I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 307 - 295: Creating a Faction

Wang Meng had already darted far away. He found a rock and sat down, replaying the battle in his mind. ’This Qian Fei guy was a total amateur, but his Hidden Weapons were pretty decent. To have such good Hidden Weapons and not know how to use them for a sneak attack... If it were me, I would’ve mixed them into my opening volleys. By the end of the fight, even an idiot would have known not to touch those things.’

Qian Fei had served as a perfect example of what not to do for Master Wang. If Qian Fei could hear this from beyond the grave, he’d probably be angry enough to come back to life.

The scenery in the Five-Colored Little Thousand World was quite beautiful. Wang Meng gazed at the sky for a while before realizing it was time to head back.

He activated his Star Ring.

Meanwhile, outside the Hundred Battles Pavilion, Ma Tian’Er and the others were pacing around anxiously. Every moment felt like an eternity. The longer it took, the more ferocious the battle, and the more ferocious the battle, the greater the danger.

For the group, every minute was an agony.

Just then, the Steward from the Hundred Battles Pavilion appeared, his face expressionless. "The result is in."

As he spoke, he activated the Array Technique, and a figure materialized within the brilliant light.

Ma Tian’Er and the others stared intently at the Teleportation Array, their hearts pounding in their chests.

When they saw it was Wang Meng, everyone’s hearts nearly leaped out of their throats.

Wang Meng, on the other hand, was taken aback. "Oh, why is everyone here?"

"Damn it, you bastard! Next time you go off to risk your life, remember to leave a will. And leave all your assets to me!" Fan Hong said with a pout.

Wang Meng shrugged. "I’m dirt poor. What could you possibly want?"

Ma Tian’Er was overwhelmed with emotion, but she clenched her fists, trying not to be too impulsive. ’Thank the heavens, he’s okay. He’s okay.’

Ma Tian’Er was becoming more and more devout, as it seemed her prayers were always answered by the heavens.

"Why does everyone look so pale?" Wang Meng genuinely hadn’t thought much of the deathmatch. ’As a Cultivator, you live and die by the sword. It’s either kill or be killed.’

"Where’s Qian Fei?" Hex Zui remained on high alert, because Wang Meng appeared to be completely unharmed. "Did you not fight?"

"Him? He’s dead. Oh, after the fight was over, I rested for a while and took in the sights. The Five-Colored Little Thousand World is really beautiful. I think we should all go visit sometime when we’re free. And another thing..."

A chill seemed to sweep over the group, and their expressions darkened.

Hex Zui was in disbelief. Qian Fei was the man he had dreamed of killing day and night, and he had died just like that? So effortlessly?

The group finally accepted the news that Wang Meng had killed Qian Fei. Suddenly, Hex Zui slapped his thigh, startling everyone again.

"Wang Meng, from this moment on, you are our leader!"

Everyone was stunned, but Mingren just smiled knowingly. "Excellent, excellent."

"I believe Senior Brother Wang can lead us out of this predicament, just like he did at Thunderlight Hall!"

Ma Tian’Er immediately voiced her support.

Li Tianyi didn’t mind. He had never been one to get involved in such power struggles. If Tang Wei had been present, there might have been some disagreement, but with Hex Zui having spoken up, Ning Zhiquan couldn’t object. Besides, Wang Meng’s power was undeniable. Had it been him, he wouldn’t have had the confidence to challenge Qian Fei, much less kill him without suffering a single injury.

But Wang Meng had done it.

"Wang Meng, don’t refuse. Right now, you’re the only one who can lead us against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect!"

Hex Zui said. Qian Fei was the enemy he had dreamed of taking revenge on, and now Wang Meng had done it for him. He saw hope in Wang Meng.

"Wang Meng, I still think you’re more reliable," Li Tianyi said. Hex Zui might have been more experienced, but he wasn’t suited to be their leader at all.

