Chapter 527: After the Battle


    Though Zhu Liangyu appeared disheveled and in disarray, his life was not in danger.


    Thanks to his master''s protection, Jin Li Daoist Master had never harbored an intent to kill him.


    Jin Li Daoist Master served and championed the cause of True Monarch Tian Zhu. She had already offended many and did not wish to further antagonize another Primordial Spirit True Monarch.


    Seeing the joint forces of the three factions retake Feihong Mountain and with Fire Cloud Sect unable to continue the fight, she made sure no further mishaps would arise. Then she flew towards the Deadly Sea of Sand to report back to True Monarch Tian Zhu.


    Despite some hups along the way, the three factions sessfullypleted the task given by True Monarch Tian Zhu. They finally felt a sense of aplishment.


    After reiming Feihong Mountain, there were naturally many matters the three factions had to address.


    Tending to the wounded, cleaning up the battlefield, pursuing remaining enemies, and organizing rest and recovery kept the top leaders of the three factions busy for most of the day.


    Only after all these tasks werepleted could they begin to n for the post-war arrangements.


    Having taken back Feihong Mountain, the Flying Swan Sect naturally intended to reestablish it as their main base. This location was iparably better than their old base at Yellow Sand Ridge in every respect.Both Taiyi Sect and Northern Desert Qi Family had aided in the battle for Feihong Mountain, yet they reaped few benefits and paid a heavy price.


    When Meng Zhang assessed the gains and losses, he set aside the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Object gifted by True Monarch Tian Zhu and focused solely on the Taiyi Sect''s losses. He didn''t even consider the material and spiritual stone expenditures. The casualties alone were a major concern.


    Taiyi Sect had always faced a shortage of manpower. Despite upying the vast territory of Demon Wind Gobi, theycked the manpower for significant development. The recent heavy loss of disciples was a huge setback that would take time to recover from.


    The other members of the Hanhai Alliance suffered even more devastating losses.


    Traditional allies of the Taiyi Sect, like Qiaoshou Sect, faced heavy losses especially when Taiyi Sect itself was in peril.


    To maintain the Hanhai Alliance, Taiyi Sect needed to appease their allies and offer numerouspensations.


    The forces newly allied with Taiyi Sect almost faced total annihtion.


    Meng Zhang, always a man of his word, had no intention of abandoning these factions.


    Survivors from the battle would be rewarded by Taiyi Sect. All forces that contributed could join the Hanhai Alliance.


    While it seemed that the members of the Hanhai Alliance had increased, the alliance''s strength had dramatically decreased due to the recent losses. It would take a long time to recuperate.


    Only after handling internal matters did Meng Zhang turn his attention to external affairs.


    Taiyi Sect''s assistance in helping Flying Swan Sect reim their base was an enormous favor.


    Meng Zhang didn''t particrly care about the perception of such favors. After all the trials and tribtions, the Flying Swan Sect was now depleted and couldn''t possibly offer anything substantial in return to the Taiyi Sect.


    Although Taiyi Sect, Flying Swan Sect, and Northern Desert Qi Family had jointlybated under the strict order of True Monarch Tian Zhu, their rtionships remained unchanged.


    After the great battle, Taiyi Sect and Flying Swan Sect still remainedpetitors. The enmity between Northern Desert Qi Family and Flying Swan Sect was also unforgettable.


    However, Taiyi Sect and Northern Desert Qi Family shared amon adversary in Flying Swan Sect, whichid a foundation for cooperation. Even with mutual distrust, they had no choice but to form a temporary alliance.


    Shortly after reiming Feihong Mountain, the armies of cultivators from the Taiyi Sect and Northern Desert Qi Family embarked on their respective journeys home.


    The Flying Swan Sect had forcibly conscripted many cultivators, of which over half suffered casualties, leaving only a small portion of survivors.


    Instead of releasing these conscripts, the Flying Swan Sectpelled them to continue serving, tasking them with mining abandoned mineral deposits and tending to the neglected spirit fields.


    The heavily damaged Flying Swan Sect was in desperate need of manpower. These umitted cultivators were exploited to their limits by the sect.


    Now, the Flying Swan Sect was at its weakest point in centuries, its strength plummeting to an all-time low. The sect''s top priority was to recover as swiftly as possible.


    To achieve this, the reputation of being an upright major sect could be easily cast aside.


    There would undoubtedly be animosity from the conscripted cultivators and the forces they represent toward the Flying Swan Sect. However, the sect''s leadership was undeterred.


    Having ruled the Endless Sea of Sand for so many years, had the Flying Swan Sect not amassed its share of adversaries? How many had cursed and loathed them? Yet, had any of them genuinely harmed the sect?


    In the Cultivation World, power always reigns supreme. Even if maligned by multitudes, so what?


    Unless there exists a force capable of opposing the Flying Swan Sect, they would continue to be oppressed, with rebellion remaining a mere dream.


    Both Meng Zhang and the Taiyi Sect, recent risers to power,cked the cunning tactics of the experienced Flying Swan Sect. Moreover, Meng Zhang always maintained a moral boundary, refusing to resort to any means necessary.


    Upon their return to Demon Wind Gobi, the entire Taiyi Sect was licking its wounds.


    Meng Zhang harbored a lingering concern. He had inflicted significant damage on Daoist Master Fiery Cloud andter personally dismantled the zing mes Overturning Earth Great Formation, thereby bing the primary cause of the Fire Cloud Sect''s defeat.


    He had now be mortal enemies with the Fire Cloud Sect, severing all ties. Any previous connection with Daoist Master Scarlet me had evaporated.


    Bing adversaries with an established Gold Core sect like the Fire Cloud Sect would inevitably bring futureplications. Thankfully, the Flying Swan Sect bore the brunt of most issues.


    After rewarding his sect''s cultivators, allowing all disciples to rest, many interrupted tasks were resumed.


    Subordinates of the Taiyi Sect in the Endless Sea of Sand expedited their migration to Demon Wind Gobi. The environment there was more hospitable for human survival and ideal for cultivators.


    Grand Lion Ridge became the new entrance for the Taiyi Sect. Construction and development projects there began in full swing.


    Deep Earth Spirit General resumed repairing the Third Rank spirit vein near the raven''s nest. Meng Zhang increased his support, permitting him to mobilize more resources.


    The Hundred Grass Pavilion urgently needed a Third Rank spirit vein, whereas the one at Grand Lion Ridge was sufficient only for Meng Zhang''s personal cultivation.


    Upon returning to the Northern Desert, Qi Nanfei Daoist Master indeed dispatched covert envoys to Demon Wind Gobi to establish regrmunication with the Taiyi Sect.


    Given the current situation in the Endless Sea of Sand, the Flying Swan Sect was unable to continue its campaign against the Taiyi Sect and Northern Desert Qi Family. Moreover, due to the easing rtions between True Monarch Tian Zhu and Qi Mingyuan True Monarch, there was no need to target the Northern Desert Qi Family for eradication.


    However, among the Taiyi Sect, Northern Desert Qi Family, and Flying Swan Sect, with one being dominant and the other two weaker, the two weaker factions naturally allied against the dominant force.


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