After leaving Firewell Market, Meng Zhang rode the Crimson Feather Eagle and flew towards the direction of the Flying Swan Sect. As the ruler of the Endless Sea of Sand, the Flying Swan Sect theoretically controlled all the land in the region, except for the Northern Desert Qi Family’s territory.
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The Flying Swan Sect’s territory could be roughly divided into three categories. The most prosperous area in the Endless Sea of Sand was directly governed by the Flying Swan Sect, which included every spirit vein and oasis, all belonging to the sect itself. Surrounding the Flying Swan Sect’s direct territory were the lands of vassal families closely associated with the sect. These families were subject to the Flying Swan Sect’s control and enjoyed its trust, serving as a defensive buffer for the sect.
In the remote regions, far from the Flying Swan Sect and located on the edge of the Endless Sea of Sand, were territories belonging to sects such as the former Twin Success Valley. These sects nominally pledged allegiance to the Flying Swan Sect but maintained a strong degree of independence. While they paid tribute and answered limited calls to serve the Flying Swan Sect, their loyalty was not unwavering. Generally, unless necessary, the Flying Swan Sect refrained from interfering in the internal affairs of these sects. However, they did establish commercial outposts through organizations like the Flying Swan Building, extracting substantial profits from these territories. In secret, they also deployed spies to monitor these sects’ every move.
Certain sects like the Forest Spring Watch, Liu Family, and Earthfire Sect, which were originally part of this category, gained recognition as Gold Core sects and were considered independent from the Flying Swan Sect in terms of occupying territories. Taiyi Sect, a vassal of the Forest Spring Watch, was no longer under the direct management of the Flying Swan Sect.
The flight speed of the Crimson Feather Eagle was swift. In just half a day, Meng Zhang had left Firewell Market far behind and exited the Earthfire Sect’s territory. Earthfire Sect shared borders with the Flying Swan Sect, and after leaving its domain, they entered the vast territory of the Flying Swan Sect, the most prosperous area within the Endless Sea of Sand.
Even in the desolate desert, this land was dotted with oases and frequented by numerous mortal merchants and travelers. In remote areas like Earthfire Sect and Forest Spring Watch, mortals dared not venture alone. Without the protection of Cultivators, they were unable to defend themselves in these oases.
However, within the territory of the Flying Swan Sect, mortals could freely travel between oases, and exchanges among them were frequent. Various communities established by mortals existed in these oases, pledging allegiance to the Flying Swan Sect and assisting in managing mundane affairs. Unless necessary, the cultivators of the Flying Swan Sect did not interfere with the mortal world.
Overall, the direct territory of the Flying Swan Sect was a flourishing and prosperous world, though this was the situation before the upheaval caused by the sand monster. After the devastation wrought by the sand monster, the Flying Swan Sect’s territory was no longer as thriving as it once was. Even though Meng Zhang had already received intelligence about the current state of the Flying Swan Sect’s territory from the black market and was mentally prepared, the sights and experiences on the way still amazed and saddened him. The former prosperity had become history.
Meng Zhang traveled all the way and witnessed one ruined oasis after another. Within these oases, the devastation was evident, and life was absent. Former residents, whether they were Cultivators or ordinary mortals, had either perished at the hands of sand monsters or left their homes, seeking refuge in distant lands.
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Cultivators had a slightly better chance of survival as they could escape after an oasis fell to the sand monster invasion. On the other hand, ordinary mortals faced the sand monster army without the qualifications even to be considered cannon fodder, leaving them defenseless and akin to lambs waiting to be slaughtered. Moreover, due to the sand monsters’ complete destruction of the spirit vein, these oases were gradually deteriorating. It wouldn’t take long before they vanished entirely from the face of the earth, transforming into deserts.
The scale of destruction caused by the sand monster army astonished Meng Zhang, whether it was during the time of Twin Success Valley’s existence or the recent chaos near Forest Spring Watch. The previous incidents had limited monster numbers or were promptly dealt with, resulting in relatively small areas of destruction.
However, the recent sand monster invasion encountered by the powerful Gold Core sect, Flying Swan Sect, was terrifyingly large. Even Flying Swan Sect suffered immense losses. Without the sect’s presence, the entire Endless Sea of Sand would likely have fallen. Meng Zhang couldn’t help but acknowledge that Flying Swan Sect, as the ruler of the Endless Sea of Sand, made significant contributions and was truly indispensable.
The direct territory of Flying Swan Sect and the lands of closely related vassal families were intertwined and overlapping. If precious cultivation resources, such as various minerals, were discovered in the vassal families’ territory, Flying Swan Sect would claim the area as its direct territory. Additionally, if a vassal family’s bloodline were to perish or they committed serious mistakes, they would be expelled or exterminated, and their land would be reclaimed by Flying Swan Sect. This complex network of territories not only strengthened the relationships between the sect and its vassals but also allowed Flying Swan Sect’s influence to penetrate deep into each family.
As Meng Zhang continued his journey, he passed through numerous oases that had already turned into ruins. He wondered if they belonged directly to Flying Swan Sect or were under the control of vassal families. Even the oases that managed to resist the sand monster army suffered heavy losses during the battles. While the sand monster chaos had been quelled, these weakened oases became targets for various loose cultivators, especially bandits.
Flying Swan Sect’s direct territory fared better, but the weaker vassal families suffered greatly. Hordes of loose cultivators swarmed in, with some resorting to extortion and blackmail while the bolder ones directly broke through the protective formations and plundered everything.
The recent natural disaster was barely over when they faced this predicament. The people living in this land were truly unfortunate. f𝗿𝐞ewebno𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝐨m
As Meng Zhang passed by one oasis, he encountered a group of bandits robbing it. Initially, he didn’t want to get involved and planned to leave. However, upon witnessing the bandits not only robbing but also killing both Cultivators defending the oasis and ordinary people, his sense of justice was stirred.
As the Sect Master of Taiyi Sect, a reputable orthodox sect, Meng Zhang couldn’t tolerate such actions. Thus, he took on the role of a righteous hero and swiftly dispatched the group of Refining Qi stage bandits, leaving them dead. Ignoring the gratitude and bowing from the oasis residents, Meng Zhang departed as though he were a true wandering hero, leaving behind a taste of hidden greatness and humility.
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