Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 558 An Announcement

A final look swept through the hall by Bai Zihan, and he turned away as if the preceding events held no significance.

His steps led him back towards Mu Linyue.

Upon reaching her, he extended his hand.

"Give it to me."

Without a word of explanation.

Mu Linyue immediately grasped his unspoken request.

A subtle smile graced her lips, as if this very moment had been anticipated.

Yielding without any struggle, she produced the Memory Crystal Mirror and placed it directly into his palm.

"Here you go!"

Bai Zihan’s eyes narrowed slightly at her demeanor, and a soft grunt escaped him. "Hmph!"

He accepted the crystal without delay, tucking it securely away.

Only then did his gaze return to her, a subtle but clear warning resonating within it.

Yet, no further words were uttered.

Mu Linyue merely smiled, utterly unfazed.

In any case, she had never anticipated Bai Zihan possessing such formidable power; the whispers she'd heard certainly weren't exaggerations.

Combined with his profound Alchemy Knowledge, Mu Linyue found herself questioning when this seemingly unremarkable cousin of hers had ascended to such a level of strength.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere within the hall began a slow recovery.

The shock from earlier hadn't vanished completely but was gradually being overshadowed by forced pleasantries and renewed chatter.

After all, this occasion was still a celebration.

The festivities marking Mu Tianxuan's breakthrough persisted, though it was evident the event was drawing to a close.

Mu Qingyuan observed the unfolding scene with quiet attention.

Then, his gaze shifted deliberately-

Directed towards Mu Yuelan.

Their eyes met briefly.

A silent understanding passed between them.

Mu Qingyuan offered a slight, confirming nod.

Mu Yuelan took a step forward.

Her movement immediately captured everyone's attention.

"Esteemed guests!"

Her voice rang out, clear and resonant, effortlessly slicing through the residual din.

Every single eye turned towards her.

"I have an important announcement to make."

A brief pause ensued.

Her gaze swept across the assembled attendees.

"On this momentous occasion, celebrating my father’s recent breakthrough..."

Her tone remained unwavering.

"I am delighted to share another piece of wonderful news!"

A flicker of curiosity ignited on numerous faces.

Another announcement?

Mu Yuelan wasted no time.

"My son, Bai Zihan, has been appointed as the new Clan Leader of the Bai Clan."

A palpable wave of astonishment swept through the hall.

"The Clan Leader?!"

"So soon?"

"Bai Zihan is merely eighteen, isn't he? Has something befallen Clan Leader Bai Tianheng?"

Even distinguished guests from other empires turned their attention, recognizing the gravity of this development. After all, it concerned none other than the Bai Clan, the region's most formidable power.

A shift in its leadership was bound to trigger significant ramifications.

Furthermore, a Clan Leader so young was unprecedented, especially among the leading clans.

The youngest clan leader present was likely well over a century old.

Now, a mere teenager was slated to helm the strongest clan – this was undeniably major news.

Naturally, no one questioned Bai Zihan's suitability for the position; he was widely considered the most probable successor.

It was simply the abruptness and suddenness of the appointment that left everyone unprepared.

Murmurs and discussions arose, speculating on the reasons behind Bai Zihan's sudden ascension.

Some surmised it was his extraordinary talent and already considerable power that prompted an early assumption of leadership.

Others hypothesized that Bai Tianheng might be preparing for his own breakthrough into the Immortal Realm.

"Congratulations, Young Master Bai!"

"No... Clan Leader Bai now!"

"What a truly joyous occasion!"

One after another, guests stepped forward, cupping their fists in respectful salutation.

Their words dripped with warmth and deference.

"The Bai Clan is destined for even greater glory under your command!"

"To possess such a young and capable Clan Leader is truly something to envy!"

"This certainly calls for a double celebration!"

Laughter followed, but beneath the surface lay a current of seriousness.

For everyone understood the profound implications of this announcement.

Bai Zihan was no longer just a burgeoning prodigy.

He now wielded significant authority.

Authority over what was arguably the mightiest clan in the region.

The very future of the Bai Clan now rested in his hands.

Amidst the crowd, the expressions of the Imperial Family members underwent the most noticeable transformation.

