I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 342 - 326: Toad Swallowing Heaven

It had to be said, the privileges the Old Demon Dean granted were truly useful. The Cultivation Academy’s fees were a total rip-off; they demanded piles upon piles of Spirit Stones as if they were common rocks. Coupled with the help he’d received when establishing his faction, Wang Meng found it increasingly difficult to fathom what on earth the Old Demon Dean’s intentions toward him were.

As for his opponent, he was a catalyst for Wang Meng. This was, in fact, Wang Meng’s very method of Cultivation: setting up a powerful enemy to force himself to overcome them, all in the pursuit of faster and more powerful breakthroughs.

Of course, this pressure-style method of Cultivation wasn’t suitable for everyone.

Wang Meng was completely immersed in his Cultivation, and surprisingly, no one came to disturb him. A few peaceful days passed. If Luo Xian had considered Wang Meng a powerful opponent, he would never have allowed him such a leisurely time. He would have definitely sent people to harass him in all sorts of ways, preventing him from calming his mind. But once Luo Xian reviewed Wang Meng’s file, he completely dismissed him.

In Luo Xian’s view, Wang Meng’s victory over Qi Feiyu was only because Qi Feiyu had suppressed his Elemental Power—a careless mistake that cost him everything. He deserved to die for it.

It was rare for someone in their twenties to defeat someone in their thirties, but not unheard of. Those with extraordinary talent simply had Elemental Power that was different from ordinary people’s. In Luo Xian’s eyes, a piece of trash like Qi Feiyu was worthless, and he himself was one of those geniuses. Even if Wang Meng was talented, he was fated to die an early death.

What Luo Xian was worried about now was the person behind the Holy Hall Faction sabotaging the upcoming life-and-death battle. That was why he restrained his subordinates, forbidding them from causing any trouble for the Holy Hall Faction.

At this point, even if the Holy Hall came charging to his door, Luo Xian would simply smile and politely show them out.

Those who accomplish great things don’t sweat the small stuff, especially when it concerned a dead man walking.

Of course, Luo Xian would eventually repay everything he was enduring now, twofold. Time had never seemed to pass so slowly; he was growing impatient.

In the Empress Faction, the Five-Star Monarchs were having their regular meeting.

"Ge Mang isn’t coming again?" Ling Huo chuckled.

Moo WuZheng shrugged helplessly. "That guy took a huge hit. He’s been in closed-door Cultivation ever since."

The Five-Star Monarchs were not necessarily the five strongest members currently in the Empress Faction. Ge Mang, for example, was only in his thirties in terms of layers, but he was destined to be one of the strongest in the future. The Empress selected elites from various levels, her eyes set on their potential.

In terms of true comprehensive strength, Ge Mang was the weakest of them. What he needed was time and tempering to fully realize his talent.

"You’d better be careful, WuZheng. Don’t let him surpass you," Ling Huo said with a faint smile.

Mingyue stood alone to the side as usual, gazing at the distant scenery.

Moo WuZheng laughed. "Heh, how could a diligent person like me ever be surpassed?"

Ling Huo and Wua Qingfeng looked like they were about to gag.

"Speaking of which, it’s a real shame about that Ma Tian’Er. The Empress thought very highly of her. If she’d stayed with us, she definitely would have received priority training."

Wua Qingfeng shook her head. "Only low-level factions look at layers. A powerful faction like ours values potential. Elemental Power is something everyone will eventually max out; it’s just a matter of resources and time."

"How is she doing now?" Mingyue, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly asked.

"Haha, Mingyue, I thought you’d fallen in love with the scenery," Moo WuZheng laughed. Seeing her sharp glare, he quickly waved his hands in dismissal. "Just kidding! Ma Tian’Er joined some... oh, right, a small faction called Holy Hall. I hear they’ve been causing quite a stir lately."

"I did hear something recently. Apparently, a newly established faction has picked a fight with the Demon Refining Faction. It couldn’t be this Holy Hall Faction, could it?"

"She’s wasting her life."

