Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

On this day, a striking cinnabar mission was posted on the bulletin board—a Class A mission: Investigate the edge of Black Wind Ridge, confirm the recent rumors of strange monster activity, and collect "Crimson Sun Grass" as much as possible.

Task Reward: 80 Contribution Points! Note: It is recommended that disciples at Qi Refining Level 6 or above go in a team.

Black Wind Ridge is infamous! 80 contribution points—an unprecedentedly high reward! Enough to exchange for a decent high-grade Yellow Rank cultivation technique, or several bottles of precious pills!

The notice board erupted in a flurry of activity. The disciples discussed it excitedly, but when they saw the requirements for "Qi Refining Level 6 and above" and "team formation recommended," they all fell silent.

Currently, within the sect, only Shi Tie, Han Lin (guest elders who usually do not accept ordinary missions), and Su Xiao, whose cultivation level is close to the sixth level, meet the requirements.

Shi Tie stared at the mission description, his breathing becoming heavy. He had wanted to go to Black Wind Ridge for a long time!

More importantly, he had his eye on the fragment of the Qi Refining Chapter of "Flowing Cloud Dao Body" in the Scripture Pavilion, which required 150 contribution points to exchange for!

"I accept!" Shi Tie roared, pushing through the crowd and tearing off the mission scroll.

Su Xiao reminded him with some concern, "Senior Brother Shi, Black Wind Ridge is dangerous. Should we wait until Elder Han is free...?"

"What's there to be afraid of!" Shi Tie patted his chest. "I'm at the peak of the fifth level of Qi Refining now, and I'm about to break through with the Giant Spirit Mountain-Shaking Technique. I need real combat experience! Besides, we're not going to the core area. We're just wandering around the edge. If I can't beat you, I can at least run away, right?"

Upon learning this, Shen Mo summoned Shi Tie, gave him detailed instructions, and presented him with a "Golden Shield Talisman" and a "Swift Travel Talisman" as a precaution.

Three days later, Shi Tiefeng returned dusty and exhausted. Although he was injured, he was in high spirits! He not only brought back accurate intelligence and collected the Crimson Sun Grass, but also narrowly defeated an Ironback Demon Bear at the sixth level of Qi Refining!

Mission a complete success!

After verifying the information, Su Xiao recorded 80 contribution points for Shi Tie in the brand-new contribution ledger in front of everyone! The bright red number stimulated the eyes of every disciple.

Without any hesitation, Shi Tie went straight to the Scripture Pavilion and used 150 contribution points to exchange for the first month's access to the Qi Refining Chapter of "Flowing Cloud Dao Body"!

Ten days later, in the martial arts arena late at night. Shi Tie's figure moved like a ghost, his heavy iron staff pointing out, drawing an eerie arc in the air. The tip of the staff trembled, and with a buzzing sound, a deep pit was pierced into the testing stone pillar, and cracks spread!

He stood with his staff at the back, his breathing steady, his control over his power exquisite!

"Hahahaha! I've mastered it!" Shi Tie's ecstatic roar echoed throughout the mountains and fields.

All the disciples witnessed Shi Tie's explosive increase in strength! The power of the contribution point system was demonstrated so directly for the first time!

"80 points! Worth it! So worth it!" Zhang Daniu's eyes turned red with envy.

"I need to accumulate contribution points too! I want to exchange them for the 'Earth-Splitting Blade Technique'!"

"I heard that Senior Sister Su is compiling the 'Hundred Flowers Qi-Inducing Technique' and needs 50 points..."

"Wang Fugui said he needs someone to escort him on the next shopping trip. It's a Class B mission, and it costs 15 PM! Hurry and grab it!"

Contribution points truly became a powerful engine driving the sect's operation. Every disciple saw a clear path to becoming stronger; contributing to the sect was paving the way for their own cultivation!

A healthy competitive and enterprising atmosphere has taken root firmly in Qingyun Sect.

Shen Mo gazed at his disciples sweating profusely on the training ground, Wang Fugui meticulously calculating by the herb garden, and the figure studying diligently in the scripture pavilion, a slight smile curving his lips.

