Sect Master’s Immortal Journey - Chapter 520: Heavy losses

For Qi Nanfei, the current situation was just right. The forces of the Flying Swan Sect, Fire Cloud Sect, and Taiyi Sect were constantly consuming and bleeding, which suited his intentions perfectly.

Even though Meng Zhang seemed to have good understanding with him, it was Taiyi Sect that had secretly colluded with the Northern Desert Qi Family before. However, Taiyi Sect did that for their own interests, needing the Northern Desert Qi Family to restrain the Flying Swan Sect.

In Qi Nanfei’s eyes, the Flying Swan Sect was a mortal enemy, and Taiyi Sect was no friend either. He hadn’t forgotten how the Northern Desert Qi Family suffered from the schemes of Taiyi Sect and Flying Swan Sect in the battle at Demon Wind Gobi.

Now, when Meng Zhang wanted Qi Nanfei’s cooperation to defeat the Fire Cloud Sect together, Qi Nanfei simply wouldn’t agree. Despite Meng Zhang’s persistent persuasion and attempts to bribe him, Qi Nanfei not only rejected Meng Zhang but also mocked him.

As the heated argument continued, Meng Zhang left empty-handed, but he was determined in his heart. Without a butcher like Zhang, he wouldn’t eat a pig with hair. Even without Qi Nanfei’s cooperation, he believed that he could break the deadlock with his improved cultivation and Divine Ability. He had made considerable progress during this period of time.

In the following struggles, Meng Zhang silently observed, carefully seeking opportunities. The battle had been deadlocked for 2-3 months, and not only were the forces of the cultivators exhausted, but even the several Gold Core Daoist Masters were growing weary.

On this day, the seven Gold Core Daoist Masters flew to the center of the battlefield as if it were a routine, starting a new round of fighting.

In previous battles, the Gold Core Daoist Masters of the Flying Swan Sect and Fire Cloud Sect had tried to inflict heavy damage to decide the victory. But due to Meng Zhang and Qi Nanfei’s interference, they had given up on this idea and chose to maintain the status quo.

This time’s battle seemed no different from before. However, as soon as the battle started, Meng Zhang took the lead and charged towards Daoist Master Fiery Cloud.

Meng Zhang rarely acted so boldly. Though Fei Shi Daoist Master and Wu Mingwei were a bit surprised, they followed closely to prevent Meng Zhang from being surrounded.

Even though Fei Shi Daoist Master and the others disliked Meng Zhang, they wouldn’t stand by and watch him get into danger.

Qi Nanfei Daoist Master disdainfully glanced at Meng Zhang, feeling quite contemptuous of him. “You think everyone will fight to the death just because you take the initiative to charge? How naive!”

Qi Nanfei lazily flew at the rear, advancing leisurely.

Seeing Meng Zhang’s bold charge, the three Gold Core Daoist Masters from the Fire Cloud Sect assumed he was being impulsive due to his youth. They had indeed intended to take advantage of this and deal heavy blows to Meng Zhang, but Fei Shi Daoist Master and Wu Mingwei’s prompt arrival prevented them from doing so.

Daoist Master Fiery Cloud, Meng Zhang’s target, didn’t take Meng Zhang, a junior, seriously at all. In the previous battles, Meng Zhang and Qi Nanfei’s subtle actions hadn’t escaped their teammates or the enemy’s notice. Daoist Master Fiery Cloud wasn’t afraid of someone like Meng Zhang, who was sly and cunning.

He confidently confronted Meng Zhang as soon as they made contact, and they began fighting.

Behind Daoist Master Fiery Cloud, Daoist Master Scarlet Flame and Daoist Master Dark Cloud were held back by Fei Shi Daoist Master and Wu Mingwei. Fei Shi Daoist Master and Daoist Master Scarlet Flame were experienced adversaries, and their confrontation was a tough match. Even if they fought for a long time, it would be difficult to determine a winner.

Wu Mingwei, being a newcomer to the Gold Core stage, lacked the experiences like Meng Zhang. Facing the seasoned Daoist Master Dark Cloud, he was at a disadvantage and slowly began to lose ground.

