Chapter 519: I Object

Prince Huiye's words caused a stir among the Yun family members. After a brief moment of surprise, most people suddenly felt enlightened. The core elders of the Elder Council exchanged glances, then all slowly nodded their heads in agreement.

Even the three Grand Elders—Yun He, Yun Jiang, and Yun Xi—were lost in thought, but showed no signs of rejection.

"Hmm?" Yun Che, chin in hand, looked thoughtfully at the composed Prince Huiye, then smiled faintly and whispered, "Ah, so that's it... Before, I was only ninety percent sure, but now, it's a hundred percent."

Yun Che's whisper was clearly heard by Yun Qinghong, who glanced sideways and gave him a deep look.

"If Father insists on abdicating," Yun Xiao whispered, "it seems pretty good to have Brother Xinyue become the family head."

"Prince Huiye's proposal is truly excellent!!" After a brief commotion, a core elder clapped his hands and stood up, being the first to praise, "Our Yun family has always had leaders who were almost a hundred years old or more when they ascended to the position. We unconsciously overlooked such an excellent candidate."

"Precisely!" another elder stood up and added, "Xinyue is the most outstanding among the Yun family's younger generation; he is virtually perfect in all aspects. Although he is not the family head's son, he is the Grand Elder's son. In terms of aptitude and background, no one among his peers can compare. As for age, Xinyue is indeed still young, but isn't that an advantage? His lack of experience can be fully compensated for with our complete support."

"People outside the family call Xinyue the hope for our Yun family's resurgence, and this is no exaggeration. Having Xinyue succeed as family head might truly be a new beginning for our Yun family."

"Prince Huiye's suggestion is truly brilliant!"

In the Yun family, whose strength had greatly declined, Yun Xinyue's aura was indeed dazzling. Within that aura gathered countless praises and the greatest hope and expectation for the Yun family's resurgence. Under such a halo, the issue of age would be easily overlooked. The Yun family elders found nothing significantly wrong with the proposal for him to succeed as family head. As one elder after another expressed approval, they increasingly found it feasible, even a brilliant choice.

As for the Yun family's younger generation, their response was naturally even more enthusiastic. Having Yun Xinyue become the Yun family head, they, as fellow young disciples, naturally felt a strong sense of pride.

The cheers from the scene were even louder than when Yun Waitian was previously proclaimed as the successor.

After careful consideration, the three Grand Elders also slowly nodded their heads. Yun Jiang slowly said, "Our Yun family has never had a precedent of the younger generation taking over as family head prematurely. But that doesn't mean we can't set such a precedent. Xinyue's temperament and talent are sufficient to compensate for his lack of experience. Considering the current state of the Yun family, Xinyue seems more suitable to succeed as family head than Waitian."

"I agree," Yun He nodded.

"As expected of Prince Huiye, this proposal has truly enlightened us," Yun Xi also nodded.

"It is also my fortune to gain the approval of the three Grand Elders," Prince Huiye said with a smile. "I merely mentioned it in passing, but I didn't expect such a strong response from the entire family. It seems the Yun family's approval of Yun Xinyue is higher than I anticipated. In that case, Grand Elder, having your son succeed as the Yun family head seems to be a rather perfect choice."

Prince Huiye's words undoubtedly turned Yun Waitian's mood from dejection to ecstasy in a short time. Having Yun Xinyue succeed as family head was truly far more delightful than if he himself were to become the head. Suppressing the wild joy in his heart, he humbly said, "Prince Huiye, I am deeply grateful for your high regard for my son. However... my son is, after all, too young. He might... he might not be capable enough..."

Yun Xinyue stood up, with a clear look of discomposure. He respectfully said, "Father is absolutely right. Prince Huiye, I am truly grateful for your high regard. However, I am not yet thirty years old, and my strength, ability, and experience are all extremely limited. How could I be fit to bear such a great responsibility as family head? I am truly overwhelmed with apprehension."

"Oh?" Prince Huiye's smile faded, and his expression turned displeased. He coldly snorted, "Hmph, it seems these rumors are, after all, just rumors. I thought you, Yun Xinyue, were truly a peerless talent bestowed upon the Yun family, but it seems you are nothing special. The Yun family is facing a crisis of life and death, and the entire family is willing to entrust such a vital responsibility to you. Even the three Grand Elders have given their approval, yet you lack the courage and resolve to accept it. Heh, it seems the so-called 'hope for the Yun family's resurgence' is just a joke. This 'hope' is merely a contemptible good-for-nothing."

Prince Huiye's words instantly made Yun Xinyue's face turn crimson. He clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and declared loudly, "I do not agree with Prince Huiye's words. Revitalizing the Yun family is my greatest wish in this life. If I can achieve this wish, I will spare no cost, no matter the sacrifice..."

"I never stoop to listening to useless nonsense," Prince Huiye said with a faint smile. "I only want to know if you dare to accept this position of Yun family head!"

"Yes! Why wouldn't I?!" As if intensely provoked by Prince Huiye's words, Yun Xinyue cast aside his previous hesitation and replied with extreme determination. With furrowed brows and stern eyes, he declared, "As long as the elders and fellow disciples of the Yun family think highly of me, Yun Xinyue, and are willing to let a junior like me become the Yun family head, I will stake my entire life to ensure the Yun family rises again!!"

As soon as Yun Xinyue made this grand declaration, the entire Yun family naturally responded with fervent cheers. Several core elders stood up, nodded with smiles, and said in unison, "We never expected today's important matter of the family head to turn out this way. Though unexpected, it is also a perfect outcome. We will certainly exert all our efforts to assist the new family head!"

Yun Waitian took a deep breath and said with immense excitement, "Since this is the case, if my son were to refuse again, it would appear insincere and cowardly. If this great responsibility now falls upon my son, I, as his father, will surely put in ten times the effort as before, only wishing that my son and I do not become the culprits for the Yun family's continued decline."

