"Council head Si, you left in a hurry for the Baju Valley. What happened there that is so urgent to call a meeting?" an old man asked. Si Namfi recognized him. He was Di Tietie, his rival in the council. He had once hoped that Patriarch Tie Nse would make him council head while he is gone. Even though no one was vying for the Patriarch's seat because of his strength, the patriarch was still never around and the next best thing was the council head seat. When he lost to Si Namfi, he did not hide his dissatisfaction, causing a division in the council.

"I left I a hurry because I felt an anomaly in the Baju Vally. A troublesome one at that. It felt as though someone had walked out of the Valley." he said causing whispers amongst those present.

"Your imagination always shocks me, council Head Si. You abandoned the business of the clan for such a thing? Were you born yesterday or did you not know that the no one can walk out of there?" Di Tietie said and all those from his faction nodded.

Si Namfi was not shocked that he would try to turn this against him.

"That is why I am council head instead of you. If I had acted like your small minds, I would not have come to a recent knowledge from there." Si Namfi said and Elder Di frowned.

"Besides, I was not the only one there. All the heads of the nine powers were there in person. They did not even bother to send representatives and rushed over." Si Namfi said and they all looked at each other.

"What happened?" a neutral elder asked.

"Someone really did walk out of the Baju valley and it was our patriarch's disciple at that." this statement from Si Namfi caused loud discussions to arise from each corner of the hall.

"Our Patriarch has no disciple." Elder Di eyes narrowed.

"Even if he did, would he tell you?" Si Namfi said coldly and looked past him at everyone else.

"Madam Ge said that patriarch took on a disciple, put him in the valley and waited in her restaurant for ten plus years for him to emerge. Patriarch only told her that he is special. She did say he had not yet done his spirit picking. She saw his face when he emerged, but patriarch paid her to not divulge his description." Si Namfi said and the discussions only got louder.

"Do you think you can just give us this information and expect us to swallow it as you said? We need to confirm it before making a decision." Elder Di frowned.

"Elder Di, if I remember, I am still the council head till the patriarch says so. As for all of you, this information was paid for. Most of you know the rules of Madam Ge's restaurant. It is not only I who did. The entire nine powers now know that our patriarch can use the Baju Valley. Elder Di, we are all aware of why you would not like this information." Si Namfi said and Elder Di's eyes narrowed.

"And frankly, your selfish dreams are your own alone. I did not bring this information for us to debate about the patriarch's disciple. I brought it because, since all other eight powers now know of this, the implications could bring us trouble." Si Namfi said and those present understood what the other powers must be thinking. As good as a disciple the patriarch got, his strength will make things difficult for them. Those from Elder Di's faction could care less about his dreams at this point. This development was big. The entire eight powers against them? This is not good at all.

"Now, I am hoping on one thing to keep the other powers at bay for a while. That is the patriarch. Now that they all think he can control the Baju Valley, or he had gained something from it, it only makes us more of a threat. The Baju valley is not just any place, they will not move carelessly, not without knowing the kind of damage the patriarch can do. They all looked at each other and nodded. All they could do for now, was prepare.

Elder Di returned to his mountain and called for his son immediately. The young man no older than twenty five walked in and bowed to his father.

"Father?" he said in greeting.

"Wong, how is your training?" he asked. This boy before him was his pride. At the age of 12 he had already reached the stage of spirit awakening, making him the youngest in the history of the alliance. Now, he stood at the peak of spirit merging, just a step away from soul seeking. He is the strongest amongst his generation in the alliance and the cause of jealousy amongst his peers.

"Fine, father. Did something happen at the meeting?" Di Wong asked.

"The patriarch has taken in a disciple." Elder Di said and Di Wong's eyes shrunk.

"Worry not, the patriarch will have to return one day. When that happens, you must be prepared to show off your strength so that you can become his disciple." his father said calmly.

"But father, this plan of yours could have worked if the patriarch did not take on a disciple. Now that he has... everybody knows the lineage of patriarchs pa.s.ses from master to disciple. It is the alliance Law."

"I know. Those old protectors were there when Si Namfi explained today, even if they were hiding in the shadows, I know they know of this development. If the patriarch did not have a disciple, it would have been clear on who would be the next patriarch. There is no one better than you. But there is not need to panic. The patriarch did not care enough to have disciples before. If he has taken one in now, there is still a chance he will take you in when he sees you. After all, there is no one more worthy than you."

"And that disciple of his?"

"How ever special he is, it does not matter. You grew up in the alliance and are more connected to it that he is. As long as the choice is between you and him, the alliance will not hesitate to choose you." Elder Di said rea.s.suringly.

"Father, you don't seem to want to take his ability into consideration. Are you saying that when it is between him and I, I will loose in strength?" Di Wong frowned.

"The patriarch took him in as a disciple more than ten years ago, is the a.s.sumption. He was only discovered because the patriarch put him in the Baju Valley for ten plus years and he walked out on his own, unharmed." Elder Di said solemnly. His words caused Di Wong's eyes to shrink.