Chapter 9: Choice
Wang Ming remained silent, his eyes unfocused, as if deep in thought. He had anticipated this situation, understood the hidden currents at play. The clan leader's intentions were clear.
"The other two have already aligned themselves with the First Elder's faction. That leaves only me," Wang Ming mused, his eyes narrowing. "But openly siding with the clan leader is a dangerous move. It would mean declaring myself against the dominant clan faction."
In the Wang Clan, there was no room for neutrality. One either aligned with the clan leader and his fragile coalition of low-background elders, or submitted to the overwhelming influence of the First Elder's bloodline-centric faction. In his previous life, Wang Ming had chosen the clan leader's side. Given the circumstances, it remained the best option. The First Elder's faction valued bloodline too much and even if he has a good talent he won't get the resources he needed at present, a disadvantage Wang Ming could not ignore.
With these thoughts settled, Wang Ming followed the Sixth Elder alongside the other two candidates. Their footsteps echoed through the stone corridors as they approached a cave entrance, guarded by a squad of peak Rank Two formation apprentices. These guards, fiercely loyal to the clan, stiffened upon seeing the Sixth Elder, saluting him with disciplined precision.
Without a word, the Sixth Elder led them into the cave.
Wang Ming's eyes adjusted to the dim light as he walked through the familiar, unremarkable interior. Jagged rock walls, damp air, and the faint echo of their footsteps the scene was exactly as he remembered from his previous life.
After a short walk, they reached the end of the passage, where a small wooden house stood, seemingly out of place in the cold stone cavern. The structure had only one room, its purpose clear.
The Sixth Elder stopped and turned to face them, his eyes sharp as he spoke,
"You three candidates will enter one by one to choose a formation mark. Remember, you have only ten minutes each. If you linger any longer, I will personally drag you out."
He chuckled lightly, a sound that echoed off the stone walls, but his eyes remained cold. The three candidates simply nodded, their expressions solemn.
"Wang Mei, you first," the Sixth Elder said, gesturing to the house.