305: Times have changed!

These words were like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of several Clan Elders from the Main Lineage.

Their faces turned appropriately pale, and some even closed their eyes in pain.

Hu Yan opened his mouth as well, a look of struggle and helplessness flashing across his face. Finally, it turned into a heavy sigh as he slowly sat back down, looking as if his strength had been drained.

Seeing this, Hu Li took the opportunity to stand up and walk to the center of the Main Hall, becoming the focus of everyone's attention.

He looked around at everyone, his lips curling upward, his voice carrying a seductive power.

"Uncles, and fellow clansmen present, we must face reality! The era of the Hu Family's glory is over! What we should be thinking about now is not how to restore our ancestors' glory, but how to survive in this Black Sha Marsh and how to ensure the Hu Family Bloodline does not end!"

He paused and looked toward the main seat with a sincere gaze.

"At the very least, by becoming a Vassal of the Teng Family, we can keep the 'Hu' surname, keep the incense burning in our Ancestral Hall, and retain control over some industries to maintain the Family's basic operations."

"The Family's disciples will still have channels to enter higher-level academies and even have the chance to receive guidance from a Golden Core True Person!" His voice was sincere as he continued, "To die standing or to live on your knees... is this choice really that difficult?"

These words were spoken with such apparent sincerity that they packaged surrender as a wise move of enduring humiliation for a greater cause.

This scene fell into Shadow's eyes, causing him to nod slightly.

It was clear that Hu Li had indeed put a lot of effort into this matter and was sparing no effort to prepare for the Hu Family's inclusion as a Teng Family Vassal.

The effect was very good; he noticed that the eyes of those few Main Lineage Clan Elders showed clear signs of being moved.

If this continued, he would likely be able to successfully complete the task assigned by the Immortal Master, which made Shadow feel very pleased.

However.

This pleasure didn't last long before it was interrupted by a sharp shout!

"Glittering words!"

Hu Hai, who had been silent until then, suddenly stood up. His face was filled with resentment, and the finger he pointed at Hu Li was trembling.

"Hu Li! Put away your deceptive tricks! You just want to use the Teng Family's power to eliminate those who disagree with you so you can take the position of Family Head for yourself!"

"As for becoming a Teng Family Vassal?" Hu Hai sneered. "To put it nicely, it's being a Vassal. To put it bluntly, it's being nothing more than a watchdog!"

He turned abruptly and cupped his hands toward everyone in the Main Hall.

"Clan Elders! You must not listen to this man's slander!"

"Immortal Master Liu Wusheng has already promised my Branch that he does not require us to become Vassals. We only need to submit in name and share some of the profits from the Earth Fire Spiritual Eye to preserve the Hu Family's independence and prosperity!"

"Such conditions are much better than being someone's dog!"

His words were full of inflammatory intent, attempting to reignite the mood of confrontation.

Hu Li laughed as if he had heard a huge joke.

"Hu Hai, oh Hu Hai!" He shook his head, his face full of undisguised pity and ridicule. "You are over a hundred years old and have experienced great storms; how can you still be so naive and childish?"

"Submit in name? Is that possible? If you really believe his lies, I'm afraid not even your bones will be left by then!"

These words were sharp and realistic, like a bucket of cold water poured over the hearts of everyone whose hope had just been ignited by Hu Hai's inflammatory words.

Making their faces show expressions of uncertainty and lingering fear.

"Hmph! What kind of person is Immortal Master Liu? He is a Golden Core True Person whose word is as good as gold! How can he be compared to a sinister person like Teng Qianjue!"

Hu Li didn't even bother to pay attention to Hu Hai, whose face was turning "blue and white," ignoring his weak defense.

His gaze turned back to Hu Yan, who seemed lost in thought. He took out a Jade Slip emitting a soft white light from his robes and used his magic power to lift it, slowly sending it in front of the other man.

"Grand Elder, talk is cheap. These are the specific conditions offered by the Teng Family. Please take a look."

Hu Yan's eyes were hesitant, but he still took the Jade Slip and sank his Divine Sense into it.

A moment later, his face showed an appropriate expression of shock, complexity, and a hint of relief. He handed the Jade Slip to the Clan Elders beside him to read.

Hu Li also took the opportunity to repeat the contents loudly, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears.

"The entire Hu Family will merge into the Teng Family as a Vassal Family. The Teng Family promises to preserve the Hu surname, the Ancestral Hall, and the right to perform sacrifices. At the same time, the Hu Family can retain its core Cultivation Technique Legacy and thirty percent of its existing industries, which will be managed independently by the Hu Family."

"Finally, the Hu Family will be given a certain number of spots each year to pursue advanced studies at the Teng Family Academy and can apply to study parts of the Teng Family Legacy."

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Hu Hai and the others before continuing, "Although the conditions sound very harsh and are far from what Hu Hai just said, I think I don't need to say which one is more reliable!"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a brief silence in the Main Hall.

Soon, low discussions broke out, and the Clan Elders exchanged glances. Even some representatives of the branches showed clear signs of being moved.

These conditions were indeed harsh, causing them to fall from a Golden Core Family to the bottom, but on the other hand, they were indeed much more generous and, as Hu Li said, more realistic.

Seeing this, a flash of gloom crossed Hu Hai's face.

He suddenly stood up, his body even swaying slightly due to excitement. His voice was hoarse and filled with grief and indignation.

"Hu Li! Don't even think about succeeding! My, Hu Hai's, Branch swears to live and die with the Hu Family! Clan Elders, fellow clansmen! Are you really going to stand by and watch the foundation our ancestors built through trials and tribulations be ruined by this traitor who has forgotten his roots?! Immortal Master Liu..."

"Noisy!"

However, before he could finish, he heard Shadow's impatient shout.

This person had just come out to cause trouble, making the situation that was supposed to go smoothly take an unexpected turn.

Now that the goal was about to be achieved, this person was jumping out to cause trouble again, causing Shadow to lose his patience instantly.

He waved his hand casually, and the twelve Teng Family Hidden Guards, who had been standing quietly in their positions, moved instantly!

"Swish! Swish! Swish!"

They lunged toward Hu Hai like ghosts. With their figures flashing, they precisely divided and surrounded Hu Hai, the other representatives of his Branch, and their attendants! Their sabers were not yet drawn, but a chilling Killing Intent had already spread out like something physical, locking onto them firmly!

"You... you all!" Hu Hai's face was full of shock and anger, but seeing the cold-eyed hidden guards inches away, his breathing stalled, and his voice trembled.

Then he pointed the finger at Hu Li again.

"Hu Li! How dare you let outsiders take action in our Hu Family's Discussion Hall?!"

Hu Li did not respond. With a composed expression, he stepped forward and patted Hu Hai's cheek, which was twisted with anger.

"Hu Hai, times have changed!"