"WuZheng, Ma Tian’Er’s talent is truly excellent. Give her one more chance to choose," Mingyue said.

Moo WuZheng froze for a moment. "Alright. I’m always the one stuck with these things. Just an errand boy, that’s me."

Moo WuZheng and Ge Mang were still in their growth phase, whereas Ling Huo, Wua Qingfeng, and Mingyue were the true top-tier masters. This was especially true for Mingyue, who was the second most powerful expert in the Empress Faction, surpassed only by the Empress herself.

Fan Hong was growing more and more cunning, and his spirits were high. Wang Meng, meanwhile, was making the final preparations for his battle with Luo Xian. Though he acted like he didn’t care, he was, in his heart, preparing for every eventuality.

The Old Demon Dean, however, wasn’t about to let him be. That evening, Wang Meng’s Star Ring lit up, and an image of the Old Demon Dean appeared.

"Come to my office. Immediately."

Wang Meng was speechless. ’This old fiend is sure direct,’ he thought. ’What if I had been in the middle of cultivating?’

He could grumble all he wanted, but he still had to go.

"Dean, you were looking for me?"

Lv Yuantian glanced at Wang Meng. "It seems your preparations for battle are going well. Follow me."

Without waiting for Wang Meng to reply, he pointed at the wall behind him. Elemental Power swept out, and an Array Technique gradually materialized on the wall. The wall then began to ripple like water, and the Old Demon Dean walked right through it.

Wang Meng didn’t hesitate; he followed right behind. ’When you don’t have a choice, there’s no need to choose.’

The sensation was similar to a Teleportation Array, but different. As his feet touched solid ground, Wang Meng found himself surrounded by pitch-black darkness. A flash of light flickered in his eyes, and his vision returned.

It felt like being inside a sealed container. Wang Meng could only see Lv Yuantian beside him, yet he had the distinct feeling of being watched. By whom, he didn’t know. With a master of the Great Perfection realm present, Wang Meng didn’t dare to recklessly use his Divine Sense, lest he make things worse for himself.

"Old Lv, we were just waiting on you. Who’s this kid?"

A voice emerged from the darkness, followed by murmurs of agreement from others.

Lv Yuantian’s voice was clearly laced with anger. "You’ll know after they fight!"

"Hehe, Old Lv’s getting angry."

"Let’s test his level."

"Old Lv, don’t you have your ’big three’ on your turf? Don’t tell me you’ve given up and are just throwing anything at the wall, haha. If so, we won’t make things hard on you. There’s no great shame in admitting defeat."

"Cut the crap. He’s the one I’ve chosen!"

At some point, Lv Yuantian had vanished from his side. As Wang Meng stood there, a beam of light suddenly swept over him, too fast to dodge.

"Hehe, Thirty-Fifth Layer of Elemental Power, with a Sword Cultivator affinity. It seems Old Lv is trying the low-end strategy now. Interesting. I guess that counts as an attempt."

Wang Meng’s head was spinning. ’I knew the Old Demon Dean was up to no good,’ he thought. ’It feels like I’m being sold off by the pound... Well, the important thing is, I hope he gets a good price for me!’

"Regardless, Old Lv has presented his champion. Old Mengg, who is yours?"

Just as Wang Meng was about to open his mouth and ask what was going on, another figure materialized out of the void.

"Fenglan, pay your respects to the seniors."

"Fenglan of the Star Cultivation Academy greets the seniors!" Fenglan announced, a Great Sword on his back and an air of dignified arrogance about him.

"Old Mengg, this boy of yours has improved greatly. It looks like achieving Minor Perfection is only a matter of time."

"You flatter me, senior. This disciple still has much to learn."

"Hehe, it’s been over a year, and the boy’s strength has grown so much, yet he remains just as humble. The heirs of the Ten Great Sects are truly something else."

"Old Mengg has trained him well. I’m putting my money on Old Mengg this time."

"Hehe, Old Lv, my friend... while I support you in spirit, my actions... well, I’m betting on Old Mengg."