"Contribution points... they're really a good thing," he murmured. "These kids, they're all fighting tooth and nail for points. That simpleton, Junior Brother Tie, even dared to challenge a demonic bear to a duel for the sake of cultivation techniques... not bad."

The grand spectacle of the sect was brought back by Wang Lie, who was responsible for regularly going down the mountain to purchase daily necessities and gather information, as he once again rushed back up the mountain.

But unlike before, his face no longer showed the excitement he felt when he discovered the Cold Jade, nor the fear he felt when he first heard about the Heavenly Secrets Ranking. Instead, it was a complex expression that mixed excitement, worry, and a hint of bewilderment.

What he was clutching tightly in his hand was no longer a specific object, but a brand-new, pale golden jade slip that emitted a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy.

"Sect Leader... Sect Leader! The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion... The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion has released the new edition of the 'Eastern Wilderness Potential Sect Ranking'!" Wang Lie rushed into the Sect Leader's Hall, his breath still uneven, and hurriedly reported, presenting the jade slip.

Shen Mo opened his eyes and calmly accepted the jade slip. What was bound to happen would happen. He immersed his divine sense in the slip and quickly scanned it. At the top of the list were still those familiar behemoths, their rankings largely unchanged.

His gaze fell directly on the bottom of the list.

The ninety-ninth sect was no longer Qingyun Sect. Instead, it was another minor sect that he had only vaguely heard of. Shen Mo's gaze moved upwards, and finally, at the ninety-fifth sect, he saw the words "Qingyun Sect" again!

Our ranking has improved by four places!

Although there are only four of them, which is still at the bottom of the vast Eastern Wilderness sect hierarchy, the significance behind this small change is by no means simple!

The rankings of Tianji Pavilion are no joke; every change signifies an update to the assessment of the vast intelligence network behind them.

Shen Mo immediately looked at the comment. The previous "mysterious resurgence, potential yet to be assessed" was gone, replaced by a new, more specific assessment:

"Qingyun Sect is located in the Blackwater Marsh in the southern region of the Eastern Wilderness. Recent observations show that its sect is well-organized, its disciples are diligent, and its atmosphere is solid. Infrastructure such as the Body Tempering Spirit Pool and the improved lecture platform are beginning to show results, and the disciples' cultivation progresses faster than their peers."

"Although its heritage remains incomplete and its high-end combat capabilities are lacking, its foundation is gradually becoming more solid, its internal cohesion is significantly enhanced, and it is showing a steady recovery trend. Rating: Its foundation is gradually becoming stronger, but its potential still needs to be observed. Rank: 95."

"The foundation is gradually becoming stronger!"

These four words struck Shen Mo's heart like a heavy hammer. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's evaluation became more concrete!

They noticed the Body Tempering Pool, the Lecture Platform, and the general improvement in the disciples' cultivation levels!

This shows that the recent changes in Qingyun Sect have not completely escaped the notice of outsiders! Especially those ubiquitous spies, and terrifying entities like the Tianji Pavilion.

"Sect Leader... is this a good thing or...?" Wang Lie asked cautiously, looking at Shen Mo's solemn expression. He had already heard some rumors when he came down the mountain.

Shen Mo put down the jade slip, not answering immediately, but instead asking, "What's the situation down the mountain? Have you heard any discussions?"

Wang Lie quickly replied, "Reporting to the sect leader, everyone in the market is indeed talking about this! Our Qingyun Sect's ranking has improved, and we've become quite well-known! However... opinions differ."

"Some independent cultivators are envious, saying that our poor mountain village is actually a blessed land, where disciples cultivate quickly; some small families are inquiring, wanting to send their children to become their disciples; but... there are also some unpleasant things said..."

"Speak," Shen Mo said calmly.

"Some people say... that our Qingyun Sect must have received an enormous benefit from the Liuyun Water Mansion, otherwise how could we have both a spirit pool and a Dao platform?"

"Some people say... that you, Sect Leader... may have received the complete inheritance of some ancient powerful being, which is why you are so powerful... Some even speculate that there might be a hidden spiritual vein revived in our mountains..."

Wang Lie stammered, his face filled with indignation, "These people are just talking nonsense!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo's face revealed an enigmatic smile. Good news? Bad news? Fortune and misfortune are intertwined.