Sect Master's Immortal Journey

Chapter 261: Elders

Although Meng Zhang was not very old, he could proudly say that the younger generation of cultivators in Taiyi Sect had promising talents, especially Yang Xueyi, a Foundation Building cultivator, and Deep Earth Spirit General.

After some careful consideration, Meng Zhang made an announcement to the entire sect and appointed Yang Xueyi and Deep Earth Spirit General as elders within the sect. Aside from managing their respective affairs, the elders also had a say in other matters concerning the sect. Especially when it came to significant decisions, the Sect Master needed to seek the opinions of the elders.

Meng Zhang didn't intend to rule the sect single-handedly, as he was not a dictatorial personality. He knew his own limitations, that his intelligence and experiences were average, and his insights were not extraordinary. While he handled day-to-day affairs well, when faced with major issues, it was better to listen to the opinions of others within the sect.

Collective wisdom was crucial to prevent mistakes and make the right decisions. Currently, besides Yang Xueyi and Deep Earth Spirit General, there was another elder in Taiyi Sect named Tian Zhen, who was at the Refining Qi stage.

These two Refining Qi stage elders were Senators of Taiyi Sect, having made significant contributions to the sect, and their status was beyond doubt. Meng Zhang didn't want to dwell on historical issues, but from now on, he wanted to set a rule that any newcomer aspiring to become an elder in Taiyi Sect must have at least reached the Foundation Building stage in their Cultivation Base.

As the number of Refining Qi stage cultivators increased within the sect, the matter of disciples' Foundation Building became a pressing concern. Not all Refining Qi completion cultivators possessed the talent of Meng Zhang and Yang Xueyi, who could achieve Foundation Building without relying on Foundation Building Pills. In fact, even with Yang Xueyi's talent, successfully achieving Foundation Building without taking Foundation Building Pills was somewhat lucky.

Shi Changqing of the Shi Family had previously succeeded in refining a batch of Foundation Building Pills but was unable to continue due to the lack of materials. To continue collecting materials for refining Foundation Building Pills on the market, even if he was willing to pay a significant price, it would not be accomplished overnight.

As for the Lesser Foundation Building Pill of Twin Success Valley, Shi Changqing couldn't refine it yet because the formula was not complete. Of course, Shi Changqing was deeply researching to find alternative materials or continuously attempting to deduce the handling methods of those two crucial materials.

Such work was ongoing, and both Shi Changqing and Forest Spring Watch were making continuous efforts. Various alchemy techniques in the Cultivation World were gradually born and perfected through these slow and arduous processes. Of course, aside from dedicating a great deal of effort and time, luck was often needed to achieve good results.

Among the talented alchemists in Taiyi Sect, Zhang Yingying was only a First Rank Alchemist, and even with a complete formula, she couldn't refine a Second Rank pill like the Lesser Foundation Building Pill.

Meng Zhang decided to keep the complete formula of the Lesser Foundation Building Pill a secret. He abandoned the idea of seeking help from other alchemists in distant places, as he didn't have trustworthy Second Rank Alchemists among his contacts. If news about the complete formula leaked, both the Shi Family and Forest Spring Watch would come knocking at his door. While the Shi Family might be manageable, he couldn't easily refuse Forest Spring Watch.

Meng Zhang's principle was simple—he would rather keep the complete formula hidden than benefit others. As for collaboration, there was no mutual trust to support such an endeavor.

The matter of the Foundation Building Pill is not urgent for now. Yang Xueyi has become a Foundation Building cultivator, and of course, she needs to possess the strength befitting a cultivator of that stage. Besides cultivating some Foundation Building spells and Divine Abilities, she also requires Second Rank magic tools.

However, suitable Second Rank magic tools are not available in the nearby area; they have to go to the Firewell Market to find them.

Once Yang Xueyi's cultivation base stabilizes, she holds a dharma meeting within the sect to share her insights and experiences with the disciples. She is open and doesn't hold back, imparting many useful cultivation tips to them.

After a few more days, Meng Zhang accompanies Yang Xueyi on a journey to Firewell Market. Though it is far away, they ride on the Crimson Feather Eagles, and after spending a day's effort, they reach their destination.

Inside the Firewell Market, they visit all the shops, even the black market, but they can't find the suitable Second Rank magic tool Yang Xueyi desires. Despite her recent attainment of Foundation Building, Yang Xueyi has high standards and doesn't find any of the seemingly useless items appealing.

Unable to find the desired magic tool in the shops, Meng Zhang has no choice but to seek help from Shangguan Wen, the external affairs disciple of the Earthfire Sect.

With Meng Zhang and Yang Xueyi meeting Shangguan Wen, he greets them politely, congratulates Yang Xueyi on her recent Foundation Building, and compliments her exceptional talent and the teaching abilities of Taiyi Sect, but he doesn't get to the point.

Meng Zhang patiently engages with him for a while before stating his purpose. He wishes to purchase 1-2 top-quality Second Rank flying swords, expecting compensation for the Earthfire Sect's previous failure to deliver the promised Second Rank flying sword, which was intercepted by Zhao Jiudou.

However, Shangguan Wen begins making various excuses and evasions. He claims that their top Second Rank tool refiners are busy fulfilling orders from the Flying Swan Sect or that all their Second Rank magic tools have already been sold.

In essence, Shangguan Wen is unwilling to help and doesn't give Meng Zhang any face. He suggests that Meng Zhang should look at the various shops in the Firewell Market.

Feeling disappointed and nostalgic for the prosperous Great Wind City, where even Third Rank magic tools were readily available, Meng Zhang realizes that he can't spend money even when he has it in this barren Endless Sea of Sand.

Since Shangguan Wen has made his stance clear, Meng Zhang doesn't bother to continue pestering him. He casually responds and takes Yang Xueyi away from there.

Before they leave, Shangguan Wen mentions with a hint of seriousness that Earthfire Sect and Taiyi Sect have a long-standing relationship of trust and mutual reliance in their mineral trades. He warns Meng Zhang that dealing with dubious merchants could lead to losses and deception. He recalls instances where people in the previous Firewell Market were cheated when engaging with merchants of unknown origins and ended up losing everything.

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