Sect Master’s Immortal Journey

Since the moment Ying Gaofei was stabbed by the Spiritsnake Spear, the outcome of this battle had already been determined. Meng Zhang won this time, but it was a close call, and he almost lost his life. This was undoubtedly the most dangerous battle he had encountered since embarking on his cultivation journey. Despite using all his abilities and most of his trump cards, he could do nothing against Ying Gaofei.

When Ying Gaofei struck him, he thought he was doomed. Fortunately, during his previous deep exploration of the Yuantu Great Prairie in the Dark Alliance's treasure trove, he obtained several valuable items. Among them, the most powerful was the Fourth Rank talisman. Due to his cultivation base, he hadn't fully refined the talisman yet, so he couldn't easily utilize it. However, the most significant contribution came from the substitute puppet. This extremely rare treasure in the Cultivation World saved Meng Zhang's life at a critical moment.

Long before the duel, Meng Zhang had already refined the substitute puppet. When struck by Ying Gaofei, the puppet's substitution technique automatically activated, taking the fatal blow in his stead. The puppet's effectiveness greatly exceeded Meng Zhang's expectations. After using the substitute puppet this time, it was significantly damaged, but it seemed it could still be used two more times.

Ying Gaofei, thinking he had killed Meng Zhang, let his guard down completely, which allowed Meng Zhang to strike him with the Spiritsnake Spear. The Spiritsnake Spear truly lived up to its reputation as a killing weapon passed down by the Taiyi Sect. Once it hit Ying Gaofei, it rooted itself within him. No matter how he struggled and used all his means, he couldn't force it out. The ferocious killing aura ravaged Ying Gaofei's dragon body, constantly eroding his vitality. If left untreated, Meng Zhang could easily end Ying Gaofei's life by continuing to activate the Spiritsnake Spear.

However, Meng Zhang had no intention of doing so. Although both sides had agreed to accept the fate of life or death before the duel, Meng Zhang did not take those words seriously. Humans and dragons, especially True Dragon descendants like Ying Gaofei, had different values, and their lives were more precious. Killing Ying Gaofei would not only lead to retaliation from the True Dragon clan but also provoke the two Sea Clan elders present, who might turn against him.

Seeing that Ying Gaofei was hit by the Spiritsnake Spear, the two Sea Clan elders were extremely anxious, with panic written all over their faces. If it weren't for the two Human Clan Primordial Spirits stopping them, they would have already attacked. While the two Human Clan Primordial Spirits could protect him temporarily, they couldn't do so forever. The Sea Clan's Fourth Rank expert was determined to take the life of a Gold Core cultivator and would find an opportunity to strike.

If Meng Zhang died, aside from the members of Taiyi Sect, few outsiders would care, and nobody else would speak up for him. Sighing with a sense of helplessness, Meng Zhang suppressed that feeling. With a single gesture, he recalled the Spiritsnake Spear.

Ying Gaofei's massive body fell towards the ground, but before he could hit the ground, the two Sea Clan elders used magic to catch him. They carefully examined his body and confirmed that although his injuries were severe, his life was not in danger, which relieved them.

After stabilizing Ying Gaofei's injuries with magic, the two Sea Clan elders didn't waste time on small talk. They shot Meng Zhang a stern look and flew away directly. Witnessing the outcome of the battle, Hai Pofeng, despite feeling extremely unwilling, had to command the entire army to prepare for retreat.

Meng Zhang's hard-fought victory finally came to an end. As the victorious Taiyi Sect, they had no time to savor the taste of victory; there was still a lot to do. They needed to clean up the battlefield, tend to the wounded, and organize their cultivation forces.

Meng Zhang didn't bother with these trivial matters, believing that the higher-ups in the sect would handle them appropriately. He proactively flew to the side of Jin Li True Monarch and True Monarch Azure Mist, paying his respects.

Jin Li True Monarch's attitude was lukewarm, but True Monarch Azure Mist spoke kindly and praised him warmly. After a few words, Jin Li True Monarch didn't explicitly state anything but reminded Meng Zhang not to forget the great favor True Monarch Azure Mist had shown him this time. Meng Zhang understood and sincerely thanked True Monarch Azure Mist for his assistance, promising to express his gratitude in the future.

True Monarch Azure Mist believed that Meng Zhang would definitely remember to reward him appropriately. He appreciated Meng Zhang's understanding and clear expression of his intentions, which made him quite satisfied. Senior figures of major sects needed to maintain their dignity and consider their reputations, so he didn't immediately demand rewards from Meng Zhang. Instead, he hinted that someone would contact him in the future to discuss the matter, and Meng Zhang should first handle post-war affairs.

After bidding farewell to the two Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, Meng Zhang returned to Red Rock Valley. At this moment, the Sea Clan army, under Hai Pofeng's command, began to slowly withdraw from the battlefield.

