Deathly silence fell over the gathering hall where the direct members of the Xie family were present. Each of them felt as if they had seen their deceased ancestor emerge from the grave and begin to dance the belly dance.
In principle, the shock they felt wasparable to what they felt now.
"Xie Meiling!" several people whispered simultaneously.
Many people, including the chief elder, Xie Hai, Xie Hui, and others, had dirty hands in the vicious attempt on the poor woman''s life.
Xiao Yui was paler than anyone else, feeling as if she was being strangled by the neck. Her legs trembled, and all the strength within her dissipated in an instant, causing her to fall to her knees and tremble silently.
No one dared tough at her, as many involved in the conspiracy felt simr emotions.
Xie Meiling''s status in their eyes was terrifying, and although her cultivation level had not improved for a long time, it did not diminish her danger.
Only Xie Hai, who was at the first stage of Core Formation, was the strongest, and even he, like a rabbit ready for ughter, trembled with fear.
Xie Qingg watched their faces with a rxed smile and enjoyed every second. Their fear was like food to him, and he ate and ate, still feeling hungry.
Xie Meiling was no less pleased than him. Although she wanted to appear at thest moment and kill them all, she preferred to stand beside her son and provide him with her support until then.
The silence was excruciating, even for the mischievous Xie Qing, who had already begun to feel bored.
"Hey, let''s start the gathering, shall we? I''m too tired from the road, and I don''t have time, so I hope for your understanding," the young man said, smiling mockingly as he looked into the eyes of the crowd. "Or are you worried about something?"
"Go to hell!" almost everyone thought simultaneously.
However, the words he spoke were correct, dying the start of the gathering just because of Xie Meiling would only cause unnecessary panic in the family, which already had a significant problem.
The chief elder, blushing with shame at being frozen like a rabbit before a predator''s jaws, began his speech.
He spoke of something extremely wise, and grand, and sounded so confident and authoritative... or so it seemed, but Xie Qing, and everyone in this hall, did not listen to him a drop, which made the old bastard sweat like a pig.
Xie Qing and Xie Meiling sat at a round table, not far from the rectangr table where the rest of the family members were seated.
They drank wine and looked extremely carefree against the backdrop of the nervous elders.
However, this could not go on for long, so after they fell silent for a while, the discussion began.
"Thus, the war for inheritance has always been an important event for our family. It so happens that this time, there are only three contenders," the elder suddenly said, standing up and drawing all eyes to him. He wiped away the cold sweat and began introducing the candidates: "The first candidate... is the young master Xie Hui. His ability and intelligence can be talked about for a long time.
He is a potential cultivator at the Core Formation stage, moreover, he has good connections. Nickname... em... not yet, however, he is a promising young man."
Xie Hui''s supporters looked away. The part about the nickname was painful for the man, as he had never received a nickname before, even within the sect, despite his age and efforts.
He sighed heavily, and his gaze was filled with darkness and irritation. This irritation intensified, especially when he looked at Xie Qing, who was casually drinking wine with a light smile.
Next, the elder cleared his throat, and his speech became much moreposed.
"Xie Yu. Xie Hui''s younger sister. She possesses a high level of talent, and her cultivation level is not yet impressive, but that is due to her young age," the elder began introducing the girl and then continued: "Behind her back is the legendary figure, the head of the Starry Stream Sect - Zhang Mei.
She is supported by Li Yun, who was given the nickname ''Little Star Wonder'' within the sect, which testifies to her high intellectual abilities and achievements in the field of science..."
From the moment Xie Yu was introduced, the gazes on Xie Hui became even more piercing, causing the man to wince in pain. This time, he was surpassed by his sister, and even if her cultivation level was small, everything would be resolved over time.
Next, everyone held their breath and swallowed their saliva. Even the elder, who was about to introduce Xie Qing, felt a lump in his throat and swallowed with difficulty, beginning to introduce him.
"Em... next... young master Xie Qing. He is the son of Xie Meiling, who is considered... the true legitimate representative of the main bloodline of the Xie family..."
The elder sweated when he felt the disbelieving gazes of the other elders on him, but he was even more afraid of the piercing gaze of the young monster, who looked as if he would incinerate him if he said something wrong.
