Chapter 279: Reception

An Xiaoran didn't keep Meng Zhang waiting for long. He arrived at the side of the flying boat with a few people. Among them, only An Xiaoran awakened his spiritual roots and began cultivation, possessing a Refining Qi cultivation base at the second stage.

An Xiaoran's younger brother, An Moran, appeared to be around seven or eight years old but carried himself like a little adult, with a serious expression and seldom any smiles. Following behind An Moran were three lively kids aged five or six, making a fuss along the way.

At the rear were a young couple, each holding an infant. Among these mortals, An Moran was An Xiaoran's true younger brother. The three lively kids were the descendants of An Family cultivators. The chance of awakening spiritual roots among the descendants of cultivators was higher than ordinary mortals, but it wasn't guaranteed. At least, neither An Moran nor the three kids had awakened their spiritual roots yet.

The young couple were mortals and relatives of the An Family cultivators, specifically responsible for taking care of this group of children, including their own infants.

Apart from two Flying Swan Sect disciples in the flying boat's cabin, responsible for piloting the vessel, there was no one else on the flying boat. An Xiaoran brought this group of mortals on board, and after Meng Zhang and Lao Jian also boarded the flying boat, it slowly took off and soared into the sky.

Once the lively kids got on the flying boat, they began to make a commotion, and the young couple struggled to control them. An Xiaoran glared at them and reprimanded a couple of sentences, immediately quieting the kids down.

Lao Jian was considerate; to take care of the mortal passengers, he activated a protective formation on the flying boat, keeping the strong winds at high altitudes outside while ensuring it wasn't too cold inside the vessel.

Meng Zhang stood at the bow of the flying boat, observing the scenery below. Lao Jian accompanied him and engaged in casual conversation.

Meng Zhang pretended to be concerned and said, "Brother Lao, what we're discussing this time must remain confidential."

Lao Jian burst into laughter and replied, "Sect Master Meng, rest assured. My disciples may be a bit pampered, but they won't casually leak the sect's secrets. As for Brother Huang Ping, he is even more discreet."

Internally, Meng Zhang wasn't as worried as he portrayed himself. His visit this time was an openly known matter and not some secretive affair. The business relationship between Taiyi Sect and the Lao family had existed since the days of Twin Success Valley.

Moreover, whether during the time of Twin Success Valley or now in Forest Spring Watch, having some personal connections between sect disciples and Flying Swan Sect disciples was quite common. As long as Forest Spring Watch didn't know about the secret cooperation between Meng Zhang and Flying Swan Sect, there wouldn't be any issues. Such surface-level personal relationships could actually help conceal their covert dealings.

Meng Zhang's display of concern was merely a gesture. It was this sort of stance, indicating a desire to join Flying Swan Sect while still having reservations, that made Flying Swan Sect willing to invest resources to win over Taiyi Sect.

The location was already quite close to Flying Swan Sect's direct territory, and the flying boat's speed was fast. After over a day of flying, a towering mountain came into Meng Zhang's view.

This mountain had been the entrance to Purple Gold Sect hundreds of years ago. However, after Flying Swan Sect destroyed Purple Gold Sect, they relocated their entire sect to this place, establishing it as Flying Swan Sect's new entrance.

On the plain below the high mountain stood a grand city, known as Flying Swan City. It was the most prosperous and bustling city in the entire Endless Sea of Sand.

Here, both immortals and mortals coexisted, and cultivators from various paths gathered. Countless merchant caravans traveled back and forth, making it a constantly bustling place filled with people from all walks of life.

Within the city of Flying Swan City, there are numerous flying boats and flying camels that regularly travel along the routes spread across the vast Endless Sea of Sand. These routes gather people and goods from all over the Endless Sea of Sand, which are then transported to various destinations within the region.

As Meng Zhang knows, within the Firewell Market, there are scheduled takeoffs and landings of flying boats and flying camels from the Flying Swan Sect, specifically engaged in passenger transport and the delivery of valuable goods.

Looking ahead at Flying Swan City, Lao Jian couldn't help feeling sorrowful. He said, "A few years ago, this city was thriving and vibrant, like a garden of blooming flowers. But a great battle with the sand monsters left it devastated. Now that the war is over, the city has become desolate and much quieter."

Meng Zhang consoled, "With time passing, the losses caused by war will gradually be compensated. It's only a matter of time before Flying Swan City returns to its former glory."

"After the great war, people yearn for peace. But there are always some who fear peace and harmony in the Endless Sea of Sand, and they seek to disrupt it," Lao Jian said, giving Meng Zhang a meaningful glance.

"As a member of the Endless Sea of Sand Cultivation World and the Sect Master of Meng, I cannot stand idly by if this region is plunged into another devastating war," Meng Zhang solemnly replied.

Lao Jian's words were eloquent, but Meng Zhang's timely declaration was to reassure him and put his mind at ease.

Instead of flying towards the mountain gate of the Flying Swan Sect or entering Flying Swan City, the flying boat directly landed in a mansion outside the city.

Upon disembarking from the flying boat, Meng Zhang and the others were received by designated personnel. An Xiaoran and the others were treated as Meng Zhang's entourage and were arranged to stay in a small courtyard. As for Meng Zhang himself, he resided alone in a more secluded small courtyard.

Once they were settled, Lao Jian bid them farewell temporarily. He needed to personally meet with the high-ranking members of the Flying Swan Sect to report the meeting with Meng Zhang and convey his attitude. There would surely be individuals with higher authority coming to negotiate with Meng Zhang.

After Lao Jian's departure, Meng Zhang quietly waited. Originally, having come to the bustling city of Flying Swan City, he had intended to explore the city, visit various shops, and see if there was anything worth purchasing. However, fearing that he might miss the meeting with the Flying Swan Sect cultivators, Meng Zhang had to abandon this idea and stay put.

This meeting was of great significance and involved the future stance of Taiyi Sect, possibly even determining the fate of the sect. Meng Zhang couldn't help but take it very seriously.

For two days, Meng Zhang waited in the small courtyard until he finally met the person he had been waiting for.

When a tall, imposing figure of an elderly man appeared before Meng Zhang, he was surprised. He had initially thought that the Flying Swan Sect would send an elder to receive him, which would already be quite grand. After all, the Flying Swan Sect was a Gold Core sect, while Taiyi Sect was merely a small Foundation Building sect.

Meng Zhang was truly taken aback to find that the person before him was none other than the current Sect Master of the Flying Swan Sect, Fei Hongzi.

This level of reception was unexpected. On one hand, he felt a sense of being valued, but on the other hand, he became cautious. For Fei Hongzi, the Sect Master of a Gold Core sect, to personally appear, it suggested that the intentions of the Flying Swan Sect might not be small. The small and fragile Taiyi Sect might not be able to withstand whatever they had in mind.

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