Above the Great Dao

Upon hearing this, not only Xiang Kun, the Crown Prince, and others were dumbfounded, even Chen Shi was left speechless.

He originally thought the purpose of these ghost tribe clan leaders was related to the Blood Lake Scripture he deciphered; inviting him to the State Master Palace was all a ploy to coerce him to teach the Blood Lake Scripture. But as long as he could escape alive, Chen Shi didn't mind sharing this cultivation technique.

If the Blood Lake Scripture were to spread, it would definitely plunge the Heavenly Pond Ghost Country into chaos, with infighting and paranoia, leaving them no time to bother with him.

However, what he never expected was how fast and eccentric the thinking of these ghost tribe leaders was, as they actually proposed for him to become the next Heavenly Pond Country Master!

In the small temple at the back of his mind, Peng Ju, Peng Yan'er, and Sang Xixi were also closely following the developments outside. When they heard Lei Qu's words, they were similarly shocked.

Peng Ju and Peng Yan'er, being siblings who greatly admired Chen Shi, found it easier to accept; but Sang Xixi was puzzled: "That's not right, isn't the top scorer a living person? How did he become the Heavenly Pond Ghost Country Master?"

Is the selection of a country master supposed to be so hasty?

Beside Chen Shi, Stone Rock Lady whispered, "Upper Envoy, did you kill the previous country master?"

Chen Shi let out a muffled hum, doubting himself in this setup, suspecting he might have killed the past country master and bribed the Heavenly Pond Country's 112 tribe clan leaders.

Xiang Kun, the Crown Prince, and the ghost gods who came to mourn were shocked and angry, as they hastened here primarily for the position of the country master.

Xiang Kun had long schemed tirelessly for this position, buying off disgruntled or ambitious ghost gods, amassing power, and seeking treasures to enhance his bloodline, all for the day when his father would age, hoping he could send his father to blissful realms earlier.

Unexpectedly, the old country master led the clan experts out, encountered an accident, and passed away.

He rushed here with almost all top experts from the Eastern Palace, ready to bury anyone who opposed his succession alongside the old country master.

But who on earth was this little skeleton that suddenly emerged?

How could this little skeleton gain the support of 112 tribe clan leaders?

The power structure of the Heavenly Pond Country is relatively loose and tribal. The country master is generally either the clan leader of the largest tribe, the strongest tribe, or an individual of supreme power. But for a skeleton to act as the country master is unprecedented!

Xiang Kun gritted his teeth. With 112 tribe clan leaders firmly supporting him, there's no room for opposition.

Even if he were to mobilize all the Eastern Palace experts, they couldn't possibly defeat these old codgers.

But how could he just watch the country master's throne fall into someone else's hands, especially a little skeleton's, which he could never tolerate!

Xiang Kun glanced at the Prime Minister, who understood and stepped forward, saying gravely, "Honorable Clan Leaders, the matter of the country master is significant. Historically, country masters have always been selected from among our ghost tribes, never has a skeleton cultivator become a country master. Moreover, a skeleton cultivator is not a ghost tribe."

Chi Di said, "The Skeleton Ghost Tribe is also a ghost tribe!"

The Prime Minister, hearing this, couldn't help but be furious, "A skeleton cultivator is just a cultivator from the mortal world whose primordial spirit has drifted to the underworld and attached itself to a skeleton; how are they a ghost tribe?"

Chi Di angrily responded, "Is there a difference between being born from a womb and created naturally?"

"Of course there's a difference!"

The Prime Minister retorted angrily, "We have physical bodies, they don't!"

"Bones aren't a physical body?" Chi Di sneered.

Beside Xiang Kun, another ghost tribe member said, "Since ancient times, the son succeeds the father..."

Clan Leader Lei Qu shook his head, "There are no such rules, step back."

Another powerful ghost tribe member argued, "Historically, country masters have been selected for their strength. How could this little skeleton ghost, without undergoing tribal challenges, become the country master?"

Other powerful ghost tribe members nodded in agreement, "How can one command respect without selection?"

Lei Qu said, "The 112 of us clan leaders support the new country master; why need selection? As for commanding respect, let them pass our trial first."

The Green Evil Clan Leader said, "We have our ways to make you comply."

The clan elders all laughed, "We're here just to inform you all that Chen Shi is taking over as country master, about to ascend the throne, not to be questioned by you little scamps."

All the ghost gods in attendance fell silent.

All clan leaders are the epitome of bloodline development, serving many years as leaders, receiving countless tributes from their tribespeople, their divine power comparable to the strongest cultivators in the mortal world. If these old folks support Chen Shi, then Chen Shi will be the new country master!

This is a notification, not a discussion!

The ghost gods each fell silent.

Lei Qu surveyed the crowd, speaking earnestly, "His Majesty is the legendary wise ruler who can lead us to revival, bringing back a prosperous age; you all should assist His Majesty with dedication, understood?"

A hush fell over the crowd.

Chen Shi coughed, trying to speak, but with everyone's eyes on him, he ended up saying nothing.

He was still somewhat bewildered.

Until Chen Shi sat on the throne, crowned, accepted the homage of all tribes, and the clan leaders came forward to pay tribute and offer incense, he remained dazed, not fully sober.

The new country master's enthronement was surely a lively affair, with each ghost tribe decorating festively, celebrating joyously. But upon learning the new country master was from the Skeleton Ghost Tribe, they all exchanged looks and quietly gossiped.

On the second day after Chen Shi had sat on the country master's throne, he finally awoke from yesterday's bustle, thinking, "My father and Granny Sha are still performing the Demon Extraction for me; they probably don't know that while undergoing Demon Extraction, I've become the country master among the ghost tribe."