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Chapter 41: Fang Yong returns
With the improvement of Daoist Clear Spirit's Spirit Plant Technique, the quantity and quality of spirit herbs planted in Taiyi Sect's spirit field increased. There were no major events in the sect, and Meng Zhang's main focus remained on his cultivation. Besides practicing the Lesser Yang Qi Art, he also emphasized practicing the spells obtained in the Trial Grounds. When Cultivation Base was similar, the number and strength of spells one possessed could become the deciding factor in a battle.
Meng Zhang spent a considerable amount of time studying and digesting the knowledge related to cultivation hundred arts obtained from the Trial Grounds. This knowledge allowed Taiyi Sect to develop professions such as Alchemist and tool refiner, at least in terms of theoretical knowledge. However, currently, no disciples in Taiyi Sect displayed talent in these fields. Most disciples still focused on Spirit Plant Technique, which was easy to learn but difficult to master. While it was easy to become a low-level spirit farmer, climbing to higher levels was not necessarily easier than becoming an Alchemist or tool refiner.
Meng Zhang considered choosing one cultivation hundred art as his secondary profession to develop further. He was determined to excel in that chosen field. However, he didn't show much interest or exceptional talent in any cultivation hundred art so far. Both Taiyi Sect and Meng Zhang's personal wealth couldn't afford to waste too many spirit stones on trial and error.
Meng Zhang was young, and he wasn't in a hurry. Cultivators weren't obliged to pursue cultivation hundred arts; they could also develop their secondary professions. Currently, Meng Zhang's life was fulfilling enough.
However, a piece of news arrived one day, completely ruining his mood. That morning, just after completing his morning practice, Tian Zhen and Daoist Clear Spirit came to him together.
It turned out that last night, Fang Yong, who had left with Fang Meng, returned to Sweetwater Oasis in a very sorry state. According to Fang Yong, Fang Meng had betrayed their fellow disciples, causing their deaths, and Fang Yong narrowly escaped the disaster.
Fang Yong, in a miserable state, now returned to Taiyi Sect, earnestly seeking Sect Master's forgiveness. However, he didn't dare to return directly to Taiyi Sect and instead stayed temporarily with relatives in Sweetwater Oasis.
The residents of Sweetwater Oasis were raised under the protection of Taiyi Sect and didn't have a good view of traitors like Fang Yong. Still, seeing him in such a pitiful state, begging for forgiveness, softened some hearts.
Several elderly Taiyi Sect disciples resting in Sweetwater Oasis were moved by Fang Yong's remorseful appearance. Some of them were also related to Fang Yong's mother's side, including a distant cousin of Daoist Clear Spirit. Daoist Clear Spirit, known for his kind-hearted nature, visited Sweetwater Oasis and, after meeting Fang Yong, asked for Meng Zhang's understanding.
Meng Zhang was inwardly annoyed. When Fang Yong had followed Fang Meng and left the sect, he should have pursued the traitor and dealt with him then. Now, Fang Yong wanted to return as if Taiyi Sect was nothing more than a place to come and go as one pleased.
However, he couldn't be too harsh since those elderly disciples had interceded, and he had to consider Daoist Clear Spirit's face as well. The intricacies of human relationships applied even to cultivators, and Meng Zhang couldn't escape this web of emotions.
After some contemplation, he decided not to harshly reject Daoist Clear Spirit's request. Instead, he chose to go to Sweetwater Oasis with Tian Zhen to meet Fang Yong before making a decision.
Once they arrived at Sweetwater Oasis, the disciple Li Baofu, who was stationed there, brought Fang Yong in front of Meng Zhang. Fang Yong was in his early twenties but looked like an old man. His face was weather-beaten, wrinkled, and lacked the vitality of a young person.
Fang Yong knelt on the ground as soon as he appeared, crawling to Meng Zhang's feet, sobbing and tearfully admitting his mistakes. He regretted listening to Fang Meng's deceitful words and betraying the sect.
Meng Zhang looked at Fang Yong coldly, waiting for him to finish crying before saying coldly, "If you're done crying, then honestly confess everything you did with Fang Meng after leaving Taiyi Sect."
"Let me make it clear beforehand, if you tell the truth, I'll still consider the past. If there's any falsehood in your words, don't blame me for being heartless."
Since becoming the Taiyi Sect's Sect Master, Meng Zhang had developed an air of dignity. Hearing his imposing voice, Fang Yong trembled before slowly starting to confess.
After leaving Taiyi Sect, Fang Meng led a small group of followers in the Cultivation World. This group included six people, with Fang Meng being at the Refining Qi Fourth Layer, while the others were beginners at the Refining Qi stage.
In Taiyi Sect, they could live a relatively difficult life under the sect's protection, but in the outside world, their group of inexperienced disciples quickly found it hard to survive.
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