“According to clan rules, Ling Hu should be dealt with accordingly, and the decision of the Elders’ Council is that with more than two-thirds in agreement, the resolution is passed. Elders, please make your decision,” Ling Lie continued.
Ling Zhongqian frowned slightly and was the first to speak, “Ling Hu is the hope of our clan’s future. He should be dealt with leniently, discussed later, and not expelled from the clan.”
“I agree with the Great Elder!”
“I agree!”
“I agree!”
“I also agree.”
As soon as Ling Zhongqian spoke, four elders immediately voiced their support without hesitation. These five were all from Ling Xiao’s lineage, steadfastly standing by Ling Hu from beginning to end.
After them, others gradually spoke up, some aligned with Ling Xiao’s faction, others neutral, but all hoping Ling Hu would stay to bring hope for the clan’s rise.
In total, twelve elders supported Ling Hu, half of the council, but no more came forward after this.
At this point, Ling Lie’s expression darkened completely, his sharp gaze fixed on the undecided elders, the threat in his eyes palpable.
“Everyone, you all know how Clan Leader Ling Xiao has treated you. If you now choose to destroy his son’s dantian and expel him from the clan, how will your conscience rest?” Ling Zhongqian addressed the undecided elders.
“Hmph, if a junior can recklessly slander the Clan Leader, where is the Ling clan’s dignity? If the Su family learns that Su Yun was killed by Ling Hu, what consequences will follow if he remains in the clan? I urge you all to think carefully!” Ling Lie countered pointedly.
Under their words, some elders grew more hesitant, torn between their hopes for Ling Hu and their conscience on one side, and the stark reality of threats on the other. They knew siding with the Great Elder would make their future difficult.
In their hesitation, no one else stepped forward.
After waiting a while longer and seeing no further support, Ling Lie sneered inwardly and said, “Great Elder, do you have anything else to say?”
“There’s nothing to say. Twelve people standing up is already quite good,” Ling Zhongqian replied.
Hearing this, the crowd found it puzzling, some even wondering if the Great Elder only wanted to gauge support, though they dismissed the thought, assuming he was simply disappointed by the failed vote.
“Thank you, Great Elder!” At this moment, Ling Hu’s voice rang out, “This was merely to see how many in the Ling clan are still reliable.”
His words stunned everyone except the Great Elder, leaving them confused about why Ling Hu would say such a thing.
Then, Ling Hu turned to Ling Lie, his gaze sharpening as if turning into a cold, gleaming sword. His icy voice rang out, “Ling Lie, as I said earlier, I have no evidence yet of the Black Seal Poison you used on me, but…”
“But what?” Ling Lie’s brow twitched, a bad premonition rising under Ling Hu’s piercing stare.
“But I don’t need evidence!” Ling Hu said coldly, “If you dare poison me with Black Seal Poison, I’ll just kill you!”
His voice was utterly domineering.
“What?” Ling Hu’s words shocked the Ling clan members present. Was Ling Hu threatening to kill Ling Lie?
Had he lost his mind?
Even Ling Lie was stunned by Ling Hu’s sudden outburst, then burst into laughter, “Hahaha, kill me? You dare threaten to kill me?”
Ignoring Ling Lie’s mocking laughter, Ling Hu turned to Lin Xiao and said, “Lin Xiao, can you leave him alive for me to handle?”
“No worries!” Lin Xiao grinned, then looked at Mei Tianmo and chuckled, “But I think she’s better suited for this.”
At this, the crowd was stunned. Could these two young people resist a Martial Lord?
Yet they shook their heads inwardly. Although they couldn’t sense the aura of these two due to some treasure they carried, they appeared no older than twenty. It was impossible for them to have the strength to challenge a Martial Lord.
Not here, nor anywhere in the entire Southeast Region.
Still, Ling Hu and the young man’s words left them utterly perplexed.
“If I make a move, you’ll owe me a favour,” Mei Tianmo smiled, her soft figure exuding a captivating charm.
“This counts as a favour?” Lin Xiao said, exasperated. He could handle Ling Lie with his Blue Corpse Puppet, but Mei Tianmo’s sealing power would make it more straightforward.
To the others, however, his words were shocking. Handling a Martial Lord was a ‘small matter’?
Ling Lie’s face darkened further.
“Then how about we count bringing you into the teleportation array as a favour to offset it?” Lin Xiao responded with a grin.
“You little man… fine, it’s offset,” Mei Tianmo pouted, giving off a playful, flirtatious vibe.
“Hmph, what do you take our Ling clan for? Your playground?” Seeing them disregard him, Ling Lie grew furious, unleashing a Martial Lord’s pressure directly at Lin Xiao and the others.
“Hmph, unlucky fool, daring to insult me!” Mei Tianmo snorted coldly, her body suddenly erupting with a terrifying Martial Lord pressure, far surpassing Ling Lie’s.
With a single palm, she struck towards Ling Lie.
“Second-tier Martial Lord!” Ling Lie’s face paled. He never imagined this young, beautiful woman would possess such power, far more terrifying than any second-tier Martial Lord he’d encountered.
A deep sense of crisis surged within him. Facing her swift, terrifying strike, Ling Lie hurriedly summoned his full Martial Lord strength and countered with a palm.
Bang!
No dramatic clash occurred, not even the tables and chairs before Ling Lie shattered. Only a soft sound echoed as Ling Lie staggered back three steps, while Mei Tianmo stood unmoved.
She didn’t press the attack, merely clapped her hands and said, “Done!”
Then, she walked back towards Lin Xiao and the others.
Ling Lie’s expression changed drastically, “Sealing, the power of sealing! You actually wield sealing power!”
At this, the Ling clan members were stunned. Had Ling Lie been struck by this woman’s sealing power?
