Chapter 1396 - 1396: The Elder Council Concedes

While Jiang Cheng and Gong Qing were traveling together, a few Divine Monarchs from the Celestial Palace were also gathered.

"All the Pill Masters from the Celestial Pill Department have returned to the Celestial Palace, except for Jiang Cheng."

"Not just Jiang Cheng, Yan Yi and that Tiger Demon haven't returned either."

"What does the Celestial Pill Department say?"

"They are very secretive about it, and haven't mentioned that kid after coming back."

This actually makes sense.

People like Tian Lin and Taiheng joined the Ice Palace in Yunmi Dao.

How could this be publicized?

They certainly wouldn't announce that our Chief is acting as the Supreme Palace Master over there.

Thus, the Divine Monarchs of the Celestial Palace formulated a corporate-level understanding.

"Jiang Cheng must be dead!"

King Shi stroked the beard under his chin, a gleam flashing in his eyes.

"It seems the ambush in Yunmi Dao was indeed successful!"

Inside the hall, Prince Yi and King Lv showed rare excitement.

"Great, that kid is finally dead, and Yan Yi is also dead!"

"This way, the bet is forcibly rendered a draw."

"Cyan Bear Valley handled the matter efficiently."

All present Divine Monarchs sighed in relief.

Their information was still stuck when Cyan Bear Daoist Venerable attacked Jiang Cheng.

They were completely unaware of the widely-known series of major events after Yunmi Dao.

They couldn't be blamed for being closed and lagging behind.

Rather, the Celestial Palace and the Land of Dao Extinction were like two different worlds, too far apart.

Unless someone intentionally infiltrated to scout, no news from over there would ever come through.

"Strange, why hasn't Cyan Bear Daoist Venerable come to demand the remaining payment?"

Their original plan was to first provide Cyan Bear Daoist Venerable with part of the deposit, and after Jiang Cheng and Yan Yi were killed, pay the balance.

This is the basic process of hiring an assassin.

The Celestial Palace intended to ambush Cyan Bear Daoist Venerable when he came to claim the balance, to eliminate him and cover up any trails.

"Indeed, why hasn't he contacted us?"

"Could something have gone wrong over there?"

"Maybe we should go and take a look."

"We need to see bodies, otherwise I just can't feel at ease."

Meanwhile, in the Evil Immortal Realm, impatience was also brewing.

For over eighty thousand years, every millennium, Yan Yi would communicate with her father Yan Mu Daoist Venerable in the Evil Immortal Realm through special means.

She would report that her Celestial Heart remained lower grade and she would never betray the Evil Immortal Realm, while casually mentioning her experiences in the Immortal Realm.

Just now, as usual, she had a 'conversation' with Yan Mu.

"Father, I think you should just come to the Land of Dao Extinction, it's quite nice here..."

Her Celestial Heart hadn't changed in the past eighty thousand years.

But running around with Jiang Cheng in the Celestial Palace and the Land of Dao Extinction had changed her mindset.

Time and again, Brother Cheng broadened her horizons, overturning her perceptions.

This man seemed to conquer wherever he went.

Many times she pondered a fatal question — should she really stand against such a terrifying person on behalf of the Evil Immortal Realm in the future?

As an Evil Immortal well-versed in seeking advantage while avoiding harm, she wondered if it was necessary to be so obstinate?

It seemed more promising to remain peacefully in the Land of Dao Extinction to cultivate.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

Yan Mu sternly interrupted her from the other side.

"What's wrong with you lately, why do you keep talking this crazy talk, focus on converting Jiang Cheng!"

"I can't convert him, that person is too extraordinary, there's no chance of success..."

"Nothing is impossible!"

Yan Mu angrily hung up the Communication Immortal Artifact.

Unknown to Yan Yi, during each 'conversation' with her father, the opposite side was surrounded by prominent figures from the Evil Immortal Realm.

Not only did a group of Daoist Venerables on par with Yan Mu attend, but there were also several Daoist Saint level strong persons from the Evil Immortal Realm.

In the Silver Wolf Hall, the atmosphere was murderous and solemn.

"Yan Mu, your daughter has betrayed us."

From Celestial Evil Mountain, Ancient Qi Daoist Saint sneered sinisterly.

"It seems she has been brainwashed by the Celestial Palace and intends to oppose us."

"No, she won't!"

Yan Mu hurriedly denied, "She just told me her Celestial Heart remains steadfast as ever, you all heard..."

"Is it?"

Another Daoist Saint, Shengjue, interrupted him expressionlessly.

"Then how do you explain her telling you to go to the Land of Dao Extinction just now?"

Each of the other Daoist Venerables revealed their murderous intent.

"She's planning to leave the Evil Immortal Realm, and you still rely on her Celestial Heart?"

"I think she's been converted long ago, becoming the Celestial Palace's dog!"

"This dog must be eliminated early; otherwise, we will lose the gamble!"

Some things are indeed quite curious.

The Celestial Palace and the Evil Immortal Realm both thought they were going to lose.

Both sides were considering eliminating their 'spokesperson' to end the bet early.

Thus, both sides commenced brewing new plans.

Over in Yunmi Dao, Yan Yi and Jiang Cheng were completely unaware, waiting patiently for the two-thousand-year bet to conclude.

Brother Cheng and Gong Qing traveled for a full ten years.

During these ten years, things within the Ice Palace had turned chaotic.

Due to consistently postponing promised alchemy, Ten Directions Hall had garnered a terribly bad reputation.

The first batch of disciples mostly demanded their materials back, afraid they would be squandered.

The Elder Council's prestige plummeted to its lowest point.

Many disciples began to mention when the Palace Master would return.

When she came back, the Supreme Palace Master would return.

They realized that the only person capable of persuading the Supreme Palace Master to help was the Palace Master herself.

As for the Elder Council, they were entirely ignored.

Daoist Saint Yuan Guang was also disheartened to discover that he could not manage the Ice Palace.

The disciples here came from over a hundred large and small sects and families on Yunmi Dao, making them inherently hard to unite.

The only one who could gather them was Jiang Cheng.

His terrifying combat power capable of destroying Ye Ling alone was enough to convince everyone.

And his miraculous alchemy was something the Ice Palace's disciples would always depend on.

After all, alchemy is not a one-time act; it's a continuous requirement.

"We... have no choice but to concede."

In the council hall, Yuan Guang seemed to have suddenly aged a great deal.

"We lost this battle; from now on, we must fully support Gong Qing."

"He is the person he chose."

"Otherwise, no one will refine our Pill."

His words implied that in the future, the Palace Master would reign supreme in the Ice Palace, and the Elder Council would only assist.

The other Elders remained silent.

They were unwilling, but had to admit something.

Even without them, the Ice Palace would still be a sect full of miracles.

But without Jiang Cheng, it would become instantly mundane.

After a long while, the hall was filled with responses one after another.

"Agreed."

"Seconded."

Five days later, Jiang Cheng and Gong Qing were invited back to the Ice Palace by the Elder Council.

The entire sect welcomed them as they lined the pathways.

Seeing Jiang Taishang return, all disciples erupted into cheers, as if they had found their pillar of support.