As if Ling Tian would speak up for Ling Xiao?
He just didn't want his own spectacular, world-watching day of fame to lack Ling Xiao's presence.
No!
He was going to step on Ling Xiao's head to reach the position of Ling Clan heir.
Only then would his seven years of endurance, seven years of bitter cultivation, be worth it.
Ten thousand draws of the sword. At the foot of Green Luan Peak, a sudden enlightenment.
The power of Dao Principle was enough to easily crush any cultivator below the Paragon Breakthrough Realm.
The Grand Elder's grandson?
Wasn't even fit to carry his shoes.
"Hehe, esteemed Elders, let's wait a little longer. Go check outside the hall, see if the Young Master has arrived." Ling Tianlin smiled faintly.
These two brothers were finally starting to stick up for each other.
This was the scene he wanted to see.
Even if Ling Tian had lost all his cultivation, he was still the Second Young Master of the Ling direct line. His words carried some weight.
Besides, if cultivation wasn't his path, delving into other arts wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Tian'er, I heard you've been diligently cultivating the Sword Dao these past few years? Perfect. I have a close friend, a top-tier Sword Dao expert in the Holy State, currently the Sacred Master of the Ten Thousand Swords Sacred Land. I've sent word, asking him to take you as his disciple. He will also attend your brother's engagement banquet tomorrow. You can formally acknowledge him as your master then and follow him back to the Ten Thousand Swords Sacred Land to cultivate." Ling Tianlin looked at Ling Tian below the dais with paternal affection.
Ling Tian merely smiled, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Father."
Hehe.
Dear old father, I'm afraid big brother's engagement banquet tomorrow is going to be ruined.
After all, the reason the Ethereal Dao Palace favored Ling Xiao was solely because of his status.
The eldest young master of the Ling Clan's direct line, most likely the future ruler of the Ling Clan.
But today, as long as he stepped over him to claim the heir position, the Ethereal Dao Palace would certainly not agree to this marriage.
By then, Ling Xiao would lose both the girl and his status.
No, he'd be worthless!
"Hehe, esteemed Elders, you're all quite early." A light laugh came from outside the hall, and then Ling Xiao's figure strode in.
Tall and straight in black robes, as elegant as fine jade.
In terms of looks alone, Ling Xiao could indeed be called handsome.
But at this moment, the eyes of the Elders all held a complex, profound meaning.
The Ling Clan had nine branches. In principle, each branch had the qualification to compete for the Clan Master position.
It was just that Ling Tianlin was too powerful; no one from the previous generation was his match.
Him becoming Clan Master was the popular expectation.
But what the hell was Ling Xiao?
Didn't he just rely on having a powerful father and a powerful mother?
Growing up, swallowing spirit pills like candy, barely reaching the Soul Sea Realm?
Wait?
The aura on Ling Xiao now felt somewhat blurred, indistinct, vaguely surging?
Had he... stepped into the Profound Clear Realm?
No wonder there were thunderclouds and raging spiritual energy over Xiaoyun Peak yesterday.
But even so, how could he be a match for Ling Rui?
"Alright, since everyone is here, I'll skip the pleasantries. Father, let's begin." Ling Xiao grinned, his gaze sweeping over the proud descendants of the various branches standing below the dais. His eyes held a look of arrogant, condescending disdain.
This bunch of rotten shrimp and stale fish... they couldn't possibly be here for the heir position too, could they?
And look at Ling Tian's expression now... interesting.
This kid really did plan to use him as a stepping stone.
What a joke. He transmigrated here, not to be stepped on by anyone.
This is my kingdom!
My world!
My glorious era!!!
"Everyone, my son Ling Xiao is nearly an adult now. I believe the matter of the heir can be decided." Ling Tianlin smiled as he looked at the crowd.
Others might not know, but he was aware of all the secrets Ling Xiao possessed.
Although his son's personality was a bit arrogant, looking across the younger generation of the Holy State, there probably weren't many who were truly his match.
After all, the Heavenly Demon True Body was there. It was a forbidden taboo not because it looked scary, but because it was too powerful.
Moreover, Ling Xiao was indeed at the Soul Sea Realm half a month ago. But upon his return now, he was clearly a peerless monster half a step into the Paragon Breakthrough Realm.
This was Ling Tianlin's confidence!
"Hehe, from the Clan Master's tone, it seems you already have a candidate in mind?" The Grand Elder, named Ling Shan, was a Divine Emperor expert, one of the Ling Clan's three Emperors.
Although his face wore a smile, the look he directed at Ling Xiao was faintly cold.
Did you think concealing your aura could hide your dirty, weak essence?
"Correct. My son Ling Xiao is exceptionally talented and the ideal candidate for the heir position. I assume the esteemed Elders have no objections?" Ling Tianlin said calmly.
"Hahahaha, Clan Master, I mean no disrespect, but are you serious when you say Ling Xiao is exceptionally talented?" Just as Ling Tian was about to speak, Ling Rui, the grandson of the Grand Elder standing beside him, suddenly sneered and stepped forward to stand beside Ling Xiao.
"Hmm?" Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow. He had originally intended to use this opportunity to teach Ling Tian a lesson.
He never expected there would be others who didn't know their place, coveting the Ling Clan heir position.
"So it's Cousin Ling Rui." Ling Xiao smiled and nodded. "So, Cousin, you believe you are more suitable for this position than I am?"
"Hehe, Ling Xiao, don't you have any self-awareness about your own strength? If it weren't for your status as the direct-line young master, do you think... you'd even be qualified to stand here?" Ling Rui looked at Ling Xiao beside him with disdain.
His grandfather was also a Divine Emperor expert, on par with Ling Tianlin.
This was why he dared to be so arrogant.
Before coming, Ling Shan had instructed him: in the hall today, there was no need to fear anyone. He had already reached an understanding with the other seven Elders; today, they would definitely support him for the heir position.
"Oh? Is that what the rest of you think too?" Ling Xiao's playful gaze swept over the other cousins standing in the hall.
These individuals indeed represented the strongest combat power among the Ling Clan's younger generation.
But...
Ling Xiao shook his head with a faint smile, finally resting his eyes on Ling Tian.
For some reason, Ling Tian felt an inexplicable tension in his heart.
"Hmph, Ling Xiao, the heir position should naturally go to the most capable. Besides having a more noble status than us, what qualifications do you have to sit in that position?" Immediately, another Ling Clan genius sneered mockingly.
The Ling Clan had a longstanding rule: conflicts among the younger generation were not to be interfered with by experts of the same branch.
Moreover, once someone was confirmed as the heir today and recognized by the Elders of all nine branches, even the Clan Master couldn't remove them unless they died.
Given that... why would they fear Ling Xiao one bit?
"Well said. The most capable takes the position. So, my dear cousins, you plan to have a... contest with me?" Ling Xiao smiled faintly, then glanced at Ling Shan. "Grand Elder, does that mean whoever is strongest today becomes the Ling Clan heir?"
"Naturally. The reason our Ling Clan has flourished for a thousand years is that every generation's Clan Master and heir has been the strongest of their peers. It has nothing to do with being from the direct line or not." Ling Shan nodded calmly.
But...
Was it his imagination, or did that smile on Ling Xiao's face make him feel... uneasy?
What kind of trouble was this kid brewing now?
"You garbage, you dare covet the heir position? Hehe, Cousin Ling Rui, I'm not targeting you specifically. What I mean is... everyone present here is garbage."
The entire great hall instantly fell into dead silence.
Even Ling Tianlin stared at Ling Xiao below the dais in astonishment, momentarily at a loss for words.