The Ascension of Contracted Spirits

Chapter 1053 - 410: The Dark Speaker

Cloud Sea, Ninghuanagyun, the fifth layer of the castle.

The core members of the Melancholic Rose faction had all assembled.

Under the gaze of the masses, only Hong Zixun and Lu Yin stood by Ye Yin’s side.

On Xinluo’s side, however, were the three Dark Council members including Rong Yue, Bi Baixia, and Bai Hanyan.

It was clear who held the higher prestige and greater power.

"Yue Ying, give it up."

"I admit you are gifted and given time, you will become a great influence."

"But the Melancholic Rose is the foundation the ancestor Xinluo built; he was born into that position, so how could you expect him to hand it over willingly?"

Bi Baixia, dressed in white, stood with his arms folded.

He had an air of defiance, and as he finished speaking, the huge serpent coiled behind him hissed and glared fiercely.

This was the Minor Saintly Perfection ’Celestial Wolf Serpent’, wolf-headed and snake-bodied with wolf claws and a snake tail, capable of striking within three hundred meters incredibly fast, often winning with a single hit once it targeted its prey.

"That’s right, little brother Yue Ying."

"I originally intended to remain neutral, but seeing the growing discord between you, which threatens to split the Melancholic Rose, I have to make a choice."

Rong Yue was a middle-aged woman dressed like a farmer’s wife, unremarkable in appearance.

However, she was clearly a ninth-rank Saint, cradling a rat pup that was actually the shrunken ’Bucktooth Mouse Sovereign.’

As Rong Yue softly brushed the Bucktooth Mouse Sovereign’s fur, she soothingly said,

"Xinluo is indeed impetuous and sometimes acts without the dignity of a leader."

"But his intentions have always been for the sake of the Melancholic Rose; he has been risking his life for our cause. How many of our brothers and sisters owe their lives to his rescue? And how many Contracted Spirit Fond Spirits have flourished under his guidance and help?"

"Young Yue Ying, you are still too inexperienced, focused solely on your own growth. You should gain more experience."

"In the future, when you ascend to the status of a Saint and hold the position of a vice-chair in the Dark Council, we will certainly support you."

"Rong Auntie, what you say is not quite fair."

Lu Yin twirled a strand of hair behind her ear and spoke with a light smile,

"Since joining the Melancholic Rose, Yue Ying’s accomplishments are nearly equal to Xinluo’s."

"Keep in mind, it’s only been a few hundred years, and he hasn’t even attained sainthood, being somewhat lacking in strength."

"If we leave the Melancholic Rose in Xinluo’s hands, it is certain that we can maintain the current situation and develop slowly over time."

"But if I were a member of the Dark Council, I would rather take a gamble."

"With Yue Ying, the potential heights we could reach in the future could break new records."

"I agree!"

Hong Zixun spoke candidly:

"Why do we come to the Cloud Sea with such trepidation, cautiously seeking each chance?"

"Isn’t it because we severely lack top-tier combat power, and with only the ’Princess of the Rose’, we fail to attract the attention of the true Holy King families and cannot compete with them?"

"Yue Ying’s growth is evident to us all, and one day, his method of cockroach breeding will surely intimidate all clans."

"Without granting him an adequate position and sufficient power, we can’t possibly retain him."

"The end result will be nothing but the Melancholic Rose faction in fragments, the conservatives remaining and the progressives following Yue Ying... is this what you want to see?"

Hong Zixun paused, then with a sharp gaze surveyed the crowd, earnestly and sincerely saying,

"My ancestors also founded the Melancholic Rose, and I don’t wish to see this day come."

"According to our rules, the capable should take high office."

"’Ability’ here includes one’s combat power, potential for future growth, and the military strength at one’s command... and so on, to be evaluated comprehensively."

"Now that everyone has gathered, Jing Hui, why not you witness and formally select the heir of the Melancholic Rose?"

Hundreds of gazes converged in unison toward the main seat on the right.

There, on a platform tens of meters tall, stood an elder with black hair, leaning on a cane and smiling down over the assembly.

"Well then, considering my advanced years, I no longer have the energy to lead the Melancholic Rose forward."

"While I still breathe, let me bear witness and transfer authority through my hands, surely the most rightful way."

Jing Hui stomped his cane, and the whispered murmurs in the crowd silently vanished, with everyone further concentrating their attention:

"Then, Xinluo, Yue Ying, show us what you’ve got."

"I will take into account the votes of the council members and the support rate among the main forces, from an absolutely impartial perspective, and render this judgment."

"Roar!!"

As Jing Hui spoke, three devotees by Xinluo’s side unleashed their aura without any reservation.

They were all ninth-rank Saints, and each was accompanied by at least one Holy Saint Embryo.

Among them, one wielded an axe with a cold glint flashing like stars, striking awe into everyone’s heart.

"Gulilaus... a supreme warrior nearly five thousand years into his sainthood..."

"He’s the blood brother of Xinluo’s father, and that ax-shaped Beast Soldier called ’Demon-Cleaving Fang’ has reached Supreme Sacred Great Achievement..."

"Even in his prime, Jing Hui wasn’t confident he could beat this man..."

A welling surge of apprehension flooded over everyone.

Gulilaus was an extremely low-profile individual, but whenever he acted, it was always a sweeping victory.

The various rumors about him flowed through everyone’s thoughts, causing those of lower rank to tremble in fear, and even those of similar rank to feel uneasy, with no one at ease.

"Soldier... Soldier..."

"Citizen... Citizen..."

The Corpse King and the Corpse Queen stood on either side of Ye Yin.