Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Shen Mo put down his teacup, calmly meeting the piercing gaze of Ghost Yin Shangren, and slowly said, "The reason why my Qingyun Sect can stand firm is due to the legacy of our founder and the diligent cultivation of our disciples. The fact that we have some reputation is also due to the kindness of our fellow practitioners."

"As for the sworn enmity you mentioned, fellow Daoist... perhaps it doesn't refer to the enmity between Patriarch Liuyun and your sect, but rather... that a certain 'ruins' Patriarch Liuyun is searching for is related to your sect?"

Ghost Yin Shangren's heart skipped a beat! The ruins? He knew about them after all! Suppressing his excitement, he sneered, "Oh? What ruins? Sect Leader Shen, why don't you explain more clearly!"

Shen Mo shook his head slightly, revealing a hint of regret: "To be honest, Fellow Daoist, the Ancestor's travelogue is vague about this matter. It only mentions that he sensed an extremely yin place deep within the Black Wind Mountains, seemingly related to a great battle in ancient times. It contained profound yin energy, but the entrance was elusive and protected by natural restrictions. The Ancestor was unable to penetrate it, only gaining some knowledge from the outer perimeter before drifting away. He also left a message warning future generations that the karma associated with this place is immense, and those who are not destined for it should not force it, otherwise they will suffer a backlash."

Black Wind Mountains! A land of extreme Yin! An ancient war! Profound Yin energy! Ghost Yin Master's breathing suddenly quickened! Every word struck his heart like a heavy hammer! How similar this was to the characteristics of the "Profound Yin Secret Realm" recorded in the sect's secret scriptures!

Old Ghost Liuyun really did go there! And judging from the tone, he even received benefits from the outside? Could it be... that the inheritance of the Qingyun Sect is related to this?

He stared intently at Shen Mo, trying to find a flaw in his expression, but Shen Mo remained calm and clear-eyed, as if he were merely recounting an old story.

"Oh? You only gained something on the outskirts?" Ghost Yin Venerable's tone was full of suspicion. "Then why does our sect's secret manual record that Elder Liuyun... True Person Liuyun once fought fiercely with our sect's predecessors here and stole our sect's most precious treasure?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo's face showed a timely expression of "surprise" and "realization," and then he smiled wryly and said, "So that's how it is... It seems there is indeed a misunderstanding. The Patriarch's travelogue makes no mention of fighting with others, let alone seizing treasures."

"Perhaps... your sect's ancestors and founders discovered that ruin at the same time, and a conflict arose over the opportunity to enter? The truth is difficult to verify due to the passage of time. However, I, Shen, can guarantee with the reputation of my sect that the Qingyun Sect's heritage has absolutely not been taken from your sect!"

His words were half true and half false, cleverly steer the "blood feud" toward the "struggle for the ruins." He denied the fact of the theft, but also indirectly acknowledged the connection with the "ruins" (secret realm), and pointed out the danger of the ruins (cause and effect backlash). He was so thorough that he left no room for error.

Ghost Yin Shangren's eyes flickered uncertainly. Shen Mo's explanation... seemed plausible? If the secret realm was real, it was entirely possible that their ancestors clashed over the entrance. It was also reasonable for Liu Yun Lao Gui, with his formidable strength, to conceal his presence after gaining benefits from the outer perimeter. Perhaps the Qingyun Sect's recent rise was due to those gains from the outer perimeter?

But... how do you explain the Sword Sect's reaction that day? Why were they also so tense about Ghost Valley? Could it be...?

An even more terrifying thought flooded Ghost Yin's mind: Could it be that the Heavenly Sword Sect also knew of the existence of the secret realm? Perhaps... they had even found the entrance? Is that why they were so vigilant?

And Qingyun Sect, this seemingly innocent "descendant of the discoverer of the ruins," is actually a pawn pushed out by Tianjian Sect to attract attention? Tianjian Sect deliberately spread rumors about the secret realm and "accidentally" allowed him to seize the secret order, all to solidify the crime of Xuanyin Sect's sneak attack, so that they could rightfully take over the secret realm for themselves.

The more Ghost Yin Shangren thought about it, the more chills ran down his spine! If that were true, then the Heavenly Sword Sect's scheme was far too deep! He had almost fallen into their trap!

Looking at Shen Mo's seemingly "honest" face, he felt a mixture of murderous intent and greed. Killing Shen Mo would certainly grant him the Flowing Cloud Inheritance, but it might only be a clue to the outer perimeter of the secret realm, and he would completely miss out on any potential secret realm, and would also end up fighting a deadly battle with the Heavenly Sword Sect.

If we don't kill him... perhaps we can extract more clues about the location of the secret realm from him? Or even... use him to deal with the Heavenly Sword Sect?

