Chapter 470: Chapter 453: Crispy on the Outside, Tender on the Inside
Hu Jing and Yang Ying had spoken about it before. Although they wanted to fight alongside Wang Meng, it was obvious that he was getting further and further ahead. If they followed him, they would only become a burden. That was just how things were in the Cultivation Realm.
Sometimes, letting go was the only way to truly cherish something.
That was why Yang Ying hadn’t gone, and why Hu Jing had never said a word about it when Wang Meng returned. It wasn’t that they didn’t long for a larger world, but that they cared more about Wang Meng.
The world outside was vast and exciting, but by the same token, it held more challenges and greater dangers.
At times, Hu Jing even thought that Wang Meng would never come back, especially during the years when there was no news of him at all. She worked hard to manage Thunderlight Hall, but it all felt like it was just out of a lingering attachment.
The promise they had made back then now felt like a dream.
Back then, the three of them were still mortals. They had promised to stay together in the Small Thousand World, no matter what, and to never let anything change their friendship.
Looking back, it seemed like such a naive promise. In a world like this, under these rules, keeping it was harder than climbing to the heavens.
They had faced many hardships together and overcome them all, but it wasn’t difficulty that tore people apart—it was their differing paces.
But Wang Meng had returned.
Even while struggling alone in the Great Yuan Realm, Wang Meng had never forgotten them. He had been constantly working toward a way to bring them along with him.
It was an exhausting, thankless task. To be honest, Hu Jing herself had given up, as had everyone else. No one blamed Wang Meng—in fact, "blame" wasn’t even the right word. Everyone’s fate was their own. Some were destined to rise, some to fall, and some to stay right where they were.
But Wang Meng was just that kind of incredible person. He had come back again.
He had dropped 3.6 million in resources just like that, without a moment’s hesitation.
All for the sake of others.
There really were such foolish men in this world.
An unnatural phenomenon appeared in the Dragon Transformation Pool. Half of it boiled while the other half froze over. The smile that graced Hu Jing’s face was enough to melt any man’s heart.
But she had met this foolish man, and so she had become a fool herself.
The waiting crowd also sensed that something was different. Wang Meng stood up, his heart filled with anticipation. Hu Jing’s situation no longer needed the Life Wheel to change anything, because all she had ever needed was an opportunity.
’I’ve always been the one troubling Hu Jing.’
This was the sign of a breakthrough.
A Celestial Tribulation was forming, but its power was being continuously absorbed by the Dragon Pearl. The Dragon Pearl was a divine artifact of the Dragon Race; who would have thought it could absorb the power of a Celestial Tribulation? Of course, this was only because the tribulation for the Minor Perfection stage was relatively weak. A tribulation for the Great Perfection stage would be impossible for the Dragon Pearl to withstand.
"Boss, you should get in there! We need to make sure everything goes perfectly!"
This was the most critical moment. With Wang Meng acting as her guardian, success was assured. Zhang Xiaojiang was already urging him on anxiously.
The relationship between the three of them was unique. Liuu Mei felt a bit helpless about it. Although she was Zhang Xiaojiang’s woman, it was obvious that Hu Jing’s words carried more weight with him than hers did. Liuu Mei had thrown a few small tantrums in the past, but she had quickly gotten used to it. The bond between the three friends had been forged in childhood; it wasn’t something a newcomer could interfere with.
People will always make new friends, but old friends are, after all, old friends.
Wang Meng entered the Dragon Transformation Hall. Everyone outside, from Zhang Xiaojiang and the others who had already finished their transformations to the elite disciples of the Holy Hall’s younger generation who were witnessing a legend and practically bursting with excitement, was both nervous and thrilled.
Having taken the longest time, what would Senior Sister Hu Jing look like when she finally emerged?
Wang Meng walked inside and was stunned by the scene before him.
A completely naked Hu Jing was suspended in mid-air. The Elemental Power in the Dragon Transformation Pool had vanished completely; it was the last of the resources here. Everything that could be used had been, and it had probably only been just enough for Hu Jing.
Hu Jing simply gazed at Wang Meng without the slightest hint of shyness. Wang Meng, too, appreciated her form openly, without a trace of profanity in his gaze.