According to the previous agreement, the Sea Clan army will not invade here again. The vast territory from Red Rock Valley to two thousand miles west of it, including the original land of Red Rock Valley and Taiyi Sect, now all belong to Taiyi Sect's territory.

However, Taiyi Sect alone cannot swallow such a large benefit. Both the two Primordial Spirit True Monarchs and Beast King Mountain must be compensated generously. Meng Zhang's task is to do his best to retain Red Rock Valley and allow Taiyi Sect to enjoy the most delicious piece of the fruit.

Next, from top to bottom, Taiyi Sect becomes busy with post-war affairs, including rewarding internal disciples for their contributions and appeasing members of the Jiuqu League.

Additionally, there are large numbers of escaped demons and beasts in the newly acquired western territory of Demon Wind Gobi, which need to be dealt with gradually.

It takes three months for Taiyi Sect to handle the aftermath and for the injured cultivators to control their injuries.

At this time, an envoy from True Monarch Azure Mist arrives at the Hundred Grass Slope, Taiyi Sect's mountain gate, to negotiate with Meng Zhang. Beast King Mountain had sent cultivators here even earlier.

Beast King Mountain also suffered heavy losses, with many cultivators injured or killed, including the death of a Gold Core Daoist Master. Having put in so much effort and paid such a price, Beast King Mountain naturally expects compensation.

In addition, although Jin Li True Monarch did not attend, as Taiyi Sect's protector, she naturally deserves a substantial share.

Meng Zhang works hard and persuades them with great effort to come up with a final distribution plan that barely satisfies Beast King Mountain and True Monarch Azure Mist's envoy.

During this process, Meng Zhang doesn't hesitate to use the names of Jin Li True Monarch and True Monarch Azure Mist to suppress the Beast King Mountain cultivators.

In the end, Taiyi Sect retains ownership of all the territory within two thousand miles of Red Rock Valley. A corridor-shaped passage is specially left open, connecting Taiyi Sect's existing territory to Red Rock Valley.

True Monarch Azure Mist receives the largest share of the remaining territory, which they will take over in the future.

Beast King Mountain also receives a significant share, which they will likewise take over later.

Jin Li True Monarch gains a large piece of territory, but she lacks manpower to manage it, so it will temporarily be under Taiyi Sect's control. All the profits from this territory will be regularly given to her by Taiyi Sect.

With this major issue settled, Meng Zhang finally breathes a sigh of relief.

Although Sea Clan's army failed this time, it doesn't mean they are weaker. Meng Zhang's victory against Ying Gaofei was also due to some luck. It's likely that both the high-ranking Sea Clan members and Ying Gaofei himself won't be convinced of their defeat.

However, Sea Clan should not cause trouble again in the short term. Ying Gaofei's injuries are severe and need time to heal. Moreover, he is proud and may not want to make trouble in public after suffering such a big loss.

The Sea Clan army also suffered heavy losses and needs time to recover.

With two Human Clan Primordial Spirit True Monarchs witnessing the ceasefire, Sea Clan's high-ranking members might not care about their reputation, but they cannot ignore the True Monarchs' attitude. If they overturn the agreement and invade again in the short term, it would be like slapping the faces of Jin Li True Monarch and True Monarch Azure Mist. If they want to maintain their reputation in the Jiuqu League, they will not ignore it.

For the time being, Sea Clan is not a concern, and Beast King Mountain has been appeased. Taiyi Sect finally has a peaceful external environment.

For a long time to come, Taiyi Sect must focus on recuperating and slowly regaining their strength. Especially after losing so many disciples in this battle, it will take time to recover from such significant human losses. In comparison, the material losses seem more acceptable.

Taiyi Sect has indeed gained a lot, not to mention the newly acquired vast territory. Just the Red Rock Valley alone is worth Taiyi Sect's desperate efforts. Red Rock Valley is an extremely rare and wealthy place in the Demon Wind Gobi, with a Third Rank spirit vein and abundant resources. It will not only provide a substantial income for Taiyi Sect but also support more Gold Core Daoist Masters.

Meng Zhang's main purpose in initiating this war was to eliminate the threat from the Sea Clan and prevent their further expansion. He values the lives of Taiyi Sect's disciples far more than acquiring new territories. If it were merely for territorial gains, he would never sacrifice so many disciples.

The result of the great battle not only achieved Taiyi Sect's goal of stopping Sea Clan but also brought tremendous gains. However, besides dealing with the significant losses of the disciples and offering more benefits to appease other forces, Secret Hall also needs to strengthen investigations to prevent these forces from undermining Taiyi Sect's interests in secret.

In summary, although the great battle was won, many troubles have just begun. Taiyi Sect is currently far from internal and external difficulties, but it is also not the time to enjoy the fruits of victory peacefully. Meng Zhang will need to work hard for a long time to solve various internal and external troubles.

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