With a cry of astonishment, Zong Zheng immediately spread his voluminous sleeves, unleashing a torrent of pure spiritual energy intended to wash away the illusion cloaking Zong Shou.

Zong Shou resisted with all his might, forming hand seals and chanting true words. Yet, in the refined arts of spirit master combat, he was leagues behind Zong Zheng.

In mere moments, the illusion showed signs of fracturing. Zong Shou, resigned, switched his talismans, conjuring a mist twenty zhang around himself to obscure the view of those nearby.

Then, the fox ears and tail were fully revealed to everyone. He sighed inwardly—his illusion arts were clearly still insufficient.

Zong Zheng had initially only glimpsed the faint shimmer of a Star Mark on Zong Shou’s person. But when he forced his spiritual energy through, he froze completely. This Zong Shou’s spirit cultivation had actually reached the Reverting Yang Realm! A Reverting Yang Spirit Master at the age of fourteen!

But what concerned him more at this moment was what lay upon Zong Shou’s body.

“Celestial Fox Demonic Body! Your half-demon form has actually awakened the Demonic Body, and it is a Five-Tailed Star Mark!”

First came boundless ecstasy, then Zong Zheng seemed to realize something, his expression turning grim once more. “Since the Demonic Body has awakened, why the need for concealment, for such hiding? The so-called Star Mark is the proof of the sovereign lineage of our Fox Clan, the purest bloodline of the Celestial Fox race. Born to command the ten tribes of our Fox Division, it is the true direct line of our Fox Clan…”

Zong Shou was momentarily speechless. Did he really need to parade around with fox ears and several tails trailing behind him?

Looking at the expressions of those around him, he saw that whether it was Ren Bo or Hu Qianqiu and the others, they all wore looks of solemn reverence. Even Hu Zhongyuan showed no trace of mockery, but rather extreme envy.

Sacrificial Elder Zong Ling trembled as if winnowing chaff, his face flushed crimson, wishing he could prostrate himself right then and there. Only Zong Yuan remained perfectly calm; perhaps in this man’s heart, Zong Shou’s status or bloodline meant nothing.

Even if Zong Shou possessed nothing and was reduced to a commoner, this man would fight to the death for him.

The next instant, Zong Zheng let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Before your father disappeared, he already showed signs of awakening the Eight-Tailed bloodline. Zong Shou, your Demonic Body has directly manifested the Star Mark. It seems that you and your father possess a bloodline even purer than ours, the so-called direct line. The schemes of that Eight-Tailed Xue family this time will likely fall completely flat. Our Celestial Fox Zong Clan can finally hold its head high from this day forward.”

He paused briefly, then Zong Zheng reached into his sleeve and pulled out a scroll woven with gold thread, handing it over.

“This contains my insights from years of studying the Celestial Fox Illusionary Arts and Spirit Methods. It should be of some help to you. Zong Shou, though you are a Reverting Yang Spirit Master, your proficiency in spirit method hand seals is worse than that of some Soul Manifestation Realm Spirit Masters. This is truly unacceptable!”

Hearing this, Zong Shou could not help but feel a pang of shame. He grumbled internally—if not for the lack of orthodox Spirit Master lineage, how could this be? Although he had been using the Illusory Heart Mirror to temper his spirit techniques lately, what real effect could a few dozen days have?

He hurriedly accepted the golden scroll and bowed deeply. He understood that Zong Zheng was, in effect, entrusting his own inheritance to him.

He finally developed a profound respect for the old man. He chastised himself for how utilitarian his mindset was: anyone who could help him was a good person; anyone who dared stand in his way was scum, fit only for the garbage heap.

As for Zong Zheng’s true temperament, Zong Shou still did not fully know, only that the man cared deeply and sincerely for the rise and fall of the Zong Clan.

Just as he was about to offer thanks, Zong Zheng sneered coldly. “You need not thank me. I simply do not wish to see you disgrace the face of my Celestial Fox Clan!”

With that, he flicked his great sleeve, leaving the group behind, and departed into the distance.

Zong Shou frowned slightly, then let out a wry smile. He tucked the golden scroll into his Qiankun Pouch, then immediately formed hand seals again, shrouding his Demonic Body once more within the illusion.

Zong Ling frowned deeply, perplexed. “Your Highness, there is no need to hide. If it were known that Your Highness has awakened the Five-Tailed Star Mark body, not only would I and my entire Celestial Fox Clan remain steadfast, but the morale of the entire Qiantian Mountain would soar.”

Zong Shou was speechless. He recalled that Chu Xue and Ruo Shui had both mentioned before that the Star Mark Demonic Body truly represented the orthodox lineage of the Celestial Fox, possessing immense authority.

But perhaps because his mindset remained fundamentally that of a human, he found this Demonic Body somewhat difficult to accept. If not absolutely necessary, he was unwilling to reveal it.

Smiling without replying, Zong Shou walked directly into the Iron Gang Hall. Almost instantly, he felt a surge of gang force assault him; both his true qi and soul power were suppressed below the Fourth Tier.

Even the illusion Zong Shou had just cast wavered violently, nearly dissipating.

Fortunately, he was prepared for this; the illusion technique had been specially researched and strengthened. After a moment, it stabilized once more.

His spirit technique tier was suppressed to the Third Tier. However, everyone else entering this place also had their spiritual perception and five senses suppressed, so there was little cause for concern.

