I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 181 - 179: Friends

...That bastard. His injuries were the lightest, yet he screamed bloody murder, forcing Liuu Mei to use her own... special methods to comfort him. It made all their fellow disciples sigh that the times were changing for the worse and people weren’t what they used to be.

"Three days? Are you dreaming?!" Zhou Feng’s expression turned stern. "You need to rest. You absolutely cannot fight for the next few days!"

"But, Elder, the decisive battle against Hengshan Hall is in three days. I have to be there!" Hu Jing said with determination, biting her lip.

Zhou Feng glanced at Hu Jing and sighed. "You kids are all reckless with your lives. Cultivation is a long journey; you can’t rush it. The same goes for honor. Suo Ming is like this, Zhou Qian is like this, and you’re the calmest of them all. How can you be so reckless too? Let me tell you, the three of you are seriously injured. Pills can heal your bodies, but restoring your depleted Elemental Qi takes time. I’m speaking from experience. I’ve seen countless young, hot-headed geniuses fall before their time."

Glancing at the boisterous crowd outside, Hu Jing gave a small smile. "Elder, I understand the principle, but I have a reason why I must fight."

Zhou Feng’s gaze swept over the group in the courtyard, and he sighed again. "Wang Meng is no ordinary person. He’s destined to soar. You don’t all need to push yourselves this hard."

"Elder, you know... sometimes, things are out of our hands," Hu Jing said softly.

Zhou Feng sighed to himself. ’That kid’s luck is just too good. It’s a real shame he isn’t an elder in charge of recruitment for some Evil Cult.’

Hu Jing suddenly smiled. "The grand First Pill Cultivation Elder of the Holy Hall is cooped up here treating us. Don’t tell me you don’t feel aggrieved?"

Zhou Feng paused, then gave a wry smile. "Of course I feel aggrieved as hell! But what can I do? I just can’t help that I’m happy to do it."

"Exactly. As long as I can move forward step by step with... well, I haven’t really thought too much about what comes after. I just know that if I stop now, I’ll be the one with regrets!"

"But three days is definitely not enough time. You won’t be ready, Zhou Qian won’t be ready, and while Suo Ming’s body is recovering well, he probably won’t be able to use his full strength if he fights. Given Hengshan Hall’s power, a single intense clash would surely reopen his old wounds... However, that’s not to say there isn’t a way," Zhou Feng said.

"You have a way, Elder?" Hu Jing’s eyes widened.

"It’s actually quite simple. Your three consecutive victories have already tied the Holy Hall’s record. Under these circumstances, you’re allowed to propose some reasonable conditions. How about this: I’ll go speak with Ancestor Master Zhou and see if we can extend the deadline to a month, or at least half a month," Zhou Feng said.

Hu Jing’s face lit up. "If that’s possible, it would be wonderful! Thank you, Elder."

"Don’t thank me yet; it’s not a sure thing. And even if it works, it’s like I said before: with injuries like yours, you all really need a few months to recover. Don’t push yourselves too hard. There’s a long road ahead of you."

Zhou Feng was truly speaking from the heart, his words born of earnest concern.

Back when he was a disciple, Zhou Feng had been very introverted and unpopular. After becoming an Elder, he focused exclusively on his Alchemy Skill, leading others to see him as arrogant and unsociable. But ever since getting to know Wang Meng, Hu Jing, and the others, his true, much more talkative nature had been completely unearthed.

In truth, it’s often the quietest people who fear loneliness the most. Their relationship was less that of an Elder and his disciples and more like one between friends. Of course, only an Elder like Zhou Feng could be so approachable and without airs.

When Hu Jing relayed the news, everyone erupted with excitement. For Thunderlight Hall, the most important thing right now was time.

Zhou Feng was a man of action. He left behind the necessary Pills for everyone and headed for the Main Hall. The others dispersed, and Hu Jing stayed at Zhou Feng’s residence to recuperate, saving her the trouble of traveling back and forth.

As he was about to leave, Zhang Xiaojiang gripped Wang Meng’s hand firmly. "Brother Meng, the moon is high and the night is dark... a perfect opportunity to make your move!"

Before he could finish, Liuu Mei grabbed him by the ear and dragged him away.

"OW, OW! Meimei, I’m a patient! Ahh, my wounds are reopening!"

Wang Meng and Hu Jing shared a knowing smile. That guy was such a character, always so cheerful.

As night fell, the two of them sat in the courtyard, gazing up at the star-filled sky. It was rare to have such a quiet moment alone together.

Hu Jing stretched her arms, her gaze fixed on the moon. The moonlight spilt across her lovely face, making the moment feel exceptionally serene. Wang Meng also stared at the cosmos, watching in silence.

Hu Jing watched Wang Meng from the side. She didn’t know what he was looking at or what he was thinking. He was just lying there so languidly, yet she felt as though his heart had already soared to some faraway place.

’What is he thinking about? What could it be?’

’Ever since coming to the Small Thousand World, Wang Meng still seemed like Wang Meng, and yet... not. He had become... indescribable.’

"What are you thinking about?" After a long while, Hu Jing broke the silence, tucking away a strand of hair that the night breeze had tousled.

Wang Meng smiled faintly. "I had a dream. I dreamt that in a faraway place, a powerful enemy is waiting for me."

Hu Jing didn’t interrupt, listening in silence.

"He’s strong. Unprecedentedly strong, like a god. And yet, I can’t stop myself from moving toward him."

Wang Meng looked at Hu Jing, wondering if she could possibly understand how he felt. The Godhood inheritance had brought him so much... and so many secrets he could never speak of.

Hu Jing gazed into Wang Meng’s dark, lucid eyes, which shone brighter than the most brilliant gems. Suddenly finding she couldn’t meet his gaze, she turned her head back toward the starry sky.

"Maybe one day, you’ll leave us to pursue a higher goal. But please, don’t forget that a girl named Hu Jing is your... friend."

Hu Jing’s voice sounded so lilting under the moonlight.

"How could I? Knowing you and Zhang Xiaopang is one of the greatest honors of my life. No matter where I go, no matter what happens, that will never change!"

Wang Meng stretched out his arms as if to embrace the sky. He could feel the power emanating from Moo Shan, feel the splendor of that other world, but this friendship... this was one of a kind.

Hu Jing graced him with a radiant smile, so beautiful, so serene. Like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley; there was no better way to describe her.

Zhou Feng came through. The Ancestral Masters unanimously agreed that since the grand competition was a display of strength, requesting a longer rest period after three consecutive battles was perfectly reasonable. A month was deemed too long, but they approved a half-month delay. For the current Thunderlight Hall, this was an invaluable buffer.

Upon hearing the news, the members of Thunderlight Hall were re-energized. Zhou Qian and the others breathed a sigh of relief. If they only had three days, they’d have to use their hammers as crutches. But with half a month, coupled with Elder Zhou’s miraculous, life-restoring Alchemy Skill, they could actually face Hengshan Hall in decent shape.

Thunderlight Hall was now united as one, ready to follow Wang Meng and the others to the very end. The current Thunderlight Hall was a world apart from its former self. In the past, no one had wanted to join—it was too weak and considered unlucky. But now, things were different. Everyone was struggling to contain their curiosity: what on earth had happened to make Thunderlight Hall so strong and so unified?

Miracles were something every Cultivator longed for. They all wanted a bit of that luck to rub off on them, hoping that maybe, just maybe, something good would happen to them too. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to come to Qidian.com and vote with recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)