Chapter 647 - 628: Divine Beast Festival

Someone like Wang Meng needed to be extremely careful. Here, Wang Meng could use his Godhood without restraint, but it would be a different story once he left. His current body had improved, but it was still far from the top tier.

However, Wang Meng had no intention of stirring up trouble in the Middle Thousand Realm. Others might need to form factions to increase their safety, but for Wang Meng, he was enough on his own.

The more people there were, the less safe it was.

For Wang Meng, the greatest benefit of this space wasn’t just becoming a god. More importantly, it gave him the chance to understand the workings of Godhood and how the Power of Order was generated. This was crucial not only for him now but also for his future after ascension.

Back then, both Moo Shan and Wangtian had wielded it with god-like control, but he was still at a stage where he knew *what* it did but not *how* it worked. This also prevented his Power of Order from advancing further.

Ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred and ninety Fate Grids. Wang Meng could feel that it seemed just nine more grids would complete the Pyramid. But he knew even better that at this level, advancing even a single grid would trigger a qualitative transformation in the entire Fate Grid system. Wantian might have only had a few more grids than Moo Shan, but the difference in power had been immense. And for Wang Meng, consuming Wantian’s Demigod Godhood would undoubtedly allow him to reach the peak directly. After ascending, that Godhood would definitely be at the Main God Level.

Wang Meng found an inconspicuous corner and began observing the Fate Grids within his body. Master Wang became completely mesmerized by the profound mysteries contained within.

While Wang Meng was exploring the mysteries of Godhood, Fatty Bai once again became a celebrity in Wang City.

The uproar over Wang City’s auspicious symbol, the Five-Transformation Qilin Beast, had spread throughout the city. This once again proved the Bai Family’s qualifications.

The process wasn’t important; what mattered was the result—and Wang Meng’s domineering display!

The three major families of Haojing, like the Imperial Family, all possessed the bloodlines of gods. The Wang Family was particularly powerful, but in recent decades, the Yuan Family had gained the upper hand. As a member of the Wang Family, Wang Meng had the chance to awaken his bloodline. Perhaps Wang City was his lucky place. In any case, he was no longer that good-for-nothing.

As long as Wang Meng had strength, his past mistakes could no longer be considered mistakes.

The Bai Family was about to prosper. With powerful backers like the Wang Family and Wang Meng, anyone with discerning eyes knew that the landscape of Wang City was about to change.

"The Bai Family is truly on the rise. Wang Meng was really hiding his strength."

"I can’t quite figure out the Wang Family’s attitude. They must have pretended to disown him and kick him out of the family, right?"

"If that’s the case... the Wang Family’s desire for Wang City is quite strong..."

"Looks like we need to get closer to the Bai Family."

All across Wang City, disciples from various families were discussing this matter.

Kun Yaoyang was a bit depressed. He’d tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice he used as bait. Mo Chengkong had left Wang City at noon without even eating lunch, and Kun Yaoyang didn’t have the face to stay either. Whenever someone looked at him, he felt like they were calling him Kong Chengmo.

Mo Chengkong’s departure also declared the Mo Family’s plan to establish a presence in Wang City a failure. Forget Wang City; even Haojing was shaken by the news.

The Mo Family’s entry into Wang City had been a compromise reached by the upper echelons, a matter that was practically set in stone. Who would have thought that Mo Chengkong would fail at the final hurdle and scurry back in disgrace? Even before Mo Chengkong returned to Haojing, the Mo Family had already lost a great deal of face.

The Mo Family followed the Meng Family, and such a foolish failure caused the Mo Family’s standing in the Meng Family’s eyes to plummet.

Meanwhile, Wang Rencai’s story of the prodigal son’s return had become the most interesting piece of gossip in Haojing recently. Twenty percent of Haojing People were puzzled, and eighty percent didn’t believe it. It couldn’t be helped; Young Master Wang’s former reputation was simply too infamous.

Wu Yuan was in the same boat, but he couldn’t leave. The Wu Family had invested heavily, and he had been in Wang City for so long. How could he let it all go to waste? But wherever he went, even to a restaurant for a meal, he would hear about the Bai Family. It truly ruined his appetite.

"Young Master, Wu Yuan is here."

Wu Yuan’s expression was a bit grim. "Just say what you have to say. I’m busy."

The one who was most humiliated at the Bai Family’s residence wasn’t actually Mo Chengkong—it was him!

Why? Wang Meng had saved the Qilin Beast with a single Rain Dew Technique, but what about him? He had used seven or eight in a row with no effect. Didn’t that mean... he, a genius of the Pill Immortal Alliance, was inferior to Wang Meng?

Although no one said it to his face... Wu Yuan could feel it in the way everyone looked at him.

The Wu Family had the support of the Yuan Family, and with the Fire Emperor’s return, the Yuan Family was enjoying boundless prestige. Wu Yuan naturally benefited as well. He had a chance to become the acting Chairman of the Wang City Pill Immortal Alliance, but with Wang Meng now stepping on his head, the matter had been put on hold.

"Brother Wu, this was just an accident. We’ll have other opportunities in the future."

"Oh, is that so?" Wu Yuan was now a bit disgusted with Kun Yaoyang. He and Kun Yaoyang were just using each other. After all that scheming, Kun Yaoyang himself was fine, and so was Wang Meng. He and Mo Chengkong were the unlucky ones. It would be a miracle if Wu Yuan didn’t have a problem with that.