Everyone within the Yun family knew that the true purpose of this clan competition was to replace the family head. Before this, everyone thought the new family head would be Yun Waitian. Unexpectedly, prompted by Prince Huiye, a seemingly even more perfect outcome was achieved.

Prince Huiye laughed heartily and said, "A change in family leadership is a major event for any clan. I never expected that a few humble suggestions from an outsider like myself would receive such unanimous approval from the Yun family. I am truly delighted and honored. Since I initiated this matter, I am also eager to see its complete conclusion. Since all of you also believe Yun Xinyue is the most suitable candidate to become the next Yun family head, and with the entire Yun family gathered, none of the Grand Elders or core elders absent, and esteemed guests from outside witnessing—all conditions are perfectly met—how about we complete the succession ceremony for the family head right here, right now, today? Does anyone have any objections?"

Throughout the entire process, Yun Qinghong, the current family head, was the least noticed person. No one asked for his opinion, no one considered his feelings... Because even though he was the family head, he was also a useless invalid whom even a beggar could look down upon... At least beggars could still walk normally.

The proposal for Yun Xinyue to succeed as family head received an enthusiastic response from the entire Yun family, with not a single word of opposition. Moreover, the one who made this proposal and facilitated this outcome was Prince Huiye. Even if someone genuinely felt it was inappropriate, in such a situation, let alone speaking out, they probably wouldn't even dare to show the slightest hint of it.

Just as it seemed the clan competition was about to conclude with the current family head abdicating and a new one ascending, an "unwise" person unexpectedly stepped forward.

"I object!"

These four simple words, amplified by profound energy, possessed immense penetrating power. Amidst the noisy atmosphere, they clearly reached everyone's ears, instantly bringing the surrounding clamor to a halt. All eyes immediately turned to the source of the voice.

Yun Che stood up and unhurriedly took five steps forward. He smiled as he directly faced Prince Huiye and Yun Waitian, simultaneously revealing himself to everyone's gaze.

Yun Che had, after all, been in the Yun family for two months. Although most Yun family members hadn't seen him, they had heard that Yun Qinghong had taken an adopted son. However, an adopted son of a crippled family head wasn't enough to draw much attention from the Yun family. His sudden appearance, coupled with the earth-shattering words "I object!", stunned everyone. Subsequently, the surprise in their eyes was gradually replaced by increasing mockery and schadenfreude.

"Who is this kid?"

"He objects? Heh, what does he mean? Who does he think he is? Who does he think he's standing in front of?"

"Oh, this seems to be the family head's adopted son. Could this person be an idiot?"

"Tsk, maybe he just wants to show off? Heh heh, it's easy to make a scene, but let's see how he handles this... Let's watch the show!"

Prince Huiye, and the royal branch he belonged to, were widely recognized as being no less powerful than the forces controlled by the Little Demon Empress. Even the dignified Grand Elder of the Yun family had to be respectful and dared not show the slightest disrespect in front of this young prince. Even those who had never heard of Prince Huiye should have understood his formidable family background. But when he asked, "Does anyone have any objections?", no one expected someone to actually step forward. This was undoubtedly a blatant defiance of Prince Huiye's authority.

"Bro... Brother!" Yun Xiao was greatly alarmed and was about to rush forward to pull Yun Che back. But Yun Qinghong stretched out a hand to stop him, then silently shook his head.

"Oh?" Prince Huiye naturally did not expect anyone to contradict him to his face, especially when the entire Yun family had fully approved of his proposal. He turned around, his gaze casually sweeping over Yun Che. Not angry, he said with interest, "And you are?"

Yun Waitian glared at Yun Che, his brows deeply furrowed. He then said, "Prince Huiye, this person is not from our Yun family. He is an adopted son Yun Qinghong took in two months ago. I don't know why this fellow has appeared; Prince Huiye need not pay him any mind."

By this point, Yun Waitian no longer addressed Yun Qinghong as "family head," simply calling him by his name.

"An adopted son?" Prince Huiye narrowed his eyes slightly. "That's odd. I've never heard of anyone in the Yun family taking an adopted son. For the Yun family head to make such an exception, it seems this adopted son must have some extraordinary qualities."

"I wouldn't dare claim such a thing," Yun Che said with a chuckle. Facing the powerful aura of Prince Huiye, he remained completely composed, as if he wasn't facing a figure standing at the very pinnacle of the entire Illusory Demon Realm, but merely an ordinary peer. "I am but a humble person, so naturally, Prince Huiye wouldn't know me. Although I am not a native member of the Yun family, my surname is also Yun, and my given name is Che."

"Yun Che!" Yun Waitian said in a low voice, "Today is a major event for our Yun family. Whether your surname is Yun or not, you are merely an outsider and have no right to interfere in our Yun family's affairs. Immediately apologize to Prince Huiye for your offense, and then get out! Otherwise, even your adopted father won't be able to protect you!"

"Not only am I not a native member of the Yun family, but I'm also not from Demon Imperial City," Yun Che retorted. "I only arrived in Demon Imperial City two months ago and happened to save Yun Xiao, who was attacked outside the city. Yun Xiao and I bonded and became sworn brothers. The Yun family head, grateful that I saved his son, took me in as an adopted son. Since I've become the family head's adopted son, I can be considered half a member of the Yun family. If we're talking about outsiders, isn't Prince Huiye here the complete outsider? An outsider can determine the Yun family's next head in just a few words. Why do I, a 'half-insider,' not have the right to speak?"

As soon as Yun Che uttered these words, Yun Xiao instantly broke out in a cold sweat. Even the hundreds-of-years-old elders were left wide-eyed and speechless.