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Duke Heng could still live a few more years, giving him time to grow considerably.
"If Uncle Master truly needs the Dao Heart Treasure, perhaps Tianxia Building also has a chance to obtain it."
The Elder appraising treasures said, "In previous Dao Debates held by Tianxia Building, the leader had a chance to obtain treasures of such a level as the Dao Heart Treasure."
Lin Yue shook his head slightly, returned the booklet to the Elder, and said nothing.
He had heard of the Dao Debates in Tianxia Building, but even if it was only contests within the same realm, it was selecting the most outstanding cultivator from among the Four Symbols Peak across the world.
Currently, his strength could be surpassed by those under thirty in the Ancestor Hall, let alone across the world.
Even if he could cultivate to that level in the future, Duke Heng wouldn’t live to see it.
"Let’s go."
Lin Yue didn’t say much more and turned to leave.
Besides the Dao Heart Treasure, he didn’t need to exchange any treasures; the Duke Heng family provided the best magic treasures and spirit pills, so there was no need to waste merits.
After leaving the Treasure Hall, Lin Yue walked towards the main gate of the Ancestor Hall.
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Shortly after, he saw a familiar tall figure standing gracefully at the gate, beautiful and full of spirit, quietly standing there.
"My dear general." Lin Yue walked over with a smile, "How long have you been waiting?"
"Your Highness."
Baili Fengzhi cupped her hands and said, "I’ve just come out as well, the Master of Primordial Yang Hall gave me some more pointers."
"Did you gain anything?" Lin Yue asked casually.
Baili Fengzhi thought for a moment and said, "The Master of Primordial Yang Hall is somewhat like me, also being a woman and skilled in Flame Sun Power, she taught me a set of martial arts secret skills adapted from a demon clan’s secret technique, which has been quite useful."
Lin Yue came to a realization.
No wonder the Master of Primordial Yang Hall was willing to take Baili Fengzhi, who was a half-demon and his personal servant, as a direct disciple. They saw eye to eye.
Often, taking a disciple was like that.
"As long as it’s useful."
Lin Yue nodded slightly, and suddenly paused, scrutinizing Baili Fengzhi carefully, surprised, "You... broke through the Three Talents Heaven Barrier?"
Baili Fengzhi had concealed her aura, but after a year of honing in the Illusion Realm, his senses were extremely sharp, so he quickly noticed the difference.
Her aura was so obscure, it was clear she had broken through the Three Talents Heaven Barrier to become a great cultivator!
This was unexpected for him.
Though Baili Fengzhi’s realm was very high and her Fire Phoenix Divine Body was perfect, it still required a certain state and perhaps a stroke of insight to break through. He didn’t expect it to happen just like that.
"Your Highness has a keen eye."
Baili Fengzhi whispered, "The martial arts secret skill was indeed effective, I felt something internally and broke through the Three Talents Heaven Barrier effortlessly, especially since it didn’t require any essence transformation, only integrating with the Heaven and Earth Law."
Lin Yue smiled and said, "It’s a happy event, your strength was already formidable, and after breaking the Three Talents Heaven Barrier, you’re no weakling among the great cultivators."
Of course, even great cultivators in Jingzhou couldn’t utilize the Heaven and Earth Law.
However, they could still nurture themselves with it, allowing their cultivation to break limits; even without using the Heaven and Earth Law, one’s strength could improve.
"Of little use." Baili Fengzhi shook her head, "If I could unify and enter Saint sooner, it would greatly aid Your Highness."
"Quite confident, huh."
Lin Yue chuckled, "I’ll be waiting."
...
Upon returning to the Duke Heng’s residence, the housekeeper immediately informed Lin Yue that Duke Heng had matters to discuss and was waiting in the main hall.
Lin Yue didn’t delay, taking Baili Fengzhi with him directly to the main hall.
At this time, many people had already gathered in the main hall, including the first, second, and third branches of the Qi Family and both the Minister Elders and Upper Ministers.
"Your Highness has returned."
Duke Heng sat at the head, showing a faint smile to Lin Yue. Explore more stories at Freewebnovel
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Lord Qi." Lin Yue nodded slightly, glanced at the expressionless eldest daughter of the Qi Family, then winked at the fifth young miss of the Qi Family, before taking a seat beside Lord Qi.
"I’ve gathered you today to inform you of something."
Duke Heng looked around and said, "This old man doesn’t have many days left, and as high-ranking members of the Qi Family, you all have the right to decide the next Family Head."