"Doesn’t Brother Wu find this strange? I didn’t think it through at the time, but I’ve figured it out now. Although they’re rare, the Pill Immortal Alliance does have Spiritual Artifacts, right? The kind that can store a Pill Master’s High-level Magic."

Wu Yuan’s eyes lit up. That was a good explanation!

Although such Spiritual Artifacts were extremely rare, they weren’t non-existent. With the power of the Haojing Royal Family, it wouldn’t be surprising for Wang Meng to have one or two!

Clearly, Wang Meng wasn’t a good-for-nothing. That meant... it was a conspiracy by the Wang Family!

"This matter... can’t just be left like this..." Kun Yaoyang said with a faint, sinister smile, seeing the change in Wu Yuan’s expression.

"Oh? Does Brother Kun have another idea?"

The weather was beautiful, the sun was rising in the east, and the whole city was celebrating. The Five Elements Divine Beast Festival had begun!

All of Wang City came alive. Dazzling fireworks exploded continuously in the sky, controlled by Magic, forming all sorts of patterns and words. The streets were packed with all kinds of people. The usual small-time vendors didn’t dare set up their stalls on the streets, instead renting a corner in the courtyard of a house on an adjacent street to sell their various goods.

The small shops with storefronts were the happiest. They displayed their best merchandise, marked with discount tags. Groups of customers had been wandering through these shops since early morning, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to pick out high-quality, low-priced items.

"Look, the fireworks in the sky! It’s a picture of a beauty bathing! It’s so realistic!"

"Kids, don’t look..."

"Tch, there’s no nudity... Besides, I’m not a kid anymore!"

"The Bai Family congratulates Wang City... Those are the Bai Family’s fireworks!"

"The Bai Family! Looks like Wang City will have five major families from now on."

"I heard the one promoting the Bai Family is that pervert from Haojing... no wonder the fireworks are all pictures of bathing beauties."

This was actually Fatty Bai’s mischievous prank. He used to be a bona fide good-for-nothing, but with his big brother Wang Meng taking the spotlight, everyone just ignored him, turning him into Master Wang’s designated scapegoat.

"Heh, the Bai Family is pretty good. I dealt with them a few days ago. Their prices are fair, and they don’t bully people. They’re much more decent than the Kun Family. From now on, when I catch a True Essence Beast, I might consider selling it to the Bai Family."

A group of drinking Loose Cultivators chatted amongst themselves. They didn’t care how the power structure of Wang City changed; as long as they could get a good price for the True Essence Beasts they caught, they were satisfied. Compared to the overbearing Kun Family, the Bai Family was clearly easier to deal with.

For these Cultivators, a sale was a sale. Naturally, they’d go with whoever offered the better deal.

The Bai Family was currently busy preparing. The main events of the Five Elements Divine Beast Festival were the Sacrificial Dance and the Sacrificial Battle.

As for the Sacrificial Dance, the Bai Family had no shot. Muhe Xiaoyu and Jiang Biyao were the main stars everyone was waiting for; there was no one more suitable in Wang City.

But the Sacrificial Battle was the time to display a family’s strength.

"Boss, should we send the Third-Transformation Bone Demon or the Third-Transformation Demon Spirit?"

Fatty Bai rubbed his hands together eagerly. Whether it was the Bone Demon or the Demon Spirit, either could prove the Bai Family’s strength.

Wang Meng smiled. "Heh, we’ll see when the time comes. Oh, and bring that Old Horse of mine along too."

He had actually tried to communicate with Old Horse before, but it was clear that Old Horse was not one for conversation. Although the Bai Family’s prestige had soared, they were still fragile. The higher the expectations, the greater the risk. A Third Transformation was a bit lacking and risky. Bringing Old Horse was a precaution.

"Alright." Fatty Bai nodded. He didn’t ask any more questions. Whatever his boss said, he would do.

The stage for the main ceremony was located in the center of Wang City.

A massive square had been specially built here. Normally, it was a great place for commoners to rest and enjoy the outdoors. The square was surrounded by various statues and relief walls. The reliefs depicted the past history of Wang City, while the statues were of heroes the city had produced. There were outstanding Cultivators who had sacrificed their lives in Demon attacks on the city, as well as commoners who had made outstanding contributions to Wang City in some way. To have a statue of oneself erected here was a grand dream that every person from Wang City dreamt of!

Gradually, the crowd gathered in the square. At first, it was a noisy clamor, but as time passed, children, young people, the elderly, women, men—everyone began to quiet down.

Fireworks continued to explode in the sky. These fireworks were all provided by the families of the five Grand High Priests. The base of each firework displayed a family’s blessing or their unique family crest.

BOOM...

The Five-Transformation Qilin Beast made its entrance, treading majestically on auspicious clouds as it slowly moved down the path cleared by the crowd.

The people standing on both sides wept with joy. For the people of Wang City, seeing the Qilin Beast up close meant great fortune in the coming year.

Fatty Bai, escorting the Qilin Beast, breathed a sigh of relief. He couldn’t imagine the consequences if the Qilin Beast had been absent from the Divine Beast Festival. Fortunately, that didn’t happen. Otherwise, the Kun Family wouldn’t have even needed to act; the commoners of Wang City would have drowned the Bai Family in a flood of curses. Fatty Bai straightened his back. At this moment, he had to give a simple return salute to those who were bowing to the Qilin Beast. Usually, it was just a nod of acknowledgment, but if the Qilin Beast stopped to look at someone, Fatty Bai had to bring that person out. They were the chosen lucky ones and would receive rewards from the five Grand High Priest families.