"How audacious! Are you saying that the sect leader and the Council of Inner Elders are unfair, that they do not select the most talented members, and instead use their authority to bring in their own family members?!"
One of Jamal's uncles who was also an inner elder, Elder Chalmers, spoke up, clearly trying to dig a hole for Gray to fall into.
If Gray continued in this direction, he would be making enemies of the entire Council of Elders as well as the clan leader.
"How ridiculous. Just by looking around the clan, you can see how unjust the treatment is toward outer members and adopted members. How could anyone believe that all of you inner elders would select disciples fairly for something as important as the Disciple Selection Test?"
'Success! He fell for it!' Elder Chalmers' heart was filled with glee when he heard Gray's blasphemous words.
He looked around the hall, and as expected, everyone wore dark expressions.
They all knew Gray had spoken the truth, but truth was dangerous.
To speak it aloud, especially when it threatened the interests of the powerful, could easily cost a person their life.
…
The outer clan members and adopted ones standing at the edges of the hall exchanged uneasy glances. Gray's words struck deep, for they all knew there was truth in them.
One man muttered under his breath, "He's right, isn't he? No matter how hard we train, no matter how much more talented we might be, we're always given fewer resources than the direct bloodline."
A woman hesitated, her brows furrowed. "But… the elders and the clan leader can't be wrong. Surely if we prove ourselves strong enough, they will recognize us."
Another voice cut in, low but firm. "And yet we all know the truth. The inner clan are treated like jewels while we are cast aside like weeds. When the time comes to decide, who do you think they'll favor? Of course it's their own blood, their own children."
…
Elder Chalmers felt a surge of joy in his heart, but he maintained a poker face.
His eyes hardened as he straightened his posture. "How blasphemous and disrespectful! Who do you think you are, daring to sow doubt in the minds of our clan members?" His voice rang with fury.
"You are corrupting them with lies! Clan Leader, I demand this child be executed for his insolence!"
Gray did not back down. He met Elder Chalmers' glare and replied calmly,
"Brainwashing? Who exactly is doing the brainwashing here? I only spoke the truth. Everyone can see for themselves how the clan treats us adopted members and outer members compared to those direct descendants of the clan elders. Do you deny it?"
Elder Chalmers' hands tightened behind his back, his spiritual pressure faintly pressing down on the hall.
"You insolent brat! The Council of Inner Elders and the clan leader have the wisdom and authority to choose the most talented. Do you think a child like you understands better than them?"
Gray sneered coldly. "Wisdom and authority? Then why not let every disciple prove themselves through a fair test? Why must the decision rest on the whims of a few elders? If talent is truly what you seek, then why not give everyone the chance to show it?"
The crowd gasped, their eyes darting between Gray and Elder Chalmers. Some of them whispered softly again.
"He's right… if it's really fair, then why don't they test everyone?"
"But if we speak out, the elders might make life harder for us…" another whispered, lowering his head.
Elder Chalmers' expression grew uglier, his voice cold and filled with fury.
"Enough of this nonsense. You think the world owes you fairness? This is the path of cultivation. If you do not like it, then leave the clan and fend for yours—"
"Silence! Elder Chalmers, you may sit." The clan leader's voice which was filled with somber authority echoed throughout the hall.
Elder Chalmers' face paled as he woke up from his anger, realizing his mistake.
He bowed and sat down on one of the seats on the side, not going back to Jamal's side.
The hall fell silent.
The clan leader understood the danger. If this wasn't handled correctly, the balance of the clan could be upended.
For several centuries now, the matter of the Disciple Selection Test's slots has been handled carefully by the higher ups of the clan. They decided who would enter the sects.
"This silver-tongued brat…" he thought grimly.
He had dismissed Gray before, assuming he was just another upstart trying to claw his way up.
But now, he saw something. The intelligence, the manipulation, the ability to move a crowd with mere words.
One of the inner elders who was originally an adopted child finally spoke. "You are proposing that the allocation of sect tokens be decided through a tournament? Through a competition open to all?"
"Yes," Gray confirmed.
"If we are to claim that our clan values strength and talent, then let it be proven. No more favoritism, no more hidden deals. Let everyone have a fair chance to fight for their future."
A tense silence followed.
