I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 355 - 339: Establishing a Core Team

"Fellow Daoist Barbaric Ghost, let’s get to the point. I assume you came all the way from the Great Yuan Realm for a matter of importance," Li Xiuwen said lightly.

"Hehe, this matter still falls on Wang Meng. Wang Meng, you truly are impressive. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect admits defeat. We are willing to reach a peace agreement with the Holy Hall and abandon the Eight Great Castles Alliance."

said the Barbarian Ghost Ancestor, which left the six Ancestral Masters stunned.

The Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s combined strength already surpassed that of the Holy Hall. Adding the Eight Great Castles to the equation, the Holy Hall would be utterly unable to resist if a real war broke out. ’So what is this? A sudden concession, and even abandoning the Eight Great Castles Alliance? It seems like a joke.’

"Fellow Daoist Barbaric Ghost, how are we to believe your words?" Li Xiuwen said.

"Hehe, in exchange, Wang Meng must not attack our Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s new disciples in the Cultivation Academy. Of course, they will absolutely not provoke you."

The Barbarian Ghost Ancestor said as he looked at Wang Meng. For an Ancestor Master to have to speak so deferentially, anyone else would have been furious. But the Barbarian Ghost Ancestor wasn’t the least bit angry. He wasn’t an idiot. ’This kid can get two Saint Cultivation Sect Masters to help him just to snatch a woman. I’d have to be brain-dead to pick a fight with someone like that. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect only has one Sect Leader.’

One could only say that the Holy Hall was not fated to be destroyed, having produced such a heaven-defying character like Wang Meng. The Barbarian Ghost Ancestor himself found it incredible.

This was an order from their Sect Leader. Who knew how this kid managed to earn so much deference from so many Saint Cultivation Sect Masters? He was no longer someone the Ten Thousand Demons Sect could afford to offend. The only ones who could have taken him out were disciples within the Cultivation Academy, where the Ten Thousand Demons Sect had held an absolute advantage. Yet, their members had been utterly annihilated. When Wang Meng’s Holy Hall Faction forcibly disbanded the Demon Refining Faction, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s last sliver of hope was extinguished. Now, a year had passed, and it was time to send new disciples into the Cultivation Academy. According to the Star Alliance’s rules, this was a mandatory process that also contributed to faction rankings. They could neither skip it nor afford the potential losses. But as things stood, sending anyone now would be like serving them up to Wang Meng on a platter.

They had no choice but to make a deal, and the Holy Hall truly did need some breathing room at the moment.

Li Xiuwen and the others were dumbfounded. A while ago, before the Sect Leader entered seclusion, they had even discussed this matter, considering talks with the Heaven-Dominating Hall because the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s momentum had grown too strong. And now, their enemy had come to their door suing for peace.

"Wang Meng, what do you say?" the Barbarian Ghost Ancestor asked.

Wang Meng smiled faintly. "Not good enough."

The six Ancestral Masters immediately grew a little anxious. ’This kid, he should know when to quit while he’s ahead!’

"Barbarian Ghost Ancestor, it’s not good to leave things half-said. This isn’t a question of whether your Ten Thousand Demons Sect can survive, but a question of whether your disciples can ever enter the Cultivation Academy again. You know what I mean."

Wang Meng said with a broad grin. His relationship with the Old Demon Dean couldn’t be hidden from those who were paying attention. Of course, no one knew the specifics of their relationship, but for a mere disciple to be seeing the Dean so frequently was unusual in itself. The more the Ten Thousand Demons Sect pondered it, the more suspicious they became.

The Barbarian Ghost Ancestor’s heart skipped a beat. ’My worst fears have come true. Look at that smug, nonchalant expression. He definitely has a powerful backer. He’s too arrogant!’

"What do you want, Wang Meng? Don’t push it too far! Even a cornered dog will lash out!"

the Barbarian Ghost Ancestor said in a low, deep voice.

Li Xiuwen and the others looked at each other in dismay. It was as if they were witnessing the most impossible thing. An Ancestor Master telling a disciple, "Don’t push it too far"... what kind of situation was this?

"Ancestor Master, I’ve heard that the Ten Thousand Demons Sect has been causing trouble everywhere, resulting in considerable losses for our Holy Hall. Shouldn’t they compensate us for those losses?"

Li Xiuwen was taken aback for a moment, then his face broke into a smile. "Fellow Daoist Barbaric Ghost, let’s not haggle like commoners. Ten thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones."

