"You deserve to have your profound strength revoked and be expelled from the Ling Family!"
These words, like the morning bell of an ancient tomb, made Fifth Elder Ling Yan's eyes twitch, and he felt a sense of unease.
Ling Xiao straightened his back, glanced around at the assembled elders, and finally stopped at Ling Yan, asking calmly, "Excuse me, Fifth Elder, am I the Clan Leader's legitimate grandson?"
The Fifth Elder's eyebrows twitched slightly, and he nodded undeniably, "Of course, but how does this relate to what you're talking about?"
"Of course it does, a very significant connection," Ling Xiao said, leaving the question unanswered. Second Elder Ling Mo said impatiently, "If you have something to say, say it quickly."
Ling Xiao glanced at the Second Elder, then at the Fifth Elder, "Excuse me, Fifth Elder, is cousin Ling Rui your grandson?"
Fifth Elder Ling Yan said displeasedly, "Of course. The elders here saw him born."
"How could someone insult Ling Rui as a bastard? That..." Ling Xiao said flatly.
Before he could finish, Ling Yan slammed the table and stood up, shouting, "Anyone who dares to do that will have their entire family killed."
"Fifth Elder, don't be angry. I'm just saying that. In reality, no one in the family dares to offend you," Ling Xiao said with a dry laugh. Ling Yan glared at Ling Xiao and said, "Are you done yet? You've taken the conversation too far."
At this point, Fourth Elder Ling Wei also said in a deep voice, "Ling Xiao, speak frankly. Stop beating around the bush."
Ling Xiao replied, "Yes," to the Fourth Elder. Then, he spoke seriously, "Just now, before Deacon Ling Tao and I entered the inner courtyard, my cousin Ling Rui spoke rudely to me, calling me a bastard. The Fifth Elder also acknowledged me as the Clan Leader's legitimate grandson. I believe all the elders present can attest to this. May I ask, Fourth and Fifth Elders, is this disrespectful to the Clan Leader?"
At Ling Xiao's words, the expressions of the elders changed, especially Ling Yan, who looked as if he wanted to tear Ling Xiao apart.
"Nonsense! I don't believe my worthless grandson would say such outrageous things," Ling Yan shouted, standing up.
"Deacon Ling Tao can testify to this," Ling Xiao said, pointing to Ling Tao, who was standing in the far corner. At this moment, Ling Tao stepped forward and responded, "Indeed, Ling Rui did insult Ling Xiao as a bastard."
His words were powerful. He only said that Ling Rui had called Ling Xiao a bastard, not that he had insulted the clan leader. His words served as a testament to the elders, but everyone knew the meaning was self-evident.
"How outrageous! To say such outrageous words!" Third Elder Ling Yuan said flatly, raising his stringy eyes.
Ling Yan glanced at Ling Yuan, not daring to say anything more. He returned to his seat, his fists clenched tightly.
At this moment, Ling Mo spoke, "Children's talk, don't take it seriously."
After Ling Mo's words, the elders fell silent. The Third Elder simply glanced at Ling Cang, who sat upstairs, and narrowed his eyes again.
Ling Xiao suddenly burst into laughter. "Haha... haha..."
His voice echoed throughout the attic. Ling Wei snorted, "No noise in the meeting hall!"
Ling Xiao suppressed his smile and shouted at Ling Wei, "I've heard that the Fourth Elder is the most impartial and strict elder in the clan, yet he's no more than that now. I just asked the Fifth Elder, if someone insulted Ling Rui as a bastard, it would be disrespectful to the Fifth Elder, and he would kill that person's entire family. And now Ling Rui insults me as a bastard? Doesn't that count as disrespect to the clan leader? Fourth Elder, you just said that his crime deserves to have his profound strength revoked and be expelled from the clan. But, just because the Second Elder said, 'It's just a child's joke, don't take it seriously,' you're afraid to convict him? If Ling Rui were just a three-year-old, I, Ling Xiao, would naturally not argue with him. But he's already an adult who's undergone his coming-of-age ceremony, and he must be held accountable for what he said. Are the Second and Fourth Elders trying to disregard the clan leader's authority?"
