I Pick up a Lost Godhood

When faced with the same Array Technique, Wang Meng could break it but not understand it. Hu Jing was different; she knew not only how it worked but also the principles behind it.

After cracking an Array Technique, she would create a Talisman to record it, adding it to the Holy Hall’s collection of Array Techniques.

In fact, from the very first day she set foot in the Holy Hall, Hu Jing had started keeping her own cultivation journal, which she maintained to this day.

In it, she analyzed and recorded—from an observer’s perspective—how to cultivate, how to face one bottleneck after another, and how to overcome personal difficulties when they arose.

Of course, it also held a few secrets: the softest, most vulnerable side of her heart, not meant to be shared with anyone else.

Hu Jing’s philosophy was that one day, when the time was right, she would share the chronicle of her cultivation journey with the Holy Hall Disciples for them to learn from.

The Holy Hall was, in essence, similar to the Star Alliance. It established a system, then allowed its disciples to choose what suited them best. The goal was not replication, but to surpass.

Under the moonlight, their shadows seemed to want to merge into one but always maintained a certain distance.

A connection that transcended the physical...

Three years was not a short time for a Cultivator, especially with the Star Alliance’s expansion and the Demon Race’s entry into the mortal world. A new major event seemed to occur almost every month.

The era when the so-called "Eight Human Princes" enjoyed boundless glory was long gone, never to return.

If you asked who was the strongest now, every Cultivator had a firm answer, yet there was no consensus. The top contenders were simply too powerful, so everyone had their own unshakeable favorite.

With the Battle of the Other Shore imminent, the Immortal Commerce was far from idle. The Demon Race’s arrival was also a boon for them; scarcity and power always created business opportunities.

Merchants could always build a bridge between any two parties.

Princess Linglong of the Dragon Race was, without a doubt, ranked number one. A year ago, Dragon City was completed in the Great Yuan Realm. The Dragon Emperor himself did not attend, making Princess Linglong the de facto host. Hundreds of Giant Dragons from various lines appeared in Dragon City—truly an unprecedented spectacle!

Dragon City hadn’t been built; it had materialized out of thin air. Rumor had it that the Dragon Emperor had used the Great Qiankun Space Technique, once again displaying his invincible might as one of the world’s four great powerhouses.

The scene of Princess Linglong receiving the homage of the Giant Dragons was something no Cultivator who witnessed it would ever forget.

The Dragon Race was famous for its powerful bloodline. And considering what had happened to Wu Wang, it was only natural for Princess Linglong to be ranked first.

In second place was the Holy Spirit King—Ming. He was clearly the one who would one day inherit the title of Lord of Pure Land. Ming himself had yet to make a move, but the power of experts like the Tiger King and other members of the Demon Race had already been demonstrated.

In third place was Mingren. The Small Thousand Worlds could no longer contain his Holy Light Demon Collapse Body. A year ago, a rebellion had broken out in a Small Thousand Realm. Led by a Great Perfection master, the rebels formed the Immortal Alliance and slaughtered every last Star Alliance member in the Light Continent Little Thousand World.

This sort of affair was usually handled by the Pure Land, but they sent only Mingren. Three months later, the Immortal Alliance had completely collapsed.

And keep in mind, the Immortal Alliance had a Great Perfection master among its ranks.

In fourth place was Lin Jinghao. Facing immense pressure from the Dragon Race and the Demon Race, Lin Jinghao finally took action. He defeated the arrogant Tiger King Lishan, which was a huge morale boost for Human Cultivators and took some of the wind out of the Demon Race’s sails.

These four were undoubtedly the ones with the most momentum right now. Others, like Jii Wanli, had either ceased their activities or were lying low and biding their time.

At least, Jii Wanli, who had always loved to stir up trouble, hadn’t been seen since his "spar" with the Leopard King.

Of course, there was still Zou Chuang and Wu Wang. But their three-year pact was almost up, and they would have to emerge.

No Sect could avoid this battle. Everyone understood the deep implications it held.

The Demon Race’s demand was simple: Human Cultivators had to display sufficient strength. Otherwise, why couldn’t one of the Demon Race become the Master of Star Alliance?

