Chapter 859: Blue Gold Tree Elder Council
The Grand Elder didn’t want to confront Jin Miaosen directly, and before fully absorbing the power of the Ancestral Tree, he didn’t dare to do that either. The Ancestral Tree’s powerful protective abilities covered the entire Skytree City, and as long as they were within the city, Jin Miaosen would be the most protected. The elder didn't have the courage to face the full power of the Ancestral Tree.
Now, Jin Miaolin had returned and had even advanced to the level of Great Nymph King. This was something the Grand Elder had never expected. It was just as Jin Miaosen had said—the Grand Elder couldn’t tell how strong Jin Miaolin was exactly, but he was a Great Nymph King without a doubt, and under the radiance of the Ancestral Tree, the Grand Elder had no confidence in winning against him.
Tang San had been quietly observing the drama and considering the best course of action. Since the opportunity had presented itself, there was no harm in getting involved. After all, it posed no danger to him, and the life energy of the Blue Gold Tree clan was truly fascinating. It could certainly be of great benefit to him.
Meanwhile, the Grand Elder’s expression gradually calmed. He looked coldly at Jin Miaosen, then glanced at Tang San before speaking in a deep voice, “You are correct, the essence of the Ancestral Tree should indeed be passed on to and protected by its direct heirs. However, Jin Miaolin has been away from Skytree City for many years, and the first thing we need to do is verify his identity. Furthermore, inheriting the Ancestral Tree’s essence is a matter of great importance. It is not something one single person can decide, whether it is you or I. Did you consider the feelings of the clansmen when you acted? This matter requires the council of elders to be convened to verify Jin Miaolin’s identity and decide whether he should inherit.”
These words were spoken with a grand air, and the two other elders standing beside him nodded repeatedly.
Jin Miaosen responded coldly, “A collective decision? The Elder Council is already your puppet. What difference does a council decision make from your own? And since when did my brother need you to verify his identity? The acknowledgement of the Ancestral Tree’s essence is the greatest validation. It represents the will of our ancestors, and that is not something you or the council can refute.”
She was fully aware that the result of a council decision would never allow her and her brother to inherit the Ancestral Tree’s essence. After their father’s death, the Ancestral Tree’s essence was not absorbed by anyone, so it was continuously nourishing all the members of the Blue Gold Tree clan. The higher one’s cultivation, the greater the benefits. Furthermore, the Grand Elder had been using various methods to draw upon the Ancestral Tree’s power, speeding up the release of energy and benefiting from it. Although the other elders didn’t profit as much as the Grand Elder, they still had a steady stream of benefits. It could be said that the elder had tied the entire Elder Council to a shared interest. Under such circumstances, how could anyone be on the side of her and her brother? Once the Ancestral Tree’s essence was passed on, only an Emperor could allow the tree to recover; in the absence of one, the benefits to other clansmen would diminish.
Thus, after calming down, the Grand Elder was now acting with complete confidence.
He ignored Jin Miaosen and turned to Tang San instead, saying, "What do you say? If you truly are Jin Miaolin, then you are the heir, and Jin Miaosen has no place to speak here."
Tang San looked at him calmly and replied indifferently, "Let the elder council decide."
Hearing this, Jin Miaosen became anxious. "Brother, the elder council is under his control!"
The Grand Elder ignored her and immediately responded, "Very well, we’ll do as you say." As he spoke, he raised his hand, and a blue-golden beam shot into the sky, erupting into an enormous silhouette of a Blue Gold Tree. The colossal image blossomed in the air, and under its radiance, the Ancestral Tree appeared even more sacred and magnificent.