I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 207 - 205: Request to Fight

The symbol of the Immortal Origin Hall was the Nine Dragon Cauldron, representing the pinnacle of the Alchemy Dao.

The crowd of spectators was clearly divided between those who supported Thunderlight Hall and those who opposed it.

Hengshan Hall were staunch opponents. They hadn’t come to see Thunderlight Hall look mighty; they wanted to see them fall flat on their face. The girls from Flying Phoenix Hall may have gone easy on them, but Immortal Origin Hall absolutely wouldn’t.

To put it simply, Liangyuan couldn’t afford to lose.

On their path here, Thunderlight Hall had won over some and made enemies of others. But they didn’t need to look back; their only job was to march forward.

All the disciples present could feel the tide of Elemental Qi from Immortal Origin Peak. Though it only surged for a few days at a time, anyone who lived here long-term would certainly experience the benefits. After all, a place like this Secret Realm Space was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The confidence of the Immortal Origin Hall disciples was clear from their imposing demeanor alone.

"Old Jia, what do you think Thunderlight Hall’s chances are?"

The relationship between Qiao Qian and Jia Shidao, a pair of unlikely partners, had actually improved from following Thunderlight Hall’s battles together. Previously, they were always at each other’s throats in a constant war of words. They had never spoken so freely. Qiao Qian was beginning to think Jia Shidao wasn’t such a backstabber, while Jia Shidao found that Qiao Qian, the scheming merchant, actually had his good points. To their surprise, they got along rather well.

"You’re being naive," Jia Shidao said with a grin. "The outcome is a foregone conclusion. We’re just here to see if Liangyuan can even manage to take down Wang Meng."

"That’s true. I guess I got carried away," Qiao Qian admitted. "I just keep feeling that as long as it’s Thunderlight Hall, there’s a chance."

"Thunderlight Hall is strong; we can’t deny that. But the Upper Three Halls are the Upper Three Halls. If they can win even this, then I’d have no problem with the Beast Hall following Thunderlight Hall’s lead," Jia Shidao said. By "follow their lead," he meant heeding their decisions. The Beast Hall controlled the Spirit Beast resources. If they were to back a Sub-Hall, that Sub-Hall would have no more worries when it came to the Messenger program.

Qiao Qian nodded. "If they can win even under these circumstances, then it’s the will of Heaven. And one should always follow the will of Heaven."

Qiao Qian used to live by currying favor with Ning Zhiquan. Dao Guang Hall had always possessed the best Spirit Grass resources, but it was obvious Ning Zhiquan was about to leave them. He himself might remain powerful, but Dao Guang Hall’s future strength would be up to its own members. The balance of power was shifting, and Thunderlight Hall was just on the rise. If Qiao Qian couldn’t even see that much, then he’d been wasting his time all these years.

’But can they really pull it off?’

Liangyuan, for his part, wasn’t putting on airs; he was already there, waiting. The Thunderlight Hall disciples arrived in neat formation, their hearts pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. It couldn’t be helped. The Upper Three Halls were, after all, the Upper Three Halls. While the Holy Hall’s rules weren’t as rigid as other sects’, the hierarchy between Sub-Halls was still starkly clear. For disciples from one of the Lower Three Halls to fight their way to challenge one of the Upper Three Halls was truly a first in the sect’s history.

Just setting foot on this ground was already a historic success.

Immortal Origin Hall: Liangyuan, Hann Li, Wangg Qing, Pang Dong, Mozhi.

Thunderlight Hall: Wang Meng, Hu Jing, Zhang Xiaojiang, Suo Ming, Zhou Qian.

Immortal Origin Hall and Flying Phoenix Hall often held competitions, so it wasn’t the first time the place was this lively. This time, however, was an unprecedented spectacle. After all, not every cultivator was interested in watching pretty faces, but no cultivator would ever want to miss a miracle.

The Immortal Origin Magic Arena was packed solid, with layer upon layer of disciples from every hall. Many had even flown to the rooftops of nearby buildings to get a bird’s-eye view.

From now on, every step forward for Thunderlight Hall would be incredibly difficult. Even a single victory would become the stuff of legend.

Fighting spirit burned in the eyes of Hu Jing and the others.

Zhang Xiaopang loved a lively scene more than anything. In his own words, he was a "big-game player"!

In contrast to the energetic mood from Thunderlight Hall, the members of Immortal Origin Hall appeared far more composed.

