Chapter 435: Chapter 418: The Youngsters
The more he learned, the more Wang Meng had to agree.
"Old man, stop with all the high-and-mighty, empty talk and get to the point," Fan Xiaoniao said impatiently. "You pulled strings and called in favors to get me out. Surely you don’t just want me and Mengzi to sit around and chat with you."
Fan Ru shook his head. ’This brat’s patience is getting worse and worse.’ "A few friends and I have discovered a Secret Realm and are preparing an expedition. I’m taking you, you little brat, to broaden your horizons. Wang Meng, you’re welcome to join us if you’re interested."
Wang Meng knew this must be Fan Ru’s real business. "Old Fan, what kind of place requires such a major mobilization?"
"A Primordial Divine Hall," Fan Ru said with a hint of mystery.
"Is it dangerous? Are there benefits?" Fan Xiaoniao immediately asked.
Fan Ru shot Fan Xiaoniao a glare. "No one knows where this Primordial Divine Hall came from. It appeared by chance and could vanish at any moment. Inside are the treasures of Ancient Cultivators, and possibly even the secrets to ascension. You tell me if there are benefits."
"Then I must see it for myself," Wang Meng said with a smile. He knew Fan Ru was giving him a leg up. For a Divine Hall like this, experts at the Great Perfection realm would certainly be leading the vanguard. He and Fan Hong were just going along to gain experience.
After reaching Minor Perfection, one’s breadth of vision became extremely important, even determining the heights one could reach in the future. And right now, Wang Meng was desperate for abundant resources to advance his Life Wheel.
In his battle with Linglong, the main issue had been his lack of Elemental Power. Linglong was roughly equivalent to a Human Cultivator between the Second and Third Layer of Minor Perfection, while Wang Meng hadn’t even reached the First Layer yet. Although he cultivated daily, his Five Elements Body and his Life Wheel were both major hurdles, making his progress incredibly slow.
As for resources, even if all of the Holy Hall’s resources were given to him alone, they would still be woefully inadequate. A fortuitous encounter like the one in the Dragon Tomb was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not something one could actively seek out.
This Primordial Divine Hall... he had to give it a try.
Mingren was already advancing by leaps and bounds. He didn’t want to arrive at the final battle without even having a chance to make a move.
Mingren acknowledged him as a rival, and likewise, Wang Meng acknowledged Mingren as his. He had always wanted to fight Mingren, and now, that desire was even stronger.
Wang Meng stood up. "Thank you!"
Fan Ru stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Don’t mention it. It’s a small matter."
Fan Ru mused to himself. ’He’s powerful and smart.’ Someone at Xuee Zhongnan’s level was still a bit lacking and could offer Wang Meng only limited help. On this expedition, the others would be bringing their Core Disciples. His reason for bringing Wang Meng was to make sure Wang Meng remembered this favor.
One day, he would eventually pass away. He didn’t need Wang Meng to take excessive care of Fan Hong; as long as he lent a hand at a critical moment, Fan Hong would be able to live his life without worry.
He was farsighted, not as simple-minded as that boy, Fan Hong.
That evening, Fan Ru took Wang Meng and Fan Hong to the City Lord’s Mansion.
This expedition to the Primordial Divine Hall was being led by the City Lord, Lu Chenfeng, who was also the Sect Leader of the Cyan Cloud Sect and held the title of Wind Celestial Venerable.
Lu Chenfeng was naturally the leader of the group, which also included Yun Potian, the Sect Leader of the Yunxiao Sect, and Mu Jiuling, the Sect Leader of the Jiuling Sect.
In the past, when such an opportunity arose, a Sect would have monopolized it. But times had changed. Under the rule of the Star Alliance, even the Ten Great Sects needed more supporters. Therefore, even for an event like this, Lu Chenfeng had to invite the few Sects with the best relationship with the Cyan Cloud Sect.
The Jiuling Sect was ranked twenty-first in the Star Alliance and was a strategic ally of the Cyan Cloud Sect. Mu Jiuling and Lu Chenfeng had also been friends for decades.
The Yunxiao Sect, ranked thirty-second, was also quite strong.
