Chapter 1393 - 1393: Shut Out

The fervent test selection at the Ten Directions Hall quickly came to an end.

The first batch of 150,000 selected from 'Group A' all joyfully submitted their materials.

After registration, they just have to wait for a while to receive their pills.

The three groups of disciples who were filtered out were different. Group B could still accept it, at least they have a chance next time, right?

Groups C and D, however, were filled with outrage.

Many disciples went back cursing.

"Damn it!"

"Despicable!"

"The Elder Council is just trying to trip us up, making things difficult for us!"

"If it weren't for them, the materials would have been handed over to the Reincarnation Hall, then to the Palace Master, and then to the Supreme Palace Master, avoiding all this trouble."

Some astute disciples had already seen through the trick.

"They're giving us a warning."

"Warning? What do you mean?"

"Haven't you understood the final test? This is forcing us to choose sides."

"Warning us that from now on, we must stand with the Elder Council."

"Bah! After this, who on earth would side with them!"

"Exactly. After this mess, I'm even more loyal to the Palace Master; she's the one who plays fair!"

"But you can't deny that the Palace Master can't overrule them."

"It's become apparent who holds more weight in the Ice Palace..."

Gradually, many fell silent.

As immortals who have lived for so many years, they knew without being told the choices they should make to live better.

Meanwhile, within the Elder Council, they celebrated with joy.

"By this battle, the entire Ice Palace has completely come under the Elder Council's control!"

"From now on, Gong Qing will have no prestige, and what she says won't be taken seriously below."

"Hmph, we'll give her face, she can be the Palace Master."

"But without our favor, she can't command anyone."

"Yuan Guang Daoist Saint is indeed impressive!"

"The unfavorable situation has been turned into a beautiful comeback!"

"Enough!"

Yuan Guang Daoist Saint waved his hand.

"Next, we need to hand over the materials to the Supreme Palace Master."

"I will also go, and by the way, hand over my materials as well!"

"I will go too!"

"Yes, yes, I must explain my several furnaces of Eighth-grade Imperial Pills in advance; they can't be neglected."

Thus, over two hundred elders collectively flew towards Brother Cheng's place.

When they reached the hall door, they were stopped.

"Halt!"

"The residence of the Supreme Palace Master is a forbidden area; no one may approach without permission!"

Lin Jing and Lan Miao simultaneously stepped out.

Behind them followed Xue Yi and Wuyuan and other females.

One major reason Brother Cheng could stay in the Ice Palace for a thousand years was that these female immortals were assigned to his Taiyuan Hall for duty.

Without Yuan Guang having to speak, the two Daoist Venerables glared angrily, sternly reprimanding.

"Get out of the way!"

"A small Venerable, and you dare stand in our way?"

"Utterly reckless!"

In any other place, Lin Jing and Lan Miao wouldn't dare block a Daoist Saint.

But here it's different.

With Jiang Taishang backing them, there was nothing to fear.

"The Supreme Palace Master is in the crucial stage of alchemy."

"Currently, no one is allowed to disturb!"

"Before you go in, you'd better consider whether you can bear his wrath."

Yuan Guang and the elders looked stumped.

"Engaged in alchemy?"

If that's the case, they really couldn't see Jiang Cheng now.

Any Emperor Pill Master requires an absolutely quiet environment during alchemy, allowing no intrusion.

Even a slight mishap could lead to failure, possibly affecting future conditions.

"Our materials haven't been submitted, what's he refining?"

Yuan Guang spoke as if Brother Cheng had to wait for them to arrive to start refining.

Lin Jing calmly replied, "Yesterday, the Palace Master gave him a batch of materials, and he is currently refining them."

"What?"

"That batch from Gong Qing?"

The elders suddenly realized.

Jiang Cheng never made any agreement with them.

They just assumed, taking it for granted that Brother Cheng would wait for the Ten Directions Hall to collect the materials before starting.

Now, Gong Qing had caught the second batch.

They had to wait for the next one.

This was a bit awkward.

Not long ago, they had grandly held a test selection, with great fanfare.

Dividing into Groups A, B, C, and D was to create differences among the disciples, resulting in different levels of treatment.

The first batch of selected 'Group A' disciples now felt like lottery winners.

This is the effect the Elder Council wanted.

To show everyone the advantages of standing firmly with the Elder Council.

But now, Brother Cheng had closed the door, and they couldn't even send in the materials.

"No worries!"

Having seen much in life, Yuan Guang was not flustered.

"After Jiang Taishang finishes refining a few furnaces of pills, he should take a break."

"We can send the pills in during his break."

The elders nodded in agreement.

"At Jiang Taishang's alchemy speed, it should only take a moment for a few furnaces of pills."

"He should come out for a rest soon."

"Ha..."

Lin Jing sneered from the opposite side.

"You are probably going to be disappointed."

"The Supreme Palace Master didn't come out last time during alchemy; he finished it all in one go."

Beside her, Lan Miao gently covered her lips, her beautiful eyes full of schadenfreude.

"Last time, he refined pills for 320,000 people in 40 days."

"This time, with 400,000 people's pills, it will take at least over two months."

"I think you'd better come back in a while!"

They were all Gong Qing's people, and inherently disliked the Elder Council. Now they couldn't wait to see them frustrated.

"What?"

"We have to wait as long as two months?"

Two months is actually quite short; they could wait.

The key is...how to explain this to the 'Group A' disciples when they go back?

Yuan Guang not long ago made a personal promise that Group A would register and submit materials that day.

Now they also have to wait for the next batch?

Do they have to tell them that Yuan Guang the Vice Palace Master's words were empty? That 'Group A' is actually no different from other groups and everyone has to wait, rendering their selection test meaningless?

"No way!"

"We can't wait!"

"If we wait 60 days, the Elder Council's authority will diminish."

Yuan Guang Daoist Saint didn't dare to rush in.

Not to mention Jiang Cheng's terrifying combat power, interrupting the alchemy rhythm would lead to all Ice Palace disciples criticizing him.

"You all should have a way to notify him, right?"

"Alright, inform him that the Elder Council needs to refine Eighth-grade Imperial Pills!"

"Yes, the pills we need to refine are more important than those of the disciples."

"Tell Jiang Taishang to prioritize our refinement."

"We should also take the opportunity to hand over this batch of materials for 150,000 people to him."

"Eighth-grade Imperial Pills?"

Venerable Xue Yi looked amused.

The elders on the opposite side raised their chins arrogantly.

"Of course! You should know the importance of Eighth-grade Imperial Pills!"

"Compared to them, the disciples' Sixth and Seventh-grade Imperial Pills are nothing."

"Why don't you hurry up and report?"