Free Web NovelChapter 402: Chapter 385: Counter-attack
In a flash, her outer robes were gone, revealing a dazzling new outfit. She slammed Wang Meng against the wall and actually kissed him... ’Damn, she turned the tables on me!’
SWOOSH... SWOOSH...
Several beams of light descended. "Where did that little bastard go!"
The three glanced at the "illicit couple" locked in a passionate kiss. "Chase!"
Once the three had vanished, Wang Meng was pushed away again.
"Blech, ptooey, ptooey!" The woman who had ambushed him spat repeatedly onto the ground.
Wang Meng couldn’t help but let out a few dry coughs. "You don’t have to be so dramatic."
"You bastard! This must be my unlucky day. I’ve really taken a huge loss here!"
Just as Wang Meng was about to retort, his expression suddenly turned grim. Zheng Dasheng’s aura. ’Damn it, how did that guy find me?’
The rogue female cultivator’s face fell as well; it seemed her pursuers had also arrived.
She instantly produced a translucent jade ring, placed it against the wall, and dove right through. She quickly waved him over. "Hey, poor kid, get in here if you don’t want to die!"
Wang Meng immediately dove in. ’Are you kidding me? I’m not ready to die just yet.’
It was just... a little too cramped in here.
After Wang Meng entered, the jade ring on the wall flashed once before seamlessly merging with the stone.
Wang Meng and the rogue female cultivator were squeezed together. Master Wang did his best to keep some distance.
"What are you shrinking away for? It’s not like I’m going to eat you!" the rogue female cultivator said, slightly annoyed.
"You might not eat me, but you’d definitely make a move on me," Wang Meng said helplessly.
Then Wang Meng heard the sound of grinding teeth.
"Ahem, we’re both in the same boat here. No need to be so vicious," Wang Meng chuckled.
"Shh!"
The rogue female cultivator hissed. Wang Meng couldn’t see anything, but she seemed able to sense what was happening outside through the Magical Artifact.
The three Sword Cultivators from before landed on the ground, and Zheng Dasheng arrived in the air above them.
’The trail went cold right here. How is that possible!’
Zheng Dasheng frowned. The reason Wang Meng shouldn’t have been able to escape was that his Life Artifact had tracking capabilities. For it to fail... this was the first time it had ever happened.
"Hey kid, you see a man and a woman pass by?"
one of the Sword Cultivators below shouted up at Zheng Dasheng.
A murderous glint flashed in Zheng Dasheng’s eyes. ’You’re courting death!’
He summoned his Celestial Fire Cauldron, and all three Sword Cultivators were sucked inside. A cruel smile spread across Zheng Dasheng’s face. ’I was just in need of a few Furnace Cauldrons, and they delivered themselves right to my doorstep.’
Unable to sense Wang Meng’s aura, Zheng Dasheng had no choice but to depart.
After a long while, Wang Meng and the rogue female cultivator finally emerged.
"I thought I was a magnet for trouble, but you’re on another level. Getting hunted by an expert with a Life Artifact... you’re so screwed."
The rogue female cultivator actually looked at Wang Meng with a hint of admiration.
"Why aren’t you using that mask from the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect? Why let yourself be chased all over the place?"
Wang Meng gave a bitter smile. ’Is that really something to be proud of?’
"You think I don’t want to use it? This is the one genuine article I have, and I can’t even use it. It’s torture."
The rogue female cultivator looked frustrated. "Those people from the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect are all nuts. You can’t use their stuff at all unless you can break their Heart Spirit Lock."
The rogue female cultivator looked at Wang Meng. "What? You want it?"
Wang Meng waved his hand. "I don’t have any money. Not right now, at least."
The rogue female cultivator patted Wang Meng’s shoulder. "You know, you’re a decent guy. If you can break the Heart Spirit Lock on it, I’ll give it to you. As for the money... just pay me back with interest whenever you get some."
"Let me give it a try." ’Opportunities like this are rare.’
The rogue female cultivator rummaged through her Qiankun Bag and pulled out the mask. "I think these so-called unique and mysterious sects are mostly full of hot air."
Wang Meng ran his fingers over the mask. It felt far superior to the one he had used from the Celestial Secret Sect. ’This must be a true creation of the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect.’ Wang Meng’s Heart Spirit slowly seeped into the mask. It was a single, seamless piece—a hallmark of the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect. ’Eccentric geniuses probably all share this quirk.’
As he swept it with his Divine Sense, the mask emitted a faint white light and suddenly grew pliable.
"Whoa, I didn’t realize you actually had a few tricks up your sleeve," the rogue female cultivator said, looking at Wang Meng in surprise.
"Heh, I have more than just a few tricks. I really need this mask. Thank you. What’s your name? I’ll definitely pay you back with interest as soon as I get the money!"
The rogue female cultivator provocatively stroked Wang Meng’s cheek. "It’s a gift, poor kid. It’s useless in my hands anyway. See you around, if fate wills it. If you can’t pay me back by then, you can just pay me with your body."
Waving nonchalantly, the rogue female cultivator departed. Wang Meng touched his face, wiping off the remnants of his fake beard, then placed the mask from the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect over his own. For a moment, his features blurred.
A middle-aged man now stood in his place. From his appearance and temperament to the very aura of vitality he exuded, everything was completely different.
Wang Meng found a mirror. Even those closest to him probably wouldn’t recognize him now. His face was square and very rugged, and his smile had a heroic quality.
It felt strange even to Wang Meng himself. He had to admit, the creations of the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect were truly extraordinary.
He returned to the inn with his new face. Mo Chen was there and stared at Wang Meng for a good while before asking, "Something from the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect?"
Wang Meng let out a hearty, rugged laugh. He took off the mask, and with a flash of light, he was himself again. "Old Mo, you’re as sharp as ever."
