Chapter 589: Joining
Gu Yue Huaidie and Meng Zhang had an excellent relationship, and whenever there were significant negotiations between the clans and Taiyi Sect, she often represented them.
Although their relationship was strong, when True Monarch Mountain Peak personally intervened, she had neither the ability nor the authority to involve Gu Yue Family in the conflict and support Taiyi Sect. Even if she was unwilling, all she could do was watch Taiyi Sect face destruction. The only thing she could do was take care of the remaining disciples of Taiyi Sect in the future.
However, with the appearance of Jin Li True Monarch, the situation changed completely. After gaining the agreement of others, Gu Yue Huaidie made a new decision.
Gu Yue Huaidie and her group were determined to protect Taiyi Sect. They engaged Daoist Master Smiling Lotus and others in idle conversation, attempting to delay the situation. As time passed, the injured cultivators of Taiyi Sect gradually regained their strength, and there was a chance to repair the defense of Hundred Grass Slope.
Daoist Master Smiling Lotus was well aware of Gu Yue Huaidie's intentions. While he conversed with them without immediately turning hostile, he had his own thoughts. Great Wind City, with its considerable power and the formidable backgrounds of both Lu Family and Gu Yue Family, was not to be trifled with. True Monarch Mountain Peak's actions had already harmed Great Wind City's interests and would naturally invite retaliation from them. Both Lu Family and Gu Yue Family were not to be underestimated and possessed various covert methods.
True Monarch Mountain Peak didn't care about offending Lu Family and Gu Yue Family, but Daoist Master Smiling Lotus didn't have the same confidence. He dreamt of East River Branch breaking free from True Monarch Mountain Peak's control. Now that Lu Family and Gu Yue Family were clearly inclined to support Taiyi Sect, Daoist Master Smiling Lotus hesitated.
He didn't want to confront Gu Yue Huaidie directly, so he acted ignorant of her intentions and kept accompanying her in casual conversation. Daoist Master Scarlet Flame of Fire Cloud Sect saw the situation clearly and played along, pretending to be clueless alongside Daoist Master Smiling Lotus.
However, a cultivator from Mountain Branch with the Gold Core stage was dissatisfied and directly asked Gu Yue Huaidie and her group to step aside. This gave Gu Yue Huaidie the perfect excuse to initiate action. A Gold Core cultivator from Lu Family insisted that it was disrespectful to Lu Family and continued to confront them.
Several Gold Core cultivators from both sides joined the dispute, engaging in heated verbal exchanges. As time passed, the injured Taiyi Sect cultivators slowly recovered some of their combat strength. Wen Qiansun and Deep Earth Spirit General, in particular, made use of various materials from Taiyi Sect's treasury to set up temporary defensive structures around Hundred Grass Slope. Though far from the original Third Rank mountain-protecting formation, it provided some defense and support for the defending cultivators.
Daoist Master Smiling Lotus noticed Taiyi Sect's movements and their newly established defense, causing him to abandon the idea of attacking Hundred Grass Slope. He believed that if he ordered the attack, Gu Yue Huaidie and others would undoubtedly join the battle, and this could lead to further interference from Great Wind City, which was something they couldn't afford. The situation for East River Branch was already dire, and it was unwise to make enemies with Great Wind City.Finally, after three days of chatting and bickering, the situation was still unresolved. But on the fourth day, Jin Li True Monarch and True Monarch Mountain Peak descended from the sky, arriving at the battlefield.
"Jin Li, this seat has not yet settled the grudges with you. Wait, this seat will come to find you in a few days," True Monarch Mountain Peak threatened before flying away without even caring about the joint forces of the two sects.
Jin Li True Monarch's expression was also grim as she watched True Monarch Mountain Peak's departure. Although she had recently achieved the Primordial Spirit True Monarch realm, she had already completely refined the Yellow Sand Ten Thousand Li Chart left by his master. During the battle with True Monarch Mountain Peak, Jin Li Daoist Master activated this Fourth Rank magic tool and not only didn't fall behind but even gained a slight advantage.
