Free Web NovelChapter 429: Chapter 412: Sit Up and Take Notice
His conversation with Lv Yuantian answered some of Wang Meng’s questions but also raised new ones.
’The Saintess is paying so much attention to me... There can only be one reason: it has to be related to my Godhood. Still, I’m sure she’s only suspicious. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be handling things this way. For now, it doesn’t seem to be a bad thing.’
The Star Alliance was truly full of experts. Lv Yuantian’s explanation had opened up a whole new world for him, showing him how one’s standing determined one’s perspective. Wang Meng was truly envious of Lv Yuantian’s calm and effortless confidence.
That was the kind of feeling Wang Meng aspired to, not Jii Wanli’s petty attitude.
Upon activating his Star Ring, Wang Meng discovered that in addition to its map and spatial storage functions, it also provided intelligence reports. He simply had never activated it with his Elemental Power before. When he finally did, Master Wang was stunned.
It contained important intelligence from the various Small Thousand Realms, such as where treasures were about to be unearthed or where rare spiritual ingredients and materials were about to mature. All of it was of a considerably high level. However, if he wanted to act on a piece of intelligence, he had to claim it, and this would be logged by the Star Alliance.
Additionally, there were updates on the Star Alliance member rankings and battle reports from the Slaughter Space.
That reminded Wang Meng that Fan Ru had invited him somewhere. And since becoming a member of the Star Alliance, he still hadn’t seen Xuee Zhongnan.
Wang Meng felt a deep connection to the Holy Hall and his friends there, but for the Sect Leader, it was purely a matter of respect.
Back at the Little Holy Hall, Wang Meng found Fan Hong.
"I’m going to the Slaughter Space, but first I need to see the Sect Leader, and then meet with Senior Fan Ru."
Fan Hong’s face lit up. "The old man was just asking about you a couple of days ago. He’ll be thrilled when I tell him! Mengzi, you’re a real celebrity now. Have you heard the rumors?"
Wang Meng, who had been wondering whether to bring Linglong along, was taken aback. "What rumors?"
"Man, you really don’t pay attention to gossip, do you? Everyone’s wondering if you’re going to become the Ninth Emperor. I heard you were a total badass at the Star Academy gathering!"
Wang Meng was speechless. "What’s all this nonsense? It’s not that exaggerated, just a bunch of hype. I don’t believe for a second that having a Holy Statue makes someone the strongest."
At the last gathering, Wang Meng hadn’t just been foolishly stuffing his face; he had also been observing everyone carefully. He had to admit, no one with a Holy Statue was to be trifled with. But he had also noticed a few other exceptional individuals there whose strength was likely on par with the Eight Emperors. It was just that possessing a Holy Statue automatically drew attention. It was hard *not* to become famous, but not everyone desired fame.
’And since learning the truth about the Pure Land, I’m sure there are others like Linglong out there. Her strength is absolutely on par with anyone’s. All this talk of ’strongest in the world’ is just people fooling themselves.’
’The only ones truly qualified to make that claim are people like Tu Mu, but once you reach that level of power, you’re not so childish anymore.’
After speaking with Fan Hong, Wang Meng went to find Linglong. He took Tu Mu’s instructions seriously. He assumed Linglong wouldn’t be interested, but to his surprise, she readily agreed to go with him.
’...Master Wang had actually wanted her to stay at the Cultivation Academy...’
The next day, Wang Meng took Linglong and stepped into a Teleportation Array, heading for Snow Moon City.
After becoming a Star Alliance member, Wang Meng had a new appreciation for the purpose of the Slaughter Space. Conflict was inevitable in the Cultivation Realm—the law of the jungle reigned supreme. The existence of the Slaughter Space minimized the collateral damage from these struggles, at least ensuring that the innocent mortals of the Small Thousand Realms were not harmed.
As for the Cultivators who came here, they had chosen a path where life and death were determined by fate, and fortune by the heavens. Who lived and who died simply came down to their own skill.
’The Extreme Dao Alliance’s narrative was just exploiting a loophole to vilify the Demon Race, but plenty of people would surely believe it.’
It felt good to be back in Snow Moon City. The city was bustling, with the flashes of Teleportation Arrays intermittently lighting up the streets as Cultivators arrived and departed.
Beyond the battles between the Saint and Demon Factions, the Cultivator City here was also the most prosperous trade hub, on a scale that no city or sect in any Small Thousand Realm could match.
"Step right up, step right up! Don’t miss out! Freshly skinned Fire Snake Skin, only five hundred!"
"Top-grade Secret Silver and Secret Gold! All sorts of ores! Essentials for forging and Artifact Refining! Come and have a look, everyone!"
...
The moment they stepped out of the Teleportation Array, a wave of hawking cries washed over them. It was clear these Cultivators were very enthusiastic vendors.
"Young man, come take a look! All top-quality goods. You’ve got an upright look about you, must be from a prestigious sect. I’ll give it to you for an Eight Discount."
Wang Meng was dressed plainly, but years of battle had given Master Wang a certain air about him. As for Linglong, her seemingly ordinary clothes were anything but—they were woven from Thousand-year-old Ice Silkworm Silk. One look at her beauty and her condescending gaze was enough to know she didn’t come from a humble background.
Linglong coolly said two words: "Fake goods!"
The previously enthusiastic middle-aged man’s face immediately darkened. "Little miss, watch your mouth. You can eat whatever you want, but you can’t just say whatever you want! My wares are all top-quality!"
