Inside the Ōtsutsuki Temple.
High above the sacred hall, the Ōtsutsuki God listened quietly as Ōtsutsuki Hitoshiki finished his report. The vast divine presence that filled the temple seemed calm, yet oppressive, as if the very space itself was bowing in reverence.
After a brief silence, the Ōtsutsuki God nodded slowly.
"Very good, Hitoshiki," the God said in a deep, resonant voice. "You have done well. I can no longer sense the existence of Ōtsutsuki Urashiki or that low-level creature."
Hitoshiki immediately bowed deeply.
"Thank you for God's praise," he replied respectfully.
At that moment, Ōtsutsuki Yueshiki stepped forward and bowed as well.
"God," Yueshiki said solemnly, "the Second Elder… Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki, is dead."
The Ōtsutsuki God fell silent for several seconds.
Then, calmly, the God spoke.
"He died for the Ōtsutsuki clan. That is worthy of commendation. Hitoshiki, ensure that the clan conducts proper mourning rites."
Hitoshiki lowered his head again.
"I will obey God's command."
Yueshiki's eyes darkened.
At this moment, he understood completely—his carefully laid plans had been shattered by Hitoshiki.
Yes, he had coveted the position of Clan Head for a very long time. But what he never expected was that Hitoshiki would be this ruthless, directly dragging Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki into the mission and allowing him to die.
Yueshiki absolutely did not believe that Hoshiki would willingly sacrifice himself to protect the five younger elites.
No one understood Hoshiki better than Yueshiki himself.
That man was selfish, calculating, and obsessed with power. Sacrificing himself for others?
Impossible.
Therefore, Yueshiki was certain—Hitoshiki had deliberately used the hands of the low-level creature to eliminate Hoshiki.
Unfortunately, the only potential witness, Ōtsutsuki Leishiki, had already chosen to stand with Hitoshiki.
At this point, Yueshiki had only one remaining pillar to rely on.
The Ōtsutsuki God.
But judging from the God's reaction just now… there was no intention to pursue the matter further.
Yueshiki understood.
The God had acquiesced.
"Tatsushiki," the Ōtsutsuki God said suddenly.
Ōtsutsuki Tatsushiki immediately stepped forward.
"God, I am here!"
"Hoshiki is gone," the God said indifferently. "You will temporarily take over his responsibilities. As for the vacant position of Third Elder—Tsukishiki, you will select and recommend a suitable candidate."
Ōtsutsuki Tsukishiki took a deep breath and bowed.
"I obey God's command."
"When Tsukishiki's candidate is confirmed," the God continued, "Ōtsutsuki Tatsushiki shall be promoted to Second Elder, and the newly selected individual will succeed him."
"Very well. This matter is settled. You may all withdraw."
Hitoshiki, Tsukishiki, and Tatsushiki bowed deeply in unison.
"Farewell, God!"
Outside the Temple
Ōtsutsuki Tatsushiki was in extremely high spirits.
As long as Tsukishiki nominated someone, he would officially ascend from Third Elder to Second Elder. His status within the clan would rise dramatically.
However, one thing deeply displeased him.
Why had the Ōtsutsuki God entrusted the selection of the Third Elder to Tsukishiki instead of the Clan Head?
It was infuriating.
If everything were placed under Hitoshiki's control, then both the Second and Third Elders would be people loyal to the Clan Head. In that case, the elders' council would lose all influence.
Hitoshiki and Yueshiki walked side by side.
Yueshiki smiled faintly, his tone carrying hidden meaning.
"The Clan Head truly has great courage. To act so decisively."
Hitoshiki pretended to be confused.
"Elder, what are you talking about?"
Yueshiki snorted coldly.
"What am I talking about? The Clan Head knows that best."
Hitoshiki replied calmly, a faint laugh escaping him.
"Everything was merely God's will. I only executed His command. Hahaha…"
With that, Hitoshiki strode forward confidently.
Tatsushiki followed closely behind, not forgetting to turn back and cast a provocative glance at Yueshiki.
