Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 230 - 180: Head-to-Head Confrontation (2)

"Everyone is here, so let's begin."

Zhou Tianyi suddenly spoke, saying it expressionlessly.

Hai Continent is located at the far east of Da Li, the furthest away, and he was the last seat holder to arrive.

"Alright, no problem."

Chief Steward Jin was interrupted in his greetings but showed no sign of annoyance, smilingly said:

"Then let's begin."

"Everyone, please take your seats."

As the words fell:

The numerous Foundation Establishment powerhouses stood up, came to the center of the conference hall before nineteen tables, and found their respective seats and sat down.

At the very front were the four representatives from Lingyang Sect, Fuhai Sect, the Dugu Family, and Shanhe sect, while the remaining ones were the leaders of fifteen smaller powers.

"Those who can sit here are the big figures who hold sway in the Da Li Cultivation Realm."

Zhang Yao sighed inwardly, secretly observing these Foundation Establishment powerhouses.

Actually, among the fifteen second-rate forces, more than half are closely connected with the Four Major Golden Core Powers, either as side branches or subordinate attachments.

Under Fuhai Sect's influence are Dongliu Alliance, Haihe Association, and Yuan Mountain Bai Clan; Lingyang Sect similarly has three major forces; Shanhe sect has one; Dugu Family has two.

It could be said this Celestial Treasure Conference is essentially a power struggle among the Four Major Golden Core Powers.

The remaining six independent second-rate forces, though generally somewhat stronger, collectively hold barely twenty percent of shares, making them incapable of affecting the overall situation.

"Following the related regulations, we are now going to vote on the results of the Seven-Seated Conference."

Chief Steward Jin stated directly and straightforwardly:

"Starting with me first…"

"Wait!"

Zhou Tianyi rudely interrupted, solemnly said:

"Before voting, shouldn't we discuss the issues regarding the Seven-Seated Conference?"

"For example, the procedures and outcomes from the Seven-Seated Conference seem inherently not in compliance with the rules!"

"Oh?"

Chief Steward Jin heard and smiled insincerely, saying:

"Does Sect Leader Zhou have any insights to share?"

"It's simple."

Zhou Tianyi remained expressionless, looked at Li Shuixian beside him, and snorted:

"She claims Yu Wen Tai abruptly left to break through the Golden Core, but where is the evidence? Where is the token?"

"Without proof, how can we trust this woman's one-sided statement?"

Upon hearing his words, the crowd instantly perked up their spirits.

Clearly, Fuhai Sect's first counterattack arrived — directly questioning the fairness of the previous Seven-Seated Conference from the root.

As long as Li Shuixian couldn't produce evidence, her temporary holding of Yu Wen Tai's seat would be illegitimate, effectively leading to a deadlock with three votes against three votes, shattering Chief Steward Jin's Tower Master dream.

"I certainly have evidence."

Li Shuixian remained calm, took out a pale golden token, and displayed it:

"My master left in a hurry, unable to detail things, this is the Tower Master token he gave me before leaving."

Numerous gazes instantly locked onto it, over a dozen Divine Thoughts swarmed over, validating its authenticity.

"...It's real!"

Zhang Yao retrieved his Divine Thoughts, feeling somewhat surprised.

The Tower Master token in Yu Wen Tai's hand is still with him, so how did Li Shuixian obtain this token?

"..."

Zhou Tianyi also pulled back his Divine Thoughts, furrowing his brows.

"Everyone knows my master's strength."

Li Shuixian remained composed, confidently spoke:

"Ask yourself, if not directly given by him, how could I possibly obtain this token symbolizing the Tower Master's identity?"

"Hmph, a token alone isn't enough!"

Zhou Tianyi snorted coldly, his tone carried subtle mockery:

"There are so many flaws in your narrative!"

"If Yu Wen Tai truly pursued the Golden Core opportunity, why didn't he leave a written letter? Why not communicate to others, but only to you?"

"Was he in such a rush he couldn't even give a heads-up?"

