Chapter 96: Waaah Jiang Ce Is Being Targeted So Hard
Harboring curiosity, Jiang Ce followed the Old Celestial Master into the Celestial Master’s Hall.
The hall at this time was different from a few days ago; both sides were filled with carved wooden chairs, and more than a dozen people wearing different Daoist robes were sitting on them, chattering and discussing something.
But upon seeing the Old Celestial Master arrive, the grand hall immediately fell silent.
Jiang Ce secretly looked around; in this room, the weakest were all First Rank, and the others were almost uniformly Unity of Heaven and Man.
The middle-aged Daoist priest on the main seat who resembled Zhang Ze Zhi by seventy percent, as well as the skinny old man with crane hair and childlike face on the deputy seat, had their whole bodies’ brilliance gathered at one point—no need to say more, this was Return to Origin Limitless!
Yet facing this room full of almost entirely Heaven-Reaching Dharma Masters, the Old Celestial Master didn’t even glance at them; he walked up with hands behind his back and said indifferently: “You all continue, no need to mind me.”
Xuan Qing gently pressed Jiang Ce’s shoulder and reminded: “These are all renowned elders of the Daoist Sect who have been famous for a long time, mostly Unity of Heaven and Man; some from major sects aren’t even the Sect Leader.”
Jiang Ce nodded lightly.
The more he knew, the more he realized the terror of Heaven-Reaching Dharma Masters; through what was before his eyes, he could even more clearly understand the terror of the Old Celestial Master and the Celestial Master’s Mansion.
But Jiang Ce didn’t show much awe.
He had seen even more exaggerated scenes.
That was at the Gatekeeper’s Luocheng branch, where two Return to Origin Limitless and one Perfect Enlightenment were soaking their feet together, with another Return to Origin Limitless and Unity of Heaven and Man watching on the side.
Jiang Ce secretly clicked his tongue, gaining a deeper understanding of the Gatekeeper’s foundation in his heart.
Under everyone’s gaze, the Old Celestial Master slowly walked to the main seat; Zhang Ze Xing, who had originally been sitting there, had long given up the position and stood behind the chair, full of seriousness.
After the Old Celestial Master sat down, he noticed Jiang Ce still standing at the door and beckoned to him: “What are you standing there for? Come over. Ze Xing, go get him a chair and put it right next to me.”
Zhang Ze Xing obeyed the Old Celestial Master’s words completely; he didn’t know Jiang Ce or even what he was, but he asked nothing and simply fetched a chair as instructed.
Jiang Ce saluted Zhang Ze Xing, but the latter ignored it, so he gave up on the idea of self-introduction and sat down beside the Old Celestial Master.
Xuan Qing, like Zhang Ze Xing, stood behind Jiang Ce.
Seeing him really sit down, the grand hall immediately erupted in an uproar; all these big shots, any one of whom could summon wind and rain outside, were whispering like elementary school students, inquiring about Jiang Ce’s identity to see what merit or ability allowed him to sit next to the Old Celestial Master.
“Old Celestial Master, this one is…” The old man on the deputy seat leaned forward slightly, turning his head to size up Jiang Ce.
The Old Celestial Master was fairly polite to the old man and introduced mildly: “True Person Wang, this is the Gatekeeper’s envoy, Wei Men Shen’s disciple, named Jiang Ce.”
His voice wasn’t loud, yet everyone in the entire hall could hear clearly.
True Person Wang “oh”-ed and slowly leaned back, saying no more.
But while True Person Wang didn’t take it seriously, someone below was dissatisfied.
“Old Celestial Master, this is our Daoist Sect’s meeting—how can we let an outsider listen in? And a Gatekeeper at that—this probably… doesn’t follow the rules, right?”
As soon as he spoke, a few people on good terms with him chimed in agreement.
Jiang Ce looked over and couldn’t help finding it amusing; he sighed at how enemies often cross paths, because the speaker was none other than the Lu Shan Sect’s leader.
At this moment, his face didn’t look good, somewhat like someone recovering from a serious illness—presumably he had been badly injured by Ku Zhen.
He wanted to retort a couple times, but on the Old Celestial Master’s turf, with the host not speaking, for a guest and junior to speak first would be somewhat disrespectful.
