All the disciples had gathered at Tongtian Peak, rubbing their fists and waiting for the Sect Master to speak.
But Dao Xuan, seated in the Sect Master's place, turned his gaze toward Jiang Siming, who was leisurely eating the pastries and fruit Shuiyue was feeding him.
"Vice Sect Master Jiang, you preside over this Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament."
"Why are you calling me? Don't you have a mouth of your own?" Jiang Siming asked, shooting him a sidelong glance.
Dao Xuan coughed twice, looking somewhat embarrassed.
Apart from Jiang Siming, who in the Qingyun Sect would dare speak to him like that? Oh, and Jiang Siming's wives.
There weren't many of them—only a few dozen.
"You've just been appointed Vice Sect Master, and many disciples still don't know you. Why don't you go up and say a few words?"
Dao Xuan urged him, secretly transmitting, "So many people are watching. Do me a favor and give me some face?"
Jiang Siming remained unmoved. "One hundred top-grade spirit stones."
"Damn, are you robbing me? You're only presiding over the ceremony, and you want my life?" Dao Xuan nearly leaped to his feet.
Jiang Siming said smugly, "Then go yourself. I'm not going."
"How about this? Ten top-grade spirit stones."
"Eighty."
"Twenty."
"Seventy."
"Fifty. Take it or leave it."
"Fine, fifty it is. Remember to pay me later. If you dare renege, I'll announce to all the disciples that you're the Binding Demon."
Thus, Jiang Siming and Dao Xuan completed a secret deal.
It wasn't that Dao Xuan insisted on having Jiang Siming preside over the ceremony. The main reason was that quite a few righteous allies from Eastern Province had come to participate in this Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament.
Everyone wanted to see whether Jiang Siming truly cared about