I Pick up a Lost Godhood

Chapter 445: Chapter 428: Heaven-Reaching Life Extension Skill

Mo Chen glanced at Cheng Cheng. The girl had secretly snipped a lock of his hair, ruining his hairstyle.

He was about to say something when he saw Cheng Cheng’s warning look. He coughed dryly a few times. "It’s nothing. I’m just trying out a more... discordant style lately."

"Haha, you’re getting funnier, Old Mo."

"Let’s go. The Sect Leader and my junior brother are waiting for you," Mo Chen said with a smile.

"This is quite the welcome. I’m a bit overwhelmed. You’re not planning to cook and eat me, are you?"

Wang Meng was half-joking. Even though he had helped Mo Chen, Mo Chen had saved his life. Mo Chen had also helped him at the Dragon Tomb; otherwise, it was questionable whether Wang Meng could have even reached Minor Perfection.

Mo Chen smiled faintly. "You’ll see when we get there. You deserve this welcome."

Cheng Cheng bit her lip and leaned close to Wang Meng’s ear. "Don’t worry, Big Brother. With me here, no one will be able to eat you."

The Little Witch licked her lips... Her Demon Attribute was starting to show. It was a pity Wang Meng paid her no mind at all.

A Holy Cultivation Disciple visiting the second-ranked Demon Cultivation Sect was a very strange event in itself. In the past, this would have resulted in being flayed alive and having one’s soul refined. But under the rule of the Star Alliance, such things were no longer so extraordinary.

When they reached the Taiyin Sect headquarters on the mountain, the Taiyin Sect Master and Mo Chen’s junior brother were both present. It was the first time the two elders were seeing the legendary Wang Meng.

Mo Chen pulled Wang Meng over. "Wang Meng, this white-bearded old man is named Zhang Bai. Don’t be fooled by his frail appearance; he’s actually my junior brother. And this is my third junior brother, who is also the Sect Leader of our Taiyin Sect, Yuu Kunlun. He has a nickname, the Kunlun Ascendant."

Yuu Kunlun sized up Wang Meng. The Sect Leader of the Taiyin Sect revealed a slight smile. "I hear my senior brother and Little Cheng talk about you all day. Seeing you today, you truly are a young hero."

The Sect Leader of the Taiyin Sect took a step forward. The surrounding disciples and Elders couldn’t make sense of this Wang Meng’s origins.

What kind of VIP was he to warrant such a grand reception?

’Wang Meng? That name sounds so familiar!’

Some had already guessed something, but their guesses only led to more confusion. No matter how incredible Wang Meng was, he was still just a talented disciple. Even a member of the Star Alliance wouldn’t command this much respect!

The second-ranked Supreme Elder, Zhang Bai, was even more enthusiastic, verging on excited.

Once inside the Inner Hall, everyone else was left to wait outside, except for Xie Tianhua.

Xie Tianhua personally bustled about, serving them. He had always been grateful for what he had achieved. It wasn’t true that all Demon Cultivators were ungrateful traitors who repaid kindness with malice; on the contrary, there was no shortage of loyal individuals among them.

To Xie Tianhua, Mo Chen’s words were unshakeable commands. Since Mo Chen respected Wang Meng, Xie Tianhua would do the same, regardless of Wang Meng’s power.

Xie Tianhua was at the third level of Minor Perfection, yet here he was, bustling about serving tea and water to everyone.

"Wang Meng, I heard you went to the Primordial Divine Hall with a group from the Cyan Cloud Sect. How was it? Did you gain anything?"

Mo Chen asked with a smile. Only because of his extraordinary relationship with Wang Meng could he ask such a question so directly.

Wang Meng smiled. "It seems my very nature is to defy the heavens, so I didn’t really get anything from the Path of Immortality and Mortality. I just went along for the experience. My brother, Fan Hong—the son of the Dharma Flower Sect’s Sect Leader—did make some gains on the Path, though."

