Sect Master’s Immortal Journey

Chapter 590: Damage control

True Monarch Azure Mist left with peace of mind. He wasn't worried at all that, after his departure, the three of them would act against his will and engage in conflict again.

He has enough confidence in Azure Origin Sect and his own deterrent power.

Watching True Monarch Azure Mist's figure flying further and further away, the remaining three exchanged glances but showed no interest in speaking.

True Monarch Mountain Peak glanced coldly at Jin LiTrue Monarch, snorted, and left like that.

True Monarch Profound Wind had no intention of continuing to trouble Jin LiTrue Monarch and chatted with her for a while before bidding farewell and leaving.

True Monarch Mountain Peak felt unwilling, and Jin LiTrue Monarch felt the same way.

If not for the situation forcing her, she wouldn't easily let True Monarch Mountain Peak go like this.

However, after achieving Primordial Spirit, her lifespan became long, and she would have plenty of time to settle scores with True Monarch Mountain Peak in the future.

A few days ago, when Gu Yue Huaidie discussed with Jin LiTrue Monarch, she pointed out the current situation.

Although True Monarch Mountain Peak and True Monarch Profound Wind are relatively marginalized figures within the Jiuqu League, they are still Primordial SpiritTrue Monarchs of the Jiuqu League.

Unless Jin LiTrue Monarch escapes far from the vicinity of the Jiuqu League, she cannot directly confront them.

Gu Yue Huaidie suggested that Jin LiTrue Monarch should join the Jiuqu League.

Since Jin LiTrue Monarch doesn't have any sect or family restrictions, joining the Jiuqu League could not only resolve the crisis from True Monarch Mountain Peak and True Monarch Profound Wind but also come with many other benefits.

Jin LiTrue Monarch is not so stubborn as to not recognize the situation, nor is she willing to leave just like that.

Gu Yue Huaidie's suggestion became a practical plan.

After pondering for a while and discussing it with Meng Zhang, Jin LiTrue Monarch finally accepted Gu Yue Huaidie's suggestion and agreed to join the Jiuqu League.

True Monarch Azure Mist from Azure Origin Sect has always been the biggest support behind Great Wind City. There is even a marital relationship between them and the Lu Family, who runs Great Wind City.

Great Wind City is one of the major trade hubs in the Jiuqu League, with vast amounts of wealth flowing through it. Without the support of strong individuals like True Monarch Azure Mist, it would be challenging to maintain this foundation with only a group of Gold Core Daoist Masters.

Of course, Lu Family and Gu Yue Family have never been stingy with their offerings to True Monarch Azure Mist. True Monarch Azure Mist has received a large amount of cultivation resources from Great Wind City.

True Monarch Mountain Peak's actions have seriously harmed the interests of Great Wind City, and the Lu Family has long been displeased with him.

The Jiuqu League still maintains some semblance of rules. True Monarch Mountain Peak's actions are hard to criticize, and True Monarch Azure Mist cannot easily intervene in the internal affairs of the Yellow Lotus Sect.

Even for a Primordial Spirit cultivator from Azure Origin Sect, interfering in the internal affairs of other sects is a big taboo.

After getting Jin LiTrue Monarch's reply, Gu Yue Huaidie contacted the Lu Family to invite True Monarch Azure Mist and ask him to invite Jin LiTrue Monarch to join the Jiuqu League.

Jin LiTrue Monarch is not an unknown person who appeared out of nowhere in the Endless Sea of Sand. Using the information-gathering methods of Azure Origin Sect, True Monarch Azure Mist already had some understanding of her.

It's not like True Monarch Azure Mist is being asked to fight other Primordial SpiritTrue Monarchs to the death; he just needs to invite Jin LiTrue Monarch to join the Jiuqu League, which is not a difficult task.

Moreover, Jin LiTrue Monarch joining the Jiuqu League would bring many benefits to True Monarch Azure Mist as well.

From a broader perspective, Jiuqu League has been facing increasing external pressure over the years and needs to strengthen its power.

Even a powerful force like Jiuqu League cannot underestimate the combat power of a Primordial SpiritTrue Monarch.

More importantly, if True Monarch Azure Mist invites Jin LiTrue Monarch to join the Jiuqu League, Jin LiTrue Monarch will be regarded as part of his faction within the alliance, thereby increasing his faction's strength.

As for using this opportunity to cause trouble for True Monarch Mountain Peak, it becomes a minor issue and not worth mentioning.

