道罗邪皇子 (邪神之道 B5)

990

As the hours of the day gradually turns to evening those who possess the ranks of elders and above begin to gather in a single building that is located near the heart of the Xia family's establishment.

The building itself possesses just a single floor as a means for everyone to be able to talk with one another face to face and it is here that the evening party is being hosted on a monthly basis.

"..."

Under the guise of the seventh elder Yi casually walks into the meeting hall and picked a spot in the far corner to seat himself in.

In terms of seniority the seventh elder wasn't that high on the list however the actual person does have a long track record for his meritorious services to the Xia family and because of that he has yet to ever fall from his current status as one of the 60 elders.

Each seat is accompanied by a small table that is decorated with a collection of fruits and alcohol to which Yi smiles as he poured himself a drink to wet his mouth.

(Truly there is nothing better in this world than to have someone else foot the bills for your food and drinks.)

Looking to the furthest end of this meeting hall Yi sees a high-platformed throne with a large table positioned in front of it.

The person seated there is none other than the Xia family's current clan chief, Xià Héchuān (夏河川) who is dressed in a set of white robes and possesses a physical appearance that looks to be somewhere in his mid-thirties.

"...?"

Downing a cup of wine while scrutinizing the figure of Xia Hechuan who is having a casual conversation with the higher-ranking elders of the Xia family Yi immediately noticed that their cultivation base is a little odd.

(He's an Exalted Celestial but... Hmm it looks like someone had forcefully pushed his cultivation base up there.)

For a cultivation family with resources such a feat isn't uncommon but those who receive such treatment tend to have an unstable foundation that makes it difficult for them to ever be able to ascend to greater heights.

Knowing the cons that accompanies this treatment Yi can only imagine the circumstances that forced Xia Hechuan accept this treatment that is no different from crippling his potential future.

As more time passes the greater the gathering became and rather quickly all 60 elders of the Xia family are seated.

Attending such a gathering presents the perfect opportunity to sow his curse on each of these high-ranking Xia family clansmen but knowing how close he is to the miniature sun where Xia Huang Hai resides in Yi refrains from doing so.

"..."

Observing the Xia family's core strength that is mostly in attendance Yi sensed that other than Xia Hechuan there wasn't another Exalted Celestial amongst their numbers however-

*...!!!* at the wave of Xia Hechuan's hand the wall behind his seat splits open and from it a scorching wave of heat rushes into the meeting hall before exiting through the opened entrance.

Caught off guard by this situation much of those who are present rotates their cultivation base to fend off the heat.

It didn't take long for the air to cool and with that Xia Hechuan moves away from his throne and turns to face the solar body.

Rather quickly everyone stood up from their seats and mimicking Xia Hechuan's movements they cupped their hands and bowed in the direction of the solar body.

"Greetings to the divine ancestor."

"Greetings to the first prime elder."

"Greetings to the second prime elder."

Realizing that this meeting will be enacted under the eyes of their divine ancestor and two prime elders the mood of those in attendance immediately turns tense as the entrance behind them closes.

"..."

Repeating what the Xia family clansmen are saying Yi immediately detects the presence of two Exalted Celestials along with a Half-Monarch inside of the solar body and as these three individuals' divine sense sweeps outwards he quickly mutters a chant beneath his breath that will aid him in hiding his true cultivation base.

"You may be seated."

Momentarily a feminine voice comes from one of the three individuals within the solar body to grant the standing Xia family clansmen the permission to sit.

"..."

Seating himself Yi looks to the solar body to find the presence of three humanoid shadows.

One of them possesses a feminine body outline while two of them are clearly more masculine in shape with the one positioned in the center possessing the form of a hunched back old man.

(Strange...)

Looking towards the shadow of the hunched back old man Yi knew immediately that their cultivation base is that of a Half-Monarch however-

(Is his cultivation base in the process of decaying?)

The old man's cultivation base compared to someone like Ye Can or Dao Mo wasn't anywhere near as lively so Yi can only assume that they are under a state of decay.

(Hmm too soon to make a conclusion and the timing of this meeting is far too convenient since it began on the day I arrived. For all I know he may have noticed me and is using this as a means to draw me out.)

"Everyone I've summoned you all here today to discuss a very important matter in regards to our Xia family's future."

Reassuming his seat in this gathering Xia Hechuan addresses the crowd with a solemn tone.

"And what matter might this be clan chief?"

"Five years."

"Hm?"

"That is all the time that we have left before divine ancestor's cultivation base completely dissolves."

It took everyone a moment to process this news but upon doing so many drew in a breath of cold air as they looked to the central shadow.

"..."

Normally a clan chief wouldn't choose to disclose such a sensitive piece of information outright as a means to have everyone maintain a calm and optimistic outlook however with five years being the amount of time that is left for Xia Huang Hai it is something that must be eventually addressed.

"*Sigh* should news of this spread to the Spirit Crane Sect then..."

"No doubt they'll choose to get rid of us."

"If only we can find the Fourth Hell's Flag..."

"Please settle yourselves. I naturally know how difficult it's been to find the Fourth Hell's Flag and I appreciate your efforts. This meeting isn't my means of pressuring you all further. If it comes down to it the divine ancestor is more than willing to strike a deal with the Spirit Crane Sect's Half-Monarch to give us a chance at survival."

"Clan chief you know best that whatever deal is struck will only be beneficial to the Spirit Crane Sect."

"No doubt there will humiliating terms for our side..."

"..."

Amidst this chaos of voices Yi continues to keep his eyes on Xia Huang Hai's shadow while rolling a cup of wine in his hand.

(No. This can't be all there is to it.)

Scrutinizing the shadow and getting a grasp over the air that emanates from it Yi's instincts told him that something is off.