"I didn't expect that the next Clan Leader would be Gu Xi. I thought it would be Gu Qingyuan."
"Exactly. Who would have expected such a reversal? I think Gu Qingyuan is really unlucky. The position of Clan Leader was snatched away from him."
"Am I the only one who pays attention to Gu Xi? Does he have the strength of the Golden Core? Could it be that he has been hiding his cultivation for so many years?"
"It seems that Gu Xi is the genius of our clan. We had all misunderstood him and even offended him for Gu Qingyuan. It's simply not worth it."
Even though Gu Xi and Fang Heng had already gone far away, the crowd was still discussing incessantly.
"Shh, lower your voice. Gu Qingyuan is walking over..."
Even though the crowd had lowered their voices, how could Gu Qingyuan not hear them with his cultivation? In an instant, his blood started to boil, and his eyes were so red that they were about to bleed.
The position of the Clan Leader! Spirit stones! Magic treasures! Resources! All of this should have been his!
However, because of Gu Xi's existence, everything had changed. It was as if he had fallen from Heaven to Hell. He could not bear to have his genius title snatched away!
He could not bear to have a good-for-nothing step on his head.
Gu Qingyuan had such a smooth ascend. He had always been a proud and arrogant existence. It was difficult for him to accept the fact that he had suddenly hit a low point. Moreover, the blunder that had happened just now was undoubtedly a severe slap to his face.
He believed that although the others did not say anything to his face, they were already laughing at him behind his back. Thinking of this, Gu Qingyuan's expression became a little twisted.
"Father, I can't accept this! What right does that brat have?!"
The Second Elder's face was dark. The original supreme glory was gradually drifting away from him. The one who had caused all this was Gu Xi!
No matter how dissatisfied he was, he could only hide it deep in his heart because he knew that if he disobeyed Gu Zhen'an in public, it would not be of any benefit to them. On the contrary, it would only make things worse.
"Everything happened so suddenly. Remember, the worse the situation, the more you have to remain calm. You can't let others see your weakness, especially with the Clan Leader."
The Second Elder's gaze turned and a ruthless light flashed across his eyes. "Qingyuan, don't worry. Your father will not let anyone take away what belongs to you. If anyone dares to stop us--"
Seeing Gu Zhen'an walking toward them, Second Elder's expression returned to normal. He instructed in a low voice, "Don't show any resentment in front of the Clan Leader, or else there will be more trouble."
Although Gu Qingyuan was still unhappy, he knew that the Second Elder was right.
Gu Zhen'an felt quite guilty toward the Second Elder and Gu Qingyuan, but there was nothing he could do since the situation was already set in stone.
"I've wronged you all today, but you also know that the interests of the clan must come first. Since the sect values Gu Xi so much, it's the best choice for him to inherit the position of Clan Leader."
The Second Elder's expression was calm, "Clan Leader, don't worry. We all know these principles. There's nothing wrong with your choice. These are all things that should be done. Besides, the position of Clan Leader is for those who are capable. If you want to blame someone, you can only blame Qingyuan for not being strong enough. You can't blame anyone else."
Gu Zhen'an felt even more upset after hearing his words. "How about this? I'll ask Qingyuan to go to the storehouse and pick out a few high-quality Magic Treasures later. Also, I'll give Qingyuan this bottle of Spirit-replenishing Pills."
Spirit-replenishing Pills were fifth-grade pills. Those below the Golden Core stage could quickly increase their spiritual energy and cultivation base by taking them. Moreover, the side effects were very small. They were very precious, and there were only a few bottles in the clan. Only those who had made great contributions would be rewarded with these pills.
If it were in the past, Gu Qingyuan would definitely be overjoyed. He took it, lowered his head, and said, "Thank you, Clan Leader."
Gu Zhen'an patted his shoulder, "Qingyuan, your strength is also not bad. You have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage at such a young age. Even if you are not a personal disciple now, you will definitely become a powerful force in the clan in the future. You must cultivate well."
After all, he was a genius carefully nurtured by the clan. Although Gu Zhen'an had given most of his resources to Gu Xi, he still did not give up on Gu Qingyuan. Everyone hoped that there would be as many strong cultivators in their clan as possible.
"Of course, I'll remember the teachings of the Clan Leader."
Gu Qingyuan's voice was the same as usual, but there was a deep unwillingness in his eyes, so much so that the veins on his hands were popping out.
He only raised his head after Gu Zhen'an had gone far away. His expression was extremely gloomy. He held the white pill bottle tightly and said slowly, "All those things were originally mine."
When he opened his palm again, the porcelain bottle and the precious medicinal pills inside instantly turned into powder and scattered with the wind. Gu Qingyuan did not even look at them.
Gu Zhen'an thought that he had comforted the Second Elder, Gu Qingyuan, and the others, but he had forgotten that it was hard to satisfy one's desires. Moreover, Gu Qingyuan was only one step away from the position of the Clan Leader, but he had watched Gu Xi take it away from him. No one would be willing to forget such a thing.
The Second Elder comforted him, "Gu Xi is in the limelight now, and even the Clan Leader is on his side. You mustn't be reckless. You have to consider everything carefully."
"Don't worry, father, I know what I'm doing."
Gu Qingyuan, who had regained his calmness, did not look like he used to. There seemed to be a constant, deep unwillingness in his eyes, burning with extreme intensity.
Gu Xi did not know that he had offended the Second Elder and the others, and had already returned to the sect with Fang Heng.
In the meeting hall, besides the Sect Leader Shen Tianyi, almost all the other peak masters and elders of the peaks had arrived. Only the elders who were in closed-door cultivation or those who could not make it back after traveling were not present.
"It's been a long time since I've seen such a grand occasion. I remember that I saw it last time when I was attending the Sect Leader's succession ceremony."
"The Sect Leader accepts his First Personal Disciple, how can we hold back with the festivities? Maybe the next Sect Leader will be this kid."
"What's the background of this Gu Xi? How come I've never heard of his name before?"
"Don't you know? He killed a Black-armored Evil Ape who had just entered the Golden Core stage in one move!"
"How come I've never heard of him before? His cultivation and strength shouldn't be unknown."
Under the envious eyes of the crowd, Gu Xi slowly entered the inner hall. The surrounding people had different expressions. Some were jealous and some were envious. No matter what, Gu Xi was the center of attention, and he was in the limelight.
Gu Xi had changed into the attire of the Sect Leader's First Personal Disciple. His originally handsome face became even more extraordinary, and there was even an additional noble and illustrious aura.
"From now on, you will be my disciple. I hope that you will work hard and cultivate well, and do not let down the sect's expectations of you."
Dong--
As the Clan Leader spoke, an ancient bell sounded. The resonating bell chime sounded as if it came from the horizon, and it did not disappear for a long time. Whenever something big happened in the sect, this scene would appear.