Mo Chen shook his head. "It’s not me. The creations of the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect truly live up to their reputation. If there was any flaw, it would be your eyes."
"I guess that just means my eyes are too charming."
"Heh, items from the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect are very rare. That one you have is quite exceptional."
"That’s the good news. The bad news is that Zheng Dasheng is here too, and he’s already found me," Wang Meng said.
Mo Chen smiled. "How about I just take care of him for you?"
Wang Meng shook his head. "This is my problem, I should handle it myself." ’Mo Chen is from the Taiyin Sect, after all. If he made a move, it would definitely cause trouble for them. I already owe him too much. Besides, even if Zheng Dasheng dies, others will surely take his place.’
"With this mask, you won’t have to worry as much. But the news I bring isn’t good. Among the younger generation, two with Holy Statues have arrived, as well as several others who possess Life Artifacts," Mo Chen said, taking a puff from his pipe.
"Two Holy Statues?"
"Haha, you should know one of them. It’s Ling Fei from the Starlight Cultivation Academy, the pride of the Flower Fairy Sect. She possesses the Peacock Ming King Statue."
"Ling Fei? You mean the Empress?"
"Heh, that’s what you kids call her. But besides her, there’s someone else you absolutely must watch out for: Lin Jinghao from the No Illusion Demon Sect. He has the Nine Luminaries Cyan Dragon Holy Statue. Inside the Dragon Tomb, his Holy Statue may well be the most powerful. And what’s more, those two are working together."
Wang Meng shrugged. "Looks like luck really isn’t on my side."
"Two others from your academy are here as well. You could choose to cooperate with them."
"Old Mo, do you really think they’d let me join? Besides, I’m used to working alone."
"That’s fine too. Being alone allows for more flexibility, and I doubt others will pay you much mind. Are you sure you don’t want me to deal with Zheng Dasheng for you?"
"No need. He will be the first enemy I face after I achieve Minor Perfection!"
Failure was the last thing on Wang Meng’s mind. It was a meaningless consideration. He could only charge forward.
Mo Chen smiled and tossed a bag in front of Wang Meng. "Go and get ready."
"Old Mo..."
"Don’t stand on ceremony with me, it’s not much. You’ll need supplies for the Dragon Cave. If you feel bad, you can just pay Little Cheng back in the future." With that, Mo Chen stood up. "This world belongs to you young people now. I’m off to meet some old friends."
Inside the Qiankun Bag was a Long Sword, a bottle of Evil Exorcism Pills, and some Spirit Stones. He gave the sword a few swings, channeling his Elemental Power into it. A feeling of perfect compatibility surged through him. It was definitely a fine blade.
Anything from Mo Chen was obviously no ordinary item. The jet-black sword wasn’t flashy, but its near-perfect affinity with him was more than enough. The moment Wang Meng held it, he felt reluctant to let it go.
With a suitable weapon in hand, Wang Meng’s confidence grew. ’Just as Mo Chen said, I still need to get a feel for the situation. It’s not that I don’t want to connect with people from the academy, but if Hua Jianyu is here, I’ll just end up with another rival. Still, I should go take a look no matter what.’
The older generation had their own circles, and the younger generation had theirs.
Atop the finest establishment in Thousand Dragons Undying City, Wangxian Tower, nearly a hundred elites from various sects had gathered. Most were at the Minor Perfection level. Their ages varied widely—the youngest might be only twenty, while the oldest could be over a hundred. In the Cultivation Realm, seniority was determined by one’s Cultivation, not one’s age.
The strongest present were undoubtedly the two with Holy Statue Bodies, Ling Fei and Lin Jinghao. However, one was cold and aloof while the other was unconventional; neither fit the mold of a traditional expert from a major power. In fact, people like Hua Jianyu, Ji Rushan, and Yi Fan were much closer to that image.
In a place like this, cliques naturally formed, with cultivators of similar standing greeting one another.
The moment he saw him, Lin Jinghao couldn’t help but ask, "Brother Qingyun, long time no see! Have you given any more thought to me joining your Cyan Cloud Sect?"
Everyone was stunned, their jaws hitting the floor. However, those who had dealt with Lin Jinghao before weren’t the least bit surprised. The man dared to say anything.
"Ahem, Brother Lin, if you were willing to perform the Dissipating Technique and start over from scratch, I could certainly recommend you to the Sect Leader," Bu Qingyun said with a small smile, carrying himself with the full bearing of the Cyan Cloud Sect’s Young Master.
Lin Jinghao looked regretful. "The Dissipating Technique itself is no big deal, but it wouldn’t be good to lose my Holy Statue. I’m not confident I could cultivate a new one."
"You’re actually taking this seriously!" Ji Rushan was speechless.
"Becoming a qualified Saint Cultivator and being a good person is my dream!"
Wangxian Tower fell silent. ’Could this guy possibly say anything more shocking?’
In any sect, if an elder heard such heretical words, the light punishment would be seclusion and reflection. The heavy punishment would be having one’s cultivation crippled, or even being outright "cleansed from the sect."
And this was coming from Lin Jinghao, a disciple of the No Illusion Demon Sect, no less...
"Heh, if you’re that eager to join a Saint Cultivation Sect, I actually have a recommendation for you," someone said suddenly from the entrance.
Instantly, all eyes turned to the entrance. Lin Jinghao could get away with spouting nonsense because he had the status to back it up, but that didn’t mean just anyone could chime in.
A young man dressed in simple white robes walked in. ’Which sect is this top disciple from?’
"Oh? And what recommendation might that be, my friend?" Lin Jinghao asked, immediately standing up.
"If you’re truly set on becoming a Saint Cultivator, you can join our Holy Hall," the newcomer said.
The entire hall immediately broke into hushed whispers. Holy Hall?
