Clan Hall.
Stone Statue Clan warriors continuously poured in, numbering around a hundred.
The three standing at the front were relatively old, emanating very strong auras, clearly possessing formidable strength.
They were the Three Dukes.
Grand Tutor, Grand Mentor, Grand Guardian.
In the Stone Statue Clan, their status was second only to the Clan Leader.
If one were to speak of power seizures and coups, these three would undoubtedly be the most dangerous.
Of course.
That was just casual talk.
The Stone Statue Clan had existed for so long without ever experiencing internal strife.
Though Jun Changxiao had a naturally taunting face, it wouldn’t be enough to trigger such a precedent.
Standing behind the Three Dukes were the Nine Ministers. Though they also appeared quite old, the auras they emanated were clearly somewhat inferior.
As for the last group, they had the flavor of civil and military officials.
“Greetings, Clan Leader!”
Everyone performed a kneeling salute in unison.
“Rise.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader’s expression was indifferent, fully displaying the absolute prestige of a clan leader, forming a sharp contrast with her earlier warmth and kindness.
Jun Changxiao was arranged a separate seat, sitting beside her, carefully observing the Three Dukes at the forefront, thinking with secret amazement: “From their emanating auras, they’re actually all not inferior to Master!”
If he became Clan Leader and brought them to the Upper Realm, wouldn’t he be able to walk sideways?
“Well.”
The system said: “He hasn’t even been enthroned yet, and he’s already getting cocky.”
“Clan Leader.”
The Grand Tutor, first among the Three Dukes, was also observing Jun Changxiao, so he respectfully asked: “Who is this young friend?”
“My child.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader said: “Mobai.”
After her son was born, she had given him the name ‘Gongsun Mobai.’
“Sigh.”
Jun Changxiao sighed inwardly.
Undeniably, compound surnames sound very prestigious.
However, Gongsun Mobai preferred the name ‘Jun Changxiao.’
“We prefer Jun Dog Sheng,” the system and readers said in unison.
The Three Dukes, Nine Ministers, and civil and military officials didn’t care about the name but rather the two words ‘my child,’ so their facial expressions gradually changed as they exclaimed in unison: “Young Clan Leader?”
“Whoosh!”
Jun Changxiao delivered a profile kill, both palms slowly sweeping upward from his temples.
That’s right, I’m your handsome and elegant, romantic and suave, refined and distinguished Young Clan Leader—hurry up and kneel!
Ascending to heaven!
Dog Sheng was ascending to heaven!
“You all.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader’s brows furrowed slightly: “Are you not going to pay respects?”
“Thud!”
“Thud!”
In an instant, the civil and military officials all knelt on one knee, performing the Stone Statue Clan’s highest etiquette.
Any one of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers was stronger than Jun Changxiao, so seeing them kneeling before him made his heart immediately float a bit.
“Ahem.”
Dog Sheng cleared his throat, putting on airs: “Rise.”
This was truly getting carried away with success.
No wonder a small group of extreme readers hoped to see him ruthlessly exposed, then skinned and boned with his dog head hung up.
“Three days from now.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader said: “My child will inherit the position of new Clan Leader. Who approves? Who opposes?”
“…”
Jun Changxiao’s mouth twitched.
Worthy of being my moth… father, such domineering speech!
“This…”
The Three Dukes exchanged glances, their faces showing conflicted expressions.
“What?”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader said: “You oppose?”
The Grand Tutor hurriedly said: “Reporting to the Clan Leader, the Young Master was designated as Young Clan Leader after birth, so inheriting the Clan Leader position is naturally proper, but the necessary procedures still need to…”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader said flatly: “I say my child will inherit as Clan Leader, and that is the necessary procedure.”
“Domineering!”
Jun Changxiao thought to himself.
However, she was rushing to pass the Clan Leader position to him, which always felt a bit off. Could there be some trick? Some unknown hidden circumstances?
“I approve!”
Just then, Gongsun Hou, closest to the great hall entrance, expressed his position.
Having traveled in the Upper Realm for years, he had no authority in the Stone Statue Clan, but possessing mid-level Truth-Seeking Realm strength gave him that tiny bit of… weight.