Meanwhile, on Meng Zhang and Daoist Master Fiery Cloud’s side, shortly after their confrontation began, Meng Zhang started retreating, gradually luring Daoist Master Fiery Cloud away from the battlefield.

In such a situation, Meng Zhang should have moved closer to Qi Nanfei to cooperate and assist each other, while also leaving room to support Wu Mingwei. However, from Qi Nanfei’s perspective, Meng Zhang probably didn’t seek his help because of their previous dispute. “Young people these days have thin skin,” Qi Nanfei thought, shaking his head.

Battle between Gold Core cultivators was not easily decided in a short time. Often, it was easy to determine victory but hard to decide life and death. Qi Nanfei didn’t bother with Meng Zhang and instead flew towards Wu Mingwei and Daoist Master Dark Cloud. He weakly made his move, using some of his abilities to help Wu Mingwei resist Daoist Master Dark Cloud.

He had to comply with the order of the Primordial Spirit True Monarch of his sect. Once he entered the battlefield, he had to exert some effort to ensure their side wouldn’t fail.

As for Meng Zhang and Daoist Master Fiery Cloud, they fought and retreated, moving further away from the others.

Daoist Master Fiery Cloud raised a cloud sail and easily blocked two flying swords. He couldn’t help but give a comment, “Your sword technique is excellent, but it’s just average for flying swords.” He seemed to adopt the posture of a senior expert.

He threw a fist-sized cloth bag that turned into a fiery red cloud in mid-air, carrying scorching heat waves. The fiery cloud engulfed Meng Zhang.

Meng Zhang flicked his fingers continuously, shooting out sharp sword qi one after another. Twin Forms Towards Heaven Sword, a small Divine Ability he mastered when he was still at the Foundation Building stage, had been a great success. As he entered the Gold Core stage, he had elevated this small Divine Ability into a true one.

Now, unleashing it, the intertwined black and white sword qi managed to withstand Daoist Master Fiery Cloud’s offensive magic tool.

In previous battles, both Meng Zhang and Qi Nanfei had deliberately held back. Especially Meng Zhang, under the pretense of being unskilled, made Daoist Master Fiery Cloud underestimate his true strength.

To change the situation quickly, Meng Zhang needed to end the deadlock between the Gold Core Daoist Masters. He stopped concealing his abilities and showed his true skills.

Although Daoist Master Fiery Cloud was somewhat surprised by Meng Zhang’s combat power, he wasn’t afraid. As an experienced Gold Core Daoist Master from the Fire Cloud Sect, he had been through numerous battles and wouldn’t fear a junior.

The two engaged in an increasingly intense battle, bringing out their respective killer moves.

Fortunately, Meng Zhang had led Daoist Master Fiery Cloud far away from the main battlefield at the beginning of the fight. Otherwise, the commotion caused by their intense battle would have attracted the attention of other Gold Core Daoist Masters, and they might have intervened at any moment.

After a fierce fight, Meng Zhang suddenly pulled out the Spiritsnake Spear, a spiritual weapon, under the cover of the Strange and Upright Sword Art, and dealt a vicious blow to Daoist Master Fiery Cloud.

The Spiritsnake Spear easily pierced through Daoist Master Fiery Cloud’s defensive magic tool, leaving a large hole in his body. Terrifying killing intent invaded his body, quickly shattering his True Essence and wreaking havoc within him.

Daoist Master Fiery Cloud let out a heart-rending scream, using all his strength to avoid Meng Zhang and fly away from the battlefield.

Gold Core Daoist Masters had a wide range of Divine Sense perception and astonishing sensing abilities. Although Meng Zhang had taken Daoist Master Fiery Cloud far away from the area where other Gold Core Daoist Masters were fighting, the commotion they caused immediately alerted the others.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame and Daoist Master Dark Cloud didn’t hesitate and immediately abandoned their opponents, flying over to join Daoist Master Fiery Cloud and protect him.

Fei Shi Daoist Master and Wu Mingwei followed closely, but Daoist Master Scarlet Flame blocked them temporarily.

