I Pick up a Lost Godhood-Chapter 37 - 35: Courage

A murderous glint flashed at the corner of Shenn Tu’s mouth. "There’s no need to waste Spirit Stones on the trash from Thunderlight Hall. Senior is brilliant. When we complete this mission and go back, there will be rewards for everyone. But Suo Ming, you didn’t have to be such a dedicated actor. You even lost a tooth."

The crowd burst into laughter. Suo Ming was still a bit dazed; he was the one truly suffering in silence. That damned hoe had struck him right on his vital point. The blow wasn’t powerful, but it was enough to completely disrupt his strength. This was a bitter pill he had to swallow alone. ’Who could I possibly tell? I can’t go around announcing to the world that the back of my neck is my vital point, can I?’

Suo Ming could only laugh along awkwardly.

The incident created such a stir that word naturally reached Xu Huang. The four Elders were furious as well.

"Damn it! Those little bastards from Hengshan Hall are bullying us as if Thunderlight Hall is completely deserted! If I run into them, I’ll be sure to teach them a harsh lesson!"

Wang Bodang was absolutely fuming, both at them and at his own disciples for being so useless.

"Junior Brother Wang, don’t be so angry. No matter what, I still saw a spark of courage. If they let people walk all over them without making a sound, then they’d be truly hopeless," Xu Huang said.

"That’s easy to say, but what do we have to fight Hengshan Hall with? You all know how they performed in the last great competition. Zhao Guang is gone, too. We’re simply not in the same league."

Wang Bodang was at a loss. Hengshan Hall had many Body Cultivators, which in theory should have been Thunderlight Hall’s strong suit as well. But Thunderlight Hall truly had no talent. It had plenty of disciples, but when it came time to actually send someone into battle, Wang Bodang couldn’t think of a single suitable candidate.

"If this defeat can serve as a wake-up call for the disciples, it will be worth it. You have to tear down the old to build the new. Besides, this battle will be good training for Hu Jing and Zhang Xiaojiang. Those two have great potential!"

Xu Huang said.

Zhao Ya and Wan Jing readily agreed. In an official match, injuries wouldn’t be too severe, which was much better than a private brawl. Letting the two of them experience the strength of an expert firsthand would be beneficial for their growth. It might even turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

It was just like the reason Zhao Guang had left: Thunderlight Hall’s average skill level was too low. It gave Hu Jing and Zhang Xiaojiang no real benchmark for comparison, causing them to subconsciously lower their standards. They also lacked rivals against whom they could test and hone their skills.

"I’m not afraid of losing, but the stakes are too high! Our Thunderlight Hall can’t afford such a loss!" Wang Bodang grunted. Poverty crushes ambition. Thunderlight Hall had been ranked last for years in a row. This loss would be like handing over their entire remaining stockpile from all these years. With what capital would they ever hope to make a comeback? 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Wang Bodang was truly speaking from the heart.

"I heard Zhang Xiaojiang say they’ll handle this matter themselves," Wan Jing said.

The four of them were clearly unconvinced. "Let’s leave it at that for now. If things really go south, we’ll deal with it then."

The four of them were also deeply troubled. The Holy Hall, while not as ruthless as the Demon or Evil Cultivators, had its own system of competition. Without it, survival in the Small Thousand World would be impossible. This situation also affected the standing of the four Elders, so it was no wonder they were so conflicted.

Although Zhao Ya had arrived more recently and had the backing of the Zhao Family, she was still a member of Thunderlight Hall. Furthermore, the Zhao Family had sent her here specifically to display her capabilities. For things to end up like this was by no means a good look. Zhao Ya was now focusing all her energy on Hu Jing. If she could successfully train this child, it would be considered a significant accomplishment.

News of the impending hall battle quickly spread throughout Thunderlight Hall, becoming a running joke in casual conversation. Not only was Thunderlight Hall weak, but they were also brainless. To walk right into such an obvious trap—they could only be described as pigs.

Still, people were a bit envious of Hengshan Hall. Twenty Middle Grade and two hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones. It was practically daylight robbery... ’Sigh, why didn’t I think to make a move on them first!’

"La la la, la la la. A little to the left, a little to the right. A little up, a little down."

