Hongjun turned his eyes, still as an ancient well, toward Randeng.
Then he continued speaking.
"Enough of today's affair."
"As you have all witnessed, henceforth, all those under my Profound Gate shall have the opportunity to receive the blessing of a sage fruit position and gain the recognition of the Heavenly Dao."
Boom!
Those words were no less than another bolt of Chaos Divine Thunder exploding in the hearts of all living beings!
What did he mean?
What did the Dao Ancestor mean by that?!
Enough?
He was simply letting it go?!
The minds of countless Quasi-Saints and Mighty Experts instantly froze.
They had imagined countless possibilities.
Perhaps the Dao Ancestor would erupt in thunderous wrath and suppress Gu Changqing on the spot for scorning the Heavenly Dao!
Perhaps the Dao Ancestor would mediate, asking Gu Changqing to show the newly ascended Sage Randeng some respect, with both sides taking a step back.
They had even considered that, for Sect Master Tongtian's sake, the Dao Ancestor might give Gu Changqing a light punishment as a warning, raising his hand high only to bring it down gently.
But never in their wildest dreams had they expected this outcome!
How was this mediation?
This was blatant favoritism!
No!
It was more frightening than favoritism!
It was tacit approval that verged on outright disregard!
Not only had the Dao Ancestor declined to hold Gu Changqing accountable for affronting a Sage and disrupting the ascension ceremony, he had turned Randeng's ascension into a promotional example, dangling a grand promise before the Profound Gate's disciples!
It was as though he were saying, See how good the benefits are in my Profound Gate? Even someone like Randeng can become a Sage. Work hard, and you'll all have a chance too!
This...
This was even crueler than