After three days of fighting, unable to defeat Jin Li True Monarch, True Monarch Mountain Peak decided to withdraw and leave the area.
True Monarch Mountain Peak has left for now, but the next time he returns, it may not be so easy to deal with. Jin Li True Monarch temporarily set aside these matters and flew to the Hundred Grass Slope to meet with Meng Zhang and others. After their meeting, there were naturally many things to discuss.
Seeing that even True Monarch Mountain Peak had suffered defeat, Daoist Master Smiling Lotus had a better excuse to retreat. Ignoring the displeasure of the Mountain Branch cultivators, he happily bid farewell to the fellow Daoists from Great Wind City and led his army of cultivators in a complete withdrawal.
Daoist Master Smiling Lotus was a decisive individual who didn't dwell on the past or let emotions govern him. Despite returning empty-handed from the attack on Hundred Grass Slope and losing many cultivators, he certainly hated Taiyi Sect and wished to wipe them out. However, the situation had changed, and continuing the attack on Hundred Grass Slope was no longer feasible. He immediately gave up and cut his losses in time.
As Daoist Master Smiling Lotus led the retreat of the cultivators, Gu Yue Huaidie and her group went to Hundred Grass Slope to visit Jin Li True Monarch and Meng Zhang. Though Meng Zhang harbored some resentment for their lack of timely assistance, he understood that now was not the time to fall out. On the contrary, he needed to maintain good relations with them and continue to gain their support.
Gu Yue Huaidie and her group respectfully greeted the newly ascended Primordial Spirit True Monarch, Jin Li True Monarch. Although she had recently achieved the Primordial Spirit realm, Jin Li True Monarch was modest and didn't put on airs in front of these influential Gold Core cultivators.
Ten days later, the army led by Daoist Master Smiling Lotus did not reappear, but both True Monarch Mountain Peak and True Monarch Profound Wind arrived at the outskirts of Hundred Grass Slope once again. True Monarch Profound Wind, being in the mid-stage of the Primordial Spirit realm, was also a formidable opponent. This time, even with all of Jin Li True Monarch's cards, it would be challenging to turn the tide. As for the cultivators of Taiyi Sect, they were reduced to mere pawns in the struggle between Primordial Spirit True Monarchs and had no qualifications to participate.
With an optimistic outlook, True Monarch Mountain Peak was determined to erase the previous shame. However, to his surprise, waiting for them beyond Jin Li True Monarch was someone else: True Monarch Azure Mist from Azure Origin Sect.
Azure Origin Sect was one of the top sects in Jiuqu League, ranking at the pinnacle in terms of power and prestige. Within Jiuqu League, only the Sword Cultivator sect Jade Sword Sect could directly contend with Azure Origin Sect.
Jade Sword Sect, in terms of disciple numbers and influence, was actually far inferior to Azure Origin Sect. It relied solely on a group of fearless sword fanatics to gain a prominent reputation and secure its position within Jiuqu League.
In truth, Azure Origin Sect was the true top sect within Jiuqu League, along with Jade Sword Sect. They were the true dominators of Jiuqu League.
Seeing True Monarch Azure Mist appear, both True Monarch Mountain Peak and True Monarch Profound Wind felt a sense of unease. In any case, they took the initiative to approach and pay their respects to True Monarch Azure Mist.
True Monarch Azure Mist was very affable and did not display the arrogance typical of cultivators from prominent sects. After some casual conversation and pleasantries with True Monarch Mountain Peak and True Monarch Profound Wind, he revealed his purpose for coming.
True Monarch Azure Mist was inviting Jin Li Daoist Master to join Jiuqu League during his visit to Demon Wind Gobi. Jin Li True Monarch happily accepted the invitation and agreed to become a member of Jiuqu League. From this point on, Jin Li True Monarch was officially a part of Jiuqu League.
