I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 111 - 109: Surging Undercurrents

It was also Zhou Qian’s first time attending this kind of auction. He had been in the Holy Hall for some time now, but this was the first time he had experienced such an atmosphere.

The hall gradually filled with people. Many of them kept shooting strange glances their way, as if the appearance of disciples from Thunderlight Hall was completely out of place.

"Did you guys hear? The Ancestral Masters never actually planned on taking a disciple. They were just doing Ancestor Master Lei a favor to save Thunderlight Hall."

Another disciple had a sudden realization. "That explains it! How could someone pass up such a golden opportunity to insist on being a Sword Cultivator? It’s complete bullshit!"

"I knew that ages ago. You guys are so slow on the uptake. Second Layer of Life Mark... what a joke. If he was truly talented, would he still be messing around in Thunderlight Hall? It just doesn’t add up!"

"The funny thing is, Thunderlight Hall actually thinks they’re a big deal now. They’re even auctioning off some unheard-of pills that guy refined. Oh, and that crappy sword!"

"Seriously, I thought that sword looked terrible too. I found it strange at the time."

"Heh, I heard it was that kid Zhang Liang’s idea. He supposedly bet his entire family fortune on this. In any case, none of us should buy their stuff."

"Only an idiot would buy them. Aren’t they afraid of getting poisoned?!"

"Old Luu, you’re a Sword Cultivator. Why don’t you buy that sword? Who knows, you might comprehend the Great Dao."

"Why don’t you buy it, you bastard? No matter how you look at it, that sword is trash. It doesn’t even have a hint of an Elemental Power reaction. Am I supposed to buy it and put it on a shrine?"

"Who knows, maybe one day he’ll become an Ancestral Master, and you can use that sword to climb the ranks, haha."

"Fuck that. If he can become an Ancestral Master, then I’m a Daluo Golden Immortal."

The crowd broke into hushed whispers. No one knew where these recent rumors had started, but they gave an immediate outlet to the disciples who already had their doubts. While it was true that the lower-level disciples saw Wang Meng’s story as a source of personal encouragement and inspiration, the more outstanding disciples were furious. They were so exceptional, yet they hadn’t received such treatment. A farmer, a piece of trash naturally at the Second Layer, had somehow vaulted over their heads. They didn’t say it aloud, but they were deeply resentful.

After it was determined that the Ancestral Masters had no intention of taking a disciple, another story began to circulate among these disciples—one they called the "unspoken secret."

After all, they still had to give the Ancestral Masters some face.

But this so-called secret was already beginning to spread. Suo Ming’s face darkened, and he seethed with anger. He, better than anyone, knew Wang Meng’s true strength. ’Wang Meng is a god, a true expert who simply keeps his abilities hidden. How dare this bunch of nobodies make such a racket?’

Wang Meng smiled. "Easy, now."

"Brother Meng, these guys are too arrogant! They’re clearly doing this on purpose," Zhang Xiaojiang fumed.

"They can say whatever they want; it’s their mouth, after all," Wang Meng said with a smile. "Are we supposed to beat up everyone who speaks ill of us? Strength isn’t proven with words."

Wang Meng’s Qi Cultivation Skill had improved a great deal, but that didn’t mean he was okay with this. His methods were just more flexible now.

Hu Jing nodded. "Listen to Wang Meng. Only the mediocre escape jealousy. The fact that they’re talking like this means they’re paying attention to us. Before, they probably wouldn’t have even bothered to comment on Thunderlight Hall."

Zhou Qian nodded. "I know exactly what you mean. Now when I walk around outside, people recognize me from time to time. Thanks to Wang Meng, I’m finally getting a taste of what it’s like to be somebody."

Zhang Xiaojiang hadn’t endured the same hardships, but the veteran disciples of Thunderlight Hall like them had experienced a world-shaking change.

Ma Tian’Er smiled. "If some people approve of us, others are bound to disapprove. We just need to be ourselves and face it with composure!"

