Chapter 340: Chapter 339: Absolute Prestige
While the Netherworld Empire was dispatching a large army, the Spirit Race was already preparing to elevate Yi Tianyun to the position of Spirit King. Once all preparations were complete, the Spirit Race Ancestor had all the Spirit Race People gather in the great hall inside the Spirit Tower.
Many people were unclear on what was happening and found the sudden summons strange. Some figured they would be discussing future plans or the recent state of affairs. No one would have imagined the plan was to make Yi Tianyun the Spirit King.
Only a select few on the inside knew of this matter; the vast majority were kept in the dark.
Soon, everyone had gathered. Yi Tianyun stood beside the Spirit Race Ancestor, looking down at the sea of faces below. A rough count revealed that the Spirit Race currently numbered less than a thousand. He didn’t know if any others were scattered abroad, but for the time being, even including the ones they had rescued, there were fewer than a thousand people—eight or nine hundred at most. There really weren’t any more.
The Spirit Race had always had an extremely difficult time reproducing. Coupled with the numerous betrayals and the Netherworld Empire’s persecution, it was inevitable that their numbers would dwindle.
"I am sure you are all wondering why I have suddenly summoned you here," the Spirit Race Ancestor said with a faint smile. "It’s nothing too serious, really. I just want to ask you all one thing. This young man, Yi—has his contribution to our Spirit Race been great?"
"Great! Of course it was! Not only did he rescue us, he even killed General Long! It was so satisfying!"
"That’s right! He also tore down the Netherworld Empire’s prison! That was one of the Empire’s greatest symbols, and he just brought it down like it was nothing! He’s incredible!"
"As long as Yi is with us, the Spirit Race is safe!"
They all began to cheer, a testament to Yi Tianyun’s astonishing prestige. He had done so much for the Spirit Race; it would have been difficult for his reputation *not* to be high. Their eyes were filled with adoration; he was absolutely the great hero in their hearts.
"Good. It seems you are all quite pleased with Yi..." The Spirit Race Ancestor was very satisfied with their cheers. ’This will make things much easier.’ "Since that is the case, I will now announce a matter of extreme importance!"
Hearing this, the crowd of Spirit Race People fell silent. The smiles vanished from their faces, replaced by solemn expressions. They sensed that the most important announcement was yet to come.
The Spirit Race Ancestor’s smile vanished, his face turning grave as he said, "Yi rescued our Spirit Race from a time of crisis. If not for him, I fear the Spirit Race would have never escaped the Netherworld Empire’s grasp, and would have been utterly conquered by them!"
"When all other powers cowered in fear of the Netherworld Empire, he bravely stepped forward to help our Spirit Race! That is why, ever since I returned, I have been considering one thing: to make him our Spirit King! I am certain that under his leadership, our Spirit Race will be guided to a future of glory!"
The bombshell finally dropped, stunning many of them. The news was so sudden that it was something they had never even considered. To have an outsider become their Spirit King was simply inconceivable.
"Make Yi our king?"
"An outsider, a human, becoming our king?"
"This is incredible! The Ancestor himself is willing to name him our king?"
The crowd instantly erupted, its members exchanging shocked glances. Soon, however, many of their expressions turned to ones of firm resolve.
"I’m willing to have Yi as our king! He’s done so much for the Spirit Race, and he’s incredibly strong!"
"I also want Yi Yingxiong to be the king of the Spirit Race! I’m sure that with Yi Yingxiong, he can lead our race to prosperity!"
"Me too! I’ve actually had this crazy thought before, but I never expected it could really happen! He has my full support!!"
They all cried out in support. Not a single person objected. Of the entire Spirit Race, not one voice was raised in opposition—it passed unanimously!
This left the Spirit Race Ancestor and the other elders flabbergasted. They had prepared entire speeches, ready with countless rebuttals to suppress any voices of dissent. Now, days of preparation had gone to waste. They hadn’t needed to prepare at all; it passed unanimously, without a single objection!
To think that nominating one of their own might have been met with opposition, yet nominating a member of a Foreign Race passed unanimously—this was absolutely unprecedented in their history.
Yi Tianyun breathed a sigh of relief. ’It seems that after increasing my Favorability with them, the amount of opposition was bound to decrease.’ He could see that his Favorability with every tribe member was above two hundred, with some even reaching over three hundred. This was an unbelievable situation.
Even the Merak Sect as a whole had never reached such high levels. The situations were completely different, so the amount of Favorability gained was naturally different as well. He had saved the entire Spirit Race; to put it bluntly, without his rescue, they would have been finished long ago.
Anyone who still voiced opposition after that would have to be an idiot. The greatest gratitude is for help in one’s darkest hour; it’s far more important than any flattering words or expensive gifts.
"Since there are no objections, I hereby announce that Yi is permitted to undertake the Spirit King Trial. If he passes this trial, he will then become our king!" The Spirit Race Ancestor was smiling again. That it had gone so smoothly was somewhat unexpected, yet it was also well within reason.
"We must not break with tradition. Only if he passes the Spirit King Trial can he become our king. If he fails, on the other hand, then it simply wasn’t meant to be."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The Spirit King Trial was a rite of passage for anyone who wished to become the Spirit King. If one failed, then no matter how talented or powerful they were, they could say goodbye to the throne; the position of Spirit King would be forever beyond their grasp.
"Since you have all shown me such great kindness, I swear that I will lead the Spirit Race to a glorious future!" Yi Tianyun said in a solemn voice. "But before that, I will accept this Spirit King Trial. If I succeed, I will become the Spirit King. If I fail, I will still be a friend to the Spirit Race forever. That will never change!"
"Yi will definitely become the Spirit King! With his strength, how could he possibly fail!"
"That’s right, Yi Yingxiong will definitely succeed! After helping our Spirit Race so much, how could he possibly fail?"
"Yi will definitely succeed! We believe in you!"
They continued to encourage him, all of them convinced that Yi Tianyun was certain to pass the Spirit King Trial.
"Very well! There’s no time to waste. Prepare for the Spirit King Trial to begin!" the Spirit Race Ancestor announced.
There was no dawdling. The announcement had barely been made before they were preparing for him to undergo the Spirit King Trial. The Spirit Race needed a king to take charge, and more importantly, the very process of becoming the Spirit King would bring benefits to the entire race.
It wasn’t that they were unwilling to let others become Spirit King. Sometimes, a candidate would have enough prestige but lack the necessary strength. Other times, they would have the strength but lack the prestige. Neither was acceptable.
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