Everyone turned their head curiously, as the Supreme Leader said those words.
"As I said before, there are 3 matters which we need to talk about."
Then, the man paused.
"The first matter, is quite simple and is regarding the management of the aperture of the deceased Kao Dao Ji."
Many people raised their eyebrows in surprise, as they heard those words.
Kao Dao Ji was the most talented seedling in the entire Clan, and yet today without a warning they had been informed of his death!
Several people, especially those who were friends of his father, the previous Supreme Leader sighed upon hearing this.
"That lad was too overambitious! He tried to Cultivate 3 Paths at once." An elder said.
"We should not speak ill of the death." Another said.
There were intense discussions for a while, but soon the Supreme Leader raised his hand and said.
"Enough."
Then, he scanned his surroundings and said.
"As some of you, may already know Kao Dao Ji died and has become a Land Spirit, due to this we need to select an expert to help him in dealing with his Tribulations."
"Is there any volunteer?" He said.
There was silence, nobody replied.
Until after a minute Kao Yu Hun raised his hand and said.
"Me, I offer to do this job." He said.
Several people stared at him with peculiar expressions in their faces.
You were the one who led him to his death, and now do you want to keep 'protecting' him?
Do you have no shame?
Still, they kept those words in their mouths.
Kao Zha Ji stared at him briefly, there was still some flickering rage in his heart.
After all, the incompetence of his subordinate was quite obvious.
He somewhat hoped that somebody would snatch away his position, so he would be forced to work for nothing (due to the previously mentioned deal in past chapters.)
In the end, however nobody wanted to compete for the position with him.
He let out a long sigh, and said.
"Alright, seeing no objections you will be assigned this task…"
Then, he said.
"Regarding the second matter.
Right now, we are around 4 years before the next Heaven and Earth Ascension ceremony.
However, even now we still lack a fifth of the resources needed for the ceremony.
Third Supreme Elder, Kao Yu Hun considering the circumstances we currently are at, I am afraid that the rewards you would have taken for managing the aperture of Kao Dao Ji for the following 5 decades, will be redistributed for such a purpose.
Understood?" he said firmly.
Kao Yu Hun stared at him with an ugly expression, before nodding.
Upon seeing that he agreed, he nodded.
"Alright. However, that is but an small share of the things we need to do.
No matter the cost, we must accrue a considerable portion of Immortal Materials of Cloud Path in the following years.
For this is a pivotal moment for the Clan.
For this, will be the 7th Ascension Ceremony I participate at, and it will be my last."
Upon hearing those words there was a sudden change in the atmosphere.
Everyone stared at shock at the Supreme Leader and said.
"Does that mean y-you?"
Kao Zha Ji nodded. "As of now, I only am an Earthly Calamity, plus a Grand Tribulation away from ascension."
Immediately everyone broke into cheers.
"The Supreme Leader is mighty!" One of them shouted.
"Indeed, your brilliance is as great as the one of the sun!" Another added.
A tiny smile appeared in Kao Zha Ji's face upon hearing those praises, despite this, he soon said.
"Is too soon to cheer just yet, I am still some distance away from my ascension, and for my ascension to occur I will need all of your help.
Without failure." Once more he turned his eyes towards Kao Yu Hun
Who dared not disobey and nodded repeatedly.
After doing this, the group began to discuss in waves for close to an hour.
Where they began to decide their following course of action, what to do and so on.
"Now that the matter is settled, we will move for the third and final reason of our meeting."
His expression grew serious as he said.
"Based in Kao Yun Yun's report, there seems to be a Human Demonic Cultivator lurking nearby."
The expression of several Immortals changed.
One of them asked.
"What is their Rank?"
"Rank 6." The leader replied.
Upon hearing those words, the expressions of those in the group calmed down considerably.
A few of them were even wondering why the Supreme Leader had spoken with such seriousness to deal with such an small fry.
"Do not underestimate her! Based on our reports, she seems to be Cultivating Soul Path."
Once they heard those words, the expression of everyone changed immediately.
"What did you say?"
"Soul Path?"
"That was the Path of Spectral Soul Demon Venerable!"
There were several murmurs, the morale diminished a lot in a matter of seconds.
However, the Supreme Leader remained unmoved, he shouted.
"Don't you understand!" He hit the table with his fist.
"While I admit there are risks in fighting someone whose Path is unknown to us, is also a tremendous opportunity.
One that can elevate our Clan to new heights!" He said.
Soul Path, the Path popularized by the Demon Venerable was strong without a doubt.
Whilst a little more than a thousand years had passed since his death, his memory was still clear in everyone's mind.
Legends of his might resonated across the Heavens.
Like how he was able to defeat a Rank 7 Cultivator as a Rank 6 all on his own.
Of course, despite his phenomenal strength, little could he do once he died.
Once the reports of his death were confirmed, Heavenly Court immediately blocked and sealed any knowledge regarding Soul Path.
And branded anybody Cultivating it as 'Demons.'
Due to those reasons, many who had already Cultivated this Path hid themselves, or concealed their tracks.
Which halted the development of Soul Path.
Still, while it halted it, it did not stop it entirely.
Countless of people both old and young, both righteous and demonic gathered to practice it.
Of course, most who tried failed miserably, without any guidance their accomplishment were few.
Others who were talented prodigies were hunted down and executed, only very few across the wide world, could successfully train it.
However, those who did often had an strength that overwhelmed their peers, with attacks that could not be evaded or blocked.
For they did not target the body, but the soul that was a black box for most people.
Truth be told, the only thing that stopped most people from pursuing this Path was Heavenly Court's pursuit.
However, variant humans cared not about such things.
After all, they were already considered enemies of mankind by birth.
And if they were already sinners, why not go all out?
That was why, the Feathermen in this room, began to scheme together, tirelessly for days.