I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 186 - 184: A Scholar’s Absence of Three Days

The disciples of the Immortal Origin Hall, however, appeared exceptionally serene. Liangyuan and Hann Li watched everyone intently.

Stillness cultivates the self!

Li Tianyi had stripped them of their vanity and returned them to their essence. Thunderlight Hall’s successive victories had earned them the right to spectate.

Tang Wei’s gaze could no longer be described as merely ambitious; it was domineering. His eyes lingered on Yang Ying for a moment.

’In this entire Holy Hall, only I am worthy of the peerless Yang Ying. During the last grand competition, I was too immature and ill-prepared, but this time is completely different.’

Tang Wei didn’t immediately send out a combatant. Instead, he strode toward the Flying Phoenix Hall’s area.

The disciples instantly realized what was happening. The gossipy souls among them were practically burning with anticipation.

’Could it be...?’

Tang Wei walked right up to Yang Ying, his face breaking into a brilliant smile in the morning sun.

"Yang Ying, I will use this battle to express my admiration for you. Only a master who possesses power, wisdom, and beauty is worthy of you. And I am that master—the only one!"

Tang Wei’s voice was bold and unrestrained, just like his personality. He had managed to make even a confession sound so domineering.

Screams erupted instantly. Most of them had come from the mortal world to this Small Thousand World, and upon arriving at the Holy Hall, they had all seemed to become reserved and cautious. Many had secret crushes on Yang Ying, probably including Senior Ning Zhiquan himself, but no one had ever dared to confess so boldly. After all, everyone cared about face and feared rejection.

Yet Tang Wei had actually done it. And he’d done it while Yang Ying and Wang Meng were already known as cultivation partners.

So tyrannical, so flashy!

The Hengshan Hall disciples cheered wildly, while disciples from the other Sub-Halls broke into a flurry of discussion. By the time the Thunderlight Hall disciples reacted, they erupted in a torrent of curses.

Tang Wei completely ignored the clamor. His eyes were only for Yang Ying. He had waited a long time for this day, for this chance to finally erupt without restraint.

’Starting today, starting with crushing Thunderlight Hall!’

All eyes turned to Yang Ying, wondering how the Senior Sister of Flying Phoenix Hall, the number one beauty of the Nine Halls, would react.

Cultivators were usually far more discreet about such matters than mortals. But in this situation, regardless of the real nature of her relationship with Wang Meng, Yang Ying had to face this challenge.

Yang Ying glanced at Wang Meng across from her. He remained perfectly calm, his expression revealing nothing, while the people around him were filled with righteous indignation.

Wang Meng met her gaze with a slight smile. His agreement with Yang Ying was over. This was also an opportunity for her to escape the consequences of being associated with him. Wang Meng nodded, signaling that she could say whatever she needed to and he would cooperate.

Such empty fame was like a fleeting cloud. Wang Meng hadn’t cared about the repercussions back then, and he didn’t care about others’ opinions now. He didn’t want to be indebted to Yang Ying, and he certainly didn’t want to make things difficult for her after she had helped him.

Yang Ying looked at the earnest Tang Wei. "Junior Brother Tang, you’ll only be qualified to say such things after you defeat Wang Meng."

Tang Wei laughed dashingly. "I thought you would choose Senior Ning Zhiquan as my opponent. How can a mere Wang Meng prove my strength? Fine. If that is your request, I will naturally satisfy it!"

This was always Hengshan Hall’s style. Their disciples roared; conquest was their anthem.

Zhang Xiaojiang and the others were hopping mad, as if their asses were on fire, shouting curses. This Sub-Hall battle already carried extra meaning, but Tang Wei’s stunt had sent the animosity skyrocketing.

"Boss, don’t worry! I’ll shoot all their birds down! Damn it, daring to covet our sister-in-law! They’re asking to die!"

Zhang Xiaopang pounded his chest, his eyes burning with the kind of hatred one feels when their wife is stolen.

