Chapter 211: Patching
Chapter 211: Patching
Amidst the insincere atmosphere of the crowd, the scene became more fervent. Ruan Dadao and others kept expressing their loyalty to Guang HongDaoist. Guang HongDaoist, in turn, comforted them with kind words, avoiding any mention of past unpleasantness as if yesterday's events had never happened. It was truly a scene of unity and harmony.
Next, everyone didn't rush back to their respective sects but stayed in Singing Sand City. One reason was to obtain the latest news promptly, and the other was to use this opportunity to mend the cracks in their relationships and emotions.
Over the next half month, more news trickled in. The disaster caused by the sand monsters did not subside due to Flying Swan Sect's intervention; instead, it escalated, with more areas getting involved. Flying Swan Sect organized several large-scale attacks but failed to eliminate the main force of the sand monsters. Especially the Third Rank sand monsters displayed astonishing combat power, even Fei JiangDaoist Master almost suffered a severe setback.
Now, large groups of sand monsters even infiltrated into the territory of Northern Desert Qi Family. Northern Desert, situated in the Endless Sea of Sand, was already relatively barren, lacking in spirit vein quality and quantity, and ruled directly by Qi Family without as many vassals as Flying Swan Sect.
The sand monsters' rampage in Northern Desert directly harmed Qi Family's foundation. Qi NanguiDaoist Master of Qi Family had already organized forces to start eradicating the sand monsters in their territory.
At this time, Flying Swan Sect sent envoys to Northern Desert Qi Family, hoping to negotiate peace. Although the two had been enemies for many years, they were, after all, human beings capable of communication and compromise. On the other hand, sand monsters were the natural enemies of the Cultivation World, instinctively seeking to exterminate human Cultivators.
In the past, there had been instances of temporary alliances between Flying Swan Sect and Northern Desert Qi Family due to sand monster havoc. Given the severity of the current sand monster turmoil, it was not surprising that they formed another alliance.
For Guang ZhiDaoist Master, Flying Swan Sect extended an olive branch, promising not to pursue him anymore and to let go of past grudges. Fei TianDaoist Master even took a grand oath that as long as Guang ZhiDaoist Master assisted Flying Swan Sect in eradicating the sand monsters, they would provide generous rewards. During the battle against the sand monsters, Guang ZhiDaoist Master would enjoy the same treatment as Flying Swan Sect's Gold CoreDaoist Masters, receiving sufficient cultivation resources and access to Third Rank spirit veins.
To demonstrate their sincerity, Flying Swan Sect immediately lifted the blockade on Forest Spring Watch and other sects. This news even made Meng Zhang sigh with relief. The years of blockade were now over, signaling the end of the standoff. If nothing unexpected happened, Taiyi Sect would enter a rare period of peaceful development.
During this time, Meng Zhang had to work hard to repair his relationship with Forest Spring Watch. Fortunately, when Ruan Dadao and the others forced him in the palace, Meng Zhang didn't make any direct statements or take action. They didn't escalate the situation, so the relationship could still be salvaged. Besides, Taiyi Sect had been on good terms with Forest Mountain School, continuously providing them with white hidden earth ore.
Meng Zhang decided to notify the sect that all the white hidden earth ore mined in the future would be given to Forest Spring Watch free of charge. Sacrificing some external resources for the friendship of a Gold Core sect was undoubtedly a significant gain.
Meng Zhang visited Xu Yishan and Lin Shenpo from Forest Mountain School in private, asking them to put in a good word for him with Guang HongDaoist. He not only offered them generous gifts but also promised additional benefits. Meng Zhang couldn't help but feel that Forest Spring Watch was exceptionally lucky this time. Just when they needed it, the sand monster turmoil came to their rescue.
However, Meng Zhang quickly dismissed the improbable thought that the sand monster turmoil might have been related to Forest Spring Watch. After all, sand monsters had been rampaging in the Endless Sea of Sand for years; it was impossible for it to be a human-made event. Even the Primordial Spirit sects wouldn't have such means.
Shortly afterward, the latest news arrived: Guang ZhiDaoist Master had declared that sand monsters were the enemies of human Cultivators, and as a member of the Human Clan, it was his responsibility to eradicate them. Once his injuries healed, he would immediately go to the frontline.
With Guang ZhiDaoist Master's declaration, the war shadow looming over everyone's heads completely dissipated. Including Meng Zhang, the main figures of various sects returned to their respective sects.
With the lifting of Flying Swan Sect's blockade, trade routes resumed, and the minerals and goods accumulated by various sects could be transported to Firewell Market for sale.
During Meng Zhang's absence from Taiyi Sect, with the help of Wen Qiansun, Deep Earth Spirit General had set up the Second Rank Formation, a towering great formation, in Fuzhao Valley.
Having the protection of a Second Rank Formation not only greatly enhanced the sect's defensive capabilities but also instilled a sense of security in everyone's hearts. The disciples who had been monitoring Forest Spring Watch were all recalled by Flying Swan Sect.
Now, Forest Spring Watch was truly free and unburdened, able to expand and take action. Their forces quickly set foot on the territory that originally belonged to Twin Success Valley. Forest Mountain School also dispatched a large number of elite disciples to accompany them.
This land was originally occupied by Liu Family and Green Bamboo Mountain but later faced the ravages of loose cultivators. After the four sects' alliance defeated Liu Family and Green Bamboo Mountain, they didn't fully occupy the area due to limited manpower.
Only Shi Weida took control of Date Spice Oasis, and Taiyi Sect occupied a Warm Jade Mine. Now that Forest Spring Watch was expanding, this place became their prime target.
Gu Tanghai was very tactful and voluntarily withdrew Shi Weida from Date Spice Oasis, giving it to Forest Spring Watch. Forest Spring Watch declined a few times but eventually reluctantly accepted it.
Gu Tanghai did this, so what could Meng Zhang do? He could only take the initiative and offer the Warm Jade Mine being mined as a gift to Forest Spring Watch.
Similarly, Forest Spring Watch declined a few times before finally accepting Meng Zhang's goodwill. Having such a valuable Warm Jade Mine in his hands yet having to give it away to others without even using it made Meng Zhang feel somewhat stifled. But Forest Spring Watch was now a Gold Core sect. If he didn't take the initiative, it would be quite uncouth to wait for them to ask for it.
Originally, Twin Success Valley, Forest Spring Watch, Liu Family, and Green Bamboo Mountain stood on equal footing. With Twin Success Valley's strength alone, they could contend with the other three combined. Their direct territories were very fertile and resource-rich, providing ample support for the strong group of cultivators in Twin Success Valley.
Even after undergoing several upheavals and suffering heavy losses, once the land fell into Forest Spring Watch's hands and was properly managed for a period, it could become their new stronghold.
Forest Spring Watch took the lion's share, while their subordinate, Forest Mountain School, also gained some benefits, obtaining some peripheral territory.
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