Sect Master’s Immortal Journey

The two countries were at war, but they didn't kill messengers. Moreover, the Jiuqu League and the Dali Dynasty had not officially gone to war yet. The Dali Dynasty's envoy successfully arrived in Jiuqu City and met with the high-ranking members of the Jiuqu League.

This envoy, with an arrogant attitude, read aloud the Dali Dynasty's orders. He said a lot, but in summary, it was this:

The Jiuqu League must immediately surrender the remnants of the Three Sects Alliance and voluntarily submit to the Dali Dynasty. Otherwise, the Jiuqu League will be considered an enemy of the Dali Dynasty and will face the attack of a large army.

The Jiuqu League's high-ranking members were thoroughly angered by the Dali Dynasty's attitude of looking down on them as if they were insignificant. Even the weakest and most fearful cultivators, who dreaded the Dali Dynasty, would not accept such so-called orders.

The negotiations between the two sides inevitably broke down. The Dali Dynasty's envoy was eventually driven away, thanks to the intervention of Azure Origin Sect's Sect Master, Daoist Master Primordial One. Without this intervention, some cultivators might have already attacked the envoy in frustration.

The Jiuqu League, being a coalition of righteous sects, had to preserve its face and adhere to the rules of the Cultivation World to avoid becoming a laughingstock. After expelling the Dali Dynasty's envoy, the Jiuqu League's high-ranking members faced the practical issue of how to deal with the Dali Dynasty next.

A cultivator from the Jade Sword Sect suggested launching an immediate assault while the Dali Dynasty's large army was still unstable, aiming to crush them completely. After years of conflict with the Three Sects Alliance, the Dali Dynasty must have suffered losses as well. With the Three Sects Alliance defeated, the Dali Dynasty would need time to recover its strength.

To overcome the Dali Dynasty, the Jiuqu League had to seize this advantageous opportunity, strike first, and take advantage of the enemy's weakness.

The proposal from the Jade Sword Sect cultivator gained the support of many high-ranking members of the Jiuqu League. However, a group led by the Azure Origin Sect cultivator strongly opposed it.

The Dali Dynasty was not actively attacking the Jiuqu League at the moment, and the Jiuqu League should not initiate a war to avoid getting entangled in unnecessary conflicts. Unlike the Three Sects Alliance, the Jiuqu League was much stronger, and if they remained on high alert, the Dali Dynasty, fresh from a major battle, might not dare to initiate a war.

With enough peaceful time, the Jiuqu League could accumulate strength and seek new allies. Azure Origin Sect held significant influence within the Jiuqu League and its argument seemed reasonable.

Thus, the high-ranking members of the Jiuqu League became embroiled in a fierce debate, which eventually turned into a show of alliances.

Jin LiTrue Monarch was introduced into the Jiuqu League by Azure Origin Sect's True Monarch Azure Mist, and she had always been friendly with Azure Origin Sect, following their stance on many important matters. In private, many cultivators secretly discussed that Jin LiTrue Monarch was a puppet manipulated by Azure Origin Sect, only knowing how to please them and obey their commands.

During this debate, Jin LiTrue Monarch unsurprisingly stood with Azure Origin Sect. The dispute quickly escalated into a confrontation with Fei GuoTrue Monarch from the Jade Sword Sect.

In the world of Cultivation, strength is revered, and Sword Cultivators, in particular, let their swords speak. A flying sword could say more than a thousand words, and actions spoke louder than words.

Despite Jin LiTrue Monarch and Fei GuoTrue Monarch both being prideful, they challenged each other directly, disregarding any persuasions from others. On the day of their duel, in the presence of several Primordial Spirit True Monarchs as witnesses, they engaged in a fierce battle.

Unexpectedly, Jin LiTrue Monarch suffered a crushing defeat. If it weren't for Fei GuoTrue Monarch showing mercy, she might have lost more than her life in this duel.

After boasting before the battle, she was now publicly defeated, and the proud Jin LiTrue Monarch could not bear this humiliation. Unable to face the shame, Jin LiTrue Monarch decided to leave Jiuqu City immediately.

Without even saying farewell to acquaintances, she hurriedly resigned from her position within the alliance and headed north to return to the Endless Sea of Sand. There, she entered the small world left by the Purple Gold Sect in Mirage Desert and began a long seclusion.

Before entering seclusion, Jin LiTrue Monarch left a message stating that once she emerged, she would challenge Fei GuoTrue Monarch again to wipe away today's shame.

If she didn't have confidence in defeating her opponents, she would rather die in seclusion within the small world than take the initiative to come out.

Although Fei Guo publicly defeated Jin LiTrue Monarch, greatly damaging the reputation of Azure Origin Sect, the high-ranking members of the Jiuqu League remained divided, and they could not reach a consensus on the matter. The proposal from the Jade Sword Sect to initiate a war against the Dali Dynasty ended without progress.

