Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

The improved ranking and the comment of "growing foundation" will undoubtedly further enhance the reputation of Qingyun Sect, which may bring some benefits, such as making it easier to recruit disciples with potential and having more bargaining power when trading with merchants.

But more likely, it will push Qingyun Sect to a more dazzling stage, but also to a more dangerous precipice!

"A blessed land for cultivation"?

"Ancient Heritage"?

"Hidden spiritual veins"?

Each of these circulating stories is enough to make countless hungry wolves envious! Previously, the Qingyun Sect was unknown and could still live a peaceful life in a remote corner.

Now that the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion has named them again, and the comments have become more specific, those forces that were previously skeptical and hesitant are probably starting to get restless.

What will be the reactions of powerful sects in the Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness, such as the Blazing Sun Sect, the Mysterious Ice Pavilion, the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Mysterious Yin Sect, as well as other enemies lurking in the shadows?

"I understand." Shen Mo nodded to Wang Lie and said, "Go ahead, but don't make a fuss about this for now. I have my own plans."

"Yes, Sect Leader." Wang Lie bowed and withdrew, still feeling uneasy.

Shen Mo sat alone in the cave for a moment, lost in thought, before sending out several transmission talismans. Soon after, Su Xiao, Han Lin, Shi Tie, Zhao Qingyan, Li Xiaocao, and other core disciples gathered in the sect leader's hall.

Shen Mo handed the new ranking list jade slip to everyone for them to read. After reading it, the people reacted in different ways.

Shi Tie grinned, a hint of smugness in his eyes: "Hey! Our ranking has gone up! That means we're awesome! Let's see who dares to look down on our Qingyun Sect now!"

Su Xiao frowned slightly, worriedly saying, "Sect Leader, with the ranking improved and the comments becoming more specific, I'm afraid... there will be even more people coveting it. Once the term 'Cultivation Paradise' spreads, it could be a path to disaster."

Han Lin stroked his beard and pondered, appearing even more mature and composed: "Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. This is both an opportunity and a test. The sect's reputation will certainly benefit its long-term development."

"But at present, our sect is still weak and we must be wary of the probing of petty people, or even the covetousness of larger forces. The mountain-protecting formation needs to be further strengthened."

Zhao Qingyan softly replied, "Regarding the array formation, I can try to add several layers of 'illusion' and 'trapping' array patterns to the existing tracking and warning systems, but that will require more spirit stones and specific materials."

Li Xiaocao also whispered, "The defenses of the herb garden need to be strengthened, in case someone tries to steal the spiritual herbs..."

Shen Mo took in everyone's reactions and said in a deep voice, "What you all worry about is exactly what I'm worried about. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's ranking list is like a beacon, illuminating the path ahead and leaving us nowhere to hide."

"Rumors circulating outside, whether good or bad, all stem from our sect's lack of strength. If our Qingyun Sect had a Golden Core cultivator in charge, even with spiritual veins, who would dare to easily invade?"

His gaze swept over the crowd, his tone hardening: "However, shrinking back in fear is not a wise strategy. Now that the reputation has been established, we must accept it with equanimity. Our primary task now is to strengthen ourselves!"

"Elder Han is absolutely right. The mountain-protecting formation is the foundation of our survival and must be reinforced. Qingyan, immediately draft a list of the necessary materials and give it to Su Xiao to purchase them as soon as possible."

"If necessary, we can use some of the future output from the herb garden or the sect's reserve spirit stones to prioritize the upgrade of the formation!" Shen Mo ordered.

"Yes, Senior Brother (Sect Leader)!" Zhao Qingyan and Su Xiao replied in unison.

"Secondly," Shen Mo continued, "raise the sect's daily security to the highest level. Double the number of patrol posts, with Shi Tiezong in charge and Elder Han providing guidance."

"If any suspicious persons approach the mountain gate, the array can be activated immediately without requesting permission; if necessary, it can be used to warn and drive them away!"

"Don't worry, Sect Leader! I will keep a close watch on the mountain! Not even a fly will be able to sneak in!" Shi Tie pounded his chest loudly.

