I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 133 - 131: Fire Cloud Cave

Wang Meng was a reliable guy!

He Ziyuan rushed out excitedly with the fruit basket. The Body Cultivation Disciples probably wouldn’t be able to sleep for days.

"Heh, Senior Sister, what a pleasant surprise. I didn’t think you’d like a place like this." Wang Meng grabbed a Buddha Fruit and took a large bite. He and Zhang Xiaopang were cut from the same cloth—neither knew the first thing about being polite.

Yang Ying smiled faintly. "I wanted to see just what could possibly attract a genius Sword Cultivator and a prodigy Pill Cultivator."

Aside from a few Ancestral Masters, Yang Ying was the only one who knew about the Emergency Pills. Wang Meng hadn’t hidden it from her; it wasn’t about showing off, but when she asked, there was no need to be secretive. In any case, he was very grateful to her for such a huge favor.

"Haha, being praised by Senior Sister really does put me in a good mood. The frustration from this morning has been swept away."

"Oh? Things didn’t go smoothly?"

"The ore quality is too poor. It shatters if I try anything slightly more complex or apply a bit more force. I’m planning to make a trip to Fire Cloud Hall to see if I can get some ore. I still have plenty of Spirit Stones left from the last auction, anyway."

Wang Meng said.

Yang Ying handed Wang Meng a towel and smiled. "You’re making it sound too simple. The distribution of resources like ore, Spirit Grass, and even Spirit Beasts isn’t a problem that can be solved with Spirit Stones."

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way. I have to at least try." In Wang Meng’s world, nothing was impossible; there were only things you did and things you didn’t.

"I’ll go with you. I should be able to help."

Yang Ying said.

"Haha, that’s great! I don’t know how I can possibly thank you."

"I’m doing this for myself, you know. This way, you won’t dare to be lazy when I ask you to test swords with me," Yang Ying said with a sly wink and a smile.

Even someone as dense as Wang Meng knew she was joking, so he dropped the pleasantries.

The moment Yang Ying left, the Body Cultivation Disciples, all fired up as if they’d eaten gunpowder, immediately swarmed Wang Meng.

"Brother Meng, you’re the man! You’re my idol!"

"Get lost! Brother Meng is everyone’s idol! Guys like Ning Zhiquan and Liangyuan can step aside!"

"You guys are so dense. If anyone else got together with Senior Sister Yang, I’d be cursing them day and night. But Brother Meng? All of us brothers are totally behind you!"

"Yeah!"

The group of grown men chattered away, one after another, as if something of monumental importance had just occurred.

For a man, life was all about face.

As the crowd grew rowdy, a voice boomed out, "You little brats! Why aren’t you training? What’s all this commotion for?!"

It was Wang Bodang’s signature opening line.

The crowd instantly scattered like birds and beasts. Aside from training Suo Ming, Wang Bodang had been visiting the Forging Pavilion more frequently than before. He was really starting to act like an Elder now.

Wang Bodang was still quite polite to Wang Meng, as he knew very well that this disciple was not under his authority.

The Elder’s attitude was also a great motivator for the disciples. They all put in every ounce of effort they had. They didn’t dare hope for guidance from an Ancestral Master; just a few pointers from an Elder would be enough.

Wang Meng and Yang Ying rode their flying swords toward Fire Cloud Hall, their speed unhurried. The reason so many people wanted to become Sword Cultivators was to experience this kind of dashing freedom, just like a Sword Immortal.

It had to be said that while performing Sword Flight, Yang Ying truly looked like a fairy from the highest heavens.

"Junior Brother Wang, you don’t look like you just learned Sword Flight," Yang Ying said with a small smile. Admiring the scenery of the Small Thousand World from high above was truly a pleasure.

Once one became a Cultivator, it was difficult to ever go back to being a mortal.

"Oh? You can tell?"

"I sense your Elemental Power broke through the Fifteenth Layer not long ago, yet your Sword Flight technique is remarkably proficient and composed. Most importantly, you’re missing a certain sense of excitement."

"Haha, you’re wrong about that. I was so excited I flew all over the place until I was half dead from exhaustion," Wang Meng said.

"I have a small question, though I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to ask."

"Ask away. I’m the type who dares to say anything. Are you going to ask if I’m a virgin?" Wang Meng laughed.

Yang Ying’s face immediately flushed. The man had no filter, but strangely, she didn’t find it unpleasant.

