I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 103 - 101: Winning Over

If he had been uncertain before, receiving the Ancestral Master’s approval made it all but a certainty.

Wang Meng smiled. "Old Zhou, don’t waste your breath. I’m only suited to be a Sword Cultivator. Alchemy or smithing... at most, I’ll dabble in them occasionally. For me, it’s a form of enjoyment. If I did Alchemy all day, I’d run out of tricks fast."

Of course, Zhou Feng knew how stubborn the kid was. He never expected to get him on board with just a little temptation.

Thunderlight Hall was now incredibly lively. It had basically exceeded its mission quotas. Wang Meng’s existence was the greatest encouragement to the Thunderlight Hall disciples; what Wang Meng could accomplish, perhaps they too could accomplish one day.

The first day of the Hall Meeting concluded with Thunderlight Hall’s meteoric rise, its popularity eclipsing all the other Sub-Halls.

Hu Jing and the others gathered together to celebrate.

"What a roller coaster of a day! So exciting!" Zhang Xiaopang was the happiest of them all, especially since there was good wine.

The Jade Dew Wine was shared among everyone. Even people like Hu Jing and Ma Tian’Er, who normally didn’t touch a drop of alcohol, joined in for a cup.

"We’re finally off to a good start. I feel like everyone’s confidence has been boosted. It just goes to show that anyone can succeed, and everyone has the chance to create a miracle!"

Hu Jing was quite moved by everything that had happened that day. Having witnessed the entire process, it still felt like a dream.

"Brother Wang is the best!" Having had a little to drink, Ma Tian’Er’s face was even redder. As for someone like Senior Liuu Mei, you could tell just by watching her drink that she had an incredible capacity.

"Stop praising me. Today was just a fluke," Wang Meng said with a laugh. ’This might not necessarily be a good thing for Thunderlight Hall. Drawing this much attention without the strength to back it up could easily lead to trouble.’

"Oh, right, Brother Meng, have you decided which Ancestral Master you’re going to follow? The rumors are flying everywhere outside. Some say you’re going to become a Pill Cultivator, others say a Body Cultivator. Those are the two wildest rumors right now. If an Ancestral Master takes you as a disciple, wouldn’t you become an Elder?"

Zhang Xiaojiang asked. If Wang Meng became an Elder, his own life would get a whole lot easier.

BONK...

Zhang Xiaojiang got a flick on the forehead. "What are you talking about? I’m a Sword Cultivator!"

Everyone felt it was a bit of a pity. ’If it were them, they would definitely switch paths given the opportunity. Cultivation is cultivation, no matter the path.’

Regardless, everyone’s spirits were high. They weren’t afraid of being mocked or anything else. The worst fear was putting in a ton of effort, only for no one to even be there to watch.

「The Zhao Family Residence, Holy Hall.」

Zhao Tianlong had once again summoned Zhao Guang, leaving Zhao Guang feeling both flattered and overwhelmed. He hadn’t expected another opportunity like this. On the way there, Zhao Guang was both excited and apprehensive. ’Could it be that my performance today was so outstanding that I’ve caught the Ancestral Master’s attention?’

When Zhao Guang arrived, he discovered that Zhao Ya was also present and immediately sensed that something was off.

"Greetings, Ancestral Master," Zhao Guang said respectfully.

Zhao Tianlong nodded. "I’ve called you here to ask about this Wang Meng. What exactly is his background?"

Zhao Ya and Zhao Guang stared at each other, completely baffled. They never would have imagined that the Ancestral Master would personally inquire about a mere disciple.

Although the Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting was already causing a huge stir, the news was mostly confined to Holy Hall Mountain. Most people in the other Sub-Halls were still unaware.

The number of participants in the Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting was, at most, one-tenth to one-fifth of the total number of disciples from all of Jiufen Hall. Many disciples weren’t interested in such events; they’d rather use the opportunity to go out and train or take on some missions. Moreover, the turnover was high, and some people preferred to wait until the end of the Hall Meeting to pick up bargains.

"Wang Meng?" Zhao Ya was truly baffled. She had been in the middle of her cultivation when she was urgently summoned by the Ancestral Master. She had thought some major crisis had occurred, only to be asked about a disciple.