Then, a voice from the crowd outside, a young outer clan member who always dreamt of entering a sect, shouted, "He's right! Why should only a few get the chance? Why not let everyone prove themselves?"
Another voice followed. "If we're strong enough, we deserve a place! Even if we aren't, we deserve a chance to fight for it!"
Then another, and another.
The whole clan was erupting with agreement.
Even those who had never before considered speaking against the system found themselves nodding.
Gray had planted the seed, and now it was growing into something unstoppable.
The clan leader remained composed, though his mind raced.
If he refused now, it would look like cowardice. It would look like the elders were actively suppressing talent. It would breed resentment and discord.
Gray unwaveringly stood his ground, waiting for the inevitable. He already knew the answer before the clan leader even spoke.
"Very well." The clan leader sighed, rubbing his temples.
The crowd cheered.
"The tournament will be called the Sect Entry Token Tournament, it will be held in two and a half years in the Tiger Pavilion. Those with a cultivation of at least Qi Condensation Level 6 and under the age of 18 may participate. The top 10 shall be given the slots for entering the Sect Disciple Test which will be held in three years at Moonshade City."
Jamal's face paled. Elder Gustav clenched his fists.
This was not what they had expected. Even though he was now saved, his chance of entering a sect would be much lower if the sect tokens were decided by a tournament.
Jamal knew that his true capabilities would not even make it to the top 100 amongst the younger generation, much less top 10.
Jamal clutched his chest. "Father, I think I'm experiencing Qi Deviation."
Elder Gustav smacked the back of his head. "Shut up, you farter!"
Matriarch Zareena, who had been silently observing the entire time, chuckled softly, a glint of appreciation in her eyes.
"Interesting," she murmured to herself.
Ziye stared at Gray. "He's cunning, like a wily old fox."
Matriarch Zareena smiled. "This kid has a good grasp of the workings of the human mind, it's quite fascinating for someone his age."
As the clan filled with excitement and tension, Gray merely stood there, his expression calm, but his mind already moving ten steps ahead.
…
However, it was at this moment that Elder Chalmers suddenly spoke out, his tone sharp and accusing.
"Clan leader, this child has overstepped his bounds! Though he may have achieved his intent, that does not excuse his blatant disrespect toward you and the Council of Inner Elders. If we let this slide, what precedent does it set for the future?"
Several inner elders immediately voiced their agreement, this matter had touched upon their interests.
Murmurs of approval echoed throughout the hall, their faces filled with righteous indignation.
Elder Harkness slammed his cane against the floor with a thud.
"Brazen child! To smear the images of the clan leader and the Council of Inner Elders so openly, if this boy goes unpunished, are we to let every junior trample upon the authority of their seniors?"
Elder Miran shook her head in mock lament, though her eyes glittered coldly. "This child is without respect and is filled with nothing but arrogance. If he is not restrained now, he will only bring calamity upon the clan later."
Another elder snorted. "That's right, if it were up to me, I would imprison and let him reflect on humility for the rest of his life."
Just as a consensus to punish Gray began to form among the elders, a light, melodious laugh cut through the tense atmosphere.
All heads turned towards the source: Matriarch Zareena.
"Oh, my," she said, her voice dripping with amusement as she took a delicate sip of tea.
"Imprison him? For what, exactly? For making a dreadfully boring afternoon a little more interesting?" She placed her cup down and smiled sweetly at the council.
"I, for one, was quite entertained. I don't think he should be punished at all."
The elders were stunned into silence, shocked that this esteemed guest would so openly interfere in the clan's internal affairs.
After a moment, Elder Chalmers, the boldest of the group, bowed deeply.
"Matriarch, your wisdom is profound, and your presence honors us," he began respectfully.
"However, this is a matter of the Anarkin Clan's sacred order. The boy didn't just propose a tournament; he publicly questioned the integrity of our Clan Leader and this entire council. If we allow such blatant disrespect to go unpunished, the authority that holds this clan together will crumble. It is a matter of face... of our Clan Leader's face."
"Indeed," Elder Harkness added quickly. "It is a matter of precedent, Matriarch. Not personal feelings."
The elders stood united, trying to use their collective weight and the sanctity of "clan law" to push back.
All eyes in the hall turned to the Clan Leader, waiting for him to support his own council.