A Sect from a Spirit Vein

Chapter 92 - 89: Sudden Upheaval

"Chao’er." The Second Elder squeezed out a few tears, "Stop hiding it on purpose, we all know your thoughts. The position of Patriarch can be discussed later. For now, let’s take care of the Patriarch’s funeral."

"What nonsense are you spouting? Have you all gone mad?" Zhou Chao was almost amused by his anger. Have these four uncles and elders lost their minds, fantasizing about his father’s death to re-elect a Patriarch, seizing the family’s position and wealth, and spiraling into madness?

The Fourth Elder sighed heavily, "Chao’er, if you don’t want to admit it, would you dare to take us and see?"

Though he spoke thus, beneath his feet, the Magical Artifact was already in motion, preparing to bypass Zhou Chao and head to the courtyard where Zhou Bing was, the other elders also started moving.

At that moment, the main family’s cultivators had gathered, yet still unclear of the situation, looked on with confusion at the branch family’s cultivators surrounding the place.

Zhou Chao, filled with rage, was just about to order the clansmen to stop the elders when he heard the Grand Elder shout, "Everyone, don’t move! We received news that Patriarch Zhou Bing has passed, and Young Master Zhou Chao concealed it for his personal gain! Today, we elders have gathered all the clan’s cultivators to pay respects, and incidentally to re-elect the Patriarch. Whoever dares to obstruct us is an enemy of the clan!"

At these words, it was as if thunder clapped from a clear sky, and the main family’s cultivators erupted into a commotion, looking towards Zhou Chao with suspicion, causing a chaotic, disordered scene.

Zhou Chao retorted in anger, "My father is very much alive, from where do you get your news? Even if I concede, should my father pass, the position of the Patriarch in our lineage wouldn’t waver. The main family’s cultivators are still the strongest of the five branches, naturally, the Patriarch’s position would be inherited by me, who are you to speak of re-election!"

"You have wielded the power of the Patriarch for three years, but what have you accomplished?" The Grand Elder shook his head before suddenly ascending higher, his voice clear enough for everyone present to hear, "Hear me, cultivators present, Zhou Chao stands accused of three major transgressions!"

"First, lax military preparedness, let our once servile Chaosheng Sect repeatedly bully and intrude at will. Second, mismanagement leading to repeated financial deficits, leaving the treasury empty today. Third, conniving with outsiders, even a fool knows that the Spirit Vein is the foundation of our family, yet you handed over our Spirit Vein to others, who knows what benefits you reaped in private! With your conduct, are you fit to assume the Patriarch’s position?"

At that moment, anger stifled his chest, Zhou Chao only felt stars before his eyes, his heart pounded like a drum, and the world seemed to spin. If not for a cultivator supporting him, he would’ve nearly fallen from the air.

He trembled all over, pointed shakily at the Grand Elder, his dark face turning purple, only managing to choke out a few words: "You’re distorting facts, distorting facts..."

The surrounding cultivators raised a clamor, and the main family’s cultivators discussed vehemently. Worse still, among the main family’s ranks, some shifted their eyes and began to fan the flames, exaggerating the matter.

"The Grand Elder makes sense..."

"Our Zhou family’s decline began when Zhou Chao assumed family control..."

"Indeed, resource allocations have significantly decreased these past two years..."

Hearing these voices, Zhou Chao felt like spitting blood.

The confidant behind Zhou Chao, seeing the deteriorating situation, also panicked, and desperately shouted, "The elders are speaking nonsense! The Patriarch is perfectly fine, not deceased at all! Discussing re-election of the Patriarch now is premature!"

Zhou Chao finally seized onto what seemed like a lifeline, shouting as well, "Exactly, my father is still alive, all of you are talking nonsense with ill intentions!"

The Third Elder sighed helplessly, "Very well, very well, if you still refuse to admit it, then let’s go to your father’s place together and use the Memory Pearl to record his condition and make it public. Do you dare?"

"Why wouldn’t I dare?" Zhou Chao straightened up and headed towards the small courtyard.

Seeing Zhou Chao acting without hesitation, the Grand Elder grew somewhat suspicious, looking to the Third Elder, who gave a firm nod, allowing him to relax.

Some cultivators, always loyal to the main family, followed Zhou Chao. The elders, worried about being captured by Zhou Chao’s people if they went alone, exchanged glances. The Third Elder said immediately, "Chao’er, why take so many people? Everyone can wait outside, and each of us will only bring one clansman."

Zhou Chao, eager to prove himself, and considering the main family’s cultivators were nearby should the elders actually attempt anything, agreed to take only one confidant and instructed everyone to remain outside. The cultivators from the branches fell silent, creating a confrontation atmosphere between the two sides.

Still not reassured, the Grand Elder instructed their branch cultivators, "We will enter the courtyard to investigate. If the main family’s cultivators dare attack us, don’t hold back."

Zhou Chao felt a mix of sadness and anger, giving up on them completely.

The group landed in the courtyard, Zhou Chao leading the way, pushing open the door to find heavy curtains and a strong medicinal aroma. Impatiently, he pulled back the curtains to reveal the skeletal form of Zhou Bing on the bed.

They all gathered around, seeing that though Zhou Bing looked withered, his chest was faintly rising and falling; he was still breathing!

Zhou Chao stood by the bed, suddenly turning, his eyes bloodshot, glaring fiercely at the others, "Now what do you have to say?"

He saw the elders all froze, looking collectively at the Third Elder.

The Grand Elder exclaimed, "Old Three, didn’t you guarantee that your informant sent definite news that the Patriarch was dead?"

Their gazes focused, and the Third Elder suddenly chuckled, "Then let’s ensure he does now, shall we?"

The scene fell into sudden silence!

The elders showed expressions of horror, and Zhou Chao stared incredulously at the Third Elder, almost believing he was hearing things.

In the next instant, a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure flashed! An intense wave of cold surged out overwhelmingly, freezing everyone’s bodies. The icy aura rolled forth like a tide, climbing the walls, coating the room’s furnishings in a blink, while a thick layer of ice sealed the room, encasing everyone inside.

Before anyone could react, the confidant brought by the Third Elder suddenly turned into an ice shell, and like a ghost, a figure darted out of it!

Several soft thuds were heard, sharp blades sliced through bodies effortlessly. The associates brought by each elder were caught completely off guard, instantly cut into two, their wounds sealed by ice without spilling a drop of blood.

The Fourth Elder cried out miserably, a piece of blade tip protruding from his chest as he turned back with difficulty, facing the cold eyes of the Third Elder.

"Wh- why?" His unwilling question received no reply, the Third Elder withdrew the short blade, pushing him to the ground.

Now, the remaining few finally caught on, Spiritual Power surging, defensive spiritual artifacts flashing brightly as they stepped back several paces, looking around in horror.