Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Su Xiao immediately used a secret technique to contact the restrictions outside the Enlightenment Cave and briefly explained the situation. Although he couldn't contact Shen Mo in the secret realm, he left a message.

A moment later, Su Xiao received a faint spiritual feedback, which was one of the emergency instructions left by Shen Mo before he went into seclusion, meaning "handle the situation as appropriate, and be cautious as the best course of action."

Su Xiao understood immediately. He exchanged a glance with Han Lin and said to Zhao Yuanming, who was looking at him expectantly, "Patriarch Zhao, the sect leader has decreed that Qingyun Sect and Black Mountain City do indeed have a long-standing relationship. In this time of crisis, our sect is willing to provide protection."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuanming was overjoyed and was about to kneel down again, but Han Lin stopped him.

"However," Su Xiao changed the subject, her expression turning serious, "there are a few points that need to be made clear beforehand. First, the Zhao family members must be temporarily housed at 'Welcoming Peak' outside the mountain gate and are not allowed to enter the core area of ​​the mountain gate at will."

"Secondly, you must abide by the Qingyun Sect rules and accept the sect's unified management. All expenses must be offset by labor or resources. Thirdly, this matter must be kept strictly confidential and must not be leaked to anyone. Otherwise, don't blame the sect for being ruthless!"

At this moment, Zhao Yuanming only wanted to live, so he dared not object and kowtowed repeatedly: "It is my duty! It is my duty! Thank you, Sect Leader Shen! Thank you, Elder Su and Elder Han! The entire Zhao family is willing to serve the Qingyun Sect like dogs and horses!"

Therefore, the dozens of remaining members of the Zhao family were temporarily housed in several unused courtyards on Yingke Peak.

Su Xiao sent disciples to help them set up temporary shelters, distribute basic living supplies and healing pills, and at the same time arranged for disciples from the Hall of Affairs to register them and explain the sect rules.

The news spread within a small circle of the sect, causing quite a stir.

Some disciples sympathized with the Zhao family's plight and offered their help; others worried about getting into trouble and gossiped about it privately. The management pressure suddenly increased significantly.

"Senior Sister Su, the Zhao family's daily consumption of food and medicine is quite high, putting a lot of pressure on the warehouse," Wang Hu reported to Su Xiao with a worried expression, holding the account book.

"Elder Han, over at Welcoming Guest Peak, two junior members of the Zhao family got into a fight over a sunny room and even injured one of our disciples who tried to break it up! What... what should we do about this?" A disciple in charge of resettlement came angrily to complain.

Su Xiao and Han Lin were immediately extremely busy. Su Xiao had to coordinate supplies, appease the Zhao family, verify personnel, and prevent spies from infiltrating.

Han Lin had to handle disputes, formulate temporary management regulations, and balance the relationship between new and old disciples. The two of them were often busy until late at night, and even their cultivation time was greatly reduced.

"Sigh, it's really easy to invite a god but hard to send him away," Han Lin said to Su Xiao with a wry smile, rubbing his throbbing temples.

Although exhausted, Su Xiao's eyes remained clear: "Elder Han, this is also a test. Senior Brother Sect Leader said that if the sect wants to grow stronger, it must embrace all rivers. Managing outsiders is a test of our abilities."

"Moreover, the Zhao family has been managing Black Mountain City for many years, and they have talents who are skilled in management, forging, and spiritual plants. If they are properly guided, they may become an asset to the sect."

Upon hearing this, Han Lin nodded thoughtfully: "Xiao'er, you have a long-term vision; I was being too focused on appearances."

Just as Su Xiao and Han Lin were racking their brains over internal integration, another bold plan was quietly underway.

Outside the sect, on the southeastern edge of the Black Wind Mountains, lies a no-man's-land called "Shattered Star Slope".

This place has a complex terrain with crisscrossing ravines. It used to be a place for low-level rogue cultivators to adventure and seek their fortune. Now, due to war, it has become a paradise for adventurers and a resting place for fugitives. It is a place where all sorts of people mingle and the order is chaotic.

Deep in the hillside, inside a secluded stone cave, a campfire flickered, illuminating several young but weathered faces. It was Sun Hao, Xiong Meng, and three other elite disciples at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

They disguised themselves as a small group of refugee monks, their clothes tattered and their faces smeared with mud and ash.

"Damn it, this godforsaken place is not only devoid of spiritual energy, but it's also full of people fighting over territory." Xiong Meng gnawed on a piece of dry, hard jerky and complained in a muffled voice.

His left arm was wrapped in bandages, stained with blood, from a fight a couple of days ago with a group of desperate criminals who wanted to double-cross him.

