# Chapter 516: The Position of Family Head
"The Grand Elder's words are quite mistaken." Just as Yun Waitian finished speaking, a Yun Clan elder immediately followed up: "In terms of prestige, strength, and contributions to our Yun Clan over the years, the next Family Head is none other than the Grand Elder."
"That's right." Another elder also nodded in succession: "In terms of ranking, the Grand Elder holds the top position among the Council of Elders. In terms of strength, he is also second to none. In the years since the Family Head was crippled, all major matters of the clan have been shouldered entirely by the Grand Elder. If we are to select the most suitable and most respected Family Head, only the Grand Elder qualifies."
"I share the same opinion."
Several elders spoke out one after another, all strongly recommending Grand Elder Yun Waitian to succeed as Family Head. Gradually, more and more voices rose in support of Yun Waitian. The elders who remained silent ended up being a minority, and they could only sigh inwardly. Following that, the middle-level members of the Yun Clan and the younger disciples also began to loudly chant the Grand Elder's name.
A hundred years ago, when Yun Canghai left and never returned, Yun Qinghong succeeded him as the Yun Clan's Family Head. At that time, in terms of prestige and influence within the clan, ten Yun Waitians could not compare to Yun Qinghong. Yun Qinghong commanded immediate allegiance from the entire Yun Clan—the whole clan followed his lead, and no one defied him. Although the eleven strongest cornerstones of the Yun Clan had collapsed overnight, causing their strength to plummet and them to bear a burden of guilt, the entire Yun Clan believed that with Yun Qinghong at the helm, they would surely rise again one day. Outside the clan, no one truly dared to look down on the greatly weakened Yun Clan... because at that time, the Yun Clan had a prodigy like Yun Qinghong.
But twenty-two years ago, Yun Qinghong was crippled.
In a world where strength reigned supreme, a weakling whose power had sunk to the lowest depths and could never rise again, even with the halo of "Family Head," could no longer command genuine awe and respect. Over twenty-two years, the prestige he had once accumulated rapidly faded. The admiration, respect, awe, worship, and fear people once held for him... as he became crippled, gradually turned into sighs, indifference, and even ridicule and schadenfreude. The Yun Clan's elders, peers, and juniors who had placed deep hopes in him were endlessly disappointed and sighed in regret. And in the Yun Clan, as the most elite cultivating clan in the Illusion Demon Realm, who could truly be unbothered by being led by a complete invalid?
Even those who had once secretly sworn lifelong loyalty to Yun Qinghong—some retreated in disappointment, while others who were still willing to follow him to the death were actively dismissed by Yun Qinghong himself... because he knew his physical condition at that time. Staying by his side would mean no future for them, and how could he bear to hold back those who truly cared for him?
In the end, he still held the title of "Family Head," but by his side, only his wife and son remained.
Over twenty years ago, who could have imagined that Yun Qinghong, who once bore almost the most dazzling halo in the entire Illusion Demon Realm, would now be virtually ignored by everyone?
Crippled for twenty-two years, now this former Family Head who once led the Yun Clan found that not a single person within his own family stood up to speak for him or support his continued tenure as Family Head.
However, facing such reality, Yun Qinghong did not blame anyone. After all, he was a cripple. Whether it was the Council of Elders or the Supreme Elders, their original intention was also for the future of the Yun Clan. After all, a Yun Clan led by an invalid as Family Head would not only invite ridicule but also give people no hope for the future. Compared to the future of the Yun Clan, the matter of the Family Head's bloodline was relatively unimportant.
The voices supporting the Grand Elder grew louder and louder. Yun Waitian suppressed his excitement and said modestly, "Everyone's praise is overwhelming; I am truly flattered. But I am of low ability and truly dare not assume the position of Family Head... However, Seventh Elder is outstanding in ability and is an excellent candidate for the new Family Head."
The "Seventh Elder" mentioned by Yun Waitian quickly waved his hand: "Grand Elder, your words are too kind. To be frank, looking at the entire Yun Clan, with the Grand Elder present, no one else succeeding as Family Head would be able to command the respect of the masses."
"That's right! I support Grand Elder as the new Family Head!"
"Grand Elder, don't decline any longer. The next Family Head of the Yun Clan is none other than you."
The voices of support within the Yun Clan rose once more. Yun Waitian clenched his fists, his heart surging with excitement... Twenty-two years ago, after Yun Qinghong was crippled, he had entertained the thought of becoming Family Head. Over these twenty-two years, he had been working tirelessly toward that goal, accumulating higher and higher prestige within the Yun Clan... If he became Family Head, the bloodline of the Family Head that had persisted for ten thousand years in the Yun Clan would be rewritten. A hundred years later, his son Yun Xinyue could become the next Family Head, followed by his grandson, his descendants...
Facing Yun Qinghong, who had become a cripple, and his son, who could not use Arcane Firmament's power, he knew this day was not far off... And today, it had finally arrived.
Amid the increasingly loud cheers of the Yun Clan disciples, a discordant cold laugh rang out: "Since Grand Elder Yun himself knows he is not worthy of the Family Head position, why are you people shouting blindly and making things difficult for him? If Grand Elder Yun can't withstand the pressure and goes back on his word by agreeing, word will spread that the Grand Elder of the Yun Clan not only coveted the Family Head position all along but also made hypocritical excuses. That reputation for being underhanded, cunning, and hypocritical is quite unpleasant... Don't you agree, Grand Elder Yun?"
