The Demonic Cultivator In Zombie World-Chapter 318: She Will Support Me With All Her Strength

Fire Ant Tribe.

In the ancestral hall of the Fire Ant Tribe, Lie Xin and her companions arrived to find the hall eerily empty. The real activity, however, was taking place at the martial arena, where her three brothers were engaged in fierce duels to determine the next leader of the tribe.

Lie Qing glanced disdainfully at the modest ancestral hall, sneering, "What a simple and shabby hall."

Nearby, a respectful Insect Master from the Holy Ant Tribe nodded in agreement. "The Fire Ant Tribe is just a mid-sized tribe; how could it compare to the Holy Ant Tribe?"

Lie Qing smirked, unfazed, "Still, even the smallest insect has its vital organs. This Fire Ant Tribe, though humble, is still a mid-sized tribe. Taking on the role of leader here will be more than enough for me."

The Insect Master quickly showered him with flattery. "Indeed, Master, your talent is extraordinary, and your strength unmatched. Only someone like you is worthy of leading this tribe!"

Lie Qing beamed, thoroughly enjoying the praise. His tail practically seemed to be wagging with delight, his ego inflated to the highest point.

However, Lie Xin paid no attention to their exchange. She stood quietly, her gaze fixed on the new spirit tablet. She remained silent for a long time.

...

The spirit tablets in the ancestral hall were arranged in five layers. The top layer held only one tablet—this was the spirit tablet of her grandfather, Lie Yong, who had led the tribe into the ranks of mid-sized tribes.

At the very bottom of the hall were the tablets of previous leaders whose reigns had been disastrous. Some were noted for their reckless building projects that led to years of financial loss, while others had caused the tribe to suffer from endless warfare, leaving the tribe weak and vulnerable.

Her father, Lie Zhao, had served as a leader for just fifteen years. He had neither achieved anything significant nor caused any lasting harm. For this reason, his spirit tablet was placed on the second layer.

Lie Xin respectfully knelt on the cushion, performing three full bows. Afterward, she took three incense sticks and lit them, carefully placing them into the incense burner. She had already noticed that the incense inside had long since ceased to burn, and there was no heat left in the burner. It was clear that no one had come to offer incense for many days.

Lie Qing, who had been observing her actions, was about to speak when Lie Xin preemptively said, "Fifth Brother, if you are to take the position of the tribe leader, you must show respect to our ancestors."

She turned toward him, her voice firm yet composed. "You bear the Lie surname, and as such, you must offer incense and bow before our father, grandfather, and all the ancestors. No matter what you may think in your heart, the proper rituals must be observed."

Lie Qing was momentarily speechless. After a moment of reflection, he realized that, despite Lie Zhao being his nominal father, if he wanted to assume the position of leader, he would indeed need to put on a façade.

"Thank you for the reminder, Sister," he said, somewhat begrudgingly, as he followed her example, bowing three times and offering incense.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hall, and someone entered.

"The three sons of the former chief have been fighting among themselves for the leadership, and it's been a long time since anyone has come to offer incense. Yet, here you two are, newcomers to the Fire Ant Tribe, and you immediately come to show respect..." The voice trailed off, laced with quiet disappointment.

Lie Xin and Lie Qing turned around to see an elderly man with snowy white hair standing behind them.

"Who are you?" Lie Xin asked.

"Chen Pei, my father was Chen He," the old man replied.

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Lie Xin's eyes widened in surprise, and she quickly bowed deeply. "Lie Xin pays her respects to the Grand Elder."

Chen Pei smiled warmly. "Ah, so you're Miss Lie Xin."

He then glanced at Lie Qing and asked, "And this must be..."

Lie Xin introduced him, "This is my Fifth Brother, Lie Qing."

She shot a quick look at Lie Qing.

Lie Qing understood immediately and adopted a respectful posture. "Lie Qing pays his respects to the Grand Elder."

Chen Pei observed Lie Qing's tall and handsome appearance and nodded slightly. Looks, after all, were an important factor when judging a person's potential.

"Chen Pei..." Lie Xin's mind quickly recalled information about him.