Sun Hao wiped the longsword in his hand; the blade had several chipped spots. He said in a low voice, "Stop complaining. Senior Brother Sect Leader and Uncle Su sent us here to train, not to enjoy ourselves. Although this place is chaotic, it is indeed a good place for real combat."

Over the past two weeks, their team has been operating in this area, and thanks to their excellent skills and ruthless style, they have made a name for themselves and earned the nickname "Grey Wolves".

They take on missions such as escorting, prospecting, and even clearing out small groups of bandits in exchange for meager amounts of spirit stones and information.

During this period, they experienced several life-or-death battles. Some disciples were seriously injured and almost died, but they also captured a lot of spoils, including several good magic weapons and some rare spiritual materials.

"Boss, I've found out." A disciple nicknamed "Skinny Monkey" crawled back into the cave and whispered, "The Black Wind Gorge, thirty miles to the north, was occupied by a group of defeated soldiers from the Xuan Yin Sect the day before yesterday. There were about twenty of them. The leader seemed to be a Qi Refining Grand Perfection cultivator. He was forcing the local rogue cultivators to hand over 'toll money,' and he would kill them if they didn't comply. He was very ruthless."

A cold glint flashed in Sun Hao's eyes: "The defeated soldiers of the Xuan Yin Sect? Perfect for practicing with them! Have you figured out their routines and defenses?"

"We've figured it out! They're less vigilant at night, like to drink, and there are only two sentry posts..."

In the dead of night, at the entrance to Black Wind Gorge, a chilling wind howled. Two dark figures, like phantoms, swiftly dispatched two dozing sentries. Then, Sun Hao and his four companions charged into the rout camp like sharp swords!

"Enemy attack!"

Screams, the clash of weapons, and the roar of spells shattered the silence instantly! Caught off guard, the fleeing soldiers of the Xuan Yin Sect were thrown into chaos.

Sun Hao's sword flashed like lightning, specifically targeting those with high cultivation levels; Xiong Meng charged around like a human-shaped raging bear; the other three cooperated seamlessly, their sword formation imposing.

Their cultivation level might not be as high as the enemy leader's, but their tactical execution, teamwork, and the ruthlessness honed from life-or-death battles in the secret realm completely overwhelmed the group of terrified routs.

The battle ended quickly. The fleeing leader was pierced through the heart by Sun Hao's sword, while the rest either died or escaped. Although all five were wounded, they seized dozens of magical artifacts, a large number of spirit stones and pills, as well as a tattered map showing the distribution of surrounding forces.

"That felt great!" Xiong Meng spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and grinned.

Sun Hao, however, was not so optimistic. He quickly cleaned up the battlefield: "This place is not safe to stay any longer, let's retreat!"

However, just as they were preparing to leave, a burst of crisp applause came from above the canyon.

"Clap clap clap..."

"Impressive skills! Such ruthless swordsmanship! My friends, you're not ordinary rogue cultivators, are you?"

Under the moonlight, a figure in pure white stood quietly on the cliff top, her face veiled. It was none other than the "Fairy of the Bright Moon," whom they had met once before! Her gaze was cold and scrutinizing as she looked at Sun Hao and the others.

Sun Hao's heart trembled violently, and his entire body tensed instantly! He had been recognized? He forced himself to remain calm, cupped his hands, and said, "You flatter me, fairy. I'm just trying to make a living. May I ask what advice you have for me?"

Fairy Mingyue chuckled softly, but her laughter carried a hint of coldness: "I dare not presume to offer guidance. I am merely curious, with your exceptional skills, why would you disguise yourselves as rogue cultivators and risk your lives in this perilous place? Could it be... that you have another purpose?"

The atmosphere instantly became tense. Xiong Meng and the others gripped their weapons tightly, cold sweat soaking their backs. If their identities were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable!

Sun Hao's mind raced, unsure how to respond, when Fairy Mingyue suddenly changed her tone, her voice carrying a hint of deeper meaning:

"Very well, in chaotic times, everyone has their own means of survival. As long as the innocent are not harmed, this fairy will not bother with it. I just want to remind you all that the Xuan Yin Sect and the Tian Jian Sect have very keen noses. You'd better keep your tails hidden while you're here. Farewell."

After saying that, her figure flickered and vanished into moonlight, as if she had never existed.

Sun Hao and the others looked at each other, all breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Boss, has she... has she figured something out?" Skinny Monkey's voice trembled.

Sun Hao suppressed his shock: "Whether she noticed or not, we can't stay here! Immediately retreat to our temporary base and report this to Uncle-Master Su!"

They vanished swiftly into the darkness, a shadow falling over their hearts. Was this Moon Fairy friend or foe? Was her appearance a coincidence, or...?