Ling Xiao's every word was powerful, thought-provoking, and heart-wrenching, like a sharp blade piercing the hearts of the elders! "That's right. His profound power should be crippled and he should be expelled from the clan," Third Elder Ling Yuan said, eyes wide open, approvingly, as he watched Ling Xiao's forced smile. However, that smile seemed uglier than crying; he had too much flesh on his body.
"Indeed, Ling Rui should be severely punished," the Sixth Elder spoke next.
Then the Seventh and Ninth Elders began to echo the sentiment.
Only the Eighth Elder glanced at the Second Elder without speaking.
Fourth Elder Ling Wei and Fifth Elder Ling Yan stared intently at Ling Xiao. The former looked thoughtful, as if trying to see through him, while the latter gnashed his teeth, his hatred etched deep within him.
The Second Elder merely glanced at Ling Xiao briefly, his fingers tapping on his chair again, without saying anything.
Seated above, Clan Leader Ling Cang had remained silent, his face serene, as if he were asleep, oblivious to the world outside. After a long pause, the Fourth Elder sighed softly and said, "According to Article 19 of the clan rules, Ling Rui will have his profound strength revoked and be expelled from the clan if he disrespects the clan leader."
As soon as the Fourth Elder spoke, the Fifth Elder paused, swallowing his anger. Then, he stood up and bowed to Ling Cang, who sat aloft, saying, "Clan leader, Ling Yan taught Sun Wufang. Please show some mercy and give him a lighter sentence."
At this moment, Ling Cang raised his eyes and finally spoke. He said calmly, "Considering Ling Rui's youth and innocence, I will exempt him from the punishment of having his profound strength revoked and his expulsion from the clan. However, he must be punished by facing the wall in the back mountains for six months."
The Fifth Elder was delighted and immediately bowed in thanks.
"Well, today we have gathered all the elders here to discuss Ling Xiao's return to the inner courtyard. Please share your opinions," Ling Cang said, seizing the opportunity. As soon as Ling Cang finished speaking, Third Elder Ling Yuan immediately echoed, "I agree."
Followed by Second Elder Ling Mo, "I have no objection."
Followed by this, all the elders agreed, not a single vote dissenting. Even the Fifth Elder didn't dare to object at this point.
He had originally planned to give Ling Xiao a hard time today, but Ling Xiao had preempted him and nearly humiliated him. He'd made a note of this.
"Alright, this is settled. From now on, Ling Xiao can freely enter and leave the inner courtyard. He's allowed to browse the profound techniques on the first and second floors of the Skills Pavilion. He can receive a first-level weapon. He's also allowed to participate in the family test in a month. That's all for today. Let's all disperse." After Ling Cang announced Ling Xiao's affairs, he immediately waved his hand to dismiss the meeting. He then added, "Ling Xiao, stay."
Ling Xiao, about to turn around, stopped. After the elders had left, Ling Cang gently waved his hand, and the door closed. Ling Xiao was extremely envious of Ling Cang's skill. This required at least reaching the realm of releasing profound energy, and to be able to control that power so freely, perhaps only a Spiritual Master could achieve this!
Ling Cang stepped down from his seat, stared at Ling Xiao, and said, "Child, do you hate Grandpa?"
At this moment, Ling Cang lacked the dignity of a superior; only the peace and calm of a grandfather remained.
For some reason, Ling Xiao felt a pang of sadness in his heart, and immediately responded, "At first, I hated Grandpa for being so cruel and leaving my family behind. I hated Grandpa for not even visiting Xiao'er for two years. I hated why I wasn't born into an ordinary family, so I could have grown up playing and playing with Grandpa happily."
