Chapter 680 661: Aunt

The few disciples near Wang Hantian didn't have time to dodge and were sent flying by the shockwave, while Wang Hantian, utterly enraged at being outmaneuvered, had already charged at Wang Meng.

Wang Hantian now resembled a miniature Fire Giant. As he moved, the array under his feet moved with him. This Earth Array was specifically designed to counter magic and techniques that transferred or redirected power.

Stability was his top priority.

If Wang Meng tried to use the same trick to send Wang Hantian spinning away, he would be the one to suffer for it.

Although Wang Hantian had a volatile temper, his talent for combat was considerable.

Another close-quarters attack.

Wang Meng didn't dodge. Instead, he spread his arms wide, as if welcoming Wang Hantian's fist.

HUMMMMMMM—

Just as they were a single step apart, a cloud of mist billowed into the air. A whirlwind abruptly formed, sweeping Wang Hantian into its vortex.

—Merak Ice Spin Attack!

Water of the Five Elements, Ice Magic!

BOOM…

Wang Hantian smashed through the roof and was sent flying outside, only to crash back down through another part of the roof a moment later.

He was frozen solid, like an ice sculpture.

"Hantian's temper is too volatile," Wang Meng remarked lightly. "You're bound to suffer if you can't keep a cool head when you fight."

Frozen in place, Wang Hantian nearly passed out from rage. He'd never dreamed that Wang Meng could actually use a Five Elements Attack—and a perfect elemental counter, no less.

Caught completely off guard, he had taken the full force of the blow. The pain of a direct hit from a countering element was excruciating.

Battle Abyss Pavilion glanced at Wang Zongzheng. 'This is like seeing a ghost,' he thought. It was a genuine attack using the Water of the Five Elements. Since when could the Wang Family's Merak Fire Cloud Technique utilize the Water of the Five Elements?

Wang Zongzheng was filled with questions, but as the Patriarch, he had to appear all-knowing before his disciples.

"Very good. Wang Meng wins this match." As he spoke, Wang Zongzheng flicked a finger, and a red light enveloped Wang Hantian. Wang Hantian practically shot up from the ground and tried to lunge at Wang Meng again.

Wang Zongzheng sent an invisible slap across the distance, making Wang Hantian stagger. "Go reflect in seclusion! Don't come out until you've figured out your mistake!"

Wang Hantian opened his mouth to protest, but after a glance at Wang Ang, who gave a slight shake of his head, he could only storm out in a huff.

Wang Meng gave a slight nod and sat back down. Though he had won, he knew he probably still wasn't well-liked. Fortunately, he didn't need anyone's affection. He had joined this tournament for the sole purpose of sending a message: don't provoke him, or there would be a price to pay.

The news that Wang Meng had easily defeated Wang Hantian, whose True Essence was at least five or six layers higher than his own, spread through the Wang Family in an instant.

Clearly, the former good-for-nothing had truly turned his life around. Wang Hantian was usually the star of the show, but this time he'd been reduced to a mere stepping stone for someone else's glory.

Wang Zongzheng, however, downplayed Wang Meng's victory. He offered little praise, though he did provide the promised rewards. Wang Meng himself also kept a low profile about the matter.

His true intentions were impossible to discern, and no one knew what he was planning. Logically, having made such a comeback, he should have seized this opportunity, but he showed no sign of doing so.

Zhan Yingluo found it to be a great pity. If Wang Meng had just said the right things, he could have completely regained Wang Zongzheng's support. The family valued strength, and with his current standing, it was entirely possible for him to become one of the Wang Family's key proteges.

But Wang Meng just casually let the opportunity slip by.

On the way back, Zhan Yingluo lamented his choices nonstop, and Wang Meng simply listened with a smile as she rambled on.

"This is my humble home, Miss Zhan. Please, come in."

As soon as they arrived, Wang Meng let Nine Discount and the other little ones out. The creatures had taken quite a liking to Zhan Yingluo and immediately gathered around her.

Nine Discount, ever the leader of the pack, used its wings to block the other four. It held its head high, trying to appear more dignified.

