Chapter 8: The Unsettled Elder Council

The remaining ordinary elder positions are to be supplemented through election by the major branches, typically filled by senior members who possess great martial strength or have made significant contributions to the family. They rank among themselves based on seniority, with a total of eight positions from the Second Elder to the Ninth Elder.

After a brief exchange among the other elders, they all nodded in agreement

After the patriarch entered, the elders who had been sitting and chatting all stood up. Hu Yinxue, who had previously been sent by the patriarch to notify everyone, had somehow floated to Hu Gao's side and was also following behind the patriarch

You should know that I am about to set off for Qingyuan Mountain. During this time, Hu Gao will rely on the two of you for care. Matters within the Battle Academy will be the responsibility of Hu Yinxue, while matters outside the Battle Academy will be overseen by the Transmission Elder

Beneath the Grand Elder, there is a Standing Council of Elders composed of six members: the heads of the three subordinate branches, along with the Elder in charge of the transmission of skills, the Elder in charge of the judicial affairs, and the Elder in charge of internal affairs. They generally reside in Ning City and are primarily responsible for the daily management of the family and some minor resolutions.

As for Hu Yinxue, within the council of elders, she serves as the spokesperson for the clan leader. Outside the council, she is still a member of the Dark Society, holding a special status, and is simultaneously under the command of both the High Priest and the clan leader. It is entirely appropriate for Hu Zhentian and the library to assign her the responsibility of ensuring Hu Gao's safety.

"Yes, esteemed patriarch." The transmission elder, Hu Feng, appeared to be several years older than the patriarch. He hailed from the Blood Red lineage and had been regarded as a genius since childhood, possessing astonishing combat prowess, which led to him being entrusted with the important role of transmission elder

Xue Te, Hu Gao couldn't help but cast a glance at the Second Elder. Since the time of the ritual, he had felt that this old fellow seemed a bit off. Despite his sweet words, it was likely that he wanted to eliminate him. Such a person must be approached with caution in the future. Additionally, from his words, it was evident that the Hu family's internal situation was not as united as it appeared.

As he is set to depart for the Qingyuan mineral vein in a few days, he must ensure that family matters are well arranged before he can leave with peace of mind. This Hu Gao is certainly not merely suffering from simple amnesia; it is feared that he has already possessed a portion of the power of a successor without being aware of it. Such a treasure must naturally be nurtured carefully

The patriarch Hu Zhentian observed that the timing was nearly right, and made a downward gesture. Disputes are a good thing; at such times, if he stepped forward to make a decisive statement, it would be less likely to meet with opposition. "What the elders have said all makes sense, but as the head of the Luo family mentioned, Hu Gao's current condition is indeed not suitable for going to the front lines and engaging in * maps * and * books *. I think it would be better to let him first go to the battle academy to build a foundation."

Today, I have summoned all the elders here to discuss an urgent matter. As everyone knows, during yesterday's ritual, our guardian deity sustained severe injuries upon descending and has now fallen into a deep slumber, with no indication of when he might awaken. The person standing before you, Hu Gao, is a blank vessel devoid of any memories or powers from the upper realm. The clan leader is quite straightforward, without any unnecessary words, going straight to the point.

It is important to note that the reason he did not disclose the results of his recent examination of Hu Gao's body is that he discovered a mysterious force within Hu Gao that seemed to completely devour all the vital energy he had transmitted, and it absorbed it almost instantaneously, which was truly astonishing

The two elders in charge of the transmission of skills and internal affairs were direct subordinates of Hu Zhentian, so naturally, they had no objections. Thus, both proposals were smoothly passed in the Elder Council. After all, without the participation of the three senior elders, under normal circumstances, even if there were dissenting opinions, no one would dare to truly challenge the authority of the clan leader.

Certainly, the patriarch cannot dominate the Hu clan alone; most matters within the family must be managed by the Elder Council, which has an extremely complex structure of authority.

"This is very good. Everyone else may disperse except for Elder Chuan Gong," Hu Zhentian said, turning to look at the calm and composed Hu Gao, who smiled back. He noticed that this fellow seemed increasingly enigmatic.

Everyone, please take a seat The chieftain still wore a smiling expression as he calmly walked to the main seat facing the door and then waved for Hu Gao to stand beside him

Among them, the heads of the Ze Bai and Li Qing branches were appointed as the Grand Elder of Huang Quan and the Grand Elder of You Ming, respectively. In addition, the family guard commander appointed by the High Priest serves as the adjudicating Grand Elder. In total, three Grand Elders stand at the pinnacle of the Elder Council's authority

When Hu Gao followed the clan leader inside, he thought he had walked into a demonic cult's altar. The architect responsible for designing this hall had an utterly poor taste; not only were the few pillars dark and unappealing, but the lines carved on them were as ugly as if drawn by a ghost.

The chair on the main seat is surprisingly large, and it is even covered with animal skin, giving it a rather counterfeit feel at first glance. What is most peculiar is that beside each seat below, there is an object resembling a bronze cauldron, from which clusters of bonfire continuously rise, creating an atmosphere that is quite eerie

Three lives? Hu Gao m.hetushu.com.com, seriously holding back laughter, it seems that time travel is not without its benefits, as one can actually have three lives. This definitely qualifies as an extraordinary and formidable character.

The other elders also began to speak, and it sounded as if their positions were fundamentally determined by their interests, with no one able to persuade anyone else

I agree with the opinion of the second elder. According to the family records, the inheritor will possess three lives after receiving the legacy of the distant ancestors. With such exceptional conditions, honing oneself on the battlefield is the rightful path

The elders on both sides were already in a deadlock, and since the clan leader's proposal was also quite reasonable, no one opposed it, thus this matter was settled.

In the Hu family, apart from the transcendent status of the High Priest, the head of the direct lineage with the Nine Nether bloodline is regarded as the most esteemed, and is typically appointed as the patriarch of the entire family

At this time in the Crimson Blood Hall, in addition to the six permanent elders, the Second Elder, Fifth Elder, and Ninth Elder, who are currently in Ning City, have also come to attend, making a total of nine elders present.

However, according to the previous statements of the esteemed priest, Hu Gao's identity must be that of a successor, and this is beyond doubt. The purpose of gathering everyone here is to discuss how we should cultivate the successor, so that we can awaken the Guardian Lord Su and the library as soon as possible

The second elder seems to be thinking too simplistically; the current inheritor possesses no martial prowess and has no memories, which means there is no foundational knowledge for cultivation. Even having three lives would not be sufficient to waste. Our Hu family is not affluent enough to the extent of sending inheritors to sacrifice themselves!" The speaker this time is the head of the Shaluo branch, which has a very close relationship with the Liqing branch, and naturally, they must support Hu Gao at this moment.

In Longhua Country, large families like the Hu family, which have a history of over a thousand years, maintain an exceptionally strict internal hierarchy

At this moment, the Second Elder stepped forward and said: "Respected Patriarch, this may not be appropriate. As the saying goes, 'A jade must be carved to become a gem.' I believe Hu Gao should go to the front lines to fight!"

Furthermore, due to the unique circumstances of the heir, I hope that the Elder in charge of passing down skills can provide Hu Gao with some special guidance, allowing him to master our Hu family's martial arts techniques more quickly in addition to his studies at the Combat Academy. At the same time, I would appreciate it if the Elder in charge of internal affairs could provide as many resources as possible for his cultivation. I wonder if the two Elders have any opinions on this matter

"Respected Patriarch, I believe we should arrange for the Guardian Deity to be taken to the ancestral land, where the natural energies of heaven and earth are most abundant. Perhaps this will allow him to awaken sooner," said the youngest Elder Jiu.