Qi Like Tar

"There would be few I would be willing to trust with control like that," Li Feng responded to Paike's suggestion that they find someone to rule in their stead.

"I would agree, but not no one." Paike counted. While either of them might be the prime candidate to rule the outer sect, neither was excited about that. There were advantages that came with being in charge. They would have increased access to cultivation rituals and information. But for most, it was the prestige that they desired. The two of them didn't care for either of those, not at the price in their time and attention that it would cost.

"However, I do think that our criteria are not so particular," Paike continued after a beat. "Simply someone who would keep things stable and not trouble us."

"That would mean they would need enough power to hold the sect without constantly calling on us. I do not know anyone in our year that could do that other than one of us. While that fool was easy to beat, he was not without strength." Li Feng stated.

"Liming is on the cusp of Topaz," Paike offered.

Part of it was a suggestion; part of it was that he wasn't actually sure if Li Feng was aware. Paike hadn't been, and this was his sister. Topaz was the minimum needed to control the outer sect.

There were a couple of reasons that Li Feng might consider her an acceptable choice. Perhaps even a favorable one. First, if she was able to control the outer sect, and if anyone wanted to challenge her, it would be clear that Paike would be her main backer. So anytime she needed to call for help, he would be the first one to step in and enforce order. Letting Li Feng not be bothered. Second, Li Feng had worked with her before and saw that she was competent. With the Kong family's reputation, he should be assured that she could do the job, but also be willing to leave him alone as long as he didn't meddle.

Now it wasn't all upsides. Paike wasn't going to assume that Li Feng didn't see that. If he backed anyone, there would be some amount of responsibility. If he joined Paike and Liming in putting Liming in charge, it could be seen as him joining their Family's alliance, likely a lesser partner. They would have to manage that. Even if he didn't really care about the initial impression, Liming would have to make sure not to lean on the idea as she kept things going if she wanted to stay on his good side.

The final reason that Paike thought that Li Feng would find her acceptable was that there weren't really any alternatives. The others on the top ten list either wouldn't be impartial, or they didn't have the combat ability to maintain control. And it would be someone from that list that would eventually end up in control of the sect.