Zhan Yingluo was absolutely smitten. Wang Meng had raised his True Essence Beasts to be so intelligent and personable. Honestly, unless a beast was a Nine-Transformation Divine Beast, they were typically very difficult to communicate with.

Old Horse ambled over, its large eyes fixed on Wang Meng. Wang Meng knew what it wanted: it was time for its rations.

"You've got a sharp nose," Wang Meng said as he tossed a Qiankun Bag to Old Horse. "I just got these, so make them last." The sight left Zhan Yingluo dumbfounded.

"Aren't those the True Essence Stones for your cultivation? Why did you give them to it?"

Wang Meng smiled. "I'm just repaying a debt. It's nothing. Come on, have a seat inside. Sorry, the place is a bit of a mess."

"It is pretty messy. You should get someone to tidy up for you."

"I'm used to being alone. It's fine this way," Wang Meng said, pouring a cup of water for Zhan Yingluo. 'It appears I really don't have anything decent to offer guests.'

"Watching you fight just now made my heart pound. Isn't your Wang Family specialized in the Fire Five Elements? You suddenly using Ice Magic gave everyone a huge shock."

"Haha, since I'm deficient in the Five Elements, the normal rules don't really apply," Wang Meng said. "Besides, Wang Hantian is a bit lacking in combat experience."

"You make it sound so easy," Zhan Yingluo teased. "Stop putting on an act for me. I bet your palms were sweating from nervousness, weren't they?"

Wang Meng paused, then couldn't help but chuckle. 'There's really no way to explain this,' he thought. 'Nervous? Unless I was facing Wangtian right now, I honestly don't even know what being nervous feels like anymore.'

"See? There you go again," Zhan Yingluo laughed. "You always make that same expression, like you're some peerless master."

Wang Meng felt quite relaxed chatting with Zhan Yingluo. However, his peace didn't last long, as another visitor soon arrived.

It was Wang Xueyi. After today's battle, Wang Zongzheng clearly had no reason to stop her from visiting anymore. No one was happier than Wang Xueyi. She had always believed Wang Rencai's past behavior was just youthful rebellion. When Wang Xueyi had first joined the Wang Family, Wang Rencai's mother had helped her a great deal, and the two had grown very close. That was why, on her deathbed, Wang's Mother had entrusted her son to Wang Xueyi's care, convinced that the men of the family were unreliable.

In the end, however, Wang Rencai had still gone astray. Everyone else had abandoned him; only Wang Xueyi had kept trying to help.

Wang Xueyi was overcome with emotion. She rushed inside and immediately pulled Wang Meng into a tight hug.

"I knew you could do it! I knew it! My sister's boy was always destined for greatness!"

Zhan Yingluo nodded, deeply moved. To be honest, without Wang Xueyi, Wang Rencai would never have made it to this day. She herself was moved to tears. Back when she had first gone to Wang City, it was Wang Xueyi who had repeatedly pleaded with her to help Wang Meng; otherwise, she would never have been willing to go.

Wang Meng was completely stunned. 'The supposedly invincible Star Alliance Leader is at a complete loss,' he thought. He could feel the woman's motherly affection, but he wasn't Wang Rencai! He was utterly unprepared for this.

But as Wang Xueyi's tears began to fall, Wang Meng could only sigh in resignation.

"Your aunt is just so emotional. Rencai... no, Wang Meng. It's a good name change. The past is in the past. The person you are now is the real you. Don't worry, your aunt will stand up for you!"

Wang Xueyi said, holding his hand, her voice filled with concern. It was a genuine, heartfelt affection that sent a warmth through Wang Meng.

'Back in the Holy Hall, he'd had brothers-in-arms and friends, but that wasn't the same as family.' Wang Meng had once spent a very long time searching for his parents. Miraculously, even with all his power as a sovereign of the Star Alliance, he had never found a single trace of them. In the end, he had been forced to give up.

Wang Xueyi's affection reawakened that dormant feeling of family within Wang Meng's heart.

"Thank you, Auntie. I'm doing well."

"You silly child, there's no need to be so formal with your aunt. And Yingluo, I must thank you properly as well!"(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)