Rebuilding the Immortal Cultivator Clan

Chapter 495 - 501: The Future

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Li Shilian shook his head and smiled. ”Second Brother, Zhirui is not one to act recklessly.”

”I heard that before he summoned the Elders, he went to the Dark Department and checked some documents. Just wait and see, Zhirui will definitely complete this task smoothly and efficiently.”

The Dark Department, an existence unknown to ninety-nine percent of the clan members.

Within the entire Li family, only Li Shiqing, Li Shilian, and Li Zhirui were aware of it and were directly in charge of it.

The main task of the Dark Department was to monitor the clan internally for any violations of clan rules.

As well as recording the performance of all clan members in various aspects to determine where they have better talents.

Li Shiqing watched him thoughtfully, seemingly coming to some realization.

On the other hand.

After seating himself, Li Zhirui immediately said, ”I presume you all know the reason why I have gathered you here.”

”I am now giving you a chance to voluntarily surrender your powers. If you do, I will let bygones be bygones. But if you stubbornly cling to them and refuse to let go, then donʼt blame me for not being polite!”

Even without exerting any aura or pressure, Li Zhiruiʼs words made the atmosphere in the great hall extremely heavy, so much so that you could hear a pin drop.

All the Eldersʼ minds were racing, contemplating how Li Zhirui would deal with them and how they should respond in turn.

This clearly showed that the vast majority of them were unwilling to give up their powers.

”Li Darong pays his respects to the Ancestor!”

But at that moment, Li Darong suddenly stood up and bowed deeply, saying, ”I am willing to relinquish the position of External Affairs Elder and obey the Ancestorʼs commands, focusing on my cultivation hereafter!”

Li Zhiruiʼs eyebrows lifted ever so slightly as he surveyed Li Darong, noticing the nervousness and anticipation in his eyes. He then smiled and said, ”Li Darong? Not bad!”

In the midst of speaking, he glanced at Li Dayuan, who was silently hanging his head beside him, feeling somewhat disappointed.

Of all those in power, Li Zhirui didnʼt know much about others, but he knew that Li Dayuan was clever. He had thought Li Dayuan would understand the meaning behind his previous words.

But now it seemed that Li Zhirui was mistaken.

Instead, an Elder whom Li Zhirui had never heard of before had grasped the deeper meaning of his words and had the guts to take a gamble on them.

Of course, itʼs also possible that Li Dayuan actually understood but simply couldnʼt bear to give up the Clan Leaderʼs position, pretending to be unaware.

If that was the case, then Li Dayuanʼs evaluation in Li Zhiruiʼs mind would drop several more levels!

As cultivators, to not pursue a higher realm and only focus on grasping power, which is as illusory as flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water, is to abandon the essence for the insignificant, a disservice to oneʼs destiny.

And yet, those few words had made Li Darong ecstatic. He knew that he had barely made it into the elderʼs notice!

”Thank you for the praise, Ancestor!” Li Darong returned to his seat, giddy with excitement, utterly indifferent to the strange and disdainful looks from those around him, possessing a sense of proud aloofness as if he was the only sober one amongst the intoxicated masses.

Li Zhirui simply nodded without responding, quietly waiting for the others to answer.

But to his disappointment, even with someone having taken the lead, no second person stepped forward.

”Enough, since you all wish to take your chances, then donʼt blame me for showing no mercy.”

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Li Zhirui sighed and his expression instantly turned cold and ruthless. He casually took out a jade slip and read, ”Internal Affairs Elder Li Daping, seven days ago, for the reason that Spiritual Medicine had been placed for too long and its efficacy had dissipated, embezzled three hundred and forty-seven second-grade Red Phosphorus Fruits, five hundred and ninety-six first-grade Grey Mist Herbs...”

The moment his name was read by Li Zhirui, Li Daping fell from his chair, slumping to the ground with a face full of fear, trembling and weeping as he cried out, ”Great Ancestor, I am willing to relinquish my position as Internal Affairs Elder. I beg the Great Ancestor for your magnanimity, please spare my life!”

Unfortunately, Li Zhirui had already given them a chance; it was they who did not know how to cherish it.

Ignoring Li Dapingʼs pleas, Li Zhirui continued to read, ”Pill-refining Elder Li Chengmi, abused his authority as an elder to privately withhold Spirit Pills, a total of thirty-eight thousand two hundred and ninety...”

”Medicinal Garden Elder Li Chengjia, stealthily stole Spiritual Medicine, Spirit Seeds...”

”Law Enforcement Elder...”

With every name Li Zhirui read out, an elderʼs complexion drastically changed, trembling and kneeling on the ground, waiting to be dealt with.

In the end, the vast hall was filled with people kneeling on the ground, with only Li Dayuan, Li Darong, and a scant few others, remaining seated.

Li Darong felt a huge sense of relief in his heart. If he hadnʼt been smart, heʼd be one of those kneeling on the ground right now!

Li Dayuan thought more deeply, wondering how Li Zhirui had come to know so much about so many clan members, including many secret details.

”In the past, considering the not-insignificant contributions you have made to the familyʼs development, and because things werenʼt too excessive, I turned a blind eye and pretended not to know.”

After all, too clear a stream harbors no fish, and who would be willing to expend substantial time and effort without some form of reward?

Li Zhiruiʼs face, cold as frost, swept over each elder as he spoke in a voice as if it came from the depths of a thousand-foot ice cave, ”I gave you many opportunities, but sadly, you did not make the right choices.”

”Therefore, surrender the Spiritual Objects you embezzled and vacate the positions of elders!”

Pausing, Li Zhirui said, ”This matter will not be disclosed by the clan, consider it your last shred of dignity.”

If he could have avoided it, Li Zhirui wouldnʼt want to do this, especially since many among them had dedicated their lives to the family.

But this was the only quick and efficient solution to the succession issue he could think of.

”Thank you, Great Ancestor, for your magnanimity!”

Initially, the imposing manner and attitude of Li Zhirui had made it seem as if he intended to execute them all on the spot, which was why they were exceptionally afraid.

But now, since sparing their lives in exchange for simply returning the embezzled Spiritual Objects and relinquishing their elder positions, many breathed a sigh of relief and quickly agreed to comply.

”All rise!”

As all the elders sat with still-terrified faces, the door slowly opened and a line of executors filed in.

”Stand beside the elder of your respective departments. In the following period, you will study closely with them, striving to become a qualified person in charge as soon as possible,” instructed Li Zhirui.

Having long harbored the thought of ousting everyone, he naturally had the successors prepared.

These executors were selected from the records of the Dark Department by Li Zhirui, as those who performed their duties rather well. With a little training, they would soon be ready to take over the positions.

”Yes!” A group of young executors, full of vigor and high-spirited, responded.

Compared to that group of decrepit elders still seated, they were the future of the family.

”You may all get back to your duties,” Li Zhirui waved his hand, signaling for the crowd to leave, then added, ”Darong, stay behind for a moment, thereʼs something I need to discuss with you.”