Chapter 1345 - 1345: Who Matters More

"Silence, all of you!"

Gong Qing exuded the overwhelming presence of a Daoist Venerable across the entire venue.

Her expression remained serene and solemn, embodying the authority of a leader who reveals neither joy nor anger.

"From now on, Venerable Junshuai will be the Supreme Palace Master, possessing the highest authority in the Ice Palace. This is the final decision; no one is allowed to defy it!"

Seeing that the crowd was still opposing, she calmly added another statement.

"Anyone who refuses is an enemy of mine!"

"I don't agree!"

Venerable Linjing and Venerable Lanmiao kept silent, as the voice came from someone flying over from a distance.

Jiang Cheng thought to himself, who's so daring to not give the Palace Master face?

Upon closer inspection, the newcomer was entirely crimson red with a metallic sheen, yet without any hardness, instead floating gently like water waves in the wind.

Having cultivated the Nine Immortals of the Universe Technique, he was somewhat familiar with the various races of the Primordial Immortal Realm.

With a glance, he recognized the young man with a mottled appearance was from the Stone Race.

The Stone Race doesn't have meridian and Qi Sea, and their divine soul is entirely different from the Human Race, but cultivation also requires spiritual power and immortal power to achieve step-by-step evolution and advancement.

Judging by this Stone Race individual's high 'evolution' level, he should have reached the Daoist Venerable Realm.

"Tansha Daoist Venerable!"

The disciples of the Ice Palace present greeted him repeatedly.

"Greetings, Vice Palace Master!"

"Greetings, Vice Palace Master Tansha!"

Even Gong Qing took the initiative to greet him.

"Tansha Daoist Venerable, have you exited the retreat?"

"Hmph!"

Although the crimson face showed no expression, everyone could feel the displeasure of Tansha Daoist Venerable.

He snorted coldly.

"If I hadn't exited the retreat, I'm afraid there wouldn't be any place for me in the Ice Palace!"

Naturally, Gong Qing knew why he was unhappy.

She disdained explaining to others.

But Tansha Daoist Venerable is one of the only two Daoist Venerables in the Ice Palace.

Back then, to recruit him, she didn't know how many times she had persuaded and how much effort she had exerted behind the scenes.

"Venerable Junshuai's power cannot be judged from the surface. He possesses unimaginable combat power, and furthermore, he also has..."

"Enough!"

Tansha Daoist Venerable was not willing to listen to such words.

"Supreme Palace Master?"

In his eyes, Gong Qing was deliberately exaggerating to flatter Jiang Cheng.

"I am a proud Daoist Venerable serving as Vice Palace Master, yet he, a mere Venerable, becomes the Supreme Palace Master? Where does that leave me? Where does that leave everyone else in the palace?"

"Is this a humiliation to me?"

Gong Qing shook her head repeatedly.

"You've misunderstood, Jiang... Venerable Junshuai's joining is for the Ice Palace to reach several higher levels, meaning absolutely no disrespect to you."

"Ha! It's getting more and more absurd!"

Not only Tansha Daoist Venerable, but others present also frowned deeply.

The joining of a Venerable elevates a sect with a Daoist Venerable further?

No, it's not just further; it's several levels higher.

One would mistakenly think the Celestial Emperor joined as well!

"I don't care, anyway, I absolutely do not agree with him becoming any Supreme Palace Master!"

Tansha Daoist Venerable's voice was as dull as a grinding stone, yet from the red lines continuously leaping across his body, one could see how intense his emotions were.

He did not even give Gong Qing a chance to persuade him, unreservedly confronting Jiang Cheng himself.

"What is he?"

"Not to mention being above me, even to stand alongside me would be a disgrace!"

"Today, this person just entered the sect; he can start at most as an Outer Sect Elder, and that's taking into account your acquaintance with him."

"If he wants to become an Inner Sect Elder, he must first undergo rigorous tests, achieve meritorious deeds, acquire enough credits, and gain recognition from me and other elders!"

"Otherwise, forget it!"

The other Venerables nearby, although they found the words a bit harsh, nodded in agreement.

For they also felt this was the right way to enter the sect.

Looking at Tansha Daoist Venerable pointing at his nose, Brother Cheng considered whether he should first teach him some basic manners.

After careful consideration, he thought better of it on this great day of reunion, not to make it too difficult for Advisor Gong.

After all, he was someone Gong Qing recruited.

However, Gong Qing herself couldn't help it.

Seeing Tansha Daoist Venerable shouting provocatively at Lord Jiang, she thought this Vice Palace Master was really courting death.

She had seen people do this before, and hardly any of them lived for more than three minutes.

How did she not realize his stupidity before?

"Tansha, put down your hand!"

"Mind your identity!"

Her tone quickly turned cold, to the point that the surrounding atmosphere became much chillier.

"What did you say?"

Tansha Daoist Venerable was unaware he was dancing on the edge of death, filled with anger.

"You actually told me to mind my identity?"

He pointed incredulously at Jiang Cheng, then at himself.

As if he had mentioned the funniest joke in the world.

"From what I hear, am I really lower than him in your mind?"

Gong Qing nodded.

"Not only you, I am also lower than him."

When she said this, all the disciples present were dumbstruck.

"Ha! Hahahahaha..."

Tansha Daoist Venerable laughed out loud, infuriated.

"Gong Qing!"

For the first time over the years, he called Advisor Gong by name.

"I once thought highly of you, believing your power, though not outstanding, your intellect, schemes, and skills were top-notch; someone I was willingly second to."

"Today, I see your stupidity far exceeds the norm!"

"What is he to you? Was he once your Daoist Companion?"

"You've reached the Daoist Venerable Realm, yet this deep affection persists?"

"But what does that have to do with me?"

He swung his arms, attempting to incite emotions in everyone present.

"What does it have to do with us?"

"This Ice Palace does not belong solely to you; it belongs to all of us!"

"How you devote yourself to him is your business, but don't make a joke of the entire Ice Palace!"

His speech did indeed succeed in stirring emotions.

The other disciples felt he spoke what they wanted to say.

Gong Qing didn't care about his blatant mockery.

She calmly said, "My decision will not change."

Such a firm stance caused everyone to frown in unison.

Too stubborn, isn't it?

What kind of infatuation did this newcomer have over the Palace Master?

Tansha Daoist Venerable also did not budge, choosing to confront her.

"Either him or me, not both!"

"I say it now, and don't mention the Supreme Palace Master; if he stays in the Ice Palace, I will immediately leave!"

Upon hearing this, Venerable Linjing and others collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

They couldn't persuade the Palace Master, but Tansha Daoist Venerable's uncompromising attitude forced the Palace Master to reconsider.

On one hand was a chance encounter with a Venerable acquaintance, on the other was a Daoist Venerable who had been recruited with great effort, a pillar of the Ice Palace.

Anyone knew whom to choose.

Gong Qing also knew.

So she calmly said, "Then you may leave."