade Fire affinity is terrifying," Xiao Lan muttered. Though he himself possessed a high-grade Fire affinity, he understood well—the gap between high-grade and top-grade was like a moat separating heaven and earth.

The others fell into uncomfortable silence. Though labeled geniuses, they knew their standing. None dared intervene when those like Xiao Han or Xiao Rongyu clashed. Within the Xiao Family, power wasn't just strength—it was influence, backing, and bloodline.

Amidst the brewing tension, Xiao Chen remained still—his eyes closed, resting lazily against the cold stone wall. It was as if none of their words or mockery had touched him. He appeared asleep… yet a strange, unsettling air seemed to coil faintly around him.

In the midst of it all, Xiao Li observed silently. Her crimson eyes, usually indifferent, lingered on Xiao Chen. A faint furrow creased her brow.

"His presence… It feels foreign."

That thought gnawed at her. There was something different—something unfathomable about him today. His aura… no, it wasn't even there, as if he was part of the air itself. But it wasn't weakness. It was something else—something deeper.

Her gaze lingered for a breath longer before she finally turned away, her expression unreadable.

—

At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed from the corridor. The heavy doors creaked open as Elder Xiao Jian, Madam Xiao Ru, and the other core elders entered the main chamber.

All the youths immediately straightened, their earlier squabbles vanishing like smoke as they greeted in unison.

"Greetings, Elders!"

The time had come.

The game pieces were in place.

And the wheel of fate… was now truly in motion.