"I wanted to ask why you chose this broken sword. Does it have a name?"

"It does. Its name is Broken Heaven Edge. I’m a believer in fate. The moment I saw it, I just knew it was my style. That’s all the reason I needed."

Yang Ying broke into a radiant smile. "That’s certainly enough. I guess I was the one being too conventional."

"Some Sword Cultivators are passing by. I wonder which Hall’s seniors they are."

"What a mismatch. At least go for a ’beauty and the beast’ look, not a beauty and a beggar."

"That sword really is an eyesore."

As they approached Fire Cloud Hall, some of the Fire Cloud Hall Disciples began to gossip. Anyone capable of Sword Flight, regardless of their Hall, had to be reasonably skilled. This pair, in particular, flew with exceptional ease. But while the woman was like the Lingbo Fairy, the man wielded a broken sword, completely ruining the "immortal couple" atmosphere.

Fire Cloud Hall contained Earth Flames, making it especially suitable for Artifact Refining. The mountain peak itself was cast in a red glow, but strangely, it wasn’t scorching hot. This was one of the many wonders of the Small Thousand World.

The moment Yang Ying and Wang Meng arrived at Fire Cloud Hall, they immediately drew attention. Wang Meng was, of course, a nobody, but Senior Sister Yang was a different story. And thanks to her, this nobody had become a well-known nobody.

This was also the first time Yang Ying and Wang Meng had appeared together since the rumors about them started, and in another Hall, no less. Their arrival instantly sparked a wave of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

If Wang Meng had come looking for Song Zhong by himself, heaven knows how long it would have taken. Furthermore, as the Senior of the Hall, Song Zhong might not have even been interested in meeting him. But with Yang Ying present, it was a different matter entirely. As long as he wasn’t in seclusion, Song Zhong would definitely grant them an audience.

When Song Zhong saw Wang Meng and Yang Ying, to be honest, even seeing them with his own eyes, he still found the sight incredibly jarring. ’How is this possible? How could things turn out this way?’

Along the way, the Fire Cloud Hall disciples pointed and stared as if they were gawking at some rare, prehistoric Demon Beast.

"Heh, Senior Sister Yang, you honor us with your presence. Please forgive me for not coming out to greet you," Song Zhong said with a faint smile. Flying Phoenix Hall ranked above Fire Cloud Hall, so Song Zhong was reasonably polite.

Yang Ying remained composed. "Heh, I’ve come looking for Junior Brother Song today because Junior Brother Wang has some business to discuss."

Song Zhong’s gaze remained fixed on Yang Ying. "It’s rare for you to visit, Senior Sister Yang. Let’s talk inside. Any other matters can be handled by the junior disciples."

Song Zhong didn’t even spare Wang Meng a glance, as if he didn’t exist. Yang Ying had the status to speak with him, but this Wang Meng... ’He’s still far too insignificant.’

"Junior Brother Song, the Nine Halls are one family. Thunderlight Hall needs some high-quality ore. I was wondering if you could help," Yang Ying said.

Song Zhong sighed, feigning difficulty. "Senior Sister Yang, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but this is a tough situation. You know the rules. Thunderlight Hall’s ranking is what it is, and I can’t just break protocol."

Wang Meng smiled. "I know this puts you in a difficult position, Brother Song. We at Thunderlight Hall are willing to pay an extra ten percent, and we don’t need a large amount."

Song Zhong waved his hand impatiently. "This isn’t a matter of price; the situation is just difficult. But, that being said, if Senior Sister Yang were to ask, then I could make even the most difficult things happen."

He was trying to put Yang Ying in his debt.

Wang Meng couldn’t help but laugh out loud, causing both Yang Ying and Song Zhong to glance at him. Wang Meng knew perfectly well that it might have been better if Yang Ying hadn’t come. Song Zhong was deliberately causing trouble precisely because she was present. Still, Yang Ying had meant well.

"If it’s that difficult, then forget it. We’ll go mine it ourselves at the Fire Cloud Cave. We don’t need that much anyway."

Wang Meng said. Any Holy Hall Disciple could go to the Fire Cloud Cave, as long as they paid the standard mining fee according to the rules.

"Haha, Junior Brother Wang is so considerate! Earning something through your own hard work is a sign of true ability. How about this: whatever you manage to dig up is yours, and I’ll waive the mining fee."

