*****Silence greeted the Greystone Patriarch’s proposal.However, it wasn’t because anyone disagreed.But instead… every single leader present immediately understood the hidden meaning behind those seemingly righteous words.'What a cunning old fox.'The exact same thought surfaced in more than one mind.On the surface, the suggestion sounded pretty noble. But underneath?The Revercrests possessed enormous wealth, countless businesses, secret warehouses, rare cultivation resources, and hidden treasures accumulated over decades.Whoever moved first would naturally obtain the largest share before everything became public property.The proposal wasn't merely justice. It was an elegant invitation to divide an abandoned kingdom.Yet...Not a single person objected.After all... it benefits everyone.The Prime Minister naturally understood every hidden motive in the room. But he merely smiled faintly."So be it then." His decisive voice echoed through the chamber.Hearing him, several patr

*****For a moment after the Harrison Patriarch’s report, no one reacted. But a second later… every face changed.Someone's breathing halted completely, while another elder subconsciously tightened his grip around his teacup.But before anyone could respond...The Harrison Patriarch continued."And based on the same reports..." He paused once more, allowing every word to sink deeply into everyone's mind. "...not a single corpse puppet showed any sign of resistance."The hall became deathly still."There were prolonged battles or shattered surroundings that indicated any fierce combat from them." He slowly shook his head. "My children described the scene as... unnatural.""They said there wasn't even evidence suggesting the corpse puppets had struggled." He looked around the chamber again. "It was as though every single one of them simply... collapsed where they stood."The final sentence struck the room like a thunderbolt.Instantly, several elders visibly stiffened, while the others

*****The hall abruptly became quiet once more, no one reacting at all for a moment that felt like a long time.Then, suddenly..."Huh?" one elder blinked blankly."...Xavier?" another repeated in utter confusion, frowning slightly."Who exactly is that?" a third asked, utterly bewildered."Have any of you heard of him?""Is he connected to that mysterious A-rank cultivator?""Or... is all of this merely a coincidence?’Nearly all the elders in the chamber became completely bewildered after hearing the unfamiliar name."Xavier?"They silently rolled the name around in their minds, trying to remember whether they had ever encountered such a person before.But not a single memory surfaced, and as such, some frowned thoughtfully, while others exchanged puzzled glances.A few even began to mentally sort through every influential genius, hidden expert, rising family heir, and renowned cultivator they had heard of over the years.Still...Nothing.The name simply refused to fit anywhere.Ho

*****A look of realization instantly appeared in the Harrison Patriarch's eyes. 'He... he did all of that for me.'The realization struck him harder than expected.The Prime Minister hadn't merely calmed the hall… he had deliberately redirected everyone's attention.Realizing this, gratitude surged through the Harrison Patriarch's heart so fiercely that his already reddened eyes became even redder.For a brief moment, he didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or kneel in appreciation.Meanwhile, the Prime Minister behaved as though nothing unusual had happened. He never looked toward the Harrison patriarch again.Instead... "That reminds me, by the way," he suddenly said, instantly drawing everyone's attention once more."I had originally intended to gather everyone here today for another matter entirely. Unfortunately..." He glanced around the chamber before giving a helpless smile."...none of us expected today's chaos to happen. It appears fate decided to save me the effort of sending

*****“Sir Prime Minister,” he said respectfully, though the skepticism in his voice was impossible to conceal.“Let’s put aside whether this is a taboo or not for a moment. Do you truly believe that this upper second-rank family possesses what it takes to stand shoulder to shoulder with the first-rank families?”“Exactly!” Another elder sprang to his feet before the prime minister could even respond. “This is the first rank we’re talking about!”“Even though my organization has already been recognized as a first-rank power, my family itself still hasn't received that status because everyone agrees we lack the complete qualifications. Yet now you want to promote the Myrons directly?”“Sir Prime Minister,” a third representative added, his expression growing increasingly grim, “have you even considered what message this would send to the neighboring cities?”“They have been waiting for Riverton to show even the slightest weakness. The moment they hear we're promoting an upper second-ra