Chapter 790: After the War
Jade Sword True Monarch and Bai Zhengyu True Monarch flew to Xiao Jiansheng's side almost simultaneously and began conversing with him loudly.
Even though Xiao Jiansheng felt a bit impatient and didn't think highly of these rustic cultivators, he still patiently chatted with them.
These rustic cultivators had significant value to be used as cannon fodder when dealing with the Dali Dynasty.
Bai Zhengyu True Monarch flattered Xiao Jiansheng shamelessly, acting as if he had no Primordial Spirit at all.
Jade Sword True Monarch, though slightly disapproving of Bai Zhengyu True Monarch's behavior, also had to flatter Xiao Jiansheng.
Furthermore, he had to sincerely thank Bai Zhengyu True Monarch for leading the reinforcements this time.
Without this support, Jade Sword Sect's defense line would have collapsed long ago. He had to acknowledge this immense favor.
Bai Zhengyu True Monarch gracefully accepted Jade Sword True Monarch's thanks and continued to flatter Xiao Jiansheng.
Xiao Jiansheng praised both of them and encouraged them to continue fighting against the Dali Dynasty, ensuring its complete annihilation.
He also revealed that Purple Yang Holy Sect had made considerable efforts in various aspects to deal with the Dali Dynasty.
The main forces of the Dali Dynasty were now restrained and unable to reinforce Xia Houfeng's army.
Despite appearing to have a large number of troops, they were now isolated without any reinforcements.
In his words, Xiao Jiansheng belittled the Dali Dynasty and perhaps promised some benefits to the two True Monarchs.
The situation in the Middle-Earth Continent was complex, with many powerful forces restraining each other among the Holy Land Sects. Even Purple Yang Holy Sect was far from being able to do whatever it pleased.
Purple Yang Holy Sect considered the Dali Dynasty a serious threat and wanted to eliminate it, but they needed to make use of the power of sects like Jade Sword Sect.
In the Cultivation World, most Holy Land Sects often adopted a high and mighty attitude, as if they disdained meddling in specific affairs of the Cultivation World. Cultivators from Holy Land Sects acted like immortal beings, uninterested in worldly affairs.
Unless necessary, Holy Land Sects like Purple Yang Holy Sect would not directly engage in a large-scale battle with the Dali Dynasty.
The Dali Dynasty's aggressive expansion had caused countless sects and clans to feel threatened. Many had been annihilated by the Dali Dynasty in recent years.
Around the Dali Dynasty's borders, many forces saw it as a ferocious beast, filled with great dread.
Xiao Jiansheng's task was to unite these forces against the Dali Dynasty in the name of Purple Yang Holy Sect.
With the assistance of Purple Yang Holy Sect, cultivation forces in the Middle-Earth Continent began to exert pressure on the Dali Dynasty, restraining their military strength.
The situation was different in the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle. After Xiao Jiansheng's efforts, he could only convince White Sun Valley and some second-rate sects to join their cause.
If the entire Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle could be mobilized, those sects alongside White Sun Valley might be willing to go all out. While they might not be able to defeat the entire Dali Dynasty, they could at least severely weaken or even eliminate Xia Houfeng's army.
Unfortunately, the situation in the Grand Crossing Cultivation Circle was too complex and involved too many factors. Even Xiao Jiansheng was unwilling to recklessly involve himself further. Convincing White Sun Valley was already pushing the limits.
After the great battle, both Jiuqu League and the arriving cultivators began the post-war aftermath.
Not only on the side of Yellow Lotus Sect Main Altar, but the entire defense line facing the Dali Dynasty's army had already retreated.
Jade Sword Sect assigned people to start counting the casualties and losses.
Over two-thirds of the defense line had been breached, and most of the cultivation forces stationed there were completely wiped out, with few survivors.
The remaining part of the defense line was in a stalemate with the Dali Dynasty's army, with many positions precarious and at risk of being conquered at any time.
Only Taiyi Sect and a few cultivation forces were able to defeat the attacking Dali Dynasty army and achieve a small victory.
The Dali Dynasty's army had not retreated far, and their next moves were unknown.
Jade Sword Sect ordered all major cultivation forces in the Jiuqu League to clean up the battlefield, aid the wounded, and strive to recover as quickly as possible.
Jade Sword Sect wanted the major cultivation forces to rest near their own defense line, which suited Meng Zhang's intentions.
There was no need to go to Yellow Lotus Sect Main Altar, so they probably wouldn't encounter cultivators from the Holy Land Sect.
After this period of rest, Meng Zhang's cultivation had mostly recovered.
Cleaning up the battlefield and organizing the defense line were tasks that the sect's disciples naturally took care of.
After spending some effort treating a group of seriously injured disciples, Meng Zhang found himself temporarily idle.
At this moment, Meng Zhang wanted to understand the situation around him and, if possible, visit some old friends.
The nearby cultivation forces like Great Wind City's Gu Yue Family and Fire Cloud Sect had suffered significant losses, but with Meng Zhang's assistance, their defense line held firm. In the end, they managed to retain some combat power after the recovery period.
Clever Machine Sect's situation was similar. Since True Monarch Clever Machine was saved by Meng Zhang, their sect's vitality was still preserved.
As Xu Mengying was at Yellow Lotus Sect Main Altar, it wasn't a good time for Meng Zhang to go there.
Dark Alliance's branch had clearly sided with Jiuqu League in this great battle.
Red Pig True Monarch personally led a group of cultivators to participate in the battle at Yellow Lotus Sect Main Altar, engaging in a fierce fight against the Dali Dynasty's army.
From what Meng Zhang knew, over half of the cultivation forces that participated in this battle from Jiuqu League were wiped out, and more than two-thirds of the participating cultivators lost their lives.
Such heavy casualties had truly dealt a severe blow to their vitality.
Recovering completely was not something that could be achieved overnight.
Especially since the Dali Dynasty's army had only temporarily retreated, their high-ranking officials were mostly intact, and their losses were limited.
If the Dali Dynasty's army returned, it was uncertain if there would be enough strength to resist them.
Some members of Jade Sword Sect's leadership suggested continuing to summon cultivators from the major cultivation forces of Jiuqu League and urging them to send more cultivators to join the battle.
Meng Zhang was unsure about the situation in other sects, but from what he knew about Taiyi Sect, most of the cultivators who remained were old, weak, sick, or disabled, comprising less than a tenth of their original number.
Apart from the senior disciple Niu Dawei, whom he had managed to keep through his connections, there were hardly any capable fighters left.
If Jade Sword Sect forcibly summoned cultivators from other major cultivation forces, it would be more than just bleeding them dry; it would be emptying their resources, leaving these forces with nothing.
By that time, even if they managed to repel the Dali Dynasty's army, the major cultivation forces would have depleted their resources, and their recovery would be uncertain.
Fortunately, the battle had just ended, and everyone was busy with post-war affairs.
As for the next steps, Jade Sword Sect's leadership had not yet reached a consensus.
Although they had achieved a small victory, the situation had not improved, and it remained precarious.
The Dali Dynasty still possessed strength and the ability to fight again. If their army returned, it would be another life-and-death test.