“Clan Leader, are you serious?”
The Elders of the Bai Clan couldn’t help but find what they had heard unbelievable.
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
Bai Tianheng responded arrogantly, his piercing gaze sweeping across the hall.
“…”
None of the elders truly believed that Patriarch Bai Tianheng would joke about such a matter, but what he had just said was difficult to accept.
“Clan Leader, did the Chu Clan Leader really agree to the marriage?”
An elder asked again, still in disbelief.
Bai Tianheng sighed, his patience wearing thin.
“How many times must I repeat myself before you understand? Yes, Chu Xing has accepted the proposal.”
“Unbelievable!”
“Is there something wrong with Chu Xing? Why would he agree to marry his daughter to a waste like Bai Zihan?”
“This is great news! With this marriage, our alliance with the Chu Clan is as good as sealed.”
…
A murmur spread among the elders. Some still refused to believe the news, while others were delighted by it.
This sudden announcement completely disrupted the original purpose of the meeting.
***
A few minutes ago, the elders had gathered with a singular goal—to convince Bai Tianheng to strip Bai Zihan of his status as heir and pass it to a more suitable candidate.
Of course, they knew Bai Tianheng would not agree so easily.
Thus, they had brought the Grand Elders.
The Grand Elders were from the previous generation.
Although they rarely interfered in clan affairs, choosing instead to focus on their cultivation, they would step in when necessary.
The elders had called upon the Grand Elders to exert pressure on Bai Tianheng, forcing him to name a new heir.
And the most favored candidate was Bai Jian, the son of Bai Feng.
Bai Feng, the younger brother of Bai Tianheng, had always harbored resentment for not becoming the Clan Leader himself.
Although he eventually accepted it due to Bai Tianheng’s superior talent and leadership, he had never approved of Bai Zihan being the heir.
Instead, he firmly believed that his son, Bai Jian—who was more talented and far more disciplined—should inherit the position.
Many elders, including the Grand Elders, supported this notion.
Thus, when Bai Tianheng walked into the meeting hall with a smile on his face, the elders were confused.
They had expected Bai Tianheng to be in a sour mood, knowing full well what today’s discussion was about.
Yet, instead of gloominess, he appeared rather pleased.
Many were puzzled by his smiling face, while others suspected it was intentional—meant to throw them off, knowing that he couldn’t possibly change the outcome of today’s meeting.
Bai Tianheng walked forward and took his seat at the head of the council hall, his hands resting casually on the armrests.
“Elders, Grand Elders,” Bai Tianheng greeted, his voice steady and deep.
“I assume you all did not call me here simply to enjoy the morning.”
The Grand Elders remained silent, watching with piercing eyes, allowing the current elders to speak first.
After all, their sole purpose was to decide the outcome and to deter Bai Tianheng from making any excuses.
If Bai Tianheng has a good enough reason why Bai Zihan should still remain the heir then they could also support Bai Tianheng.
Bai Feng, Bai Tianheng’s younger brother, immediately stepped forward.
His blue robes swayed as he clasped his hands together.
“Clan Leader, we appreciate your time. However, this matter is urgent. We must discuss the future of the Bai Clan—specifically, the position of heir.”
Bai Tianheng smirked slightly.
(Here it comes!)
Bai Feng continued despite feeling that there was something wrong with Bai Tianheng.
If it were other times, the topic itself would have made Bai Tianheng lose his cool and become defensive.
“I believe it is time for us to acknowledge what many have known for years—Bai Zihan is unfit to be the heir of the Bai Clan.”
Some of the elders nodded in agreement, their faces serious.
Bai Tianheng remained silent, allowing Bai Feng to continue.
“Time and time again, Bai Zihan has shown himself to be lazy, arrogant, and completely unmotivated in cultivation.”
Bai Feng’s voice carried a sharp edge, clearly meant to provoke.
“The elders have personally seen his reckless behavior—wasting resources, getting into pointless conflicts, and making enemies out of valuable allies!”
He cast a glance around the hall, his voice growing louder.
“Just recently, he humiliated the Heaven Sword Sect’s disciples, causing unnecessary friction with one of the most powerful sects in the empire! What if they take offense? What if this escalates?”
More elders nodded in agreement.
Although most of them did know that conflict between juniors would matter much but they had to agree that Bai Zihan unnecessary making trouble.
“Furthermore,” Bai Feng continued, “his talent is abysmal. Even with our clan’s best resources, he remains stuck at the Core Formation realm, while geniuses his age have already stepped into the Golden Core Realm!”
Some of the elders whispered among themselves.
“Indeed, compared to Bai Jian, Bai Zihan is too far behind…”
“He isn’t interested in working hard either. He has ditched most of the class and even dared to argue with the teachers.”
“We can’t afford to let an incompetent person inherit the clan.”
Bai Feng paused, letting the murmurs settle before delivering his final argument.
“For the good of the Bai Clan, I propose that Bai Zihan be stripped of his status as heir and that a more suitable candidate—one with true talent and discipline—be chosen in his place.”
He turned his gaze toward a young man standing near the back—Bai Jian, his own son.
Bai Jian stepped forward, his expression humble yet confident.
Unlike Bai Zihan, Bai Jian was known for his diligence and talent. He was already at the Golden Core Realm, far ahead of Bai Zihan in cultivation.
Although it was enough to match Bai Xueqing who is already in the Nascent Soul Realm, he was indeed one of the most talented in Desolate Heaven Empire.
Many elders regarded him favorably.
“I second this motion!”
“I agree. Bai Zihan is unfit!”
“Bai Jian would make a much better heir.”
…
The discussion quickly shifted in Bai Feng’s favor, with multiple elders supporting the proposal.
It was clear that if things continued like this, Bai Zihan would lose his position as heir today.
But just as Bai Feng was about to press his advantage, Bai Tianheng raised a hand.
“Enough!”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried absolute authority, and the entire hall fell silent.
Bai Tianheng leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. His gaze turned sharp, and his once amused expression vanished.
“You all gathered here to discuss my son’s faults,” Bai Tianheng said slowly. “But before we continue this discussion, I have some good news to share.”
He let his words hang in the air, allowing the weight of his presence to settle over the room.
“News?”
Bai Feng frowned.
He was unhappy that Bai Tianheng was trying to change the topic when he was clearly at an advantage and was going to achieve his goal.
However, he still remained calm.
(No matter how much you delay, the heir would definitely change today!)
Bai Feng thought and didn’t say much to Bai Tianheng tactic of changing topic and delaying the matter of changing heir.
Bai Tianheng smirked.
“Indeed. I am pleased to announce that the Bai Clan and the Chu Clan have agreed on a marriage between Bai Zihan and Chu Ziyan!”