“I also approve!”
With someone taking the lead, many officials expressed their positions one after another.
“Young Master.”
Gongsun Hou transmitted: “How’s my cooperation?”
“Thumbs up for you.”
Though Jun Changxiao worried there might be some trick, since he was being made clan leader, he certainly wouldn’t refuse. After all, sitting in that position would let him control the entire clan and eliminate whoever displeased him—how carefree, how casual!
For a time, many civil and military officials expressed their positions, supporting the Clan Leader’s son inheriting the succession.
However.
The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers remained conflicted.
They weren’t displeased with Dog Sheng but rather bound by ancestral rules stating that a succeeding Clan Leader must undergo trials.
“Clan Leader.”
The Grand Tutor said: “Complex procedures can be waived, but this regulation about challenging warriors absolutely cannot be skipped.”
The previously silent Grand Mentor spoke: “If the Young Master cannot defeat ten warriors, how can he convince the masses, how can he gain the clan’s recognition!”
Every Stone Statue Clan Leader, before succession, must challenge clan members designated as warriors, and only by defeating them can they legitimately lead the entire clan.
What if they fail?
Then they continue cultivating until they win.
Rather than calling this a regulation, it was more like encouragement—encouraging the soon-to-succeed Clan Leader to constantly strive hard, or keep waiting.
“In that case.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader’s gaze turned cold: “You’re going to oppose?”
“Thud!”
The Three Dukes knelt down, hurriedly saying: “We subjects act according to ancestral law, with absolutely no selfish motives!”
“Hmph.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader sneered coldly: “Using ancestral law to pressure me again. Believe it or not, I’ll demote you all right now and exile you to the Earth Spirit Evil Valley?”
“Father.”
Jun Changxiao said: “Since the clan has rules, let’s follow the regulations.”
Even if the Stone Statue Clan Leader could autocratically pass the position to him, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers definitely wouldn’t acknowledge it from the heart. In that case, better to let them witness his strength.
Fighting.
Who am I afraid of?
Moreover, the Author Dad created me, so how could I not let him opportunistically pad two chapters!
“My child.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader transmitted: “Are you certain you want to fight?”
“Whoosh!”
Jun Changxiao stood up, patting his shiny bald head: “As the Stone Statue Clan’s Young Clan Leader, if I cannot gain the clan’s recognition, what qualifications do I have to sit in the Clan Leader’s position?”
“Very well.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader said: “Then we’ll proceed according to ancestral law!”
…
Outside the Clan Hall.
The Stone Statue Clan members began bustling about, constructing an arena in just one day.
At the same time, imperial proclamations were posted in all the major cities, calling all clan members who had obtained the ‘Warrior’ title to come to the main city as quickly as possible to participate in the Sacred Battle to be held in two days.
The so-called Sacred Battle was when the Young Clan Leader fought warriors. It was only held when preparing to inherit succession, with the purpose of testing the successor’s strength.
“The Young Clan Leader has returned?”
“He’s back! I heard Gongsun Hou found him!”
“Heavens, this is major news!”
…
Two days later.
In the spacious venue outside the Clan Hall, several thousand Stone Statue Clan warriors gathered.
They came from various cities, wearing ‘Warrior’ medals on their chests, representing the clan’s outstanding elites.
“My child.”
The Stone Statue Clan Leader brought Jun Changxiao out of the Clan Hall, transmitting: “I’ve already selected ten warriors for you and given them special instructions.” She gave him a ‘you know what I mean’ look.
“…”
Dog Sheng’s mouth twitched slightly.
My father knows how to play schemes!
“Whoosh!”
Jun Changxiao took a deep breath, leaping onto the arena. Before all the warriors, before the clan members who came to watch, he declared loudly: “To make you all acknowledge me as Young Clan Leader, I won’t fight just ten warriors today.” He paused, then said with overwhelming momentum: “I’m going to fight them all!”
In the distance, Hua Meigui leaned against the railing, hands supporting her face, looking at Dog Sheng’s back of the head and back radiating with brilliance, smiling: “This is my man.”
—