"Tang Wei has gone too far, causing a scene on an occasion like this."

"That’s what you call a smart man. What young woman doesn’t dream of romance? Tang Wei’s move kills two birds with one stone. Don’t tell me you never thought of it?"

Qiao Qian said.

Jia Shidao wore his trademark goofy grin. That remark really hit the nail on the head. ’Who hasn’t thought of it?’

At the height of one’s glory, to declare your love for the woman you desire, winning both fame and beauty—once you’ve reached the position of a Sub-Hall’s Senior, what could be more satisfying?

It had to be said that Ning Zhiquan’s steady style had influenced all of Jiufen Hall. When Tang Wei first debuted, he was explosively domineering, but he had gradually calmed down. Now it seemed he hadn’t changed at all; it had merely been a strategy of forbearance during Hengshan Hall’s transition.

The state of the Sub-Hall didn’t matter; the Seniors and Senior Sisters of each Sub-Hall had to follow Ning Zhiquan’s rules.

"It seems Tang Wei is fully prepared."

"Heh, let’s see if he can pull it off."

Tang Wei turned and pointed at Shenn Tu. "Shenn Tu, you’re up for the first battle!"

Ganglian and the others were taken aback. To be honest, Shenn Tu was the weakest among them. Why entrust such a crucial opening battle to him?

Within a Sub-Hall, rank was extremely important. Barring special circumstances, the opening vanguard battle was usually handled by the Sub-Hall’s second-strongest member.

Shenn Tu’s heart swelled with excitement. Truthfully, he hadn’t held out any hope. He had been observing the strength of Ganglian and the others these past few days, and their power could only be described as terrifying. He had no idea how they trained.

Even if Tang Wei hadn’t chosen him, he would have had no complaints. But Tang Wei had chosen him.

He would give his life for him without hesitation!

Shenn Tu hefted his War Axe and strode toward the Battle Soul Platform. This was Hengshan Hall’s home turf.

Wang Meng looked at his people. Zhou Qian smiled faintly. "Let me take this one. We’re old acquaintances."

The last time Zhou Qian and Shenn Tu fought, they had essentially battled each other to a standstill, so they knew each other’s capabilities.

"First battle: Thunderlight Hall’s Zhou Qian versus Hengshan Hall’s Shenn Tu."

As Hong Pan’s booming voice fell, disciples from both sides let out a sky-shaking roar.

It had been a long time since a grand competition had this kind of atmosphere.

"Zhou Qian versus Shenn Tu. They’re evenly matched. I heard they fought before and were neck and neck. Thunderlight Hall has to fight hard to win this one!"

"That’s right! If they can secure one victory, they’ll have a chance! They have to create a miracle and fulfill our Fire Cloud Hall’s dream!"

By now, the participating disciples from Thunderlight Hall were no longer nobodies. Most disciples, especially those from the Lower Three Halls, were familiar with them. Not just Wang Meng, but Zhang Xiaojiang, Zhou Qian, and Suo Ming had once been ordinary Cultivators, some even weaker than themselves. But now, through their own hard work and unyielding will, they had achieved a transformation.

Seeing them was like seeing a version of themselves. Disciples from other halls also cheered them on. While not as fervent as Thunderlight Hall’s own members, it still expressed a shared hope.

But the more this happened, the more ferocious Hengshan Hall’s side became. War drums thundered, their momentum soaring to the heavens.

The only thing that could restrain such extreme, masculine power was likely the feminine softness of the Flying Phoenix Hall, which could render brute force completely useless.

Unfortunately, Thunderlight Hall was not Flying Phoenix Hall.

Shenn Tu stared at Zhou Qian. "This time, I will avenge last time’s humiliation!"

Zhou Qian smiled. "Then we’ll see if you have the skill for it, Senior Brother."