The entire council hall was constructed according to the blueprints Zong Shou had provided: an arched structure, one main hall, ten side halls, and several hundred rooms. It was more than ten times larger than the Iron Gang Hall in Xuan Mountain City—a testament to Qiantian Mountain’s current wealth that it could be completed so quickly with talismanic construction.

Inside the main hall, the terrain sloped upward from the outside to the deepest part, where a lecture platform stood, surrounded by rows of seating. A rough count showed a staggering eight hundred seats.

The hall was now filled to capacity. Qiantian Mountain governed nearly a hundred million people directly; barring those who lacked the means to participate in the election, a full five hundred individuals were seated in this vast council hall. Only about four hundred had been elected by the populace; the remaining fifth or so had been personally appointed by Zong Shou.

Most of them waited with bewildered expressions—some with slight anticipation, others bored stiff. They knew only that they had been chosen as ‘Advisors’ to oversee the pension banks and the loan systems, but they had no idea why Zong Shou had urgently summoned them here.

When Zong Shou walked in, everyone prostrated themselves in greeting. Zong Shou ignored them, proceeding directly to the throne behind the great platform and taking his seat. Surprisingly, Hu Qianqiu, Chai Yuan, and others also had seats in this council hall.

Zong Shou’s decree had an additional clause: those holding public office were ineligible for election. As leaders of great clans, they held only noble titles, not official posts, and were thus eligible to participate. Both Hu Qianqiu and Chai Yuan, along with Ling Xuan, had instinctively sensed that Zong Shou’s actions held some hidden purpose; thus, despite their confusion, they actively participated, each securing an Advisor position.

When silence returned to the hall, Zong Shou finally spoke.

“I have summoned you here to discuss several matters of state. Prime Minister Ren Bo is here, a man of advanced years and great prestige, deeply versed in governance. For the next five years, I intend to appoint him as the Chancellor of Qiantian, to manage all political affairs of Qiantian. Who among you agrees, and who objects?”

The assembly immediately exchanged confused glances, their bewilderment deepening. No one understood Zong Shou’s intent.

Even Ren Bo, standing nearby, was frozen in place.

It was only after a quarter of an hour that Zong Shou picked up a small hammer and struck the golden bell beside his seat with a loud clang.

“If no one speaks, it passes. Ah, I forgot to mention, from now on, those who agree shall raise their hands; those who object shall bang on the table. A simple majority carries the vote; if it fails to reach half, it is void.”

Without waiting for a reaction, Zong Shou waved his sleeve, and a line of attendants emerged, distributing sheets of beast hide to everyone in the hall.

“I previously issued a decree intending to establish the Cabinet system with Six Ministries. This scroll details the personnel for the Six Ministries of the Cabinet and the Nine Ministers, as drafted by the Chancellor. Examine it closely.”

The people in the hall still hadn’t grasped the situation, thinking that since these were candidates recommended by the Chancellor, there must be reason behind it. The Chancellor was highly respected and surely would not err. Consequently, hands shot up—some without even looking closely at the lists. Hu Qianqiu and others, however, keenly noticed that the lists lacked candidates for the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War. Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice had been renamed the Ministry of Commerce.

Before the ripples in Ren Bo’s heart had calmed, a fresh tidal wave swept over him. It turned out Zong Shou’s dissatisfaction back in Rainbow City wasn’t immediate; he was waiting for this very day.

But what was Zong Shou’s purpose in acting this way?

Another quarter of an hour passed, and Zong Shou struck the small bell again with a clang.

“Those raising hands: four hundred and twenty-two. That passes. Next, we discuss next year’s budget—simply put, how next year’s income should be spent.”

This time, the attendants presented sheets of beast hide before the assembly without needing Zong Shou’s signal. Everyone immediately focused their eyes. Ren Bo’s so-called ‘budget’ required the expenditure of eight million Fourth-Tier Beast Crystals—a massive sum that made eyes water with avarice.

This time, they didn't wait for Zong Shou to ask; hands were raised universally, lest their sovereign fail to see their eagerness. Naturally, this also passed without suspense.

Zong Shou smiled slightly, a hint of mischief playing in his eyes. “Then for the fourth motion, I wish to legislate. Within all cities directly under the jurisdiction of Qiantian, all private militias shall be disbanded. Who among you supports this, and who opposes?”

Many council members subconsciously raised their hands. Then, within an instant, Chai Yuan and Ling Xuan and others reacted, banging their tables so hard the hall shook.

Hu Qianqiu even stood up, his eyes blazing with ferocity, sweeping the hall with a threatening glare. It was a posture that dared anyone who dared to agree to face his desperate opposition.

Seeing this, Zong Shou immediately let out a cold snort. “I shall add one more decree: all Advisors shall be protected by Qiantian Mountain for life. Should any misfortune befall them, we will pursue the matter to the bitter end!”

Hu Qianqiu’s lips twitched, and he could only sit down reluctantly. After all, many present were not intimidated by the might of these great clans. Once Zong Shou made his declaration, a good number of hands rose again.

Alas, in the end, it still failed to reach a majority. Even the Advisors from the main Celestial Fox lineage voted against it overall.

Zong Shou didn't seem surprised, shaking his head with mild regret. “Two hundred and thirty-four votes. Less than half. This motion is void!”

Another clang sounded from the small bell. By now, nearly half the hall had caught up, their eyes holding thoughtful expressions.

Zong Shou smiled faintly. He mused that once this matter was done, although he could not yet step away entirely, he could rest assured and dedicate the greater part of his time to studying martial arts. (To be continued)