Chapter 3: Reading
At the beginning, as Meng Zhang started reading this "Sect Master's Chronicle," he felt like he couldn't stop. This booklet originated from a thousand years ago and contained a vast amount of Taiyi Sect's past and history.Originally, Taiyi Sect was a large sect located in the Middle-Earth Continent, with a long-standing heritage and formidable strength. The sect had several Primordial Spirit Elders, making it a prominent force in the Middle-Earth Continent.
However, more than a thousand years ago, for unknown reasons, Taiyi Sect was annihilated by a mysterious power. Those disciples who were not present at the sect at the time fled to the north after the incident.
Over a thousand years ago, some fortunate survivors established a new Taiyi Sect on the outskirts of the Middle-Earth Continent. Although the reestablished Taiyi Sect had lost much of its heritage and strength, it managed to take root in the region relatively smoothly. While they no longer produced Primordial Spirit Elders, they continued to have Gold Core Daoist Masters. Thus, Taiyi Sect's legacy continued.
Around seven hundred years ago, a calamitous demonic disaster swept through the region. Taiyi Sect was caught in the turmoil, and its mountain gate was besieged, leading to another catastrophe. The disciples who managed to escape the mountain gate did not dare to stay in the area and fled northward, eventually taking refuge in the Endless Sea of Sand.
Three hundred years ago, the refugees of Taiyi Sect in the Endless Sea of Sand established Taiyi Sect once again after a series of struggles with the local forces. Although they managed to gain a foothold, the sect's heritage was almost depleted, and they were no longer able to cultivate Gold Core stage cultivators. The sect relied on a few Foundation Building stage cultivators to hold their ground.
Unable to maintain its independence, Taiyi Sect had no choice but to seek refuge under the Gold Core sect, Flying Swan Sect, becoming a vassal of Flying Swan Sect to barely survive in the Endless Sea of Sand. Taiyi Sect continued to pass down its legacy for nearly two hundred years.
About a hundred years ago, Taiyi Sect encountered a large group of sand monsters besieging their mountain gate, causing it to fall once again. The surviving disciples continued to flee northward until they arrived at the present location of Taiyi Sect's current residence.
Thus, Taiyi Sect was rebuilt again, but this time, its revival was feeble, barely maintaining a faint legacy. At this point, Taiyi Sect had even lost its status as a vassal of Flying Swan Sect.
In order to survive, Taiyi Sect had to lower its status and become a vassal of Twin Success Valley. The records within the sect about Taiyi Sect's previous history were not detailed, merely passing over the relevant information. The sect members knew that Taiyi Sect had once been glorious, but the specific details were scarce. Even the former Meng Zhang knew at most that Taiyi Sect had once had Foundation Building stage cultivators, had been a vassal of Flying Swan Sect, and held a comparable status with Twin Success Valley. As for more information, it remained unknown.
Now, after reading this "Sect Master's Chronicle," Meng Zhang finally learned about the glorious history that Taiyi Sect had once possessed.
"Who knows what unlucky star Taiyi Sect offended to encounter such misfortune, falling from the prosperous Middle-Earth Continent to the desolate Endless Sea of Sand."
"And their disciples are becoming weaker with each generation. At this rate, who knows how many more generations Taiyi Sect can continue its legacy?"
At this moment, Meng Zhang seemed to have forgotten his identity as the Taiyi Sect Sect Master and couldn't help but make some comments.
The contents recorded in the "Sect Master's Chronicle" were extensive, many of which were unheard-of anecdotes that greatly intrigued him. Since Taiyi Sect's escape from the Middle-Earth Continent, its struggles for survival and confrontations with various powerful enemies were all meticulously recorded. Along this journey, numerous past heroes who were dedicated to the sect emerged, creating countless epic legends.
As he read on, Meng Zhang couldn't help but feel that Taiyi Sect's inheritance had not been easy.
Unconsciously, Meng Zhang continued reading until dawn. Despite not having slept all night, he didn't feel tired. After daybreak, he still didn't put down the booklet.
Not long after daybreak, Daoist True Spirit, accompanied by his disciple Li Jie, left Taiyi Sect to go on a trip. A month ago, Daoist Profound Spirit had personally taught Meng Zhang how to control the sect-protecting great formation of Taiyi Sect.
More than a month ago, when Daoist Profound Spirit was summoned by Twin Success Valley, he ignored Fang Meng's opposition and transferred full control of the sect-protecting great formation to Meng Zhang. Being in control of the sect-protecting great formation, Meng Zhang was well-informed about all activities within it. Nobody's movements in the sect could escape his eyes.
Yesterday, when Fang Meng led his followers to leave Taiyi Sect, Meng Zhang had been observing the situation all along. Reluctant to engage in conflict with Fang Meng as fellow sect members, Meng Zhang had tacitly permitted their departure. Otherwise, with the activation of the sect-protecting great formation, he could easily subdue them without much effort.
"At this time, why did Zhen Ling (True Spirit) Daoist leave Taiyi Sect, and what are his intentions?" Meng Zhang felt puzzled.
Unlike the simple-minded Fang Meng, Zhen Ling (True Spirit) Daoist, who had never sought the position of Taiyi Sect Sect Master, was like a venomous snake. His heart was cruel, and he was capable of anything.
Having observed him coldly in the sect for many years, Meng Zhang had a clear understanding of Daoist True Spirit's character and couldn't trust him.
After pondering for a while without any conclusion, Meng Zhang had no choice but to temporarily set this matter aside. As long as he firmly controlled the sect-protecting great formation, Zhen Ling (True Spirit) Daoist would not succeed in any plot, Meng Zhang reassured himself.
With Taiyi Sect's meager population and few matters to handle, Meng Zhang had plenty of free time to leisurely read the "Sect Master's Chronicle" in his hands.
Meng Zhang didn't strictly follow chronological order but read according to his interests, skipping through and searching for useful information.
The experiences and insights of the previous Taiyi Sect Sect Masters were fascinating. Some even recorded their cultivation experiences in the chronicle, which was of great help to Meng Zhang.
What made Meng Zhang regretful was that the legendary extraordinary skills and divine abilities that Taiyi Sect possessed during its prosperous days were not recorded in the chronicle. It was reasonable since if these contents were recorded, those things would not have been lost for so long.
Currently, there were few preserved classics in Taiyi Sect, and even fewer useful cultivation techniques. The likes of Changchun Gong, Huangsha Jue, Tongming Gong, and similar techniques that most people cultivated were generic and widely circulated in the cultivation world.
The only secret transmission technique left in Taiyi Sect was the Lesser Yang Qi Art, which only Meng Zhang, with his exceptional aptitude and comprehension, had the ability to cultivate. However, due to its incomplete transmission, practicing the Lesser Yang Qi Art was extremely difficult. Within Taiyi Sect, only Meng Zhang, with outstanding talent and understanding, had the capability to practice it.
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