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Chapter 686: Chapter 692: Retreat to Advance
Li Darong, who had originally been dealing with clan affairs in the family’s main hall, hurried over after hearing the news, looking at the figure in the center of the Thunder Tribulation with both worry and anticipation.
Approximately one or two hours later, the Thunder Tribulation dissipated, and a wave of Golden Core aura emanated from Li Wenli’s room.
"Good, good, good!" Li Darong was overjoyed upon seeing this and repeatedly expressed his approval, then he hurriedly left.
"It looks like there won’t be any contention for the next Clan Leader," someone in the crowd suddenly said.
"Not likely, the Clan Leader has only been in position for a few decades; it’s too early for him to step down, isn’t it? Not to mention that there are several other candidates," another clan member objected.
The clan member glanced at him, shook his head with a smile, and said, "You just wait and see."
Those clan members who were more attentive to family affairs all knew that Li Darong’s position as Clan Leader was only transitional. As soon as there was a suitable candidate, he was likely to give up his position immediately.
As for the other candidates? Could they achieve a breakthrough to Golden Core in the near future? If not, the position of Clan Leader was destined to elude them.
After all, the primary condition for becoming the Clan Leader now was to have a Golden Core cultivation level!
Sure enough, not even two months after Li Wenli had consolidated his realm and emerged from seclusion, Li Darong convened a family meeting. In front of all the Elders, he proposed to resign from his position as Clan Leader.
"Clan Leader, aren’t you rushing this a bit? Those candidates haven’t grown up yet," an Elder said, unable to accept the proposal.
Not just him, several Elders spoke up, hoping Li Darong would stay on as Clan Leader for a little longer to give them a chance to grow.
Because Li Wenli did not belong to their faction and was not even particularly close to them!
Even though the Li family had been trying hard to suppress and contain factions, where there are people, there are rivers and lakes; such factions could not be completely eradicated!
Therefore, what the Li family could do was to prevent these factions from becoming too powerful and casting a pall over the family.
Li Darong gave him a look, a cold laugh already in his heart, and said, "Who said they haven’t grown up yet? Wen Li broke through to Golden Core just a month ago."
The Elder choked upon hearing this and tried to retort, "But that’s not very fair to the other candidates."
Li Darong curled his lip, cursing inwardly, ’Fools, even if the next Clan Leader isn’t Wen Li, it certainly won’t be your junior. The Elder would never allow a certain faction to grow too powerful.’
You must know that the final candidate must be reported to Li Zhirui for his consent before it is considered a true succession!
Although he had never openly rejected any Clan Leader before, Li Darong was certain that if any of those candidates were to take the position, the old man would definitely not nod his approval.
What a disgrace it would be then!
And why did he favor Li Wenli among the several candidates? Because Wenli’s parents were mortals and he had no connections with any faction in the family.
Having had extensive dealings with Li Zhirui, Li Darong prided himself on understanding the Elder’s thinking. That’s why during his tenure, he had never formed cliques or factions and was very strict with his own offspring, not allowing them to bully others on account of their status.
It might seem that the Elder rarely interfered with family affairs, but to say he knew little about it was impossible! Many major issues were in fact within his sight; he simply chose to turn a blind eye as long as they remained within his tolerable limits.
"Tell me, where’s the unfairness? The family provides the same resources to all Clan Leader candidates. Why is it that Wen Li can break through to Golden Core while others can’t?"
Although Li Darong was somewhat laid-back, after all, he had been Clan Leader for several decades and possessed a certain authoritative presence, "Moreover, Wen Li has been assisting me with family affairs all these years. You all are well aware of how busy he is; his cultivation time is surely the shortest!"
"But even under these circumstances, he managed to break through to Golden Core. Why can’t the others do the same?!"
The crowd had no words to say, unsure of what to utter at the moment.
"Also, don’t say I didn’t give them a chance. I will serve as Clan Leader for one more year, but regardless, I will resign then and propose the election of a new Clan Leader!" But unexpectedly, Li Darong did not insist and instead took a step back voluntarily.
The few Elders were ecstatic, determined to go back and strongly urge the youngsters to cultivate diligently, hoping to enter seclusion within the year and strike at Golden Core.
By then, whether or not they could break through, they had given themselves a reason to delay further!
Once successful, with their support, why fear not becoming Clan Leader?
Li Darong swept them a glance, already knowing what they were thinking, and snickered in his heart, ’Just wait and see if you can still sit in your current seats by then!’
Why was he so eager to resign the Clan Leader position? Was it not to lure these people out and then clean them up to prevent them from harboring resentment, banding together to sideline Li Wenli, and bringing chaos and gloom to the family?
They’re basking in their shortsighted glee now, indulging in impractical fantasies, but soon enough they’ll have their time to cry!
"Alright, everyone go back to your duties."
The Elders all stood up and left, leaving only Li Darong and Li Wenli in the main hall.
"Thank you, Clan Leader, for all that you’ve done for me." Li Wenli, who had witnessed all this and had been carefully cultivated by Li Darong, how could he not see the deep meaning behind it?
"It’s not for you, it’s for the clan!"
Li Darong shook his head and said solemnly, "I hope that when you hand over your position to the next generation, you can do what I have done today."
"Rest assured, Clan Leader! I will do my best to maintain the clan’s development trajectory, suppress all factions, and prevent them from raising their heads," Li Wenli replied earnestly.
"Right now the Elder is still deep in cultivation, unsure of when he will emerge. You can only act in the capacity of acting Clan Leader to handle clan affairs before gaining his approval," Li Darong advised.
"However, this is also good. As long as you can achieve results or find ways to establish your authority, once you remove the word ’acting’, you will be better able to control the clan."
When he took over the position, Li Zhirui was supporting him from behind, so there was no need for such complexities; he just needed to follow the established policies and avoid mistakes.
But Li Wenli was different; first, he faced more competitors, each representing their own forces. Even if Li Darong cleaned them out, it was not possible to banish them from Wanxian Island. These people would surely try their best to find faults with him.
Secondly, the situation was different at the time Li Darong became Clan Leader. Now that the family’s succession rules have been restored, Li Zhirui could not publicly support Li Wenli in the same overt manner as before.
"I will take this matter seriously."
Actually, he had a draft plan in mind, although it was not yet fully polished.
After all, Li Darong had informed him about the family’s situation quite early on and had been training him as the successor all along.
