I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 159 - 157: The Fat Rookie

"This is Elder Yu Lingzi. He will be presiding over our Hall Battle today."

Jia Shidao introduced him respectfully.

Yu Lingzi smiled faintly. It had to be said, Jia Shidao’s smile really did have a trace of his own charm.

Yu Lingzi looked at Wang Meng. "You must be the newly promoted Elder Wang Meng."

Wang Meng smiled. "I am indeed Wang Meng. During the Grand Tournament, I’ll be counting on you to look after my disciples, Elder."

Yu Lingzi nodded. "Then let’s begin."

The group arrived at a plaza, where a cleared-out space had been prepared for the Thunderlight Hall disciples. It seemed Jia Shidao had anticipated that quite a few people from Thunderlight Hall would come.

The only other Sub-Hall that came to watch was Fire Cloud Hall, and even then, only Yao Yuan and Fang Lufei were present. Their Senior, Song Zhong, had not come.

Song Zhong knew the Beast Hall all too well. It was questionable whether the Beast Hall even had the guts to challenge them. In reality, a half-crippled Thunderlight Hall wouldn’t be able to make the Beast Hall go all out, either. Song Zhong’s absence was, in itself, a way of putting pressure on the Beast Hall. This was confidence.

Thunderlight Hall: Wang Meng, Hu Jing, Zhang Xiaojiang, Zhou Qian, Ma Tian’Er.

Beast Hall: Jia Shidao, Xu Song, Ren Dongliu, Luu Miaoyin, Anx Yushu.

The rules for Hall Battles were different from individual matches. In individual matches, anything was fair game—no matter what Magical Artifacts or Spirit Beasts you had, external power was still power. In Hall Battles, however, there were restrictions. Spirit Beasts could not participate directly in combat, though their power could be borrowed through Magic.

After all, the Beast Hall possessed a massive Innate advantage when it came to Spirit Beasts, and for disciples below the Twenty Layers, the role of Spirit Beasts was even more pronounced.

This was also why the Beast Hall always had difficulty advancing further. However, the Beast Hall had its own methods for borrowing power from Spirit Beasts; it was just that they were very difficult to master.

"Miaoyin, go and experience Thunderlight Hall’s brilliant techniques for yourself," Jia Shidao said with a grin.

"Yes, Senior Brother."

Just as her name suggested, Luu Miaoyin’s voice was crisp and pleasant to the ear. Even a few simple words were enough to soothe the heart.

Hu Jing had done her homework. This Luu Miaoyin was a famous Senior Sister of the Beast Hall who had joined over five years ago and mastered many Pill Cultivator Skill Techniques.

"Zhang Xiaojiang!" Hu Jing looked at the eager Little Fatty, who was already itching to show off.

Bow Cultivators did have a certain suppressive effect on Pill Cultivators.

"Be careful."

"Don’t worry. I might not be good at much else, but when it comes to dealing with beauties, I’m an expert."

Zhang Xiaojiang waddled his way up. Luu Miaoyin smiled faintly at him. "Junior Brother Zhang, you’re quite special."

Zhang Xiaojiang grinned. "Being unique is what makes things interesting. What’s the fun in being the same as everyone else? You have to go easy on me, Senior Sister."

"Junior Brother, you must be the one with exceptional talent. You should be the one to spare your Senior Sister some face."

Zhang Xiaojiang put on his signature harmless smile, which even looked a little lecherous. He seemed to be captivated by Luu Miaoyin’s enchanting voice.

Luu Miaoyin, for her part, was also exceptionally graceful. At that moment, Elder Yu Lingzi unhurriedly announced the start of the match.

But the instant the announcement ended, Zhang Xiaopang’s expression changed completely. The Little Fatty’s Golden Silk Iron Bow was in his hand, and his Elemental Power erupted. The Beast Hall side didn’t even have time to curse him for being despicable. What kind of person was this fatty? He had experience on the streets. Street fighting was all about hiding a dagger behind a smile and striking when your opponent least expected it.

But Luu Miaoyin showed no surprise at all. She was even faster than Zhang Xiaopang. With a flick of her finger, a Talisman exploded, enveloping Zhang Xiaojiang.