Zhou Qian was feeling quite carefree. With that dark cloud, Zhao Guang, no longer hanging over his head, his days were much more relaxed. He could finally do what he wanted. He was bent over, doodling away. As for the hall battle... ’Sigh, if the sky falls, the Big Guys can hold it up. What is the true essence of life?’

’One word—coast!’

’Back in the day, he and Feng Jin were hailed as the hope of Thunderlight Hall, so full of spirit and ambition. And the result? In less than a year, Feng Jin was kicked out of the Holy Hall. Just thinking about it makes you sigh at the unpredictability of life. He only started cultivating by accident, just to accompany Feng Jin. In the end, Feng Jin was gone, but he was still here, coasting.’

Dozens of Fire Talismans floated around Zhou Qian. He held his Celestial Punishment Brush, humming a little tune as he scribbled away. ’A low-profile, peaceful life is the most beautiful thing.’

’Making a few Talismans in my spare time to earn some extra cash, having a little wine, and then finding a suitable Female Cultivator to settle down with in the future... that’s a perfectly good life. All this struggling and competing... what for?’

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK...

The sudden knocking made Zhou Qian jump. ’From a bootlicker to a hero... I’m really not used to this.’ He couldn’t help but marvel at how mercenary people were. He hadn’t actually planned on doing anything.

With a wave of his hand, all the Talismans instantly dimmed, swiftly folding themselves into a neat stack before flying back into Zhou Qian’s Qiankun Bag.

"Ah, if it isn’t Junior Brother Wang! What brings you to my humble place? You honor me with your presence. Please, come in, come in."

Zhou Qian opened the door to see Wang Meng, greeting him with his usual, almost excessive, politeness.

Wang Meng smiled. "Brother Zhou, you’re too kind. I won’t come in, I’m just here to deliver a message. The Elders have selected you as one of the official combatants for the hall battle. Congratulations, Brother Zhou."

Zhou Qian deflated. ’What’s there to congratulate me for?’ Plus, he had no way of knowing if Wang Meng was just making up an order from the Elders, and he couldn’t very well go and ask them to confirm it. ’What a vicious move.’

"Haha, I see now. Junior Brother, you must be joking. Thunderlight Hall is filled with masters as numerous as clouds in the sky. It would never be my turn. I’d just embarrass myself. I’ll yield my spot to someone more capable, yes, definitely yield!"

Wang Meng’s smile grew even wider. "Brother Zhou, stop being so modest. It’s already been decided. If you have any objections, feel free to take them up with Elder Zhao."

Different people required different methods. With someone like Zhou Qian, if you were polite, he would just be even more polite in return. It was better to be direct.

Zhou Qian’s woeful expression was almost comical. He stared at Wang Meng’s departing figure, then sat down dazedly in his courtyard. ’Where the hell did this kid pop up from? Why is he always making things difficult for me?’

’Others might not have seen it, but I could tell that Wang Meng has some real skill. That Suo Ming kid is one of Hengshan Hall’s renowned desperados. How could a Body Cultivator’s vital point be struck so easily? Luck?’

’At their level, there was no such thing as a fluke. That was why Shenn Tu had to opt for a strategic retreat; he truly couldn’t gauge Wang Meng’s strength. Experts could disguise their power, but I know Wang Meng isn’t faking anything. Shenn Tu is overthinking it. This Wang Meng might have some strange innate talent, but his strength is right there on the surface. Once people see it for what it is, there’ll be no hiding.’

’And me?’

’Feng Jin had been the most talented new Body Cultivator in Thunderlight Hall in years. Unfortunately, he was too impulsive and clashed with Zhao Guang. Then Zhao Guang set a trap and provoked him into leaving. I’ve been swallowing my pride and anger ever since, just waiting for a chance to get revenge. But in the end, before my strength could surpass Zhao Guang’s, he just up and left, leaving me incredibly frustrated.’

’I’ve been putting on this act for so many years... damn it, I’ve almost forgotten who I really am.’

That night, Zhou Qian drank heavily and got completely drunk. In his dreams, his vision was blurred by tears. "Brother... if you had just endured it back then, we could have been fighting side-by-side right now..."