Chapter 16 An Appearance of the Council of Elders The fourth princess sitting in the audience looked at Chen Feng and complained, saying, “A pract.i.tioner at the fifth level actually made a breakthrough at this time. However, he cannot challenge me even now." n.o.body would believe such words since Tang Xiaoxiao was only at the Ling Durability level. How could she challenge Chen Feng, who had already reached the Ling Nature level? Tang Ao found that Tang Xiaoxiao refused to admit defeat, and said with a smile, “Xiaoxiao, do you think he cannot challenge you even though he has made a breakthrough to reach the Ling Nature level?” "Hmph! Yes, indeed. If he dares to challenge me, he will be certainly defeated within ten moves. Although his sword art is good, it is even worse than mine." Tang Xiaoxiao raised her head up high like a proud rooster. Chen Xiong was slightly surprised at these words. This little girl was standing beside him and it was at this time that he realized she had never exposed her actual strength. With careful thinking, a horrified look flashed in Chen Feng’s eyes and he said, “Your Majesty, the fourth princess has already reached the Ling Nature level?” "Oh, yes, she reached the Ling Nature level last year. However, she could hide her strength, so she could only release the Ling Durability in normal times. Even the masters of the Ling Holy level, in addition to you, couldn’t discern it either." Chen Xiong showed his appreciation and said, "The fourth princess is really the pride of our kingdom, and I also wonder who is more powerful between her and Chen Feng." Tang Ao said with a smile, “That’s simple. Let’s find a chance for them to have a contest.” “Yes, but not today. I hope the contest will be held very soon. Won’t it?” Chen Xiong asked with a smile. Tang Ao nodded and said,"You mean . . . ?" "Yes, a contest to learn from each other." Chen Xiong nodded. …… On the second day after the family contest ended, the strong drumming force was heard above the Chen family. It was so decorous and unceasing that even Chen Xiong had never experienced it before. "Who on earth are they? Such a horrible force to confront the Chen family?" Chen Feng murmured. Chen Lei smiled and said, "Confront the Chen family? Who dares to do so on the Continent? They must come from the Council of Elders." Chen Feng felt slightly relaxed, then asked with great curiosity, "I have heard them before. What kind of people are they? Do they all have such great power?” "No. At the very beginning, the Council of Elders was made up of some predecessors of the family, who cultivated themselves for years and never partic.i.p.ated in the struggles on the Continent. They will never appear unless the Chen family is in danger,” Chen Lei explained. "No wonder they are so powerful. I’m wondering, how many people are in the Council?” Chen Feng continued to ask. Chen Lei shook his head and said, "I have only heard of them occasionally. They only appeared twice in the past 1,000 years and the whole Continent was greatly shocked during those periods. However, they have never appeared in the past century. As for the number of people, I don’t believe there are too many, but each must be very powerful.” Chen Feng nodded with great curiosity about the Council of Elders. When recalling the humble expressions of the collateral clan masters, he knew that the status of the family master was even lower than that of the Council of Elders. "Aha! How dare you talk about the Council of Elders in private?" A burst of laughter came out with a flashing figure showing up in front of Chen Feng. The man had white hair and even a white beard. His beard was so long that it reached down to his waist, but his face was amazingly as tender as a baby"s skin and without any wrinkles. "You. . . Who are you?" Chen Feng asked with great surprise. The old man with the white beard said, "I am only the member of the Council of Elders you have just spoke about." "Ah? You are the member of the Council? I, Chen Feng, haven’t recognized our grandfather, please forgive me." Chen Feng saluted immediately, but he did not know how to address him, so he just called him grandfather. "Aha! You young fellow. You were so curious about the Council just now. How come you become so overcautious when you face the member of the Council now? That’s not good,” The white-bearded old man said with a chuckle. Chen Feng was only a twelve-year-old boy, after all. Although his strength had already reached the Ling Nature level, he often felt nervous when facing the real masters. And the old man appeared in front of him so awkwardly as the predecessor of the Chen family, it was only natural for him to feel a little nervous. "So, grandfather, how should I address you?" Chen Feng asked. The white-bearded old man smiled without the slightest bit of impatience. He asked, "Your father is the young fellow named Chen Xiong, right?" Chen Feng nodded and thought, He must have a very uncommon status, because n.o.body throughout the Continent dares to mention the name of Chen Xiong. He dares to call him a young fellow, so he must enjoy a very high social status here. "According to the sequence of generations, I really don"t know how you should address me. Your father Chen Xiong should call me ‘ancestor’ in front of me. Well, it"s a headache. You can call me anything you like. Or, you just call me a white-bearded grandfather." After a moment of hesitation, Chen Feng said, "White-Bearded Grandfather, what is the Council of Elders? Why do you show up now?" "When you grow up, you will understand naturally. However, believe me, the Council is a good place for the elders. Once you get there, you will know the horror of it. You’d better practice hard now so that you can have the opportunity to join the Council in the future,” he said and, glancing at Chen Feng, continued, “However, although you are only at the Ling Nature level, you are really talented. So, it’s most probable for you to join the Council for cultivation.” After that, the white-bearded old man moved his ears slightly with a gentle smile, saying, “Kid, if you want to join the Council, just follow me." At these words, Chen Feng felt very excited. The mystery of the Council of Elders as well as the strength of the white-bearded grandfather had greatly attracted him. He believed it would be a nice choice to join the Council for cultivation. I just wonder whether my father will agree or not, Chen Feng thought with hesitation in his eyes. Then, in a flash of light, it was changed into firm resolution. He followed the old man and said to Chen Lei behind him, “Elder brother, I’d like to follow him to have a look.”