Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"Qingyan, Xiaocao." Shen Mo looked at the other two, "Although you two will not be directly involved in the exploration, your mission is equally important. Qingyan, you need to draw 'barrier-breaking talismans' and 'early warning array plates' based on the possible array remnants around the cave, and temporarily strengthen the team members' magical artifacts, adding simple protective arrays."

"Little Grass, we need to prepare a sufficient amount of healing, detoxifying, and restorative pills, as well as poison-repelling powders to deal with various poisonous obstacles and miasma. The two of you will be our strongest support in this trial!"

"Yes! Senior Brother (Sect Leader)! We will not fail you!" Zhao Qingyan and Li Xiaocao replied in unison, feeling a heavy responsibility.

Han Lin stroked his beard and laughed, "Sect Leader's suggestion is excellent! True gold needs to be refined in fire, and fledgling eagles should soar high. Nephew Shi, Nephew Su, go ahead and do your best. The Sect Leader and I will support you!"

With the plan set, the entire Qingyun Sect immediately sprang into action, focusing all resources on the "True Inheritance Trial."

The next two weeks became a near-crazy "special training period" for Shi Tie, Su Xiao, Wang Hu, and the entire logistics team.

Shen Mo personally took action, combining the information in the jade slips of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion with his own understanding of cave formations, to simulate and set up a "miniature cave surrounding environment" in a secluded valley in the back mountains of Qingyun.

On this day, the valley was shrouded in mist, with jagged rocks obstructing visibility. Shi Tie, Su Xiao, and Wang Hu, forming a triangular formation, cautiously advanced into the valley.

Shi Tieding was at the forefront, his heavy iron rod held horizontally in front of his chest, his muscles taut, his spiritual sense spreading out to its maximum range; Su Xiao was in the middle providing support, holding a green steel sword that Shen Mo had temporarily bestowed upon him, which Zhao Qingyan had added with the "Sharp Metal" array pattern, listening to all directions; Wang Hu brought up the rear, gripping his waist knife tightly, vigilantly watching the flanks and rear.

suddenly!

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!" Several dark figures shot out from the mist, heading straight for Shi Tiemian! They were incredibly fast!

"Watch out! It's 'Shadow Arrow Vine'!" Su Xiao shouted. She was already familiar with the characteristics of this plant from the jade slip. It was a demonic plant that could shoot out sharp wooden spikes!

Shi Tie neither dodged nor avoided, but let out a low roar and swung his heavy iron rod like a wheel, knocking away all the wooden splinters with a series of clanging sounds! However, the enormous impact still made his arm slightly numb.

"Behind the rock on the left! Something is approaching!" Wang Hu warned simultaneously.

From behind a boulder on the left, a yellowish-brown beast, resembling a pangolin but several times larger, suddenly leaped out, baring its fangs and charging towards Su Xiao with a foul stench! It was none other than the "Earth Scale Beast," a mid-tier first-order demonic beast, skilled at burrowing and ambushing from the ground!

"Good!" Shi Tie tried to turn around to help, but was entangled by more Shadow Arrow Vines that shot towards him.

Despite the danger, Su Xiao remained calm. She shifted her feet, unleashing the Flowing Cloud Step, and retreated like a willow catkin. At the same time, she raised her jade hand, activating three "Entangling Talismans," which transformed into green vines that wrapped around the Earth Scale Beast's limbs! Although they couldn't completely trap it, they greatly slowed down its attack!

"Wang Hu! Attack his nose and eyes!" Su Xiaoqing shouted.

"Understood!" Wang Hu was already poised to strike. Hearing the call, he drew his sword, which flashed with a cold light as it aimed straight at the relatively vulnerable tip of the earth-scaled beast's nose! Although his cultivation was not as high as Shi Tie's, his swordsmanship was ruthless and precise, and he had mastered the essence of "fast, accurate, and ruthless"!

The earth-scaled beast roared in pain, its movements momentarily halting.

In that instant, Su Xiao pointed his sword and shouted, "Flowing Clouds - Break!"

The array patterns on the steel sword lit up, and a condensed sword aura arrived first, accurately striking the vulnerable spot at the corner of the earth-scaled beast's mouth, which was slightly open in pain!

"Pfft!" The sword energy pierced the flesh, and blood splattered!

The earth-scaled beast let out a miserable howl and turned to try to burrow underground to escape.

"Where do you think you're going!" Shi Tie had already forcefully shaken off the Shadow Arrow Vine and caught up with it. His heavy iron cudgel, accompanied by a fierce wind, slammed into the Earth Scale Beast's carapace with a "Mountain Shaking" move!

"Boom!" The earth-scaled beast was immediately smashed into the ground, twitched a few times, and then stopped moving.

