The main members of the mission have long been selected. The reason for the delay in setting out is not only to wait for the gathering of the three Primordial Spirit True Monarchs but also due to some other minor matters.
During this time, there have been a few late cultivators like Meng Zhang who joined the mission for various reasons.
After Meng Zhang briefed the elders of Taiyi Sect about the affairs, he set out with Extreme Sword Spirit General, heading towards the headquarters of Jiuqu League, Jiuqu City.
At the time of their departure, Meng Zhang had just given orders to Niu Dawei through the sect's communication channel.
Niu Dawei was highly efficient in handling matters, so by the time Meng Zhang and Extreme Sword Spirit General arrived in Jiuqu City, things had already been arranged.
Most of the time, Jin Li True Monarch stayed in Jiuqu City. It seems that she might be addicted to the game of power, as she invested much of her time and energy in various Jiuqu League affairs. Even her personal cultivation had been somewhat relaxed.
However, she had not forgotten her beloved direct disciple, Jin Qiao'er, and had called her to Jiuqu City several times.
In Jiuqu City, Jin Li True Monarch enjoyed top-notch treatment and prepared a very favorable cultivation environment for Jin Qiao'er.
But it seems Jin Qiao'er either couldn't get used to being there or missed Qiaoshou Sect. Every time she was in Jiuqu City, she couldn't stay for too long.
Jin Li True Monarch was extremely indulgent toward her only disciple, and she couldn't refuse her requests.
After Jin Li True Monarch arrived in Jiuqu City, there were many cultivators under her command.
Among them were many outstanding individuals who were very useful to Jin Li True Monarch.
However, in Jin Li True Monarch's heart, all these people combined couldn't match even a single finger of her disciple, Jin Qiao'er.
Due to Jin Li True Monarch's favoritism, Jin Qiao'er never had to worry about cultivation resources. She had more than enough resources and even had plenty of spare energy to take care of the younger generations in Qiaoshou Sect.
In the current Qiaoshou Sect, several outstanding disciples emerged, being nurtured as future leaders. With Jin Qiao'er's full assistance, these disciples had hopes of breaking through to the Gold Core stage.
Every time Meng Zhang visited Jiuqu City, no matter how busy or burdened he was, he would proactively pay a visit to Jin Li True Monarch.
The previous battle with the Sea Clan taught him a lesson, extinguishing any hint of arrogance and reaffirming his position.
As the protector of Taiyi Sect, besides offering abundant tributes, Meng Zhang also needed to show sufficient respect to Jin Li True Monarch.
This time, when Meng Zhang went to Grand Crossing Mountain Range, he naturally needed to inform Jin Li True Monarch in a timely manner.
Meng Zhang didn't encounter many obstacles and successfully met with Jin Li True Monarch.
Aside from the usual greetings, he discussed his journey to the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle.
He didn't reveal his true purpose, using a half-truth as an explanation instead.
Meng Zhang's explanation was that the situation around Demon Wind Gobi had been stable in recent years, allowing him some rare free time.
Throughout, he has been very interested in the history of Taiyi Sect's ancestors. This time, when Jiuqu League dispatched a mission to the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle, he decided to take this opportunity and follow along.
In the past, Taiyi Sect had established a mountain gate in the Grand Crossing Mountain Range, which lasted for hundreds of years. Meng Zhang's trip there was not only driven by nostalgia and to pay respects to his ancestors but also to see if he could connect with the old acquaintances from his sect's past and restore past networking relationships.
Jin Li True Monarch also had some knowledge of Taiyi Sect's history. It was once a formidable cultivation sect that shook the Middle-Earth Continent. However, due to a series of calamities, it declined to the edge of the Endless Sea of Sand, becoming a minor sect in the lower realms of the Cultivation World. Hearing this history, Jin Li True Monarch couldn't help but sigh and lament the unpredictability of fate and the ever-changing world.
Meng Zhang led Taiyi Sect's rise and could be considered a generation's prominent leader. He wanted to pay tribute to his ancestors and visit some of the old acquaintances, which was also somewhat of a homecoming.
Jin Li True Monarch didn't doubt Meng Zhang's words. Instead, she gave him some instructions. Having come from outside, Jin Li True Monarch was not a native cultivator of Jiuqu League and Demon Wind Gobi. She had spent some time in the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle and had some knowledge of its situation.
Based on her own experiences from back then, Jin Li True Monarch offered some advice to Meng Zhang. She warned him not to stir up trouble unnecessarily, but if the situation demanded it, he shouldn't back down blindly, as it might damage Jiuqu League's reputation.
After chatting for a while, Meng Zhang took his leave and returned to Taiyi Sect's residence in Jiuqu City, where Niu Dawei was waiting outside.
Over the years, Niu Dawei's injuries hadn't fully recovered, but his spirits were high, and his aura stable, indicating that he was in good shape. Spending so many years in Jiuqu City had broadened his horizons, and he had learned a lot. Though he didn't have many opportunities for direct confrontations, the experiences here still trained and benefited him greatly.
Beneath the seemingly peaceful surface, there were hidden dangers. It was difficult to distinguish between friends and foes among seemingly friendly outsiders. In seemingly insignificant matters, there might be treacherous traps lurking...
Taiyi Sect, as an emerging force, had deliberately avoided competing with established sects and disrupting their interests. However, its very existence disrupted certain delicate balances. Moreover, Taiyi Sect's rapid development within Jiuqu League, expanding its trade, might offend some established powers and interest groups.
Niu Dawei acted like a great general, treating people with neither arrogance nor humility. He was neither overly aggressive nor overly conservative in handling affairs. He possessed skillful methods, using both soft and hard approaches. He managed to maintain Taiyi Sect's interests while harmonizing various relationships, ensuring that Taiyi Sect didn't become a target of resentment.
Over the years, Niu Dawei had been stationed in Jiuqu City and fully utilized his position as an elder of Taiyi Sect in Jiuqu City, gaining many benefits for the sect and making numerous friends.
Meng Zhang indeed had plans to groom Niu Dawei as his successor. Besides cultivation base, he needed to have the ability to manage the sect and handle external forces.
After not seeing each other for many years and with Meng Zhang having just visited Jin Li True Monarch, it was a rare moment when Niu Dawei proactively approached him to report on the work he had done during these years.
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