Sitting above them all was Dantes Father Richard, but surprisingly there was one more step just above his head.
Dante knew that these seats were reserved for the ancestors of the clan. But even Dante couldn't help but take a deep breath when he saw the thousands of seats left empty.
Each ancestor represents at least the peak of the saint realm, but most would be an Antique. An Antique. Any could easily shake the entire continent and create an Antique level force. But there were at least a thousand empty seats!
Even the new and rising Highman Family only has two antiques on the bright side.
''I have seen the elders, greetings to the Patriarch'' Dante kneeled on one knee at this point. If one elder required a bit of respect, but hundreds and thousands of elders sat infront of him deserved his full attention.
Each has lived thousands of years and experienced countless ups and downs. Keep in mind, in order to be an elder of the clan you have to have the minimum cultivation of an Ancient Cultivator.
Ancient Cultivators are already very respected in this world, able to control entire continents and be above trillions of creatures.
''Dante we have called you here for an important reason'' After the formalities were over, Richard started the main topic of conversation.
''Today we have received an important letter from the spies within the Litchfield family, according to their intelligence an inheritance has opened up in a small county. This county is controlled by the FireBird Sect, a subordinate force of the Litchfield family. The strongest there is only at the peak of the Spirit State but it is unknown whether or not the Litchfield family have sent any strongmen secretly.''
After a bit of recalling Dante remembered the LitchField Family, but he didn't pay much attention to them. After all they are nothing but a Saint Family. However they were once a powerful Antique family with three antiques manning the ship.
Unfortunately during the battle of the ancients all three were killed and manufactured into puppets by the original Puppet Emperor.
But despite not being able to produce another Antique for all these years, the background is still there. No one knows what holes they have in their hand, so for since the battle no force has dared to attack it. Well in the open at least.
Over the last couple of centuries people have started losing their fear towards the LitchField Family, and occasionally divide up their spoils. But so far they are still standing strong as one of the peak Saint Families in the World.
''Naturally we wouldn't bother you with such an inheritance in normal days, however this one is special. According to the rumours spreading among the families the inheritance contains a rare World tree sapling'' Richard Continued
Dante was stunned when he heard the World Tree Sapling, its power was immeasurable. Even Antiques would be desperate to get their hands on it!
By absorbing the world tree into your body you can open countless planes in which anything can be placed. That includes millions of miles worth of medicinal gardens all the way to cultivating your own special forces on the world!
This is even more valuable to Dante with his ability to create completely loyal puppets! Because Dante knew one speciality about the puppets that the puppet emperor didn't have.
That is that if he creates puppets using living specimens, not only can the reproduce, even the child born between two puppets will have absolute loyalty towards Dante.
So this World tree is definitely just a living strong man farm for Dante.
''Patriarch, I'm willing to travel to the inheritance. But why don't you send the strong men in the clan in order to guarantee we get the world tree?'' Dante said after some consideration.
Dante knows exactly how valuable the world tree is to any clan, but that just makes him more confused as to why the family didn't just mobilise multiple Antiques to take it over.
''Ah if only we could, unfortunately the inheritance has an age limit of those below 10 years old, and as the most promising junior the clan has decided to let you lead the younger generation there. If it wasn't for the owner of the inheritance's threat to destroy the inheritance if it is forcibly broken, we would've long since occupied it for ourselves'' Hearing Dantes question, Richard showed some disappointment, but after remembering Dantes strength he seemed revived.
''I see, Patriarch the son will head out immediately towards the FireBird County'' Dante replied politely.
''Very well, in order to facilitate your movement the clan elders and I have decided to provide you with an Ancient level mount to reach there as soon as possible.''
Just as Richard's sentence finished he motioned towards a smaller side door and a group of fairy gate warriors politely led in a huge purple phoenix. This is a unique mount for the Armstrong family clan.
Originating from the mother of the Purple Phoenixs who was tamed, naturally by one of the Armstrong Ancestors.
There are already thousands of them spread out within the higher ups of the family, but with the Chaos Eyes Dante could easily tell the uniqueness of the beast infront of him.
It was only less than a thousand years old but was already in the Ancient State. This was already impressive for some humans, let alone for a beast with a longer growth period.
''From now on he will belong to you. It is the most talented of the younger generation among the Phoenixs, now preparing to head to the inheritance. Unfortunately the clan will be unable to provide you with any of its own cultivators, however it has been decided that all the younger generation can bring their own loyal cultivators.''
''Yes father, i will start preparing now'' Dante patted the phoenix on the chest and left the main hall. After all, he had a lot to prepare.
He couldn't take any of the servant puppets, so naturally that only left him with his beasts and Samuel. But that's enough for now. In his head he already had a plan.