Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

After arranging everything, Shen Mo waved his hand: "Go and prepare. Remember, panic is useless, and fear is even more useless."

"Our Qingyun Sect was able to seize a glimmer of hope from that meteor shower, to turn the tide under the pressure from Black Wind Stronghold, to attract the attention of the Xuanbing Pavilion, and to leave our mark on the Tianji Pavilion..."

"It wasn't luck that mattered, but rather the spirit of each and every one of us—a spirit that refused to succumb to despair and strived for excellence!"

His gaze swept over every young, determined face: "Today's situation is both a crisis and a test. If we overcome it, the future will be bright! If we don't... then let us fight to the very last moment for the sake of this 'Qingyun' title!"

"We obey the sect leader's orders!" the disciples shouted in unison, their voices blending together to dispel the twilight and solemnity in the hall, carrying a resolute determination.

The influence of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion rankings far exceeded Shen Mo's initial expectations. Like a boulder thrown into the already turbulent waters of the Southern Eastern Wilderness, the ripples quickly spread to every corner.

The name "Qingyun Sect," along with the vague yet intriguing descriptions such as "ancient starlight lineage" and "mysterious resurgence," spread throughout Blackwater Marsh and several surrounding cultivation areas within just a few days.

After years of silence, Qingyun Mountain suddenly became a place where great events converge.

Initially, it was the nearest market, Qingtai Market. The shopkeepers who used to ignore Qingyun Sect were now as enthusiastic as if they had seen their own ancestors when they saw Wang Lie or Su Xiao coming down the mountain to make purchases.

Manager Chen of Baibaoge would send people every few days to deliver seasonal spiritual fruits or newly arrived talismans, ostensibly to "express his feelings," but in reality, he was simply trying to get closer to them and seize the initiative.

"Fairy Su, you've finally arrived!" That day, as soon as Su Xiao stepped into the Treasure Pavilion, Manager Chen greeted her with a beaming smile, even more enthusiastic than usual.

"Please come in quickly! A batch of top-quality 'Cloud Mist Spirit Tea' has just arrived, produced in Cloud Mist Mountain, three thousand miles away. It is said to have wonderful effects on nourishing the spirit, and we specially reserved a portion for you and Sect Leader Shen!"

Su Xiao was now quite experienced in handling such situations. She nodded slightly, a perfectly measured, aloof smile on her face.

"Shopkeeper Chen is very kind. However, the sect has been very busy lately, and our sect leader is still in seclusion, so I'm afraid he won't have time to enjoy tea. I'm here today to purchase some daily necessities according to the list."

"Understood, understood!" Manager Chen nodded repeatedly, personally leading Su Xiao to inspect the goods, and said in a low voice.

"Fairy Su, to be honest, ever since your sect was listed on the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's list, there have been countless people in this market inquiring about you!"

"Many of them are unfamiliar faces from far away, and each of them is quite powerful. You and your sect should be extra careful."

Su Xiao's heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged: "Oh? What are you asking about?"

"Most of them are inquiring about the exact location of your sect's mountain gate, the origin of its lineage, and... hehe, especially the rumors about the 'Star Radiance Lineage'."

Manager Chen said cautiously, "But don't worry, our Hundred Treasures Pavilion has rules: we absolutely won't say what shouldn't be said! We're long-term partners!"

"Thank you for your trouble, Manager Chen," Su Xiao said lightly, but her heart sank. Sure enough, trouble had come knocking, and it was coming on strong.

She quickly inventoried the necessary supplies, paid the spirit stones, politely declined Manager Chen's invitation to drink spirit tea together, and hurriedly returned to the mountain gate.

However, many more visitors went directly to the foot of Qingyun Mountain.

There was an elder who claimed to be from a small cultivation family. He brought generous gifts and earnestly hoped to "form a marriage alliance" with the Qingyun Sect. He was willing to send outstanding members of his family to "exchange and learn" with them. In reality, he just wanted to find out their true intentions and even take the opportunity to curry favor with them.

Managers from chambers of commerce from even more distant regions arrived with a dazzling array of product catalogs, claiming they could supply Qingyun Sect with various cultivation resources at "preferential" prices on a long-term basis, on the condition that they obtain exclusive agency rights for Qingyun Sect's specialty products (some kind of mysterious resource they imagined).