Although it was their first time working together in a simulated environment, the three of them were already quite adept at cooperating and quickly resolved the unexpected crisis.

As the mist slowly dissipated, Shen Mo and Han Lin appeared at the entrance of the valley.

"Your reaction was acceptable, but your coordination was still flawed," Shen Mo commented. "Shi Tie, you relied too much on brute force when attacked, and you didn't use the Flowing Cloud Step in time. If the Shadow Arrow Vine were poisonous, you would have suffered a loss. Su Xiao, your command was decisive, but when Wang Hu attacked, you should have prepared a second wave of attack or defense to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. Wang Hu, your swordsmanship is good, but your movement is a bit slow. You need to strengthen your practice of the 'Spirit Fox Step'."

"Yes! Sect Leader (Senior Brother)!" The three men, drenched in sweat, respectfully accepted the instruction. Every comment from the Sect Leader went straight to the heart of the matter.

The subsequent special training became increasingly rigorous. Shen Mo constantly changed the simulated environment, sometimes filled with poisonous miasma, requiring the three of them to take turns using poison-avoiding powder and spiritual power to protect themselves; sometimes low-level illusion arrays appeared to confuse their minds, testing their willpower and ability to overcome obstacles; and even simulated complex situations such as being besieged by multiple monsters, being attacked at night, and exploring narrow caves.

Han Lin stood to the side, explaining the habits of various monsters, how to identify poisonous creatures, and survival skills in the wild.

Shi Tie, Su Xiao, and Wang Hu grew rapidly through repeated trials, mistakes, reflections, and attempts.

Shi Tie stopped charging blindly and began to consciously use the Flowing Cloud Step to dodge, and tried to coordinate with Su Xiao's command; Su Xiao's on-the-spot command became more and more proficient, and his judgment of the situation and allocation of resources became more reasonable; Wang Hu made full use of his calm and accurate characteristics, becoming a reliable shield and sharp blade for the team.

The tacit understanding between the three grew stronger day by day.

Meanwhile, in Zhao Qingyan's weapon-refining room, the furnace fire burned day and night.

Based on the potentially cold and corrosive environment surrounding the cave, she meticulously crafted a batch of "Cold Iron Boots" (anti-slip and corrosion-resistant) and "Spider Silk Gloves" (increased flexibility and cut prevention), and added simple array patterns such as "Evil-Breaking" and "Sharpness" to the three main weapons.

Beside Li Xiaocao's herb garden, a makeshift alchemy furnace was also set up. She not only prepared a large quantity of regular pills, but also tried to improve the formula of the "Heart-Clearing Pill" using several newly harvested spiritual herbs, making it more effective against hallucinations. A Yuan also assisted her from time to time.

The entire Qingyun Sect was like a fully drawn bow, with all its power concentrated on the arrow about to be released.

At the gates of Qingyun Mountain, the morning light was faint, and a thin mist hung in the air. The atmosphere in the open space before the gates was solemn and heavy. Shi Tie, Su Xiao, and Wang Hu were already fully prepared for departure.

Shi Tie was dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, with a simple leather armor over it. He carried a heavy iron rod on his back, his dark face full of eager excitement. His eyes were sharp, and his aura was deep and focused, clearly indicating that he had adjusted himself to his peak condition.

Su Xiao was dressed in a neat blue Taoist robe, carrying a steel sword and several storage bags hanging at his waist. His expression was calm, his eyes were clear and firm, and he was already showing some of the demeanor of a leader.

Wang Hu stood a little behind, gripping his waist knife tightly. His face showed a hint of tension that he couldn't hide, but more so, a resolute expression. He tried to appear more composed.

A Yuan, Zhao Qingyan, Li Xiaocao, Zhang Daniu, and other disciples who remained behind, along with Elder Han Lin, all gathered at the mountain gate to see them off. Li Xiaocao's eyes were slightly red as she placed the last jade bottle filled with pills into Su Xiao's hand, whispering, "Senior Sister Su, these 'Heart-Clearing and Barrier-Avoiding Pills' are my newly improved version; their effects should be even better. Please be very careful..."

Zhao Qingyan silently checked the array patterns attached to the three people's magical artifacts, confirming that everything was correct. Zhang Daniu and the others looked on with envy and blessings.

Han Lin stroked his beard and stepped forward, saying in a deep voice, "This journey is perilous. You must all remember the sect leader's teachings. Be bold yet cautious, and support one another. Discuss matters thoroughly and never act rashly. The sect leader and I will await good news on the mountain."

"Elder Han, rest assured! We will definitely return safely!" Shi Tie patted his chest and assured him.

Su Xiao and Wang Hu also bowed solemnly: "We will certainly live up to the elders' and sect leader's high expectations!"