I Pick up a Lost Godhood-Chapter 94 - 92: What, the Ancestral Master is Arriving?
Zhao Tianlong smiled faintly. "What is it? Is there somewhere you want to go?"
"Ancestral Master, I’d like to go see Thunderlight Hall. I heard it’s very interesting," Zhao Lingxuan said in a small voice. The truth was, she was a little afraid of Zhao Tianlong.
Zhao Tianlong was known for governing his family with a strict hand, and even among all the Ancestral Masters, he was renowned for his severity. This was likely related to Artifact Refining. A tiny error could lead to a monumental mistake. In Alchemy, a slight misstep might only result in a less effective pill, but in Artifact Refining, the slightest flaw would render the entire piece useless.
"Your reason." Zhao Tianlong was in a good mood today, but ’it’s best this girl never has anything to do with that sort of place.’
"Ancestral Master, while we must pay attention to Dao Guang Hall, which represents the highest standard, we should also show some concern for Thunderlight Hall. Brother Ning, isn’t that right?"
Zhao Lingxuan asked innocently. Her pure, guileless expression would make it impossible for anyone to bear deceiving her.
"Junior Sister, you already know to look at the bigger picture. You’re much better than me. I also bear some responsibility for Thunderlight Hall’s decline," Ning Zhiquan sighed.
"There’s no need to blame yourself. Cultivation has always been about the survival of the fittest, and Saint Cultivators are no exception. But since we’re already here, there’s no harm in taking a look. It’s time to make a decisive move on some matters."
Zhao Tianlong said coolly.
After Zhao Tianlong left with Zhao Lingxuan, the disciples of Dao Guang Hall seemed to be able to breathe normally again. Among all the Ancestral Masters, Zhao Tianlong’s aura was the most powerful, and every time, it was so oppressive that everyone could barely breathe. This made them admire Brother Ning even more, for he could still chat and laugh with ease.
"Senior, Thunderlight Hall is in for it this time. Ancestor Master Zhao is famously strict. This might be the end of Thunderlight Hall."
Gongsun Wuqing said with a smile, "Junior Brother Zhao, congratulations."
"The Ancestral Master’s praise was undeserved. I am still overwhelmed."
"Let’s open it up and let everyone in before Ancestor Master Ma arrives," Ning Zhiquan said.
A few of the Dao Guang Hall disciples had strange expressions. Gongsun Wuqing’s face hardened. "Did you not hear what Senior said?"
"Senior Brother, it’s strange... there’s hardly anyone outside..."
Having made a full circle and returned to their spot, Hu Jing and the others were completely demoralized. The disciples of Thunderlight Hall all stared at them eagerly, but one look at their faces and nothing needed to be said.
Hu Jing bit her lip and forced a smile. "We’ll hold down the fort here. Anyone who wants to go out and look around, feel free."
Zhang Xiaojiang, on the other hand, plopped down into a chair, his spirits low. It’s not about being unable to recognize quality, it’s about the pain of comparison. If Zhang Xiaojiang didn’t have a discerning eye, it might have been better. The problem was, he could see the gap between them all too clearly. With no confidence, how could he act cocky?
Ma Tian’Er opened her mouth but couldn’t find any encouraging words. The gap between them was undeniable. But seeing everyone’s morale so low, Ma Tian’Er felt she couldn’t let it continue. "I’ll have Little Cutie dance for everyone! It’s one of its specialties."
A Red Roar... dancing?
Ma Tian’Er was just trying to liven things up. They couldn’t just sit there like this. After all, disciples from other halls would occasionally stop by, and it wouldn’t do for their area to be so gloomy and lifeless.
"Hu Jing, you and the others don’t need to blame yourselves. We all knew there was a gap. This isn’t our first Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting. To be honest, I was mentally prepared when I came. We have a gap, yes, but it’s only temporary! I came here today to be embarrassed! Once I’ve had my fill of embarrassment, I’ll go back and train my ass off, and next time, I’ll win our reputation back!"
A Body Cultivation Disciple said.
