Chapter 477: Chapter 460: Airdrop
Yi Fan’s excitement came to an abrupt halt. "A rival?"
Bu Qingyun didn’t look at Yi Fan. He gazed into the distance. "The Star Alliance’s system pits two great factions against each other—Saint Cultivators and Demon Cultivators. In reality, though, the Star Alliance maintains a tight balance. Under these circumstances, the internal competition among Saint Cultivators is probably even more intense."
The conflict between Saint and Demon established by the Star Alliance isn’t meant for one side to annihilate the other. It follows the cruel laws of Cultivation, aiming for survival of the fittest. It’s not about one side truly overwhelming the other. If that day ever came, it would mean the end of everything.
Of course, there will always be a power struggle between Saint and Demon. The stronger side gets better opportunities for development. But internally, there also needs to be competition.
There are only so many experts in the younger generation. Among the Saint Cultivators, Bu Qingyun used to reign supreme. Although he doesn’t possess a Holy Statue, his Life Artifact is far stronger than one. Holy Statues just get more attention because they’re flashier and more eye-catching, but battles are won with real strength.
Bu Qingyun quite enjoyed his current, underestimated state.
That was until Wang Meng’s appearance. The battle for the Other Shore will be a decisive conflict that determines the rankings of the younger generation. Whether they’ve been hiding their strength or showing it off, everyone will have to reveal their true abilities in that battle.
With the Star Alliance promoting it so heavily, no one can afford to hold back. There are too many interests at stake.
"Yi Fan, perhaps it’s time for me to get moving too. Otherwise, people will really start to look down on our Cyan Cloud Sect!"
Bu Qingyun had remained calm through Jii Wanli’s arrogance, Lin Jinghao’s nonconformity, and even Mingren’s sudden rise. But Wang Meng was different. There was an indescribable passion about Wang Meng, and perhaps he himself had been infected by it.
Bu Qingyun smiled faintly. ’This world is really about to get lively.’
「No Illusion Demon Sect.」
A roar echoed as the sky filled with Demonic Qi. It was followed by an explosion, and Lin Jinghao walked out.
"Congratulations, Young Master! My heartiest congratulations! In another year or two, this old servant will no longer be a match for you."
The speaker was a scrawny little old man, but if he were out in the world, his reputation would likely be no less than that of the No Illusion Demon Sect’s own Demon Lord.
"Uncle Shi, you praise me too much. I’ve only just adapted to this transformation."
Shi Dan smiled faintly. "Heh heh, your Demon Dragon Body is already unparalleled in this era. It has no equal!"
Lin Jinghao smiled faintly as well. "Heh, I’m afraid it’s not that simple. The Holy Light Demon Collapse Body, the Dragon Emperor Body, and Bu Qingyun... none of them are to be trifled with. I haven’t stopped improving, but they haven’t been idle either."
Shi Dan simply nodded. "Young Master, for you to think this way means your final flaw has vanished."
"I truly look forward to the battle for the Other Shore arriving soon."
"Heh heh, this old servant is also waiting for the day the Young Master reaches the summit. I’ve heard that this time, besides Mingren from the Pure Land, the Demon Race will also be participating."
"Then it will be all the more interesting, won’t it?"
"Indeed."
Lin Jinghao gazed at the sky as the Demonic Qi dissipated. ’If I reach the summit in this battle for the Other Shore, will I have the chance to be a good person?’
’Sigh, why is it so hard to be a good person?’
「Pure Land.」
The Five Elements Tribulation. Mingren had already completed the first level. To fight Wang Meng, his Five Elements Body had to be taken into account.
"Your Highness, word has come. Wang Meng borrowed the power of the Dragon Pearl to defeat the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s Celestial Demon. He used the Dragon Emperor Holy Statue, and its abilities are very likely related to the Law of Space. However, it appears he cannot control it."
Hearing this, Mingren smiled faintly. "Three years is enough time for him to master it."
’Space?’
’No wonder he has so much confidence. Dragon Power combined with the Law of Space... But Wang Meng, you absolutely cannot stop there. If this is all you have, I’ll be sorely disappointed.’
Ji Guang’s eyes were filled with dismissive pride. The Power of Laws was just sitting there for the taking. Borrowing a sliver of it didn’t mean you *were* the Law!
Others were afraid because they were ignorant and weak. No one in the Pure Land would pay it any mind.
If he had managed to kill the Celestial Demon with his own power, it might have been a little interesting. But to rely on borrowing the Dragon Pearl, an external object of that sort, was nothing worthy of praise.
As if seeing through Ji Guang’s thoughts, Mingren said, "Lord Ji, you don’t understand Wang Meng at all. This is definitely not the full extent of his abilities."
From their time in the Holy Hall, Wang Meng had always been at the forefront, while Mingren had always been silently in the background. Who could possibly understand Wang Meng better than Mingren?
Probably not even Wang Meng himself.
Some things seep into your very bones. Unconsciously, everything you do will follow a certain pattern.
"Lord Ji, I have a favor to ask of you."
"Heh heh, please speak, Your Highness."
"Put some pressure on Snow Moon City," Mingren said.
Ji Guang froze for a moment, then it dawned on him. "An excellent move, Your Highness. Let him struggle in the whirlpool of a power struggle."
Mingren smiled, a smile as warm as the sun, and shook his head. "He’s the type who grows stronger with every setback. I can’t have him relaxing."
Ji Guang was speechless. ’Just what kind of people are these...’
The Starlight Cultivation Academy also welcomed a new batch of Cultivators. Everyone knew they were from the Holy Hall. It was a changing of the guard; Wang Meng and the others had already left the Cultivation Academy, but their forces there still needed to be replenished.
Hex Zui was still acting as their guide. He was a veteran of the Holy Hall, but his talent was somewhat lacking, so he hadn’t entered the Dragon Transformation Pool. He continued to manage the Holy Hall Faction.
