I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 371 - 554: The Departure of a Dream

Back in his room, Fan Xiaoniao contacted his old man. The estrangement between father and son had gradually faded, and their relationship was getting better and better. They were quite a peculiar pair in the Cultivation Realm. Fan Hong told his father about this surprising development.

Fan Ru, visible in the projection, fell into deep thought. "Are you talking about the ’mutually generating and inhibiting Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth Elemental Power Resonance Five Elements Cultivation Array’ from the Thousand Machines Sect?"

Fan Hong thought for a moment. "I think it has that long and stinky name, but it feels completely different. We’ve already cultivated with it a few times, and the abundance of Elemental Power is incredible. Most importantly, I can feel that this cultivation method can change my constitution!"

Fan Ru was lost in thought. ’Could it really be that array technique?’

The Thousand Machines Sect had designed many wonderfully imaginative things—or to put it simply, they were fantastical. This Five Elements Cultivation Array was one of them. Because the Star Alliance placed great importance on Five Elements cultivation methods, the creation of this array technique caused quite a stir. However, it eventually disappeared because it was simply impossible to implement. Even if you managed to gather enough people, the effects weren’t that great. Most critically, who with that level of control would waste their time helping others practice?

But what Fan Hong described was a completely different story.

If the effects were truly as Fan Hong claimed, then it was exactly what the Thousand Machines Sect had envisioned. This wasn’t just a resonance of Elemental Power, but a resonance of the Five Elements, fully utilizing the Power of Laws for cultivation!

But how could a few kids possibly control such a Cultivation Technique?

However, it was obvious from Fan Hong’s joyful expression that he wasn’t spouting nonsense, nor did he have any reason to lie. Fan Ru hadn’t had much contact with Wang Meng, but every time he did, the kid gave him a strong impression that he would be extraordinary in the future!

It wasn’t that what Wang Meng had done was so amazing that it would move a Great Perfection Level master. Even his actions in Demon Blade City had a large element of luck. Besides, reaching Great Perfection was a long road, and it was too early to say anything for sure.

However, the Dharma Flower Sect possessed a secret transmission magic called the Celestial Mirror Skill, which was something akin to premonition. Fan Ru had even used it to make a prediction about his own son: that Fan Hong would bring prosperity to the Dharma Flower Sect. For years, Fan Ru had seen no sign of this, but recently, the signs seemed to be emerging.

As for Wang Meng, Fan Ru had secretly used the Celestial Mirror Skill on him after they met once. In Fan Ru’s view, Wang Meng might be the catalyst to awaken Fan Hong’s destiny. But when he performed the Celestial Mirror Skill, he saw nothing at all.

The Celestial Mirror Skill would elicit at least a general reaction from anyone, even a Sect Leader. The light emanating from a person’s body would determine their future path. But the Celestial Mirror Skill was ineffective on Wang Meng. This was the first time Fan Ru had ever encountered such a situation.

The Celestial Mirror Skill was a predictive art of the Celestial Dao. The Celestial Dao is fickle, so its accuracy was hard to say; reality often deviated from its predictions. Cultivators could only use it as a reference, and comprehending it was a great path in itself. But to be completely unable to measure someone was unheard of.

The light from the Star Ring faded. Lately, his relationship with Fan Hong had been growing more harmonious. Fan Ru couldn’t help but reflect. The Celestial Mirror Skill was the Dharma Flower Sect’s Secret Technique. Back then, it was out of a moment of curiosity, coupled with the influence of the Celestial Mirror Skill, that he had decided to help Snow Moon City.

It was the Dharma Flower Sect’s unique, ultimate skill. Fan Ru was now almost certain that Wang Meng was that catalyst.

’If Wang Meng has a promising future, shouldn’t the Dharma Flower Sect put in a little more effort?’

This was a question for Fan Ru. Suddenly, he smiled. It seemed it wasn’t a question after all. No matter what, the cost to him was small. If Wang Meng amounted to nothing, he could just assume the Celestial Mirror Skill was wrong. It would be no big deal, just a minor loss. But what if Wang Meng truly succeeded?

