Chapter 379: Chapter 362: Dragon Transformation
Before the Star Alliance, Cultivators relied entirely on ancient ruins for travel. It was incredibly dangerous, and they could be teleported to unknowable locations at any moment.
The Demon Race... he had heard of them; they existed in legends. They could shapeshift into human form, appearing completely identical. They possessed the talents of Exotic Beasts, or even Divine Beasts, along with intelligence surpassing that of humans. They were the greatest enemy of Human Cultivators.
In the thousands of years of battle to exterminate the Demon Race, humanity had tried every method imaginable. But it had to be said that every strength has its weakness; nothing is perfect. The Demon Race’s immense power and intellect also bred arrogance and isolation. In contrast, when faced with pressure, humans could often erupt with unbelievable unity and strength. Under such circumstances, miracles were always created by humanity.
’In recent years, the Demon Race has become the stuff of legends. Have they truly vanished?’
Wang Meng thought it unlikely. ’It’s probably just as the Celestial Secret Sect Elder said: they’ve already blended into human society, perhaps even integrated with humanity!’
’And often, members of the Demon Race were beautiful or handsome...’
Wang Meng snapped out of his reverie and shared his thoughts with Ma Tian’Er.
"What should we do? Should we leave?"
Wang Meng chuckled. "Now that we know, we’re already caught up in it. Why not give it a shot? I’m sure they have a detailed plan. Besides, this probably doesn’t just involve us, but Mingren as well."
"You’re saying... Mingren is the one with the Holy Light Demon Collapse Body?"
Wang Meng nodded. "Nine times out of ten. Since we’re here, we might as well make the best of it. Plus, it’s much more comfortable here than outside. Let’s get a feel for this place first."
「In the great hall.」
"Old Xu, why did you tell those two so much? That Wang Meng is basically useless, and the one called Ma Tian’Er is average at best."
The Great Elder, addressed as Old Xu, fell silent for a moment. "The Five Elements Beetle’s target was the Holy Light Demon Collapse Body, but it brought them back instead. Perhaps this is fate. Besides, these two kids aren’t entirely useless. They have a certain potential."
"The Holy Daughter’s prophecy said that the opportunity to defeat the Star Alliance has appeared. This is the most celebration-worthy news for both our Extreme Dao Alliance and our Celestial Secret Sect."
"The talented disciples we’ve discovered recently are truly exceptional. Their numbers have exploded in the past few years. Heh, of course, the most significant of all is still the birth of our Saintess!"
The most outstanding disciple of the Celestial Secret Sect had become the Saintess of the Extreme Dao Alliance. In recent years, she had persuaded over a hundred Sects to join, rapidly strengthening the alliance.
The Third Elder’s words just now contained a hint of boastfulness. In terms of overall strength, the Extreme Dao Alliance was not yet a match for the Star Alliance, but the Extreme Dao Alliance was more united!
"Old Xu, are you saying that if these two kids are willing, we should let them participate in this transformation training?"
"Heh, one more person means a bit more strength. Since Lv Yuantian thinks highly of him, why not give him a chance?"
The Great Elder smiled faintly, clearly having a perfect grasp of Wang Meng and the others’ identities.
The Second Elder nodded. "Then I’ll go bring Mingren."
"Yes. This child is crucial. A rare Holy Light Demon Collapse Body... that’s one of the Ten Great Sacred Bodies. If he can obtain a Holy Statue Ability upon reaching Minor Perfection, he will become another great combat force for our Extreme Dao Alliance!"
The Great Elder nodded. "We must ensure there are no mistakes!"
The Extreme Dao Alliance was accumulating strength for a decisive move. Humanity would ultimately defeat the Star Alliance, which was dominated by the Demon Race. The journey was long and arduous, and every disciple of the Extreme Dao Alliance would give it their all.
Wang Meng wasn’t focusing too much on the affairs of the Extreme Dao Alliance and the Star Alliance. For him, the main concern was what would benefit him and the Holy Hall. Right now, based on one side of the story, it was hard to tell good from evil. ’But overall,’ he thought, ’the three Elders of the Celestial Secret Sect aren’t so bad. They’re hiding things and trying to sweet-talk me, but there’s no malice. I can’t even detect the slightest hint of hidden killing intent with my Divine Sense.’
’Another friend means another path. I really don’t believe the Extreme Dao Alliance would just let us go freely if I do nothing.’
’Besides, I have too many secrets in my memory to let anyone probe them.’
’But as his experience grew, Wang Meng knew he couldn’t afford to dwell on Moo Shan and Wangtian’s so-called Grand Thousand World. Maybe one day he could reach it, but for him now, it was far, far too distant.’
’He’d already felt some of it himself, especially with the recent changes. What the Celestial Secret Sect Elder said made some sense. Back in the Holy Hall, Artifact Refining and Magical Artifacts were considered extremely important, but that was almost downplayed at the Cultivation Academy. The Cultivation Academy focused on cultivating oneself, which wasn’t wrong, but borrowing the power of external objects was also a human instinct.’
’No matter what the Cultivation Academy’s plans were, he might as well learn from others’ strengths to make up for his own weaknesses. As for his so-called "useless body," he didn’t see it that way. In fact, he was quite curious to see what these so-called Sacred Bodies and outstanding disciples the Elder mentioned were like.’
The matter with the Celestial Secret Sect had eased the awkwardness between Wang Meng and Ma Tian’Er. Neither of them mentioned that intimate moment, but their relationship had taken a step forward. As the saying goes, they were only one final step away.