To show sincerity, True Monarch Azure Mist personally visited and gave Jin LiTrue Monarch face, while also resolving her conflict with True Monarch Mountain Peak.

Regardless of what everyone thinks in their hearts, at least on the surface, after True Monarch Azure Mist's intervention, both sides must cease fighting and cannot continue the conflict.

Watching True Monarch Mountain Peak and True Monarch Profound Wind leave one after the other, Jin LiTrue Monarch returned to the Taiyi Sect's gate.

Joining the Jiuqu League is not a bad thing for her.

In the Cultivation World, even someone as powerful as True Monarch Tian Zhu has connections with the Dark Alliance. As a solitary individual, Jin LiTrue Monarch, by joining the Jiuqu League, would have a backing.

Of course, enjoying benefits naturally comes with a price. In the future, she will inevitably have to serve the Jiuqu League.

Within the Hundred Grass Slope, cultivators from the Gu Yue Family and Lu Family are waiting for Jin LiTrue Monarch.

This time, Great Wind City played the middleman and formed a bond with Jin LiTrue Monarch. In the future, Great Wind City can be considered to have gained an additional backing within the Jiuqu League.

Cultivators from Great Wind City provided detailed explanations to Jin LiTrue Monarch about the internal situation of the Jiuqu League, especially regarding some taboos.

For a Primordial SpiritTrue Monarch to join the Jiuqu League, it is certainly not that simple.

Once everything is prepared, Jin LiTrue Monarch will go to the Jiuqu League, where various rituals and ceremonies await her.

According to True Monarch Azure Mist's intentions, a grand ceremony will be held to show the Jiuqu League's appreciation and welcome towards Jin LiTrue Monarch.

Although the fighting has stopped, there is still much post-war work to be done on Taiyi Sect's side.

The invading army of cultivators has already retreated and returned to the Endless Sea of Sand.

After learning that Jin LiTrue Monarch has joined the Jiuqu League, Daoist Master Smiling Lotus commanded his troops to withdraw and restored the borders between Taiyi Sect and their forces to the pre-war state. They returned all the previously occupied territories.

As for Yellow Sand Ridge, Flying Swan Sect has already been wiped out, and all its assets have been naturally taken over by the Fire Cloud Sect.

Now, in the Endless Sea of Sand, Yellow Lotus Sect's East River Branch occupies most of the territory, including Fei Hong Mountain, which is the most prosperous area.

Fire Cloud Sect controls the surrounding area of Yellow Sand Ridge, gaining some benefits.

Due to the incident involving Jin LiTrue Monarch, True Monarch Mountain Peak left in anger and temporarily did not interfere with affairs in the Endless Sea of Sand.

The overseer cultivator from Yellow Lotus Sect's Mountain Branch is still under the control of True Monarch Mountain Peak and must not only pay substantial offerings but also follow his orders.

Despite suffering heavy losses, Taiyi Sect managed to defend its mountain gate and gradually recaptured lost territories after the enemy's voluntary retreat.

With the fall of Yellow Sand Ridge, Flying Swan Sect can be considered completely exterminated.

Originally, some low-level disciples from Flying Swan Sect were stationed at Dustfall Mound. However, after the fall of Yellow Sand Ridge, these disciples fled without a fight, escaping far away from the Endless Sea of Sand.

Meng Zhang is a strategist and did not directly allow Taiyi Sect to occupy Dustfall Mound but instead gave this place to Qiaoshou Sect.

In the eyes of Gold Core sects, Dustfall Mound is indeed a bit barren. But Qiaoshou Sect was originally just a Foundation Building sect, and its only Gold Core cultivator was not cultivated by the sect but rather Jin LiTrue Monarch's disciple.

Jin LiTrue Monarch is a person who cares about old acquaintances. Initially, she felt indebted to Flying Swan Sect because of Fei ShiDaoist Master's death and publicly promised to take care of Flying Swan Sect after achieving Primordial Spirit.

However, she never expected that after she achieved Primordial Spirit, Flying Swan Sect had already been wiped out.

After many years of experience, Meng Zhang has become skilled in handling relationships and knows how to navigate social situations.

After all, Flying Swan Sect used to be the dominant sect in the Endless Sea of Sand, with numerous disciples. Even after its mountain gate was breached and many were massacred, they could still find some survivors.

