I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 146 - 144: Beating a Dog

The group swept through the Secret Realm once more and found Suo Ming. He had truly worn down the besieging Demon Cultivators one by one until they died, and he himself was so exhausted he had passed out.

After confirming no one had slipped through the net, they cremated the two disciples who had died in battle. The two female disciples cried their eyes out. It was clear that an experience like this was too much for them to bear.

Li Tianyi sat alone in a tree, quietly observing everything, feeling neither joy nor sorrow.

"What sorrow is there in life, what bitterness in death?"

Wang Meng handed him a bottle of wine. Li Tianyi waved his hand. "I don’t drink."

Wang Meng had always been philosophical about life and death. That’s why some people were suited for cultivation, and others were not.

It was a road of no return.

"The Li Family’s Sword Technique really is a Killing Sword."

"You should be careful. Only after I started killing did I truly grasp the essence of the Sword Technique," Li Tianyi said faintly.

"Haha, I look forward to it."

The two of them quietly watched the bonfire below. Perhaps, deep down, they were the same kind of people—unfettered by mortal emotions and desires.

The two female disciples from Lingyin were sent back; they were no longer fit to remain here. On the Thunderlight side, Ma Tian’Er also accompanied Liuu Mei back. Although Tian’Er wanted to stay, she knew Senior Sister Liuu needed comfort more.

Having witnessed people being refined alive, Liuu Mei shivered all over just thinking about it. She didn’t want to stay here for another moment.

Those who remained were all strong-willed. Once they left the Holy Hall, this kind of thing might become commonplace.

In Zhou Luodan’s Pill Spirit Pavilion, Li Xiuwen and Wu Fatian had both arrived. Wu Fatian’s arrival was expected, but Li Xiuwen’s prompt appearance was a pleasant surprise for Zhou Luodan. Such enthusiasm was a good sign. Among the Holy Hall’s factions, the Li Family was the largest, and Li Xiuwen’s strength was faintly regarded as the greatest among them all. If she could gain his support, the matter would be more than halfway to success.

"Junior Sister, we’re all very clear on what you mean. An Elder under the age of twenty... heheh. Even for the Holy Hall, which prides itself on promoting talent without regard for convention, this would be an unprecedented first. However, I support you. His contribution this time was indeed immense. I think this could also motivate the disciples to be more diligent in their cultivation, instead of just trying to get by."

Wu Fatian smiled, his eyebrows curving. He was delighted just imagining how Thunderbolt would fly into a rage. ’So the kid chose to be a Pill Cultivator in the end. Well, no matter. As long as it keeps Old Lei from being happy, I’m all for it.’

"Brother Li, what are your thoughts?"

Li Xiuwen’s expression was calm. Hearing the question, he smiled faintly. "This boy intends to switch to being a Pill Cultivator?"

Li Xiuwen had gone straight to the heart of the matter. Zhou Luodan shook her head. "Not exactly. Whether he’s a Pill Cultivator or not isn’t important. What’s crucial is that he has made a tremendous contribution to the Holy Hall."

Li Xiuwen nodded and said no more.

"You’re always so indirect! Just say whether you agree or not!"

Wu Fatian was even more anxious than Zhou Luodan. At his core, he had the same hot temper as Thunderbolt.

Li Xiuwen smiled faintly. "Brother Wu, calm down. Even if all of us agree, it’s useless if we can’t get it past Senior Brother Lei."

True, they could force it through, but angering Thunderbolt over this would just be asking for trouble. The key didn’t lie with them, but with Thunderbolt’s attitude.

"That’s why I came to discuss it with you," Wu Fatian said. "Zhao Tianlong and Ma Hezi will be here soon. As long as we convince them, we can all talk to that Thunder Old Ghost together. He can be reasonable."

Seeing Li Xiuwen nod, Zhou Luodan relaxed slightly. It seemed Wang Meng had made a good impression on Li Xiuwen.