One name, it seemed, had been absent for a long time: the Holy Hall. Three years was more than enough time for people to forget.

Especially with so many powerful and glorious figures recently emerging, many had forgotten all about it.

Aside from Hu Jing and a few others who occasionally traveled between the Cultivation Academy and the Immortal Spirit Space, Wang Meng’s group had remained in the Immortal Spirit Space for three full years.

Yang Jian knew it was time to call Wang Meng out. He hadn’t seen him in a year.

The Taiyin Sect continued to pay the fees. With the Battle of the Other Shore approaching, the various Sect Leaders had lost interest in visiting the Immortal Spirit Secret Realm. They were all focused on training their disciples, and there was no shortage of places for that. Yang Jian also had to focus on his own preparations. Coupled with the Taiyin Sect’s ongoing support, everyone was content with the arrangement. If it hadn’t been for Xie Tianhua’s sudden visit, Yang Jian might have forgotten all about them.

So much had happened in these three years. So many earth-shattering figures had appeared. How many people even remembered Wang Meng?

But Yang Jian suddenly felt his heart swell with anticipation. ’What are they like now?’

At his side, Xie Tianhua had also become more composed after three years of tempering. A faint mustache now graced his upper lip, making him seem much more mature. For the past three years, Xie Tianhua had been responsible for nearly all of the Taiyin Sect’s external affairs, which he managed in an orderly fashion. His reliable character stood out all the more, especially after Jii Wanli’s sudden disappearance from the scene.

These had been three earth-shaking years. Things were different now. Xie Tianhua felt a mixture of anticipation and worry.

The changes in the outside world over these years had been immense, especially with the Dragon Race and Demon Race making their debut. The elites of the younger generation were receiving an unprecedented level of support from their respective Sects.

’Under these circumstances, what have Martial Uncle Wang and the others become? They’ve had basically no support, forced to cultivate while simultaneously developing a dilapidated Secret Realm.’

"The conditions for the Battle of the Other Shore have been relaxed due to the Dragon Race and Demon Race joining. Now, almost anyone can participate. Tianhua, what are your thoughts?" Yang Jian asked.

Xie Tianhua wore a humble smile. "The Star Alliance is likely trying to counterbalance the Demon Race. By relaxing the conditions, they’re allowing Sect Leaders from lower-ranked Star Alliance Sects to participate as well."

The Star Alliance had no choice. The Dragon Race and Demon Race were simply too powerful. Famous experts of the older generation, like Yang Jian, couldn’t deign to participate, but now some Sect Leaders or Elders from Star Alliance sects ranked outside the top one hundred were eligible.

Some Sect Leaders would certainly be too proud to join, but there would always be those willing to participate, adding many new variables to the equation.

"Heh, you’re just skirting the issue, kid," Yang Jian said, unsatisfied with the answer.

Xie Tianhua just smiled faintly and didn’t elaborate. Some things could only be settled on the Dueling Platform.

From his expression, it was clear Xie Tianhua was full of confidence. Confidence stemmed from strength.

The light of an array flashed.

The two appeared in the sky above the Immortal Spirit Secret Realm, only to be completely stunned by the sight before them.

...So utterly dilapidated...

The entire Immortal Spirit Secret Realm seemed to be in a highly unstable state. Gazing into the distance, they could see what looked like signs of a recent battle.

’How could this be?’

Suddenly, a fatty shot up from the ground. Upon seeing the two of them, he broke into a wide grin. His clothes were in tatters.

"Well, if it isn’t the City Lord. What brings you strolling around here?"

The fatty looked battered, but his smile was radiant. He was even happier to see Xie Tianhua. "Brother Xie, you’re too late! If you had come a few days earlier, you could’ve at least caught the finale."

"We’re here to see Wang Meng," Yang Jian said. "The Battle of the Other Shore is about to begin. Your Holy Hall needs to prepare."

(My double monthly pass event is starting! I’m calling on all you champions for support! The Holy Hall Beings are about to go all out, and the plot going forward will be absolutely action-packed! So, my brothers and sisters, I’m asking for your support with those double monthly passes! One pass counts as two—it’s just like a Critical Strike, totally OP!!!) (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with your recommendation and monthly passes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)