Sect Master’s Immortal Journey

Chapter 228: Causing trouble

Zhao Jiudou, who was being hunted down across the world by remnants of Twin Success Valley, felt like he had stumbled upon a priceless treasure when he discovered Zhang Yingying in Taiyi Sect. Since Zhang Yingying joined Taiyi Sect, she had remained there without venturing outside.

To capture Zhang Yingying, Zhao Jiudou had to first deal with Taiyi Sect. In fact, Zhao Jiudou's original goal was not solely Zhang Yingying. When he was still with the Zhao Family, he had a significant conflict with Taiyi Sect, and the grievances between the two factions ran deep. After Zhao Jiudou successfully reached Foundation Building stage and returned to Flying Swan Sect as a disciple, Taiyi Sect's reputation grew from an insignificant Refining Qi sect to a notable Foundation Building sect.

Though Zhao Jiudou outwardly displayed no reaction, he held a deep resentment toward Taiyi Sect's Sect Master, Meng Zhang, whom he had always looked down upon during his time at Zhao Family.

Now that it was confirmed that Taiyi Sect was sheltering remnants of Twin Success Valley, Zhao Jiudou naturally wanted to openly confront Taiyi Sect. He arrived in Singing Sand City and sent a message through someone, demanding that Taiyi Sect hand over Twin Success Valley remnants, particularly Zhang Yingying, and that Sect Master Meng Zhang should apologize in person.

Upon hearing this news, Meng Zhang's first reaction was, "This damned mad dog." Even if Zhang Yingying now held the position of Taiyi Sect's Pill Hall Hall Master, her significance to Taiyi Sect was immense, and Meng Zhang would not hand her over even if she were just an ordinary disciple.

If Zhao Jiudou hadn't disguised himself as a Flying Swan Sect disciple, Meng Zhang would have immediately ordered the Deep Earth Spirit General to kill him. Unfortunately, Taiyi Sect could not openly oppose Flying Swan Sect, so directly confronting Zhao Jiudou as a Flying Swan Sect disciple was not the best strategy.

To deal with Zhao Jiudou, they needed to neutralize the advantage of his Flying Swan Sect identity. After contemplating for a while, Meng Zhang left Taiyi Sect and hurried to the Forest Mountain School.

As a frequent visitor, Meng Zhang was familiar with the way and directly met with Forest Mountain School's Elder, Xu Yishan. Meng Zhang presented generous gifts and had a long private discussion with Xu Yishan, promising various benefits before finally departing from the Forest Mountain School.

Not long after Meng Zhang left, Xu Yishan contacted Guang HongDaoist from the Forest Spring Watch. A few days later, Guang HongDaoist arrived in Singing Sand City while inspecting a tavern operated by the Forest Spring Watch. Suddenly, a group of cultivators, of unknown origin, surrounded Guang HongDaoist, each kneeling and pleading innocence.

They claimed no association with Twin Success Valley and were falsely accused of being remnants of the sect, persecuted by someone who falsely claimed to be from Flying Swan Sect.

The cultivators tearfully and earnestly accused Zhao Jiudou of his atrocities. Enraged, Guang HongDaoist scolded the group harshly and drove them away.

When the news of Guang HongDaoist's encounter with the group spread, Gu Tanghai, responsible for Singing Sand City's daily affairs, rushed over anxiously. Relieved to find Guang HongDaoist unharmed, Gu Tanghai inquired about the situation.

Then, Guang HongDaoist unexpectedly shifted the topic to the so-called Twin Success Valley remnants. He stated that the remnants had long been eradicated, and the only one still at large was Dan Yihu. In the future, anyone claiming to capture Twin Success Valley remnants would only be troublemakers disrupting the stability and unity of the Cultivation World. All sects need not pay any attention to such individuals.

The remarks made by Guang HongDaoist quickly spread, and with the deliberate dissemination by certain individuals, it became widely known. Originally prepared to cause trouble for Taiyi Sect, they had to temporarily back down. Forest Spring Watch's rule over the surrounding areas had been recognized by Flying Swan Sect. Instead of viewing Forest Spring Watch as a subordinate, Flying Swan Sect treated them as equals. Moreover, Forest Spring Watch's Guang ZhiDaoist Master was currently assisting Flying Swan Sect in exterminating sand monsters at the frontline, making Flying Swan Sect reliant on Forest Spring Watch's support. As Zhao Jiudou was a disciple of Flying Swan Sect, he couldn't afford to offend Forest Spring Watch.

Zhao Jiudou ceased pursuing Zhang Yingying and investigating the so-called Twin Success Valley remnants. He finally quieted down for a while. However, after less than three months, he openly declared in Singing Sand City that Fuzhao Valley originally belonged to Zhao Family's ancestral grounds but was usurped by "thieves" from Taiyi Sect. He now identified himself not as a disciple of Flying Swan Sect but as a member of Zhao Family, intending to reclaim his family's ancestral grounds.

During these three months, Meng Zhang had been inside Fuzhao Valley. He consumed the healing pills obtained last time and used secret techniques acquired from the Trial Ground to gradually remove the poison within his body. After taking about one and a half bottles of the healing pills, Meng Zhang fully recovered the lost vitality and repaired the damage to his foundation. He stopped taking the remaining pills and started stabilizing his Cultivation Base.

When Meng Zhang heard Zhao Jiudou's proclamation, he simply ignored it. Once someone had gained an advantage, who would willingly relinquish it? The Fuzhao Valley taken by Taiyi Sect from Twin Success Valley had nothing to do with Zhao Family.

Zhao Jiudou caused a commotion for over half a month, but no one paid any attention to him. They thought he would naturally calm down once he had enough, but unexpectedly, he sought out Guang HongDaoist and somehow persuaded him. Guang HongDaoist sent word to Taiyi Sect that there was a dispute over the ownership of Fuzhao Valley and requested Taiyi Sect and Zhao Jiudou to negotiate and resolve the matter peacefully. If negotiations failed, they would settle it through a public contest, as was customary in the Cultivation World.

Upon receiving Guang HongDaoist's message, Meng Zhang inwardly cursed him as an old fox. Guang HongDaoist seemed to be benefiting from both sides. Previously, Meng Zhang had bought his cooperation through Xu Yishan to restrain Zhao Jiudou. Now, Meng Zhang didn't know what Zhao Jiudou had offered Guang HongDaoist, causing him to side with Zhao Jiudou or perhaps trying to maintain a balance. Having suppressed Zhao Jiudou last time, Guang HongDaoist was now giving Flying Swan Sect face, fulfilling Zhao Jiudou's wishes.

Since Guang HongDaoist had already spoken, Meng Zhang naturally had to give him some face. Fortunately, Guang HongDaoist didn't completely side with Zhao Jiudou but proposed a contest to determine the ownership of Fuzhao Valley through victory or defeat. Although this was unfair to Taiyi Sect, having to put their own possessions at stake, Meng Zhang felt confident in defeating Zhao Jiudou and didn't pay too much attention to this matter.

Meng Zhang informed Zhao Jiudou through messengers about the agreed time and location for the contest. Guang HongDaoist, being accepted by both sides, became the witness for this competition. After the news spread, several nearby sects sent their cultivators to observe the contest, and even loose cultivators who loved watching the excitement eagerly waited for the event.

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