Chapter 30: For The Better Future

The elders, momentarily struck silent by the magnitude of Elan's plan, finally found their voices. Elder Aric, his eyes alight with a mix of hope and exhilaration, declared, "Elan, from the moment you first picked up a book, I knew you were destined for greatness. My faith in you has never wavered. This plan of yours has the potential to transform our clan's future entirely," his voice unwavering, resonating with heartfelt conviction.

Elder Aric was the first to believe in Elan when he was just a child, convinced that Elan would one day lead their clan to unparalleled prosperity. He just never imagined it would happen so quickly, nor did he expect to witness it with his own eyes. He had resigned himself to the thought that he might pass on before seeing the clan truly flourish. Yet here he stood, on the brink of a new era, marveling at the boy who would bring his dreams to life.

This was Elder Aric's ultimate dream—to witness the clan's prosperity unfold before his very eyes. It was no surprise, then, that he was the first to speak out in support of Elan's plan to relocate the entire clan. His unwavering belief in Elan's potential had finally found its moment of vindication.

Elder Mira, ever the cautious one, nodded thoughtfully. "We've placed our trust in you before, Elan, and you have never let us down. This vision you present is extraordinary, almost beyond belief. Yet, seeing the unwavering conviction in your eyes, I find myself compelled to believe in it."

The other elders murmured in agreement. Elder Rowan stepped forward, his voice resolute. "Elan, we have always recognized your potential. If you claim this place is safe and abundant in resources, then it is an opportunity we cannot afford to ignore."

Elan was astonished by how readily the elders embraced his plan. He had anticipated a lengthy process to win them over. The swift, unanimous support from the seven elders was a testament to their immense faith in him. Their unwavering confidence in his vision instilled in Elan a profound sense of responsibility.

"Elan, what should we do to implement your plan?" Elder Aric asked.

"Well, I wanted to tell the villagers first about my plan tonight, to see if everyone agrees. If they do, then it's better not to delay and move within two days. The sooner, the better," Elan replied.

Hearing Elan, the elders nodded. Elder Aric said, "We will do as you say. I will tell Gawin to let the others know, and we will meet at the center of the village after dinner."

Elan, deeply moved, said, "Thank you, Elder. Your support means everything to me."

Elder Aric, with a smile, responded, "No, Elan, it is we who should thank you." The other elders nodded in heartfelt agreement.

-----

Two hours later, the entire clan gathered at the village center, drawn from all directions by a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. Parents carried their young children, who clung to them tightly, their eyes wide with wonder. The elderly huddled together, whispering in hushed tones, trying to unravel the mystery behind this sudden assembly. The usually quiet village buzzed with a hum of voices, each person speculating about what was to come. As the crowd grew, a sense of anticipation hung in the air, and the villagers were eager to understand the purpose behind this unexpected meeting.

First Elder Aric ascended the small, makeshift stage and raised his hands, signaling the crowd to quiet down. The murmurs gradually subsided, and an expectant silence enveloped the village center, anticipation hanging thick in the air as every eye turned toward the elder, awaiting his words.

"You must be wondering why we gathered you here tonight," Elder Aric began, his voice strong and clear. The villagers exchanged curious glances, leaning in closer. "We have important news to share, something that will change the future of our clan." The suspense hung heavily in the air, every eye fixed on the elder, waiting for the revelation.

Elder Aric paused, allowing the anticipation to build even further before he spoke again. "Elan, come up here and share your plan with everyone," he called, gesturing for Elan to join him on the stage.

Elan stepped forward, feeling the weight of hundreds of eyes on him. As he made his way to the stage, the crowd found it almost amusing that a thirteen-year-old kid would be the one to share such significant news. However, despite his age, Elan commanded a presence that demanded respect.

Contrary to any expectations of skepticism, the crowd did not look down on Elan. Instead, his youthfulness had the opposite effect. It only heightened their curiosity and excitement, as they sensed that something truly extraordinary was about to be revealed by this remarkable young leader. The air buzzed with anticipation, every eye keenly fixed on Elan, awaiting his words with bated breath.

As Elan stepped onto the stage, an excited scream pierced the air. "Elan! Elan!" a girl shouted with pure joy, her voice ringing out through the center of the village.

The crowd turned to see Lyra, her face lit up with excitement as she jumped up and down, calling Elan's name. Her enthusiasm was palpable, drawing everyone's attention.

The villagers shook their heads and smiled, thinking, 'This girl would never change.' Lyra's boundless energy and unrestrained joy were well-known in the village, and her reaction to Elan's return was both endearing and expected.

Lyra's friend, embarrassed by her outburst, slowly backed away, trying to distance herself from the scene.

Lyra's mother, meanwhile, tried to calm her down. "Lyra, settle down, please," she whispered, gently tugging at her daughter's arm.

Seeing Lyra's exuberance, Elan couldn't help but smile. He waved at her, trying to calm her down with a reassuring gesture. Gradually, Lyra quieted, her excitement settling into a bright, beaming smile as she watched Elan, her hero, standing on the stage.

