Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"Therefore," Shen Mo continued, "the sect will increase resource allocation! The contribution point exchange rate will be tilted towards high-risk, high-contribution tasks!"

"The Scripture Pavilion will open up more Foundation Establishment stage cultivation techniques! The Flowing Cloud Secret Realm will add more challenging trials!"

"Alchemy, weapon crafting, talisman making, and formation formation—all four are equally important, and special contribution rewards have been established! I hope everyone will remain humble and diligent, persevere in their studies, and strive together to reach new heights!"

"We will heed the sect leader's teachings! Let us soar to new heights! Let us reach new heights together!" The resounding oath echoed once again atop Qingyun Mountain.

Following the summary meeting was a lavish celebratory banquet. Delicious food from the Spirit Valley and unlimited low-grade spirit wine filled the air. Disciples laughed and toasted each other, celebrating the hard-won achievements of the past five years and looking forward to an even brighter future.

Shen Mo sat at the same table with the three elders. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he quietly left and returned to the Enlightenment Cave. The cave was quiet, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle outside.

A moment later, Su Xiao, Shi Tie, and Han Lin arrived one after another, their faces showing signs of alcohol and fatigue from the excitement.

"That feels great! That's fucking great!" Shi Tie plopped down, grabbed a cup of spirit tea from the table, and gulped it down. "Five years! I, Old Shi, never imagined that our Qingyun Sect could be where it is today!"

Han Lin laughed and said, "Yes, looking back five years ago, the sect was in decline and its future was uncertain. Now... it feels like a different world. It is all thanks to the sect leader's strategic planning that we have achieved this."

Su Xiao, however, was more concerned with practical matters: "Sect Leader, the new five-year plan has ambitious goals, and the details of resource allocation and disciple incentives need to be drafted as soon as possible."

Shen Mo nodded: "Junior Sister Xiao is absolutely right. You should take the lead in this matter, and discuss it with Elder Han, Qingyan, and Xiaocao to come up with a detailed plan. I will find a way to provide resources."

He paused, then looked at Shi Tie, "Junior Brother Tie, the disciples of the Battle Hall are brave and diligent, but remember to maintain a balance between tension and relaxation. Don't just pursue killing, and don't slack off in tempering your character. Especially for new disciples, you need to strengthen your guidance."

"I know!" Shi Tie patted his chest to assure him, "Don't worry, Sect Leader! I understand now too. Being good at fighting isn't enough; you also need brains! That kid Sun Hao is already better than I was back then!"

Shen Mo smiled slightly and said to Han Lin, "Elder Han, with the number of new disciples increasing daily, it is especially important to teach them rules and discipline."

"Especially... disciples like Sun Xiaohou, who excel in external affairs but neglect cultivation, need more attention and guidance to balance the two, lest they lose sight of the bigger picture and waste their cultivation path."

Han Lin solemnly replied, "Sect Leader, rest assured, I understand. That little monkey is quick-witted and has made great contributions to the sect, but... sigh, I will have a good talk with him."

The four discussed the details of the sect's future development for a while longer, until the moon was high in the sky, at which point Su Xiao and the other two took their leave.

The Enlightenment Cave returned to silence. Shen Mo walked to the cave entrance alone, gazing at the still brightly lit and bustling sect below, where the night breeze carried the fragrance of spiritual plants and the lively chatter of the young disciples.

Five years of hard work have brought about a new look. The sect, like a great tree, has grown lush and its roots are deeply planted.

......

Three days later, in the main hall of the sect leader, Shen Mo summoned the three elders, Su Xiao, Shi Tie, and Han Lin, for a meeting.

"After five years of hard work, it has begun to take shape. However, for a sect to establish itself, it cannot do so by working in isolation; it also needs the help of its neighbors and the exchange of information."

Shen Mo got straight to the point, "My intention is to take advantage of the completion of the five-year period to hold a small-scale celebration in ten days, and invite several friendly forces from the surrounding area to attend."

"Firstly, to repay past friendships; secondly, to showcase the new style of our sect; and thirdly... to stabilize the surrounding situation and await the Tianyuan Conference."

