After a round of discussions, the majority of elders and guest elders in the Wang family supported the idea of challenging the Qinghe Tang family. However, there were a few dissenting voices, and the most prominent of these came from the most senior guest elder, Elder Du. Elder Du, who had reached the middle stage of the Nascent Soul, had been cultivated by the Wang family and held a strong sense of loyalty despite being a guest elder rather than a blood member of the family. His objection surprised many, as he was known for his low profile and had never before disagreed with the family head's decisions. This time, however, it was evident that the head of the Wang family was fully confident in challenging the Tang family, which was widely regarded as the weakest of the twenty mid-tier families. Elder Du's clear stance that the Tang family was not the best choice, suggesting instead that the Wang family consider the Li family, led most in the room, including the family head, to view him with a sense of surprise.

The Wang family head broke the silence, giving Elder Du a thoughtful look as he asked, "Why does Elder Du believe the Li family would be a better choice for us to challenge than the Tang family?"

"Family Head, even a dead camel is bigger than a horse. Although the Tang family has declined to the lower ranks of mid-tier families, they were once a grand, large family and likely still hold some hidden strengths," Elder Du explained. He couldn't elaborate further beyond this point; he simply felt strongly that the Tang family, despite its decline, had been able to cling to the bottom of the mid-tier ranks for centuries. For Elder Du, it seemed wiser to challenge the Li family, which, despite its place among the twenty mid-tier families, did not have the Tang family's deep-rooted foundation.

"Elder Du, any family that ranks among the twenty mid-tier families is bound to be formidable," someone objected. "The Li family, though a newer member of the twenty, has a strength and influence that far exceeds the Tang family's. Your suggestion that we pass over the Tang family to challenge the Li family... Do you perhaps have other motives?"

This question came from Elder Jia, another guest elder in the Wang family, who had a history of friction with Elder Du. The resentment was mostly one-sided, with Elder Jia begrudging Elder Du's higher influence and the preferential treatment he received in the family.

"There are no ulterior motives," Elder Du replied, ignoring Elder Jia's provocation as he turned back to the family head. "The head summoned us here to share our honest opinions, and I hope you will give my suggestion some thought. If the Tang family were truly as weak as they appear, they wouldn't have been able to maintain their place among the mid-tier families for so long without being displaced."

Elder Jia sneered, clearly intent on discrediting Elder Du. "The Tang family has managed to stay at the bottom of the ranks only because their challengers were too weak. Those small families who failed are nothing compared to our Wang family. Or does Elder Du see us on the same level as those failed challengers?"

His words hit a nerve, especially with those in the Wang family who had been working hard to prove themselves. Although the Wang family was still technically considered a lower-tier family, they believed they were now fully capable of holding their own among the mid-tier families and needed only formal recognition. They certainly did not see themselves as comparable to the families that had previously failed to challenge the Tang family. Elder Jia's words fueled dissatisfaction, and some even looked at Elder Du with displeasure. Even the Wang family head, though he kept a calm expression, was slightly irritated.

"All right, that's enough," the family head intervened to smooth things over. "Elder Du likely didn't mean it that way, and Elder Jia, there's no need to take it to heart." He then subtly steered the conversation away from Elder Du's viewpoint. "Han siblings, what do you think?" he asked, directing the attention to Zhang Yiyi and Luo Qiheng, who had remained silent throughout the discussion. However, his gaze settled on Zhang Yiyi, clearly expecting a response from her rather than from Luo Qiheng.

Zhang Yiyi, seeing that the family head had addressed her directly, could no longer stay on the sidelines. Smiling, she replied, "Please forgive me, Family Head. My brother and I are new here, and we aren't familiar with these matters, so it would be inappropriate for us to give any suggestions. But rest assured, whichever family the Wang family decides to challenge, my brother and I will give our utmost support wherever needed."

After expressing her stance, she resumed her quiet observer role, aware that her true purpose was merely to lend support if required, not to get involved in strategic decision-making. Her skills lay in combat, not counsel; her role was to follow instructions, not to influence them. The family head seemed satisfied with her response, praised her and her brother briefly, and did not pursue further input from them.