Elan stood on the stage, every eye in the village fixed on him. Despite the intense attention, he remained very calm. He was used to being in the spotlight; in his past life, he and his wife had been interviewed countless times by reporters, with crowds of people watching them due to their groundbreaking work on AI. Addressing the villagers now was nothing compared to facing the rabid reporters who had hounded them for every detail. The experience had given him the poise and composure needed to address an audience, no matter the size or the stakes.

He took a deep breath and began. "I know all of you are wondering where I've been and what has happened to me over the past few days. I want to share my story with you, and I hope it will help you all see the potential for a brighter future."

As the villagers leaned in, Elan continued, "After being chased by a Sabreclaw, I fell into a hidden hole. That fall saved my life. I found myself in a place that seemed like a fortress, surrounded by towering mountains and filled with rich natural resources. It's a place where spiritual energy flows abundantly. This energy can heal wounds and increase our strength. It is the key to cultivation."

"I met an old man there who taught me how to cultivate this spiritual energy. Through his teachings, I was able to cultivate. I've trained hard, and now I want to show you the results."

Elan stepped back and demonstrated his newfound abilities. He lifted a large trunk with ease, showing his strength. He then ran from one end of the stage to the other in a blur, displaying his incredible speed. Finally, he jumped high into the air, landing gracefully back on the stage. The crowd was amazed, gasping, and cheering at his display.

"Did you see that? He's as strong as ten men!"

"Is he even human anymore?"

"He's faster than a wild beast!"

"Incredible! I can't believe how high he jumped!"

"This is amazing! If we can all become like him, we'll be unstoppable!"

Elan smiled, feeling the energy and excitement of the crowd. He raised his hand to quiet them down before continuing with his speech, knowing he had their full attention and support.

"This is what cultivation can do, it can make us stronger, faster, and more resilient. But more importantly, it can give us the power to build a better future for our clan. I propose that we move to this new place, where we can cultivate and harness the natural resources to create stronger houses and better buildings. It's a place where we can all grow powerful and live a better life," Elan said.

He paused, allowing his words to resonate through the crowd, then raised his voice and called out with unwavering conviction, "Who's with me?"

The crowd erupted in a thunderous roar, their voices merging into a powerful chant, "Elan! Elan! Elan!" Their cheers reverberated through the village, a tidal wave of enthusiasm and hope sweeping over everyone present, igniting a collective spirit of unity and determination.

The seven elders, standing off to the side, were electrified by Elan's display of abilities. Hearing about his newfound strength and speed was one thing, but witnessing it firsthand was awe-inspiring. Their faces illuminated with anticipation, they knew this marked the dawn of a new era for their clan.

Seeing the crowd's fervor and excitement and hearing them chant Elan's name, Jarek's competitive spirit ignited. He clenched his fists with determination and declared, "I won't let you bask in all the glory, Elan. Cultivate, was it?" He scoffed and continued, "I vow to work just as hard at cultivating. If I can't surpass you, I'll at least match you. And if matching your strength proves impossible, then the gap between us will be minimal."

Aiden and Lian, inspired by Jarek's words, felt their own determination ignite. They silently vowed that they wouldn't let Elan outshine them by too much.

Lyra, witnessing Elan's incredible strength and hearing his ambitious plans for the clan, felt her excitement soar. No longer would she be confined to planting vegetables and fruit seeds. Now, she envisioned herself helping to hunt wild beasts alongside the other hunters or even with Elan. The thought of hunting by Elan's side filled her with a profound sense of purpose and an unyielding motivation to work harder.

Lyra wasn't the only girl thinking this way; other girls her age had similar thoughts, aside from the idea of hunting with Elan.

Even the elderly women felt a renewed sense of purpose. Despite their age, they yearned to achieve more before their time came.

Unbeknownst to them all, the true marvel of cultivation would surprise them even more when they discovered that it could restore their youth and vitality, giving them the strength and vigor of their prime years.

The crowd buzzed with electrifying excitement and awe. The prospect of relocating to a new land, abundant with resources and opportunities, ignited a spark of hope and anticipation in their hearts. Elan's powerful demonstration had cemented their belief that this new path could lead them to a brighter future.

Elan watched the crowd in excitement, his heart pounding with exhilaration. The reactions of the villagers were so much better than what he had experienced in his past life. When he and his wife announced their intention to create an AI, they faced skepticism and doubt, even though they provided solid proof that it was possible. But here, among his clan, there was no doubt, only belief and trust in him. The warmth of their acceptance and the fervor of their support filled him with a profound sense of fulfillment. This was the start of something incredible, and he knew that together they would build a future beyond their wildest dreams.

Elan almost teared up seeing the reaction of his fellow clansmen. The outpouring of enthusiasm and faith was overwhelming. For a moment, he struggled to keep his emotions in check, feeling the weight of their hopes and dreams resting on his shoulders. It was a responsibility he welcomed, and one that he vowed to honor with everything he had.