Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

In the late Foundation Establishment stage, he was already considered a powerful figure in the Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness. Although he still couldn't contend with a Golden Core cultivator, he at least had the initial ability to protect himself and was no longer an ant to be manipulated at will.

"Retrieve the sect's current comprehensive data and compare it with that from three months ago."

[Command received. Data comparison generated...]

[Sect Name: Qingyun Sect]

[Sect Leader: Shen Mo (Late Foundation Establishment Stage)]

Foundation Establishment cultivators: 4 (Shen Mo, Shi Tie, Su Xiao, Han Lin)

[Late-stage Qi Refining disciples: 41 (increased by 105%)]

[Mid-stage Qi Refining disciples: 89 (42% increase)]

[Early Qi Refining Disciples and Newcomers: 102 (including some members of the Zhao family)]

[Strength of the Mountain Protection Formation: Increased by 25% (optimized by Zhao Qingyan)]

[Strategic Resource Reserves: Pills (increased by 80%), Talismans (increased by 150%), Spirit Stones (net increase of 15% due to consumption and clandestine transactions)]

External Threat Index: Extremely High (Golden Core Involvement, Regional Warfare)

[Internal Stability Index: Good (Contribution point system is effective, and initial integration of new and old staff is complete)]

The data clearly shows that despite the turbulent external environment over the past three months, the overall strength of Qingyun Sect has significantly improved, especially the number of late-stage Qi Refining disciples in the core group has doubled, which is the cornerstone of the sect's future.

However, the external threat index also soared to "extremely high" due to the intervention of Golden Core cultivators.

"Analyze the advantages, disadvantages, and survival probability of our sect adopting three strategies under the current regional situation: 'wait and see,' 'actively intervene,' and 'flee to avoid disaster.'"

[Drill in progress... based on existing intelligence models...]

Strategy 1: Observe the situation (maintain the status quo, strengthen defenses, and observe covertly). Advantages: Controllable risk, preserves strength, and offers opportunities to profit from unforeseen circumstances. Disadvantages: Passive, may miss opportunities, and could be affected if the victor decides to eliminate the threat. Survival probability: 65%.

Strategy Two: Active Intervention (Choose one side to ally with, or actively disrupt the situation). Advantages: May secure benefits in advance and gain a powerful backer. Disadvantages: Extremely easy to expose, very high probability of becoming cannon fodder, loss of sect independence. Survival probability: <30%.

Strategy Three: Escape to Avoid Disaster (Move the Entire Clan). Advantages: Completely avoid the current crisis. Disadvantages: Loss of existing assets, uncertain future, and significant risks during the migration. Survival Probability: 40%.

The results of the analysis are clear. "Wait and see" remains the best option at present, but the survival probability is just over 60%, which shows how dangerous the situation is.

Shen Mo had already made up his mind. He stood up, his aura becoming harmonious and restrained, and stepped out of the Enlightenment Cave.

Outside the cave, Su Xiao, Han Lin, Shi Tie, Zhao Qingyan, Li Xiaocao, and other core members had been waiting for a long time, their faces filled with solemnity and anticipation.

Upon seeing Shen Mo emerge from seclusion and sensing the increasingly profound and unsettling aura emanating from him, the crowd was initially startled, but then revealed expressions of delight.

"Sect Leader, you...you've broken through?" Su Xiao's beautiful eyes lit up as she sensed the change in Shen Mo's aura and asked in surprise.

Shen Mo nodded slightly: "We succeeded by sheer luck."

"Haha! That's great! With our sect leader breaking through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, our Qingyun Sect is even more confident!" Shi Tie grinned and waved his fist vigorously.

Han Lin stroked his beard, a relieved smile spreading across his old face: "Heaven blesses Qingyun! The sect leader's cultivation has greatly improved; this is truly a blessing for the sect!"

Zhao Qingyan and Li Xiaocao also offered their congratulations, their worries lessening slightly. The stronger the sect leader, the greater the sect's chances of survival in this chaotic world.

Shen Mo waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, his gaze sweeping over them: "I am aware of the dramatic changes that have occurred outside during my seclusion these past few days. The situation has changed drastically with the fall of the Golden Core cultivators. The reason I have gathered you all here is to discuss the next steps for our Qingyun Sect."