The hall suddenly fell silent.
Everyone could see that Duke Heng’s aura had declined to near deathly silence, clearly indicating he didn’t have much time left.
But as long as the next Duke Heng wasn’t decided, no one dared to mention such ominous subjects in front of Duke Heng.
"In our Qi Family, those qualified to succeed as Duke Heng are these three young ones: Tianxing, Chongshan, and Yinmo."
Duke Heng’s gaze swept over the third young master, the fourth young master, and the fifth young miss of the Qi Family.
These were the candidates supported by the three factions within the Duke Heng residence.
The fifth young miss represented the direct line, while the third and fourth young masters represented the second and third branches respectively.
"Since everyone has different views, we’ll follow the old rules and decide with the number of Jade Cicadas."
Duke Heng’s gaze slowly swept over the crowd, then waved his hand, causing numerous Jade Cicadas of various colors to float in the air, most purely white without blemish, and a few as red as blood, with just two in purple-gold color.
Jade Cicadas?
Lin Yue couldn’t help but glance more closely.
He had heard about it; when there’s a division in selecting the next Family Head, the number of ’Jade Cicadas’ bore the decision.
According to their status, the high-ranking members of Duke Heng’s residence each received different colored Jade Cicadas.
By custom, the most significant Purple Gold Jade Cicada, besides one in Duke Heng’s own possession, the guest side must have one elder of the highest virtue receive a Purple Gold Jade Cicada.
This act showed respect for the guest side set by the First Generation Duke Heng.
After all, most of the strength in Duke Heng’s residence came from the guest side.
"Swish."
Among the two Purple Gold Jade Cicadas, one flew automatically into Duke Heng’s hand.
"This Purple Gold Jade Cicada, I’ll hold one."
Duke Heng’s gaze swept over everyone and slowly said, "The other one will be held by Elder Gu. I trust no one has any objections?"
Everyone remained silent, clearly offering no objections.
As he spoke, the other Purple Gold Jade Cicada flew into the midst of the guest side, landing before an old man with black hair and a blue robe, sitting solemnly.
Though Lin Yue met Elder Gu for the first time, he had already heard—
This Elder Gu was a great cultivator close to Harmonization, extremely powerful, and had passed through the Fifth Layer at Tianxia Building!
Among the Minister Elders, only Jun Changge had a cultivation level close to his, the other Minister Elders were far below.
Also, Elder Gu had lived a long life, and since the previous Duke Heng’s reign, he had been a Minister Elder, naturally the most senior on the guest side.
It was said Elder Gu never supported any factions within the Qi Family, always valuing justice, and only made choices best for the Duke Heng residence.
"As for the nine Red Blood Cicadas."
Duke Heng waved his sleeve and said, "The remaining five Minister Elders each get one Red Blood Cicada, and three among the Upper Ministers at the great cultivator level will also receive one each."
According to the rules of Duke Heng’s residence, one became a Minister Elder after reaching the great cultivator level and accruing enough merits; otherwise, one remained an Upper Minister, though with a higher status.
After distributing eight Red Blood Cicadas, only one Red Blood Cicada remained.
"Your Highness."
Duke Heng looked at Lin Yue and said, "Would you be willing to hold this last Red Blood Cicada?"
The surrounding Ministers and Qi Family members couldn’t help but be stunned, with some opening their mouths, wanting to speak but ultimately holding back.
If Lin Yue only had the status of the Qi Family’s eldest daughter’s husband, naturally, he wouldn’t be qualified to participate in the Family Head selection; after all, none of the younger generation had this qualification, let alone an outsider.
Not even the ordinary White Jade Cicada was within reach, let alone the more influential Red Blood Cicada.
But...
Being a prince, and now a disciple of the Main Hall Master, even Duke Heng showed some friendliness; who dared question his eligibility?
Lin Yue casually caught the Red Blood Cicada, saying, "Alright."
Duke Heng displayed a hint of a smile, then distributed the remaining thirty-six White Jade Cicadas among the members of the guest side and the Qi Family.
"The Jade Cicadas are distributed."
With another wave of his sleeve, Duke Heng said, "I have planted three plum trees in this courtyard, with the Jade Tokens of Tianxing, Chongshan, and Yinmo hanging on them. If you wish to support someone, you may control your Jade Cicada to attach to a plum tree; take a day and night to consider your choices."
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