"Fan Hong... that kid’s name has been making waves lately. He actually passed the life-or-death trial of the Marriage Robe Divine Technique and the Netherworld Dark Emperor Holy Statue. Quite impressive!" the Taiyin Sect’s Sect Leader, Yuu Kunlun, remarked. The Sect Leader himself was quite reserved. The Taiyin Sect’s strength stemmed from the sincere cooperation between the three martial brothers. Originally, Mo Chen was supposed to assume the role of Sect Leader, but both he and Zhang Bai believed the sect would only truly flourish in Yuu Kunlun’s hands, so they both stepped aside. After becoming Sect Leader, Yuu Kunlun had certainly not disappointed. He not only solidified the Taiyin Sect’s position but also cultivated outstanding disciples like Zou Chuang.

However, the Taiyin Sect had a huge hidden vulnerability: both Zhang Bai and Mo Chen were getting old. The sect’s most glorious and powerful era had passed. In contrast, the core experts of the sects ranked below them were all just over a hundred years old and in their prime. At a time like this, they couldn’t afford to lose even one of them. They needed to hold on for at least another decade to allow the Taiyin Sect’s younger generation to mature. Twenty or thirty years would be even safer.

But when it came to something like this, at their level of Cultivation, reversing the decline was impossible. Even the most miraculous Immortal Pills and Marvelous Medicines were useless.

Yet, Mo Chen had returned alive, and had even gained years of life out of thin air. For an expert at the Great Perfection realm, this was an inconceivable miracle.

"’Heaven-defying’... that’s a good choice of words. Wang Meng, aren’t you a Saint Cultivator?" Zhang Bai asked.

Wang Meng smiled. "Saint Cultivator, Demon Cultivator, or Evil Cultivator—honestly, I don’t care about any of it. I’m with the Holy Hall because that’s where I began. I am there, I like it there, and without it, I wouldn’t be who I am today."

"Well said!" Yuu Kunlun declared loudly. "I was originally going to try and persuade you to join our Taiyin Sect, but Brother Mo advised me not to. Still, I must say this: no matter the circumstances, the gates of the Taiyin Sect will always be open to you. No matter what!"

Although they hadn’t known each other for long, Yuu Kunlun was an incredibly shrewd man with a keen eye for talent, just as he had shown when he plucked Zou Chuang from a pile of so-called washouts years ago.

Cheng Cheng pouted. "Great-Grandpa, Second Grandpa, Grandpa Sect Leader, honestly! All you do is talk, and you won’t even let Big Brother have a sip of water."

As she spoke, she brought the teacup to Wang Meng. "When people get old, they get chatty. Don’t mind them."

Wang Meng broke into a cold sweat. ’This is considered chatty?’ But seeing the three elders looking on with such affectionate expressions, he could only conclude that the old truly dote on the young.

After Wang Meng took a sip of tea, Cheng Cheng ignored everyone else and leaned close to his ear again. "Big Brother, don’t let them fool you. These three old geezers are as cunning as demons; they’re definitely up to something. Great-Grandpa once told me, ’To be overly attentive for no reason means you’re either a scoundrel or a thief!’"

PFFT—

Wang Meng spat out his tea, spraying it right onto Xie Tianhua.

"I’m so sorry," Wang Meng said hastily.

Xie Tianhua quickly stepped back. "It’s nothing, Martial Uncle Wang! It would be fine even if you were to cut me a few times."

Mo Chen and the other two were utterly mortified. Truly, the mouths of babes. Sometimes, such brutal honesty was really too much to bear...

"Old Mo, if there’s something you want to say, just say it directly."

Wang Meng said this frankly, then had Cheng Cheng sit to the side. Little Cheng was very obedient and quietly moved to her spot.

Xie Tianhua felt like he’d seen it all today. ’This Wang Meng is just too charismatic. Princess Cheng is notoriously hard to please, but this is a whole new world today. If Zou Chuang found out about this, his jaw would probably drop off.’

In his heart, Mo Chen was actually praising Cheng Cheng for her cleverness. It would have been very awkward for them to bring the matter up themselves. Although it was a bit embarrassing to have Cheng Cheng blurt it out, it at least gave them an opening.

