The Sword God of the Universe
Chapter 687: Tough

Chapter 687: Chapter 687: Tough

Before today, the Third Hall Master had heard of Jing Yan but had never met him. As for any grudges, there was even less to speak of.

But today, the Holy Master wanted to add one more hall to the original nine of the Holy Hall, and appoint Jing Yan as the master of the Tenth Hall. This made him discontented, and he fundamentally opposed the proposal by Saint Master Shen Chong.

In fact, it was understandable that the other hall masters were displeased with this proposal.

There was only so much cake, and originally it was divided among nine people. Now, suddenly, there was Jing Yan. With Jing Yan joining the division, their portions would naturally diminish.

On the surface, it seemed like an increase of one hall in the Holy Hall had nothing to do with the interests of the nine hall masters, but the complex distribution of benefits was intricately linked in the shadows.

While the Third Hall Master was expressing these views, Shen Chong kept a smile on his face.

He had anticipated this situation. If Jing Yan became the master of the Tenth Hall without any issues, Shen Chong would have been surprised. That’s why yesterday, Shen Chong had taken the initiative to remind Jing Yan that things might not go so smoothly and to be mentally prepared.

"I agree with the Third Hall Master’s opinion. Jing Yan is still young, in his thirties. If he becomes a hall master, I’m afraid he will find it difficult to command respect," said the shortest of the nine, the Fourth Hall Master, squinting his eyes.

The title of hall master was not just an empty honorific.

Take the current nine hall masters, for instance; some of them had such powerful forces under their command that they could even compare to the Seven Great Families. This illustrated how powerful a hall master could be.

Even those hall masters who were not keen on managing power still had at least a group of very powerful supporters.

"I respectfully request that the Holy Master withdraw this proposal," the Ninth Hall Master also said sternly.

The Ninth Hall Master had been quite enthusiastic when Jing Yan had entered earlier, but now he was very firm in opposing Jing Yan’s appointment as the master of the Tenth Hall.

In truth, at the bottom of it, they looked down on Jing Yan.

Even though Jing Yan’s fame had spread throughout the continent recently, he was still a newcomer in the eyes of these established powerhouses. In their eyes, Jing Yan did not have the qualifications to be considered an equal.

In front of them, Jing Yan was still a junior.

If the Holy Master had not proposed Jing Yan as the Tenth Hall Master, they wouldn’t have targeted him, knowing full well Jing Yan’s potential and that he might become a powerhouse on par with them. To offend Jing Yan without reason was not a wise move.

But now that it touched upon their own interests, they had to stand up, and whether they would offend Jing Yan became a secondary consideration.

Jing Yan sat there listening, his face not showing much change. Understanding the authority of a hall master, Jing Yan was also clear that it would not be easy for him to become the Tenth Hall Master, so he was prepared for the reactions of the other nine masters.

Jing Yan didn’t rush to prove anything; he just sneered silently in his heart.

He knew that even those hall masters who had been quite enthusiastic toward him probably didn’t really take him seriously. Surface enthusiasm didn’t prove anything.

"All you hall masters, please listen to me first," Shen Chong said with a smile, glancing over the hall masters and speaking slowly.

"Just now I said that Jing Yan has stepped into the Daoist Emperor Realm and has strong combat power. Now I want to add that Jing Yan’s achievements in the Alchemy Dao are also very high. His talent in Alchemy Dao is not inferior to his Martial Arts Talent," Shen Chong continued.

Upon hearing these words, some of the hall masters in attendance scoffed openly.

"Holy Master!"

"I have also heard of Jing Yan’s talent in the Alchemy Dao. It is said that in the previous Pill Spirit Conference, he topped the Pill King List as a newcomer. But, he is only a Sixth-level Alchemist, correct?"

"Even if his talent in Alchemy Dao is high, there is still much uncertainty ahead for a mere Sixth-level Alchemist. Let’s consider the previous top newcomers of the Pill King List; indeed, many of them eventually became High-level Alchemists, but there are also a few who never managed to reach the accomplishment of a High-level Alchemist in their lifetime."

"And there are many High-level Alchemists on the Heavenly Origin Continent. In those Alchemy Dao Families, each family has a group of High-level Alchemists."

"If Jing Yan focuses his main efforts on the Alchemy Dao, it will undoubtedly affect his cultivation speed in Martial Arts. If his focus is on Martial Arts, then his achievements in the Alchemy Dao may not be significant. So I think, this identity of Jing Yan’s as an alchemist doesn’t add much to his qualifications as a hall master!"

It was again the Third Hall Master who spoke with firm opposition.

His attitude was extremely intense.

While speaking, he kept glancing at Jing Yan, with a sharp gaze that swept over him multiple times.

The other hall masters nodded along with him, clearly agreeing with the Third Hall Master’s point.

Jing Yan, however, was getting upset.

The disparaging intent in the Third Hall Master’s words was too obvious. These remarks clearly belittled Jing Yan’s abilities.

Jing Yan looked at the Third Hall Master and frowned slightly.

"Third Hall Master, the information you have is outdated. After so many years since the Pill Spirit Conference, do you think I would still be at the level of a Sixth-level Alchemist?" Jing Yan said with a smile, looking at the Third Hall Master.

Jing Yan’s words seemed to be better off not said; as soon as he spoke, the Third Hall Master’s face turned ashen, and his eyes grew cold.

He stared closely at Jing Yan.

Evidently, Jing Yan’s words had angered him.

Jing Yan had yet to become a hall master, and yet he dared to talk back to him, the Third Hall Master. He had only spoken a few words about Jing Yan, and Jing Yan had the audacity to argue. It was as if Jing Yan was implying that the Third Hall Master was out of date. This was clearly disrespectful!

"So you’re saying you are a High-level Alchemist now, yes?" the Third Hall Master sneered.

"That’s correct, I am indeed a High-level Alchemist," Jing Yan confirmed.

Having heard Hu Donghe’s words yesterday, Jing Yan understood that if he chose to be passive and appear weak now, it would only lead these hall masters to look down on him even more.

Sometimes, one had to be strong. What did it matter if the opponent was the Third Hall Master?

Saint Master Shen Chong, seated at the main seat, had a strange look in his eyes. He glanced at Jing Yan and his mouth twitched slightly. It seemed that Shen Chong was also eager to see Jing Yan demonstrate the courage to confront these veteran hall masters.

If Jing Yan showed timidity in the face of the veteran hall masters’ attacks and was solely focused on keeping the peace, then Shen Chong would probably be disappointed.

At the hall master meeting, the Holy Master had the highest authority. With the Saint Master on Jing Yan’s side, if Jing Yan was still too timid to offend anyone, it would be normal for Saint Master Shen Chong to feel let down.