Of course, the high-ranking members of the Jiuqu League were not sitting idly, and they took certain precautions. They formed a coalition army by drawing cultivators from various major cultivation forces within the alliance. This army was stationed for an extended period on the western border, facing off against the Dali Dynasty's large army.

Though the Dali Dynasty's envoy had been arrogant and made harsh remarks, their large army remained relatively quiet, showing no signs of initiating war or encroaching on the Jiuqu League. This temporary peace led many people within the Jiuqu League to believe that Azure Origin Sect's choice was the correct one. If the aggressive Jade Sword Sect had acted without restraint, the Jiuqu League would likely have been embroiled in war.

Over time, the Dali Dynasty and the Jiuqu League maintained their peaceful coexistence. Moreover, the Dali Dynasty began to gradually reduce the main force stationed on the Jiuqu League's border and withdrew their troops.

The Jiuqu League made an assessment, and it seemed that the Dali Dynasty had no intention of initiating a war. Consequently, the Jiuqu League's cultivator army also began to shrink, and cultivators recruited from various major forces gradually returned to their respective sects.

After the significant losses suffered previously, Taiyi Sect, in particular, needed time to recover and recuperate. With the temporary peace between the Jiuqu League and the Dali Dynasty, it was considered a favorable situation for Taiyi Sect.

The previously injured cultivators began their slow recovery. Zheng Chao, after healing from his injuries, knew that his path was almost cut off. Despite going through a period of decadence, he eventually returned to normal and focused more on sect affairs.

Meng Zhang exhausted all methods but couldn't completely heal Hu Jing's injuries. Her strength had declined drastically, and she had very little combat capability left. Consequently, she mostly stayed within the sect, rarely venturing outside, and dedicated most of her time and energy to teaching younger disciples.

Taiyi Sect had deep foundations after many years of development, and as long as they had enough time, these losses could be gradually compensated. However, after Jin LiTrue Monarch entered seclusion, Taiyi Sect's external situation began to deteriorate.

Jin LiTrue Monarch's withdrawal caused Taiyi Sect to lose a backer among the high-ranking members of the Jiuqu League. They no longer received the same level of care and attention from the higher-ups.

Furthermore, Azure Origin Sect seemed to be displeased with Jin LiTrue Monarch's retreat and showed no intention of actively contacting her, let alone supporting Taiyi Sect.

Various rumors started circulating. Some claimed that Fei GuoTrue Monarch had severely injured Jin LiTrue Monarch, putting her life at risk if she didn't immediately go into seclusion for recovery. In seclusion, Jin LiTrue Monarch couldn't take care of Taiyi Sect.

These rumors grew increasingly intense, and more people believed in them. Meng Zhang understood that these were deliberate attempts to undermine Taiyi Sect, and there were limited ways to counteract them.

Taiyi Sect was a large and influential sect with vast territories, making it an attractive target for many. Previously, with Jin LiTrue Monarch's protection, potential aggressors hesitated to act. However, with Jin LiTrue Monarch in seclusion, some started making moves.

The remnants of the Three Sects Alliance had retreated into Jiuqu League's territory, and the high-ranking members faced the challenge of accommodating these forces. However, there were no spare spirit veins to house them. Through great efforts, the Jiuqu League's high-ranking members managed to settle these forces.

After losing their mountain gate, Old Beast King Mountain was no longer as prideful as before. To survive, they even lowered their heads and sought help from New Beast King Mountain.

New Beast King Mountain, feeling content with their success, showed a magnanimous attitude and actively sought new territories for Old Beast King Mountain. Unfortunately, their target was the Demon Wind Gobi territory occupied by Taiyi Sect.

Having two Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, New Beast King Mountain had no fear even against Jin LiTrue Monarch, especially since she was in seclusion and couldn't protect Taiyi Sect directly.

However, Taiyi Sect was a formal member of the Jiuqu League, and New Beast King Mountain couldn't openly seize their territory. Jiuqu League had internal rules, and even giant sects like Jade Sword Sect and Azure Origin Sect were not free to act as they pleased. At least on the surface, they had to abide by the rules.

Consequently, New Beast King Mountain resorted to covert tactics, undermining Taiyi Sect's interests step by step.

Facing this enemy, Meng Zhang knew that there was no one who could help them, and the high-ranking members of the Jiuqu League could not be relied upon. The only solution, the only way to protect Taiyi Sect, was for Taiyi Sect to produce a Primordial Spirit True Monarch.

Hence, Meng Zhang abandoned everything in the sect and embarked on closed-door cultivation to breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit stage, despite the difficulties and challenges ahead.

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