Xi Zongde was a stoic man. Rarely did he interfere in the bickering between his children so long as it didn’t go too far he figured it was good for them to push each other. Besides he had much more to worry about and even if they all fought over his eventual empty chair he was a Xian level cultivator chances were he would live many more years and if he could break through again to even higher realms his life span might even outlast some of his children or grandchildren.

Thus power struggles for those who may or may not ever see his seat empty wasn’t something that concerned him too much.

Their pursuit for strength would help the Xi clan broadly and his duty was to protect the interests of all who lived under them even those who are not by blood Xi.

The young generation banquet he planned was going to be useful to decide if things are developing well with them, but the real test was the tournament to see who was making progress.

Flicking out his palm he watched flames erupt. The Xi clan specialized primarily in the power of ruby. Most descendents developed a ruby core and he himself had long ago become one of the strongest ruby core cultivators on Sosea continent. It was for this reason he was able to carve out a place for the Xi clan among powerhouses that surrounded him.

Xi Zongde’s eyes drifted over to one of the few men he considered a friend, Xi Shen though technically distant cousins Xi Shen was only a mere decade younger than himself. “How goes the frontier?”

Xi Shen laughed “As usual unruly and untamed. Lots of bandits and hoodlums, but our control over the region has solidified in the last few years since your daughter’s marriage with the local Lan family. Xi Ning has helped solidify our presence there and frankly her husband is moderately talented even compared to your children. More than a few talented youths are bound to spring up.”

Xi Shen picked up his tea cup and drank deeply. “Good tea. Just the right temperature.”

Pfft! Xi Zongde scoffed “What a shame I would be to ruby core cultivators if I couldn’t control the temperature of my tea properly.”

“Fair enough!” Xi Shen chuckled.

Xi Zongde’s eyes narrowed “What about the other reason you were sent with my daughter?”

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Closing his eyes, Xi Shen sighed audibly. “New Dawn has swallowed up two more clans and completely eradicated the Di clan. A few of their branch family descendents at best made it to Xi and Hmong clan territories.”

Zongde looked at his cousin “The Lan family joined us recently due to mounting pressure from the so-called New Dawn protectorate. It was wise of them, but their are no major families or clans left outside of the Yun, Hmong, and Xi. They will set their eyes on us next.”

Xi Shen nodded he knew the situation the Xi clan found itself was…precarious at best. The Xi clan was in between two major powers, the Jin empire and New Dawn. While the Empire had never shown overly aggressive actions against them he wouldn’t put it past them to swallow them up if opportunity arises. While the New Dawn fanatics continued to assimilate martial families and clans at increasing rates. Ever since the fall of the Zhao clan it had only accelerated.

Grabbing the tea Zongde took a sip smelling its fragrance as his cousin had done. “The young generation needs to be prepared. I am not sure how much longer we will have the ability to deter these powers all around us. War is going to come sooner than later.”

“Don’t you think that you should end factionalism among your children?” Xi Shen said, raising his eyebrows.

“Bahaha!” Xi Zongde burst out “you naturally have those thoughts, but the strongest needs to emerge. It won’t be much longer. I already see two of them ready to break. Once that happens the competition is likely over and I can step in then. For now let the grandchildren have some competition.”

Xi Shen couldn’t argue against the logic that was equally valid to his own. A Wolf pack needed to determine who was going to lead, leaving it unresolved would only cause issues down the line.

With that they drank their tea in silence taking in the chirping bird as they looked out to the neigh endless cityscape beyond.

…

Xi Biyu watched as the six wives of Xi Zongde emerged and took their respective seats at the head of a large table filled with the descendents of their own children. Xi Zongde himself had sat in the center of all of them. Each wife was stunningly beautiful and represented a powerful faction within the Xi clan’s various branch families that has been grafted in.

Her own mother Xi Ning was from Xi Zongde’s youngest wife who was just a bit older than his oldest son who was a product of his first wife. This made her mother and by extension her grandmother the weakest faction among the main branches. While easily the strongest faction was the first wife and first son.

Tang Cixi was a powerful cultivator in her own right and her children reflected it. Xi Biyu always questioned why Xi Zongde wanted so many wives, but it wasn’t her place to question her grandfather.

With a resounding voice that quelled the ambient chatter, Xi Zongde addressed the gathering, declaring, “As you all are aware, the tournament looms near. It's incumbent upon every direct descendant of the Xi lineage to aptly prepare. Our duty is to exhibit to the people the reasons behind our position of authority. I hope to see all of you work hard.”

Xi Zongde’s eyes scanned lingering on Xi Biyu for a split second before moving on. “Remember this. In the end we are all of one blood and we must not allow internal strife cause us to fracture. There are outside forces who would love to prey on a sick animal.”

The meal went uneventfully, but Xi Biyu was more interested in getting to speak with her grandmother who had requested all her descendants see her later in the evening. Xi Biyu had never seen her grandmother before, but from what she could tell she didn’t seem any older than her own mother. Such a thing suggested immense cultivation.

When everyone stood up as Patriarch Xi left along with his wives, Xi Biyu discreetly made her way towards her grandmother’s personal portion of the compound.