# Chapter 515: Forcing the Throne
From the moment Huiye Commandery Prince arrived and took his seat, Yun Waitian had been the one to welcome and escort him, with Yun Qinghong having nothing to do with it. During this entire time, Huiye Commandery Prince did not even cast a single glance in Yun Qinghong's direction, as if he completely ignored the existence of the Yun Clan's actual patriarch.
The time had come. Yun Waitian leaped onto the Holy Cloud Platform, faced the direction of the Ancestral Stele, and raised his head to announce, "Today, our Yun Clan's full clan competition is about to begin. The reason for holding this clan competition — I believe everyone already knows. In another month, it will be Xiao Yaohou's centennial enthronement ceremony, a major event for the entire Huan Yao Realm. As one of the Twelve Guardian Clans that have guarded the Huan Yao Royal Clan for generations, our Yun Clan will also attend this grand ceremony. At that time, there will be a royal feast with guests from all directions. Although our Yun Clan is not the main focus, according to the convention of past ceremonies, our Yun Clan will use that occasion to display our clan's glory before Xiao Yaohou and the heroes of the world."
"Therefore, to avoid losing our clan's prestige, only the outstanding ones among the same age group will qualify to accompany us to the ceremony. Because at that time, those who attend the ceremony will represent our Yun Clan's strength in their respective age tiers — especially the younger generation. The weak have no right to go to the ceremony and embarrass themselves; that would only bring shame upon our Yun Clan!"
No matter the location, the strength of the younger generation was always the most valued aspect of any power. The current strength of a force was already a settled matter, but what determined future changes was the younger generation!
"This full clan competition will use the most direct and fair method to determine the outstanding ones of each age tier. Who wins, who loses, who is strong, who is weak — it will be clear at a glance…"
"Alright, no need for unnecessary words. Let's get straight to the point." Supreme Elder Yun He suddenly spoke, cutting off Yun Waitian's words.
The arrival of Huiye Commandery Prince had made Yun Waitian cautious with every word he spoke. Supreme Elder Yun He's sudden intervention instead made him breathe a sigh of relief. He nodded toward the direction of the three Supreme Elders and then directly broke off from his previous words, turning to say, "In that case, I won't say anything more. However…" He shifted his tone and said solemnly, "Before the full clan competition, there is a matter concerning our clan's future that needs to be decided on the spot. And this matter, the Elder Council has been discussing for several months already."
"Oh? A matter concerning your clan's future? And what might that be?" Helian Peng narrowed his eyes, speaking with great interest.
As soon as Yun Waitian said these words, many people present held their breath. Numerous gazes, overt or covert, turned toward Yun Qinghong's direction. Almost everyone present knew what the "matter" Yun Waitian was referring to. This day had finally arrived.
Yun Waitian's gaze swept across the entire venue, then fixed on Yun Qinghong's location. With a solemn expression, he said, "Our Yun Clan flourished for ten thousand years, with unparalleled prestige. But the calamity a hundred years ago toppled our clan's eleven strongest pillars overnight, causing our overall strength to plummet instantly. In the past hundred years, we have borne guilt, and the development of the younger generation has been greatly restricted. Twenty-two years ago, the clan leader's profound energy was completely crippled, adding another burden to the guilt our Yun Clan carries."
"Now, the world knows that our Yun Clan is on the verge of decline. The clan leader's body is completely crippled, with little remaining strength. If things continue like this, our Yun Clan may truly lose its qualification to be ranked among the Twelve Guardian Clans. Therefore, electing a suitable new clan leader to guide the Yun Clan and revive our Yun lineage has become the top priority that our entire clan must undertake…"
"Wait!!"
Before Yun Waitian could finish, a low shout rudely interrupted him. Mu Yubai stood up and said with a dark face, "Electing a new clan leader? Yun Waitian, what do you mean? Are you trying to force Yun Qinghong to abdicate?"
No one was surprised that Mu Yubai would step forward. Yun Waitian's expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, "Young Master Mu, you exaggerate. We would never dare to use the word 'force' toward the clan leader. However, the clan leader's body is disabled, and his energy, physical strength, and mental capacity are all severely lacking. I believe Young Master Mu would not deny this. And now, at this critical moment of life and death for our Yun Clan, how could we place the burden of reviving the clan on the already powerless clan leader? Therefore, for the sake of the entire clan, and also for the clan leader's physical safety, it is time for our Yun Clan to change its leader."
After all, Mu Yubai was the future patriarch of the Mu Clan. Since the Yun Clan was currently weak, they did not want to offend any Guardian Clan. Thus, faced with Mu Yubai's rudeness, Yun Waitian's words remained calm and cautious.
But Mu Yubai sneered, "In the ten thousand years of your Yun Clan, you have successively changed sixty or seventy clan leaders. But every single clan leader has come from your Yun Clan's patriarch lineage…" Mu Yubai pointed at the Yun Clan's Ancestral Stele and said, "Beneath your Yun Clan's Ancestral Stele lie the heroic souls of the patriarch lineage! Yun Waitian, you tell me — in the entire Yun Clan, besides Yun Qinghong, who else is a descendant of the patriarch lineage? You better not tell me that you plan to force Yun Qinghong to abdicate and then find someone from outside the patriarch lineage to be the new clan leader… Heh! If I remember correctly, ten thousand years ago, your Yun Clan was nothing but a barbarian tribe from the northern frontier. It was the patriarch of the patriarch lineage who created the Purple Cloud Art, led your entire clan out of the northern frontier, shook the world, and ranked first among the Twelve Guardian Clans! Every clan leader since then has been a direct descendant of this lineage, without exception! Without the leadership of their lineage, your entire clan might still be drinking the northwest wind somewhere!! Now, although Yun Qinghong is crippled, he is not dead, and he is still very young! Yet you want to force him to abdicate… aren't you afraid that after you go to the underworld, you'll have no face to meet your ancestors!?"