At this point, Ling Cang sighed softly and turned his face away, trying not to let the tears flow. Ling Xiao then continued, "But after meeting Grandpa today, I no longer hate him. As the head of the clan, you naturally put the family's interests first. The Ling family is a major family in Meteorite City, and other aristocratic families are eyeing it, hoping to replace it. Grandpa has to consider the interests of the whole family and must abandon his own. Moreover, with the family's internal troubles still unresolved, how could he have the time to care for us? So, Xiao'er no longer hates Grandpa."
Ling Cang watched Ling Xiao speak again, tears finally welling up in his eyes. Fortunately, he managed to hold them back in time.
Ling Cang walked over to Ling Xiao, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "I, Ling Cang, am truly relieved to have such a sensible grandson like you."
"Grandpa, you're being polite, but I still hope you can take time out of your busy schedule to visit my father and mother. They haven't been happy these past few years," Ling Xiao said softly. Ling Cang nodded and said, "Your family has suffered so much over the years. I hope Zhan'er and Xiyun won't blame an old man like me. Grandpa also longs to shed the burden of clan leader and enjoy his later years in the bliss of the Heavenly Wheel."
Ling Xiao then said, "No, I also want a grandfather who's the clan leader. How cool is that!"
"Tell me, kid. What compensation do you want?" Ling Cang asked unhappily.
"What... what compensation?" Ling Xiao asked, somewhat confused.
"As compensation for your neglect over the past two years, I'll do my best to satisfy you as long as I can," Ling Cang said calmly, his hands behind his back. "Is that so? Let me think about it," Ling Xiao beamed. Then, rubbing his nose, he thought for a moment before saying, "Give me a few tens of thousands of gold coins to use, and a dozen or so second-level Black Ginseng Kings. The older the better."
"Tens of thousands of gold coins? Do you think your grandfather runs a bank?" Ling Cang said angrily. Then he asked, "Why do you need a second-level Black Ginseng King? Your current strength as a ninth-level martial artist is simply insufficient to fully absorb the Black Ginseng King's medicinal properties. It would be a waste of resources."
Ling Xiao said, "I want to use it to break through to the Martial Apprentice stage and achieve the status of a Mystic Master."
"Xiao'er, your idea is a bit off the mark. While the Black Ginseng King can enhance profound strength, it's only an external force after all. It can't possibly help you break through. If you want to break through, you'd be better off with a second-level Profound Enhancement Pill. However, using pills to break through to the Mystic Master stage will weaken your foundation and be extremely detrimental to your future growth. So, you'd better choose something else," Ling Cang said clearly. Ling Xiao naturally understood Ling Cang's reasoning, but he still chose the Black Ginseng King because its primary function was to activate and clear the meridians while also enhancing his profound strength, allowing him to break through the final meridian in one fell swoop and achieve the physique of a warrior. Only then could he continue his cultivation; otherwise, he would remain a ninth-level martial artist for the rest of his life.
So, Ling Xiao recounted the "immortal dream" he had previously told Ling Zhan to Ling Cang, and finally, he explained his own situation.
Ling Cang looked at Ling Xiao with shock and said, "You...are you telling the truth?"
Ling Xiao nodded, affirming, "Absolutely true. Otherwise, how could I have rebuilt my profound strength? The Grand Elder determined back then that I couldn't rebuild my profound strength unless I had a fifth-level, heaven-defying elixir."
Ling Cang pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "Who else knows about this besides you?"
"And my father," Ling Xiao replied. "Well, child, don't tell anyone about this from now on, not even your closest relatives. Got it?" Ling Cang instructed sternly.
Ling Xiao nodded gravely.
Then, Ling Cang laughed and said, "God bless my Ling family, giving Xiao'er this opportunity. By the way, can your father open his meridians like you?"
"Of course. It won't be long before my father becomes a Xuanzhe again," Ling Xiao said confidently.
"Okay, okay. I have two thousand-year-old black ginseng kings in my collection. I'll get them for you right away." Ling Cang cheered repeatedly, his old face breaking into a delightful smile that made him look ten years younger.