"He has no significant background. Just an ordinary family from Thunderlight City, with a Natural Life Mark Second Layer. I heard Senior Brother Xu was moved by his passion and persistence, so he made an exception and allowed him into the Holy Hall. Has he done something wrong?"

"Nonsense!" Zhao Tianlong snorted coldly. "Do you know why you two failed so spectacularly at Thunderlight Hall? It’s because you have eyes but couldn’t see!"

Zhao Tianlong’s criticism was a sweeping one, aimed at both Zhao Ya and Zhao Guang. The two of them had been dispatched to Thunderlight Hall, one as an Elder and the other as the Senior. The emergence of such a talent should have been a major event bringing them both fame and fortune. Instead, Zhao Guang had transferred out of the hall early, and Xu Huang had also been moved away. The Zhao Family’s inaction was an admission of a complete rout. And now, a talent like Wang Meng had suddenly appeared, who obviously had no connection to their Zhao Family.

"Ancestral Master, this Wang Meng’s progress in Elemental Power level isn’t fast..."

"Zhao Ya, I heard this boy’s qualification mission to enter the Holy Hall was to reclaim a Spirit Field?" Zhao Tianlong said.

Zhao Ya faltered for a moment. "Yes, Ancestral Master."

"And the result?"

"He... found the Life Grass," Zhao Ya said, frustrated. ’How would the Ancestral Master know about such a trivial, insignificant matter?’

"Do you think Life Grass is so easy to identify? You all must have been thinking, ’This kid definitely used some dishonest method.’ But did you ever stop to think? What kind of dishonest method could a disciple at the Second Layer of Life Mark possibly use? And if he did use one, that would be even more telling!"

Zhao Tianlong was genuinely angry. Thunderbolt, Wu Fatian, and Zhou Luodan were clearly hiding something from him. He had put effort into Thunderlight Hall, but when it was time to harvest the rewards, he was left with nothing. He could overlook Thunderbolt and Zhou Luodan, but for Wu Fatian to also jump in on the action... his reach was getting a bit long.

Zhao Ya was still in the dark. A Talisman landed in her hand. Only after reading it did Zhao Ya understand, and she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"This kid’s talent for Elemental Power might not be high, but his talent for cultivation is a rarity!"

Zhao Tianlong explained, "Most people judge talent by the level of one’s Elemental Power. But in reality, experts all know that the most important thing in cultivation is comprehension. For this Wang Meng to be able to find the Life Grass instantly—that is a kind of intuition, a kind of comprehension. It is also the highest level of talent!"

"You’re saying... he has great comprehension?"

"And you, Zhao Guang! To have such a talent among your junior brothers and not even notice!"

Zhao Guang broke out in a cold sweat. ’I was even trying to get them killed. Who would have thought the situation would turn out like this?’

"Ancestral Master, this disciple was indeed negligent. Junior Brother Wang Meng has a rather reclusive and low-key personality. After entering Thunderlight Hall, he reclaimed his Spirit Field all by himself and rarely interacted with others."

Zhao Guang said, his words half-truth, half-lie.

Zhao Tianlong nodded. He was incredibly resentful. He’d had two of his people over there, yet Zhou Feng was the one who managed to scoop up the prize. What kind of mess was this?

"What is your relationship with him? I have now reached an agreement with Thunderbolt and the others to let him choose for himself. Based on the current situation, it’s highly likely he’ll choose to be a Pill Cultivator. But no matter what he chooses, you must find a way to pull him into our Zhao Family."

Zhao Tianlong declared authoritatively. His style was to rather wrongly recruit everyone than let a single one get away. If Thunderbolt and the other two all saw something in him, then regardless of whether he was useful to him or not, he had to be brought under his own banner!

Zhao Ya and Zhao Guang could only nod. Zhao Ya was fine, but Zhao Guang was filled with a bitterness he couldn’t express. ’The Ancestral Master wants me to unite Thunderlight Hall, but what’s the damn point of uniting them? If I can’t even have the prestige of being the Senior, what’s the use of being Senior at all?’ Of course, on the surface, he didn’t dare voice any objection.