Upon hearing this, Su Xiao's eyes lit up, and she immediately understood Shen Mo's deeper meaning: "Sect Leader, you are very insightful. Now that our sect's strength has greatly increased, we need a suitable occasion to let the outside world know."

"The scale should not be too large, lest it attract too much attention. However, the invitees should be forces that have real dealings with our faction and have a decent relationship. This way, we can demonstrate our strength without arousing excessive fear."

Shi Tie clapped his hands and grinned, "Great news! It's time to show those guys what our Qingyun Sect is really made of! It'll stop some of them from gossiping behind our backs!"

"Who should we invite? The Zhao family from Black Mountain City will definitely come! And Fatty Chen from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion is one of our own!"

"And... um, should we invite that Golden Saber Sect that challenged us in the market last time?"

The Golden Knife Sect he mentioned had some disagreements with Shen Mo during the bloody incident at Qingtai Market.

Han Lin stroked his beard and pondered, his expression mature and composed: "Although the Golden Saber Sect had some minor disagreements in the past, they were not mortal enemies."

"Now that our faction is powerful, if we take the initiative to show goodwill, we may be able to turn hostility into friendship, or at least deter them from easily becoming our enemy. However, we must be careful to strike the right balance, showing both magnanimity and sharpness."

"I think we should invite their sect leader, Jin Dadao, and observe his reaction."

"In addition, I can extend invitations to 'Lin Family Village,' with which I have dealings in medicinal herbs; 'Black Wind Stronghold,' with which I cooperate in mineral exploration (their leader, Black Cloud Demon, has greatly improved our relationship since he personally visited to forgive their debts and offer them 'tribute' last time); and several stewards from Green Moss Market with whom I have long-standing dealings. It would be safer to keep the number of invitations to no more than five."

Shen Mo nodded, agreeing with Han Lin's analysis: "Then let's follow Elder Han's suggestion. The proposed list includes: the Zhao family of Black Mountain City, the branch of Baibaoge, Linjiaji, Black Wind Village, Golden Knife Sect, etc."

"For the Moss Market Butler Council, you only need to invite two familiar butlers in your personal capacity."

"Junior Sister Xiao, you are in charge of this matter. Draft the invitations and send them out within ten days."

"Junior Brother Tie, you are in charge of security and martial arts performances on the day of the celebration. You must show the bravery of our Zhan Tang warriors, but you must also keep a good balance and not be too aggressive."

"Elder Han, you are in charge of the reception and banquet arrangements, to demonstrate our sect's etiquette."

"Yes! Sect Leader (Senior Brother)!" The three answered in unison and immediately split up to carry out their orders.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. Qingyun Mountain was newly decorated. Although there were no extravagant decorations, everything was clean and orderly. The disciples were full of energy and moved about, creating a vibrant and upward atmosphere.

At the mountain gate, Zhang Daniu, along with several capable disciples, stood solemnly to welcome the guests, dressed in brand-new attire.

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the first group of guests arrived. It was Zhao Yuanming, the patriarch of the Zhao family in Black Mountain City, who arrived with his son Zhao Feng (who is now at the sixth level of Qi Refining) and two elders in a magnificent beast-drawn carriage.

Zhao Yuanming is now completely bound to the Qingyun Sect. As soon as he got out of the car, he greeted Han Lin and Su Xiao with a broad smile, bowing to them.

"Elder Han, Fairy Su! Congratulations! Your sect has achieved great success in five years, with a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight to behold!"

Han Lin smiled and returned the greeting: "Patriarch Zhao, you flatter me. Please come in! The sect leader is already waiting at Liuyun Terrace."

Immediately afterward, Chen Hao, the manager of Baibaoge, arrived with generous gifts. Before he even appeared, his voice preceded his arrival: "Hahaha! Sect Leader Shen! Elder Han! Fairy Su! Congratulations on the great success of Qingyun Sect! I, Chen, have come to bother you!"

He now regards Qingyun Sect as his most important partner and is extremely enthusiastic about it.

Subsequently, the patriarch of Linjiaji, an old cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, arrived with his granddaughter Lin Xue (who possessed outstanding wood-type spiritual roots and was acquainted with Li Xiaocao), and his attitude was humble.