Wu Fatian was already getting impatient. It wasn’t just about embarrassing Old Lei; it was also about repaying a debt of gratitude to that senior. ’That senior certainly doesn’t need us juniors to do anything for him,’ he thought, ’but doing something for the person he chose will make me feel a little better.’

Li Xiuwen glanced at Wu Fatian, feeling a little puzzled himself.

It was rare for the three of them to gather so leisurely. Zhou Luodan brewed the tea personally, which certainly gave it a different flavor.

Within half a day, Zhao Tianlong and Ma Hezi arrived as well. Zhao Tianlong’s expression was calm, but Ma Hezi seemed to wear a faint, sinister smile. And behind him was Ma Wanliang.

The moment she saw Ma Wanliang, Zhou Luodan knew there was going to be trouble.

"Wanliang, aren’t you going to greet your elders?" Ma Hezi said in a strange, passive-aggressive tone.

Ma Wanliang, who was usually arrogant and domineering outside, was now incredibly respectful, immediately performing a grand salute.

Li Xiuwen nodded. "Have a seat. Junior Brother Zhao, Junior Brother Ma, your timing is perfect. There’s something we need to discuss with you."

Ma Hezi sat down, with Ma Wanliang standing respectfully behind him. Upon hearing Li Xiuwen’s words, Ma Hezi immediately waved his hand dismissively. "Brother Li, I’ve always respected you, but if this is about Wang Meng, I object. That kid is far too arrogant and doesn’t know his place. He even dared to sow discord among the Elders. If we make him an Elder, won’t he just try to turn us against each other?"

"Oh?" Li Xiuwen was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected Ma Hezi to react so strongly.

’It doesn’t seem like such a big deal,’ he thought.

"Heheh, Junior Brother Ma, what’s gotten you so worked up? Is a mere disciple really worth all this anger?"

Zhao Tianlong said with a sudden smile.

Zhou Luodan suddenly realized that this gathering had become complicated. It seemed Zhao Tianlong also had his own agenda.

"Senior Brother Zhao, you can see the whole picture from a single detail. This Wang Meng may have some talent, but he doesn’t know how to respect his elders. That is a major taboo in our Holy Hall," Ma Hezi said.

"Ma Hezi, I don’t like the sound of that. How is the boy disrespectful to his elders? Stop spouting nonsense all the time!" Wu Fatian said, displeased.

Ma Hezi glanced at Wu Fatian with a smirk. "Brother Wu, I know you’re straightforward and don’t sweat the small stuff. I’m not one to hold grudges either. Wanliang, tell them what you experienced."

"Yes. Here is what happened. After learning that Wang Meng was a talent, the Ancestral Master also asked me to look after him. I made a special trip to Thunderlight Hall to ask if Wang Meng needed anything. I couldn’t promise much, but I could at least offer him some help regarding Spirit Beasts. But this Wang Meng is incredibly arrogant. I waited for half a day at the Thunderlight Pavilion, and he actually told me to go see him. At the time, I thought, ’As an Elder, it’s my duty to care for disciples, so I’ll make the trip.’ But when I went to his residence, he still refused to see me! Most importantly, he said something inflammatory that almost caused me and Elder Zhou to come to blows. I feel that as a disciple, no matter how talented, what he did was wrong."

Ma Wanliang spoke respectfully, looking as if he were on the verge of tears. He played the part of the wronged Elder to perfection.

Li Xiuwen glanced coolly at Ma Wanliang. "Wanliang, that’s just your side of the story. Do you have any proof?"

"Elder Zhou and I almost came to blows. Elder Zhao Ya and others all saw it. Just think, Elder Zhou and I have no grievances with each other. Why would a dispute arise between us?"

Ma Wanliang looked completely innocent. He had been stewing with rage over this incident and went back to cry to Ma Hezi about it. The Ma Family was the type to always take advantage and never suffer a loss. How could they let this matter rest? But since the issue was far-reaching, they had endured it and waited for an opportunity.

"Have Zhou Feng come here," Zhou Luodan said in a low voice.