"Furthermore," Shen Mo said, looking at Su Xiao and Li Xiaocao, "the daily management of important areas such as the herb garden, scripture pavilion, preaching platform, and spirit pool needs to be more meticulous, and outsiders are strictly prohibited from approaching."

"Disciples' daily cultivation must also be more diligent. The contribution point system will continue to operate as usual, and some rewards may even be added appropriately to encourage disciples to improve their strength."

"Understood!" Su Xiao and Li Xiaocao nodded solemnly.

"Finally," a glint of light flashed in Shen Mo's eyes, "since the outside world says that our Qingyun Sect is a 'blessed land' with a 'legacy,' then we... will show them what kind of people the disciples of this 'blessed land' are!"

"Su Xiao, when dealing with the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and other external entities in the future, be neither humble nor arrogant, and show a little bit of your strength. My Qingyun Sect does not provoke trouble, but we are absolutely not afraid of trouble!"

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison, feeling the determination in Shen Mo's words. Their slight panic subsided, replaced by a surge of fighting spirit.

After the meeting, the Qingyun Sect, already operating at high speed, became even more somber and cautious.

The mist at the mountain gate seemed to have thickened, the patrolling disciples' eyes were sharper, and the air was filled with an atmosphere that was relaxed on the outside but tense on the inside.

Sure enough, a few days later, the area outside the mountain gate became "lively" again. Unlike the scattered, curious visitors before, the people who came this time were noticeably more diverse.

There were well-dressed cultivators who claimed to be managers of a certain immortal cultivation family. They brought generous gifts and earnestly hoped to "visit" the spirit pool and the Dao platform to exchange experiences in building "blessed lands," but in reality, they wanted to probe the truth of the matter.

Some rogue cultivators with shifty eyes and a chilling aura lingered outside the mountain gate, trying to find loopholes in the formation. Some even attempted to sneak in at night, only to be trapped by the enhanced illusion formation and forced to retreat in a disheveled state.

Several middle-aged cultivators, whose cultivation was at the late stage of Qi Refining and who appeared to have come to seek apprenticeship, revealed obvious espionage tendencies in the illusion during the "Questioning the Heart Array" test and were "politely" "invited" out by Shi Tie.

Even Manager Chen of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion became more enthusiastic when he visited again, subtly probing whether the sect needed any other "cooperation," such as helping to sell pills and talismans, or introducing disciples with "connections" to the sect.

Shen Mo had already given instructions on these matters.

Su Xiao stepped forward to deal with the situation, his attitude both polite and firm. He used reasons such as "the sect leader is in seclusion," "this is a sacred place of the sect and visits are not permitted," and "entry requires a rigorous examination" to keep the vast majority of spies out.

Regarding Baibaoge's probing, they maintained cooperation, but remained vague when it came to core secrets.

On this day, Li Xiaoyao, the rogue cultivator who had once listened to the sermon and later helped find the spiritual spring, reappeared, swaying leisurely.

This time, he didn't directly ask to listen to the lecture. Instead, he carried a pot of wine, sat under an old pine tree not far from the mountain gate, and watched the visitors who came and went with different thoughts, marveling at them.

"Wow, things are so different now! The Qingyun Sect is in high demand! All sorts of strange and monstrous things are popping up here!"

He took a swig of wine and shouted to Zhang Daniu, the gatekeeper, "Brother Zhang, you've worked hard! It seems your reputation as a 'blessed land' is well-deserved!"

Zhang Daniu had become much more astute by now, and snorted, "Fellow Daoist Li is joking. What blessed land? This is just a place for quiet cultivation. The sect leader said we don't receive any unauthorized personnel!"

Li Xiaoyao chuckled, unperturbed. His gaze swept over the seemingly ordinary yet subtly mysterious mountain gate mist, a barely perceptible glint flashing in his eyes. He muttered to himself:

"A place for quiet cultivation? Heh heh, I'm afraid it won't be peaceful for long... The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease! Sect Leader Shen, your ship, barely repaired, is already facing a great storm. Let's see how long you can withstand it!"

After saying that, he patted his bottom, stood up, and swayed down the mountain humming a little tune, still with that carefree and unpredictable demeanor.