In comparison, Fan Ru’s Dharma Flower Sect was somewhat weaker. However, the reason the Dharma Flower Sect had caught the Wind Celestial Venerable’s eye was not due to the Sect’s strength, but Fan Ru’s personal power.
When Fan Ru arrived with Wang Meng and Fan Hong, everyone else was already there. There weren’t many people in the hall. Three elders were chatting and laughing together, while a few young people were gathered in a separate group.
"Fan Ru, you’re the last one," Lu Chenfeng said with a gentle smile, his gaze falling upon Wang Meng and Fan Hong behind Fan Ru.
"Fan Hong, come and greet Sect Leader Lu," Fan Ru said.
Fan Hong took a step forward and bowed respectfully. "Junior Fan Hong pays his respects to Sect Leader Lu."
This was the Wind Celestial Venerable, a member of one of the Star Alliance’s Ten Great Sects and a top-tier figure. It was a rare opportunity for an ordinary person to see him.
Lu Chenfeng glanced at Fan Hong, a clear look of disappointment in his eyes. He hadn’t even reached Minor Perfection.
"Fan Hong, you must work hard. Don’t let down Sect Leader Fan’s expectations for you."
"I will take it to heart!"
Just those few words were enough to make Fan Xiaoniao’s back break out in a cold sweat. The pressure emanating from the Wind Celestial Venerable was immense; it was already a feat just to speak clearly.
Seeing Lu Chenfeng nod, Fan Hong quickly retreated.
Wang Meng, however, just smiled faintly. Although they were both members of the Star Alliance, Wang Meng was, after all, only a bottom-tier One-Star, whereas Lu Chenfeng was at least a Five-Star.
"Junior Wang Meng greets Elder Lu."
Lu Chenfeng sized up Wang Meng, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce right through him. Wang Meng met his gaze calmly. It was a test that lasted only a few seconds.
To be honest, this was the kind of thing Wang Meng feared the least. A test of Spiritual Power was completely pointless against him.
Lu Chenfeng couldn’t detect anything at all, and he was inwardly surprised.
"The younger generation should interact more," Lu Chenfeng said without further comment.
The two people Lu Chenfeng had brought were acquaintances of Wang Meng: the Young Master of the Cyan Cloud Sect, Bu Qingyun, a very formidable guy, and the other was Yi Fan.
From the Yunxiao Sect was Yun Potian’s Closed-door Disciple, Hann Yun. At the Third Layer of Minor Perfection, his Elemental Power was the highest among the youths present.
One was only considered to be at the First Layer of Minor Perfection after their Life Mark surpassed the sixtieth layer. Minor Perfection had Four Layers, and Hann Yun had already passed the eightieth layer mark. In the Small Thousand Realm, he could be considered to be at the Ancestor Level, so his arrogance was somewhat understandable.
From the Jiuling Sect was a female disciple who was quite graceful and pretty. In truth, as Cultivators who absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, very few were ugly. The Jiuling Sect was clearly a place that produced exceptional people. Song Yifan was also sizing up Wang Meng with her pair of lively, intelligent eyes.
Wang Meng, one of the two prodigies of the Holy Hall. This was currently the most famous news in the Great Yuan Realm.
An unknown Small Sect had produced two supreme geniuses. One was Mingren, with his Holy Light Demon Collapse Body, who had directly entered the Pure Land. It was said that the Pure Land Knight Commander himself had personally welcomed him—an honor of immense proportions.
The other was Wang Meng, who had become a Star Alliance Envoy the moment he entered Minor Perfection. Furthermore, his abilities were unknown, making the young Cultivators from the various Sects burn with envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Song Yifan was mostly just curious. ’This person... I really can’t get any particular feeling from him. How could he have become a member of the Star Alliance?’
The four of them introduced themselves. Among the younger generation, Fan Hong felt much more at ease. However, his strength here was truly lagging by a ridiculous margin. Hann Yun’s gaze practically skipped right over Fan Hong, landing instead with great interest on Wang Meng.
"So you’re the newly promoted Star Alliance member. What skills do you have?" Hann Yun asked bluntly. To be honest, he didn’t think much of Wang Meng. The Holy Hall’s ranking was very low, and although it had soared recently, everyone knew it was mostly due to Mingren. Their own strength would still require a long time to catch up.
