Qing Ling smiled, "I wonder which little one will be the next Holy Son or Holy Daughter!"
With Qing Ling's age of twelve Yuan Hui, few elders in the clan were still alive. Those who remained were all his descendants.
Now, apart from a few clan elders and acquaintances, everyone Qing Ling met addressed him as Clan Elder.
Those who once called him Little Qing and saw him as a hatchling snake had all passed away before reaching Golden Immortal.
As clansmen were replaced and the world changed, if he were to live on, his seniority would only grow higher, and his experience would deepen.
Hua Geng chuckled, "That's not for us to worry about. Those are matters for the younger generation.
Unconsciously, Qing'er and Ke, you two are already a million years old."
Qing Ling said leisurely, "But a million years is nothing in the current Primordial World. To truly perceive, one must endure, live long, and persist."
Ke couldn't help but murmur, "Existence is perception, that's quite profound."
Qing Ling smiled, "It's just a saying.
Granny, have any major events occurred among the Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin tribes?"
Hua Geng sighed, "Tens of thousands of years ago, a Roc from the Undying Volcano emerged and devoured several Divine Dragons. It was captured and suppressed beneath the sea eye by a Grand Unity Supreme from the South Sea Dragon Palace.
But who would have expected that the Ancestor Golden Roc would destroy the entire South Sea Dragon Palace and injure three Grand Unity Dragons who were then suppressed in the Southern Fire Eye."
Qing Ling was stunned and said, "This is too overbearing for the Phoenix Clan! The Dragon Clan is much stronger than the Phoenix Clan."
"But, don't forget, the Phoenix and Qilin tribes are closely related, even having a Divine Maiden of the Phoenix Tribe marry a Divine Son of the Qilin.
Moreover, the South is the territory of the Phoenix Tribe, and the South Sea is right before their eyes. Do you think the Phoenix Tribe would tolerate the existence of the South Sea Dragon Palace? The destruction of the South Sea Dragon Palace was inevitable." Granny Hua Geng said.
Qing Ling frowned and said, "But back then, the three tribes jointly occupied the Primordial World and established an alliance: the Phoenix occupied the South and the Sky, the Dragon occupied the Four Seas, and the Qilin controlled the land. Is the Phoenix Tribe preparing to make a move?"
Hua Geng shook her head, "This is just a probe. The three tribes involve billions upon billions of living beings across the Primordial World, with vast karma. No one dares to speak of it casually."
Qing Ling understood that this was merely a probe within the long river of time. The war between the three tribes was not something that could be initiated lightly, as it involved the Dao of the three tribes' ancestors, the intertwined destinies of all myriad races, and the schemes of various powerful ancient beings. The complexity was beyond imagination.
"Granny, since there are signs, we must prepare.
Do not touch the dozens of minor tribes in the western part of the East Wasteland. We have a sincere truce with them, and our clan's three Grand Unity cultivators have made a pact, which should reassure them."
Hua Geng was surprised, "This... even if conflicts between the three tribes occur, it will take countless years. The territories of these dozens of minor tribes are vast."
Qing Ling shook his head, "We cannot.
Even if the three tribes were to war for a long time, there would be many probes between them. What if the next probing direction is towards the East Wasteland?
And my Xi Mountain Tribe is separated from the Qilin Tribe only by a chaotic land. If there is no buffer from these dozens of minor tribes, I fear Xi Mountain will be the first to fall!
Therefore, not only should these dozens of minor tribes not be harmed, but they must also be strengthened. It is far better to have them become stronger, even if surrounded by powerful neighbors, than to face an irresistible enemy directly.
From now on, Xi Mountain must expand eastward and southward, extending its territory to the southeast. This matter is not urgent, but should be carried out gradually over tens or even hundreds of Yuan Hui."
Ke nodded, "Qing, you are indeed wise. Much more so than me, who only knows how to fight."
"Therefore, the battle with the Toad Tribe will be yours!" Qing Ling said with a smile.
Ke was momentarily speechless.
Granny Hua Geng remained silent, but a different light flickered in her eyes.
"Alright, then it's settled. In a hundred days, the Holy Son will abdicate, and the new Holy Son or Holy Daughter will ascend.
After that, Ke will lead the Four Peaks to engage in battle with the Toad Tribe, and simultaneously, the Tianjun Salamander Tribe will also attack the Toad Tribe.
Remember, the territory occupied by whichever tribe is the territory of that tribe. This is the covenant between our clan and the Salamander Tribe, and it cannot be violated."
Ke and Qing Ling both nodded in agreement.
...
The next day, the news that the positions of Holy Son and Holy Daughter would be passed to the next generation spread throughout Xi Mountain.
Golden Immortals with lifespans not exceeding ten Yuan Hui were eligible to participate.
Each and every Golden Immortal was filled with excitement. Over sixty Golden Immortals returned from across the clan's territories to participate in the Holy Son competition.
Under the witness of tens of thousands of Heaven-tier tribesmen, a Golden Immortal named Xuan Geng, after several victories, won the championship and was about to become the next Holy Son.
Atop Tai Chong Peak, on the grand altar square.
Over a hundred Golden Immortals from the clan were present, with tens of thousands of Heaven-tier tribesmen below. A human pathway formed by Heaven-tier tribesmen from below Xi Mountain stretched to the summit, and a golden carpet extended from the foot of the mountain to the peak.
A young man with a handsome face and a resolute jaw, clad in a golden, noble robe, began his ascent.
With every step he took, the Heaven-tier tribesmen lining the path bowed deeply in respect.
Step by step, all the way up, under the gaze of countless tribesmen, Xuan Geng ascended the stairs.
On the distant mountaintop, the Clan Leader Granny Hua Geng and the clan elders stood on a high platform, awaiting the Holy Son's arrival.
And today's Qing Ling was also adorned in golden robes, exuding an incomparably noble and inviolable aura, as if he wore the emperor's attire. His divine countenance captivated all, and his divine pressure looked down upon the world.
Qing Ling's back was held straight. Now, he represented the dignity of Xi Mountain, not just his own, so he could not falter or retreat.
His eyes were filled with immense confidence and pride, proud of Xi Mountain, glorious for Xi Mountain, Xi Mountain's glory shone through him.
Such a Qing Ling was incredibly beautiful and peerlessly graceful. Some people seemed born for such occasions.
From afar, Qu and Bai Fu below were mesmerized.
It wasn't just them; nearly a hundred Golden Immortals on the plaza were captivated.
Qu inwardly mused, "This 'emperor's robe' that Qing Ling calls it, is indeed quite magnificent. I should get one to wear myself someday."
Qing Ling stood on the central high platform, looking down at the Holy Son below.
He had once been a climber; now he was a pioneer, a senior from a higher vantage point.
Looking back, he felt a sense of profound emotion.
Qing Ling wore the Holy Son's coronet. When he became Holy Son, it was during a period of succession, so no one had crowned him. He had directly donned it, skipping that step.
Now, the succession of Holy Sons was no longer interrupted. Xi Mountain possessed the strength and talent to allow the title of 'Holy' to be passed down continuously.
Below the mountain, Xuan Geng, who was ascending, looked up and saw the divine being waiting for him at the highest point.
The Legend of the Spring God had been passed down through generations. He had grown up listening to his stories; he was his subject, one of his believers.
Now, he was to be crowned by the divine being, to personally bestow the title of Holy Son upon him. Xuan Geng was doing his utmost to maintain his composure.
Yet, his excitement remained unquenchable, his heart brimming with fervor.