Linglong glanced coolly at the so-called Mithril and Secret Gold. "Scraps. There’s not even enough of it."
Wang Meng broke into a cold sweat. ’Not everyone can build a castle out of Secret Gold,’ he thought. ’I really should have chipped a piece off before I left.’
"Sorry, we’re just looking," Wang Meng said, quickly pulling Linglong away.
"I wasn’t wrong," Linglong said. "You humans just love to lie!"
"Princess, human life isn’t the same as life for the Dragon Race. That doesn’t really count as lying."
Wang Meng didn’t know how to explain.
"Everything they’re selling over there is basically junk, yet they praise it to the high heavens. If that’s not lying, what is?" Linglong seemed genuinely interested in the question.
"It’s a way of doing business. In truth, the buyers know what they’re getting. If they get swindled, it’s because their own judgment is poor. We Human Cultivators face far more challenges to our survival than any other race. While many of these difficulties are self-inflicted, this way of life forces humanity to grow stronger and stronger."
Wang Meng said, filled with pride in being human.
Linglong’s large, beautiful eyes focused on Wang Meng, studying his expression. Suddenly, she smiled faintly. "I’ve never looked down on humanity as a whole."
’The Dragon Princess is actually pretty cute,’ Wang Meng suddenly thought.
Linglong’s eyes sparkled. "It’s the individual humans I look down on."
ZAP~~~
Master Wang had only been happy for a second before being struck by lightning.
In Linglong’s view, Human Cultivators as a collective were indeed great, but as individuals, they were all so small and full of flaws.
And Master Wang had no real comeback for that.
"I have some business to attend to in a bit, so please, don’t cause any trouble," Wang Meng felt compelled to warn her in advance. He didn’t want her princess-like temper to flare up again; the girl had a supernatural talent for offending people.
"Don’t worry," Linglong said with a nod. "I’m very easy to get along with."
’Wang Meng broke into another sweat. If *you’re* easy to get along with, then there’s no such thing as a difficult person in this world.’
When they arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion, he was surprised to see not only Xuee Zhongnan but also Yang Jian waiting for him. Both had even come out to greet him personally.
Wang Meng was rather overwhelmed by the gesture. "Disciple Wang Meng greets the Sect Leader and Senior Yang Jian."
Xuee Zhongnan smiled faintly. "Wang Meng, there’s no need for such ceremony. You’re our peer now. Please, come in."
"Kid, you’ve given us one surprise after another!" Yang Jian clearly had a favorable impression of Wang Meng as well. The fact that he had been moved to act during that trivial affair last time spoke volumes.
Any help Yang Jian offered Wang Meng would be purely out of his own admiration for the young man, not as a favor to Xuee Zhongnan.
Once host and guests were seated, Linglong remained completely unfazed by the two Great Perfection masters, sitting quietly to one side as usual. Wang Meng had no choice but to bite the bullet and introduce her, though he couldn’t explain her situation in detail. ’Anyway, taking Linglong anywhere was a surefire way to offend people.’ Fortunately, this was the world of Saint Cultivators. Neither Yang Jian nor Xuee Zhongnan were petty men, so they paid no mind to Linglong’s cold demeanor.
"Wang Meng, it’s true what they say: absence makes one see others in a new light. Every time I see you, you bring a new surprise. That boy, Ji Rushan, is at the same academy as you. You two should get to know each other better."
Yang Jian was the City Lord, and it wasn’t even his turn to be on duty; he had come specifically because he’d heard Wang Meng was arriving. This surprised even Xuee Zhongnan. To be honest, Xuee Zhongnan himself had been stunned when he learned that Wang Meng had become a member of the Star Alliance. He had specially requested Wang Meng’s detailed file, and after reading it, could only conclude that the young man’s journey was a complete miracle.
Xuee Zhongnan hadn’t been surprised when Mingren left for the Pure Land. It was only natural for people to strive for better opportunities, just as water flows downward. But he was deeply moved that Wang Meng had chosen to stay. The Taiyin Sect was far stronger than the Holy Hall—ranked third, with outstanding prestige—yet Wang Meng had refused them without a second thought. If their roles were reversed, Xuee Zhongnan wasn’t sure he could have done the same.
It was clear that Lv Yuantian’s patronage had played a role in Wang Meng’s success, but the special regard he received from others like Yang Jian and Fan Ru also continued to amaze Xuee Zhongnan.
The Holy Hall Master was calm. He was pleased, but not ecstatic, which was likely in keeping with his philosophy for leading the Holy Hall.
"I braved the Dragon Tomb with Rushan and have great admiration for his skills. I would be glad for the chance to fight alongside him again."
"Haha, Zhongnan, you have a fine disciple there," Yang Jian said. "The one with the Holy Light Demon Collapse Holy Statue was outstanding, but he left at the drop of a hat. There aren’t many loyal people left these days."
Xuee Zhongnan smiled. "Wang Meng, come back to the Holy Hall whenever you have the time. I don’t manage the sect’s affairs much while I’m in the Slaughter Space. It’s mostly young people like you there now, so help them out."
"Yes, Sect Leader. The Holy Hall is my home!"
Yang Jian felt a twinge of envy. Xuee Zhongnan had a gentle temperament and was not one for conflict. To be honest, such a personality wasn’t always an asset, and the Holy Hall had once fallen into crisis because of it. But perhaps it was a case of biding their time to build up strength; after overcoming that crisis, their power had continued to surge. Maybe it was precisely the Holy Hall’s philosophy that had convinced a talent like Wang Meng to stay.