As members of one of the Upper Three Halls, they naturally weren’t as unworldly as the lower-ranking disciples. To Thunderlight Hall, this was an unbelievable, dreamlike journey. But to Immortal Origin Hall, it was just another Sub-Hall competition.

Liangyuan scanned the crowd, hoping to catch sight of a particular figure, but in the end, he was disappointed. Li Tianyi hadn’t appeared. Only Mingren was there.

’So arrogant!’

’Fine. Li Tianyi will definitely hear about it from Mingren.’

Liangyuan had no intention of backing down. He wouldn’t shy away from a fight with Wang Meng; on the contrary, he was afraid Wang Meng would be the one to avoid it.

The Immortal Origin Hall Elder presiding over this competition was Luu Yun!

Over with the Fire Cloud Hall, Song Zhong looked a little awkward. Yao Yuan and Fang Lufei were also stiff, trying to conceal a small figure hiding behind them, visible only through a small gap.

Song Zhong was miserable. Miss Zhao was causing trouble again. Ancestor Master Zhao forbade her from always running off, believing it would damage her Spiritual Attribute and be a bad influence on her. But what child could possibly sit still, especially during an event as exciting as this competition? To avoid piquing Zhao Lingxuan’s interest, they hadn’t even let her attend Fire Cloud Hall’s own match. And now, great, she had snuck out on her own.

Miss Zhao had at least disguised herself. She was dressed up as a Bow Cultivator, a bow of unknown origin slung convincingly over her back. Of course, her Nine Heavens Fire Simurgh had to suffer some indignity as well. The Fire Simurgh suppressed its aura and, with a quick dye job, now passed for a common Sparrow Demon.

To the proud Nine Heavens Fire Simurgh, this was an absolute insult. But Miss Zhao had told it that if it didn’t allow the dye, its feathers would be trimmed. Faced with such a gentle "negotiation," the Nine Heavens Fire Simurgh had compromised.

"Little Spirit, I’m so nervous! I hear the Immortal Origin Hall is really strong!"

Miss Zhao nervously clutched at the Nine Heavens Fire Simurgh’s neck, and the poor creature looked like it was about to suffocate.

Song Zhong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He truly couldn’t understand why Zhao Lingxuan was so infatuated with Wang Meng. From her family’s perspective, Wang Meng’s meteoric rise was not necessarily a good thing.

At the same time, he was astounded by Zhao Lingxuan’s power. It was terrifying. ’She’s so young and she’s already broken through the Twenty Layers! By the time she turns sixteen, who in the younger generation will be able to match her? And after that... I don’t even dare to imagine...’

’The next generation will undoubtedly be a struggle for dominance between her and Li Tianyi. But my money’s on Zhao Lingxuan.’

"Junior Sister, today is the peak of the Elemental Qi tide on Immortal Origin Peak. That means the Immortal Origin Hall members effectively have a ten percent boost to their power for free. Thunderlight Hall has fought through several grueling battles to get here; they’re running on sheer willpower at this point. They wouldn’t have had an advantage even at their peak, so as things stand now... I’m afraid only Wang Meng has any hope of pulling off a miracle."

Song Zhong said with a laugh. He was still very fond of his little junior sister.

Zhao Lingxuan pouted and clenched her small, delicate fists. She knew the situation perfectly well, of course. ’But I know Wang Meng will find a way.’

The Nine Heavens Fire Simurgh, nearly being strangled, rolled its eyes. Disguised as a sparrow, this treatment was truly for the birds!

Liangyuan looked at Hann Li. "Junior Brother, the first match is yours!"

Hann Li bowed deeply. "Senior, rest assured. Hann Li may die on his feet, but he will never lose on his back!"

Liangyuan nodded. The Immortal Origin Hall had no path of retreat!

Hann Li walked to the center of the arena and bowed to the disciples from the various halls in the audience. The etiquette of the Upper Three Halls was always impeccable.

The importance of the first match was clear to everyone. Especially given the circumstances, they had to fight tooth and nail for every round. Hann Li was the second-strongest expert in Immortal Origin Hall, a Sword Cultivator, and was rumored to have once challenged Li Tianyi himself. Anyone with the guts to challenge Li Tianyi, get their ass kicked, and not fall into despair was an opponent who could not be underestimated. So, who could face him?

Wang Meng’s gaze swept over his team. Zhang Xiaojiang stood up and grinned. "Brother Meng, let me take the first match. A Sword Cultivator, you say? My favorite!"

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)