The kitsune were stunned. Such a move was within the Grand Elder's power but... A flagrantly unilateral decision like this one was exceptionally rare.
Kaori and Aki's bloodline was the main bloodline of the Void Clan, however there were two others of importance as well. Due to Grand Elder Void's prowess, the other two bloodlines had been suppressed, but the death of Head Void should have been their opportunity to rise up.
Grand Elder Void was too old to take the title of Clan Leader while Kaori was too weak to take on the role. In addition to all of this, their bloodline had just become responsible for the deaths of seven elders! Seven!
Even worse, the other two bloodline both had individuals stronger than Kaori within him. This would normally be negligible if it wasn't for the fact that they were of Kaori's generation! Both fourth and fifth elder were leagues ahead of Kaori in terms of battle prowess! One only need look at their elder rankings to see the truth.
In addition to all of this, there were many sleeping giants within the other two bloodlines, many of whom had retired from their elder duties to live in seclusion and seek a higher path. Since they knew the path of sovereignty was closed off to them due to the Grand Elder's bloodline, they sought other lanes of self-improvement.
Any one of those sleeping giants would force the Grand Elder to take them seriously. While Kaori's bloodline had First Elder and Grand Elder, each of those two dormant bloodlines also had two sleeping giants of their own as well!
Weren't they just talking about uniting the clan? Were this grandfather and grandson pair trying to light the flames of civil war?!
None of these men and women of the Kitsune clan realized just how ironic their thoughts were. They suddenly listed so many hidden powers within their lofty clan, yet they scoffed when the Kaori said they had only lost 10% of their power.
Seeing their reaction, Kaori couldn't help but shake his head. This was the reason for the decline of their Kitsune Clan. There was simply too much stupidity.
"Sister Midori, Brother Nobu." Kaori called out lightly.
In an instant, two flashes of black tore apart the void, causing two nine-tailed kitsune to appear.
One was a delicate beauty with fierce eyes, while the other was a scrawny young man with an unfathomable gaze.
Those within the hall immediately recognized these two. They were none other than the fifth and fourth elders of the Void Clan! The very same members of Kaori's own generation that surpassed him in strength.
"Are you willing to follow my lead?"
"Clan Head!" They both spoke at once, kneeling to a single leg and crossing their arms across their chest.
"Good!" Kaori's Presence filled the hall, stunning those watching.
A flood of faith blossomed within him. In an instant, what was a mere Duke grade Presence skyrocketed, shattering the King grade barrier and settling within it firmly.
The kitsune had just given birth to their first King in a long time... Suddenly, Head Heaven and Head Jikan felt a sense of crisis... An undying curse of inferiority.
"Taigen!" Kaori's voice roared once more, causing a pale old man to appear. Judging by his mere five brownish-red tails, he was a wholly inferior talent. Yet, somehow, his cultivation was that of a pseudo-dao formation expert!
"Clan Head, I have failed. Punish me!" Taigen fell to both knees, slamming his head against the sturdy ground.
"There's no need for such things, Taigen. My son was kidnapped in the Tower, it's obvious that a Death Guard cannot follow him in. I do not blame you. In fact, I called you here to pardon you."
Taigen's shoulders trembled, but he didn't lift his head. As a Death Guard, he waited everyday by Aki's jade pendant, prepared to kill himself the moment it cracked. It was a truly tragic fate.
"The teachings of the Kitsune Clans have been barbaric and foolhardy." Kaori's sharp gaze travelled around the Void Clan Hall.
"I'm well aware that what I'm saying is taboo. Many of you are afraid to lose the protection our ancestors have accumulated by changing their rules, however I have no such fear!
"Every day, every year, every decade and century and millennium, we follow these rules only to steadily decline more every generation.
"Kawa Snow was our first faith seed wielder in several hundred thousand years. Yes, she neglected her duties and abandoned the clan, but what do you think would have happened if we were more open? More understanding? Wouldn't we have gained not only a genius of the River Clan but also a rising star of the once lauded Elvin Kingdom?!"
The various elders looked down in shame.
"Alexandria Snow was our first ten-tailed in millions of years, yet you old fools didn't try and make her feel welcome, you didn't ask her what she wanted nor did you care about her feelings, instead you ostracized her and allowed my foolish son to humiliate her!"
The more Kaori spoke, the more passion seeped from his voice. His Presence laced with his words, moving even the stone-cold hearts of those Elders who hadn't thought of changing their ways in thousands of years.
"Do you think Alexandria Snow had to come here? Judging by how powerful her husband was, do you think she needed us? No! She came here to make amends for where her mother went wrong, yet you only proved Kawa Acacia's course of action correct!
"These old thoughts, these old methods of doing things will only lead to our death!" Kaori's hand flashed as a golden token appeared.
"Don't be impulsive Kaori!" The Heads roared.
Every single one of them knew what this token meant.
With the competing interests of so many clans coming together to form their current environment, control was something that was very difficult. The Kitsune were often very close to becoming a pile of loose sand akin to the Drago-Qilin lands...