Having the status of a Star Alliance Envoy brought many conveniences, but it also brought this kind of trouble. Hann Yun wasn’t the first, and he certainly wouldn’t be the last.
"To be honest, I don’t even know what skills I have myself. It’s probably because I’m handsome," Wang Meng said with a wink, his eyes on Song Yifan. Seeing her reminded him of Zhao Lingxuan. He wondered how that lively little girl was doing now and whether she had made any progress.
Hann Yun let out a disdainful laugh.
Bu Qingyun, however, maintained the dignified air of a great sect’s disciple. "Brother Wang, we meet again."
"Brother Bu, Brother Yi. You’re both looking as dashing as ever. It seems we’ll have another chance to fight side by side."
Yi Fan had a very good impression of Wang Meng and smiled warmly.
Fan Hong was filled with admiration. ’Even a figure like Bu Qingyun calls Mengzi ’brother’. This is recognition from the inner circle.’
"My name is Song Yifan." Song Yifan proactively extended a small, fair hand, causing Hann Yun, who was standing to the side, to reveal a look of jealousy.
Wang Meng also had a very good impression of this girl. Sometimes, there’s just an instant connection between people.
"Wang Meng. You remind me a lot of a little sister from my Holy Hall."
Wang Meng gently shook Song Yifan’s small hand. It was soft and felt pleasant.
"Oh, really? What’s her name? Is she cute?"
"Her name is Zhao Lingxuan. She’s very mischievous and has a Nine Heavens Fire Simurgh for a Spirit Beast. Its name is Eight Discount."
"Ah, what an interesting name," Song Yifan said in surprise, covering her mouth with her hand as she giggled.
In terms of looks, Linglong and Yang Ying were the most beautiful. In terms of overall presence, the Dragon Princess had an air of being unparalleled, seeking a worthy opponent. In terms of gentleness and devotion, that was Ma Tian’Er. But this Song Yifan before him had an indescribable, nimble grace. She wasn’t doing anything particularly special, yet she naturally made people feel fond of her.
"Only someone from a backwards place would have such a hick name," Hann Yun interjected coldly.
"This is Fan Hong, my good friend," Wang Meng said. "His nickname is Fan Xiaoniao."
"Damn it, can’t you not expose my embarrassing secrets right off the bat!" Fan Xiaoniao said helplessly. But Song Yifan did indeed flash a charming smile.
"You guys are so interesting."
Hers wasn’t a stunning beauty, but her presence was as pleasant as a spring breeze... If one had to use a single word to describe it, it would be "joyful"!
Being able to win a smile from the beauty made Fan Xiaoniao feel it was all worth it.
This situation was different from the last gathering. This was a small circle, and the other four were clearly already familiar with each other.
"I don’t know what’s gotten into the Pure Land, but the scale of this upcoming Battle of the Other Shore is unprecedented," Hann Yun said, full of confidence. In three years, he might break through to the Fourth Layer of Minor Perfection. He was just waiting to take that step into Great Perfection, which would give him the greatest advantage in the Battle of the Other Shore.
"That’s because this will be the most magnificent battle since the Star Alliance’s founding. With the Star Alliance’s emergence, the power of the Holy Statues has been elevated to the highest level, and this will be its first major test," Yi Fan said with a smile.
In the past, Holy Statues had appeared before, but they were just considered a special type of constitution. After the Star Alliance unified the Small Thousand Realm, constitutions began to be categorized by level. The Holy Statue was elevated to an unimaginable height, and the Star Alliance also focused on unearthing this power.
Previously, Life Artifacts were the most important thing. Every Sect had its own secret methods for cultivating Lifebound Magical Artifacts, and their power was not necessarily weaker than that of a Holy Statue. This was a challenge.
"This is a good time to test one’s true strength. A big name can’t win a battle for you."
Hann Yun said. His target, of course, was to become one of the Eight Emperors. The Saintess probably wouldn’t participate in a battle like this, but the other seven certainly would.
Possessing a Holy Statue instantly granted one status and fame without any real testing. Many people were unconvinced.
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