"The next patriarch of the Nine Nether clan will be Li Yao. Does anyone have any objections?"
As Ming Jiuyou's words fell in the great hall of deliberation, everyone's expression changed.
"Patriarch, entrusting our Nine Nether clan to an outsider seems a bit irregular." Ming Yuanji, as the Great Elder, finally couldn't sit still and was the first to speak.
Although Ming Jiuyou's prestige in the Nine Nether clan was immense, everyone understood Ming Jiuyou's condition. Moreover, this was a meeting, and Ming Yuanji naturally had to voice his opinion.
"Patriarch, although Li Yao is your disciple, the Great Elder is not wrong. Li Yao is, after all, an outsider. Furthermore, with his strength, I'm afraid he is not yet capable of leading our Nine Nether clan." Ming Chang, one of the three great powerhouses of the Nine Nether clan, also rose and said.
Although everyone had some inklings when Ming Jiuyou took Li Yao as his personal disciple, at this very moment, they were still somewhat unable to accept it.
To put it bluntly, none of them could accept taking orders from an outsider, a young man whose strength was still lacking.
If Ming Jiuyou were merely abdicating, people might have accepted it more. But Ming Jiuyou's lifespan was nearing its end, meaning Li Yao would have no backing.
"Do you all mean the same?" Ming Jiuyou glanced at Ming Yuanji and the others, then his gaze shifted to Ming Hongyang and a few others.
"Regarding the future of our Nine Nether clan, please consider carefully, Patriarch." Ming Hongyang nodded slightly upon hearing this.
Ming Jiuyou let out a self-deprecating laugh, "What you see is merely that my disciple's current strength is insufficient. Of course, I am also aware of your hidden intentions."
Ming Jiuyou paused, then his voice grew a bit colder, "To put it bluntly, none of you present are capable of leading our Nine Nether clan to glory. For the future of our Nine Nether clan, I will spare no expense!"
Sensing Ming Jiuyou's killing intent, Ming Yuanji and the others' expressions changed slightly.
Reputation precedes the person. Ming Jiuyou had ruled the Nine Nether clan for tens of thousands of years, and his prestige was deeply ingrained. At this moment, even Ming Yuanji and the others felt a sense of fear.
Ming Chang and Ming Li exchanged glances, then looked at Ming Jiuyou and said, "Patriarch, please do not be angered. The Great Elder and others are also concerned for the future of our Nine Nether clan, which is why they have reservations. Please enlighten us, does Li Yao perhaps have some other background?"
"Whether it's potential or talent, your disciple's aptitude is exceptional, and we naturally believe he can reach greater heights in the future. But as it stands, he is indeed not yet capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility. However, since the Patriarch is so confident, please give us a clear reason."
As Ming Chang finished speaking, Ming Li also spoke up.
Ming Jiuyou's previous words undoubtedly implied that the Nine Nether clan could only go further under Li Yao's leadership. With Ming Chang's words, Ming Yuanji and the others cast grateful glances at him.
For a moment, everyone looked at Ming Jiuyou.
Ming Jiuyou withdrew his aura and then slowly said, "You should all know that ten years ago, I used a forbidden technique."
Ming Chang's heart stirred, "It was when the Patriarch used the forbidden technique that he found Li Yao."
Ming Jiuyou nodded slightly, "Actually, at that time, besides seeing my disciple, I also saw the future. Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, it had already refreshed my understanding. Do you know what I saw?"
Ming Chang and the others frowned. If Ming Jiuyou, with his strength, was so astonished, how could they possibly know? But seeing Ming Jiuyou's somewhat shocked expression, it was clear he was not lying.
"That person, with just a single sword strike, annihilated the entire starry sky dimension."
"Countless worlds and planes vanished under that sword, without even a chance to react."
"More importantly, any world continent in that scene was far stronger than our Netherworld."
Ming Jiuyou spoke calmly, the scene he had witnessed replaying in his mind.
Everyone's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. After a moment of exchanged glances, they looked at Ming Jiuyou.
"Patriarch, is Li Yao related to this person?" Ming Chang reacted first and asked.
Under everyone's gaze, Ming Jiuyou nodded slightly, "That person is precisely Li Yao's brother, Li Xuan."
"Li Xuan!" Ming Hongyang exclaimed in disbelief, he had a deep impression of Li Xuan.
"Patriarch, we have also met that Li Xuan. Back then, he seemed to be only at the Realm of Creation," Ming Yuanji said after some thought.
"Thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west. Who can know what his future holds? I have high hopes for this Li Xuan. Back then, when fighting opponents of the same level or even higher, he was an absolute prodigy," Ming Hongyang said.
Ming Jiuyou nodded slightly and said, "After that Li Xuan chatted with me for a while, he left. He has now returned. If any of you have objections, you may directly or send your strongest to fight him. As long as you win, I will support him as the new patriarch of our Nine Nether clan."
Everyone was shocked. Did Ming Jiuyou have such high hopes for Li Xuan?
Could it be that in these ten years, Li Xuan's strength had reached an extremely high level?
Moreover, what surprised everyone was that Li Xuan had actually arrived in the Netherworld, yet the five great families had not received any news.
For a time, everyone present harbored different thoughts.
"Since the Patriarch has already spoken, then allow me to spar with this young hero Li Xuan. Of course, I support the Patriarch's decision. Such a duel would also allow the clansmen of our Nine Nether clan to acknowledge the new patriarch."
Ming Yuanji was silent for a moment, then said to Ming Jiuyou.
Ming Jiuyou smiled and nodded.
"In that case, then the Great Elder will fight Li Xuan."