"Since you’ve asked, Younger Brother Wang, I won’t beat around the bush. But before I continue, I must make one thing clear: if this is too difficult for you, you absolutely must refuse!"

Mo Chen said gravely, "Here’s the situation. My junior brother failed in his attempt to break through to the next realm, and his lifespan has been greatly reduced. Our Taiyin Sect is at a critical juncture, transitioning between the old and new generations. Honestly, after all these years, we’ve come to terms with matters of life and death. But if you can help... the Taiyin Sect will be forever in your debt!"

Mo Chen, Zhang Bai, and Yuu Kunlun all looked toward Wang Meng. Mo Chen was being so cautious because he understood in his heart that an act that seized fortune from heaven and earth itself must have significant side effects, possibly even shortening Wang Meng’s own lifespan. Everything had been going so smoothly, but who could have predicted that Zhang Bai would fail? He had nearly fallen into a state of Qi deviation, which was what left him so decrepit. Mo Chen’s return was a joyous occasion, but if Zhang Bai were to perish, such a drastic emotional whiplash would be too much for the Taiyin Sect to bear.

Such is human nature. It’s one thing to have no hope at all, but to have that hope ignited only to have it snatched away is far too cruel.

Wang Meng didn’t agree immediately. ’In truth, ever since I figured out this use for the Life Wheel, it isn’t a huge deal for me. Changing fate is the ultimate taboo among all Cultivation Techniques, something almost no one dares to attempt. But I myself am the most heaven-defying existence there is. Punishment from the Celestial Dao? It’s nothing to me. I’m already shouldering the greatest punishment of all, so I couldn’t care less about a little more. I just have to make this seem like a difficult task. Otherwise, if word of this gets out, I’ll be in grave danger.’

Standing to the side, Xie Tianhua was deeply shaken. He didn’t know exactly what was happening, but he knew that the three pillars of the Taiyin Sect were now relying solely on Wang Meng. ’Does Wang Meng truly possess a technique that can reverse the course of fate?’

’To perform such a Secret Technique... what an immense amount of power that must require!’

Mo Chen knew that even though Wang Meng had said nothing when he performed the Heaven-Reaching Life Extension Skill, he had certainly paid a considerable price. Mo Chen was filled with gratitude. His decision to save Wang Meng back then had been made in a single moment, an act of karma that had now come full circle to save himself. As they say, every sip and every peck is preordained by fate.

Zhang Bai sighed. "Friend Wang, don’t put yourself in a difficult position. I’ve made my peace with it. Let’s just leave it to fate."

Since Zhang Bai had spoken, Wang Meng dropped his pretense. "Elder Zhang, Old Mo gave me a new lease on life. Since he is the one asking, as long as I have breath in my body, I will naturally do my utmost. However, I have no guarantee of success. If it goes badly, things could become even worse. Are you willing to try, Elder?"

There was no need to spell out the details in front of such people—things like them both losing their lives. They were all clever individuals. At this point, everyone understood the stakes.

Of course, Zhang Bai knew. This wasn’t just about his own life and death; it concerned the great future of the Taiyin Sect. The sects just below them were gaining ground aggressively. He had to hold on.

"Friend Wang, what are your chances of success?"

Wang Meng pondered for a moment. "Elder, may I examine you first?"

"Of course."

When Wang Meng had changed Mo Chen’s fate, it had worked because Mo Chen’s foundation was solid and his mental state had already reached a place of ease, naturally tilting things toward a positive outcome. But the current Zhang Bai had an ashen complexion. It was clear the failed breakthrough had dealt a heavy blow to his spirit. With such a mindset, even if his fate were to be changed, it would likely only lead to another failure, which would inevitably bring about an even worse result.

Wang Meng’s Heart Spirit probed Zhang Bai’s physical condition. Unlike Mo Chen’s natural state at the time, Zhang Bai’s body was in a negative state. This was far from good.

Seeing Wang Meng frown, Yuu Kunlun’s expression also grew grave. "Friend Wang, no matter the price, as long as you can save Senior Brother Zhang, our Taiyin Sect is willing to give anything!"