Swinging his War Axe, Shenn Tu charged forward. A full-power assault from a Body Cultivator. This time, Shenn Tu gave Zhou Qian no opportunity to get into position. The last Sub-Hall battle had been lost due to his own immature flaws. If he made the same mistake and lost again, he would be too ashamed to remain in Hengshan Hall, even if Tang Wei forgave him.

The hallmarks of a Body Cultivator were speed, frequency of attack, and power—precisely the weaknesses of a Technique Cultivator!

Shenn Tu’s preemptive strike was within Zhou Qian’s expectations. The courtesy from last time would not be repeated. The moment Shenn Tu moved, Zhou Qian immediately retreated while simultaneously blasting out a Bursting Fire Talisman.

It was a contest of speed!

BOOM...

Shenn Tu’s extremely fast attack was ineffective. Zhou Qian’s Bursting Fire Talisman was as fast as a regular Technique Cultivator’s Fire Talisman.

The Bursting Fire Talisman halted Shenn Tu, but Zhou Qian’s assault didn’t stop in the slightest. He blasted them out one after another.

Zhou Qian’s ability was to throw Bursting Fire Talismans as if they were simple Fire Talismans.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The Bursting Fire Talismans shot out in a continuous stream, stunning everyone. Bursting Fire Talismans were much more difficult to use. No matter how skilled one was, it shouldn’t be possible to cast them this quickly. ’This Zhou Qian...?’

Mingren watched the confident Zhou Qian and suddenly smiled. ’Everyone needs to change their mindset. We can’t keep thinking of Thunderlight Hall as the weaklings. How could weaklings have made it this far? They’ve already transformed. After tempering themselves in the Space Secret Realm, everyone from Thunderlight Hall has been reborn.’

Compared to before, they now carried an air of composure.

Zhou Qian and the others hadn’t learned any extra new skills. Cramming at the last minute wouldn’t be effective. A battle was about bringing out one’s own strengths, especially one’s offensive strengths.

He threw the Bursting Fire Talismans with everything he had. Zhou Qian had no other special skills, just this one technique.

He pummeled the once-confident Shenn Tu until he was boiling with rage. ’Is this the same Zhou Qian from before?’

The same Bursting Fire Talismans, but they were so much more ferocious.

No matter how Shenn Tu dodged, he was continuously struck by the Bursting Fire Talismans, which blasted him until he was covered in soot and dust. He howled in frustration, wishing he could cleave Zhou Qian in half with his axe.

Zhou Qian knew the importance of striking while the iron was hot. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to give his opponent a chance to rally. Facing Hengshan Hall, Thunderlight Hall truly had to tread carefully, seizing even the slightest opportunity without letting go.

The disciples of the Lower Three Halls had one advantage: they rarely got opportunities, so they cherished them, developing a habit of seizing any chance they got. This was even more true in battle. Once they gained an advantage, no matter how hard-won, they had to hold on to it tightly.

A fight to the death!

The stream of Bursting Fire Talismans was completely suppressing him. Shenn Tu was quite durable, but defense has its limits, especially when Zhou Qian’s Bursting Fire Talismans were so truly ferocious.

The more Zhou Qian fought, the more his confidence grew. His expression became more composed, and his attacks became more ruthless.

He suddenly felt that Shenn Tu, who had once put him under immense pressure and whom he’d had to risk his life to beat, wasn’t so strong after all.

’He really isn’t that strong!’

The Little South Heaven Trigram Talisman Array had already appeared beneath Zhou Qian’s feet. He was now capable of setting up Hanging Talismans while maintaining suppressive fire.

This was similar in principle to the Hanging Talisman Compass, but it was vastly more difficult to execute.

Zhou Qian was a humble person, perhaps out of long-standing habit, or perhaps because he genuinely didn’t think he was anything special. But the reality was that he had clawed his way back from the brink of death several times. His spirit had grown powerful enough, and his Spiritual Power was more than sufficient to command these Bursting Fire Talismans.

Strength is forged without one even realizing 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.)