In the end, the decision was made by majority rule, with the head of the Wang family officially finalizing the challenge against the Tang family. After the meeting dispersed, Zhang Yiyi and Luo Qiheng returned to their quarters, only to find Elder Du waiting for them at the door.

"Do you have a moment to talk?" Elder Du asked, glancing toward the room. "I won't take up too much of your time."

Zhang Yiyi glanced at her brother, who gave no objection, so she extended a courteous invitation to the elder. "Of course, Elder Du. Please, come in."

Once inside, Zhang Yiyi skipped formalities and directly asked, "What can we do for you, Elder Du?"

Elder Du wasted no time getting to the point, looking at her intently. "I sensed that you agreed with my position earlier. So, why did you not speak up when the family head asked for your opinion?"

Elder Du's bluntness carried a hint of reproach, perhaps from frustration at the outcome of the meeting. Zhang Yiyi, however, maintained her calm and replied evenly, "I'm not sure I understand, Elder Du. First, what makes you think I necessarily agree with your view? Second, how do you know that what I said earlier wasn't my genuine opinion?"

Luo Qiheng's gaze turned icy, clearly unimpressed with Elder Du's assumption. Though he remained silent, his disapproval was evident.

"When everyone was set on choosing the Tang family, I noticed that you looked less interested than the others," Elder Du explained, noting the subtle differences he had observed. "Yet when I suggested the Li family as a better option, your expression showed approval. I may have hoped you shared my thoughts and were merely hesitant to express them openly."

Zhang Yiyi sighed inwardly, acknowledging the sharp intuition of someone at the Nascent Soul stage. She had indeed leaned toward Elder Du's view, though she'd been careful not to show it openly. "You're mistaken, Elder Du," she replied calmly. "My brother and I are newcomers and lack an understanding of the twenty mid-tier families, so we have no grounds for judgment. As for my expressions, I was merely observing, as your dissenting opinion naturally drew attention."

Though Elder Du was disappointed by her answer, Zhang Yiyi had no intention of getting involved. Whether the Wang family succeeded in challenging a mid-tier family had little bearing on her. Clearly, the decision was already set. Elder Du's wish to change the family's direction singlehandedly was ambitious, but unlikely to sway the head's will.

"Enough," Elder Du finally muttered, his voice thick with frustration. He turned to leave but then paused, throwing a bitter look over his shoulder. "You'll regret not taking action today!"

"Please, wait, Elder Du," Zhang Yiyi said, though she made no attempt to pacify him. Her tone was firm as she clarified, "You are mistaken, Elder Du. My brother and I are guest cultivators; our role is simply to do our best in whatever tasks the Wang family assigns. We have neither the standing nor the ability to influence anything else. We won't regret simply fulfilling our duty."

"You're wrong!" Elder Du insisted, clinging to his belief. "You know this challenge against the Tang family is unwise, and yet you remain silent—"

"Know? What makes you think I know anything for certain?" Zhang Yiyi interrupted. "Our knowledge of the mid-tier families is limited, and even with complete knowledge, we could not claim absolute certainty over which is the best choice. I hope, Elder Du, that you will not impose your assumptions upon us."

"You're a clever one," Elder Du sighed, reluctantly conceding. With a resigned shrug, he seated himself, his gaze fixed intently on her. "I know you don't favor the Wang family challenging the Tang family, you're just too cautious to get involved."

Zhang Yiyi found herself both exasperated and amused by his persistence. She was aware that he had rightly guessed her thoughts, but had chosen not to involve herself in family politics. Nonetheless, out of respect for Elder Du, she decided to explain a bit further.

"Elder Du, even if we were to choose the Li family, do you believe the Wang family would have an assured victory? Among the twenty mid-tier families, none are easy opponents. Unless the Wang family has an absolute advantage, what difference does it make if they challenge the Tang or Li families?"