There were even some lone cultivators who shouted loudly outside the mountain gate, hoping to become disciples of the Qingyun Sect and receive their true teachings. Among them were some cultivators whose cultivation had reached the mid-to-late stage of Qi Refining. Their words were excited and their attitude was devout, but what gleamed deep in their eyes was mostly opportunism and greed.

In an instant, the once quiet area outside the mountain gate became bustling and noisy.

"Sect Leader, this can't go on!" Inside the main hall, Su Xiaoxiu frowned as she reported the situation down the mountain to Shen Mo.

"These people are blocking the entrance, seriously affecting the disciples' entry and exit. Moreover, they are a mixed bag, and it's inevitable that some scoundrels will be among them. What if..."

Shi Tie was so angry that he roared, "Sect Leader! Let me take some men down there and chase those noisy bastards away! They talk a good game, but they're just trying to get something out of us because we're on the list!"

Shen Mo sat upright at the head of the table, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest, his expression calm. Everything below the mountain was already within his divine sense.

This bustling scene was both unexpected and perfectly logical. In this degenerate age, where resources are scarce and everyone yearns for opportunities, the mere mention of Tianji Pavilion's signboard is enough to attract countless hungry wolves.

"Kick them out? Simple, but also the stupidest." Shen Mo glanced at Shi Tie. "Doing that would be telling everyone that my Qingyun Sect is cowardly and weak, all show and no substance. Then, what comes won't be these scouts, but the real wolves."

"Then... are we just going to let them block the mountain gate?" Shi Tie said indignantly.

"Of course not." A glint of wisdom flashed in Shen Mo's eyes. "Junior Sister Xiao, go and draft a notice and post it outside the mountain gate."

"The content is as follows: Qingyun Sect is a place of quiet cultivation, and all unnecessary visitors are not allowed. Anyone who wishes to become a disciple must pass three tests: 'Asking the Heart,' 'Testing Fate,' and 'Examining Character.' Only those with pure hearts and firm wills will be accepted."

"Anyone wishing to discuss business must submit a formal invitation in advance, stating the purpose of the discussion. The External Affairs Officer, Su Xiao, will make arrangements accordingly. During the sect leader's seclusion, we regret that we cannot receive visitors."

"Asking about one's heart? Testing one's fate? Examining an item?" Su Xiao was slightly taken aback. "Sect Leader, what exactly is this...?"

"We set the standards and establish the rules," Shen Mo explained calmly. "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures are needed. We must both block those with ulterior motives and leave a chance for those who are truly devoted to the path."

"As for the standards, you can discuss with Qingyan and Xiaocao to set up a few simple illusion arrays and aptitude testing methods. The key is to observe their temperament, whether they are impatient or sincere."

"I understand!" Su Xiao's eyes lit up. This was undoubtedly a good way to filter out the bad.

"Furthermore," Shen Mo continued, "starting today, the mountain-protecting formation will fully activate its 'fog' and 'warning' effects. Anyone who approaches the area within a hundred feet of the mountain gate without permission will be warned by the formation triggering illusions and minor attacks."

"The patrol posts will be reinforced with hidden stakeouts, and you and Junior Brother Tie will take turns leading them, continuously for twelve hours a day. All disciples are strictly prohibited from leaving the mountain without my authorization!"

"Yes!" Su Xiao and Shi Tie replied in unison, their expressions solemn. They knew that the sect had entered a state of high alert.

The order was quickly relayed. When Su Xiao personally posted the notice, worded neither servile nor arrogant, outside the mountain gate, the gathered crowd stirred up a commotion.

Some scoffed, thinking that Qingyun Sect was too arrogant; some muttered to themselves, feeling that the assessment sounded complicated; but a few others had a thoughtful look in their eyes.

Then, when a few stubborn guys who didn't believe in the supernatural and tried to force their way in were trapped by the suddenly rising thick fog and had their clothes torn by several unexpected wind blades, and fled in a sorry state, the noise outside the mountain gate finally gradually subsided.

Most people realized that the Qingyun Sect was not an easy target, so they had no choice but to disperse in disappointment or try to find out more through other means.