After the Ninth Elder cast a dissenting vote, Lin Tiancheng was somewhat surprised. After all, the Ninth Elder and the Grand Elder had no previous relationship and rarely showed themselves. This time, he actually supported the Grand Elder.
If the Grand Elder had truly promised some benefits, the Tenth Elder had likely been bought off as well. At this point, Lin Tiancheng no longer had his previous confidence.
"Thank you for your support, Ninth Elder."
Yao Tiansheng said with a smile towards Yu Tianlu.
But Yu Tianlu did not answer him, continuing to close his eyes and rest. If not for the Grand Elder saying he would help him break through to the mid Soul Formation stage, he wouldn't bother speaking up to offend the Sect Leader.
Among the current Elders, only the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Elders remained at the early Soul Formation stage. The Eighth Elder was already showing signs of a breakthrough, while the Ninth Elder alone had been stuck at this realm for over a hundred years. This was his opportunity, and he did not want to miss it.
"Since it's five to five, the final decision lies with the Tenth Elder. I wonder if the Tenth Elder has made a decision?"
Lin Tiancheng looked somewhat uncertainly at the Tenth Elder, Lu Wenrui.
"That's right, Tenth Elder, have you made a decision?"
The Grand Elder also quickly interjected, not letting the Sect Leader exert pressure; he had to step up too.
Looking at the two staring at him, Lu Wenrui could only smile bitterly. How did it come to this, putting the final deciding power in his hands?
In Lu Wenrui's estimation, this matter should have been resolved before he needed to decide. He would naturally support the winner, and this matter wouldn't have much to do with him. Now, wasn't this forcing him to offend one side?
"This... needs careful consideration. After all, it's not a small matter. Allow me to think a bit more."
Lu Wenrui didn't dare answer immediately and could only stall for time.
He originally wanted to be someone who swayed between both sides, not wanting to offend anyone. When the Sect Leader sought him out for discussion, he kept saying no problem. When the Grand Elder asked him questions, he also agreed readily. As long as in the end his vote wasn't the deciding one, he'd just vote for the winner. No one could blame him then. Now it's good-victory or defeat depends on his vote.
"Tenth Elder, have you thought it through?"
After waiting quietly for a moment, the Grand Elder, fearing changes, urged.
"Yes, Tenth Elder, have you thought it through?"
Lin Tiancheng also followed up.
"I still support the Sect Leader. After all, Qin Xiao truly has extraordinary qualities, and with his disciple's help, he will certainly win a good spot for our sect."
After thinking it over, Lu Wenrui decided to support the Sect Leader. He served on the Main Peak. No matter how tempting the Grand Elder's rewards were, he was only a Peak Master. The Sect Leader held the real power.
Yao Tiansheng kept saying "you..." for a while, not knowing what to say.
"Alright, Grand Elder, six to five. This matter already has a result. Qin Xiao is also one of the Candidates. No further discussion is needed."
Lin Tiancheng quickly interrupted the Grand Elder and announced the result.
"I don't accept this. My son died. Qin Xiao and his disciple Yun Man have great suspicion. Yun Man has a Heavenly Spirit Root and even broke through to the Nascent Soul stage. I can overlook that. But Qin Xiao, why should he? He's a waste who can't cultivate. Not only do I oppose him, I also request the Sect Leader strip him of his Peak Master identity and throw him into the dungeon. Make a decision after the matter is thoroughly investigated."
Yao Tiansheng naturally couldn't accept this result and angrily shouted.
"That's right, Sect Leader. Qin Xiao is suspected of killing a fellow sect member. My Immortal Cloud Peak also doesn't accept this."
The Second Elder, Yao Yongzhi, also quickly chimed in.
"My Immortal Artifact Peak feels the same."
The Third Elder, Kang Zhengye, also quickly expressed his stance.
"What suspicion is there about this matter? Tell me the reasoning."
Lin Tiancheng also anticipated the Grand Elder would turn hostile, so he replied without holding back.
"At that time, only Qin Xiao and his disciple, plus my son and Li Cheng, separated from the group. My son and Li Cheng both perished, while the two of them were unharmed. Isn't that enough suspicion?"
Yao Tiansheng said indignantly.
