The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World

In the Cave World, another decade passed. Lie Xin was now seventy years old.

Over these ten years, she had remained steadfast in executing her strategies. On the one hand, she continued to strengthen the Fire Ant Tribe. On the other, she worked diligently to weaken the Holy Ant Tribe, laying the groundwork for her eventual ascension to its leadership.

She knew very well that the current patriarch of the Holy Ant Tribe had little time left to live. It was imperative to swiftly designate a young patriarch.

According to the Holy Ant Tribe's tradition, the patriarch and the five elders each selected one candidate. Together, these six individuals would compete for the position of the young patriarch.

The Fifth Elder had no candidate, and Lie Xin, after decades of hard training, had risen to the rank of a top-tier Golden Insect Master. If all went according to plan, she would be one of the six.

However, the Holy Ant Tribe's patriarch held great power. He intended to appoint his young great-grandson as the young patriarch. How could Lie Xin turn the situation in her favor?

At present, the overall strength of the Fire Ant Tribe had expanded significantly. But even so, it was only on par with the Holy Ant Tribe. If she were to force an attack, the outcome would surely be disastrous.

How could she achieve the greatest victory with the least cost?

Lie Xin furrowed her brows in deep thought.

Just then, Sheng Jie hurried over.

"Master, important intelligence!" he exclaimed. "The Great Elder, the Third Elder, and the Mad Spider Tribe have secretly met and, in the dark, replaced the guardians of the tribe with their own people."

Lie Xin raised an eyebrow.

What was this about? A rebellion?

The Third Elder, usually the most vocal, had always claimed that he would annihilate the entire Mad Spider Tribe. Yet, to her surprise, this bold, brash individual had already betrayed them.

Lie Xin pondered for a moment.

This could be an excellent opportunity. If she played her cards right, she might just be able to secure the position of young patriarch. Ultimately, once the current patriarch passed, she could take control of the Holy Ant Tribe!

After thinking for a while, Lie Xin issued her command.

"Pass the orders. The elite insect masters of the Fire Ant Tribe are to immediately set up ambushes at the caves outside the Holy Ant Tribe, awaiting my signal. Also, inform the agents I have placed under the Great Elder and the Third Elder to do the same and wait for my signal before they act together."

Sheng Jie bowed respectfully. "Understood."

...

A few days later, the Fifth Elder indeed sent word.

The patriarch's time was short, and a meeting was to be convened to decide the candidate for the young patriarch. The patriarch and the five elders would each select one candidate, who would immediately travel to the Holy Ant Tribe to compete for the position.

The Fifth Elder's chosen candidate was Lie Xin.

Since Lie Xin had demonstrated the strength of a Golden Insect Master, no one dared to underestimate her anymore. Moreover, though she was seventy, given the lifespan of a Golden Insect Master, she still had many years ahead of her. She was also the Fifth Elder's great-granddaughter, which made her the natural choice in both sentiment and reason.

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Several more days passed.

Lie Xin, escorted by the insect masters of the Fire Ant Tribe, arrived at the Holy Ant Tribe's hall. There, she met the other five candidates for the young patriarch position.

Patriarch Sheng Wei was sitting in his chair, his body supported by four robust insect masters as they carried him into the hall.

"What's your name? I don't recall seeing you before," he suddenly asked, noticing one of the insect masters guarding the entrance.

The insect master appeared flustered but still respectfully responded, "I am Sheng Zixiong, newly assigned to guard the hall."

Sheng Wei nodded slightly, not giving it much thought, and entered the hall.

"Ahem... Since everyone is here, let's begin," the patriarch said, clearing his throat several times before speaking slowly.

He sat in the highest chair, his entire body sunk deep into the soft furs. Though his figure remained tall and his frame still strong, there was an air about him, like a flickering candle on the verge of going out.

Sheng Wei calmly spoke, "As per tradition, each of you will first present your candidate and explain your reasons. Once everyone has spoken, I will make the final decision."

