Chapter 518: Heir to the Family Head Position

"Grand Elder, your words are mistaken." As Yun Waitian’s voice faded, a Yun family elder immediately followed, stating, "Considering his prestige, strength, and contributions to our Yun clan over the years, the next patriarch can only be the Grand Elder."

"Exactly," another elder nodded in agreement. "In terms of rank, the Grand Elder holds the foremost position within the Elder Council. In terms of strength, he is unparalleled. During these years since the Patriarch was crippled, all major clan affairs have been fully managed by the Grand Elder. If we are to choose the most suitable and widely accepted Patriarch, only the Grand Elder fits the description."

"I concur."

Several elders spoke one after another, all strongly recommending Grand Elder Yun Waitian to succeed as patriarch. Gradually, more and more voices rose in support of Yun Waitian. The few elders who remained silent could only sigh inwardly. Soon after, even the mid-level Yun family members and young disciples began to shout the Grand Elder's name.

A century ago, when Yun Canghai departed and never returned, Yun Qinghong succeeded him as the Yun family patriarch. At that time, in terms of prestige and family influence, ten Yun Waitians combined could not compare to Yun Qinghong. Yun Qinghong commanded universal respect within the Yun family; the entire clan deferred to him, and no one dared to defy him. Although the Yun family's eleven strongest pillars had collapsed overnight, their power plummeted, and they bore a heavy burden of responsibility, everyone in the Yun family believed that with Yun Qinghong leading, the clan would inevitably rise again. Outside the Yun family, no one ever truly dared to underestimate the weakened Yun family... because back then, the Yun family had an astonishingly talented Yun Qinghong.

But twenty-two years ago, Yun Qinghong became crippled.

In a world where strength is revered, a weakened individual whose power has diminished to dust and can never be restored, even with the "Patriarch" title, struggles to command true awe and respect. Over twenty-two years, his accumulated prestige quickly vanished. People's admiration, respect, reverence, worship, and apprehension towards him... all gradually transformed into sighs, indifference, even mockery and schadenfreude as his body failed. Yun family elders, peers, and younger generations who had held deep hopes for him were filled with endless disappointment and lament. As one of the most prominent cultivation families in the Illusion Demon Realm, who among the Yun family would truly be content with being led by a complete cripple?

Even those who had secretly sworn lifelong loyalty to Yun Qinghong partly withdrew in sadness. The other part, who were still willing to follow him unto death, were actively driven away by Yun Qinghong himself... because he knew his physical condition at the time. Staying by his side would mean no future for them, and he would never wish to hinder those who truly cared for him.

In the end, he still held the title of "Patriarch," but he was left with only his wife and son by his side.

More than two decades ago, who could have imagined that Yun Qinghong, who had almost the most brilliant aura in the entire Illusion Demon Realm, would now be reduced to a state where he was barely looked at directly by anyone?

Crippled for twenty-two years, this former leader of the Yun family now found that within his own clan, not a single person stood up to speak for him or advocate for his continued patriarchy.

However, facing this reality, Yun Qinghong did not blame anyone. After all, he was a cripple. Whether it was the Elder Council or the Grand Elders, their original intentions were all for the future of the Yun family. After all, a Yun family led by a cripple would not only be ridiculed but also see no future at all. Compared to the Yun family's future, the matter of the Patriarch's bloodline seemed less important.

The voices supporting the Grand Elder grew louder. Yun Waitian suppressed his excitement and humbly said, "Your high regard overwhelms me, but my abilities are too modest, and I truly dare not assume the position of Patriarch... However, the Seventh Elder is exceptionally capable and an excellent candidate for the new Patriarch."

The "Seventh Elder," mentioned by Yun Waitian, quickly waved his hand. "Grand Elder, you flatter me too much. To be frank, throughout the Yun family, with the Grand Elder present, it would be difficult for anyone else to gain general acceptance as Patriarch."

"Yes! Support the Grand Elder to succeed as Patriarch!""Grand Elder, please don't decline anymore. The successor to the Yun family's patriarchy can only be you."

The calls from the Yun family surged again. Yun Waitian clenched his fists, his heart swelling with excitement... Twenty-two years ago, after Yun Qinghong was crippled, he conceived the idea of becoming patriarch. For these twenty-two years, he had continuously worked towards this goal, accumulating increasingly high prestige within the Yun family... If he became patriarch, the Yun family's ten-thousand-year lineage of patriarchs would be rewritten. A century later, his son Yun Xinyue could become the next patriarch, followed by his grandson, and his descendants...

Facing the crippled Yun Qinghong and his son, who could not wield profound energy, he knew this day was not far off... And today, it had finally officially arrived.

Amidst the rising cheers of the Yun family disciples, a discordant sneer rang out: "Since Grand Elder Yun himself knows he's not worthy of the Patriarch's position, why do you all clamor blindly and put him in such a difficult spot? If Grand Elder Yun can't resist and goes back on his word to accept, word will get out that your Yun family's Grand Elder not only coveted the position for a long time but also hypocritically declined. Such a reputation for cunning, deceit, and hypocrisy would be quite unpleasant to hear... Grand Elder Yun, wouldn't you agree?"

Mu Yubai's words were quite malicious. Everyone in the Yun family supported Yun Waitian's succession as patriarch, and Yun Waitian himself had only made a slight pretense of declining. Yet, Mu Yubai seized the opportunity, using his words to forcefully label him as vile, insidious, and hypocritical should he accept the position. Yun Waitian's mouth twitched violently. Just as he was about to say something, another arrogant voice rang out from his right.