"Furthermore, for several months, you haven't mentioned anything on this matter, yet suddenly this morning..."

He posed several sharp questions, but Li Shuixian remained composed, explaining:

"Sect Leader Zhou may not know..."

After explaining a few points seamlessly, Chief Steward Jin also started speaking in support.

But Zhou Tianyi wouldn't let go easily, kept pursuing this legitimacy issue firmly, arguing directly with Chief Steward Jin, the situation became tense.

Li Shuixian had evidence, but it was insufficient, the logic remained flawed.

Lingyang Sect and Fuhai Sect were contesting relentlessly over this issue, their affiliated forces also stepped up to support, words gradually became intense.

"...I think there's an issue with this Tower Master token."

Naturally, Zhang Yao chose to support Zhou Tianyi, directly addressing the crux:

"Can you prove using this token to control the key arrays within the tower?"

Many arrays inside the Celestial Treasure Tower were personally modified by Yu Wen Tai after he took charge, only he could control them.

No matter where this token from Li Shuixian came, even if the material and crafting technique were identical, it absolutely couldn't achieve the same effect as Yu Wen Tai's.

Upon hearing his words:

The crowd quieted down, their eyes focused on Li Shuixian, awaiting her response.

Li Shuixian deeply looked at Zhang Yao, silently withdrew her gaze, and softly spoke after a pause: 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"My master handed me the token upon departure, without providing corresponding authority."

"Given my cultivation, I can't oversee such a vast entity as the Celestial Treasure Tower; I'm merely a transitional choice, hence I voluntarily nominated Chief Steward Jin."

This explanation seemed reasonable, yet still not entirely convincing to all.

Zhou Tianyi felt invigorated, clung to this point to escalate his offensive, yet Chief Steward Jin handled it effortlessly, argued based on reason.

Seated individuals gathered in small groups, whispering, while the Dugu Family and Shanhe sect observed from the sidelines, causing the dispute to linger without resolution.

Just as the sides were deadlocked:

"Enough, don't bother entangling with them."

An elderly voice suddenly emerged in Zhou Tianyi's mind:

"The token she's holding is real, should be the one from True Yang Old Ghost."

"Continuing to argue is futile, let's proceed directly to voting..."

The elderly voice paused briefly, then continued:

"Allies or enemies, once voting commences, it will become apparent."

"Yes, Master."

Zhou Tianyi responded mentally, immediately adjusting his strategy.

Consequently, after Zhou Tianyi slightly relaxed, Chief Steward Jin quickly gained the upper hand, finally 'forcing' Zhou Tianyi to agree on voting.

"Then let's begin voting!"

Chief Steward Jin triumphantly declared, raising his hand first, representing Lingyang Sect to support the resolution.

As he acted just now, his subordinate Xuanmen Association and three other affiliated forces' hands swiftly rose, suddenly forming four votes.

Soon thereafter—

Among those six independent forces, Taihe Sect's Sect Leader swiftly raised his hand, and after hesitating, the Patriarch of Du Men Zeng Clan slowly raised his hand as well.

The leaders of the remaining four sects spoke in unison, expressing a shared stance:

"We abstain!"

At this point, nineteen seats removed four, only fifteen votes remained.

"Six votes..."

Zhou Tianyi's expression slightly changed, his heart couldn't help but tighten.

Two more votes and Lingyang Sect would have the advantage, then it would proceed to the equity voting stage, once completed, the resolution could no longer be overturned.

Under normal circumstances, the party with voting advantage also has share advantage, naturally causing him concern.

Fortunately, while he looked around, it seemed no one else was raising their hand, and his heart breathed a sigh of relief.

"Luckily, the time is too short, they likely couldn't win over more people..."

But just as he was about to speak, he suddenly froze.

Beside his seat, a lady dressed in a plain palace gown and with gold hairpins, slowly raised her hand:

"Our Dugu Family supports Chief Steward Jin to become the new Celestial Treasure Tower Master!"