Chapter 197: Chapter 121: Gu Jingang’s Thoughts!_3 Some elders believed that giving three pills to one person would make the breakthrough to the Great Success stage of the Blood Refining Realm more likely. Others felt that allocating two pills to one person and one pill to another was a safer bet on both sides. The Great Clan Elder was also hesitating. However, Gu Jingang’s actions today had undoubtedly left him quite dissatisfied. But since Gu Jingang was now the Gu Manor’s top combat force, he couldn’t be discarded lightly. His expression shifted unpredictably before, after much deliberation, he finally called out toward the hall: "Someone, summon Changming!" ... Ancestral Hall. Gu Jingang was kneeling before the memorial tablets of the Gu family’s ancestors. In truth, he originally had no right to kneel in the ancestral hall. Only after marrying the daughter of the main family was he added to the main family’s genealogy, coupled with his status as one of Gu Manor’s three great expert fighters, did he enjoy this privilege. At this moment, his face was somewhat grim as he stared at the multitude of ancestral tablets before him. His fists clenched tightly, not relaxing in the slightest. What was on his mind, no one could say. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺 Regarding his decision to approach the Great Clan Elder today, he harbored no regrets. From his perspective, the elders were simply too conservative and stubborn, still adhering to that ridiculous notion of bloodline supremacy. When the day comes that Gu Manor is utterly wiped out in the tides of change, it will truly be too late for regrets. That said, Gu Jingang wasn’t entirely without selfish motives. He also wanted to seize this opportunity to advance further. With his innate Divine Power, if he could ascend to the Great Success stage of the Blood Refining Realm, his name would undoubtedly become notable throughout Canghe County. He mused silently to himself. He didn’t know how much time had passed; his legs only felt slightly numb. But as a Martial Artist of the Blood Refining Realm, the Qi Blood Power circulating faintly through his body instantly restored them to normal. This punitive kneeling in the ancestral hall had no physical impact on him whatsoever, though it left him feeling humiliated. Footsteps sounded behind him. Without turning his head, Gu Jingang already knew who it was. "You’ve come to persuade me?" Gu Changming, wearing a scholar’s robe, sighed softly. After bowing deeply to the Gu family ancestors’ memorial tablets and lighting several sticks of incense, he finally addressed Gu Jingang: "Jingang, why put yourself through this..." "The elders are already deliberating. Now that you’ve sought out the Great Clan Elder, they are even less likely to yield to your demands." Gu Jingang let out a mocking laugh. "Deliberating? They’ve been deliberating since last year, and still, no conclusion has been reached. Don’t you think such indecision invites trouble?" He locked eyes with Gu Changming. "Don’t tell me you also believe the elders’ way of handling things is correct." Gu Changming fell silent for a long time before quietly replying: "But they are, ultimately, the elders... respected and esteemed contributors to the main family." Gu Jingang turned his head away with a faint snort: "You know what kind of man I, Gu Jingang, am—clear in gratitude and enmity. The main family’s nurturing of me, I naturally remember and appreciate. I respect the elders as well, but this is an extraordinary time, and a transformation is needed!" "Take Gu Sheng, for example. While his talent might be average, his diligence is more than evident. If the elders had been willing to fully support him, by now he’d at least have been an Iron Skin Martial Artist, and might even have advanced to the Jade Skin Realm. A skilled archer at the Jade Skin Realm would greatly bolster Gu Manor’s combat strength!" "And yet, what was the outcome? That kid Gu Sheng still must hunt constantly to earn resources, wasting who knows how much time. Only when he marries a daughter of the main family does he receive cultivation; it’s entirely unreasonable!" He vented a great deal—not only about himself, but also about Gu Sheng. For a long time, he had seen his own shadow in Gu Sheng. If Gu Sheng were to tread down the same path he had, Gu Jingang would find it deeply regrettable. Gu Changming remained speechless. He, like Gu Dajiang, also felt that the elders were overly rigid and traditional, but these were rules passed down through generations, ones neither of them could change. Moreover, as someone from the main family, he was naturally inclined to consider matters from the main family’s perspective. "Jingang, the elders are not as unreasonable as you think. Here, this is the Blood Strengthening Pill from the Great Clan Elder. Once you consume it, your cultivation should progress further." Gu Changming retrieved a Small Jade Bottle from his sleeve and handed it to Gu Jingang. Gu Jingang kept his head bowed, not responding. Gu Changming didn’t overthink it and placed the bottle beside Gu Jingang. After patting his shoulder, he turned to leave, intending to speak further with him once he had calmed down. The pill had to be given, but the three-day punishment of kneeling needed to be carried out as well. Rewards and punishments must coexist, authority and compassion both applied. Once the sound of footsteps faded into the distance, Gu Jingang glanced at the jade bottle beside him. He poured out the Blood Strengthening Pill, its exotic fragrance filling the air, and stared at the dragon-eye-sized pill in his palm, expressionless. "Another slap followed by a sweet treat." His mouth curved into an inaudible smile, a hint of menace in its twisted shape.