Chapter 6)Movements in the clan

POV of Elders:

Inside the meeting room, five individuals occupied the table, although there were seven seats available. Today, no one would take the remaining two seats.

"Let's start the meeting," Elder Snow said wearily.

"Are you sure it's safe to gather like this?" one of the three young elders asked.

"We're not hiding much. The Patriarch will find out about this meeting tomorrow morning anyway, whether we gather here or use the Communication Glass," replied another elder.

"Let's discuss the reason for which we have all gathered," the Old Man Ice suggested.

"There's nothing much to say. The experiment was successful. The Patriarch's son has received the Divine Spirit, although his body can't yet withstand its full power. But with training and medicines, this issue can be easily resolved. Based on our researchers' observations and considering the Patriarch's training plan, his son will be able to fully utilize his spirit upon his return, and he will likely become even stronger."

"This means that in this generation, we will have a god among us."

"But we won't be able to replicate such an experiment. We can't ensure that our descendants will be born with divine spirits en masse," one elder pointed out.

"That's true. The amount of magic and immortal herbs required would bankrupt our clan. Not to mention the challenge of finding such quantities in the world," another elder added.

"Let's not forget about the issue of the parents. The technique was designed to be launched only with mutual consent," Elder Snow mentioned.

"It's not a significant problem. We can promise a place in the clan and some gold, and thousands of volunteers will flock to us," suggested an elder.

"But we don't want sacrificial lambs. The technique would simply kill the mothers who were too weak. Moreover, if it's discovered that we are using human lives to obtain stronger children with better spirits, the Patriarch might start purging the clan," cautioned another elder.

"We also don't know the minimum strength required for the mother's chance of survival. Even Ruiling, with her cultivation level, lost several levels of spiritual power and vitality," added an elder.

"Indeed, the Patriarch traveled to the Star Dou Forest in the central region of the Silver Dragon King to acquire herbs capable of restoring the vitality of a Hyper Douluo. Yet, it still took Ruiling four years to recover her current strength level," another elder explained.

"Hmm, we'll need to modify the technique, and not every member of the clan will be able to use it due to the number of necessary herbs," suggested an elder.

"We can't fix it quickly. It would require numerous experiments. The Patriarch took the risk because he was confident in his resources and because his son could barely handle his spirit," mentioned an elder.

"There's also the madness within his spirit. It's either a malicious mutation or an intense increase in the potential that affects the spirit's mind," added another elder.

"There are too many risks, and the Patriarch will not allow people to be used as experimental subjects to improve the technique. I refuse to be part of this, as even a small number of trial subjects would consume a significant portion of the clan's income," voiced an elder.

"Then, as soon as Longway becomes the next Patriarch, we'll vote together with his father on the development or destruction of this technique," proposed an elder.

"I support."

"I support."

"I support."

"I support."

"I support."

"Unanimously agreed. Starting tomorrow, we will proceed according to the planned agenda from the previous meeting," concluded Elder Snow.

As everyone stood up and went about their tasks, Elder Snow remained alone, lost in deep thought.

"Poor boy, your very existence is an experiment. Although it's a successful one, your entire future will be dedicated to elevating our clan. Not only on this small continent but also in the Divine Realm, perhaps even beyond in the distant void," the old man mused, gazing at the ceiling that, at his current level of strength, couldn't hinder his view of the dark sky adorned with stars.

POV of Bai:

The next day, I woke up, prepared myself, and went to check on my son. He was already joyfully running around the house, eagerly awaiting the start of his training. Despite knowing that he wouldn't be able to see us for four years, the prospect of finally utilizing his spiritual power and testing all his theories excited him greatly.

I smiled and glanced at my wife. She was still upset with me, but her anger had subsided. I could already envision the long and unpleasant conversation we would have after sending Longway away. Following that, I would need to attend a meeting with the Snow Empress.

So many things to worry about. Shaking my head, we all had breakfast together and headed outside to send our son off to his studies. Two old men were already waiting on the street—one specializing in spiritual energy theory and the other in body development. I knew that the teachers were already waiting at the training site, ready to instruct on clan philosophy, battle strategies of spiritual masters, and the continent's history.

They would also teach everyday skills, such as cooking, self-care, and preparing basic medicines from available herbs, as well as how to survive various injuries.

The two old men bowed to me and Ruiling, placing their hands on our son's shoulders before disappearing. I knew that the training had already commenced. With the speed at which the elderly moved, Longway would face difficulties since they were using only minimal spirit strength to ensure his survival.

My wife noticed it too and gave me an annoyed look. I sighed and entered the house, knowing that a lengthy and unpleasant conversation awaited us.

Inside the house, I sat down with my wife, preparing myself for the inevitable confrontation. She stared at me with a mix of anger and concern, her eyes filled with questions waiting to be answered.

"I know you're upset with me, Ruiling," I began, trying to sound as calm as possible. "But we had no choice. The decision to send Longway for training was not made lightly. It's for his good and the future of our clan."

Ruiling crossed her arms, her expression softening slightly. "I understand that Bai, but couldn't we have found another way? It feels like we're sacrificing our son for the clan's ambitions."

I reached out and took her hands in mine, looking into her eyes earnestly. "I would never willingly put our son in harm's way. Longway has potential, Ruiling. He possesses the Divine Spirit, and this training will unlock his full potential. It's an opportunity we can't afford to miss."

She sighed, her anger dissipating further. "I just worry about him, Bai. Four years is a long time, and the training will push him to his limits. What if something goes wrong?"

"We have to trust in the expertise of the teachers and the resilience of our son," I reassured her, my voice filled with conviction. "Longway is strong, and he has inherited our determination. I believe he will overcome any obstacles that come his way."

Ruiling nodded, her grip on my hands tightening slightly. "You're right, Bai. We have to believe in him. But promise me that you'll keep a close eye on his progress and ensure his safety."

I squeezed her hands back, promising, "I will do everything in my power to protect our son and ensure his well-being. We're in this together, Ruiling. We're his parents, and our love and support will guide him through this journey."

A sense of understanding and unity settled between us, alleviating some of the tension in the room. We knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but we were determined to navigate it together as a family.

After our conversation, we made our way outside, the weight of our emotions still lingering but now mingled with hope. The training had already begun, and Longway was embarking on a path that would shape his destiny and that of our clan.