The Vitality Severing Skill...

Zhang Xiaopang, of course, recognized it. He abandoned his attack and scrambled backward, trying to escape the range of the Vitality Severing Skill. The technique itself wasn’t particularly lethal, but if it hit, his control over his Life Mark would be thrown into chaos, making it impossible to use his skills smoothly. Even a momentary disruption was extremely dangerous. ’I didn’t expect Luu Miaoyin to be such a tough customer.’

Jia Shidao’s smile held a hint of mockery. ’This Little Fatty is so simple and naive. Or perhaps all the kids from Thunderlight Hall are too naive. It’s ridiculous to think they could challenge us with a few new disciples who just joined. Luu Miaoyin is already strong enough to leave the sect; I was the one who had her stay back to make one more contribution to the Beast Hall.’

Even if their Life Mark Levels were similar, their application of Magic was worlds apart.

Zhang Xiaopang had only retreated a few steps when he saw a red mist explode around him in the shape of a lotus. He didn’t know when, but Luu Miaoyin had already closed in.

The Poison Lotus Curse.

Zhang Xiaojiang cursed inwardly. ’This woman looks so refined, but she fights so dirty!’ He quickly tried to stuff a prepared Antitoxic Pill into his mouth, but then he saw a series of Fire Talismans hurtling toward his head. If he tried to swallow the Antitoxic Pill now, he’d probably end up eating the Fire Talismans along with it.

Zhang Xiaojiang could only endure the stinging pain that wracked his body from the Poison Lotus Curse and dodge. In that brief moment of delay, Luu Miaoyin’s Bursting Fire Talisman had already reached him.

This time, Zhang Xiaojiang couldn’t dodge. He was sent flying and landed headfirst on the ground.

The Beast Hall disciples burst out laughing. So this was the true face of Thunderlight Hall.

Though Zhang Xiaojiang was in a sorry state, his back stinging from the blast, he used the opportunity to swallow the Antitoxic Pill. ’I should have had it ready from the start.’ But all Pills contained a trace of poison, and Zhang Xiaopang cherished his body.

Zhang Xiaopang didn’t care about his image. He scrambled across the ground and shot forward, followed by two more Bursting Fire Talismans.

’These days, the women in cultivation are all more ruthless than the last. The prettier they are, the more vicious they are.’

As he rolled up from the ground, Zhang Xiaojiang’s Golden Silk Iron Bow was already fully charged with Elemental Power. He immediately fired a shot from a prone position.

Luu Miaoyin dodged with a graceful sway of her body. A Bow Cultivator’s attacks were famously sharp, and Luu Miaoyin had no intention of trying to block one. But to think he could deal with her with a mere, rudimentary Cloud-Piercing Arrow was nothing but a dream.

In truth, this kind of duel was very disadvantageous for a Bow Cultivator. Bow Cultivators excelled at support and sneak attacks; a direct confrontation put them at a severe disadvantage, unless they were a Bow Cultivator of exceptional talent—which this fatty before her clearly was not.

Before Zhang Xiaojiang could fire a second arrow, Luu Miaoyin’s targeted Fire Talisman shots arrived. Powerful moves were great, but they were slow to cast. Life Mark Combinations took time, and no matter how skilled one was, that time couldn’t be ignored. However, one could buy that time by linking together simple attacks—a tactic that Bow Cultivators typically lacked.

The continuous suppression from the Fire Talismans, combined with the Vitality Severing Skill and the Poison Lotus Curse, left Zhang Xiaojiang with a bellyful of skills but no opportunity to use them. It was infuriating. A fatty’s frame truly wasn’t suited for dodging; the target area was too large. An agile fatty was still a fatty. Zhang Xiaojiang was hit by the Poison Lotus Curse again. Luu Miaoyin had timed it perfectly, leading her target; the Little Fatty practically ran right into it. What awaited him was a series of Bursting Fire Talisman attacks. At this point, he couldn’t even run if he wanted to.

Amidst the constant explosive attacks, Zhang Xiaojiang completely lost his ability to fight back. Luu Miaoyin’s understanding of Magic was far beyond his. Being strong didn’t just mean mastering powerful Attack Techniques. In a real battle against an expert, you might not even get a chance to use them.