Wang Meng smiled and shrugged. "Fighting the Ten Thousand Demons Sect together is a duty I won’t shirk. Actually, I wanted to discuss something with you all. We can use the rules to launch a counterattack. We can’t let an opportunity this good slip by. We should take out anyone we can."

"Huh? We can do that? You should’ve said so sooner! You’ve kept me waiting all this time!" Li Tianyi was stunned for a second, then a brilliant smile spread across his face.

The damned rules of the Cultivation Academy were a huge hassle, and no one dared to defy them. To defy the Cultivation Academy was tantamount to defying the Star Alliance. In the current climate, even if one wasn’t afraid for themselves, they couldn’t risk implicating their Sect. That was why even the typically unrestrained Li Tianyi hadn’t dared to make a move.

"For years, we’ve done nothing but endure. Maybe it’s finally time to fight back! The rules prevent Qi Feiyu, the only one who’s a real threat to us, from taking action. Now that Qian Fei is dead, this is our chance!"

Hex Zui was thrilled. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect had a strong presence below the Thirtieth Layer of the Cultivation Academy, which was a source of their arrogance. But if they could dismantle that force, it would be difficult for the sect to ever recover.

"Since Brother Hex is on board, let’s start picking them off one by one. There’s something else. I plan on forming a faction. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect isn’t our only rival. If things go on like this, the Holy Hall itself will be in peril. There are plenty of other Sects watching us like vultures."

Wang Meng said.

Hex Zui paused. "Form a faction? Won’t that be too conspicuous?"

"Brother Hex, at this point, what do we have left to lose?"

"I agree! Can I join?" Fan Hong chimed in suddenly. He was incredibly envious of the lively camaraderie among the Holy Hall disciples.

Fan Hong didn’t have many friends in the Dharma Flower Sect, and he longed for this kind of bond. He couldn’t leave the Dharma Flower Sect to join the Holy Hall, but if they created a faction, he could become a member.

"Haha, if the God of Wealth himself wants to join, we couldn’t ask for anything more."

Wang Meng laughed.

Hex Zui shook his head with a wry smile. "Even if we throw caution to the wind, establishing a faction is easier said than done."

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Hex Zui and I will handle it."

"Alright! I’m all in! Let’s launch an all-out assault on the Ten Thousand Demons Sect!"

Hex Zui declared with a sharp wave of his hand. The man who had always been so cautious and prudent was now fired up with fighting spirit.

Hex Zui pulled Wang Meng aside. There was something he had to confirm, no matter what.

"Wang Meng, in a place like this, you can’t survive on your own. It doesn’t matter how powerful you become—even if you reach the level of the Empress, the Dragon King, or a Celestial King, you still need to build a faction and rely on your Sect. If you want to gain a foothold here, you must display your strength. Show me a strength that I can believe in. If you truly have what it takes to lead the Holy Hall Disciples, then I, Hex Zui, will serve you with everything I have!"

Hex Zui stared intently at Wang Meng. As the senior disciple, he was being forced into making this decision; he had no other choice. This was the Cultivation Academy. Back in the Holy Hall, something like this would have been absolutely impossible.

"And how can I convince you, Brother Hex?" Wang Meng asked with a smile.

Wang Meng had guessed this was why Hex Zui had pulled him aside. Seeing is believing, after all. If Hex Zui had accepted him so easily, it would have been nothing short of childish.

"Defeat me. Just as you defeated Qian Fei!"

A glint of determination appeared in Hex Zui’s somewhat lost eyes. His injuries were already mostly healed.

Wang Meng smiled. "Then I’ll ask for your guidance, Brother Hex."

Wang Meng had already been aware of this issue back at Celestial Heart Castle. Now, it was time for him to step up.

The outcome was never in doubt. Wang Meng’s power was more than enough to convince Hex Zui. In fact, it did more than just convince him; it filled him with infinite hope. Hex Zui had been at the Cultivation Academy for many years and had seen his fair share of geniuses, but in Wang Meng, he saw the potential for true glory.