"Sect Leader Shen certainly knows how to deny responsibility," said Ghost Yin Venerable in a sinister tone. "Even if the feud is a misunderstanding, that ruin concerns the very foundation of our sect. Now that Sect Leader Shen has received the legacy of our patriarch, shouldn't he return it to its rightful owner?"

Shen Mo sighed and spread his hands, saying, "Fellow Daoist, you've heard it too. Our patriarch clearly stated that the karma associated with that ruin is immense, and forcing it will inevitably lead to backlash. Our Qingyun Sect is a small sect, barely able to keep to ourselves, how dare we get involved in such trouble?"

"What the founder obtained were merely some ordinary cultivation techniques and insights, which have long been integrated into the sect's heritage. How can they be 'returned'? As for the specific location of the ruins... the founder's travelogue only contains vague records such as 'deep within the Black Wind Mountains, Yin energy gathers like a dragon.' Now, most of the mountains are under the control of the Heavenly Sword Sect. If you are interested, perhaps... you should ask Fellow Daoist Blazing Sun Sword?"

Once again, he casually shifted the blame to the Heavenly Sword Sect!

Ghost Yin Shangren's eye twitched. Go ask the Blazing Sun Sword? What's the difference between that and walking into a trap! He stared intently at Shen Mo, as if trying to find even a trace of guilt on his face, but all he saw was calmness and a hint of "helplessness".

Silence spread through the cave. An invisible battle raged fiercely between the two.

After a long silence, Ghost Yin Shangren suddenly let out a strange laugh like that of an owl: "Good! Good indeed, Sect Leader Shen! Sharp tongue, I've had my fill! Since your Qingyun Sect dares not get involved in trouble, then I will not force you!"

He abruptly changed the subject, a strange glint in his green eyes: "However, I am quite interested in that ruin. Since Sect Leader Shen knows its approximate location, how about... our two sects join forces to explore the secret realm? We'll split the profits 30/70! You get 30%, I get 70%!"

This is his real purpose! If Shen Mo agrees, he can obtain clues without bloodshed, and even gain another scout! If Shen Mo refuses, it will confirm that he has something to hide, and he will immediately turn hostile!

Su Xiao and Han Lin's hearts leaped into their throats! Join forces? It's like playing with fire!

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo's face displayed just the right amount of "astonishment" and "difficulty." After pondering for a moment, he slowly shook his head: "Fellow Daoist is joking. Not to mention the unknown dangers of those ruins, the Heavenly Sword Sect is currently stationed on the border, eyeing us covetously. My Qingyun Sect is too busy to even look after itself, let alone have the spare strength to explore the secret realm. This matter... I'm afraid I cannot comply."

He reiterated the threat posed by the Heavenly Sword Sect and declined the proposal to join forces, adopting an extremely humble posture, appearing completely "weak, pitiful, and helpless."

Ghost Yin Master stared at him for a long while, then suddenly stood up, his body surging with yin energy: "Since that's the case, we cannot work together if our paths are different! I have said all I need to say! Sect Leader Shen, you'd better take care of yourself! Let's go!"

Having said that, he stopped arguing and, with his two disciples, transformed into a black rainbow, rushing straight out of the Enlightenment Cave. He left Qingyun Mountain without looking back, and even the disciples stationed outside the mountain gate withdrew. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared into the distant horizon.

It came suddenly, and it left even more inexplicably!

Only after the Xuan Yin Sect members had completely disappeared did Su Xiao and Han Lin finally breathe a sigh of relief, their backs soaked with cold sweat. That silent confrontation was far more dangerous than a real battle!

"Sect Leader, you...you're leaving already?" Han Lin asked in disbelief.

Su Xiao seemed thoughtful: "Did he believe it? Or...?"

Shen Mo walked to the cave entrance, gazing in the direction where Ghost Yin had disappeared. The smile on his lips gradually widened, eventually turning into a faint, cold laugh:

"Believe? He won't believe anyone completely. But he's now more certain of two things: first, the secret realm might really exist and be related to Ancestor Liuyun; second, the Heavenly Sword Sect is the biggest obstacle to their seizure of the secret realm, and may even be trying to take it all for themselves."

He turned around, a wise glint in his eyes: "That's enough. The seed of doubt has been planted; greed will allow it to take root and sprout. Now, we just need to wait and see. The fire in Blackwind Mountains... will soon be burning."

He looked at Su Xiao: "Junior Sister Xiao, have Chen Hao keep a close eye on the movements in the Black Wind Mountains, especially the troop movements of the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Profound Yin Sect."

"Yes!" Su Xiao solemnly replied.

"Elder Han, the sect's alert level remains unchanged, and the formation will continue to operate. Tell everyone to seize the time and continue to improve their strength. The real storm has only just begun."

After Shen Mo finished speaking, he turned his gaze to the distance again, where dark clouds covered the sky and thunder rumbled faintly.

The bait has been cast, and the fish have been drawn by the scent. Now, all that remains is for the raging waves to arrive as expected.