I Pick up a Lost Godhood-Chapter 86 - 84: To Hell with Seclusion

Wang Bodang was overjoyed. "Rest assured, Ancestral Master. We will give it our all!"

"Yes. That boy, Suo Ming, is a diamond in the rough. His talent isn’t what you’d call exceptional, but he is focused, determined, and a reliable person. He’s worth investing in. Make sure you handle this well."

"This disciple understands. To be honest with you, Ancestral Master, he’s the only promising sapling I have here," Wang Bodang said.

"Is that so? You’re just blind. You can’t even recognize gold-inlaid jade when you see it!"

Thunderbolt said. In truth, now that he had calmed down, he wasn’t in a hurry anymore. Since Suo Ming said it was his friend, it was highly likely he was a disciple of Thunderlight Hall. Not long ago, that senior had visited Thunderlight Hall; perhaps it was because of this disciple. ’Does he have some connection to that senior?’

Wang Bodang scratched his head, truly at a loss as to what the Ancestral Master was trying to say.

Thunderbolt didn’t elaborate. "Stay out of my business. Just train the Body Cultivators of Thunderlight Hall properly. If you disgrace me again, I’ll flatten you into a pancake the next time I see you!"

"This disciple understands, this disciple understands!"

Wang Bodang knew that Thunderbolt was treating him as one of his own. For Elders like him, without the support and guidance of an Ancestral Master, their paths were essentially at an end. Now, Elder Wang was deeply grateful for his decision back then to take on the post of Elder for Thunderlight Hall’s Body Cultivators. No one else had wanted to come to this godforsaken place, but he had felt that if Thunderbolt ever remembered Thunderlight Hall, he might just get his chance.

After enduring for so many years, the heavens had finally smiled upon him.

Thunderbolt pondered for a moment but decided not to press the issue. It concerned that senior, and Thunderbolt was well aware of that senior’s temperament. Anyone associated with him had to be handled with caution. Since he had already told Suo Ming, if the person wanted to see him, he would surely say so.

The moment Thunderbolt and his group left, Suo Ming lost all interest in forging. He immediately rushed to Wang Meng’s residence, even having his Shadow Carving watch for anyone following him. In truth, if Thunderbolt wanted to tail him, a hundred Shadow Carvings would be useless.

When he found Wang Meng, Wang Meng was playing with the Spirit Rhinoceros. The creature had actually gotten stronger without him around. It had been eating and drinking well with Zhou Feng; at this rate, it might even reach the Sixth Transformation.

Seeing Suo Ming’s jittery demeanor, Wang Meng couldn’t help but smile. "What’s wrong? Is the sky falling?"

Suo Ming, however, was completely serious. "Boss, do you know Thunder Ancestor Master, the Ancestral Master of us Body Cultivators? He came to my place today, saw the sword you forged, and now he wants to find you."

Wang Meng shrugged, searching his memories. He had no idea who Thunderbolt was.

"Never heard of him. How could I possibly know him? What did you say?"

"I said I had to ask for your permission. The strange thing is, the Ancestral Master actually agreed. He said you could go talk to him if you were willing, something about a connection with an old acquaintance. I didn’t understand it."

"Oh, he’s probably mistaken me for someone else. Don’t make a big deal out of it. If he asks again, just say you don’t know me. After all, he’s an Ancestral Master of the Holy Hall. If he doesn’t ask, just forget about it."

Wang Meng only remembered a limited number of people from his past life. ’A connection? Even if there was one, it has nothing to do with the me of today.’

In any case, it would be a good thing if Suo Ming could win Thunderbolt’s favor.

After seeing Suo Ming off, Wang Meng calmed his mind. Events from his past life could very well carry over to his current one. Good things might happen, but trouble was probably more likely. ’Compared to the people I helped, I’ve probably offended far more.’

’Before my Godhood is unsealed, I really need to increase my strength as quickly as possible.’ Wang Meng had looked into the so-called Five Elements Pill; it wasn’t a specific Pill Formula. The Five Elements Body was inherently rare. Back then, Wangtian didn’t have to worry about such things. The Demon God Sect was teeming with talent, including Pill Cultivators second only to Demigods, which had propelled Wangtian’s rise.

