After the discovery of the Eclipse Sage's ruins and subsequent Kez invasion, the name of the Dragonwolf Zhang Lie had become a fixture in the discussions and meetings of the five major clans of the capital. Now that news of Zhang Lie's dojo had spread, the major clans were starting to take action.

At the heart of the Chu clan, the elder Chu clan head, Chu Buyu, sat watching the footage of Zhang Lie's fight during the Kez invasion at the capital.

"He used to be last place on the gene leaderboard in the Blacksteel Settlement, you say? And now he's the Dragonwolf Zhang Lie, whose name has spread far and wide across the continent."

Chu Buyu's eyes were filled with curiosity.

"His achievements are shocking indeed, but trying to found a dojo in Ning just based on his newfound fame is hardly a wise decision," the Chu clan's first elder, Chu He, commented.

Chu Buyu didn't respond. He turned toward the elders gathered in the room.

Zhang Lie held a rather curious position in the Chu clan: they had suffered because of his scheme at the venombane glade in the dimensional world, but they had also gained a considerable amount from working with him. After all, he had been the sole reason that the Chu scions had learned about the foundational breakthrough and gained an edge over those from the other clans.

"Head, Zhang Lie and I are on good terms, and I'm sure I don't have to expound on the benefits he's brought to the clan. His potential is nigh-unlimited, and if we support the founding of his dojo, I'm sure he'll be a strong ally in the future," Chu Feng persuaded.

"Right, he's really strong!" Chu Xun pumped a fist into the air.

"Young head, this affair could well affect all the major clans of the capital, and we can't jump to hasty conclusions just because of your claims," an elder spoke up against Chu Feng. "Not only has Zhang Lie offended the Li, Wang, and Qin clans, he even sowed enmity with the Zhou, He, and Qian clans over what happened in the Eclipse Sage's ruins. If we were to defend him now, we might well be targeted by all the clans opposed to him. This would severely impact our future growth and development! As a result, I propose that we attend Zhang Lie's ceremony, but do so as a neutral party."

As a neutral party? What a ridiculous notion! Chu Feng clenched his fists. It had taken him considerable effort to build up a relationship with Zhang Lie, so how could the clan break it off just like that?

"Head, Zhang Lie defeated a three-star black-tipped scarab alone, and he'll likely be groomed by both the world federation and Chinese government!" Chu Feng clearly wasn't about to give up just yet.

"In that case, if the world federation's guarding him, what need is there for the Chu clan?" another elder suggested. Most of the Chu elders observed the argument without participating in it; there were only a scant few elders siding with Chu Feng, but the final decision lay in Chu Buyu's hands.

"We'll end discussion on this matter now. There's no need for the Chu clan to get involved at the moment. Let us watch the spectacle unfold."

It was true that Zhang Lie had significant potential, but he would have to live for that potential to blossom. Otherwise, he would be nothing but a casualty in the path toward strength.

To Chu Buyu, it wasn't worth the gamble to simultaneously offend the Qin, Li, Wang, Zhou, He, and Qian clans for a supposed genius from the slums.

However, Zhang Lie's breakthroughs represented significant potential for investment, and Chu Buyu didn't want to sour relationships between them either. Waiting and remaining neutral would be the safest, most stable option.

Chu Feng was dismayed by Chu Buyu's decision, certain that the Chu clan was giving up on an irreplaceable resource by choosing not to side with Zhang Lie, but he had no means of countering Chu Buyu's decision.

The same scenario was occurring in the Yun clan, where Yun Bing was red-faced from arguing in favor of Zhang Lie. Her opinion was essentially identical to Chu Feng's, but no one of power in their clans had observed Zhang Lie for themselves.

"Dad, please reconsider!" Yun Bing pleaded.

"Young head, you must take the future of the clan more seriously! Do you intend for the Yun clan to go the way of the Qin? Zhang Lie's a target for many of the major clans of the capital and Ning, and the safest option is for us to remain neutral."

Many of the elders were against her, and no matter how much Yun Bing wracked her brain to defend Zhang Lie, she was bound to lose.

"Don't you know what Zhang Lie represents?" Yun Bing called out.

The elders departed without looking back at her.

"He's the future, the future of Earth, as well as the future of humanity!"

The relationship that Yun Bing and Chu Feng had barely managed to forge with Zhang Lie could well be dissolved in light of their clans' decisions today.

"Sister, there's no helping it. The elders won't listen to you; they haven't seen Zhang Lie for themselves! But don't you worry, regardless of what the clan does, I won't stand by while Zhang Lie needs my help!" Yun Meng stamped her feet as she glanced toward the door.

Yun Bing looked up. Yun Meng was right: even if the clan's position was to remain neutral, that didn't mean that she had to do the same!

The clan's decision was logical and understandable: Zhang Lie would be a valuable resource, but the risk that the clans had to undertake was far too large. Without having a better understanding of him, they wouldn't choose to take that risk.

In the Wang manor in Ning, three figures were seated by a large table, three steaming cups of tea placed in front of each of them— the heads of the Wang, Qin, and Li clans.

"For what purpose have you requested our presence, head of the Wang clan?" Qin Zongming spoke up, breaking the silence. He had been the first to receive Wang Han's invitation.

Although the three clans shared a common enemy, they had had friction with each other in the past, and it was still difficult for them to peaceably plot for Zhang Lie's downfall.

Qin Zongming had left quite a few guards outside the Wang manor, and the head of the Li clan, Li Mo, was likewise alert. He too had a few forces gathered outside the manor.

On the other hand, the Wang head had met them alone.

"Please, don't worry. The matters of the past were nothing more than a misunderstanding, and I intend to let bygones be bygones. I've invited both of you here for a pressing matter: the Dragonwolf Zhang Lie."

Wang Han took a sip of tea. Qin Zongming and Li Mo's expressions had soured the moment Zhang Lie's name was brought up, but they certainly seemed much less wary than before.

Sensing the shift in the mood, Wang Han quickly continued, "He's been recognized by both the world federation and the Chinese government, and we won't be able to strike back at him directly. We've all suffered at his hands, and none of us will rest easily while he still lives. Dealing with him is surely a top priority for all of us."

Qin Zongming agreed with Wang Han, but he had his own pawns in play.

Even if he were to seek out an ally, he didn't want to work with the Wang clan, because they hadn't been cleared of suspicion for involvement in the Qin clan's downfall.

"He is indeed a pressing concern, but I have no need of allies to defeat him. If there is nothing more, I shall bid you both farewell." The proud Qin Zongming rose up from his seat, intending to leave.

"Don't look down on that lad. I sent two peak second-realm hunters against him, both having ingested a restricted potion in advance, and there wasn't even a trace of their corpses left behind," Wang Han said, causing Qin Zongming to freeze.