Yueshiki clenched his fists, staring coldly at the two figures ahead.
"One day," he muttered to himself, "I will make you pay for this."
He turned and left.
Hoshiki had followed him for thousands of years—his most trusted right-hand man—yet had been casually discarded by Hitoshiki.
Thinking back, Yueshiki regretted not stopping Hoshiki from joining the expedition.
At the time, he wanted to protect his own position and intended to use Hoshiki as his eyes and ears during the suppression mission.
He never imagined that Hitoshiki would seize the opportunity and directly kill Hoshiki.
"Clan Head… we will see," Yueshiki swore silently.
Clan Head's Hall
High upon the throne, Ōtsutsuki Hitoshiki sat with an imposing presence.
Below him stood Ōtsutsuki Tatsushiki, Ōtsutsuki Zanshiki, and Ōtsutsuki Mitsushiki.
"How is Leishiki?" Hitoshiki asked calmly.
Zanshiki stepped forward.
"Reporting to the Clan Head. Leishiki has been placed among your personal guards. He has no chance of contacting the Great Elder."
Hitoshiki nodded.
Zanshiki hesitated, then asked carefully, "Clan Head… should I arrange a mission and feed Leishiki to the God Tree?"
As soon as he said this, Tatsushiki immediately praised him.
"That would be perfect!"
The atmosphere instantly froze.
Hitoshiki slowly raised his eyelids.
"Zanshiki," he asked softly, "what did you just say?"
Zanshiki's heart trembled. He knew that tone well.
"Clan Head, I—"
Before he could finish, Hitoshiki waved his hand.
Smack!
An invisible force struck Zanshiki, sending him flying.
"Clan Head, I know I was wrong!"
Zanshiki ignored the pain and immediately knelt.
Hitoshiki stood up. Tatsushiki and Mitsushiki followed suit and knelt as well.
With his hands behind his back, Hitoshiki walked down the steps slowly.
"Do you think I killed Ōtsutsuki Hoshiki merely to eliminate dissidents?" he asked coldly.
"Do you think I took pleasure in weakening Yueshiki's influence?"
"Foolish!"
His voice thundered, and overwhelming pressure slammed down on the three, forcing them flat to the ground.
"I killed Hoshiki because he deserved to die," Hitoshiki continued. "The previous pursuit team had ten clan members. None of them could individually match Urashiki or the low-level creature."
"And yet Hoshiki still insisted on sending them."
"What was the result?"
"The entire team was annihilated. Only Jingshiki escaped—and now even his whereabouts are unknown!"
Hitoshiki exhaled slowly.
"Our clan may be powerful, ranked among the strongest in the universe—but our population has not increased for thousands of years. It has only declined."
"Hoshiki ignored the survival of the clan and used the hands of low-level creatures to sacrifice our own people. That responsibility fell upon me!"
He turned sharply.
"I do not care whether God will hold me accountable."
"I care about every Ōtsutsuki life."
"That is why Hoshiki had to die."
"This was also a warning—to Yueshiki."
Hitoshiki's eyes were deep and unfathomable.
"The Ōtsutsuki God values balance. That is why opposing forces exist within the clan."
"But God will never allow internal struggles that cost the lives of clan members."
"By killing Hoshiki, I aligned with God's will."
"And to maintain balance, God granted Tsukishiki the right to choose the next Third Elder."
Now, do you understand?"
The three slowly rose, finally comprehending the deeper logic.
Zanshiki bowed deeply.
"My apologies, Clan Head. I was narrow-minded."
Tatsushiki sighed.
"I never realized there were so many layers behind this."
Mitsushiki looked at Hitoshiki with pure admiration.
This is a leader who truly thinks for the long-term survival of the clan.
"It is good that you understand," Hitoshiki said calmly. "You may leave. I wish to be alone."
The three withdrew.
The hall fell silent.
Hitoshiki closed his eyes.
After a long time, he opened them and murmured softly—
"Why did that low-level creature choose to self-destruct…?"
"Why?"
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