Zhou Feng arrived shortly after. Zhou Luodan glanced at him. "Why did you start a conflict with Wanliang? Don’t you know the rules?"

Zhou Feng had been calm at first, especially since Zhou Luodan had warned him. But the moment he saw Ma Wanliang’s vile, smug expression, his anger flared.

"Ancestral Masters, this had nothing to do with Wang Meng. I was the one who stopped him from going. Someone with too much time on his hands was going around flaunting his Elder status, and I just couldn’t stand by and watch. A great talent like him can’t be ruined by certain people!"

Zhou Feng said.

BANG...

Ma Hezi slammed his hand on the table. "Zhou Feng, how dare you! Say who you’re talking about. Don’t be so coy. If you have a clear conscience, what is there to hide!"

Zhou Feng immediately straightened his back. "I’m talking about Ma Wanliang!"

"I was the one who told Wanliang to go! What, is Wang Meng your pet that no one else is allowed to show concern for him? Senior Sister Zhou, since when did the Holy Hall become the property of your Zhou Family? Is no one else allowed to show a little concern? As I recall, Wang Meng is a disciple of Thunderlight Hall, not one of the Zhous!"

Ma Hezi said. This move had wide-ranging implications.

Zhou Feng was instantly at a loss for words. In this regard, he was no match for the Ma Family. Ma Wanliang was ecstatic.

"Senior Sister Zhou, this is where you’re in the wrong. Didn’t we agree to let Wang Meng choose for himself and that we wouldn’t interfere? It’s understandable that Zhou Feng is eager to protect a talent, but his actions are certainly questionable."

Zhao Tianlong said coolly. It was obvious that Wang Meng was not the target this time; he was merely a pretext to attack Zhou Feng. Zhou Feng had just performed a great service and was sure to be rewarded, which would inevitably strengthen the Zhou Family. This was clearly something the Zhao Family and Ma Family did not want to see.

This was a matter that neither Li Xiuwen nor Wu Fatian could intervene in. The implications were too broad. Moreover, Zhou Feng had indeed acted rashly. Regardless of his intentions, Ma Wanliang was, after all, an Elder acting on Ma Hezi’s orders. Zhou Feng had no authority to stop him.

"Ancestral Masters, my actions may have been excessive, but I have a clear conscience. Everything I did was for the sake of the Holy Hall. If there was anything improper, I am willing to accept punishment. But a person like Ma Wanliang must not be allowed to bother Wang Meng!"

Zhou Feng said. He didn’t care about any personal gain; he just couldn’t let Ma Wanliang get his way.

Ma Hezi was furious. "Listen to him! Just listen! What is this supposed to mean!"

"Ancestral Master, it’s all my fault. I truly never intended to influence Wang Meng. I just wanted to show some concern for him, since he is a talent valued by the Ancestral Masters. In the future, I..."

Ma Wanliang’s eyes reddened, and he looked as if he was about to squeeze out a few tears.

"What the fuck is all this arguing?! Are you trying to flip the heavens over some bullshit matter?!"

Thunderbolt’s roar could be heard from a great distance. Everyone was familiar with his personality, and they could tell he was in a hurry.

When Thunderbolt came in, his face was indeed a bit flushed.

"Ancestral Master, that’s not it, what happened was..." Ma Wanliang hurriedly tried to explain.

But Thunderbolt had no patience for it. He waved his hand dismissively. "Ma Wanliang, I know exactly what you’re made of. I can’t be bothered to deal with you for Ma Hezi’s sake. Stop your damn whining and get the hell out of the way!"

Thunderbolt’s opening salvo was a rapid-fire barrage that left Ma Wanliang blushing beet red, stammering and sputtering, unsure whether to speak or stay silent.

’You’re supposed to consider the master before you beat the dog.’ Ma Hezi’s expression turned ugly, but there was nothing he could do. Among the Six Ancestors, only Thunderbolt dared to act this way.

He who is without desire is strong.

Thunderbolt was all alone, a family of one. What did he have to care about? His faction was the weakest, yet everyone had to show him some respect.