Qi Nanfei was shocked by Meng Zhang’s display of combat power and regretted their previous disagreement. But he quickly realized that Taiyi Sect and Northern Desert Qi Family were not allies, and their outward harmony would not change anything when their interests clashed.

No matter how close their relationship seemed, when their interests collided, nobody would hold back.

Qi Nanfei deliberately lagged behind, not joining the attack on Daoist Master Scarlet Flame’s group.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame blocked Fei Shi Daoist Master and Wu Mingwei, and Daoist Master Dark Cloud rescued Daoist Master Fiery Cloud. Then, the three of them gathered and fought together, gradually retreating from the battlefield.

Meng Zhang’s attack had also taken a toll on him. After regaining his breath, he had only restored a portion of his True Essence.

Facing his suspicious comrades, he didn’t dare to expose his back to them. To maintain his fighting condition and conserve True Essence, he didn’t want to continue consuming too much.

Meng Zhang summoned two flying swords to pursue, but he couldn’t catch up with the enemies.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame remained clear-headed and recognized the current situation. Daoist Master Fiery Cloud was seriously injured, and his life and death were uncertain. More importantly, Meng Zhang had displayed his true strength, making the situation worse for the Fire Cloud Sect in terms of Gold Core Daoist Masters.

In most battles in the Cultivation World, once the top-level situation collapsed, no matter how hard the lower-level cultivators fought, they couldn’t turn the tide.

Today’s battle would be no exception. The defeat of the Fire Cloud Sect was inevitable.

However, if handled properly, the losses of the Fire Cloud Sect could still be controlled, and there might be a chance for a comeback in the future.

Daoist Master Scarlet Flame and the others quickly retreated to rejoin the large army of Fire Cloud Sect cultivators, then commanded the army to slowly withdraw. Although the Fire Cloud Sect was defeated, they maintained their formation intact during the retreat, leaving no room for the enemy to take advantage.

Upon seeing the enemy retreating, the cultivator army of the Flying Swan Sect immediately gained morale and wanted to pursue in the momentum of victory.

However, first, the enemy’s defense was tight, and second, the cultivator army of Taiyi Sect didn’t actively cooperate. After an intense pursuit battle, the Fire Cloud Sect suffered some losses, but its main force safely withdrew from the battlefield. The chosen battlefield was not far from the Flying Swan City. However, instead of retreating to the city, the Fire Cloud Sect’s cultivator army directly returned to Feihong Mountain.

When the last Fire Cloud Sect cultivator retreated into Feihong Mountain, the Third Rank mountain protection great formation on the mountain lit up. Although the two Gold Core Daoist Masters of the Flying Swan Sect were unwilling, they had to accept that the enemy had escaped this time.

During the Fire Cloud Sect’s retreat, they naturally didn’t care about the forcibly conscripted cannon fodder followers who were part of their army. As weak individuals, they knew the art of survival.

As soon as they saw the Fire Cloud Sect’s cultivator army retreating, this makeshift group of miscellaneous followers immediately scattered. Some cultivators exerted all their strength and desperately fled the battlefield, wanting to get far away from there. Others voluntarily flew towards the camps of the Flying Swan Sect and Taiyi Sect, kneeling down on arrival, wailing loudly in a desperate plea.

They vehemently accused the Fire Cloud Sect cultivators of their sins, narrating each evil deed committed. They incessantly explained how innocent they were, how they had no choice…

These people were truly cunning, understanding well the way of survival for the weak. The Flying Swan Sect and Taiyi Sect, being righteous sects, generally refrained from killing prisoners. Moreover, these cultivators had surrendered willingly in public, showing sincere intentions.

Seeing the Fire Cloud Sect cultivators successfully retreat under their noses, the Flying Swan Sect’s cultivators were filled with suppressed anger. They wanted to vent on these prisoners, but they had to consider the presence of Taiyi Sect and Northern Desert Qi Family’s cultivators. Maintaining face and appearance was valuable when it came to righteous sects in front of outsiders.

The Flying Swan Sect accepted the surrender of these cultivators for now. As for how to punish them in the future, that was another matter.

