I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 360 - 344: Trait

Wang Meng and Sanmao stood with their heads bowed before Lv Yuantian, who was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. The Cultivation Academy had maintained strict rules ever since its founding. While there had been plenty of troublemakers who dared to challenge them in the early days, the results were predictable, and nothing like this had happened in recent decades.

"Wang Meng, you’re really something else. You’ve only been back a few days and you’ve already blown up a building. Give it a little longer and you’ll tear down the entire academy," Lv Yuantian scolded.

Wang Meng scratched his head. "Dean, it’s my fault. I was practicing the Meditation Sword Technique, and as I thought about it, I got a little carried away. I wanted to spar with Sanmao, but I forgot he’s a magic-type Spirit Beast. It’s my fault. Go ahead and punish me!"

Lv Yuantian glanced at Sanmao. "Such pure Five Elements attributes are rare indeed. Be more careful in the future. Go on."

Lv Yuantian waved his hand dismissively. At his side, Shan Lin’s jaw dropped.

Wang Meng stared, stunned. "Uh, I don’t have to pay for it?"

"Get out of here, you brat. As if you could afford to pay for it!" Lv Yuantian chided with a laugh.

Wang Meng grabbed Sanmao and bolted out of there like a rabbit. According to Star Alliance standards, even if Master Wang sold himself a hundred times over, it still wouldn’t be enough to cover the cost.

Shan Lin was dumbfounded. When had he ever seen the Dean be so lenient? He was ostensibly scolding Wang Meng, but it was clearly an act of favoritism.

Lv Yuantian glanced calmly at Shan Lin. "Do you know what’s most important when handling matters?"

"Please enlighten me, Dean."

"To take responsibility." Lv Yuantian smiled faintly. ’This kid really is different. If Wang Meng had tried to make all sorts of excuses to shirk responsibility, Lv Yuantian, despite needing him right now, would have still taught him a lesson to keep him from getting a big head. But, to his surprise, Wang Meng didn’t try to defend himself at all. Lv Yuantian knew better than anyone the pressure Wang Meng was under. To this day, Wang Meng still had no idea of the true significance of the battle he was being prepared for, yet the demands placed on him were incredibly strict: success was required, failure was not an option.’

’If anyone claimed Wang Meng wasn’t under pressure and wasn’t training hard, Lv Yuantian would be the first to call them a liar. Making a small mistake under these circumstances was perfectly normal, yet the kid didn’t even use it as an excuse. Lv Yuantian felt it would be beneath his dignity to even bring it up as a warning.’

How could Shan Lin possibly understand such subtleties? In fact, Lv Yuantian had also misjudged something. Wang Meng really wasn’t your average person. Master Wang was actually filled with curiosity about Lv Yuantian’s business; a battle of that caliber was precisely what he was looking for.

"What about that matter I had you look into?" Lv Yuantian asked calmly. He didn’t bother to explain away Shan Lin’s confusion; there was no need. At his position, he never had to consider what his subordinates thought.

"Dean, after returning to the Holy Hall, Wang Meng has mainly been helping guide his junior disciples. He even gave away all the savings he’d accumulated at the Cultivation Academy... This kid’s a bit strange."

Shan Lin said with a hint of resignation. ’What is Cultivation, after all?’

’It’s every man for himself!’

’It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to harm others for your own gain, but you definitely don’t harm yourself for others’ gain. Yet this kid seems to be doing exactly that, and so brazenly. There was absolutely nothing in it for Wang Meng. Here at the Cultivation Academy, with Dean Lv Yuantian’s favor, he could ignore any Sect Leader, let alone a few disciples with poor potential.’

Lv Yuantian shook his head and chuckled. "Heh, I only guessed half of it. In some ways, he’s a lot like us."

Shan Lin’s heart skipped a beat. ’That "us" definitely doesn’t include me. It refers to the true core of the Star Alliance. And Wang Meng...’

’Could it be...?’

’Impossible, right?’

