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 ce is called the Northern Great Desert by the people of Middle-Earth, also known as the Endless Sea of Sand. Despite its destion 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.


    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 histe 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 amodate a genius like him. With his top-grade spiritual roots, even the major sects with Gold Core Daoist Masters wouldpete 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 thepletion 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 aplexity 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 ept. 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 Sess Valley to join the crusade against a group of marauding sand monsters. Two days ago, a messenger from Twin Sess Valley arrived at Taiyi Sect with the news of Daoist Profound Spirit''s death.


    In ordance with Daoist Profound Spirit''s will, witnessed by the Twin Sess Valley''s messenger, Meng Zhang, as thest 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 bing 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 be 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."


    "You won''t be able to hold on to the position of Taiyi Sect Master. Junior Brother, hand over the position, and when I be the Sect Master, I won''t treat you badly," Fang Meng said, softening his tone slightly.


    "What a brainless fool, he doesn''t even know when he''s being used as a tool," Meng Zhang cursed in his heart. However, he couldn''t be bothered to argue with Fang Meng and simply responded coldly, "Senior Brother, the position of Taiyi Sect Master that I inherited has the witness of the Twin Sess Valley messenger. If you have ulterior motives and want to vie for the position, are you defying Twin Sess Valley or opposing them?"


    Twin Sess Valley was the ruler of the surrounding region, with numerous cultivators and several Foundation Building stage practitioners under itsmand. Taiyi Sect, with only about ten disciples andcking even a Refining Qi stage cultivator, was nothing more than an ant in the face of Twin Sess Valley.


    Even if Fang Meng had ten times more courage, he wouldn''t dare to oppose Twin Sess Valley. Of course, although Fang Meng had a bad temper, he wasn''t foolish. He knew that Meng Zhang was using Twin Sess Valley to suppress him.


    Twin Sess Valley had brought back Daoist Profound Spirit''s will and promised to honor it, which was already an act of benevolence. As for the future of Taiyi Sect, Twin Sess Valley probably wouldn''t bother much. After all, small vassal sects like Taiyi Sect were numerous within Twin Sess Valley''s territory, and Twin Sess Valley didn''t have the energy to oversee them all. As long as Taiyi Sect does not rebel and ensures the annual tributes are paid in full, Twin Sess Valley is unlikely to interfere in the internal affairs of Taiyi Sect. However, Twin Sess Valley''s reputation is formidable, which makes Fang Meng somewhat cautious. Besides, Fang Meng still possesses some conscience and is not willing to engage in infighting with his fellow sect members.


    Seeing Meng Zhang''s firm determination and unwillingness topromise, it became evident that he had made up his mind to be the Taiyi Sect''s Sect Master. Fang Meng decided not to entangle himself further and reached a simr decision.


    "Junior Brother, with your abilities, it''s unlikely that Taiyi Sect would have any future under your leadership. I won''t vie for the position of Sect Master with you to avoid being used of bullying a junior disciple like you," Fang Meng said.


    "From now on, I, Fang Meng, withdraw from Taiyi Sect and will have nothing to do with it anymore. Junior Brother, take care of yourself in the future," he added before leaving.


    Although Fang Meng''s words sounded righteous, in reality, he didn''t have the confidence to defeat Meng Zhang. Despite having practiced for more years, Fang Meng was only at the fourth stage of the Refining Qi cultivation base, whereas Meng Zhang, who was just sixteen, had reached the same stage. Moreover, Meng Zhang cultivated the more profound "Lesser Yang Qi Art" in Taiyi Sect, which had morebat power than Fang Meng''s "Yellow Sand Technique."


    Fang Meng didn''t have the certainty to defeat Meng Zhang, and being the senior brother, he couldn''t suppress Meng Zhang either. Being hot-headed and unwilling to be under someone else, Fang Meng chose to leave Taiyi Sect.


    Meng Zhang didn''t want to argue with someone like Fang Meng, and he didn''t bother to stop him either. It was better for everyone to part on good terms rather than harm each other within the same sect.


    After Fang Meng left the hall, Meng Zhang turned his attention to Daoist True Spirit. Compared to the straightforward and impulsive Fang Meng, Daoist True Spirit, the old fox, was the real trouble.


    Before his mentor Daoist Profound Spirit passed away, Daoist True Spirit had been a restless figure, often creating trouble and engaging in covert conflicts within Taiyi Sect to vie for power and resources. Although Daoist True Spirit was only at the fifth stage of the Refining Qi cultivation base, his strength was far inferior to Daoist Profound Spirit at the sixth stage. However, with his cunning schemes and underhanded methods, Daoist True Spirit had indeed caused a lot of trouble for Daoist Profound Spirit.


    During Daoist Profound Spirit''s lifetime, Daoist True Spirit had some restraint and didn''t go too far. But now, with Daoist Profound Spirit gone, Daoist True Spirit immediately emerged and started stirring up trouble.


    Although Meng Zhang usually kept quiet and didn''t interact much with others in the sect, he was not a fool; he observed everything silently. He could see through Daoist True Spirit''s machinations and understood that Fang Meng''s aggressive behavior today must have been instigated by Daoist True Spirit.


    Since Meng Zhang had already seen through Daoist True Spirit''s true nature, he didn''t want to engage in any pretense with him and directly asked, "Master Uncle, what brings you here?"


    Seeing Fang Meng angrily leaving Taiyi Sect, Daoist True Spirit felt secretly delighted. However, on the surface, he put on a sorrowful expression.


    "Why has ite to this? Why has ite to this? We are all fellow sect members. There shouldn''t be any insurmountable issues between us," he sighed for a long time before saying to Meng Zhang, "Meng Zhang, although Fang Meng acted impulsively today, it is true that Taiyi Sect has not treated you well."


    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 Sess 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 Sectst 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 disyed potential had already won An Lei''s affection.


    An Lei immediately dered 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 arge cultivation family of the same level as Twin Sess Valley.


    For a small sect like Taiyi Sect to send an outstanding disciple to a powerful force like An Family was a verymon 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 wee 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 rtionship 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 ns for Taiyi Sect.


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