Meng Zhang spent considerable effort to gather some scattered disciples of Flying Swan Sect. In Demon Wind Gobi, he found a Second Rank spirit vein and a piece of unclaimed territory for them to rebuild Flying Swan Sect.

In the Cultivation World, preserving the continuation of a sect can be considered an act of benevolence and righteousness. Meng Zhang's generosity fully demonstrated the style of Taiyi Sect as a righteous major sect.

The rebuilt Flying Swan Sect naturally joined the Hanhai Dao Alliance and became a subordinate of Taiyi Sect.

Of course, Meng Zhang's actions were not just out of kindness; there were other considerations.

By keeping the former hegemonic Flying Swan Sect under close watch, Taiyi Sect can monitor their movements and also use it as a warning to its own disciples, making them aware of the consequences of a sect's decline. Even a dominant sect can fall to such a state.

Moreover, this approach also fully took into account Jin LiTrue Monarch's feelings.

After Jin LiTrue Monarch achieved Primordial Spirit, Taiyi Sect needs her care to survive and develop under her protection.

When Meng Zhang and the others accompanied Jin LiTrue Monarch into the Purple Gold Sect's small world and confronted the soul of True Monarch Vermilionwisp, Jin LiTrue Monarch promised in advance that after breaking through to the Primordial Spirit stage, she would protect Taiyi Sect.

Jin LiTrue Monarch is a person who keeps her promises, and Meng Zhang also believes in her commitment. However, Taiyi Sect cannot solely rely on a promise.

If there is a chance to please her, to make her feel happy, and to improve her perception of Taiyi Sect, why not do it?

Feelings like these tend to fade over time. In addition to maintaining a good relationship with her, Meng Zhang also needs to find a way to bind both parties with mutual benefits.

If Taiyi Sect only takes from her without giving back, over time, Jin LiTrue Monarch may have some thoughts about it.

Qiaoshou Sect has always been loyal to Taiyi Sect, and they suffered heavy losses in this battle. Giving Dustfall Mound to Qiaoshou Sect not only rewards their efforts and sacrifices but also tacitly gains Jin LiTrue Monarch's acceptance of Taiyi Sect's handling of Flying Swan Sect.

As a newly promoted Primordial SpiritTrue Monarch, Jin LiTrue Monarch may not be able to obtain a Third Rank spirit vein immediately for her disciple, Jin Qiao'er. Dustfall Mound is more than enough for her cultivation.

With the Flying Swan Sect and Qiaoshou Sect issues resolved, the remaining internal affairs of the sect and matters concerning the Hanhai Dao Alliance become straightforward.

Everything can be done following precedents, such as rewarding based on merits and offering compensation and consolation. The specific details are not something Meng Zhang concerns himself with; he leaves that to his senior disciple, Niu Dawei.

At that time, Daoist Master Smiling Lotus led his army of cultivators to besiege the Hundred Grass Slope and did not have time to plunder and occupy territories everywhere. So the lands in Demon Wind Gobi did not suffer too much damage.

The foundation is still there, and even though there were significant casualties among the cultivators, with enough time, their vitality can slowly recover.

The Gold Core cultivators from Great Wind City saw that the situation here was gradually stabilizing and that there were no new variables to worry about, so they bid their farewells and left.

Taiyi Sect warmly bid them farewell, and Meng Zhang was particularly grateful, expressing his deep gratitude.

After experiencing this turmoil, within the Jiuqu League, Taiyi Sect and the Hanhai Dao Alliance are considered to be affiliated with the Great Wind City faction.

Jin LiTrue Monarch stayed at the Hundred Grass Slope all the time, watching Meng Zhang handle various aftermath affairs.

Meng Zhang was considerate and thorough, which pleased Jin LiTrue Monarch.

Jin LiTrue Monarch has never been patient with dealing with various mundane matters. The experiences of serving under True Monarch Tian Zhu back then still make her feel annoyed.

Low-level cultivators need the care of high-level cultivators, and high-level cultivators also need low-level cultivators to work for them.

In this world without Fourth Rank spirit veins, if a Primordial SpiritTrue Monarch wants to absorb enough spiritual energy, they have two options: collect Nine Heavens Refined Essence above Nine Heavens or search for spiritual opportunities in the extraterritorial void.

When Jin LiTrue Monarch was cultivating in the Purple Gold Sect's small world, she used up a significant amount of the Nine Heavens Refined Essence stored in her body.

