Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"Boss, should we continue forward?" Black Tower asked in a low voice.

Shi Tie suppressed his agitation: "Continue! But after another fifty miles, we must retreat! Remember everything you see here! Go back and report everything to our senior brother, the sect leader!"

"yes!"

Six figures vanished silently into the dark jungle once more, like silent shadows, recording the blood and tears of this land. Meanwhile, the distant roars and screams continued unabated, foreshadowing an even greater storm brewing.

When Shi Tie returned to Qingyun Mountain, covered in blood and carrying a heavy weight of intelligence, it was half a month later. The six men looked haggard, their clothes were tattered, and an inescapable aura of killing intent emanated from them. They didn't attract much attention and were directly led to the sect leader's hall by Su Xiao, who was waiting at the mountain gate.

Inside the cave, Shen Mo, Han Lin, Zhao Qingyan, and Li Xiaocao were already waiting. Seeing Shi Tie and the others return safely, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but were immediately shocked by the news they brought back.

"...Corpses everywhere, nine out of ten houses empty! Those bastards from the Xuan Yin Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect are simply inhuman!" Shi Tie's voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot, and his fists clenched until they turned white. He recounted in detail the horrific scenes he had witnessed along the way, especially his encounter in the "Malaria Forest" canyon. His tone softened slightly when he spoke of the Bright Moon Fairy's intervention, "...That fairy was kind-hearted, but unfortunately, it was just a drop in the ocean."

Su Xiao and the others turned pale upon hearing this. Han Lin sighed repeatedly, Zhao Qingyan pursed her lips tightly, and Li Xiaocao's eyes reddened. Although they knew about the war outside, they hadn't expected it to be this devastating.

"Sect Leader, is there...is there anything we can do?" Li Xiaocao couldn't help but ask, her voice choked with emotion. She spent her days surrounded by spiritual herbs and elixirs, and her heart was the purest and gentlest of all.

Shen Mo remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, before slowly saying, "In chaotic times, things are like a raging torrent. We are not saints, powerless to save all living beings. Our most urgent task is to protect ourselves and accumulate strength. Only when we are strong can we talk about protecting others."

He changed the subject, looking at Shi Tie: "Junior Brother Tie, besides the tragic scene, have you noticed anything else unusual? For example, the resource points in the battle zone, the trade routes, and... the movements of the rogue cultivators?"

Shi Tie paused for a moment, scratched his head, and tried hard to recall: "Abnormal? Oh! Yes! Several once-prosperous markets for independent cultivators near the edge of the battlefield are now basically deserted, but the black market is unusually active!"

"We disguised ourselves as refugee cultivators and went in for a look around. Good heavens! All kinds of healing medicines, antidotes, talismans, and even disposable offensive magic weapons were several times, even ten times, more expensive! And they were still in short supply! People would even fight to the death for a bottle of 'Heart-Clearing Pill'!"

Upon hearing this, Su Xiao's beautiful eyes lit up, and she immediately replied, "Sect Leader, the intelligence recently sent by the Hundred Treasures Pavilion also shows that due to the impact of the war, the prices of consumable materials such as pills and talismans in the area surrounding the Black Wind Mountains have skyrocketed, especially high-quality goods, which are now in short supply! Many merchant guilds have suspended trade routes to the war zone, as the risks are too great."

A glint flashed in Shen Mo's eyes as he lightly tapped his fingers on the table: "The risks are high, but the profits are also huge. Once the war starts, it will be a money-devouring beast. No matter how deep the foundations of the two sects are, they won't be able to sustain this for long. Especially the urgently needed pills and talismans, which are related to the casualties of disciples and the maintenance of combat power, they will definitely spare no expense."

Han Lin pondered for a moment: "Does the sect leader mean... perhaps we can... secretly sell supplies to both sides in the conflict?"

"It's not a possibility, it's a necessity." Shen Mo's tone was certain. "The sect's resources are currently being consumed at a huge rate, and sitting around doing nothing is not a long-term solution. External turmoil is the best opportunity for us to accumulate capital and exchange it for scarce resources. Moreover, this move can further deepen the hatred between the two factions and make them shed more blood."

Zhao Qingyan frowned slightly: "But Senior Brother Sect Leader, how can we ensure the safety of the transaction? If our identities are exposed, our sect will be wiped out in an instant."