Some of the Taiyi Sect and Flying Swan Sect cultivators surrendered as well. There were various connections between the major forces of the Hanhai Alliance and the surrendered cultivators. By surrendering, these cultivators not only represented themselves but also their respective forces’ allegiance to Taiyi Sect.

These cultivators who voluntarily surrendered to Taiyi Sect might have heard about Taiyi Sect’s reputation. Despite appearing righteous and virtuous, these major sects were like hungry wolves, devouring people without spitting out bones.

Comparatively, Taiyi Sect seemed less domineering than the Flying Swan Sect.

Meng Zhang didn’t think much of these cultivators and even less of their backing forces. At the moment, they were allies with the Flying Swan Sect, and he was hesitant to accept these forces, fearing that the Flying Swan Sect might have other ideas.

However, seeing the desperate pleading of these cultivators reminded Meng Zhang of his own past and the not-yet-established Taiyi Sect.

The scene was so familiar. There was a time when he was just like these cultivators, forced to submit to the powerful. For the survival of his sect, he had to go against his own will and humble himself to others.

Meng Zhang’s heart softened, and he signaled his disciples to accept the surrender of these cultivators and the allegiance of their backing forces. As for how to deal with them and their forces, that would be a matter for the future.

Fei Shi Daoist Master glanced coldly at the Taiyi Sect’s group, suppressing the dissatisfaction in his heart. These fence-sitters were originally under the command of the Flying Swan Sect but were forced to turn to the Fire Cloud Sect.

The Flying Swan Sect had never been a magnanimous sect, and Fei Shi Daoist Master was not a forgiving person either. If these traitors weren’t severely punished, how could the Flying Swan Sect maintain its dignity and warn others?

Fei Shi Daoist Master had long considered how to deal with these traitors.

These opportunists, did they really think that the Flying Swan Sect would yield to the face of major righteous sects and let them off easily?

Now that some cultivators surrendered to Taiyi Sect, it greatly affected Fei Shi Daoist Master’s plan. He didn’t think Meng Zhang was being compassionate but rather believed that Meng Zhang remembered past grievances and intentionally opposed the Flying Swan Sect.

However, now was the time to employ people. Meng Zhang had just demonstrated his formidable combat power, securing their victory. Fei Shi Daoist Master could only suppress his dissatisfaction and keep this matter in mind, not arguing with Meng Zhang.

Both the cultivators who surrendered to the Flying Swan Sect and those who surrendered to Taiyi Sect were temporarily under the supervision of both sects. The battle was not over yet, so it wasn’t the time to grant them freedom.

Especially for those who scattered and fled, Fei Shi Daoist Master had already sentenced them to death in his heart.

After receiving the captives, clearing the battlefield, and regrouping, more than half a day had passed. The cultivators from the Flying Swan Sect and Taiyi Sect didn’t waste any time and directly headed towards the nearby Flying Swan City.

Flying Swan City, once the main city of the Flying Swan Sect’s ruling area in Endless Sea of Sand, used to be the most prosperous and lively place in the entire region. However, after several upheavals, it had gradually fallen into decline.

When the Fire Cloud Sect defeated the Flying Swan Sect and took over Flying Swan City, they didn’t have enough time to manage the city. As a result, what used to be a city with over a hundred thousand people, where mortals and cultivators lived together, became desolate and almost turned into a ghost town.

Fire Cloud Sect’s invasion of Endless Sea of Sand was purely plunder. Perhaps even the higher-ups of Fire Cloud Sect didn’t know how long they could establish a foothold in Endless Sea of Sand. Although the Fire Cloud Sect’s army occupied the area for a short time, they almost looted everything around.

Over the centuries, Flying Swan City had accumulated various wealth, and even the mortals in the city were forcibly plundered by Fire Cloud Sect and sent back to their sect’s territory.

Though Jiuqu League was wealthier than the Endless Sea of Sand, it was still not an excessively prosperous place. Especially the area near the Endless Sea of Sand, the environment wasn’t favorable, and the population wasn’t dense.

In the Cultivation World, mortals, especially in large numbers, were also a form of wealth. By forcibly taking away the mortals from the surroundings, Fire Cloud Sect was severing the foundation of the Flying Swan Sect.