Wang Meng was just about to object when the Barbarian Ghost Ancestor on the other side hastily agreed. "Ancestor Master Li is indeed straightforward! Ten thousand it is!"

Wang Meng was exasperated. ’Only ten thousand Top-Grade Spirit Stones? Isn’t that letting the Ten Thousand Demons Sect off way too easily?’

The Barbarian Ghost Ancestor saw the look on Wang Meng’s face and knew it was a good thing he had reacted quickly. ’This kid has an insatiable appetite. It’s a good thing he still defers to the Holy Hall’s authority, otherwise he’d be completely lawless.’

"Wang Meng, Fellow Daoist Li has already agreed. You wouldn’t have any objections, would you?"

"I will defer to the Ancestor Master’s decision."

"Haha, good, good, good! The Holy Hall has always been true to its word. The Spirit Stones will be delivered within three days. We shall meet again!"

The Barbarian Ghost Ancestor cupped his hands, transformed into a wisp of green smoke, and vanished into the distance.

Thunderbolt looked at Wang Meng. "Kid, you’ve really made something of yourself!"

"Ancestor Master, this disciple dares not take the credit. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect is merely employing a stalling tactic."

"Hehe, you kid. This breathing room is exactly what we at the Holy Hall need most right now. Let’s go. I was originally going to talk to you about this, but now it’s already resolved."

Li Xiuwen said.

"For the remainder of my time here, this disciple would like to impart some small techniques I’ve grasped to my junior brothers and sisters. I hope that in the future, more Holy Hall Disciples will be able to enter the Cultivation Academy and bring glory to the Holy Hall!"

Li Xiuwen chuckled. "You kid, you’re always stirring things up. You’re already a Law Enforcement Elder. You have full authority over the disciples’ affairs; you don’t need to ask us!"

Li Xiuwen was decisive and sharp, and knew Wang Meng wanted to get some things done.

"I will interrogate that boy Zhao Guang personally. If he truly did betray the Holy Hall, I will give everyone an explanation!" Zhao Tianlong said.

He had to take a stand at this time. In his heart, he was already eighty percent convinced.

"Betraying the Holy Hall and selling out his sect brothers... if this is true, Junior Brother Zhao, he must be severely punished," Zhou Luodan said.

Zhou Luodan was known for being soft-hearted, but she detested betrayal above all else.

Zhao Tianlong nodded. Although he was ambitious, he had never once considered betraying the Holy Hall. ’No matter how we fight amongst ourselves, we’re still on the same side. If you have the skill, then defeat Wang Meng. Any move is fair game, except for betraying the Holy Hall. Colluding with the Ten Thousand Demons Sect... that’s a capital crime!’

With Wang Meng’s return, the elites of every Sub-Hall had gathered—everyone, of course, except for Zhao Guang and his lackeys.

"Junior brothers and sisters, I have about twenty-odd days left in the Holy Hall. During this time, we will cultivate together. I hope that one day, we can all fight side-by-side once more!" Wang Meng said.

A wave of cheers answered Wang Meng, with Zhang Xiaojiang’s being the loudest.

"Now, I have a few announcements. First, regarding Dao Guang Hall. Due to personal reasons, Zhao Guang will be stepping down. Gongsun Wuqing will succeed him as Senior. Junior Brother Gongsun, I hope you will carry on and glorify the traditions of Dao Guang Hall."

"I will heed the Elder’s teachings!" Gongsun Wuqing said respectfully.

"Second, I want everyone to go back to their respective halls and select the ten most outstanding elites. They don’t necessarily have to be the highest in Elemental Power, but they must have unique characteristics."

The crowd broke into whispers, clearly very pleased.

"Gather at the summit of Thunderlight Peak tomorrow at dawn." Wang Meng clapped his hands, and Sanmao, who was behind him, clapped as well, drawing another cheer from the crowd.

With Wang Meng back, all obstacles were swept aside.

"Brother Meng, what’s happened to that guy Zhao Guang? You’re not going to let him off again, are you?" Zhang Xiaopang said. It seemed he had suffered quite a bit at his hands.

Wang Meng smiled. "The matter has been thoroughly investigated. Even Ancestor Master Zhao won’t protect him. Besides, at his core, Ancestor Master Zhao despises evil as if it were his mortal enemy. It’s just that this involves the Zhao Family, so the matter cannot be made public."