"Therefore, absolute secrecy is essential." Shen Mo looked at Su Xiao. "Junior Sister Xiao, you are fully responsible for this matter. Through Chen Hao of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, use the most secretive 'underground agents' to ensure that there is absolutely no direct connection with our sect. The transaction location should be chosen in a no-man's-land on the outskirts of the war zone, or through several layers of intermediaries. The origin of the goods should be disguised as 'unearthed relics,' 'reclusive alchemists,' or 'imported from abroad.'"

He paused, then continued, "For selling supplies, focus on low to mid-grade items, but the quality must be top-notch. Regarding pills, Xiaocao should focus on refining the three most consumed: 'Golden Wound Ointment,' 'Qi-Recovering Powder,' and 'Antidote Pill.' As for talismans, Qingyan can try drawing some 'Fire Crow Talismans,' 'Golden Shield Talismans,' and 'Swift Travel Talismans.' A small quantity of disposable array plates can also be sold. Prices will be 30% higher than the average black market price, but quality must be guaranteed."

Li Xiaocao and Zhao Qingyan exchanged a glance, both seeing the excitement and pressure in each other's eyes. This was not only about earning resources, but also a tremendous test and opportunity to improve their skills!

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Sect Leader! I, Xiaocao, will do my utmost to refine the best pills!" Li Xiaocao clenched her little fists, her face full of determination.

"Qingyan should also do her best." Zhao Qingyan nodded solemnly, her mind already rapidly deducing low-level talisman combinations suitable for large-scale drawing and possessing considerable power.

"Junior Brother Tie," Shen Mo then looked at Shi Tie, "you will select a group of absolutely reliable and exceptionally alert disciples, and personally lead them to be responsible for the secret transportation and handover of the supplies. Remember, you are the 'shadows,' only seeing the middlemen, never the final buyers. If there is any disturbance, immediately abandon the goods, protect yourselves, and retreat back to the sect!"

Shi Tie patted his chest, his eyes gleaming with a sense of adventure: "Hehe! Don't worry, Senior Brother Sect Leader! This is an expert job for me! I guarantee I'll bring back every single spirit stone, and clean up the mess completely!"

Shen Mo nodded slightly, and finally looked at Han Lin: "Elder Han, you are responsible for coordinating the internal affairs, ensuring the supply of materials needed by Xiao Cao and Qing Yan, and strictly controlling the outflow of sect contribution points. All spirit stones and rare materials obtained through this channel should be accounted for separately and given priority for war preparation and disciple training."

"Understood!" Han Lin solemnly replied.

A secret plan to profit from the war was quietly being devised within the sect leader's hall. The intricate machine of the Qingyun Sect was once again running at high speed, but this time, its tentacles cautiously reached into the bloody vortex, attempting to salvage its share of the profits amidst the turbulent waves.

In the days that followed, Qingyun Mountain remained outwardly calm, but undercurrents were surging beneath the surface.

On the side peak of the alchemy room, the heat inside the earth fire chamber was intense. Li Xiaocao practically lived here; his once somewhat immature face now held a newfound composure and focus.

Before her was no longer a single alchemy furnace, but three bronze furnaces of varying sizes side by side! Simultaneously controlling three furnaces to refine pills was an immense test of her divine sense and spiritual power, but she gritted her teeth and persevered.

"The Golden Wound Ointment needs to be simmered over a low flame for twelve hours. When incorporating the 'Blood Dragon Powder,' the heat must be increased by three breaths and then suddenly decreased... The Qi-Returning Powder requires a balanced combination of the principal, assistant, and adjuvant ingredients. The timing of condensation is crucial; if it's one breath too early, the medicinal effect will be insufficient, and if it's one breath too late, the medicinal power will dissipate... The Detoxification Pill needs to be nourished with the Qi of the Wood element. When neutralizing the 'Heartbreak Grass' toxicity, it needs to be..."

She muttered incantations, her fingertips radiating spiritual energy as she precisely controlled the flames in the three furnaces. Her hair, soaked with sweat, clung tightly to her skin.

Failure, furnace explosion, start over... the cycle repeated itself. But Li Xiaocao's alchemy skills improved rapidly under each extreme pressure. The success rate of pill refining steadily increased from the initial 50% to 70%, and she could even occasionally refine high-grade pills with faint pill patterns! When the first batch of 500 bottles of superior-quality "Golden Wound Ointment" and "Qi-restoring Powder" came out of the furnace, all the disciples of the Alchemy Hall cheered!