Chapter 901: Chapter 901: Five Is More Than Four

Xiu Jie Ming and Qi Tianxin’s gazes intertwined in the air, almost about to burst into sparks.

Xiu Jie Ming sat with his people on the right side of the grand hall, facing Qi Tianxin’s group from across the podium.

The election had not yet started, but the air seemed to already be filled with the scent of gunpowder.

The various family members entered one by one, with representatives from the Feng Family and Gong Family choosing seats close to Qi Tianxin.

The Qin Family, Chu Family, and Jiang Family entered consecutively, sitting near Xiu Jie Ming’s side.

Qin Qiu, Qin Ziyu, Chu Jianfeng, Jiang Tianqing, Jiang Qiemo, Jiang Sanxin, and others nodded slightly at Chen Guan upon seeing him, without speaking.

This was not the time or place for conversation.

Representatives from the Ten Great Families entered one after another; the Celestial King did not attend in person but sent representatives mostly consisting of family heads, though a few were not family heads.

The Ji Family arrived last, and their entry caused quite a stir.

Many eyes were on the leading woman from the Ji Family.

"That’s Ji Liuying. She’s young and beautiful, yet already boasts near Celestial King-level strength. Why does fate favor her so, with all its blessings?" Duan Shulin couldn’t help but admire.

"What’s the matter? Tempted? Want me to intervene and make introductions?" Ji Nanhong teased beside him.

Duan Shulin quickly shook his head: "Such a formidable woman, I couldn’t handle it. I prefer gentle little women."

People from the various families and Qi Tianxin’s side were sizing up Ji Liuying.

Reaching this level at such an age, especially as a woman, is rare indeed; it’s unique to Divine Land.

Whether intentional or accidental, the Ji Family chose seats smack in the middle, separating the families on both sides.

Soon enough, the election officially began, with Qi Tianxin and Xiu Jie Ming taking the stage to make their final campaign statements.

The formal election stage commenced afterward.

The representatives of the Ten Great Families took the podium one by one, casting their votes into the respective ballot boxes.

The Feng Family representative was the first to cast their vote, without speaking, unsurprisingly voting for Qi Tianxin.

This was anticipated; it would have been odd for the Feng Family not to vote for Qi Tianxin.

Following closely, the Gong Family representative also cast their vote for Qi Tianxin, bringing his tally to two.

Soon enough, Qin Qiu represented the Qin Family, voting for Xiu Jie Ming, declaring the Qin Family’s stance.

The Chu Family and Jiang Family representatives also took the stage, casting their votes for Xiu Jie Ming, flipping the count to three against Qi Tianxin’s tally.

The Zhang Family representative voted next for Xiu Jie Ming.

With four votes, Xiu Jie Ming stood on the cusp of victory, delighting the Xiu Family side.

With the expectation that the Ji Family would vote to abstain, obtaining one more vote would secure Xiu Jie Ming’s victory.

Unfortunately, the Shang Family, as was anticipated, cast their vote for Qi Tianxin, altering the tally to three versus four, with Xiu Jie Ming still leading.

The Xia Family, having interacted with the Xiu Family multiple times and reaching an understanding, was expected to vote for Xiu Jie Ming.

Yet, Xiu Jie Ming noticed that Qi Tianxin and Feng Wuci showed no change in expression, sensing something amiss.

Indeed, the Xia Family representative did not vote for Xiu Jie Ming but for Qi Tianxin instead.

"Xia Family... what are you doing..." The Xiu Family, along with the Qin, Chu, and Jiang families, glared at the Xia Family representative.

Having previously negotiated with the Xia Family, this change of mind was unexpected.

After descending from the podium, the Xia Family representative merely gestured an apology without uttering a sound.

However, Chen Guan discerned their words: "Sorry, their offer was too good."

The tally was now four to four, with all eyes turning to the Dushan Sect representative whose vote could decide the outcome.

"Brother? No problem, right?" Xiu Yingmei anxiously looked at the representatives from Dushan Sect, mainly Gu Shan and Purple Robe, whom Chen Guan was quite familiar with.

After the unexpected move by the Xia Family, Xiu Yingmei was concerned about Dushan Sect possibly flipping as well.

Xiu Jie Ming did not respond to Xiu Yingmei, keeping his gaze on Qi Tianxin.

Qi Tianxin’s expression made Xiu Jie Ming uneasy.

Despite having visited Dushan Sect and spoken with the King of Du who promised his vote, Qi Tianxin’s expression was anything but complacent.

Xiu Jie Ming could even detect a hint of disdain and arrogance in Qi Tianxin’s gaze.

The atmosphere in the hall was tense, with no one speaking, breath involuntarily constrained.

All eyes were now on Purple Robe and Gu Shan.

Chen Guan sensed something amiss, observing Qi Tianxin who glanced back and offered a smile.

Qi Tianxin’s smile exuded a victor’s pity for the vanquished.

Chen Guan’s heart skipped a beat, realizing something was wrong.

He turned to ask Xiu Jie Ming: "Is there an issue with Dushan Sect’s vote?"

"Originally, I thought there wasn’t, but now it seems like there might be." Xiu Jie Ming watched Purple Robe ascend the stage, frowning.

Xiu Yingmei heard their conversation and recognized the issue but still hoped for a miracle, her gaze fixed on Purple Robe.

Yet, miracles are hard to come by, especially in such circumstances.

Taking the stage, Purple Robe decisively cast Dushan Sect’s vote for Qi Tianxin.

The hall erupted in disbelief, with Qi Tianxin now leading five to four.

Having already reached an understanding with the Great Families, the Ji Family was set to abstain, meaning Qi Tianxin essentially won.

The faces of the Xiu Family, Qin Family, Chu Family, and Jiang Family fell; the turn of events was unexpected.

Who would have thought both Xia and Dushan Sect would flip at the last moment, voting for Qi Tianxin.

"What are they up to? We had an agreement to vote for us." Xiu Fenghao furiously moved to confront the Xia and Dushan Sect representatives.

"Sit down." Xiu Jie Ming halted him, shaking his head: "Victory goes to the king, defeat to the conqueror. Losing is losing, excuses are meaningless."

"There’s still the Ji Family vote; convincing them could create a five to five tie, providing another chance." Xiu Fenghao looked towards the Qin, Chu, and Jiang Family members.

Only coercing the Ji Family for a vote could be effective, a power only the Ten Great Families possessed.

Qin Qiu knew what he was thinking: "It’s useless; the Ji Family informed all families they’d vote to abstain, a tacit truth. Forcing them now lacks justification."

Pausing, Qin Qiu continued: "With a five-to-four standing, if coercion were used, do you think the Ji Family would side with us, or join the other five? Everyone knows which side has more votes."

The Xiu Family members’ faces turned ashen, feeling a sense of hopelessness.