Song Zhong said, subtly mocking Wang Meng for freeloading off a woman. The surrounding Fire Cloud Hall Disciples joined in the laughter. An amateur like him wouldn’t be able to dig up anything worthwhile even if he mined for a whole year.

"How generous of you, Brother Song. Thanks," Wang Meng accepted without a shred of ceremony, then took his leave with Yang Ying.

After leaving Fire Cloud Hall, Wang Meng was still in a surprisingly good mood.

Yang Ying glanced at him, surprised. "I didn’t realize you were so even-tempered. If that had been me, I would have blown up by now."

"It’s not that I’m even-tempered. I’m actually genuinely grateful to him. You’ll see why in a little while."

Wang Meng said, "Once we get to the Fire Cloud Cave, it will probably take me half a day. Maybe you should head back first?"

"We came together, so we’ll leave together," Yang Ying said simply.

"Heh, I was just worried it might be a bit dirty there."

"I’m a Cultivator, not some delicate mortal woman."

"Haha, true enough."

Wang Meng really had underestimated the Senior Sister of Flying Phoenix Hall.

The Fire Cloud Cave was a mineral vein discovered by a past senior of the Holy Hall. It was located over two hundred li from Fire Cloud Peak, hidden deep underground. That senior had been a prodigy of the Metal attribute of the Five Elements, able to perceive the qi of the earth. This mineral vein had indeed played a crucial role in the development of the Holy Hall.

When Wang Meng and Yang Ying arrived at the Fire Cloud Cave, news quickly made its way back to Fire Cloud Hall.

Song Zhong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The elite disciples of Fire Cloud Hall were gathered around him now, and his demeanor was completely different from his earlier casualness.

"This is just bizarre. Yang Ying is actually serious about this," Yao Yuan couldn’t help but shake his head. "I don’t get it. I just don’t get it."

A smile touched the corners of Song Zhong’s mouth. Yao Yuan was the second-in-command of Fire Cloud Hall and his most capable subordinate. The secret weapon of Fire Cloud Hall was his creation. His talent was unparalleled, though he was weaker in other aspects.

"It’s probably fake," Song Zhong said.

"Fake? But I saw how protective Yang Ying was of him. Knowing her personality, it seems she’s never treated any man that way before."

Yao Yuan was completely baffled.

Song Zhong and the other junior brothers couldn’t help but smile. "There are too many holes in their story. There’s none of the intimacy you’d expect between a couple. Most importantly, as a man, if Yang Ying were his woman, he should be in a state of high excitement right now. But from what I saw, he was more focused on the matter of the ore than he was on her. If you were in his position, would your eyes be wandering anywhere else?"

"If it were me, my eyeballs would be glued to Yang Ying, haha."

"Then that’s strange. What on earth could make Yang Ying offer such a huge sacrifice?"

The Fire Cloud Hall Disciples were indeed curious. Song Zhong remained silent. He had deliberately made things difficult for them earlier. For a normal matter, if Yang Ying had asked, he would have given her the courtesy. But times were different. The Grand Competition was imminent, and the rankings were about to be reshuffled. Yang Ying was formidable, not just in strength but also in intelligence; otherwise, she would never have secured the position of Senior Sister of Flying Phoenix Hall. He was certain of one thing: the world of women was always crueler than the world of men. Their battles were fought without blades.

"You all don’t need to overthink it. We’ve already gathered a good deal of intelligence today. This Wang Meng likely has some connections, and Yang Ying wants something from him. It’s possibly because of Wang Meng’s relationship with Zhou Feng."

Everyone came to a sudden realization in unison, their gazes toward Song Zhong filled with admiration. Pills played a huge role in the Grand Competition. Ordinary Pills were obviously of little value, but if they came from the number one Pill Cultivator Elder in the Holy Hall, it was a completely different story.

And the importance of this Grand Competition was self-evident.

"This Wang Meng must really have some skill in Alchemy," Fang Lufei chimed in. "Senior, should we have the disciples at the Fire Cloud Cave ’take care’ of him a little?"

Song Zhong smiled faintly. "Let’s wait and see. Everyone, remember this: to survive in the Holy Hall, in this Small Thousand World, you must rely on yourselves. This Wang Meng might be decent at Alchemy, but that is still a minor path. Yao Yuan, rest assured, after the Grand Competition, I will personally report your great contributions to Technique Cultivation to Ancestor Master Zhao!"

Yao Yuan smiled nonchalantly. "Senior, contributions are a small matter. Making our Fire Cloud Hall stronger is the number one priority!"