"Patriarch, daring to kill three of our Earth Tier experts and direct lineage members, what is the background of Feipu Manor? Could it be a stronghold of some first-class force?"

An emaciated elder seated beside Ximen Qi spoke in a deep voice.

Being capable of such feats indicates that the opponents are at least Earth Tier Late Stage experts. Daring to kill members of the Ximen Clan shows they are unafraid of Ximen, and a first-class force might likely back them.

"Black Rat, you give the briefing."

Ximen Qi's gaze turned to the dark corner of the council hall, where a lean and long-figured man with a cold expression walked out.

"Yes, Patriarch."

Black Rat nodded and then laid out more than a dozen reports before Ximen Qi, Ximen Guai, and other elders.

"Patriarch, Council Elders, please review the report first."

Black Rat said, then calmly stepped aside.

The report was as thick as thirty pages, digging into Qin Yang's life from childhood to now. However, it focused mainly on the changes in Qin Yang over the past three or four months, listing everyone acquainted with him.

"The founder of Feipu Manor is a seventeen or eighteen-year-old youth named Qin Yang, whose rise occurred within these three months. Prior to this, his life was not much different from that of an ordinary high school student."

"In early March this year, he suddenly acquired miraculous medical skills and mysterious strength, healing the elders of the Ruan Family and the Ding Family, becoming an Honorary Pavilion Master of the third-class power Celestial Sword Pavilion, and then started building the commercial Feipu Manor."

After the elders finished reading the report, Black Rat made a brief summary.

"Elders, does anyone have any thoughts?"

Ximen Qi slightly furrowed his brows, placing the report down and scanning the elders present.

"In just three months, from an ordinary high school student to a master capable of slaying Earth Tier experts, Patriarch, this young brat must have had some extraordinary encounter."

An elder with white hair and beard had a flash of icy light in his eyes and spoke grimly.

"Hmm."

Ximen Qi kept a gloomy gaze as he nodded, seemingly agreeing to some extent, then turned his gaze to Black Rat: "Any findings on this front?"

"In response to the Patriarch, there is no discovery."

Black Rat shook his head. Even with the Ximen Clan's powerful intelligence capabilities, they hadn't found how Qin Yang attained his strength.

"Patriarch, could there be another possibility, that the boy's strength was already significant, or that he was cultivated by some force, and he has only recently erupted from restraint?"

Another elder with a gaunt face said.

Upon hearing this, Ximen Qi and the other elders fell silent. If this boy indeed had a formidable background, not only would avenging be unlikely, but whether he would spare the Ximen Clan would be another question.

"Patriarch, Council Elders, that boy has lived in Yunshui City since birth without special experiences, nor has he been found to have contact with any powers, of this, we can be sure."

Black Rat, with a cold expression, spoke up.

"From what you say, the boy might have stumbled upon some extraordinary encounter by chance. The report mentions he possesses many Talismans, indicating he might have discovered some Secret Realm, gaining vast resources but never revealing or expressing it, so intelligence might not detect it."

The white-haired, bearded elder said.

After all, even though the Ximen Clan's intelligence agency is formidable, it's impossible to meticulously trace everything the boy does daily.

Upon hearing this, the assembled elders were all invigorated. If the boy really discovered a Secret Realm, it would be an opportunity for the Ximen Clan.

"Elders, before our Ximen Clan now lie two paths."

Ximen Qi's eyes glinted as he scanned the audience, speaking slowly.

"The first option is to uproot the boy's Feipu Manor and Celestial Sword Pavilion, interrogate him on what resources he obtained and the reasons for his meteoric rise, and then execute him by slicing, thus avenging our clan members. If the boy truly possesses a Secret Realm, this would be a great opportunity for our Ximen Clan to soar."

"The second path is if the boy is backed by some power far stronger than our Ximen Clan, and if we trouble the boy further, our entire Ximen Clan might provoke the retaliation of his backers, risking the clan's annihilation."

Ximen Qi spoke of the two paths gravely.

One path could potentially elevate the Ximen Clan, while the other could lead to its doom.

Choosing between the two is not so straightforward.

The council hall plunged into momentary silence.

"Since it concerns the future and fate of our Ximen Clan, everyone should express their views."

After a moment of silence, Ximen Qi slowly said.

"Patriarch, I support the first option. Regardless of his background, he killed three elders and direct lineage members of our Ximen Clan; this vendetta cannot be ignored, or else how does our Ximen Clan hold its ground in the Ancient Martial Realm?"

The white-haired, bearded elder spoke first.

"I also support the first option; before taking action, we should capture everyone related to that boy, including his parents, close ones, and subordinates, even if he truly has some backing, they will be cautious."

Another elder with a lean figure, eyes glinting with malice, said.

"I support the second option. If the potential opportunity this time could lead to our Ximen Clan's destruction, I do not agree."

An elder known for his composure stated.

"I support the first option..."

"..."

Each of those present expressed their views; seven out of the ten council elders supported the first option, while only three favored the second.

Ximen Qi's gaze swept over the crowd. In his heart, he too leaned toward the first option. How could he not avenge the brat who dared to kill his own grandson?

"Second brother, you haven't spoken yet. Ximen Feng is your daughter after all. Do you support the first or the second option?"

Ximen Qi's gaze fixed on the council elder Ximen Guai across the long table as he spoke.

Upon hearing this, Ximen Guai's slightly plump cheeks twitched, his eyelids drooped, and a cold light flickered deep in his eyes. Ximen Feng was indeed his daughter in name, but her biological father was actually Ximen Qi. It was evident that this half-brother had given him a colorful hat to wear.

Even his current position as council elder was in name only, with Ximen Qi making the final decisions, further intensifying his hatred toward Ximen Qi.

Ximen Qi's strength was at the Earth Tier Great Perfection, while he was at the Earth Tier Late Stage Peak, always a step behind Ximen Qi. He had lost to Ximen Qi in the struggle for the position of Patriarch, and his life had been continually suppressed by this elder brother of his.

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