I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 349 - 333: Unreconciled

After another hectic day, Wang Meng gave the Top-Grade Spirit Stones he had acquired to Hu Jing and Yang Ying. In this day and age, one couldn’t get by without Spirit Stones, and they were even more essential for strengthening a Sect.

By evening, only their inner circle remained in the room.

"Wang Meng, you should take these Spirit Stones back with you. We can manage," Hu Jing said.

"Little Jing, I have my ways of getting by over there. Tomorrow, Ying’Er and I are leaving for a few days to handle some personal business. You all need to be extra careful and watch out for Zhao Guang. Don’t let him do anything desperate. I’ll deal with him for good when I get back."

"Don’t worry. It’s not the first time we’ve had to deal with him."

"As for those Cultivation Techniques, practice them according to your abilities."

Wang Meng said this, but he was thinking more. The Cultivation Academy’s techniques were excellent, but the best wasn’t always the most suitable. There was indeed a massive gap between the standards of the Great Yuan Realm and the Small Thousand Realm, but Wang Meng believed Hu Jing and the others had what it took to compete there. ’Looks like I’ll have to make another deal with the Old Demon Dean when I go back.’

"Celestial Heart Castle? Do you need our help?" Hu Jing asked, having vaguely guessed what was going on.

"No need. While I’m gone, this is the perfect opportunity for you to establish your authority. Don’t miss it. I can handle everything else."

Hu Jing nodded.

Wang Meng and Yang Ying left hand in hand, looking just like a pair of Immortal Lovers. Over the past few years, countless disciples had pursued Yang Ying. She was the most beautiful female cultivator in the Holy Hall, yet she had bitterly waited for a man who might never return. Frankly, many felt he wasn’t worthy and couldn’t understand her choice. Numerous female disciples had tried to persuade her; even if she didn’t like Zhao Guang, the entire Holy Hall was filled with young prodigies she could have for the asking.

But when Wang Meng returned, these female disciples finally understood just how worthwhile Yang Ying’s wait had been.

To them, Wang Meng was an unattainable legend. As for those so-called young prodigies, they were reduced to dust in a second before him.

The hurricane of Wang Meng’s return had only just begun to stir...

Chapter 9: An Extravagant Hope

On the way to Celestial Heart Castle, the Flying Boat Wang Meng used was quite magnificent. Its most striking feature was the unique, sparkling, star-like emblem of the Star Alliance, the crafting of which was a mystery.

This "toy" was a casual reward from the Old Demon Dean. Wang Meng had always been too lazy to use Flying Spiritual Artifacts. For one, he found them slow. For another, he considered flying by consuming his own Elemental Power to be a form of cultivation, one that also offered greater freedom of movement. But he had to admit, this thing was incredibly comfortable.

As the two traveled, Wang Meng also took the time to understand the current situation and the state of Celestial Heart Castle.

A lot had indeed changed in recent years. Despite attempts to disrupt its formation, the Eight Great Castles Alliance had ultimately been established. With the backing of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, the Celestial Heart Ancestor had become the Alliance Leader of the Eight Great Castles.

It was certainly not easy to cultivate to the level of an Ancestor. The Four Directions Small Thousand World had Sect Leaders, but it was sorely lacking in the powerful subsequent ranks of Grandmaster and Ancestor, which caused the overall standing of the Small Thousand Realm to decline. Thus, when the Celestial Heart Ancestor emerged from the Eight Great Castles, their prestige naturally soared. In the end, however, the Eight Great Castles Alliance still failed to attract the attention of the Star Alliance, falling short at the final hurdle.

Still, the Eight Great Castles Alliance had been established, and the Celestial Heart Ancestor was a formidable figure. He amassed power in just over a year. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect had unstoppable momentum, waiting for the right moment to launch a war of annihilation against the Holy Hall—only for it all to fall through.

When power accumulates to a certain point, it needs an outlet. Unable to move against the Holy Hall, the Eight Great Castles Alliance began to grow disobedient, constantly expanding its own influence.