’Just becoming a member of the Star Alliance is already next to impossible. The core of the Star Alliance is a special group of Cultivators that accepts no outsiders. Not even the Sect Leaders of the top ten Sects are permitted to take a single step across the Thunder Pool.’

’And yet, today, Lv Yuantian had described Wang Meng in such a way. For a moment, Shan Lin was overcome with a storm of emotions—an indescribable mix of envy, jealousy, and hate. In terms of strength, there were countless disciples at Wang Meng’s level, enough to form a line from Starlight City all the way to Star City. This...’

Despite his inner turmoil, Shan Lin dared not let any of it show on his face.

"You may go. Keep an eye on him. Don’t let all the riff-raff bother him... Actually, never mind. You figure out the right balance. A moderate amount of pressure is good for growth."

Lv Yuantian said.

Shan Lin felt like crying. ’Damn it, you wouldn’t even dote on your own son this much. He’s just a disciple from some Lower-class Small Thousand World, how can he be this lucky? Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be the one begging him for favors.’

Outside, a group of disciples was waiting for instructions. Fan Hong, standing in the crowd, was extremely anxious. ’What the hell is Mengzi doing? That kid has really gone and poked the hornet’s nest this time.’ Fan Hong had done a quick calculation on his fingers; going by the Star Alliance’s compensation standards, he’d have to sell his own father to clear that debt.

"Fan Hong, you’re wasting your time. Why bother running around after a good-for-nothing kid with no future? Wouldn’t it be better to hang out with us?"

"Exactly. You’re the young master of the Dharma Flower Sect, for crying out loud. Acting as a lackey for someone in the Holy Hall is a disgrace to your status."

Fan Hong had also made a bit of a name for himself recently. This was mainly because his identity as the heir to the Sect Leader of the Dharma Flower Sect had been revealed. The Dharma Flower Sect was by no means weak, and he was the man’s biological son. For Cultivators who reached the level of a Sect Leader, having children was difficult due to their practice—or rather, most didn’t even want them. But if they did have a child, they would dote on them endlessly. Thus, Fan Hong was considered a person of some importance. Add to that the not-so-small stir caused by the tiny Holy Hall Faction wiping out the Demon Refining Faction. Of course, most people assumed Fan Hong was the mastermind, with the supposed leader being some guy named Wang Meng.

Fan Hong maintained his usual beaming smile. He was in charge of external affairs, and Master Fan Xiaoniao had discovered that he genuinely enjoyed it. Interacting with disciples from different Small Thousand Realms and various Sects was fun, and he often acquired all sorts of new and interesting things.

But inwardly, Fan Hong was frantic. ’This is a life-or-death situation, and our fate isn’t in our own hands. Even if my old man showed up, it wouldn’t do a damn bit of good.’

’What are we going to do? Everything was going great, we were just getting started, and now this catastrophe strikes the moment he’s back.’

Another group of people was just waiting to watch the spectacle unfold. Wang Meng had been quite the troublemaker recently. He himself might have been completely oblivious, but quite a few Cultivators were already keeping an eye on him. Master Wang was getting a taste of being the nail that sticks out. Generally, one was expected to keep a low profile for the first five years at the Cultivation Academy. It was best to just focus quietly on Cultivation until you were above the fortieth floor—unless you were chosen by a major faction, which was another story entirely. But Master Wang?

Some were simply gloating, waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

Fan Hong was so anxious he didn’t know what to do, when he suddenly saw Wang Meng and Sanmao practically charging out from nearby.

Fan Hong jumped in fright. ’...Don’t tell me Wang Meng is trying to make a run for it?’

’The world may be vast, but where could you possibly hide if you made an enemy of the Star Alliance?’

However, after Wang Meng ran out, he just stopped to catch his breath. He glanced at Sanmao. "You little rascal, remember for next time: when we’re sparring, it’s just for practice. Don’t use your full power."

He tapped Sanmao on the head as he spoke. Sanmao touched the tuft of flame on his head, feeling wronged. ’It wasn’t my fault, I don’t know any better.’