"I actually agree with Young Master Mu's words." It was Helian Peng speaking. He narrowed his triangular eyes and slowly said, "I've heard that after Yun Qinghong was crippled, the Yun family's Grand Elder took charge of all clan affairs, big and small, holding everything in his hands. Although he's only a Grand Elder, he's more like a Patriarch than the actual Patriarch... Tsk tsk, for more than a decade, I've heard many people discussing how the Yun family's Grand Elder must be coveting the Patriarch's position. Over the years, these rumors have only grown. If Grand Elder Yun truly suddenly becomes the Yun family head, it would only confirm these rumors. At that point, hehe, while his name as Patriarch might be celebrated within the Yun family, outside, it might become utterly infamous."

Helian Peng, who had previously spoken in Yun Waitian's favor and even almost fought with Mu Yubai because of it, was now unexpectedly siding with Mu Yubai. Moreover, his words to Yun Waitian were even sharper and more scathing than Mu Yubai's. Yun Waitian's expression instantly changed drastically, and the core elders of the Yun family exchanged bewildered glances. Mu Yubai frowned and cast a sidelong glance at Helian Peng... He was not naive enough to believe that Helian Peng would kindly go along with his words.

Could this fellow be here specifically to cause trouble today?

Mu Yubai's words made Yun Waitian feel as if he had swallowed a fly whole, while Helian Peng's remarks were akin to having his mouth smeared with excrement, causing his spleen and lungs to almost burst with discomfort and resentment. He had considered that if he were to become patriarch, Mu Yubai would undoubtedly be a major obstacle. He hadn't expected that besides Mu Yubai, Helian Peng would also be disrupting things! He twitched the corners of his mouth for a while, trying hard to make his expression less unsightly, and forced himself to say, "Everything I, Yun Waitian, have done these past years has been for the Yun family. I have never coveted the position of Patriarch."

"Alas!" Grand Elder Yun Jiang, who had been silent for a long time, let out a soft sigh and said, "Waitian, given the current state of the Yun family, you are indeed the most suitable candidate for Patriarch. Whether or not this is your personal desire, your succession to the patriarchy is the best outcome for the Yun family right now. You need not decline further. As for the words of outsiders, just disregard them."

The Grand Elder's words, naturally, carried immense weight. Yun Waitian was secretly delighted and was just about to accept when Prince Huoye suddenly spoke: "Regarding the matter of the Yun family's new Patriarch, I do have a few humble thoughts. Perhaps the Yun family members would care to listen."

Prince Huoye's opening immediately drew all eyes and attention. Yun Waitian retracted the words he was about to utter, turned to Prince Huoye, and respectfully said, "Your Highness Huoye, what profound insights do you have? We are eager to hear them."

Prince Huoye wore a composed expression and smiled faintly. With a flick of his folding fan, he slowly stated, "In my humble opinion, Young Master Mu and Elder Helian both have valid points. Although Grand Elder Yun has contributed greatly and holds unmatched prestige within the Yun family, he truly is not suitable for the position of Patriarch. Otherwise, as Young Master Mu and Elder Helian suggested, it would be all too easy for outsiders to find fault, and public opinion can be a formidable force. If it only concerned the Grand Elder himself, that would be one thing. However, the Yun family's current situation is already precarious. If it were to fall into a vortex of public criticism because of this matter, it would be even more disadvantageous to the Yun family."

Prince Huoye's words made Yun Waitian's heart seize up. He lowered his head, concealing an expression that was uglier than crying. "Your Highness Huoye is correct. I am indeed not suitable for the position of Patriarch."

Prince Huoye then continued, "Given the Yun family's current circumstances, a change in patriarch is imperative. I, however, believe I have a better candidate for the position."

"May I ask whom Your Highness Huoye has in mind?" Grand Elder Yun Xi asked.

Prince Huoye closed his folding fan, rose, and leisurely paced. "The Grand Elder is not suitable to be the patriarch, and among the current generation of Yun family elders, there is no one more capable of commanding respect than the Grand Elder. So, why not consider the selection of the new patriarch on a different level?"

"Your Highness Huoye, what do you mean?"

Prince Huoye said, "Back then, you lost your Patriarch and ten of your strongest Grand Elders. Your power greatly diminished overnight, and you bore a century of blame. For the Yun family to rise again, it will undoubtedly require a long period and, more importantly, an exceptionally capable leader. A sufficiently excellent leader necessarily requires ample time for cultivation. In my view, since there are limited choices among the elder generation, why not choose from the younger generation? It is now common knowledge throughout the city that Yun Xinyue, the son of the Yun family's Grand Elder, possesses astonishing talent and innate ability. He inherently possesses azure profound energy, just like a Demon King, yet his character is humble, neither arrogant nor complacent. He is truly a blessed prodigy for the Yun family. I have heard him praised more than once as the Yun family's greatest hope for resurgence. If he were to succeed as the Yun family head, assisted by the Grand Elder and all the elders, I believe that within ten years, Yun Xinyue will surely become an outstanding leader, and the Yun family's rise will be just around the corner."

"Furthermore, although Yun Xinyue is young, I believe you, the Yun family members, are most aware of his talent and character. If he takes over as Patriarch, I believe there would be fewer dissenters than if the Grand Elder were to take the position. What do you all think?"