Zhang Xiaojiang’s Golden Silk Iron Bow was sent flying. He took two direct hits from the Bursting Fire Talismans. A Bow Cultivator’s defenses were the weakest to begin with, and his were instantly shattered.

Zhang Xiaojiang was utterly defeated.

Yu Lingzi announced the result dispassionately. If Luu Miaoyin hadn’t held back, Zhang Xiaojiang would have been skinned alive, if not killed.

Luu Miaoyin glanced at Wang Meng. When their eyes met, she gave him a faint smile, which left Wang Meng baffled.

The Little Fatty managed to walk off the stage himself, though he was limping. Faced with the surrounding laughter and ridicule, he actually seemed relatively calm.

’It’s not the first time I’ve lost a fight. The only difference is that it’s in the Holy Hall instead of Thunderlight City.’

"How did that fatty even get in here? And getting in is one thing, but he’s actually competing in the Grand Tournament? This has to be the most bizarre thing to happen at the Holy Hall in years."

"Yeah, it’s hilarious. He fired one arrow and got crushed. If someone at his level can compete, then with my skills, I could be an Elder in Thunderlight Hall."

"Haha, this is probably the most pathetic match in the history of the Grand Tournament."

"Senior Sister Luu obviously held back. If those Bursting Fire Talismans had hit a vital spot, that fatty wouldn’t need to worry about losing weight anymore."

The jeers rained down on him like a dense shower. A smile remained on Zhang Xiaojiang’s face, but it was very stiff.

Seeing the others waiting for him, he opened his mouth, but the words he had prepared wouldn’t come out. ’Maybe I really am just that bad. Only good for comic relief.’

"I’m... sorry."

"Zhang Xiaojiang, since when are you such a coward? It’s just one match! The sky isn’t falling. Show some of that scoundrel spirit of yours!" Hu Jing shot him a glare.

"If it were me up there, I definitely wouldn’t have done as well as you," Liiu Mei quickly consoled him. She knew better than anyone how long Zhang Xiaojiang had been preparing. He might have seemed carefree and lazy, but he truly wanted to accomplish something. He didn’t want to be just a spectator. He dreamed of fighting side-by-side with Wang Meng and Hu Jing, but reality was often cruel.

Zhang Xiaojiang gave a bitter smile. ’Hu Jing is just that decisive and domineering sometimes. No wonder I’m always getting pushed around by her.’

"Winning and losing are all part of the game. Now, it’s our turn!" Wang Meng’s voice was calm, but this was usually the time when he was about to erupt.

The Thunderlight Hall disciples had been excited, never expecting the gap to be so wide. But at this moment, they still burst into applause. Not everyone had the courage to stand on that stage and fight.

Right now, Thunderlight Hall had nothing else but unity and trust!

Seeing everyone’s encouragement, the color returned to Zhang Xiaojiang’s face a little.

Yao Yuan and Fang Lufei couldn’t help but laugh. ’Thunderlight Hall is really something else, letting someone of that level compete. We heard that this Little Fatty is very close with Wang Meng and Hu Jing. Did he get in through connections? Pulling a stunt like this in the Grand Tournament... Thunderlight Hall really is interesting. No wonder our Senior didn’t come. There’s really nothing to see. Luu Miaoyin won without even breaking a sweat.’

"Second match. Xu Song, you’re up."

The handsome, almost bewitchingly so, Xu Song curled his lips into an arrogant sneer. "Senior, leave it to me."

Xu Song walked to the center of the arena. "I am Xu Song of the Beast Hall. Who will face me? But don’t bother sending out a rookie like the last one. There’s no fun in that!"

Xu Song’s words immediately drew a roar of laughter from the Beast Hall disciples. Even some of the disciples from other Sub-Halls couldn’t help but chuckle.

They had originally come to see if Thunderlight Hall could create a miracle, but now it just looked like a comedy show.

"I’ll take this round!" Hu Jing said. Wang Meng was their final trump card. Having lost the first match, the second was crucial. She had to win it. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)