Chapter 374: The Village Chief's Overwhelming Pressure!

Hearing this, the Village Chief slowly opened his eyes, and a sharp glint flashed in his murky pupils.

He stepped forward, appearing slow, yet as if he crossed space, instantly arriving in front of the crowd.

With that step, a massive, vast Martial Saint aura suddenly erupted.

It instantly enveloped the entire Taoyuan Village!

The air seemed to solidify, and everyone felt a huge pressure bearing down.

They all looked up, reverently gazing at the Village Chief.

Jiang Feng also sensed the terrifying oppression; instinctively he activated the Zhen Long Yu Wang technique, barely resisting the pressure.

But at this moment, his respect for the Village Chief's strength deepened.

"Yao Lao, you have protected Taoyuan Village for so many years, granting us the favor of life; this gratitude, the Zuo Family and the entire Taoyuan Village remember in our hearts."

The Village Chief's voice was hoarse yet mighty, like a great bronze bell, resonating in everyone's ears.

"But times have changed; Taoyuan Village has been silent for too long, the old ways no longer work."

"The tragedy of the Yao Temple's split a thousand years ago, Old brother does not wish to reenact it here in Taoyuan Village. The Medicine Hall Transmission must remain in Taoyuan Village!"

"Yao Lao, do not destroy Taoyuan Village!"

As the Village Chief's words fell, five distinguished elders rose together from the crowd.

They wore long robes of different colors, exuding an aura not weaker than that of late-stage Celestial beings.

They are the elders of the Five Great Ancient Families of Taoyuan Village, the highest beings in the village aside from the Village Chief.

After these five elders stepped forward, without any hesitation, they all knelt before Yao Lao.

Their posture was respectful, but their tone was very harsh.

"We earnestly request Yao Lao to prioritize Taoyuan Village's overall situation, not destroy it! Retract the decree, and select villagers anew as Medicine Hall apprentices!"

Their voices were uniform, bearing a resolute tone.

Clearly, they had reached a consensus with the Village Chief, determined to prevent Jiang Feng from becoming a Medicine Hall apprentice.

The surrounding clan youths also echoed, all kneeling together.

"We earnestly ask Yao Lao to retract the decree!"

Yao Lao looked around, gazing at the kneeling Five Great Elders, a bitter smile appearing on his face.

He shook his head, his gaze returning to the Village Chief, a subtle appreciation flickering in his eyes.

"I didn't expect, in just a hundred years, you've already reached this point; it seems today you are determined to take this step?"

The Village Chief remained expressionless, neither joy nor sorrow, his face unchanged.

"I, in my old age, only hope the Medicine Hall Transmission can win the people's hearts and truly benefit Taoyuan Village. Jiang Feng, an outsider with no roots, cannot earn the villagers' trust nor lead Taoyuan Village to strength."

"Win the people?"

Yao Lao gave a faint smile, his tone tinged with sarcasm.

"But the one who chose Jiang Feng is not only me; Xi Er also chose Jiang Feng. Xi Er, do you agree?"

At these words, everyone's gaze fell simultaneously on Xi Er.

Under so many eyes, Xi Er's cheeks flushed slightly.

Yet Yao Lao's expression remained calm, his gaze sweeping all present, he slowly uttered a shocking statement.

"Everyone likely knows Xi Er's background. You may question Old brother's choice, but... the choice of the Shennong Emperor, would you dare to question it?"

"The Shennong Emperor's choice?"

The crowd was stunned.

The Five Great Elders exchanged glances, seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Zuo Liangchen's complexion changed, a vague bad omen stirring within him.

Yao Lao turned to Xi Er, his tone gentle as he asked.

"Xi Er, if you had to choose between Jiang Feng and Zuo Liangchen to become your husband, whom would you choose?"

The question was too direct; Xi Er's cheeks turned crimson like ripe apples, and she shyly lowered her head.

Those around held their breath, staring at her, awaiting her answer.

Zuo Liangchen watched Xi Er even more nervously, his fists unconsciously clenching.

He still clung to a sliver of hope; after all, their engagement had been arranged since childhood, and Xi Er shouldn't easily break it.

After a moment, Xi Er inhaled deeply, lifted her head, and stared resolutely at Yao Lao.

"Yao Lao, I choose Jiang Feng."

Her voice, though shy, was unusually clear. "Boom!"

The words cracked like thunder on flat ground, exploding through the crowd.

Zuo Liangchen's complexion turned deathly pale, staring at Xi Er in disbelief.

"Xi Er, you... what did you say? How could you choose him? Our engagement..."

Xi Er did not look at him, merely biting her lip and silently shaking her head.

She only felt childhood companionship toward Zuo Liangchen, not romantic affection.

Since Jiang Feng appeared, she has felt a different emotion.

The Five Great Elders, upon hearing, showed slight changes in expression, each turning to look at the Village Chief.

They had only known the Village Chief wanted Zuo Liangchen to obtain the Medicine Hall Transmission, unaware that Xi Er chose Jiang Feng.

Others may not know, but as Elder Rank beings, how could they not know Xi Er bears the Shennong Bloodline!

Rather than saying they have been supporting the Zuo Family these years, it is because Zuo Liangchen's prior engagement with Xi Er allowed the Zuo Family to continuously prosper.

Now that Xi Er has another choice, will they still follow the Zuo Family?

However, the Village Chief's expression remained unchanged, as if he had long foreseen this outcome.

He gave Xi Er a cool glance.

"Xi Er's background is indeed important, and her choice deserves respect. Yet she is still young, pure‑hearted, and could easily fall victim to outsiders' flowery words and be deceived, making a wrong choice."

He shifted his tone, his gaze landing on Jiang Feng.

"Although Jiang Feng has won Xi Er's favor, that says nothing. If Jiang Feng cannot produce something that convinces everyone of his qualification to become a Yao Lu apprentice, the Zuo Family will never accept him!"

As soon as those words were spoken, everyone's gaze refocused on Jiang Feng.

The Five Great Elders also nodded; Jiang Feng must demonstrate True Skill to earn everyone's confidence.

Facing the Village Chief's stare, Jiang Feng calmly stepped out of the crowd.

"I wonder how the Village Chief wishes me to prove myself?"

Sss!

At that moment, everyone looked at Jiang Feng in surprise.

Under the Village Chief's pressure, this youth remains so calm?

It seems this youth is no ordinary person!