Chapter 1: Struggles the position
In the northern edge of the Middle-Earth Continent, there lies an endless expanse of yellow sand and desert. This place is called the Northern Great Desert by the people of Middle-Earth, also known as the Endless Sea of Sand. Despite its desolation and remoteness, it is home to numerous cultivation forces.
Among them, the Taiyi Sect is a rather insignificant one. Just two days ago, Meng Zhang became the new Sect Master of Taiyi Sect. Currently, Meng Zhang sat cross-legged on a cushion like a wooden statue, unmoving. His facial expressions kept changing, reflecting the myriad thoughts running through his mind.This chapter was first shared on the Ñøv€lß1n platform.
As the new Sect Master of Taiyi Sect, Meng Zhang had been sitting quietly in the sect's main hall for half a day, ignoring all the affairs of the sect. After all, Taiyi Sect was just a small sect with a tiny territory and only a handful of disciples. There were not many urgent matters to deal with.
In his heart, he recalled the appearance and teachings of his late mentor and foster father, Daoist Profound Spirit, the previous Sect Master. When he transmigrated to this world, he was just a baby, and in the blink of an eye, sixteen years had passed. Under the nurturing and careful guidance of Daoist Profound Spirit, Meng Zhang not only integrated fully into this world known as the Grand Dust World, almost forgetting about life on Earth, but also became a Refining Qi cultivator at the fourth stage.
During Daoist Profound Spirit's lifetime, he had told Meng Zhang more than once that Taiyi Sect, as a small sect, could not accommodate a genius like him. With his top-grade spiritual roots, even the major sects with Gold Core Daoist Masters would compete for him. If he joined any of them, he would undoubtedly receive treatment far superior to that of an Inner-Sect Disciple.
These major sects would offer him advanced cultivation techniques and abundant resources for practice. With his talent and efforts, Meng Zhang might have already reached the completion stage of the Refining Qi period. However, due to his sentimental attachment to Taiyi Sect and his wish to revitalize it, Meng Zhang remained there, unable to spread his wings and temporarily lying low like a hidden eagle.
Suddenly, a harsh argument could be heard from outside the main hall, getting closer and closer. Meng Zhang's serene expression turned into a displeased one as his thoughts were interrupted.
The heavy doors of the main hall were forcefully pushed open, and two figures walked in without hesitation. The leader was a burly man in his thirties, with a square face, thick beard, and a rough demeanor. Following behind him was an old man with a goatee, whose face bore a sinister look. His two small, cunning eyes revealed a complexity of thoughts.
Although Meng Zhang had instructed the disciples not to disturb him while he paid respects to the deceased Sect Master, these two annoying individuals clearly ignored his words and barged in.
Suppressing his displeasure due to their identities, Meng Zhang greeted them politely yet distantly, "Zhen Ling (True Spirit) Senior Brother, Fang Meng Senior Brother, what brings you here in such haste?"
Seeing Meng Zhang sitting motionless on the cushion, exuding the aura of a Sect Master, Fang Meng, the burly man and Daoist Profound Spirit's eldest disciple, wore an unhappy expression and said bluntly, "Meng Zhang, although our Taiyi Sect has fallen, we are still a reputable orthodox sect, respecting seniority and distinctions of rank. As your senior brother and a disciple of the master, it's inappropriate for you, his junior disciple, to inherit the position of Taiyi Sect Master. It's hard for others to accept. For your own good and the future of Taiyi Sect, I suggest you step down as Sect Master."
Facing this open confrontation, anger surged within Meng Zhang. However, considering Fang Meng's rough nature, he chose not to engage in an argument.
A little over a month ago, Meng Zhang's mentor and the former Taiyi Sect Master, Daoist Profound Spirit, was summoned by Twin Success Valley to join the crusade against a group of marauding sand monsters. Two days ago, a messenger from Twin Success Valley arrived at Taiyi Sect with the news of Daoist Profound Spirit's death.