The princes, who had been subtly vying for attention moments before, now adopted a far more restrained demeanor.

Yu Wenzhao's gaze flickered thoughtfully.

Yu Longxuan fell into a contemplative silence.

Yu Zidi, the First Prince, also narrowed his eyes.

All of them were acutely aware of the immense difficulty in swaying Bai Zihan to their cause.

Had the position of Clan Leader been held by someone else, a chance might have existed – but with Bai Zihan in command, it would prove exceptionally challenging.

Then, the princesses observed the scene unfold, their gazes steady.

Their eyes shifted between Bai Zihan... and Chu Ziyan.

A discernible trace of regret surfaced in more than one set of eyes.

If only they had acted sooner...

Before Bai Zihan's reputation had soared to such heights-

Perhaps they could have secured his allegiance then.

But now?

It was unequivocally too late.

Chu Ziyan had already firmly claimed that crucial position.

The sole chance that numerous factions would have battled for had already been claimed.

Everyone had previously mocked Chu Ziyan and felt sorry for her being betrothed to Bai Zihan.

But now?

They felt like utter fools, realizing that the greatest opportunity might have just slipped through their fingers.

That very 'opportunity' had now become something impossibly out of reach.

Back at the central stage, Bai Zihan received the congratulations with a composed countenance.

He displayed neither excessive pride nor feigned modesty.

His father was currently in the process of attempting a breakthrough to the Immortal Realm, utilizing the potent pills acquired from Mu Tianxuan.

This presented the perfect juncture to publicly announce his succession, a plan that had already been discussed and agreed upon with the Mu Clan.

They were, for the most part, thrilled and more than willing to offer their support.

After all, unveiling such significant news within the Mu Clan's domain would not only affirm Bai Zihan's lineage from the Bai Clan but also underscore his profound connection to the Mu Clan.

Mu Yuelan elegantly raised her hand once more.

"There is... another announcement to be made."

A subtle smile graced her lips, causing a spark of immediate interest to ignite across the assembled crowd.

"We will be holding an auction."

The instant these words were uttered—

A palpable ripple of excitement swept through the hall.

An auction?

Many individuals quickly started connecting the dots, intuiting what might be featured in this impending auction.

Their eyes gleamed with heightened anticipation.

Mu Yuelan did not prolong their suspense.

"Naturally..."

Her gaze deliberately scanned the assembly.

"There will be Grade-7 pills available."

Boom!

The reaction was instantaneous and explosive.

"Just as we expected!"

"The Mu Clan now possesses the capability to produce Grade-7 pills! They would undoubtedly seize this chance."

A wave of exhilaration washed over them; this was an event of considerable magnitude.

Up to this point, the production of high-grade pills—especially those of Grade-7—had been almost exclusively controlled by the Vermillion Pill Empire.

Anyone in need of such potent elixirs had little recourse but to go through them.

However, the dynamics were clearly shifting, a fact palpable to everyone present.

This was far more than a mere auction.

It was a bold declaration.

It signaled the ascendancy of the Mu Clan within the world of alchemy.

From the side, the faces of the Vermillion Pill Empire's delegation grew somber.

This was precisely the scenario they had been apprehensive about.

A new formidable competitor had emerged!

Nevertheless, they determined they would have to observe and wait.

Should the quality of these pills prove to be inferior, then perhaps there would be minimal cause for concern.

In any event, the pills presented at the auction would serve as a definitive measure of the Mu Clan's true alchemical prowess.

Mu Yuelan proceeded, her tone unwavering.

"And that is not all."

After a deliberate pause.

"There will also be Heaven-Grade artifacts on display."

The fervor intensified once more.

"Heaven-Grade artifacts?!" "Are they serious?!"

"Treasures of that caliber..."

The atmosphere in the hall swelled with renewed intensity.

Excitement.

Covetousness.

Eager anticipation.

All these emotions began to surge within the vast hall.

What had commenced as an ordinary celebration had now transformed into something of far greater significance.

A pivotal turning point.

And every single person in attendance was acutely aware—

They were bearing witness to the genesis of something monumental!