Chapter 882: Retreat |
After Changchun True Monarch appeared, he easily appeased the crowd in the observatory, completely quelling the internal strife that had been going on there for some time.
He made an effort to identify and eliminate several spies who had joined Wonderful Pill Union, dealing with them directly and ruthlessly.
With Changchun True Monarch revealing his Cultivation Base publicly, those nearby cultivation forces that were instigated by Wonderful Pill Union to trouble Changchun Outlook immediately retreated. It's one thing to take advantage of someone's vulnerability, but facing head-on confrontation with a Primordial Spirit True Monarch is an entirely different matter.
Wonderful Pill Union had spread rumors that Changchun True Monarch had fallen, and that Changchun Outlook was in internal turmoil, which emboldened these cultivation forces to besiege Changchun Outlook, hoping to gain something from the chaos.
Now that Changchun True Monarch was alive and well, the idea of internal strife at Changchun Outlook was simply groundless.
Not to mention that the renowned Taiyi Sect had already intervened in the matter, standing on Changchun Outlook's side.
With the local cultivation forces in Jiuqu Province retreating, only Wonderful Pill Union remained to confront them.
Concerned about the threat from Wonderful Pill Union, Changchun True Monarch, after gaining an advantage, didn't continue to chase and attack those who took advantage of the situation. Instead, he temporarily let them go.
Although Changchun True Monarch appeared confident, he was actually quite anxious. Wonderful Pill Union, as a powerful force, was far superior to Changchun Outlook. Even with Taiyi Sect's assistance, it was uncertain if they could withstand their opponent's might.
For a period afterward, Wonderful Pill Union made no further moves, as if they had given up on their intentions regarding Changchun Outlook.
Since Wonderful Pill Union was inactive, there was no need for Changchun True Monarch to pick fights proactively.
In his heart, he speculated that Wonderful Pill Union might have already backed down.
There were still many soft targets within Jiuqu Province, and Wonderful Pill Union had no reason to clash with both Changchun Outlook and Taiyi Sect.
Meng Zhang had stayed at Changchun Outlook for a considerable amount of time, and since Wonderful Pill Union didn't take any action during this period, he bid farewell to Changchun True Monarch and led the disciples of Taiyi Sect back.
Before parting, they agreed to look out for each other and offer mutual assistance.
Not long after Meng Zhang returned to the Taiyi Sect's mountain gate, Cult Master Xu Mengying of the Yellow Lotus Sect paid a visit.
Both of them were leaders of their respective factions, and they had busy schedules and were devoted to their cultivation. Although they kept in touch, they didn't have many opportunities for face-to-face communication.
If there was no major issue, Xu Mengying wouldn't usually come in person.Indeed, Xu Mengying came this time to discuss important matters with Meng Zhang.
As it turns out, Four Seas Commercial Firm has been facing increasing difficulties due to the threat posed by a big merchant family from outside.
As the original top commercial firm of the Jiuqu League, even if they wanted to compromise or retreat, there was nowhere to retreat and no room to give in.
Four Seas Commercial Firm was too massive, with a huge family business. Even if they were to sell themselves and seek refuge, the other party would dismember, assimilate, and digest them before feeling reassured.
The high-level members of Four Seas Commercial Firm, such as You Hongzhi True Monarch, would not be accepted even if they actively sought refuge, unless they were willing to give up their lifelong careers and the heritage of generations.
During this period, You Hongzhi True Monarch had been networking and connecting with local cultivation forces who were similarly affected in terms of interests. He wanted everyone to unite and deal with external threats together.
You Hongzhi True Monarch had also previously contacted Taiyi Sect.
However, due to Meng Zhang's lack of trust in him, he managed to find a way to decline the matter.
Now, You Hongzhi True Monarch sought help from the Yellow Lotus Sect.
The Yellow Lotus Sect was also an old-established sect in the Jiuqu League. During its prime, its strength was second only to Jade Sword Sect and Azure Origin Sect.
After going through so many ups and downs, Xu Mengying finally managed to end the internal split and reconsolidate the Yellow Lotus Sect.
The current Yellow Lotus Sect was large but not particularly strong.
The sect's influence was vast, with a large number of disciples. However, the overall combat power of the sect was average, especially in terms of top-level strength, where only Xu Mengying held the position of a Primordial Spirit True Monarch.
After the big merchant family from the Dali Dynasty invaded Jiuqu Province, the Yellow Lotus Sect suffered severe losses and lost many sources of income.
Although the Yellow Lotus Sect had a deep foundation and substantial resources, it also had to support a large number of disciples.
Without commercial income, relying solely on industries like spirit fields and mineral resources, the income was limited and couldn't sustain so many disciples.
For a qualified sect, at the very least, it should be able to provide disciples with cultivation techniques, a relatively safe cultivation environment, and some resources.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to retain disciples.
Even if the sect was powerful, if disciples couldn't gain benefits from the sect, why would they be willing to sacrifice for it?
After the reconsolidation of the Yellow Lotus Sect, apart from the Main Altar, the various branch altars scattered throughout the region also became the responsibility and burden of Xu Mengying as the Cult Master.
Currently, the Yellow Lotus Sect was struggling to cover its daily expenses and was already living beyond its means.The accumulation within the sect is rapidly depleting.
If it continues without replenishment, the day the sect's accumulation is exhausted will be the day when the entire sect falls apart.
You Hongzhi True Monarch of Four Seas Commercial Firm came at this time. Even though Xu Mengying knew he couldn't be relied upon and wasn't trustworthy, she couldn't help but be tempted.
If she could gather the strength of the local cultivation forces, she didn't expect to drive away these big merchant families from the Dali Dynasty. Instead, she hoped to have the ability to negotiate with them, retain some of her own interests, and gain some income. That would still be beneficial.
Although Xu Mengying didn't agree immediately to join You Hongzhi True Monarch's actions, she also didn't outright refuse.
She told You Hongzhi True Monarch that she needed to consider it and would get back to him as soon as possible.
Then, she came to Taiyi Sect to seek Meng Zhang's advice.
If it were up to Meng Zhang, he would certainly advise Xu Mengying to reject You Hongzhi True Monarch outright.
But Xu Mengying had already explained the predicament of the Yellow Lotus Sect to him.
Those external big merchant families had already harmed the foundation of the Yellow Lotus Sect, becoming its formidable enemies.
If it weren't for the fact that the other side was too powerful and they knew they couldn't possibly compete, the Yellow Lotus Sect would have already engaged them in war.
After listening to Xu Mengying, Meng Zhang fell into silence.
From the standpoint of the Yellow Lotus Sect, there seemed to be no other choice.
As a friend, Meng Zhang could offer some assistance to Xu Mengying.
However, Taiyi Sect had its limitations and couldn't do much more.
Taiyi Sect also suffered significant losses in interests due to these external big merchant families and lost many sources of income.
Even if Meng Zhang went all out and ordered Taiyi Sect to support Yellow Lotus Sect, Taiyi Sect's capabilities were still insufficient to achieve that.
Moreover, as the Sect Master, he had to consider the interests of the sect.
He must always remain impartial and not neglect the public for personal gain. This was Meng Zhang's demand of himself.
With his current Cultivation Base and his supreme position within Taiyi Sect, if he couldn't strictly control himself and acted recklessly, it would be a disaster for the entire Taiyi Sect.
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