The Martial Emperor with Dragon Blood-Chapter 962 - 963: The Position of Clan Leader

Listening to the elder’s words, Zi Aotian’s eyebrows slightly moved, transforming into a stream of light, directly entering Longwen Hall.

The disciples of the four halls were slightly amazed upon seeing this scene. It seemed only Zi Aotian enjoyed such privilege, allowing him to enter Longwen Hall at his leisure.

Moreover, they speculated about what had happened that required the ancestor to personally make an announcement, knowing very well that the ancestor seldom made appearances.

As Zi Aotian followed the elder into Longwen Hall, he was quite curious about what had transpired. Could it be related to Ye Mo?

"Elder, what exactly has happened within the clan?"

Zi Aotian couldn’t help but ask, trailing behind the elder.

"Patriarch Zi Kui, due to some errors, has caused Ye Mo, this bloodline talent, to die. The ancestor plans to strip him of his position as patriarch. Perhaps the announcement later will concern the succession of the next patriarch, for which you hold great promise. We may rely on you in the future."

The elder said with a smile.

"Oh?"

Zi Aotian’s mind immediately began to churn. The rumors of Ye Mo consolidating nine golden dragon patterns were likely true, but now, he had fallen without even being met.

This indirectly paved his path to becoming the next patriarch, eliminating an enemy without form.

Then, the elder and Zi Aotian entered the grand hall.

"Brother Aotian, you’re back!"

Standing by, Zi Xuan’s eyes lit up upon seeing Zi Aotian, she immediately rushed over.

"Indeed!"

Zi Aotian smiled slightly, walked up to the ancestor, and bowed with clasped hands: "Greetings, Ancestor, greetings to all elders."

"So, how did the mission go? Did you slay the Crimson Thunder Golden Eagle?"

The ancestor asked lightly.

"No."

Zi Aotian shook his head.

"What? No?"

The nearby elders were greatly shocked; none of them expected Zi Aotian to fail in slaying the Crimson Thunder Golden Eagle.

"How can this be? Brother Aotian has never failed in his missions before."

Zi Xuan looked disappointed.

"Because I’ve successfully tamed it. My Beast-Taming Seal Technique has reached the level of the Heavenly Master."

As Zi Aotian spoke, he already had a magic seal pinched between his fingers. On the seal was a miniature golden eagle, its body glowing with crimson black lightning.

"Crimson Thunder Golden Eagle!"

The ancestor’s pupils slightly contracted upon seeing the seal in Zi Aotian’s hand. It wasn’t that the eagle was exceptionally strong, but Zi Aotian’s ability to tame it spoke volumes about his talent in Beast-Taming Seal Mastery.

This invisibly added more weight to Zi Aotian’s potential as the next patriarch.

Aside from Zi Aotian’s bloodline talent, his cultivation talent was terrifying; under the age of twenty, he had reached the First Transformation of the Wheel of Reincarnation, with a golden realm ranking nineteenth—the Mocking Phoenix.

Rumor has it, dragons give birth to nine children, and the Mocking Phoenix is the dragon’s third son. Thus, Zi Aotian inherited the Mocking Phoenix’s ability, the Mocking Phoenix’s Roar.

Moreover, Zi Aotian’s seal talent is exceedingly formidable; he has now reached the eighth-order Beast-Taming Seal Heavenly Master level, making him unmatched among the younger generation, not just within the Ancient Azure Dragon Clan, but across the entire Lingwu Continent.

"Aotian indeed has good methods; being able to tame the Crimson Thunder Golden Eagle means even regular strong individuals of the First Transformation would immediately flee."

Zi Xing said with a smile.

"Brother Aotian is too amazing; could you let the Crimson Thunder Golden Eagle take me for a flight around Azure Dragon Peak later?"

Zi Xuan said smilingly.

"Of course, no problem."

Aotian replied.

"Ancestor, I suggest directly appointing Aotian as the next patriarch; his young age coupled with such talent means it won’t be long before he can preside over the major affairs. All of us elders would wholeheartedly support him."

"Indeed, Aotian is the most suitable choice."

Some elders started saying.

"Zi Aotian’s talent is undeniably formidable, but his cultivation is still shallow; appointing him as patriarch now may be too hasty. I suggest Zi Kui should continue as patriarch; Ye Mo’s death wasn’t solely Zi Kui’s fault. Zi Kui’s performance in recent years should be evident to the elders."

"That’s right, and according to both qualifications and strength, Elder Zi Ning is the most suitable candidate for the next elder."

"Elder Zi Ning? Now that Ye Mo is dead, Elder Zi Ning might have grievances against our clan."

The elders began to argue.

Nobody was right or wrong; these elders all had the family’s interests at heart, although some sought personal gain, sometimes making detrimental selfish acts.

"There’s no need for you to argue; I have my own plan."

The ancestor frowned and said to Zi Kui, still kneeling on the ground: "Zi Kui, you know how vital a nine-golden dragon-pattern bloodline awakener is for our clan, and now he’s gone. Ye Mo’s death isn’t your fault, but it stemmed from you, so you’ll remain as patriarch."

"Thank you, Ancestor!"

Zi Kui said.

"Aotian, come with me."

The ancestor spoke, then led Zi Aotian out of Longwen Hall, up to a high platform, facing the waiting disciples.

All disciples, including the clan members, knelt down upon seeing the ancestor emerge.

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

The crowd spoke in unison.

"Rise."

With a wave of the ancestor’s sleeve, a gentle force lifted everyone up.

"I presume you are all speculating what announcement I’ll make today."

The ancestor smiled lightly and said: "Today, after discussing with the Elders Council, the decision for the next patriarch is Zi Aotian."

Hearing this, Zi Aotian’s body trembled, entirely unexpected that the ancestor would make such a declaration, his heart full of delight, yet he quickly calmed down—for his ancestor’s disposition, things wouldn’t be that simple.

"What, Zi Aotian is to become the next patriarch?"

"Is the ancestor’s announcement about this?"

"But it’s not surprising; with Zi Aotian’s talent, he indeed qualifies to be the next patriarch."

Seeing the clan members begin to discuss, the ancestor waved his hand, signaling them to quiet down, and said: "Of course, a test is required to become the next patriarch; you must achieve top three in the Lingwu Talent Battle. If not, the next patriarch’s role needs further consideration. Aotian, do you have the confidence?"

"Ancestor, Aotian shall not fail your expectations. It’s not just the top three I aim for in the Lingwu Talent Battle, but the crown itself."

The moment he uttered "the crown," Zi Aotian roared fiercely, activating the Mocking Phoenix’s ability, the Mocking Phoenix’s Roar. Though quieter, it carried a terrifying momentum, diffusing in all directions, instilling a sense of fear in all disciples.

"Alright, then I’ll head indoors. Let the assessment at Longwen Hall begin; Aotian, stay here and observe the disciples’ assessments."

The ancestor nodded in satisfaction, said no more, and vanished from sight.

Instantly, Zi Aotian once again became the focal point of the crowd, standing like a proud phoenix emanating radiance, on the high platform, accepting the worship of all disciples.

This time, his radiance shone even brighter; securing the top three would make him patriarch, possibly making him the youngest patriarch of the Ancient Azure Dragon Clan.