Although he had never refined a Five Elements Pill, tempering one’s own Five Elements Power was something every Cultivator had to do after reaching Minor Perfection. The Wood Essence Pill that Wang Meng needed to refine had to match the specific characteristics of his Wood of the Five Elements. This was something he truly couldn’t rely on others for.

With this realization, Wang Meng intensified his training in the Nourishing Essence Technique and the Blast-Inducing Technique. Already at the Thirteenth Layer, he just needed to take one more step before he could start preparing the Pill.

Though Wang Meng usually appeared nonchalant, he actually had a masterful grasp of his cultivation’s rhythm.

Cultivation wasn’t something you could achieve just by shutting yourself away and working in isolation. He possessed many advantages, which on the surface should have made advancement easy. But it was the exact opposite. He had to pay even more attention to his pace, proceeding steadily and surely. His foundation would determine his future.

Zhou Feng had also returned to the Main Hall. Of course, he told Wang Meng he was going back to handle some matters, but in reality, Zhou Feng had gone back to show off. ’Damn it, that woman Lu Yun has been mocking me for years. It’s finally time to hold my head high! This man is making a comeback!’

Thunderbolt, who had also returned, was in a great mood. ’Seclusion? Seclusion my ass!’

He too was waiting for the Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting. ’This time I’m going to make a good showing. No matter who that kid is, since he’s participating in the Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting, he’ll have a chance to show what he’s got. The disciple chosen by the senior can’t possibly be a mistake. And he’s even in Thunderlight Hall! This is our chance to really shine!’

Also in a good mood was Zhao Tianlong, one of the six great Ancestral Masters. ’That child, Zhao Lingxuan, is becoming more and more sensible.’ For the past few days, she had been working hard, pushing for the Twenty Layers. Among the disciples of his Zhao Family, only his great-granddaughter was truly outstanding. Others, like Zhao Guang, were merely adequate. He was good enough to become an Elder in the future, perhaps a little better than Zhao Ya, but he still lacked what it took to inherit the Zhao Family’s mantle and become an Ancestral Master. Zhao Tianlong pinned all his hopes on Zhao Lingxuan.

Families were a special existence within the Holy Hall’s system. They were inextricably linked to it, yet possessed their own independent honor. The prerequisite, however, was that they must have an Ancestral Master in their ranks. Otherwise, the family would inevitably fade into obscurity.

With his level of cultivation, living for another thirty years wouldn’t be a problem, but he had to groom a worthy successor for the Zhao Family. Just as the Li Family had Li Tianyi, their Zhao Family had Zhao Lingxuan.

"Reporting to the Ancestral Master, Zhao Guang requests an audience."

Zhao Tianlong opened his eyes. "Let him in."

Zhao Guang entered shortly after. Although he had been here a few times before, every time he saw the Ancestral Master—the one who held the power of life and death in the Zhao Family—Zhao Guang’s heart still trembled a little. But he knew that Zhao Tianlong despised weakness above all else.

"Disciple Zhao Guang kowtows before the Ancestral Master!"

Zhao Guang performed a full, formal kowtow.

Zhao Tianlong gave a faint nod. "Rise."

"Thank you, Ancestral Master."

Zhao Tianlong’s gaze swept over him like a blade. He sized people up the same way he would a Magical Artifact; whether they were malleable talent or not could not escape his eyes.

Among the younger generation, Zhao Guang was passable. If not for Zhao Lingxuan, Zhao Tianlong might have had no choice but to pick him. But with Zhao Lingxuan in the picture, he was merely a backup. Zhao Tianlong was wary of internal conflict, so he had set their positions from the start. The choice would remain his alone, though of course, the children could prove their worth through their efforts.

"What is it? Speak."

"Reporting to the Ancestral Master, I wish to invite you to attend this year’s Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting!"

Zhao Guang got straight to the point. Fortune favors the bold. He knew he wasn’t the favored choice, but he refused to accept his fate.