The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 993: Condemnation

Condemnation . . .

"What should we do, Chief?" inquired one of the clan members.

Song Wuyang let out a weary sigh as he pondered the dire situation they found themselves in. "What can we do? Our only option is to maximize our efforts in collecting medicinal resources without further delay. If this situation continues beyond this year, we'll lose all hope." He glanced out at the late autumn landscape. "Before the snow blankets the mountains, we must secure at least one Regeneration Ink Lotus or a Heaven Scent Flower. Either of these could significantly improve our predicament."

A middle-aged man with whiskers on his mouth attempted to probe the chief's thoughts. "Chief, what if we send Song Jue to assist in the collection..."

Song Wuyang's expression darkened as he shook his head, voicing his reservations. "Song Jue... No one can control that man. I am content that he hasn't caused any more trouble for the clan. Time is not on our side, and I can't take the risk."

The chief harbored a sense of frustration regarding Song Jue's behavior. Since his return to the clan less than a year ago, Song Jue had already stirred up numerous issues within the family. When Song Jue learned of his older brother's rejection and his nephew's decline, his fury nearly led to a conflagration within the clan. Fortunately, the clan's elders resolved the situation; otherwise, the chaos could have brought the clan to ruins.

Song Jue's erratic and troublesome behavior made him a largely unpopular figure within the clan. Many thought, "Why couldn't he just stay in the lower world, where he could be a king and do as he pleased? His return has not endeared him to the clan."

However, not everyone within the clan harbored animosity toward Song Jue. His older brother, Song Sheng, who had been next in line to become the chief, was a staunch supporter of Song Jue. Song Sheng lost his inheritance due to his brother's past mistakes, and he was indeed innocent.

The discord within the clan deepened due to Song Jue's actions. While his past mistakes were acknowledged, some clan members questioned why Song Sheng had been stripped of his inheritance. It was widely understood who had sabotaged Song Xuan, a promising young cultivator in the clan, even though there was no direct evidence. This aggravated the division within the clan. Many questioned the motives behind ruining a bright young talent for the sake of power.

Song Jue, who had reached level seven of the Dream Origin Stage, was among the clan's most powerful cultivators. With the clan in need of strong individuals, they could not afford to alienate him. Although he was a powerful asset, his steadfast refusal to attend clan meetings due to his brother's non-appointment as chief only exacerbated the rift.

As the clan meeting continued, an urgent interruption occurred. A clan member rushed into the meeting hall, breathless and panic-stricken. "Chief, we have a serious problem..."

Song Wuyang, clearly agitated by the intrusion, snapped at the man. "What's the matter? You should not barge into the meeting in such a manner, no matter the urgency!"

The man, still recovering from his rush, stammered out, "I know, but... our young lord, Song Fei, has been captured at the south entrance by a group of formidable individuals. Three of our guards are dead..."

The announcement sent shockwaves through the meeting hall, with everyone rising to their feet.

"Song Fei captured? Three guards dead?"

The chief slammed his hand on the table, his anger evident. "Who are these audacious individuals? This is Song Clan's territory! Who dares to behave with such impudence?"

"They are outsiders... Two men and a woman," the messenger reported, his voice trembling with fatigue. Though the south entrance was not far from their location, he had exerted himself running back to the clan.

Song Wuyang's face contorted with anger when he heard that the murderers had not attempted to flee after killing their guards. "Let's go!" he ordered. "There are all kinds of strange people in the world, but I wonder who they are to dare create such a scene in the territory of the Song Clan."

The clan members swiftly prepared to depart, many of them filled with questions.

"What could have led to such a situation?"

"Why would they kill our guards?"

"What is their motive?"

These questions flowed from the lips of some members as they made their way out of the meeting hall. However, the messenger was not privy to the details and couldn't provide answers. Nevertheless, a few clan members, who belonged to the faction opposing Song Wuyang, had suspicions of their own.

"It must be Song Wuyang's reckless son," one of them opined. "He must have caused trouble once more. Otherwise, this would never have occurred."

These members were well aware of Song Fei's temperament – arrogant, rude, and a selfish coward. It seemed unusual that the three outsiders did not attempt to escape the district after killing the guards. They assumed there must be a valid reason for this. Their conjecture was close to the truth; the outsiders were indeed waiting for an explanation.

Some sighed, remembering a more promising time when Song Xuan, who was talented, polite, and dedicated, was the clan's pride. They believed Song Xuan was the rightful heir, while Song Fei was nothing more than an unworthy successor who had been thrust into the position for personal gain.

The sentiment among clan members was that replacing a talented individual with an incompetent one purely for selfish interests would inevitably lead to the downfall of the Song Clan.

As they made their way to the south entrance, the shouts and yells of confrontation became audible in the distance, foreshadowing a dramatic and challenging encounter.

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