Mu Yubai's words were quite venomous. The entire Yun Clan supported Yun Waitian's succession as Family Head, and Yun Waitian himself had merely made a slight show of refusal. Yet Mu Yubai seized the opportunity, using his own words to firmly pin the accusation of being despicable, cunning, and hypocritical on him should he become Family Head. Yun Waitian's mouth twitched violently. Just as he was about to say something, another arrogant voice rang out from his right:
"I agree with Young Master Mu's point." The speaker was Helian Peng. He narrowed his triangular eyes and said slowly and deliberately, "I've heard that after Yun Qinghong was crippled, the Grand Elder of the Yun Clan took over all the affairs of the clan, big and small, holding everything in his grasp. Although he was just a Grand Elder, he was more like the Family Head than the actual Family Head... Tsk tsk, I've been hearing people talk for over a decade about how the Grand Elder of the Yun Clan must have been coveting the Family Head position. As the years passed, rumors like this have only increased. If Grand Elder Yun suddenly became the Family Head of the Yun Clan, it would confirm all those rumors. Then, heh heh, the title of Family Head might be resounding within the clan, but outside, it might stink to high heaven."
Helian Peng, who had previously spoken up for Yun Waitian and nearly come to blows with Mu Yubai over it, was now siding with Mu Yubai. Moreover, his words to Yun Waitian were even sharper and more caustic than Mu Yubai's. Yun Waitian's expression changed drastically, and the core elders of the Yun Clan exchanged bewildered glances. Mu Yubai frowned and shot a sidelong glance at Helian Peng... He wouldn't naively think that Helian Peng was kindly echoing his words.
Could this guy be here today specifically to stir up trouble?
Mu Yubai's words made Yun Waitian feel like he had swallowed a fly, and Helian Peng's remarks were no different from smearing his mouth with excrement—it made him feel so miserable and furious that his lungs and spleen nearly exploded. He had anticipated that Mu Yubai would be a major obstacle to his becoming Family Head, but he hadn't expected that besides Mu Yubai, Helian Peng would also join in to disrupt things. His mouth twitched for a long time as he tried to keep his expression from looking too ugly. He forced a smile and said, "Everything I, Yun Waitian, have done over the years has been for the Yun Clan. I have never harbored any greed for the position of Family Head."
"Alas!" Supreme Elder Yun Xi, who had been silent for a long time, sighed faintly and said, "Waitian, looking at the entire Yun Clan, you are indeed the most suitable candidate for Family Head. Regardless of whether this is your wish, your succession as Family Head is the best outcome for the Yun Clan as it stands. You need not decline further. As for the words of outsiders, let us not heed them."
The words of a Supreme Elder naturally carried immense weight. Yun Waitian felt a surge of secret delight, and just as he was about to go along with the flow and accept, Huiao Commandery Prince suddenly spoke up: "Regarding the matter of the new Family Head for the Yun Clan, I have a few humble opinions. I hope the members of the Yun Clan will indulge me."
Huiao Commandery Prince's words instantly drew all eyes and attention. Yun Waitian held back the words he was about to speak, turned to Huiao Commandery Prince, and said respectfully, "What insight does Lord Huiao have? I would be honored to hear it."
Huiao Commandery Prince looked composed and smiled slightly. He flicked his folding fan open and said calmly, "In my humble opinion, what Young Master Mu and Elder Helian said is not without reason. Although Grand Elder Yun has rendered great service and has unparalleled influence within the Yun Clan, he is indeed not suitable for the position of Family Head. Otherwise, as Young Master Mu and Elder Helian said, it would easily give outsiders a handle for gossip. Rumors are fearsome. If it only concerned Grand Elder alone, that would be one thing, but the Yun Clan's current situation is already precarious. If they fall into a whirlpool of public opinion over this matter, it would be even more disadvantageous for the Yun Clan."
Huiao Commandery Prince's words caused Yun Waitian's heart to clench violently. He lowered his head, masking a face that looked worse than crying: "Lord Huiao is right. I am indeed not suitable for the position of Family Head."
Huiao Commandery Prince continued, "Given the current situation of the Yun Clan, changing the Family Head is inevitable. I, however, have a candidate I believe to be more suitable."
"May I ask whom Lord Huiao refers to?" said Supreme Elder Yun Xi.
Huiao Commandery Prince snapped his folding fan shut, stood up, and paced leisurely: "Since the Grand Elder is not suitable to become Family Head, and among the current generation of elders in the Yun Clan, no one is more convincing than the Grand Elder, then why not shift the selection of the new Family Head to another level?"
"What does Lord Huiao mean?"
Huiao Commandery Prince said, "Back then, you lost your Family Head and ten of your strongest Supreme Elders, suffering a drastic decline in strength overnight, while also bearing a century of guilt. For the Yun Clan to rise again, it will undoubtedly require a long period of time, and an exceptionally outstanding leader. An outstanding leader naturally needs sufficient time to be nurtured. In my view, since the elder generation offers few choices, why not select from the younger generation? Now, it is known throughout the city that Yun Xinyue, the son of the Yun Clan's Grand Elder, is an exceptional prodigy with astonishing talent. He was born with the same cyan Arcane Firmament as the Demon King, yet he is humble and unassuming, neither arrogant nor proud—truly a cherished son bestowed upon the Yun Clan by heaven. I have heard people praise him more than once as the greatest hope for the Yun Clan's rise. If he were to succeed as Family Head, with the Grand Elder and the other elders assisting him, I believe that within ten years, Yun Xinyue will surely become an outstanding leader, and the rise of the Yun Clan will be within reach."
"Furthermore, although Yun Xinyue is young, I believe that the members of the Yun Clan are most aware of his talent and character. If he were to take over as Family Head, I believe there would be fewer who object than even those who might object to the Grand Elder. What do you all think?"