Seeing Sanmao’s pitiful expression, Wang Meng’s heart softened. ’When did this little guy start playing the cute card?’ He placed Sanmao on his shoulder. "Ah, forget it. It’s not your fault. The two of us are just blessed with good fortune."

Sanmao nodded happily. Master Wang was speechless. ’He really is easy to please. A natural-born optimist.’

"Mengzi, are you okay? What happened? How are they handling it? Don’t worry, there’s no hurdle we can’t get over. There’s always a solution!"

Back in the Dharma Flower Sect, Fan Hong had been led around by the nose by some girl; since coming to the Cultivation Academy, Wang Meng was the only true friend he’d made.

Wang Meng smiled. "It’s all taken care of. I got an earful, that’s all. Come on, let’s head back."

Fan Hong was dumbstruck, and the others just stared at one another. ’That’s it? It’s over just like that?’

"What are we going to do about our rooms?!"

"Exactly!"

Wang Meng scratched his head. That was a problem. However, he didn’t have to worry for long, because Shan Lin emerged.

"New accommodations have already been arranged. There were special circumstances surrounding this incident, so it has nothing to do with the rest of you. Everyone can move to the new location now."

Shan Lin announced. Just as Lv Yuantian didn’t need to explain things to him, he had no need to explain to those below him. His voice was so composed that anyone who had questions could only swallow them.

After he finished speaking, Shan Lin gave Wang Meng a nod and departed, leaving the others to stare at each other. For a moment, there was dead silence.

Fan Hong, however, pulled Wang Meng away from the troublesome scene. Even if they didn’t get new rooms right away, they could always stay at the Little Holy Hall’s headquarters for a while.

"Mengzi, you met the Dean? He didn’t eat you alive? I heard he’s supposed to be incredibly fierce and terrifying!" Fan Hong said, his voice conspiratorial.

"The Old Demon Dean is certainly formidable, but he’s actually a pretty good guy."

Wang Meng laughed. He really had to thank Lv Yuantian for letting him off easy.

Somewhere else, Lv Yuantian, who had just been handed the "nice guy" card, couldn’t help but sneeze.

Listening to Wang Meng’s story, Fan Hong shot to his feet and slapped his hands together. "You sly dog! You actually got in with the Dean! Damn, my eye for talent is just too good! Your future is boundless, my brother! Don’t forget me when you’re at the top!"

Wang Meng rolled his eyes. "Get outta here with that ’got in with’ talk!"

"Mengzi, Mengzi! Who cares if you ’got in’ or ’got lucky’! My old man told me that the Dean of the Cultivation Academy is a core figure in the Star Alliance, a being who wields true power and authority! If he takes a liking to you, then your path into the Star Alliance will be paved in gold!"

Fan Hong was genuinely thrilled for Wang Meng.

Wang Meng rubbed his nose. He wasn’t particularly interested in all that. Besides, he had no idea what Lv Yuantian’s true intentions were. He was just fighting based on his own instincts; there was no need to overcomplicate things.

’People just love to create their own problems.’

"Alright, you still have to rely on yourself in the end. Let’s go."

Wang Meng didn’t think it was a big deal, but Fan Hong was ecstatic.

Back at the Little Holy Hall, everyone was dumbfounded when they heard Wang Meng had demolished their living quarters.

Hex Zui was already thanking his lucky stars that Wang Meng had made it out alive. Hearing that the academy had no intention of pursuing the matter made him bloom with happiness.

"You really are blessed with immense luck and fortune!" Hex Zui exclaimed, slapping Wang Meng vigorously on the back.

"Brother Hex, take it easy! I’m going to fall apart," Wang Meng said. Sanmao nodded frantically beside him. "Actually, while the Cultivation Academy can be cruel, it’s pretty reasonable in some respects."

"Reasonable?" Hex Zui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. ’Since when has this place ever been reasonable?’ But to say the Star Alliance saw something special in Wang Meng was too much of a stretch. He could only conclude that the kid had some damn good luck and the Dean must have been in an incredibly good mood.

"Fan Hong and I will be staying here for the time being, haha." Wang Meng took it all in stride. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian to vote for recommendations and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)