Another Pill Cultivator shot to his feet. "That’s right! You’ve all done more than enough! So what if we get embarrassed? It’s not like I haven’t lost face before!"
"Exactly! The Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting is about showing what you’ve got. As long as we do our best, that’s all that matters! Who’s afraid of who? Let’s get some life in here! We can’t let the other halls laugh at us!"
"Yeah, that’s right!"
Hu Jing and Zhang Xiaojiang were stunned. Looking at the passionate crowd, their hearts suddenly warmed.
"Right! Since we’re here, we have to make the most of this Hall Meeting!"
Hu Jing returned to her normal self. ’How could this little bit of pressure break me?’
Just then, Little Stutterer Zheng Shuang rushed in, panting. "Quick, quick! Get ready! Ancestor Master Zhou is almost here!"
"Who? Who did you say?" Zhou Qian froze for a moment, the first to react.
"It’s Ancestor Master Zhou Luodan! Who else could it be? We don’t have another Ancestor Master Zhou!"
Little Stutterer’s face was flushed with excitement. Even though he didn’t stutter anymore, everyone was still used to the old nickname.
Instantly, the entire Thunderlight Hall erupted in cheers. If Ancestor Master Lei’s visit could be considered a gesture of respect for old times, then Ancestor Master Zhou’s arrival was a completely unexpected and wonderful surprise.
Before long, Zhou Luodan and her party arrived at the Thunderlight Hall’s meeting area.
"This place is a little hard to find," Zhou Luodan said with a smile.
"Some people these days treat Thunderlight Hall like it’s a stepchild. I just don’t get it. We’re all part of the Holy Hall. Instead of thinking about how to save it, how can they kick it while it’s down?"
Zhou Feng hadn’t expected Thunderlight Hall to be assigned to such a rundown place and couldn’t help but lose his temper.
Hu Jing led the disciples of Thunderlight Hall out to greet them. "Disciple Hu Jing pays her respects to the Ancestral Master."
"Hehe, so you’re Hu Jing. I’ve heard Zhao Ya mention you. Such a bright and charming girl."
Being praised like that by an Ancestral Master, Hu Jing couldn’t help but blush.
"Sister Ancestral Master, you are so beautiful."
The abrupt voice shocked everyone present. ’Damn, who’s so daring?’
Who else but Zhang Xiaopang could say such a "fatal" thing at a critical moment like this?
Zhou Luodan glanced at Zhang Xiaopang. With her profound experience in judging character, one look at his eyes told her that his praise was from the heart; he was even mesmerized by her beauty. Any woman, even a cultivator who had reached the level of an Ancestral Master, still enjoyed being praised.
Zhou Luodan smiled faintly. "You little rascal, what’s your name?"
Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, especially Liangyuan. ’That actually worked? Just one displeased look from Zhou Luodan and that Little Fatty would have been sent straight to hell. Who would have thought he’d actually manage to make the Ancestral Master smile? That fatty must have accumulated some good karma in his past life.’
"Disciple Zhang Xiaojiang, apprentice to Elder Wan," Zhang Xiaojiang said, scratching his head with an honest and simple look, a little embarrassed.
If Wang Meng were here, he would have known this guy was just pretending to be innocent.
"Wan Jing, eh? Hehe, he has a good eye. Let’s go. I heard you have a Pill Cultivation genius here. I’d like to see for myself."
Hu Jing and the others were stunned. ’A Pill Cultivation genius? Where would we have one of those???’
’With my meager skills, there’s no way I could have attracted the attention of an Ancestral Master.’
But this was no time for deliberation. Acting on instinct, she led Zhou Luodan and her party toward the Pill and Medicine Area.
The moment Zhou Luodan and her party left, the place behind them exploded into an uproar, especially the disciples from other halls, who looked as if they had seen a ghost.
"Thunderlight Hall has a Pill Cultivation genius that even caught the interest of Ancestor Master Zhou!"
"I heard Ancestor Master Zhou is thinking of taking on another apprentice!"
...
Instantly, the news spread like wildfire. That’s how rumors are; a cooked duck could turn into Ultraman and fly away.