"The young master has earned the nickname ''Disciple White'' from the first day in the sect, which has grown into ''Master White''. Then he received the title ''Destroying de'', showing his strength to the cultivation world, and in the cultivator society, he is called ''Future Sovereign''..."
The elder sweated and looked as if he had been doused with a bucket of water. The same reaction was shown by the other members of the Xie family, who were not very informed about this.
But that was not all.
"Also... young master Xie has secured the support of the potential heir of the Huang family, Huang Jing. Also, the potential heiress Fang Lan... moreover, Lady Healer Lu has expressed her good intentions and full support, and the Sect of Heavenly Sword appointed him as a candidate for the next sect master the day before yesterday."
Silence. Everyone fell silent at that moment.
Although it was not surprising that with his achievements, he would gain the status of a candidate for sect master, it was still an amazing fact.
Many elders sighed heavily. Xie Qing was not like Xie Hui, who could be controlled due to the man''s limited influence.
"This young man will be the sharp ws that will carve out our hearts. One way or another, we will not be able to suppress him with any pitiful threats..." the chief elder thought, and his eyes filled with regret as he looked at Xie Meiling: "If only I had been much more patient... oh well!"
Tsk, tsk, tsk.
The chief elder. From regret...
No medicine!
***
ording to the rules of the gathering... after the candidates are introduced, they must describe their abilities and convince the family members that they are worthy of this position.
However, even after five minutes, none of the three of them stood up. Xie Qing was only smiling casually, secretly groping Xie Meiling''s thigh under the table, while Xie Yu was yawning.
Xie Hui... looked as if a sparrow had shit in his mouth.
However, after a long time, Xie Yu was the first to stand up. Finally, a worthy opponent had appeared...
"I refuse to participate in the war of heirs in favor of my cousin Xie Qing. Moreover, I express my intention to be part of his forces and give my vote for him as the future member of the Xie family!"
"..."
Everyone was silent. Even Xie Hui, ustomed to his sour face, could not help but look at his sister with shock, but then he just shook his head.
"What else can you expect from a woman? Were you seduced by his handsome face?" the man muttered with a smile.
"Hmph! Stop acting like someone important. You have already disgraced yourself enough when you decided to confront Xie Qing''s brother with your pitiful strength and influence!" Xie Yu snorted and wrinkled her nose as if she had seen something disgusting.
"Ugh..."
Xie Hui frowned when he heard his sister''s words, and some of the family members chuckled, suppressing theirughter.
The man blushed and angrily looked at Xie Yu, but she was too busy doing nothing to pay attention to him.
"Heh."
Xie Qing smiled casually, crossing one leg over the other and watching the whole process closely.
Fortunately, the elder turned out to be smart enough to stop this awkward silence and then announce something.
"S-since young miss Xie Yu refuses to participate and gives her vote for young master Xie Qing, then... em... Xie Hui and Xie Qing remain the only candidates and can talk about their strengths."
Of course, the elder could barely maintain his calm voice. Everyone already knew that it would be difficult for Xie Hui to tip one cup of the scales in his favor, and he sweated like a pig, trying toe up with something to do.
And while he was thinking, someone stood up. It was Xie Qing.
Standing at his full height, he seemed even more imposing than when he was sitting, and his straight back and sharp, dangerous aura made everyone feel pressure as if they were facing a dragon.
Cracking his neck, Xie Qing said only a few words:
"The Xie family belongs to me. Anyone who disagrees will be killed."
"..."
And no one dared to object. Since the rumors about the new power of the young master from the Xie family began to spread, the future of everyone had been predetermined from that very second.
Many darkened, and some even cried. However, Xie Qing''s gaze was still as cold and calm, and his face was painted with his usual carefree smile.
***
Two hourster...
The arena was prepared for the battle. Many approached Xie Hui and ttered him, trying to instill a few strengthening pills, and he epted them on the spot.
It was evident that people doubted Xie Hui''s potential strength, but that was inevitable in the face of superior power.
"What a disappointment..." Xie Qing thought, ncing indifferently at all the present members of the Xie family: "For a long time, I fantasized about showing my greatness and crushing them into powder, but... I don''t feel any pleasure. Just a sense of duty."
His eyes turned to Xie Meiling, who was cleaning her sword. He sighed, clearly understanding that he could not back down.
"Alright, I''ll just do the job, and then I''ll return and lounge around with women and drink wine..."