"What did you say?" Dragon Duke had not heard clearly.
"I said, I regret it." Hong Ting repeated himself.
Dragon Duke's brows immediately furrowed tightly as he fixed his stern gaze on the disciple he had been most proud of in his life. "Regret? Hong Ting, stop spouting nonsense. You know perfectly well how many people contributed and how many people sacrificed themselves to nurture you and raise you to your current cultivation. By saying such things, can you face those who supported you from childhood? Can you face your parents? Can you face Liu Shuxian, who just passed away? Can you face the immortals who helped you undergo tribulation and perished?"
Dragon Duke harshly rebuked Hong Ting.
"Enough, Lord Dragon Duke. Fairy Shuxian's death is such a tremendous grief; we can fully understand Hong Lian Immortal Venerable's feelings. He is merely overcome by emotion for the moment." Another Heavenly Court Gu Immortal tried to mediate.
"Hong Lian Immortal Venerable... Heh heh." Hong Ting laughed disdainfully, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Dragon Duke. "If becoming an Immortal Venerable requires sacrifices like this, and perhaps even more sacrifices in the future, then I would rather not have the position of Immortal Venerable!"
"Enough!" Dragon Duke flew into a rage. "Even nonsense must know when to stop, Hong Ting! Do you think the position of Immortal Venerable is something you can take if you want it and abandon if you do not? All of this is Fate's arrangement. This is the mission you were born with, and you must carry it out!"
Hong Ting threw back his head and laughed. His hair was disheveled, and he was in a sorry state. Then he lowered his head and looked at Dragon Duke. "A dignified Immortal Venerable, invincible beneath heaven, yet unable to do