"Fortunately, my Xiao family still has someone smart enough."
Xiao Zhixian said with extreme seriousness as if he were stating a fact. Then, without allowing them to respond or react, he clasped his hands together with a smile and added,
"Well, it is time for my ceremony to start. Please forgive me, as I have to leave."
After finishing his statement, Zhixian strode briskly toward the center amid the dark expressions of Clan Leader Ling and Huang.
"This guy has such a sharp tongue. He doesn't even take us seriously. Did he just call me stupid to my face?"
Ling Yun spat while looking at the tall figure of Zhixian walking away.
"Let him be. He is just a young man, after all. They can't take any criticism at face value," Huang Zhenyu said while looking at Ling Yun speechlessly.
'Weren't you the one who mocked him first? Why cry now?' he thought speechlessly.
"Yeah, you are right. But the Xiao family has really gone mad—appointing such a young man as a clan leader. Are they saying to the world that there are no capable people left in their family, so they had to rely on a young man?"
Although he agreed to him, Ling Yun still managed to say something bad, causing Huang Zhenyu to twitch the corner of his mouth.
This guy really couldn't sit still without mocking others.
While the two clan leaders were occupied, Zhixian made his way toward the center of the hall. At the front, a tall chair rested on an elevated platform, directly facing the open area, with multiple chairs beside it for the elders.
Further back, more chairs and tables were arranged for entertaining guests. The setup made the hall feel like a meeting place where important discussions and gatherings took place.
And that was indeed the case, as appointing a Clan Leader was a major event for the Xiao family and even the entire Mistwood City due to their powerful status.
"Zhixian, you came?"
His arrival was noticed by all the Elders of the Xiao family, including the Grand Elder, who smiled as soon as he saw him.
Zhixian saw that even Xiao Heng and his son, Xiao Chen, were sitting in the chair, although their faces looked a little gloomy.
As for Xiao Xue, she was also present today, looking at him with her soft but curious yet entangled eyes.
"Haha... Our Clan Leader is here. Now we can finally start the ceremony. There's so much to do."
Just as Zhixian nodded at his grandfather with a smile, he heard a brisk yet extremely enthusiastic shout from the side.
Who else could it be if not Elder Nanfeng?
"Elder Nanfeng! Are you feeling good?"
Zhixian also gave a polite bow with a smile to the middle-aged man, along with the others.
Although the man was shrewd, Zhixian still liked him, as without him, he might have had to wait longer to become Clan Leader.
And he absolutely couldn't wait.
"Haha... What can happen to me? I am shining and fine."
Seeing such a humble gesture from the young man, Elder Nanfeng smiled from ear to ear.
"But I have to say, our Clan Leader Zhixian is as capable, wise, and charismatic as ever! Look, his mere presence brightens up our Xiao family hall."
And he didn't forget to flatter Zhixian, causing all the Elders around to feel speechless.
"Haha, Elder Nanfeng is joking."
Zhixian didn't know how to react as he smiled a little awkwardly.
"Okay, let's stop the idle talk and start the ceremony. Zhixian, you sit in that chair. We will start the ceremony right after."
Fortunately, Grand Elder Baizhen came to his rescue as he stopped Elder Nanfeng in time. Then, he signaled him to sit at the center where the Clan Leader was supposed to sit.
"Yes, Grandfather."
Zhixian also nodded and swiftly arrived at the tall chair, sitting with grace. His expression was calm and collected with a hint of authority.
Well, he was trying his hardest to appear as elegant as he could.
'These guys are a little too silent, aren't they?'
Then he looked at the father and son duo at the side, who were still not saying anything.
Not only he, but even the crowd was looking at them as if expecting to see a good show.
"Nanfeng, you preside over this meeting. Let the ceremony officially start."
But Grand Elder Baizhen looked unconcerned and ordered while sitting in the chair right next to him.
"Yes, Grand Elder."
After Elder Nanfeng bowed in their direction, he swiftly turned around and began to announce to the crowd in front with a loud voice.
"Esteemed cultivators of Mistwood City, welcome to the Clan Leader ceremony of our Xiao family."
"Today, as one of the powerhouses in this city, we, the Xiao family, have decided to appoint Xiao Zhixian as our Clan Leader."
Elder Nanfeng was as reliable as ever as he immediately drew the entire attention of the crowd.
"And as per our tradition, this ceremony is divided into three parts: expressing support from the clan members, paying respects to our ancestors, and then the celebrations. Without further ado, let us begin, as I'm sure no one wishes to waste too much time here."
'Oh? So, he is waiting for this?'
After hearing Elder Nanfeng's words, Zhixian raised his eyebrows slightly.
Although Zhixian knew that each Clan Leader of the Xiao family had to be appointed through a public ceremony, he wasn't aware of the intricate details behind it.
'Fortunately, the system didn't wait for me to be appointed officially,' Zhixian thought in relief.
"Alright, for the first part, let all the members of the Xiao family come forward and express their support for our new Clan Leader."
Elder Nanfeng, clearly familiar with the procedure, wasted no time and dove straight into the important parts.
"Xiao Family Grand Elder, Elders, and clan members, do you all support Xiao Zhixian as the Clan Leader?"
He then asked, after turning around.
However, everyone could see that his eyes were actually fixated on the Grand Elder, as he was the one whose opinion mattered the most anyway.
"Yes, let Xiao Zhixian become the Clan Leader."
And there was no surprise as Grand Elder Baizhen nodded at Elder Nanfeng with authority, and then immediately, all the Elders around began to voice their thoughts.
"I support the Grand Elder's decision."
"Let Xiao Zhixian be the Clan Leader."
"I agree!"
After all, once the Dinghai pillar of their clan had decided, it was already set in stone. There was no point in objecting to his decision.
At least, most of the Elders thought so—except a few of them.
"I object!"