Chapter 1051: Arrangements

Thanks to the Dali Dynasty's extensive construction of long-distance teleportation formations, the transportation between the Dali Dynasty mainland and Jiuqu Province has become extremely convenient.

Meng Zhang, accompanied by Sun Sheng and Sun Pengzhi, used the long-distance teleportation formation and arrived in Jiuqu City in no time.

Upon reaching Jiuqu City, Meng Zhang didn't rush back to Taiyi Sect. Instead, he first paid a visit to the Governor-General, Zhang Weineng.

This was not only a matter of courtesy but also an opportunity for Meng Zhang to convey some information to avoid potential troubles in the future.

In just a few months since his departure, Meng Zhang's status had changed significantly.

Although Jiuqu Province was isolated, it had maintained close ties with the Dali Dynasty mainland.

Zhang Wei's knowledge about Meng Zhang had grown considerably: his entry into the Five Punishments Guard, his victory over Ouyang Huajin in a public competition, his shelter under the Chief of the Dali Court, Han Yao, and his audience with Ba Wudi.

Zhang Wei had taken notice of Meng Zhang's achievements and had grown more respectful toward him.

Meng Zhang was no longer merely the Sect Master of a sect under Jiuqu Province; he now held an official position within the Dali Dynasty and had gained support within the court.

During his visit to the Governor-General's residence, Meng Zhang noticed that the attitude of the people there had changed towards him, displaying greater respect.

He didn't have to wait long before meeting Governor-General Zhang Weineng.

Zhang Weineng's demeanor was amiable upon meeting Meng Zhang. He avoided bringing up past matters.

The Five Punishments Guard was a significant force within the Dali Dynasty, tasked with hunting down Demonic Cultivators. Zhang Weineng wouldn't foolishly provide Meng Zhang with any leverage.

If Meng Zhang were to discover Zhang Weineng's attempt to distribute Demonize items and report it to Han Yao, it could lead to more trouble for Zhang Weineng.

Even if this was an official action sanctioned by the Dali Dynasty's authorities, any exposure could lead to the higher-ups distancing themselves, possibly even scapegoating Zhang Weineng.

Zhang Weineng was also wary of the Chief of the Dali Court, Han Yao.

While Han Yao was much younger than Zhang Weineng, he outranked him in both cultivation and political status. Being in a central position, Han Yao naturally held an advantageous position over figures like Zhang Weineng.

Now that Zhang Weineng had ceased to request Meng Zhang's assistance in distributing Demonize items, Meng Zhang felt comfortable discussing matters with him.

Compared to Han Yao, Lord of Swords Ouyang Jian was equally formidable in various aspects.

Given Meng Zhang's enmity with Ouyang Jian, Zhang Weineng preferred not to involve himself too deeply, to avoid being entangled in their conflicts.

Initially, Zhang Weineng had seen potential in Meng Zhang, considering Taiyi Sect's usefulness and even intending to cultivate him.

However, now Zhang Weineng maintained a distant and respectful facade but harbored an underlying sense of distance towards Meng Zhang.

Meng Zhang paid no mind to this. It was better to maintain harmony with local authorities. Regardless, he shouldn't willingly provoke Zhang Weineng.

After exchanging pleasantries, Meng Zhang explained his mission.

Under the orders of the Chief of the Dali Court, Han Yao, Meng Zhang, as a member of the Five Punishments Guard, was to investigate and eliminate any hidden Demonic Cultivation within Jiuqu Province. He hoped for the Governor-General's cooperation.

Even though Zhang Weineng didn't want to offend Han Yao, he instinctively disliked someone else extending their influence into his territory.

Zhang Weineng and Meng Zhang exchanged a few laughs, with Zhang Weineng asserting that Jiuqu Province had a well-ordered system, and there were hardly any hidden Demonic Cultivators present.

If any did appear, the Governor-General's office had the ability to deal with them, sparing Meng Zhang the trouble.

Meng Zhang's intention was not to vie for power or control over the treatment of Demonic Cultivation with Zhang Weineng.He merely stated his mission and identity, giving a heads-up to Zhang Weineng.

Meng Zhang didn't argue with Zhang Weineng, exchanged a few words of small talk, and then took his leave voluntarily.

Seeing Meng Zhang's tactful awareness, Zhang Weineng felt quite satisfied.

However, it was unfortunate that his blood feud with Ouyang Jian might bring reprisals at an unknown time.

What Zhang Weineng didn't know was that Ouyang Jian and Meng Zhang had formed an unspoken understanding in the Netherworld, to some extent becoming allies.

Ouyang Jian also had to deal with troubles from Ba Wudi, leaving him little time for other matters.

For a considerable period, Meng Zhang needn't worry about retaliation from Ouyang Jian.

After meeting with Governor-General Zhang Weineng, Meng Zhang, accompanied by Sun Sheng and the others, used Jiuqu City's long-distance teleportation formation to return directly to Grand Lion Ridge.

Without concealing their tracks, they arrived in Taiyi Sect's territory. The news of Meng Zhang's return from the Dali Dynasty mainland quickly spread throughout the entire territory.

Although it hadn't been a full year since leaving Taiyi Sect, Meng Zhang felt as if he had been away for a long time due to his experiences.

His deep attachment to the sect filled him with concern.

Meng Zhang, along with Sun Sheng and the others, flew back to the Hundred Grass Slope at Taiyi Sect's mountain gate.

As the Sect Master returned, the high-ranking members of the sect naturally came to welcome him.

After a series of formalities, the welcoming ceremony for Meng Zhang came to an end.

Meng Zhang introduced Sun Sheng and the others to the high-ranking members of the sect.

The members of the Sun family had already relocated to Taiyi Sect's territory earlier and were properly settled.

As a Primordial Spirit True Monarch who had voluntarily pledged allegiance, Sun Sheng was treated well by Meng Zhang.

Sun Sheng, like He Luo True Monarch, held the position of an honorary member of Taiyi Sect, enjoying similar privileges.

Sun Pengzhi currently held the status of an ordinary elder. He would need to demonstrate greater capabilities and gain Meng Zhang's approval before becoming a strategizing figure in Taiyi Sect.

Meng Zhang's absence from Taiyi Sect hadn't been very long. He spent more time in seclusion on any single occasion.

During this period, there were no major incidents within the sect, and everything was running smoothly.

Following Meng Zhang's arrangement, Niu Dawei and Yang Xueyi took turns overseeing the Heavenly Palace.

Currently, Niu Dawei was stationed in the Heavenly Palace, while Yang Xueyi oversaw affairs within the sect.

Being a Fourth Rank Talisman Master, a rarity in Jiuqu Province, Yang Xueyi rarely had spare time, but she managed to allocate a significant amount of it to crafting Fourth Rank talismans.

Over the years, Taiyi Sect had accumulated a considerable collection of precious materials.

For instance, the Fourth Rank divine wood leaves Meng Zhang had obtained from Changchun True Monarch were excellent materials for crafting Fourth Rank talismans.

Although Meng Zhang hadn't received precise information, he had a vague sense that the Dali Dynasty might be preparing for expansion again.

Based on the intelligence he had, the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle might be the next target for the Dali Dynasty's conquest.

Among the Dali Dynasty's territories, Jiuqu Province was closest to the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle.

If war broke out between the Dali Dynasty and the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle, Jiuqu Province was likely to get caught in the conflict.

Starting now, Taiyi Sect needed to discreetly prepare for potential warfare.

With Yang Xueyi overseeing affairs within the sect, particularly the talisman workshop, Taiyi Sect began producing various talismans in preparation for the impending conflict.