Reincarnated as a Divine Tree

Vol. 1 - Ch. 303 - Succession of the Clan Leader

"Have all the clansmen gathered?"The next day, at the hour of the Dragon (5-7 am), Chen Xingzhen looked down at the ancestral hall filled with clansmen and spoke.

"All clansmen from the Chaotic Burial Mountains are present, Clan Leader," replied Chen Tianyu.

Chen Tianjing followed:

"The clansmen from Yong'an City have also returned. Only Qinghe and Qingmeng are still on the road—they should arrive shortly.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Tianjing’s eyes held a trace of doubt. The revival of the Divine Tree was already common knowledge. Could today’s grand assembly be for a Divine Tree festival?

Yet, three years ago, when the clan offered sacrifices to the Divine Tree, nearly all the beasts of the Chaotic Burial Mountains had been hunted. With the continuous offerings since then, the mountains could no longer support another grand festival.

Nevertheless, seeing Chen Xingzhen in ceremonial attire before the altar, Chen Tianjing did not ask any more questions. Soon enough, the reason would be revealed.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Xingzhen declared,

"The auspicious hour has arrived. We shall not wait for them.”

With countless clansmen watching, Chen Xingzhen stepped forward to stand before the ancestral tablets in the hall. His expression was solemn.

"Burn incense! Honor the ancestors!"

"Perform the kneeling rites!"

After completing the series of rituals, Chen Xingzhen turned to face the gathered clansmen. Channeling his Qi and Blood, he declared in a loud voice, "Chen Xingzhen, the twelfth-generation descendant of the Chen clan, before the elders and all clansmen, hereby passes the position of Clan Leader to clansman Chen Tianjing. Let all clansmen bear witness."

At these words, silence fell among the clansmen. Clearly, this matter was no secret.

Beside him, Chen Tianyu remained calm—he had known of the decision for some time. In truth, when the Clan Leader entrusted him with the tri-colored Wind Immortal Flower some time ago, he had already guessed. He did not covet the position of Clan Leader—perhaps Tianjing was more suited to it.

However, Chen Tianjing’s body trembled at the announcement, and his eyes filled with disbelief. He had never imagined that he would be chosen to succeed the Clan Leader. In his view, Chen Tianyu was far more fitting to inherit the clan’s leadership.

Chen Tianjing’s lips trembled as if he wanted to say something.

But under Chen Xingzhen’s encouraging gaze, his eyes gradually grew firm.

Since the clan had chosen him, there was no reason to back down.

Being Clan Leader was not just an honor; it was a responsibility.

In front of countless clansmen, Chen Tianjing slowly stepped forward and took the token of leadership from Chen Xingzhen.

The token was ancient in design, with intricate patterns. On its reverse side, an old tree was carved—the clan’s totem. Though not a relic passed down through generations, it had been crafted after the clan migrated to the Chaotic Burial Mountains.

Though its years were few, at that moment, it carried extraordinary meaning.

As Chen Tianjing accepted the token, Chen Xingzhen smiled. Below, the clansmen all spoke in unison:

“Congratulations to Clan Leader Chen Tianjing on his succession!”

At that very moment, Chen Qinghe, who had just arrived at the clan gates, froze midstep upon hearing the resounding voices from the ancestral hall.

"My father... became Clan Leader?"

His expression darkened and his voice grew low.

"Then the clan is finished?"

When Chen Qinghe realized that Chen Tianjing had become the Clan Leader, a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes. Soon after, however, he muttered under his breath,

"Wait... My father has become the Clan Leader. According to the family succession, I too have a strong chance of becoming Clan Leader in the future." 

"My father is the clan leader; I am the clan leader." 

"Am I...my father?" 

"Huh?"

Beside him, Chen Qingmeng scratched his head, clearly bewildered.

Chen Qinghe shook his head, discarding the strange thoughts swirling in his mind. He quickly strode toward the ancestral hall. How could the future clan leader possibly be absent from such a momentous family occasion?

By the time the two arrived, the ceremony had moved on to the next stage.

After the handover ritual was completed, Chen Xingzhen and several others gathered beneath the sacred tree.

For an ordinary family, the proceedings would have ended there. However, their clan possessed a totem, so one final step remained for Chen Tianjing to become the clan leader: gaining the recognition of the family’s Divine Tree.

Chen Tianjing’s expression grew solemn as he began to pray to the Divine Tree.

Under the gaze of countless clansmen, the Divine Tree suddenly radiated a faint glow.

The light shimmered, signaling the tree’s response.

Under the glow of the sacred light, a single black locust leaf drifted gently downward and landed in Chen Tianjing’s hand.

Countless clansmen bowed their heads in earnest prayer, witnessing this.

With that, the succession of the new Clan Leader was formally complete.

After the ceremony ended, Chen Qinghe followed the crowd out of the ancestral hall, still looking slightly bewildered. Yet, as he reflected on his elevated status within the clan, his gaze brightened, and his steps became noticeably more lively.

Inside the ancestral hall, however, more than ten of the clan’s Blood Coagulation Realm martial artists did not leave right away. With a new clan leader in place, the family required new direction, so they remained to await orders.

Among those gathered were several newcomers—members of the Qing generation who had only broken through to the Blood Coagulation Realm within the past two years, such as Chen Qingxiu and Chen Qingshan.

In contrast, some of the clan’s original Blood Coagulation experts, including Chen Tianlu and Chen Tianlei, perished tragically in the last great clan battle. Now, their souls had transformed into green fruits hanging upon the Divine Tree.

Within the clan, the remaining Tian-generation members, such as Chen Tianquan and Chen Tianmo, had advanced beyond their previous realms in their cultivation.

"Clan Leader, now that the Divine Tree has just awakened, is it too soon for me to assume the position?" Chen Tianjing asked hesitantly, a trace of doubt flickering across his face.

Moments ago, he had been brimming with confidence, swept up in the solemn atmosphere that left no room for hesitation. But now, as calm returned, uncertainty gnawed at his heart. "Can I truly lead the clan to glory? I am not sure..."

Chen Xingzhen merely chuckled in response.

"My age has caught up with me. Back in the days of Chaotic Burial Mountains, I could lead the clan. But things are different now. The clan must look farther ahead, toward greater horizons. It needs a vision that stretches beyond the present."

He fixed his gaze firmly on Chen Tianjing.

"Now, you are the Clan Leader. Do not fail the expectations of your people.”

After hearing Chen Xingzhen’s words, Chen Tianjing no longer wavered. Besides, the succession ceremony had already taken place—there was no turning back now.

"Tianmo, tomorrow you will take some clansmen and transport all the Blood Rice we’ve stored over the past two years to Yong’an City.

"Qingxiu, Qingshan, and Qingrou, the three of you will head to Yunmeng City, Xiangshui City, and other places. Sell portions of the clan’s Blood Rice there and spread the word that in one month, our clan will sell a large quantity of Blood Rice in Yong’an City.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.”

Once he fully stepped into the role of clan leader, Chen Tianjing began issuing orders with calm precision, his voice steady and authoritative.

Chen Xingzhen, standing to the side, remained silent. The future of the clan was always meant to rest in the hands of the younger generation. For now, he would simply watch quietly.

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