’Damn it all,’ Wang Meng thought. He’d been wondering what was going on, and after all that, it turned out to be a pissing contest between big shots like the Old Demon Dean. Wang Meng couldn’t help but pick his nose in disdain.

"Hmph. Enough nonsense. Same as always, calibrate the Elemental Power!" Lv Yuantian’s voice boomed.

"Very well. Let’s begin."

SWOOSH~~~

A pale blue light suddenly illuminated the darkness. A massive Pentagram Array glowed beneath their feet, and the space around them became as beautiful as a starry night sky.

Fenglan’s appearance was now clearly visible. He wore a magnificent silver robe with trim that emanated a faint blue light. His entire being gave off a soft glow. His head was tilted slightly upward, the posture of a man accustomed to his own superiority. With a Great Sword on his back, his eyes shone with absolute confidence.

Fenglan, in turn, sized up his opponent... and saw a guy gawking around with a blank expression on his face, utterly lacking in decorum.

The light from the Pentagram Array swept over them, and the voice from the void announced, "Elemental Power calibration complete. The upper limit is set to the Thirty-Fifth Layer. You may begin."

"Wait!"

Fenglan was just about to strike when someone suddenly called for a halt.

This was the first time something like this had ever happened.

Master Wang cleared his throat a few times. "Dean, do I just need to take him out?"

The figures in the void froze for an instant before bursting into laughter. Across the array, a hint of disdain crossed Fenglan’s refined features.

’A toad trying to swallow the heavens. What arrogance.’

"Hehe, that’s correct. It seems Old Lv didn’t make things clear to you. In Magical Combat, a winner and loser are determined, regardless of life or death."

"Old Lv, that’s not very sporting of you. You should at least explain the rules to your disciple."

"Take him out!"

The message Lv Yuantian sent to Wang Meng consisted of just three words.

Fenglan shot him a cool glance. "The one who will defeat you is Fenglan of the Wind God Sect!"

The moment the words left his mouth, Fenglan’s aura erupted. He stepped forward and drew his sword, all in one fluid motion.

KILL~~~

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A Sword Array that moved like a veritable hurricane enveloped Wang Meng.

Wang Meng desperately wanted to drag the Old Demon Dean out and give him a sound thrashing. ’That bastard! Even if I have to risk my life for him, would it kill him to give me a heads-up?!’

Fenglan’s sword strike was flawless, leaving no openings. He unleashed the full potential of his Thirty-Fifth Layer of Elemental Power. He wasn’t posturing; he knew the advantage of striking first.

Wang Meng’s body weaved and flickered amidst the Sword Qi, his Body Technique pushed to its absolute limit. Fenglan’s gaze sharpened. ’This opponent may be uncouth, but he’s not as weak as I thought.’

"Seven-Star Linked Movement—Dawn Slash!"

Fenglan levitated into the air, the Long Sword in his hand radiating a dazzling light. Wang Meng instantly felt targeted, as if attacks were about to converge on him from below, the air, and directly in front.

It was like the very moment dawn breaks; though not as dazzling as the midday sun, it possessed an indescribable, urgent force.

The killing intent within the attack was something one would only truly comprehend at the moment of death.

Lv Yuantian watched Wang Meng, his face an emotionless mask. In truth, his hands were tied. After testing Wang Meng in several battles, he’d discovered that the kid was truly special. But as for what Wang Meng’s limits were, he honestly had no idea. This was a complete shot in the dark, treating a dead horse as if it were still alive. That was why he hadn’t bothered to explain anything to Wang Meng; it was still an open question whether he would even survive the day.

Fenglan was clearly a model expert of the academic school. He came from a prestigious background, had received the most meticulous instruction at a Cultivation Academy, and possessed both strength and composure. Even knowing his opponent was supposedly weak, he still attacked immediately to seize the advantage.

Four other Cultivators stood beside Lv Yuantian. Although their auras were perfectly contained, their every gesture revealed an absolute sense of Control Power. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)