The disciples selected to enter the Cultivation Academy this time were also those who had been chosen for the Dragon Transformation Hall but hadn’t entered the Dragon Transformation Pool. They needed to temper themselves at the Cultivation Academy for a few years.
Wang Meng’s current situation was the same as Ling Fei’s and the others; he could come and go from the Cultivation Academy as he pleased, especially given his relationship with Lv Yuantian.
And wouldn’t you know it, Master Wang was currently at Dean Lv’s, sipping tea. Master Wang’s treatment was different from before; at least he was offered something to drink now.
"Dean, what kind of tea is this? Do you have any more? Let me take a few packs back with me."
Wang Meng said.
Lv Yuantian shot him a glare. "A few packs? Are you going to eat it like a meal? You can’t find this stuff in the Small Thousand Realm!"
"Ah, it’s that precious?" Wang Meng just thought it tasted good and was unique.
Lv Yuantian had a nostalgic look on his face. "Every sip means there’s a little less. I’ll wrap some up for you in a bit."
"You’re too generous, Dean! I’m almost embarrassed."
"Oh, please. You, embarrassed? Consider it a reward for your performance this time. I’d give it a nine out of ten."
Lv Yuantian was referring to Wang Meng’s handling of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect affair, which was executed quite beautifully. Earning a nine out of ten from Lv Yuantian was truly a rare feat.
"That’s only because of your excellent guidance, Dean. So, in the future, our Holy Hall disciples will still need to rely on your care."
Master Wang was definitely the type to take any opportunity given. Outsiders might think that Wang Meng, with his youthful success, would surely be arrogant and conceited—the kind of person who is overbearing and difficult to approach. But Lv Yuantian had to admit, Wang Meng had been this way from the beginning, and he hadn’t changed a bit.
"You, you just know how to cause trouble for me. It’s not just one or two Sects that have protested. Can’t you take things one step at a time?"
"No can do, there’s no time for that. Besides, this is all to strengthen the Star Alliance! The Holy Hall is the glorious banner of the Star Alliance now, so a little special treatment is justifiable. If anyone is jealous, tell them to come argue with me."
Although his strength had greatly improved, Master Wang’s shamelessness had also become increasingly refined.
This kind of tactic was most effective against someone of Dean Lv’s level. It wasn’t too soft or too hard, but it was persistent.
"The aptitude test results for this batch of kids are out, and they’re really quite good. It makes me a little curious. What kind of blessed land is the Holy Hall to produce so many promising young talents?"
Lv Yuantian was genuinely curious. Including Mingren, the Holy Hall had now produced six Holy Statues. On the surface, this was already the best record. Other Sects had them too, but none had seen such an explosive emergence in such a short time.
Beyond that, the few with Life Artifacts were also each unique. There was one named Suo Ming in particular whose Life Artifact could actually use Forbidden Magic. This was a simply inconceivable ability. It was only because Suo Ming’s current level was relatively low; given time to grow, he would truly become a formidable figure.
These people were also currently members of the Starlight Cultivation Academy. However, with the situation in the Slaughter Space being so tense, their time at the academy wasn’t fixed. This was a "backdoor" arranged by Lv Yuantian, who also wanted to study these individuals.
For Hu Jing and the others, getting familiar with the Cultivation Academy would be quite helpful for their battles in the Slaughter Space.
While Wang Meng and Lv Yuantian were casually chatting over tea, the Cultivation Academy was in an uproar.
Four Holy Statues had descended upon the Starlight Academy. It was unprecedented. Possessing the power of a Minor Perfection Holy Statue without ever having gone through the Cultivation Academy was exceptionally rare.
If Hu Jing and her group were considered the first tier of the Holy Hall, then the group led by Anx Dao and Youn Yuqing was the second tier.
The performance of Anx Dao, Youn Yuqing, and their group was decent, but not astonishing. However, no one dared to look down on them, because they came from the Holy Hall.
Hex Zui led everyone through the "placement" test. As their Senior, Hex Zui felt quite proud. He had now taken over from Wang Meng as the leader of the Holy Hall Faction. This was a heavy responsibility for him. Hex Zui was also clear about his own place; in terms of strength, he would have to build it up slowly. He might not be the strongest, but he was extremely important to the Holy Hall. Only under his guidance could the new forces grow smoothly. Wang Meng had also entrusted him with this important task.
At the Cultivation Academy, all Holy Hall disciples were to listen to Hex Zui.
Unlike Anx Dao and Youn Yuqing’s group, this was the first time for Hu Jing and the others at the Cultivation Academy, yet they were already famous.
Hu Jing, in particular, was the center of attention. The Star Alliance was currently evaluating her Holy Statue. Hu Jing’s Dawn Goddess Holy Statue was very likely to become the third among the Ten Great Holy Statues, after Mingren’s and Wang Meng’s.
The Holy Hall was only ranked thirty-sixth, but all eyes in the Star Alliance were on this miraculous Sect. It was practically mass-producing Holy Statues!
Some even suspected what kind of relationship the Holy Hall truly had with the Star Alliance.
With the appearance of four Holy Statues, the Cultivation Academy couldn’t help but be in an uproar. The brilliance of the so-called "three giants" was completely overshadowed.
Although you couldn’t say their individual strengths were greater than Ling Fei’s, you couldn’t argue with the fact that they all came from a single Sect.
The purpose of Hu Jing and the others was also clear. They were here to absorb the essence of the Star Alliance’s Cultivation system. Although what was taught here was relatively basic, it was still very important for them.
Hex Zui had already done his homework, arranging a path for Hu Jing and the others. Everything was taken care of, and disciples from the Holy Hall Faction would accompany them to provide assistance at any time.