These Nine Heavens Refined Essence are not just her personal savings; they include the inheritance left by her master and the gift given by True Monarch Tian Zhu before his death.

When she broke through to the Primordial Spirit stage, she consumed most of these Nine Heavens Refined Essence.

Primordial SpiritTrue Monarchs are not immortal beings who don't need worldly possessions; they still have significant material needs.

After Jin LiTrue Monarch broke through to the Primordial Spirit realm, she would consume even more Nine Heavens Refined Essence.

Relying solely on what is available without making any contributions is certainly not viable. After stabilizing her Cultivation Base, Jin LiTrue Monarch would also have to go to Nine Heavens to collect more Nine Heavens Refined Essence.

Primordial SpiritTrue Monarchs have a long lifespan, but they also spend a lot of time on various activities. One retreat or expedition could easily consume several decades or even centuries.

With numerous Taiyi Sect cultivators serving her, collecting various resources on her behalf would save her a great deal of time.

Jin LiTrue Monarch might not yet realize this, but once her interests are thoroughly connected with Taiyi Sect's interests, she will understand that they need each other, and both parties will benefit.

In his spare time while handling various affairs, Meng Zhang repeatedly sought out Jin LiTrue Monarch and asked about her experiences in breaking through to the Primordial Spirit stage.

Transmitting such experiences lightly is not allowed; the experience and secrets of breaking through to the Primordial Spirit stage are the core secrets in any cultivation sect. Loose cultivators regard them as treasures and would never divulge them.

Jin LiTrue Monarch has known Meng Zhang for many years and holds him in high regard. However, when it comes to such sensitive secrets, there is no room for sentimentality.

Jin LiTrue Monarch didn't outright reject him but spoke vaguely and mentioned some general principles. Then she smoothly changed the subject and talked about other matters.

Meng Zhang is a tactful person and didn't persist but withdrew when he saw that the situation wasn't appropriate.

Jin LiTrue Monarch didn't stay at the Hundred Grass Slope for too long and returned to the Purple Gold Sect's small world, where she achieved the Primordial Spirit stage. She regarded that place as her blessed land.

Jin LiTrue Monarch decided to live there permanently in the future and make it her permanent residence for cultivation.

Since the ceasefire, not only did True Monarch Mountain Peak stop coming to cause trouble, but East River Branch and Fire Cloud Sect also behaved honestly and didn't have any disputes with Taiyi Sect.

Jin LiTrue Monarch secluded herself in the small world, cultivating various Divine Abilities and mastering unique methods of a Primordial SpiritTrue Monarch.

Meanwhile, Taiyi Sect enjoyed a period of peaceful development. After a life-and-death battle and facing dire circumstances, then suddenly gaining a turning point, Meng Zhang was deeply moved. Having recited scriptures and comprehended the Dao for many years, his Spiritual Awareness became increasingly keen.

Not long after Jin LiTrue Monarch left, he also put aside all his affairs and began seclusion to seek a breakthrough. Examples of breakthroughs during a life-and-death battle or shortly after such battles are not uncommon in the Cultivation World.

Shortly after Meng Zhang's seclusion, some cultivators in Taiyi Sect also entered seclusion one after another. Zheng Chao, who played a crucial role in the great battle, relying on the power of the mountain-protection great formation to resist the Gold Core cultivator War Hall Hall Master, Zheng Chao had been seriously injured and on the verge of death when the battle ended.

Meng Zhang spared no effort and took out the most precious healing pills from the sect's treasury, while several Gold Core Daoist Masters took turns to help, barely saving his life.

Seeing Zheng Chao's injuries reaching his foundation, and with Taiyi Sect's current capabilities unable to effectively treat him, Meng Zhang boldly requested Jin LiTrue Monarch's assistance, which ultimately saved Zheng Chao's cultivation base.

Zheng Chao, while slowly recovering within the sect, felt moved and immediately ignored his injuries to enter seclusion, aiming to achieve the goal he failed to accomplish during his previous seclusion - breaking through to the Gold Core stage.

His seclusion this time was not long, only eight years, before he formed his Gold Core successfully.

Taiyi Sect gained another Gold Core Daoist Master, and its strength increased significantly.

Meng Zhang's seclusion lasted for eleven years before he finally emerged. After coming out, his Cultivation Base had broken through to the Gold Core late stage. A master at the Gold Core late stage is considered a prominent figure among Gold Core cultivators.