In accordance with Daoist Profound Spirit's will, witnessed by the Twin Success Valley's messenger, Meng Zhang, as the last disciple of Daoist Profound Spirit, inherited the position of Taiyi Sect Master. While the messenger was present, no one in the sect opposed Meng Zhang becoming the Sect Master, nor did anyone dare to cause trouble. However, once the messenger left, different voices emerged within the sect.
Fang Meng, as Daoist Profound Spirit's first disciple, had always seen himself as the legitimate heir of Daoist Profound Spirit. In his view, after Daoist Profound Spirit's death, he should rightfully become the Taiyi Sect Master. He couldn't understand how this junior disciple, who usually remained inconspicuous, had somehow managed to confuse their master and take over the position of Sect Master.
"Biting Dog Does Not Bark," Fang Meng cursed inwardly. Seeing Meng Zhang's unyielding expression, he felt that his demands were being disregarded and grew angry.
"Meng Zhang, what kind of virtue and ability do you have to steal the position of Taiyi Sect Master? Master must have been confused in his final moments to hand over the position to you."
To protect Meng Zhang, Daoist Profound Spirit had not revealed to the others that Meng Zhang had top-grade spiritual roots. The others in the sect only knew that Meng Zhang had excellent spiritual roots, likely middle-grade.
In reality, even middle-grade spiritual roots were considered very good in the area around Twin Success Valley. In Taiyi Sect, the disciples' spiritual roots were generally nothing special, and among the bottom-grade spiritual roots, they were considered mediocre.
"Meng Zhang, with your spiritual root talent, you indeed deserve a better future. Senior An, who passed by Taiyi Sect last year, was very impressed with you."
Daoist True Spirit referred to the famous An Family's Patriarch, An Lei. Last year, when An Lei passed by Taiyi Sect, he unintentionally discovered Meng Zhang's talents. Although he hadn't recognized Meng Zhang's top-grade spiritual roots, Meng Zhang's displayed potential had already won An Lei's affection.
An Lei immediately declared in front of everyone at Taiyi Sect that he wanted to bring Meng Zhang back to An Family and make him his personal disciple. He even offered to betroth his beloved daughter to Meng Zhang, making him a core disciple of An Family.
Meng Zhang's encounter was a cause of envy for many in Taiyi Sect. It was an extraordinary opportunity to gain both personal and material benefits.
It's important to note that An Family, in the east, had several Foundation Building stage cultivators and was a large cultivation family of the same level as Twin Success Valley.
For a small sect like Taiyi Sect to send an outstanding disciple to a powerful force like An Family was a very common practice in the entire Cultivation World.
However, to everyone's surprise, Meng Zhang voluntarily gave up this heaven-sent opportunity and declined An Lei's invitation, insisting on staying in Taiyi Sect.
Fortunately, An Lei was magnanimous and didn't get angry at Meng Zhang's refusal. Instead, he left behind a message that if Meng Zhang ever changed his mind, An Family would welcome him anytime.
After An Lei left, many in Taiyi Sect mocked Meng Zhang for being a fool to let go of such a great opportunity. Nevertheless, Meng Zhang's loyalty to the sect and his affection for Daoist Profound Spirit were observed by a mysterious presence.
"Meng Zhang, you gave up many opportunities for the sake of your relationship with Senior Xuan Ling. Now that Senior Xuan Ling is gone, Taiyi Sect should no longer hold you back. With your talent and potential, you deserve a better future."
"With your potential, you would have soared to the sky in a better environment. It was Taiyi Sect that held you back," Daoist True Spirit said, pretending to be entirely concerned about Meng Zhang.
Meng Zhang inwardly sneered at Daoist True Spirit's sweet talk. He saw through Daoist True Spirit's schemes and simply stated his determination.
"Since my master entrusted me with the position of Taiyi Sect Master, I will be responsible for Taiyi Sect. Unless I die, I will never give up the position of Taiyi Sect Master."
After speaking, Meng Zhang fell silent and no longer paid attention to whatever Daoist True Spirit said. Despite Daoist True Spirit's attempts to persuade him, Meng Zhang remained unmoved.
Seeing that Meng Zhang wasn't moved by his words, Daoist True Spirit reluctantly left, but not before he secretly plotted his own plans for Taiyi Sect.
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