Hu Jing’s Holy Statue was slowly taking shape. It was a vast sea, from which a woman in white robes was rising, holding a fiery red bottle in her hand.
It was rare for a human figure to appear in a Holy Statue. According to what was known in the Star Alliance, if a human figure did appear, it was certainly in the realm of the divine.
At this moment, Hu Jing herself seemed to carry a divine aura. Like a Fairy, she descended slowly from the air, walking step by step until she stood before Wang Meng.
Wang Meng wrapped the clothes he had prepared around Hu Jing. As her beautiful, pure body disappeared beneath the fabric, even the gods would have felt a pang of jealousy.
Neither of them spoke. At a time like this, words were superfluous. Wang Meng gently kissed Hu Jing’s forehead. Hu Jing leaned quietly against him, savoring the moment.
The people outside were getting anxious. ’What in the world is going on?’ The Dragon Pearl was different from before, continuously absorbing the Celestial Tribulation, and now it was radiating a brilliant light from within.
It was clear that Hu Jing’s power this time was more than sufficient, but why hadn’t she come out after so long? ’Please don’t let there be any accidents.’
However, Wang Meng and Hu Jing didn’t keep them waiting long. The moment Hu Jing emerged, the crowd’s excited chatter came to an abrupt halt. It was still Hu Jing, but they felt that something... had been added.
Zhang Xiaojiang was about to rush forward for a big hug when he suddenly froze, staring at Hu Jing. "Jingjing... how did you get so... ethereal? You’ve gotten even more beautiful."
Hu Jing shot a glare at Zhang Xiaojiang. In the past, that glare had been quite intimidating, and while it still was, the feeling was different now. That piercing, all-seeing glance was breathtakingly beautiful.
For Cultivators, temperament was indeed incredibly important. With the birth of her Holy Statue, Hu Jing had been completely reborn. She had officially stepped into the ranks of true Cultivators, no longer just a struggling practitioner in the mortal world.
"Senior Sister, what did you end up cultivating?"
"Yeah, let us see!"
The recent events had been one shock after another for everyone.
Wang Meng smiled, then paused slightly. "Perhaps tonight will be even more lively. Little Jing, get everyone ready to greet our guests."
Just then, the bells signaling an enemy attack rang throughout the Holy Hall. The enemy had come not only quickly but ferociously, having already stormed their way to the Holy Mountain in an instant.
The Defense Array hadn’t been of much use, because their opponents were simply too powerful.
Celestial Demon strode forward. Long, long ago, he had imagined this day—walking upon the Holy Hall’s Holy Mountain, looking down upon the Four Directions Small Thousand World. And tonight, it was all coming true.
Zhou Luodan had made preparations, but she still hadn’t expected the Ten Thousand Demons Sect to attack with such ferocity.
The moment the Mountain Protection Array was breached, Zhou Luodan sent out a distress signal as everyone rushed to the Holy Mountain to intercept the members of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
But they were still shocked by the scene that greeted them.
The Ten Thousand Demons Sect had mobilized its entire elite force. They were clearly planning to either succeed or die trying.
Zhou Luodan and the others truly hadn’t expected Celestial Demon to be so tyrannical.
Seeing Zhou Luodan, Yang Yingtian, and the others, Celestial Demon didn’t rush to attack. Instead, a smile touched his lips.
"Brother Yingtian, what made you make such an unwise choice? If you come back to my side now, I will still give Yang Family Castle a chance."
A look of regret appeared on Celestial Demon’s pale face.
Zhou Luodan’s heart sank. The Ten Thousand Demons Sect had their Three Great Demons, Eight Great Guardians, and Sixteen Demon Generals, while their own side was short-handed. If Yang Yingtian were to defect at this moment, all hope would truly be lost.
Just as she feared, Yang Yingtian and Yang Molong took one look at the enemy’s lineup and knew that they were probably finished today.
"Sect Leader, in truth, this old man had no choice," Yang Yingtian said with a sigh. "My good-for-nothing granddaughter insisted on following Wang Meng, and she is, after all, of the Yang Family’s blood. The bond of family remains even if bones are broken."