In the current Four Directions Small Thousand World, the Demon Heart Sect, Heaven-Dominating Hall, and the Holy Hall—the established Three Great Sects—were actually more restrained. Meanwhile, the Eight Great Castles had begun to expand. And it was Long Xi, who could never forget Yang Ying, who decided to take such a desperate risk.

Listening to Yang Ying’s account, Wang Meng processed it with the intelligence he already possessed. ’It seems the Ten Thousand Demons Sect is indeed having a tough time,’ he thought. ’But a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Their forces only suffered a setback at the Cultivation Academy. They don’t know what happened in the Slaughter Space in the Great Yuan Realm, so it’s clearly not enough to cripple them.’

’The Eight Great Castles Alliance may be arrogant, but fundamentally, they’re second-rate. Their bark is worse than their bite. After all, the main strength of the Three Great Sects is in the Great Yuan Realm. The Eight Great Castles are no match for them.’

’Is this a case of "while the cat’s away, the mice will play"?’

"Wang Meng, are you really confident? I know you’re very strong now, but we’re up against the Eight Great Castles!" Yang Ying was truly worried.

Wang Meng smiled. "It’s just Celestial Heart Castle. Don’t worry."

Meanwhile, Celestial Heart Castle was festooned with lanterns and colorful banners. Yang Xi was overjoyed. The deadline for his ultimatum to Yang Ying was fast approaching. Yang Ying was a filial daughter; she would never abandon her mother. Ever since seeing her last, Yang Xi hadn’t slept a single peaceful night, consumed by thoughts of her day and night. Before, he hadn’t dared to act recklessly due to the Holy Hall’s power. But now, with Celestial Heart Castle’s rise to prominence, who wouldn’t show them some deference?

Long Xi had officially changed his surname to Yang, becoming the sole heir of Celestial Heart Castle. Things were different now. Everywhere he went, he was respectfully addressed as Young Master.

The Celestial Heart Ancestor and Yang Molong both doted on Yang Xi, and he was exceptionally skilled at winning their favor. In their eyes, Yang Ying was just a discarded pawn, but a pawn of the Yang Family bloodline nonetheless. If she could be joined with Yang Xi, everything would fall into place for a perfect, happy ending. Thus, they were not afraid of offending the Holy Hall. Besides, the Eight Great Castles Alliance itself had no reason to fear the Holy Hall; if anything, the Holy Hall was the one who should be asking them for favors.

"Auntie, we’ll be family soon," Yang Xi said with a smile.

Yang Qingzi was under a Binding Curse, and there was no hope of escaping Celestial Heart Castle. Her previous escape had only been possible due to special circumstances, as the Celestial Heart Ancestor hadn’t intended to hold her captive then.

"Long Xi, I watched you grow up. I urge you to give up this fantasy," Yang Qingzi sighed.

"Auntie, I am Yang Xi now. I see myself as one of the Yang Family. Once I’m with Ying’Er, the world will be perfect. I will..."

Yang Xi said, his eyes filled with delusion.

Yang Qingzi shook her head coldly. "You’ve gone mad."

"Mad? HAHA! I’ve never been more clear-headed. If I can’t have her heart, I’ll have her body first! Who the hell is this Wang Meng anyway? Waiting for some guy who’s probably dead and never coming back—what kind of nonsense is that!" Yang Xi roared, then broke into a sinister chuckle. "Auntie, you’re a reasonable person. Tell me, in what way am I not good enough for her? I think you should help me persuade her. It would be better for both you and her!"

Yang Qingzi coolly regarded Yang Xi, whose face had twisted into a ferocious scowl. ’This man is a master of disguise,’ she thought. ’He can fawn over the Celestial Heart Ancestor and Yang Molong, but women are more perceptive; we see things differently. In a way, he’s frighteningly good at exploiting people’s weaknesses. If you fell for his act, you might actually start to believe his lies.’

Yang Xi adjusted his expression. "Auntie, I lost my composure for a moment. But you must understand, it’s only because I love Yang Ying so much. No matter what, I will not let her wait for someone who is never coming back."