Thus, he just sat calmly, pretending to be a good boy, while inwardly already plotting how to viciously retaliate against this old man after taking down the Lu Shan Sect.
But unexpectedly, the Old Celestial Master didn’t explain anything and instead looked at Jiang Ce: “This old cultivator from the Lu Shan Sect says it doesn’t follow the rules—what do you think?”
Jiang Ce was slightly stunned.
Isn’t this not talking to me? Why ask me? I’ve already sat down—so should I leave?
But seeing the amusement in the Old Celestial Master’s eyes, he suddenly understood: was this old guy testing his level, deliberately throwing a difficult problem at him?
Jiang Ce felt a bit of a headache; Xiao Lin was like this, the Old Celestial Master was like this too—was there some wicked quirk in cultivation?
Though he was cursing inwardly, on the surface he still smiled politely.
He didn’t answer but turned and softly asked Xuan Qing: “Aside from the Lu Shan Sect, how are our relations with other Daoist sects?”
Xuan Qing thought for a moment: “Some are on good terms, some average, none hostile.”
“Oh.” Jiang Ce nodded: “So in other words, facing us, no one will help them, right?”
The Old Celestial Master guessed he might be too nervous to speak, or that he might explain the reason to the others, or even that he might not be able to stay and get up to leave.
If so, the Old Celestial Master would be very disappointed, as it would mean Jiang Ce was too mediocre and couldn’t withstand great storms.
But he hadn’t guessed that Jiang Ce’s first reaction would be to ask this question, so he was immediately curious about what Jiang Ce would do.
And Jiang Ce’s approach didn’t disappoint him—in fact, it was beyond expectations.
“I think he’s barking like a dog.”
Jiang Ce pointed at the Lu Shan Sect Elder, but his eyes were on the Old Celestial Master, as if he didn’t take that person seriously at all.
The Lu Shan Sect Elder was stunned, then flew into rage: “What did you say?!”
“I think you’re barking like a dog; humans sit way up front, but you have plenty of opinions sitting back there.”
Jiang Ce disdainfully pursed his lips and shook his head:
“I won’t even mention the Old Celestial Master—look at the other predecessors; they’re sitting way up front, so why aren’t they saying anything?
I figure we’re all queuing up to ascend to True God, and even in a hundred years you wouldn’t reach your turn, right?
Do you think your status is high or your say carries more weight?
Everyone just heard the Old Celestial Master tell me to sit here—it wasn’t me who wanted to sit; why target me?
Old Celestial Master, Daoist Sect Leader, you wouldn’t think your words carry more weight than the Old Celestial Master’s, would you?”
At the heated point, Jiang Ce actually stood up and lifted the somewhat dazed Old Celestial Master’s arm, as if trying to prop him up.
“Come on, come on, let me help the Old Celestial Master up; don’t you love pointing fingers? You sit in this spot, and I’ll sit below with the Old Celestial Master to watch you direct the rivers and mountains—come on, no need to be shy.”
Xuan Qing, shocked pale by Jiang Ce’s actions, hurriedly pulled him back: “No need, really no need.”
Zhang Ze Xing also pressed down on Jiang Ce’s shoulder and scolded: “Insolent!”
Jiang Ce glared at the Lu Shan Sect Elder like a eunuch messenger: “Hear that? The Celestial Master says you’re insolent—better rein it in or you’ll get thrown out.”
Someone below couldn’t stand it and slapped the armrest: “Celestial Master Zhang is talking about you—you’re insolent! Do you really think the Gatekeeper can disregard the Daoist Sect and do as they please?”
Jiang Ce unleashed his signature Buddha’s Palm: “Incorrect, questionable, misleading.”
He paused, then declared: “I must solemnly declare to everyone: I, Jiang Ce, represent only the Gatekeeper in targeting the Lu Shan Sect—those who get it, get it; those who don’t can ask friends nearby.
In short, this doesn’t represent any disrespect to the other predecessors—on the contrary, I respect you all greatly and hope for the chance to get to know you. Additionally, I will later visit you all as the Gatekeeper’s envoy to promote deep exchanges between our sides, establish good strategic cooperation common goals, and strategic cooperative friendly relations.
Thank you everyone!