Celestial Demon chuckled. "I know. How could I not understand? I can let Yang Ying off. Away from Wang Meng, she will have a much better future."
"Molong, you are in charge of the Yang Family now. You decide what to do. The fate of the Yang Family is in your hands."
Yang Molong looked at Yang Yingtian, then at the smiling Celestial Demon, genuinely unsure of what to do. The key thing was that Yang Yingtian had just passed the buck to him. ’This isn’t right.’
But then he saw the look in Yang Yingtian’s eyes and instantly understood. Experience really does come with age. Stall for time!
"Sect Leader Celestial Demon, if we return to your side, can you swear to guarantee the glory of our Yang Family Castle?" Yang Molong asked.
"Heh, of course!"
"Words alone are no proof. The Sect Leader must offer some kind of guarantee," Yang Molong said, shaking his head.
Suddenly, Celestial Demon laughed. "Yang Yingtian, it seems you’re dead set on this path. Do you really think stalling for time will work? All roads to the Great Yuan Realm have been sealed off. Do you think a few of you can stop me?"
Zhou Luodan, Wu Fatian, Ma Hezi, Zhao Tianlong, plus Yang Yingtian, Yang Molong, and a dozen or so Elders were completely outmatched by the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s forces.
"It wasn’t easy for you to reach your current level of Cultivation. I’ll give you a chance now. Surrender to me and become a part of my Ten Thousand Demons Sect. I can spare everyone... except for Wang Meng!"
He paused, killing intent burning in his eyes. The aura of a Great Perfection master enveloped the entire area. Zhou Luodan and the others immediately found it difficult to breathe. Without a Great Perfection expert on their side, it was an impossible situation, even if Zhao Xinglun himself were to arrive.
As for Yang Jian and the others, they might show their support for Wang Meng and offer some help, but they would never intervene in something like this. The struggle between sects was about survival of the fittest. The Holy Hall was the Holy Hall, and the Celestial Rainbow Sect was the Celestial Rainbow Sect. Sect wars were bound by rules that could not be easily broken.
Besides, if Wang Meng couldn’t even resolve the problems in his own Small Thousand World, others would honestly look down on him.
If Wang Meng wanted to enter the game, to become a member of Snow Moon City and have a voice, he had to accomplish something substantial. Otherwise, the other Sect Leaders of Snow Moon City would not show him any respect.
Yang Jian also intended this to be a test. On this matter, the Taiyin Sect also made no move.
The Ten Thousand Demons Sect was neither overwhelmingly strong nor particularly weak. He wanted to see if Wang Meng could make full use of his advantages. There was always more than one solution to any problem, and he was eager to see which one Wang Meng would choose.
In the eyes of Yang Jian and all the other observers, the best-case scenario for Wang Meng was to preserve his strength and leverage the Star Alliance, including his personal relationships.
「At the Dharma Flower Sect」
"Old man, are you going or not? If you don’t go, I will! If I die there, there’ll be no one left to see you off!" Fan Hong roared.
Fan Ru glanced coolly at Fan Hong. "You damn brat, aren’t you afraid of being struck by lightning for cursing your own father like that?"
"That’s not it! The damn Ten Thousand Demons Sect has a Great Perfection expert! No matter how strong Wang Meng and the others are, they can’t stop that!"
Fan Hong was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan. He had a lot of faith in Wang Meng, but there was no way he could fight someone so far above his level.
————————
On the 21st, the *Holy Hall* online game is starting its open beta! Since it’s a beta test, there might be some issues during the testing period, but I hope all you readers will show your support and be patient! If you can, please raise lots of questions and suggestions. I believe that with our efforts, the game will get better and better! This is Skeleton Elf’s first novel to be adapted into a major game, and I’m so excited! Everyone must come and show your support. I’ll hop on and play with you all when I have time! Remember to join the reader game group: 237444024, and then register at this address http://st.mayiyou.com/1 for a chance to get the exclusive, out-of-print Demon Pet modeled after me, the "Skeleton Elf"! *Holy Hall* readers get exclusive GM support, so what are you waiting for? Let’s go! There will be an explosive update on the 21st! Stay tuned! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)