Sect Master’s Immortal Journey - Chapter 509: Visits again

The solitary visitor who arrived was Daoist Master Scarlet Flame from the Fire Cloud Sect. This was not the first time Daoist Master Scarlet Flame had visited the Grand Lion Ridge. During his previous visit, he had been quite low-key and had not caused much commotion.

This time, however, he arrived in a grand and eye-catching flying vessel, accompanied by a large group of disciples, proudly displaying the demeanor of victors. Meng Zhang received Daoist Master Scarlet Flame with apparent warmth, though deep down, he was dissatisfied.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame’s conspicuous actions put both himself and the entire Taiyi Sect at risk. To outsiders unaware of the truth, it might appear that Taiyi Sect and Fire Cloud Sect had formed an alliance.

While Fire Cloud Sect had dealt a significant blow to the Flying Swan Sect and occupied a large portion of the Endless Sea of Sand, forcing numerous cultivation forces to submit, the Flying Swan Sect still possessed the ability to counterattack. If the situation were to reverse again, and the Flying Swan Sect rose from defeat to victory, how would Meng Zhang and Taiyi Sect handle the aftermath?

Even before this incident, the Flying Swan Sect had harbored animosity toward Taiyi Sect. Now, with these events, Taiyi Sect had become an eyesore and a thorn in the side of the Flying Swan Sect.

When the Flying Swan Sect was powerful, Meng Zhang had wished to weaken them. He had even prepared to support the Northern Desert Qi Family secretly and provide intelligence to the Fire Cloud Sect to aid in the destruction of the Flying Swan Sect. But now that the Flying Swan Sect was weakened, Meng Zhang hoped they would put up a good fight and divert Fire Cloud Sect’s attention away from Taiyi Sect.

However, it seemed that even though Meng Zhang had tried to keep a low profile, he couldn’t escape the attention of Fire Cloud Sect. After all, Taiyi Sect was still a Gold Core sect, and with Fire Cloud Sect conquering the Endless Sea of Sand, it was impossible for them to ignore Taiyi Sect.

After welcoming Daoist Master Scarlet Flame into the protective formation of the mountain, Meng Zhang engaged in some small talk, endlessly praising and flattering him. However, Daoist Master Scarlet Flame, being a senior cultivator in the mid Gold Core stage, was not swayed by Meng Zhang’s tricks. Though not particularly eloquent, Daoist Master Scarlet Flame’s cultivation base far surpassed Meng Zhang’s, and if it weren’t for the protection of the Third Rank protective formation, Meng Zhang wouldn’t have dared to get too close to him.

With just a few words, Daoist Master Scarlet Flame silenced all of Meng Zhang’s chatter and went straight to the point. His purpose was simple: to persuade Meng Zhang and Taiyi Sect to form an alliance with the Fire Cloud Sect and jointly deal with the Flying Swan Sect.

According to Daoist Master Scarlet Flame, the Flying Swan Sect was already a defeated force and no match for the combined strength of Taiyi Sect and Fire Cloud Sect. He promised that once the Flying Swan Sect was eliminated, the Endless Sea of Sand would be divided between Taiyi Sect and Fire Cloud Sect. Taiyi Sect would have the first choice of everything they obtained from the Flying Swan Sect.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame sincerely explained that Fire Cloud Sect belonged to the Jiuqu League and would ultimately need to return to the Jiuqu League’s jurisdiction, leaving Endless Sea of Sand to Taiyi Sect as its dominant power.

Listening to Daoist Master Scarlet Flame’s tempting offers and benefits, Meng Zhang had a momentary wavering in his heart. However, he quickly regained his composure. The conflict between Fire Cloud Sect and Flying Swan Sect involved the struggles of their respective Primordial Spirit True Monarchs, a complicated situation that Taiyi Sect couldn’t afford to get involved in lightly.

The situation in the Endless Sea of Sand is best left as it is. If the Flying Swan Sect and Fire Cloud Sect continue to confront each other, maintaining this status quo indefinitely would be most advantageous for Taiyi Sect.

Of course, Meng Zhang knows that this ideal situation is impossible to achieve. Nonetheless, he was somewhat surprised that Fire Cloud Sect came knocking on his door so quickly.

Faced with the enticing conditions offered by Daoist Master Scarlet Flame, Meng Zhang chose to ignore them. He did not outright reject Daoist Master Scarlet Flame but began making various excuses to evade the matter.

Fire Cloud Sect had only recently defeated the Flying Swan Sect and was at the height of its power. Meng Zhang did not want to provoke Daoist Master Scarlet Flame with a direct refusal.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame paid no attention to Meng Zhang’s excuses and did not get entangled in the details. Instead, he increased the stakes and offered even better conditions.

Truth be told, if Fire Cloud Sect could truly fulfill these conditions, it would be enough to lure even more powerful Gold Core sects than Taiyi Sect.

Although Meng Zhang is not particularly astute, having been in the Cultivation World for many years, his instincts are keen. He sensed that there must be something about these favorable conditions and Fire Cloud Sect’s eagerness to recruit him that he didn’t know.

The fact that Fire Cloud Sect sent a mid Gold Core Daoist Master Scarlet Flame to visit showed their regard for Meng Zhang, giving Taiyi Sect face. However, Daoist Master Scarlet Flame, while highly respected and powerful, was not an adept negotiator.

Seeing that Meng Zhang had not given a clear answer, Daoist Master Scarlet Flame assumed that Meng Zhang didn’t believe him. He sincerely assured Meng Zhang that he was willing to make a soul oath or even a ghost oath to guarantee the fulfillment of his promises. Fire Cloud Sect valued Taiyi Sect greatly and demonstrated ample sincerity with their generous terms.

While Meng Zhang was somewhat tempted, he also felt a sense of unease. Was Taiyi Sect really worth such treatment from Fire Cloud Sect?

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame’s discontent with Meng Zhang’s unyielding attitude became evident. He suppressed his frustration and presented Fire Cloud Sect’s final bottom line.

Fire Cloud Sect could accept Taiyi Sect not joining the battle against the Flying Swan Sect. As long as Meng Zhang made a ghost oath to ensure that Taiyi Sect would remain neutral and not get involved in the conflict between Fire Cloud Sect and Flying Swan Sect, Fire Cloud Sect would fulfill all the benefits originally promised.

The more Daoist Master Scarlet Flame persisted, the more uneasy Meng Zhang felt. These conditions were too generous and had no cost to Taiyi Sect. It seemed like Taiyi Sect would gain countless benefits without having to do anything.

In the worst-case scenario, if Fire Cloud Sect was defeated by the Flying Swan Sect and completely withdrew from the Endless Sea of Sand, what would that have to do with Taiyi Sect? Taiyi Sect had not participated in the attack against the Flying Swan Sect but maintained a benevolent neutrality.

Another person might have been swayed by Daoist Master Scarlet Flame and agreed to his request, but Meng Zhang, guided by his Diviner instincts, still didn’t give in.

However, he did not outright refuse either. He kept emphasizing his difficulties and continued to find excuses to evade the situation. At one point, he mentioned the unstable situation in the Demon Wind Gobi, which prevented him from leaving. Then he mentioned the constant harassment by various demonic beasts in the Demon Wind Gobi, which tied up the main forces of Taiyi Sect cultivators.

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