Fan Ru’s heart began to pound.

Those who cultivated the Celestial Mirror Skill had a particular belief in destiny; it was the very foundation of their practice.

Wang Meng found Zhou Feng at the Alchemy Institute. Old Zhou was incredibly enthusiastic to see Wang Meng, words spilling out of him like beans from a sack. There was just so much to say.

"Wang Meng, I was so right to come here. I could die with no regrets!" Zhou Feng exclaimed, filled with emotion.

Wang Meng broke into a sweat. "Old Zhou, you can’t die! We’re all counting on you. How’s it going? Are you confident you can master it all?"

"The Alchemy Techniques and Alchemy Skills here are extraordinary! I’m ignoring the Alchemy Skills for now and focusing on the Alchemy Techniques!"

Zhou Feng seemed full of confidence. He was a Pill Zealot, after all, and the type who knew how to be flexible and yearned for higher-level Skill Techniques.

"Alright, if you need anything, just let us know. But when you have time, come back to the Little Holy Hall. We’ve cracked the Five Elements Cultivation Technique, and it’s incredibly helpful for increasing Five Elements Power. I think it will directly affect your Pill Flame, so it should be a great help to you too."

This was one of the main reasons Wang Meng had come looking for Zhou Feng. No matter how good the theory was, if his Elemental Power was insufficient and he couldn’t refine anything, it would all be for naught. Actions speak louder than words, and what the current Holy Hall needed most were tangible results.

Zhou Feng paused, pondering for a moment. Right now, he wished he could just soak himself in the Alchemy Institute. However, he could also sense that some of the Alchemy Techniques required extremely high quality and control over one’s Pill Flame. He had to improve. His skills had been sufficient back at the Holy Hall, but here, Zhou Feng felt he was falling short.

"Okay. I’ll organize my thoughts first. When it’s time to practice, remember to call me."

Wang Meng nodded. Old Zhou said no more and began to focus on studying within the instructional array. ’This is a true Pill Cultivator,’ Wang Meng thought, ’not a dabbler like me.’

Wang Meng then found Mi Dao and paid for Old Zhou’s fees at the Alchemy Institute. It had to be said, the tuition was a considerable expense. Even just staying here and doing nothing cost one Top-Grade Spirit Stone a day. To actually do anything meant the expenses were exorbitant. But no matter where they cut costs, they couldn’t skimp on Old Zhou.

After experiencing the Five Elements Cultivation Array, the newcomers Li Lishang and Lv Buwei were also thankful for their wise decision. With the help of this array technique, they could not only enhance their Elemental Power but also consolidate their Five Elements. The benefits were beyond what they could have ever imagined.

Of course, training behind closed doors all the time wasn’t enough. As the core members, Wang Meng and the others decided to go to the Hundred Battles Pavilion to accept missions. On one hand, it would be a test in actual combat; on the other, it could also raise the Holy Hall Faction’s ranking.

Wang Meng, Mingren, Li Tianyi, Ma Tian’Er, and Yan Yuyue—this lineup was quite formidable.

Hex Zui went to accept the missions. The Holy Hall Faction’s current expenses were not small. If they didn’t take on some missions from the Cultivation Academy, they would truly just be eating away their savings.

This was what made the major sects so amazing—they had vast resource bases. A faction wasn’t something just anyone could build. Moreover, Hex Zui didn’t want to always rely on Fan Hong for support; after all, Fan Hong was not a Holy Hall Disciple.

While Wang Meng and the others departed, Hex Zui and Ning Zhiyuan stayed behind to discuss the future.

"Ever since Arhat and Old Zhou arrived, our expenses have skyrocketed," Ning Zhiyuan couldn’t help but sigh. He and Hex Zui were in charge of the faction’s income and expenditures.

"For the sake of our development, we have to figure something out. We can’t let Wang Meng and the others worry about this kind of thing."

Hex Zui also had a headache. The only thing he could think of right now was to complete missions posted by the Cultivation Academy. But the rewards for ordinary missions were pitiful, while the high-reward ones were almost all impossibly difficult—quite unfair.