Everyone’s mood lifted after hearing Ma Tian’Er’s words. Junior Sister Ma’s personality was truly impeccable; she was kind and gentle in daily life, but the bravest of all in times of crisis.

"Junior Sister Ma, you’re so wonderful. If I weren’t already spoken for, I’d definitely pursue you!" Zhang Xiaojiang said.

"So you’ve thought about it, have you?" Liuu Mei’s fair hand was already pinching the soft flesh at Zhang Xiaojiang’s waist.

"No, no! Of course not! I, Zhang Xiaojiang, am dedicated to following Liuu Mei’s lead down this path, all the way to the end!"

Zhang Xiaojiang quickly wrapped his arm around Liuu Mei’s waist. For all her straightforwardness, Senior Sister Liuu still gave Zhang Xiaojiang a lot of face in front of everyone.

In Liuu Mei’s own words, a man needed to carry himself with an air of authority when out in public.

But everyone knew that Zhang Xiaojiang definitely listened to Liuu Mei. It was a classic case of one being eager to dish it out and the other happy to take it.

Although their mood had improved slightly, everyone was still worried. The disciples of the Holy Hall were divided into their own cliques and groups. Outside, ordinary disciples were the majority, but here, elite disciples were. In the eyes of these people, they were nothing more than nouveau riche who had gotten incredibly lucky.

If no one really bought their items, setting aside what would happen to Zhang Liang, Thunderlight Hall would lose all face. They would certainly be turned into a laughingstock, and there was no telling what kinds of stories would be spun. This was not a good thing for a Hall that was just starting to see a turnaround.

Hu Jing had considered this possibility, but she hadn’t expected the backlash to come so quickly.

Everyone except Wang Meng and Suo Ming was a little worried. In truth, even Suo Ming couldn’t see anything special about the sword Wang Meng had forged. On the contrary, based on his understanding of forging, the sword had no redeeming qualities. If it were for a Sword Cultivator, it should at least have an Elemental Power Array, yet it had no Elemental Power reaction at all. If it were for a Body Cultivator... well, a defensive Body Cultivator wouldn’t use it, and for an offensive Power Cultivator... a sword this small was just too weak.

It was unsuitable for any path. Suo Ming, however, firmly believed that it simply held a much deeper secret.

Back when they were at the bottom, things like dignity had already hit rock bottom, so it didn’t matter if they were shamed or not. But now, Thunderlight Hall had started to build some confidence. It may have been fragile, but at least it was there, which made this the easiest time for their morale to be crushed.

The crowd continued to grow. At auctions like this, the Hundred Herbs Hall, the Beast Hall, and the Fire Cloud Hall were the main attractions.

The Seniors of the Beast Hall and the Fire Cloud Hall, Jia Shidao and Song Zhong, were exchanging pleasantries.

"I hear Junior Brother Jia’s Thunder Beast is about to advance. Congratulations! It looks like the Beast Hall will be making a big splash at the Grand Tournament this time," Song Zhong said.

The Fire Cloud Hall was currently ranked seventh, while the Beast Hall was eighth, making their relationship quite sensitive. One step up would place them among the mid-tier Sub-Halls; one step down would send them to the very bottom.

"Not at all, not at all. We rely on Spirit Beasts to fight. How could we compare to you, Brother Song? I happen to know you’ve made a new breakthrough with your Magical Artifacts. It seems you’ve pioneered a new combat style for Technique Cultivators. We’re all waiting eagerly to see it."

Jia Shidao said, his eyes narrowed into a smile. Jia Shidao was always smiling like that, but his smile was different from Mingren’s. Mingren’s smile was comforting, whereas Jia Shidao’s was a signature look—and completely fake.

Song Zhong paused for a moment. "Where did Junior Brother Jia hear such a rumor?"

"Hehe, some things, you and I both know. And Brother Ning knows even better. This Grand Tournament is incredibly significant. Who hasn’t prepared an ace up their sleeve? Even Thunderlight Hall is jumping into the fray. Anything can happen."

Jia Shidao said with that same squinty smile. ’I seriously doubt he can see anything with his eyes narrowed like that.’