Furthermore, many of these mortals had connections with the Flying Swan Sect cultivators. Seeing their own mortal relatives taken away by the enemy, their fate uncertain and whereabouts unknown, the morale of the low-level Flying Swan Sect cultivators would undoubtedly be greatly impacted.

However, in the face of the current major threat, the Flying Swan Sect couldn’t afford to worry about distant matters. The foundation of the sect and the mortal relatives of their disciples all had to be temporarily put aside.

If they couldn’t defeat the Fire Cloud Sect quickly and drive them out of the Endless Sea of Sand, it would be a great trouble for the Flying Swan Sect.

After the Fire Cloud Sect’s cultivator army retreated to Feihong Mountain, the few Fire Cloud Sect cultivators stationed in Flying Swan City also chose to abandon it and return to Feihong Mountain to join the main force. Now, only a small number of servant cultivators, who were used as cannon fodder, were left in Flying Swan City, feeling somewhat at a loss.

Shortly after the Fire Cloud Sect’s cultivator army left, the Flying Swan Sect and Taiyi Sect’s armies followed and arrived at the city. Faced with the scene of a large army pressing forward, these cultivators didn’t even have the slightest intention to resist and surrendered willingly.

The Flying Swan Sect and Taiyi Sect cultivators successfully took over Flying Swan City and temporarily managed it together. The core city of their sect, the former ruling center of the Endless Sea of Sand, had turned into this ruined appearance, deeply saddening each Flying Swan Sect cultivator.

Particularly humiliating was the fact that they had to make concessions to Taiyi Sect, letting the Taiyi Sect cultivators take over many areas in the city. Taiyi Sect was now an indispensable ally and had shown formidable combat power. The Flying Swan Sect cultivators could only endure their humiliation and helplessly accept the reality.

Retaking Flying Swan City had its greatest benefit in that both Taiyi Sect and Flying Swan Sect now had a reliable foothold, greatly reducing the consumption of their armies. Flying Swan City possessed a Second Rank high-grade spirit vein, which covered a wide area and was abundant in pure spiritual energy. This spiritual energy was enough for both sects’ cultivators.

As a Gold Core Daoist Master, the spiritual energy here was insufficient for Meng Zhang’s use. However, meeting the needs of low-level disciples significantly reduced the pressure on Taiyi Sect and Flying Swan Sect. Flying Swan Sect’s resources could last for a longer time, and Taiyi Sect could finally catch its breath. Meng Zhang no longer needed to be in a hurry to engage in battle.

Daoist Master Fiery Cloud had suffered a blow from the Spiritsnake Spear, and Meng Zhang was confident in his strength and the power of the Spiritsnake Spear. Although Daoist Master Fiery Cloud managed to retreat from the battlefield, it would be extremely difficult for him to protect his life, let alone recover his cultivation base.

No matter what elixirs or secret techniques he had, at least in this war, Daoist Master Fiery Cloud was pretty much out of the picture.

As a result, Flying Swan Sect held an overwhelming advantage in terms of Gold Core Daoist Masters. Even if Qi Nanfei Daoist Master continued to hold back, the remaining three Gold Core Daoist Masters were enough to surpass Daoist Master Scarlet Flame and Daoist Master Dark Cloud.

Having retaken Flying Swan City, after not resting for too long, Fei Shi Daoist Master was eager to continue the attack and completely defeat Fire Cloud Sect.

The Fire Cloud Sect’s cultivator army was entrenched on Feihong Mountain, protected by the Third Rank mountain protection great formation. As the defending side, they held a significant advantage. Even if they were at an absolute disadvantage in terms of strength, they could hold their ground firmly.

Meng Zhang didn’t have much confidence in the upcoming battle. Breaking through the enemy’s tightly guarded Third Rank mountain protection great formation required a protracted siege and slow consumption of the enemy.

Of course, to expedite the process, they could sacrifice a large number of low-level sect disciples and use their lives to deplete the mountain protection great formation’s power, as they did when attacking the Crow’s Nest.

That scene of a brutal battle had left a profound lesson in Meng Zhang’s heart. He was strongly opposed to such a method.

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