Chapter 276: Chapter 267: Seeking a Breakthrough

Yang Ying was the lily type—elegant and graceful. Yanm Yuyue was like a lone orchid in a secluded valley, her beauty tinged with a hint of melancholy and mystery. Ma Tian’Er radiated cuteness and kindness. But as for the woman before him now, Wang Meng was momentarily at a loss for words.

"If you won’t be long, I can wait. Our Dean, as you know, has a terrible temper."

Wang Meng smiled.

"Thank you, then." The woman nodded and walked to one of the Alchemy Rooms inside.

Wang Meng, of course, didn’t disturb her. ’It’s enough to just appreciate beautiful things from a distance.’ His mind was occupied with more mundane matters. ’Damn it, where can I make some money? I can’t keep going on like this. It’s not like I’ll run into someone like Yanm Yuyue every time.’ Speaking of Yanm Yuyue, he still owed her a favor.

Wang Meng hummed a little tune while he waited. Mi Dao, though a bit of a snob, was generally an okay person. Wang Meng and Fan Hong later found out that the so-called Dean was just a Steward who had been promoted after a long tenure. To put it bluntly, he was just looking after the Alchemy Institute—the head gatekeeper.

Having a position at the Cultivation Academy came with its own share of benefits and conveniences, so quite a few people were happy to do it.

"Thanks, I’m finished."

"It’s nothing." Wang Meng smiled and went to the Alchemy Room the woman had used. It was the first time he’d seen someone clean up after themselves. ’Not bad. Pretty and considerate, too.’

After grabbing a quick bite to eat, Wang Meng returned to his room, shut the door, hung up the ’do not disturb’ sign, and began his Cultivation.

Inside the Heaven and Earth Spirit Locking Array, Wang Meng was practicing the Curved Sword Skill with "Moo Shan." It seemed he had to proceed step by step and practice the Curved Sword Skill until he achieved proficiency before he could advance further.

The same Curved Sword Skill felt completely different when performed by Wang Meng compared to when Moo Shan used it.

It was basically wishful thinking for Wang Meng to try and win a single round against Moo Shan. No matter what moves he used or how many times they fought, his opponent gave him absolutely no openings.

At the same level of Elemental Power, and with the same limited set of techniques, Moo Shan’s sword was still faster and more accurate.

Every time he watched his opponent’s Sword Qi slashing toward him, Wang Meng gradually became mesmerized. This was a Sword Technique like a work of art—so perfect, so full of power.

Lost in his admiration, Master Wang was sent flying.

Whether it was unleashed in Moo Shan’s style or Wangtian’s style, it was an unbeatable technique.

If Wangtian and Moo Shan were to fight at a low level, it would be impossible to determine a winner. At their tier, where both had mastered the Power of Laws, they would need to fight on a higher plane.

Though it seemed to be the same Curved Sword Skill, it represented two completely different artistic concepts.

Wang Meng could sense it, but he couldn’t get close. As a result, he felt no satisfaction whatsoever with his own Curved Sword Skill.

Simply put, there was no comparison. But through these confrontations, Wang Meng was also improving, little by little.

Coming to the Cultivation Academy had a huge impact on Wang Meng, largely in updating his entire philosophy. It made him stop revering Godhood and instead start thinking of ways to study it and make its power his own.

Moo Shan’s Godhood could imitate Wangtian’s state at a low level. This was a great revelation for Wang Meng. By paying attention to this from the start, his perspective would broaden significantly.

For many new students, their second year at the Cultivation Academy might bring huge shocks and changes, but not much had changed for Wang Meng. He continued his methodical Cultivation, simply adding the study of Alchemy Techniques at the Alchemy Institute to his routine.

Others simply learned Magic, but Wang Meng stood at a higher vantage point. No matter the Magic, he would never blindly worship its power; he would absorb it in his own way. Take Heart Spirit Refining, for example. Normally, no one would give it a second thought, and even if they did, they’d dismiss it as a fantasy. Wang Meng saw it too and agreed it was a bit fantastical, but given his unique circumstances, it wasn’t impossible.

Wang Meng was busy comprehending the Curved Sword Skill, trying to perfect it as much as possible. During the day, he cultivated and was busy at the Alchemy Institute. His only breaks were when he chatted with Fan Hong. Fan Hong was also gradually emerging from the shadow of his heartbreak. At least on the surface, he seemed to have returned to normal and was working hard to improve himself.

Wang Meng didn’t really have the mind to worry about it. According to Fan Hong’s Five Elements personality theory, Wang Meng, though currently a bit hard to judge, was likely a Fire Element type—impulsive, but sincere. These kinds of people actively helped others, sometimes doing thankless tasks without expecting anything in return.

Wang Meng remained noncommittal about Fan Hong’s theory, letting him run with it. Nowadays, Fan Hong would analyze the Five Elements personality of anyone he met. Most people couldn’t be bothered to discuss it with him, but since Fan Hong was surprisingly accurate at guessing their Five Elements attribute, he managed to pique their interest.

As his personality brightened and he made more friends, his mood improved, which allowed Wang Meng to focus more of his energy on his own Sword Technique practice.

Wang Meng refused to believe he couldn’t defeat a virtual opponent. ’The Godhood is perfect, sure, but when its power is limited to the exact same level as mine, do I really not stand a chance?’

In the mortal world, there was a saying: man can triumph over the heavens.

A Godhood that followed the Power of Laws was undoubtedly perfect, but human strength was greater. Human will and explosive power could often create miracles.

Through his constant practice recently, Wang Meng was starting to get a feel for it. He was determined to win just once.

He would accumulate power for several days, only to have it snuffed out as Moo Shan and Wangtian took turns insta-killing him.

Emerging from the Heaven and Earth Spirit Locking Array, Wang Meng stared blankly at the ceiling, drenched in sweat. ’Why?’

’The Godhoods’ attack patterns are fixed. Wangtian’s attacks are slightly superior to Moo Shan’s. After being beaten countless times, I’ve discovered their patterns are almost identical every time. But why? Why can’t I break them?!’

Wang Meng was dumbfounded. ’Their patterns are fixed, I’m using the same Sword Technique, and our power is the same. There has to be a way to counter it! But every counter I thought I’d found was easily defeated.’

Wang Meng couldn’t figure it out. He had to admit, Fan Hong was impressively sharp. He really did feel that Wang Meng had a Fire Element personality; Wang Meng was sometimes meddlesome, but people with Fire personalities were generally accepting of others’ differences. However, at his core, Wang Meng also possessed the discernment of the Earth Element. Earth Element types had strong willpower and excellent judgment of people and things. They could change others but would not be changed themselves. That was why Wang Meng didn’t help just anyone; he only helped the types of people he wanted to. Tricking him was even more impossible.

But in Fan Hong’s mind, such a person simply didn’t exist.

Wang Meng knew it was time for a change of pace. Though his will was strong, even he couldn’t stand being thrashed over and over like this. The key issue was that he truly couldn’t find a way to break their technique.

Battle Space.

Wang Meng appeared and initiated a random match. Just like always, the Star Alliance quickly found him an opponent.

Wang Meng was still mulling over Moo Shan’s final sword strike. ’My own Sword Technique is pretty good too! I can change the angle and position, attacking from above, below, front, back, left, or right. I can target anything... but it’s useless.’

Wang Meng’s opponent appeared.

The Sect Leader’s Disciple from the Snow Immortal Sect of the Snow Domain Small Thousand World. Water Element. Her Extreme Cold Ice Soul Sword was quite famous. Among the students below the Thirtieth Layer of the academy, she was definitely a well-known figure.