Just as Hex Zui and Ning Zhiyuan were worrying, a loud BANG came from outside the gate. With a CRACK, it sounded like the main gate had shattered.

Hex Zui and Ning Zhiyuan immediately rushed out.

A Body Cultivator was standing at the entrance, smashing up the Little Holy Hall.

"Stop! You’re courting death!" Without another word, Hex Zui charged forward, sword in hand.

The Body Cultivator glanced at Hex Zui with contempt, meeting his attack head-on with the Great Sword in his hand, neither dodging nor evading.

BOOM...

Hex Zui’s Sword Qi was cleaved apart, the blow nearly striking him. He reacted quickly and dodged out of the way.

CRACK... The ground split open.

Hex Zui stared grimly at the newcomer. "Who are you? What grudge do you have with our Holy Hall Faction? You’ve gone too far!"

The Body Cultivator smiled faintly, hoisting his Great Sword onto his shoulder. "Luo Ba of the Dragon King Faction. To think a shabby little faction like yours would displease Lord Dragon King. How could I not smash it to pieces?"

Hex Zui and Ning Zhiyuan’s hearts sank. Their worst fear had come to pass.

Yan Yuyue’s departure was the fuse, and the defection of Li Lishang and Lv Buwei was the explosion. The Dragon King Faction couldn’t swallow this insult, especially from a minor group like the Holy Hall.

This Luo Ba’s Elemental Power level was in the forties, perhaps not even as high as Hex Zui’s, but his combat prowess was clearly far stronger.

Without further pleasantries, Luo Ba continued dismantling the Little Holy Hall. Hex Zui and Ning Zhiyuan exchanged a look. If they let this guy tear down the Holy Hall right in front of them, they would be unworthy of being called Holy Hall Disciples.

Hex Zui and Ning Zhiyuan attacked almost simultaneously. A cold sneer touched the corner of Luo Ba’s mouth. "Courting death!"

His body erupted forward, shooting out like a bolt of Lightning. This was the true speed of a Body Cultivator. Hex Zui’s vision blurred, and he instinctively activated his Sword Screen to defend himself.

With a muffled groan, Ning Zhiyuan stared blankly at the sword in his chest. Luo Ba’s strike had run straight through his body.

SHING...

The Great Sword was pulled out with a spray of blood, leaving a huge gash in Ning Zhiyuan’s chest from which blood flowed freely.

"Junior Brother Ning!" Hex Zui hurriedly caught Ning Zhiyuan, fumbling to take out a Healing Pill. "Junior Brother, hang on! You have to hang on!"

Ning Zhiyuan stared blankly at his chest, a bitter smile on his face. "Brother Hex, I... COUGH COUGH..."

Every cough brought up blood. The Pill was useless. Luo Ba’s strike had been vicious, a fatal blow.

"Brother, I... I can’t accept this..."

Ning Zhiyuan, the Senior of the Holy Hall, had come to the Cultivation Academy bearing so much glory and so many expectations. He had a dream: to one day return to the Holy Hall and help his junior brothers and sisters venture into a wider world.

And now, it had all come to nothing.

"Brother Ning, hang on! When Wang Meng and the others get back, they’ll have a way! They’ll definitely have a way!"

Hex Zui pressed down hard on Ning Zhiyuan’s wound, but the blood wouldn’t stop flowing.

"Don’t... get... revenge."

With his last breath gone, Ning Zhiyuan’s head lolled to the side. He was gone, along with his dreams and ambitions.

Hex Zui let out a muffled roar and raised his sword, glaring at Luo Ba. Luo Ba sidestepped lightly, his Great Sword flashed, and he cut a gash deep enough to show bone across Hex Zui’s back. At the same time, he kicked out.

BOOM...

"Pah! A bunch of trash." Luo Ba spat. "I’ll give you three days to disband the Holy Hall. Otherwise, I’ll kill you all without mercy!"

Luo Ba spat a few more times on the ground. He wrecked the courtyard of the Little Holy Hall with his Great Sword, gave Hex Zui a few more vicious kicks, and then sauntered away. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)