Chapter 1369 - 1369: Refusing to Join

Yuan Guang Daoist Saint's words hit the mark in everyone's hearts.

Anyone who has reached the realm of Immortal is not foolish and naturally understands the situation.

The cake of Yunmi Dao is only so big; it was already saturated, and the forces were nearly balanced.

Now, Ice Palace has transformed overnight from a small obscure faction of over a thousand people to a colossal entity with fifty thousand Venerables.

A powerful force leaping into the ranks of Yunmi Dao's top forces.

In the eyes of other forces, it has become a major threat disrupting the balance.

Ten Directions Alliance, Celestial Flame Sect, and other sects are primarily of the Human Race; because they don't dare offend alchemy, they won't attack Ice Palace.

At least not openly.

But it is different with Ye Ling.

They have no such scruples.

Can Ice Palace withstand Ye Ling, which also has a Daoist Saint standing guard and numbers reaching the scale of one million?

"Being destroyed is almost your only outcome."

"Only by joining our Ten Directions Alliance and becoming one of us can Ye Ling be restrained, ensuring your survival."

After he finished speaking, many on Ice Palace's side couldn't help but nod secretly.

They were convinced.

Thinking carefully, accepting recruitment by Ten Directions Alliance doesn't seem bad.

No need for Soul Link, still free, and backing a big tree to enjoy the shade, how great is that?

However, Gong Qing was quite disdainful.

With Lord Jiang here, Ice Palace should have some combat power too, right?

"Our Ice Palace never intended to join others."

"However, Ye Ling is also your enemy, perhaps we could consider an alliance."

Gong Qing's attitude was just that, cooperation was fine, but not annexation and obedience.

"Alliance?"

The experts of Ten Directions Alliance laughed mockingly.

"The prerequisite for becoming allies is that the powers must be similar."

"You Ice Palace are lacking in power."

The implication being not worthy.

If it weren't for having the Celestial Pill Department on your side, we would have destroyed Ice Palace already, let alone talk about alliances?

Are we expected to help you deter Ye Ling?

Yuan Guang Daoist Saint said indifferently, "The only way to get our protection is to join us."

"That's truly regrettable, seems we're destined not to receive your alliance's protection."

Gong Qing seemed regretful on the surface, but internally she was relieved.

At her level, there are too many considerations.

Refusal is an art; if spoken too directly, it might create new formidable enemies.

But, evidently, Ten Directions Alliance isn't ready to give up.

An entire array of Celestial Pill Department masters!

Altogether, it's practically as valuable as a Celestial Dao Supreme Treasure.

"As the Palace Master of Ice Palace, your decision is foolish and irresponsible."

They started to provoke the rest of Ice Palace disciples when they couldn't convince Gong Qing.

"You're taking your disciples to their demise."

"Precisely, you're an extremely unqualified Palace Master!"

"Can't even assess the situation?"

"With so many masters, Ye Ling can't ignore it, they'll view you as their greatest threat."

"Only by joining us is it the only correct choice..."

Under their provocation, many Ice Palace disciples began to look at Gong Qing with a changed gaze.

They increasingly felt this Palace Master was acting impulsively.

Gong Qing felt a bit helpless inside.

At this point, Brother Cheng finally couldn't sit still.

What do you mean?

Advisor Gong is someone admirable, and you dare question her decision?

"Alright, alright, we already said we're not joining you, why keep pestering?"

"After being rejected, you should sensibly shut up; do you lack even basic perception?"

"How were you managing before?"

Brother Cheng's words were much less tactful than Gong Qing's.

"With me here, Ice Palace is invincible, why would we need to join you?"

"It should be the other way around; considering how eager you've come, I can reluctantly allow you to join Ice Palace."

His words stunned everyone present.

Can such lines really come from a high-ranking sect member during negotiations with other sects?

That's too straightforward, isn't it?

Experts from Ten Directions Alliance and other sects were almost infuriated on the spot.

If not for considering Jiang Cheng's position as Celestial Pill Department Chief, they might have drawn swords straightaway.

Yet even so, their expressions instantly turned sour.

"You really are shameless."

"Let us join you? Are you worthy?"

Brother Cheng's alchemy, they had never seen.

To this day, they were puzzled how this person could become the Celestial Pill Department Chief.

Could he be a Second Generation Emperor, climbing up through connections with the Celestial Palace?

"Who do you think you are?"

"So arrogant, do you think you're a Daoist Saint?"

Brother Cheng nodded with a cheerful smile.

"I actually am a Daoist Saint."

He now realized that being a Daoist Saint carried a notable presence.

Wherever he goes, it seems to cause a sensation.

Since his real combat power was close to a Daoist Saint, why not use this title in advance?

The crowd across was stupefied.

Even Yuan Guang Daoist Saint hesitated, almost rubbing his eyes.

Daoist Saint?

He's a Daoist Saint?

"What?"

"Hahaha..."

The various sects burst into laughter.

Many even laughed till they couldn't breathe.

"He, he actually claimed to be a Daoist Saint?"

"Does he think we can't see the realm?"

"A mere Supreme boasting as a Daoist Saint is too ridiculous!"

"If you're a Daoist Saint, then what am I?"

"This Ice Palace actually has a madman as Supreme Palace Master, no wonder the decisions are so foolish."

Yuan Guang Daoist Saint couldn't even be bothered to speak.

Since their meeting, he had been quietly evaluating Jiang Cheng.

After all, he's the Celestial Pill Department Chief and the Supreme Palace Master of Ice Palace, assumed to have some skills.

At this moment, his score came out—not passing.

Weak power, impulsive speech, reckless actions, all are marks of deduction...

To the Daoist Saint, it's quite disappointing.

If such a person can be a Celestial Pill Department Chief, it shows how corrupt the Celestial Palace has become; he sighed deeply.

Then he saw several Daoist Venerables from Ice Palace step forward.

"Jiang Taishang is indeed a Daoist Saint."

"Indeed, his title is Invincible Daoist Saint."

"His power is unfathomable, you'd better show him respect!"

As members of Ice Palace, they didn't wish to see others disrespect their Supreme Palace Master.

"If not for his being a Daoist Saint, how could we all collectively join Ice Palace?"

The people from Ten Directions Alliance were dumbstruck.

And Yuan Guang Daoist Saint was equally bewildered.

The ones speaking were Daoist Venerables, clearly not being mistaken about power.

"How is that possible?"

"He's obviously just a Supreme..."

Taiheng Daoist Venerable coldly said, "What's strange about hiding the surface realm?"

With the masters speaking up, no one dared to question Brother Cheng's Daoist Saint identity anymore.

Their gaze towards him changed immediately.

Those who previously thought Brother Cheng unfit for Celestial Pill Department Chief suddenly believed that the honorable Daoist Saint was indeed suitable.