Now, all he needed was time and support.

The Holy Hall Disciples sprang into action. For several days in a row, disciples from the Ten Thousand Demons Sect were challenged one after another. To say Qi Feiyu was furious would be an understatement.

He had expected a counterattack from the Holy Hall, but he could scarcely believe that Qian Fei had been killed in combat. And the one who did it wasn’t even Hex Zui—it was Wang Meng.

The rules did allow the Holy Hall to seek revenge against the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, but challenges had to be between cultivators of the same tier, or a lower-tier could challenge a higher-tier. The rule was there, but it was basically meaningless. What weaker person would rush to their own death?

And yet, it had happened. ’Who knows what kind of Magical Artifact Wang Meng used to get the drop on Qian Fei. And Qian Fei was a moron for losing to an opponent so much weaker than him. It’s an utter disgrace.’

Not only that, but within three days, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had lost another three disciples. Ma Tian’Er, Li Tianyi, and Mingren had all issued challenges, and to Qi Feiyu’s utter disbelief, they had all been victorious. Ma Tian’Er’s win was somewhat understandable. They had exploited her weakness last time but failed to kill her, so a counterattack from someone of her strength was to be expected. But Li Tianyi and Mingren winning as well? That was completely out of left field.

’How could anyone who made it into the Cultivation Academy and trained for so many years lose to a bunch of rookies who’ve been here for barely more than a year?’

’The Holy Hall shouldn’t be this strong!’

The only advantage the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had now was him. But according to the rules, he couldn’t attack the Holy Hall disciples. All he could do was wait for Hex Zui to enter the fortieth layer, but who knew how long that would take?

If the Holy Hall managed to wipe out all of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s elite disciples in the meantime, his life would become unbearable. He couldn’t imagine being a commander with no army.

Ever since Wang Meng had decided to establish a faction, Fan Hong had been on cloud nine. He had finally found his purpose. What’s more, he could be one of its founding members! For Fan Hong, who had always craved acceptance, this felt like his life’s mission.

Wang Meng made his move as well, taking out two disciples from the Celestial Demon Sect. ’If you don’t pull out the weeds by the roots, they’ll just grow back in the spring.’ This was a fundamental rule of survival he lived by. ’Either you don’t fight back at all—just let them have their way and be done with it—or, if you resist, you must be lethal. Anything less just invites a more vicious retaliation.’

Wang Meng emerged from the Hundred Battles Pavilion feeling refreshed. The way he had issued his challenge made it impossible for his opponents to refuse—a one-on-two match. An opportunity that good didn’t come along every day.

It was almost evening, a time when the academy grounds were usually quiet. But today, it seemed unusually crowded.

"Who do you think’s gonna win today? My money’s on the Master!"

"Damn, you’re really betting on the long shot, huh? I’m sticking with Ge Mang. That guy’s power is the real deal."

"All three major factions have set up betting pools. Comparatively, the Empress’s people are being a little more conservative with their odds."

"Who cares? It’s rare to see this much action."

"I really don’t get what the higher-ups are thinking, letting a Magical Combat like this get so much publicity. What’s Ge Mang’s background, anyway?"

"You think it’s a move against the Master?"

"Hell if I know. We’ll find out when the fight starts. I just hope it’s not a waste of our time."

Wang Meng froze. ’...Shit. I think they’re talking about me!’

All along the path, everyone was discussing the same thing. It was only then that Wang Meng realized just how big of a deal this had become.

He checked his Star Ring. There was still half an hour before the fight was scheduled to begin. He breathed a sigh of relief. As a Sword Cultivator, it was fundamental to take every battle seriously, and Ge Mang was likely the strongest opponent he had faced to date.

’A core member of the Empress Faction, huh? I’ve heard so much about them.’

(Feeling faint, my cough has flared up again, and I’m coughing my guts out. What is this luck? I went to the hospital and found that their equipment has improved again... Please vote with your monthly tickets~~~) (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.)