Primordial Spirit True Monarchs generally have their own sphere of influence, and they often have vassal forces. For example, True Monarch Profound Wind, though a loose cultivator, had Fire Cloud Sect willingly submit to him, becoming his subordinate. Within Jiuqu League, if any other force had disputes with Fire Cloud Sect, they would have to consider True Monarch Profound Wind's influence.
Previously, Taiyi Sect and the entire Hanhai Alliance were under the protection of Jin Li True Monarch. With Jin Li True Monarch joining Jiuqu League, they also became members of the league. In the future, when dealing with matters concerning Taiyi Sect, the high-ranking members of Jiuqu League would respect Jin Li True Monarch's opinions and take her dignity into account.
Although True Monarch Mountain Peak sensed that things had changed upon seeing True Monarch Azure Mist, he was finding it hard to accept that his former enemy, Jin Li True Monarch, had suddenly become a member of Jiuqu League.
True Monarch Azure Mist seemed not to notice True Monarch Mountain Peak's displeasure and called Jin Li True Monarch over. In front of everyone, True Monarch Azure Mist spoke about the need for unity and mutual support among Jiuqu League members, urging them not to dwell on past grievances or engage in infighting.
Jin Li True Monarch loudly agreed with True Monarch Azure Mist's words and expressed that her previous unpleasant experiences with True Monarch Profound Wind were due to her service under True Monarch Tian Zhu. However, since True Monarch Tian Zhu had passed away, her relationship with him naturally ceased to exist. She didn't care about True Monarch Tian Zhu's past and no longer held any grudges.
This attitude from Jin Li True Monarch pleased True Monarch Azure Mist, and he commended her for it. True Monarch Profound Wind and Jin Li True Monarch had no deep-seated hatred despite their differences with True Monarch Tian Zhu. With True Monarch Tian Zhu gone, any lingering animosity was mostly dissipated. True Monarch Profound Wind had no intention of continuing to entangle with her and declared that the past should be left behind. From then on, they would go their separate ways without any enmity.
True Monarch Mountain Peak's face had been unpleasant ever since True Monarch Azure Mist appeared. He was reluctant to let Jin Li True Monarch go so easily. As a traitor, he wanted to erase all traces of True Monarch Tian Zhu from this world, as if he had never existed. In his eyes, Jin Li True Monarch was True Monarch Tian Zhu's successor, inheriting everything from him. Letting Jin Li True Monarch go troubled him deeply, and his thoughts couldn't find resolution.
However, Jin Li True Monarch had somehow connected with Azure Origin Sect, inviting True Monarch Azure Mist. Despite his dissatisfaction, True Monarch Mountain Peak had to suppress it forcefully. If the former Yellow Lotus Sect Cult Master hadn't disappeared, Yellow Lotus Sect would still hold some sway before Azure Origin Sect. However, since the Cult Master's disappearance, the sect had fallen into a fragmented state, with each branch acting independently.
True Monarch Mountain Peak, as a local power, had ambitious plans and didn't maintain good relationships with other branches and the Main Altar. Offending True Monarch Azure Mist would not only result in his fellow sect members not lending a hand but could also lead to them adding to his troubles.
Facing True Monarch Azure Mist from Azure Origin Sect, True Monarch Mountain Peak couldn't directly oppose him. Seeing True Monarch Mountain Peak's silence, True Monarch Azure Mist remained smiling, but a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Ignoring True Monarch Mountain Peak, True Monarch Azure Mist engaged in friendly conversation with Jin Li True Monarch and True Monarch Profound Wind. True Monarch Mountain Peak had to reluctantly give True Monarch Azure Mist some face and approached to say a few words.
True Monarch Azure Mist, being highly respected in Azure Origin Sect and usually very busy, chatted with everyone for a while, saving face for them. Before leaving, he warned them not to continue fighting.
Jin Li True Monarch and True Monarch Profound Wind naturally appeared harmonious, and even True Monarch Mountain Peak had to utter a few vague words. Only then did True Monarch Azure Mist leave satisfied.
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