"The secret realm had an incident. The second layer even had Soul Formation stage Demon Beasts and remnants of the Beast-Control Sect. It's possible the first layer also had an incident. If this alone is used as an excuse, I'm afraid it's insufficient. I ask the Grand Elder to provide strong evidence."
Lin Tiancheng said the same. After all, you can't convict someone based on speculation. If you have evidence, present it. If not, then I'm definitely protecting Qin Xiao.
"I will naturally search for evidence. But before finding evidence, Qin Xiao must be thrown into the dungeon. Otherwise, if evidence is found later and Qin Xiao runs away, whose responsibility would that be?"
Yao Tiansheng naturally wouldn't give up and continued pressing.
"Since I recommended Qin Xiao, if Qin Xiao runs away, I will personally go capture him. If I can't capture him, I, Lin Tiancheng, will accept any punishment from you. I wonder if the Grand Elder still has any objections?"
Lin Tiancheng also directly laid the cards on the table. Only Qin Xiao, his disciple, and himself knew about this matter. As long as no one actively speaks of it, there will never be evidence.
"The Sect Leader intends to protect Qin Xiao?"
Yao Tiansheng also stood up, glaring angrily.
"Correct. Qin Xiao, I'm definitely protecting him. Does the Grand Elder have anything more to say?"
Lin Tiancheng also directly laid the cards on the table. I'm protecting him, what can you do about it?
"Fine, fine, fine. I won't let this matter rest. As for this Candidate thing, my Immortal Sword Peak doesn't want it either. Give it to that kid. Hopefully he can survive until then."
After saying this, Yao Tiansheng angrily left.
With the Grand Elder leaving in anger, no one else dared speak. They looked at each other, not expecting things to escalate so directly. For a moment, they didn't know what to say.
"Alright, since the matter is concluded, all Elders may disperse. Qin Xiao, stay."
Lin Tiancheng had nothing more to say and dismissed the Elders. He wanted to discuss future strategies with Qin Xiao.
"Then we'll take our leave first."
Hearing Lin Tiancheng say this, the Elders all bid farewell.
The internal conflict had turned into open conflict. Their previous statements meant taking sides. They needed to think about their future strategies. If the Grand Elder won, the Sect Leader position would likely change. If the Sect Leader won, the Immortal Sword Peak would also change hands.
Qin Xiao hadn't spoken since the voting began. He was also observing these Elders, figuring out who truly despised him and who genuinely helped him. He had a general idea in his mind.
"Qin Xiao, do you know that today, for your sake, I've already laid the cards on the table with the Grand Elder? If this isn't handled well, even I will be dragged down with you."
Lin Tiancheng said to the remaining Qin Xiao.
He wasn't complaining to Qin Xiao but telling him how firm his support was, that he was someone completely trustworthy.
"Sect Leader, I saw everything clearly. Thank you for your support. I definitely won't disappoint you."
Qin Xiao also didn't know why Lin Tiancheng would stake so much on him, but Qin Xiao also didn't intend to let him lose.
"Alright, I won't waste words on pleasantries. I'm not helping you for nothing. You managed to help Yun Man reach the Nascent Soul stage in a short time; you must have some heaven-defying method. What I want is simple: can you let Shimeng enjoy the same treatment?"
Lin Tiancheng finally revealed his true thoughts. He was already at the late Soul Formation stage, so he naturally didn't need this method. But his daughter Lin Shimeng had a Heavenly Spirit Root and was only twenty-one years old. Whatever method it was, the younger one was when using it, the better the effects would be.
"Sect Leader truly wants this? But I also have a condition."
Qin Xiao said somewhat hesitantly.
"Of course I want this. By the way, does your method have any side effects? Like overdrafting talent or limiting potential? If there are no such side effects, whatever condition you have, I'll agree to it."
Lin Tiancheng definitely wanted this, but he was also worried about potential side effects, so he asked in passing.
"There are no side effects. If there were such serious side effects, do you think Yun Man would agree?"
Qin Xiao quickly said. That method used Spirit Stones and Spirit Liquid to build up; how could there be side effects?
"Since that's the case, then tell me your condition."
After getting the answer, Lin Tiancheng was very satisfied and asked Qin Xiao to state his condition.
After hesitating for a moment, Qin Xiao still spoke.
"I need Senior Sister Lin to transfer to my tutelage and become my disciple."