He looked around, as though experiencing a brief moment of clarity, before saying solemnly, "In the matter of recommending talent, I will not avoid family ties. The candidate I recommend is my great-grandson. Though he is young, he is naturally gifted, possessing the Four Insect Orifices. In the future, he will surely become a Platinum Insect Master. He is fit for the position of young patriarch."

After speaking, Sheng Wei turned his gaze toward the others. "Now, it is your turn."

When he said this, he carried the air of an aging lion, though still imposing in presence.

The Great Elder spoke calmly, "I recommend my eldest grandson."

Sheng Wei furrowed his brows and turned to the Second Elder. "And you?"

The Second Elder gave a dry chuckle, "I second the patriarch's recommendation."

Sheng Wei's expression softened slightly as he looked toward the Third Elder.

The Third Elder immediately stood up and addressed Sheng Wei, "Patriarch, your great-grandson is still too young. Who knows how many more years it will take before he matures? The Holy Ant Tribe is surrounded by powerful enemies. We do not have the luxury of time for his growth."

Sheng Wei's brows furrowed deeper.

Within the Holy Ant Tribe, his authority was unrivaled. This meeting was supposed to be a mere formality. In reality, everyone already knew that his great-grandson was the chosen one for the young patriarch position.

Now, there was unexpected resistance?

The Third Elder spoke loudly, "The position of young patriarch is of paramount importance to the future of our tribe. It cannot be decided by just one person. Moreover, the tribe is not a dictatorship ruled by the patriarch alone. We must select someone capable, someone with experience, to assume the position of young patriarch. I believe the Great Elder's eldest grandson is a suitable candidate."

With that, the Third Elder returned to his seat.

Sheng Wei furrowed his brows and turned to look at the Fourth Elder.

The Fourth Elder scratched his head, looking hesitant. "Patriarch... I think this matter still requires careful consideration..."

Sheng Wei's face darkened, his gaze shifting to the Fifth Elder.

The Fifth Elder forced a polite smile, "I recommend my great-granddaughter, but I do believe what the patriarch said has merit. Still, I think it's important to discuss this matter more carefully..."

Lie Xin, listening to this, couldn't help but laugh inwardly. The Fifth Elder's words sounded like a broken record, repeating the same idea without any substance.

Sheng Wei took a deep breath. "Great Elder, Third Elder, are you so determined to oppose me?"

The Third Elder stood tall and spoke in a righteous tone, "It is not that we oppose, Patriarch, but we must think of the tribe's future!"

Sheng Wei's face twisted with fury, and he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. "Oh, what a noble stance for the tribe's future! Patriarch's guards, come forth, seize the Great Elder and Third Elder!"

Swish, swish, swish!

Immediately, a large group of insect masters appeared, but instead of bowing to Sheng Wei, they turned and faced the Great Elder and Third Elder.

The lead Golden Insect Master respectfully addressed them, "Greetings, Great Elder, Third Elder!"

The Great Elder calmly responded, "The Patriarch is old and confused, deceived by treacherous people. Take the Patriarch back to rest. The matter of the young patriarch should be discussed later."

"Yes!" The lead insect master nodded respectfully.

Swish, swish, swish!

The insect masters immediately rose, moving toward Sheng Wei with evident intent to detain him.

Sheng Wei's face drained of color, his chest swelling with fury. These insect masters were strangers to him—he had never seen them before. His suspicions immediately crystallized. The Great Elder and Third Elder must have secretly replaced the tribe's guards!

These two had been planning this for a long time!

"You... you!" Sheng Wei's voice trembled with rage. His anger caused him to cough up blood repeatedly.

Although he was a Platinum Insect Master, he was now old and frail, his strength much diminished. His power was no longer on par with a high-ranking Golden Insect Master. At this moment, he couldn't do anything to stop the Great Elder and Third Elder.

Just as the tension was about to escalate, a voice suddenly rang out.

"The Fire Ant Tribe has objections!"