In truth, it wasn’t just Wang Meng. Once they were away from that atmosphere and the catalyst of their near-death escape, both of them lacked a bit of courage. Though Wang Meng was incredibly fierce at other times, in this respect, he might not even be as bold as Zhang Xiaopang.
Since Wang Meng and Ma Tian’Er hadn’t made a decision, the people from the Celestial Secret Sect didn’t allow them to wander around. Two Cultivators stood guard outside their door at all times, though they were reasonably polite.
"Brother Wang, are we really going to agree?"
"We have another year trapped in this Five Elements Desert Space, and we can stay here for a while longer. I might have underestimated Dragon King Hua Jianyu’s strength. According to the Celestial Secret Sect Elder, he’s definitely at the Minor Perfection realm, and he might even possess a Holy Statue Ability. Perhaps, for us, this is also an opportunity!"
’At least I have no connection to the Star Alliance for now.’
"I think Mingren will make the same decision. I hope we can take this a step further!"
Wang Meng gently took Ma Tian’Er’s hand. Everything was said without words. Ma Tian’Er didn’t pull her hand back, but lowered her head slightly. "I’ll follow your lead."
This moment of sweet happiness was probably something Ma Tian’Er had never even dreamed of.
In the great hall, Wang Meng once again met the three Elders, and of course, Mingren. Mingren, however, seemed unconcerned and was actually full of excitement.
"You’re here too," Mingren greeted them.
"Mingren, what do you think?"
"I think it’s pretty interesting. They seem to know my constitution very well and have a way to bring out my power. I’m willing to participate. What about you?"
Wang Meng shrugged. "Tian’Er and I have also decided to participate. But I hope you can look after our friends who are still out there."
The three Elders smiled slightly. "Rest assured, we are not like the Star Alliance."
"Follow me," the Second Elder said, leading the three to a side hall. "Since the three of you are willing to try, you are now members of the Extreme Dao Alliance. The main purpose of this training is to help you reach Minor Perfection. Ideally, you will obtain a Holy Statue Ability. At the very least, you should forge your own Minor Perfection Magical Artifact."
As he spoke, the Second Elder handed each of them a mask.
"Put them on." He smiled faintly. "This is the handiwork of the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect. It not only conceals your appearance but can also obscure your aura. You’ll have use for them in the future. Wear them throughout your training."
The three exchanged glances and put on the masks. An indistinct aura immediately surrounded them, making them unrecognizable even to someone very familiar with them. ’Of course, out in the open, this effect would be spotted as strange right away,’ Wang Meng thought. ’Looks like the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect didn’t bring out their really good stuff.’
The Second Elder led the three to a Teleportation Array. "Off you go. This is an excellent opportunity. Seize it well."
A flash of white light enveloped them, and the three entered the teleportation process. When Wang Meng regained his senses, Mingren and Ma Tian’Er were gone. In their place was a massive hall, which felt like it was underground or inside a mountain. However, Wang Meng was not alone. The hall was filled with people in the same situation as him, all wearing masks from the Ghost Axe Divine Skill Sect. They were of all shapes and sizes, but he sensed that none of them were weak.
Just then, a middle-aged man appeared before them. He wore a silver robe, and on his left shoulder was the emblem of a lightning bolt—the symbol of the Extreme Dao Alliance.
"Welcome to the Dragon Transformation Hall. Here, you will experience one of the most important moments of your lives. All of you are elites from various Sects, between the thirtieth and fortieth levels. I presume you’ve heard about the Dragon Transformation Hall from your own Sect Elders. Here you will receive everything you need for your training, as well as the most crucial guidance in our human Cultivation process. Everything is for the sake of Minor Perfection."
The middle-aged man’s gaze swept over the crowd. This batch had a total of eighty-nine people. Usually, about one-tenth of them would successfully break through to Minor Perfection, but those who could obtain a Holy Statue were a matter of pure luck.
Wang Meng observed carefully. The people around him didn’t seem surprised at all; in fact, some looked excited. ’My being here is a bit strange, though,’ he thought. ’Did the people from the Celestial Secret Sect really trust us this much?’
’This whole process feels a little fishy,’ Wang Meng thought. ’As the saying goes, if someone is being overly attentive for no reason, they’re up to no good. Where did I miss something?’
"Here, you have no names, only numbers. You will follow your numbers. Please find the cultivation cave that corresponds to your number. The daily cultivation resources you require will be distributed according to your number." The middle-aged man looked at the crowd and smiled. "Any questions?"
"Elder, why can’t I be in the top ten!" someone with the number eleven said with some dissatisfaction.
Wang Meng glanced at his own number: seventy-nine. ’...Don’t tell me these are assigned by talent?’ he wondered.
"Heh, only those with the talent for a Holy Statue can receive a number in the top ten. They will also receive the best resource support. Next are those with constitutions suitable for Artifact Refining. Let me see... your batch is quite good. There are five with Holy Statue talent, and, heh, eight who might be able to forge a Life Artifact."
Wang Meng also noticed that the numbers were not assigned sequentially. Instantly, the five people in the crowd who held top-ten numbers stood out.
The five stood in the center of the crowd as everyone else naturally made way. Everyone knew what a transcendent thing it was to possess Holy Statue talent. This was a difference in class. If one truly cultivated a Holy Statue at the Minor Perfection realm, their future would be limitless!
The five top-ten numbers were: two, three, five, seven, and nine.
The five stood proudly. Among them, Wang Meng was still able to pick out Mingren.