After True Monarch Mountain Peak left Endless Sea of Sand last time, they did not set foot in the area again. Nevertheless, their control over Endless Sea of Sand and Yellow Lotus Sect's East River Branch remained undiminished.

Yellow Lotus Sect's East River Branch completely cut off all trade with Great Wind City. Caravans that set out from Endless Sea of Sand were willing to take longer, more circuitous routes, even at the cost of significant losses, to bypass Great Wind City and trade in Yellow Lotus Sect's Mountain Branch territory.

Although East River Branch is a neighboring sect to Taiyi Sect, the two sects did not interact and maintained no contact, let alone trade.

Both sides intentionally or unintentionally shifted the boundary line backward and advised their reduced patrol teams to stay away from the boundary line.

While both sides had formed a blood feud during the last great battle, they were not willing to provoke each other currently and even avoided any conflicts.

They were in a state of cold war, but both parties restrained their disciples from provoking each other.

True Monarch Profound Wind had no intention to continue hating Jin LiTrue Monarch, but he was also not rushing to make amends with her.

Fire Cloud Sect's attitude toward Taiyi Sect seemed similar to Yellow Lotus Sect's East River Branch. However, secretly, there were occasional small groups of cultivators from Fire Cloud Sect who engaged in smuggling between the borders of the two forces.

These cultivators were members of smuggling caravans, conducting illicit trade between the two powers.

In the last great battle, East River Branch played the main role and suffered the greatest loss. Naturally, they obtained the largest share of spoils after the war.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame and other Fire Cloud Sect high-ranking members accepted this arrangement without protest because their strength had weakened significantly. But afterward, seeing East River Branch gain the most abundant spoils, plundering various cultivation resources, they couldn't help but have some thoughts in their minds.

On the side of Jiuqu League, the scope of influence has largely solidified, and Fire Cloud Sect finds it difficult to obtain further benefits. The sect's higher-ups are highly focused on the recently acquired territory in Endless Sea of Sand, viewing it as an opportunity for the sect's rise and advancement.

Fire Cloud Sect is no longer approaching this with a short-term mentality; instead, they see it as a foundational area to be carefully cultivated for long-term benefits. Unfortunately, the most prosperous region in Endless Sea of Sand, near Feihong Mountain, is firmly controlled by Yellow Lotus Sect's East River Branch. Fire Cloud Sect has no way to interfere and can only secretly covet and desire it.

To make matters worse, due to True Monarch Mountain Peak's demand, the cultivation resources that Fire Cloud Sect obtains in Endless Sea of Sand must be traded in Yellow Lotus Sect's Mountain Branch territory. This has led to Fire Cloud Sect losing a considerable amount of profit without gaining any benefits in return.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame complained to Zhu Liangyu and sought help from True Monarch Profound Wind. However, True Monarch Profound Wind is aware that this is related to a major plan of True Monarch Mountain Peak and is unwilling to offend them for the sake of Fire Cloud Sect's minor issue, so he did not interfere.

The area near Yellow Sand Ridge was originally Flying Swan Sect's territory and is not particularly prosperous within Endless Sea of Sand. Apart from developing this region, Fire Cloud Sect has sought other methods to increase their profits.

On one hand, Fire Cloud Sect wants to restore the trade between the former Flying Swan Sect and Yuantu Great Prairie. However, being newcomers, they lack connections, and this endeavor has not been smooth. In the short term, the trade between them and the Great Prairie not only fails to bring in profit but actually causes losses for Fire Cloud Sect.

On the other hand, Fire Cloud Sect secretly engages in trade with Taiyi Sect through smuggling caravans. Although the two sects have had multiple deadly battles and harbor deep grudges, lucrative business opportunities can transcend animosity.

Taiyi Sect's territory in Endless Sea of Sand is very barren, lacking many of the unique resources found elsewhere in the region. Fire Cloud Sect initially sends its distinctive resources from its own territory to Taiyi Sect through smuggling caravans.

As the business grows, they gradually extend their operations into East River Branch's territory. East River Branch is very vigilant about their border with Great Wind City, but they pay less attention to their border with Fire Cloud Sect.

Various vassal forces within East River Branch's territory are enticed by the lucrative profits and secretly transport various cultivation resources to Fire Cloud Sect's territory. Through the border between Fire Cloud Sect and Taiyi Sect, these resources ultimately reach Taiyi Sect's territory and are further sent to Great Wind City.

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