After her grandfather Lie Yong's passing, Chen Pei had assumed the position of Grand Elder. He had been personally trained by Lie Yong and was known for his impartiality. He never sided with anyone, which made his support highly coveted. Whoever gained his backing would be almost guaranteed to succeed as the next tribe leader.

Chen Pei smiled. "Miss Lie Xin, have you come to pay your respects, or...?"

Lie Xin glanced at her Fourth Brother, then said, "Fifth Brother, Lie Qing, is also a son of my father. I've returned to help him claim the position of tribe leader."

She paused, then added, "Mother knew of this and sent six Insect Masters from the Holy Ant Tribe to escort us."

She introduced, "This is Golden Insect Master Sheng Jie, also my mother's elder brother."

Chen Pei raised an eyebrow and looked at Sheng Jie. "A Golden Insect Master? A pleasure to meet you."

Sheng Jie merely nodded slightly but did not respond.

Chen Pei didn't mind. After all, there were only four Golden Insect Masters in the Fire Ant Tribe, and for someone to be sent to escort Lie Xin and Lie Qing, they had dispatched a Golden Insect Master. This showed that the Holy Ant Tribe had already considered the position of tribe leader to be as good as theirs.

Chen Pei spoke slowly, "According to the rules, Lie Qing is indeed eligible to inherit the position of tribe leader. But Lie Tang, Lie Song, and Lie Yuan are also competing for the leadership. Only those who can make a significant contribution to the tribe will be worthy of the position. This is a rule set by our ancestors."

Lie Qing frowned slightly, his expression clouded with confusion.

What does this mean? I am from the Holy Ant Tribe! My mother is the granddaughter of the Fifth Elder of the Holy Ant Tribe! My uncle is a Golden Insect Master! And yet, you're telling me I don't have the qualifications to be a tribe leader? What nonsense is this?!

"Kill..."

The murderous intent in Lie Qing's heart surged as he was about to speak.

But Lie Xin smiled and interrupted, "If my Fifth Brother can resolve the conflicts between the three older brothers, turn the tribe's fortunes around, and within five years, double the size of the Sulfur Pool... Would the Grand Elder be willing to support my Fifth Brother's succession to the position of tribe leader?"

Chen Pei's expression shifted in surprise.

This Lie Xin had only just returned, yet she saw through the Fire Ant Tribe's current situation with a single sentence. How could she, who had been absent, understand the tribe's affairs better than him, the Grand Elder?

Chen Pei spoke seriously, "If those three things can be achieved, I, Chen Pei, will definitely support Lie Qing as the next tribe leader! I swear by my word, I will not go back on it!"

Lie Xin nodded calmly, "Good. Please remember your words today, Grand Elder."

She then signaled for Lie Qing and the others to leave.

As they stepped out of the tribe's ancestral hall, Lie Qing, still stunned, spoke up, "Sister, these three tasks... The first one is easy enough. We can just use force to stop my three older brothers from fighting. The second one is also doable, as long as we get money from Mother. But the third one... I've heard that expanding the Sulfur Pool by half would require at least fifty thousand silver Insect Crystals. I'm afraid Mother doesn't have that much money."

Lie Xin smiled lightly. "I have a way. Fifth Brother, for now, you just need to wait. When the time comes, your sister will personally send you to the tribe leader's seat."

Lie Qing was deeply moved. "Sister! You're so good to me!"

Since he could remember, Lie Xin had always been kind to him, saving the best food and toys for him. She never competed with anyone, and her only hobby was reading. Now, she was taking care of everything, making all the arrangements for him.

How could he not be touched?

Lie Xin said calmly, "Remember this, don't resort to violence, or the tribe will definitely resist you. Those who use violence to rule will eventually be overthrown."

Lie Qing, still somewhat confused, nodded and watched Lie Xin walk away.

Sheng Jie, looking at Lie Xin's retreating figure, sighed with some admiration. "Qing'er, your sister is remarkable. If she were a man, she could easily take the position of tribe leader. No one would have any chance against her."

Lie Qing chuckled, "But she is my sister. She will fully support me!"

Sheng Jie nodded. "Yes, you have a good sister."