Mu Yubai's words were merciless, and they essentially insulted every Yun Clan member other than Yun Qinghong. Although Yun Waitian tried his best to endure, his face still slightly flushed. At this moment, Helian Peng loudly said, "Mu Yubai, I'm not trying to criticize you, but what you just said is so laughable I can barely listen. The Yun Clan belongs to all Yun Clan members. Who stipulated that Yun Qinghong's lineage must provide the clan leader? Even if your Yun Clan does have such a tradition, heh… Yun Qinghong is so crippled he couldn't be more crippled. Letting him continue as clan leader, letting the world mock you endlessly, that's one thing, but the Yun Clan will eventually be completely crippled too. Besides, it seems that aside from Yun Qinghong, the patriarch lineage has no one else… Oh, as for Yun Qinghong's son, heh… Are you waiting for Yun Qinghong to die before the Yun Clan can never have a clan leader again? Or do you prefer to see the Yun Clan be led by a wild child from the Tian Xuan Continent…"
"Shut up!" Mu Yubai shouted sharply, not allowing Helian Peng to finish. With a dark face, he said, "This is the Yun Clan's affair! The Yun Clan's clan leader is my Mu Clan's son-in-law, so I have the right to meddle. But it's not your place, Helian Peng, to interrupt! If you dare say another word I don't like, I'll make you kneel and crawl out of here!"
Mu Yubai's temperament was upright and fierce. He never suppressed his emotions, and he meant what he said. Even though the other party came from the currently strongest Helian Clan, his words were still tough, leaving no face or room for negotiation. In terms of strength, Helian Peng was certainly no match for Mu Yubai, but he showed no fear at all. Instead, he sneered, "Mu Yubai, don't think I'm afraid of you. If we really fight, who will be kneeling and leaving is still unknown!"
"You're asking for death!"
Helian Peng's words undoubtedly ignited Mu Yubai's fury to the fullest. And Mu Yubai was precisely looking for an opportunity to throw the scene into chaos. With a roar, his profound light exploded, and a thick ice chain shot into the sky…
"Enough! This is the Yun Clan assembly, not a place for you two outsiders to argue, let alone fight."
The voice was calm as water, yet carried an undeniable pressure. As Huiye Commandery Prince spoke, the Yanlong Venerable beside him moved his eyes, and a yellow light shot from his gaze, colliding with the ice chain from Mu Yubai. With a soft sound, the ice chain dissipated in midair.
Since Huiye Commandery Prince had spoken, Mu Yubai could no longer act. He coldly glared at Helian Peng, then returned to Yun Qinghong's side, his gaze fixed back on Yun Waitian.
"Big brother, you were too impulsive." Mu Yurou said with some worry and reproach.
"Heh, although Yubai is easily impulsive, he is not someone who acts recklessly." Yun Qinghong gave a somewhat mysterious smile.
"As expected, my brother-in-law understands me, heh." Mu Yubai chuckled softly.
"Uh, could it be that Uncle's sudden anger just now was intentional?" Hearing their exchange, Yun Xiao whispered softly in Yun Che's ear.
"Mn." Yun Che nodded. "The more impulsive and irritable Uncle Mu appears, the more normal they will find it… It seems Uncle Mu is also testing something."
"Testing something? Testing what?" Yun Xiao was completely confused.
Yun Che glanced at Huiye Commandery Prince, who was smiling, and said softly, "We should have the answer soon. Yun Xiao, no matter what happens later, don't be surprised."
"Ah? Oh…" Yun Xiao became even more puzzled.
"Clan Leader Yun," Huiye Commandery Prince spoke again, this time directly addressing Yun Qinghong. In terms of seniority, Huiye Commandery Prince was Yun Qinghong's junior, so addressing him as "Clan Leader Yun" was not inappropriate. However, his tone clearly carried no trace of respect — after all, Yun Qinghong was already a complete cripple. "In my humble opinion, given your physical condition, you are indeed no longer suitable to continue leading the vast Yun Clan. I quite agree with Elder Yun Waitian's words: selecting a new clan leader to guide the Yun Clan would be a good thing for both the Yun Clan and Clan Leader Yun. What does Clan Leader Yun think?"
"Alas." Supreme Elder Yun He sighed faintly. "For ten thousand years, the Yun Clan has been led by the patriarch lineage, but now that the Yun Clan is in this situation, changing the leader is an unavoidable course."
Supreme Elder Yun Xi said, "Qinghong, you really should take a good rest."
Supreme Elder Yun Jiang said, "It's not that we are willing, but your body and abilities can no longer shoulder the heavy responsibility of the clan."
The Supreme Elders had spoken, and even Huiye Commandery Prince supported the Yun Clan's change of leader. The succession of the Yun Clan seemed all but certain. Everyone observed Yun Qinghong's reaction, only to find his expression completely calm. He showed no disappointment, not even a sigh. Slowly, he said, "Since the Supreme Elders and His Highness Huiye both say so, I, Yun Qinghong, naturally have no objection. Since the elders have been discussing the change of clan leader for several months, the candidate for the new clan leader must have already been determined. Please inform me. If it is someone trustworthy enough to satisfy the clan, I, Yun Qinghong, will naturally gladly abdicate."
"Hmph! Do you even need to ask?" Mu Yubai sneered. "Of course, it's Yun Waitian, the Grand Elder who went to all the trouble of staging this so-called clan competition, which is actually a coup to force the throne!"
"The matter of changing the clan leader was not my proposal alone, but the decision of the entire Elder Council." Yun Waitian said without changing his expression. "I, Yun Waitian, am unworthy and have never coveted the position of clan leader!"