Everyone's expressions turned serious, knowing that the crucial moment had arrived.

Shen Mo led everyone into a side hall, activated the soundproofing array, and cut straight to the point: "I have just emerged from seclusion and have already assessed the current situation of myself and my sect. At present, the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Profound Yin Sect are locked in a fierce battle, with Golden Core cultivators involved. The outcome is still uncertain, but the hatred is deeply ingrained and there is absolutely no possibility of reversal. For my sect, this is a crisis, but it also hides an opportunity."

He looked at everyone and said, "My plan is to continue with our previous strategy: sit back and watch the tigers fight, and when the time is right, add fuel to the fire so that they both suffer heavy losses!"

Shi Tie's eyes lit up, and he blurted out, "I think that's exactly what we should do! Let them fight like dogs, the fiercer the better! Once they're exhausted, we can go out and clean up the mess!"

Su Xiao frowned and said, "Sect Leader, this plan is good, but the Golden Core cultivator has already entered the fray, and his perception and methods are extraordinary. If we continue to act secretly, isn't the risk too great? Once we are discovered, we may face annihilation."

Han Lin nodded in agreement: "Xiao'er is right. A Golden Core cultivator's power is unfathomable. Our petty actions will likely not escape their notice."

Shen Mo had anticipated this, and said in a deep voice, "There are risks, of course, but they are not uncontrollable. Although Golden Core cultivators are strong, their attention will definitely be on each other. What is a huge matter in our eyes may just be a corner of the game in their eyes. The key is how we 'add fuel to the fire'."

He paused, a glint of wisdom flashing in his eyes: "Previously, we spread rumors and forged secret orders, fabricating stories out of thin air and actively provoking war. Now, the two factions are bloodthirsty and their hatred is deeply rooted. We don't need to fabricate anything anymore; we just need to... guide the 'facts' slightly to make them burn even brighter."

"Guiding the facts?" Zhao Qingyan pondered.

"Not bad." Shen Mo looked at Su Xiao. "Junior Sister Xiao, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion might be able to find out what the Xuan Yin Sect's headquarters did after the Heavenly Sword Sect's Golden Core cultivator, 'Lingxiao Sword,' launched its attack from afar. Has their leader, 'Xuan Gu Zhenren,' emerged from seclusion? What is his whereabouts?"

Su Xiao immediately replied, "According to the latest intelligence, the Xuan Yin Sect's headquarters is enraged. Although the sect leader, True Person Xuan Gu, has not officially emerged from seclusion, he has already issued a decree vowing to make the Heavenly Sword Sect pay for their blood debt! It is rumored that another Golden Core stage vice sect leader, 'Ghost Mother Granny,' is heading to the Black Wind Mountains with a powerful treasure! A great battle between the Golden Core stage of both sides is imminent!"

"Good!" Shen Mo clapped his hands. "This is our 'firewood'! What we need to do is not to light a new fire, but to make this raging inferno burn even more fiercely and uncontrollably!"

His sharp gaze swept over the crowd: "The specific strategy is as follows:"

"First, intelligence guidance. Through covert channels, 'reveal' to the Heavenly Sword Sect that the Ghost Mother Granny of the Profound Yin Sect is carrying a replica of the sect's most treasured artifact, the 'Ten Thousand Soul Banner,' which possesses immense power. Her intention is to exact revenge while simultaneously destroying the Dragon Spine Mine and severing the Heavenly Sword Sect's foundation!"

"At the same time, we 'hinted' to the Xuan Yin Sect that the Heavenly Sword Sect's Lingxiao Sword suffered considerable damage from its long-range attack and is currently recuperating in a secret location; now is the perfect opportunity to counterattack!"

A glint flashed in Su Xiao's eyes: "Does Sect Leader mean... to exaggerate the threat, mislead judgment, and urge them to clash faster and more fiercely?"

"Exactly!" Shen Mo nodded. "A mix of truth and fiction is more convincing. It's true that Granny Ghost Mother carries a great treasure, but we can 'embellish' it a bit."

"The Lingxiao Sword may have suffered some damage, but it certainly won't be as severe as we've implied. The key lies in timing and discretion; both sides must feel that this is an opportunity that won't come again!"

Shi Tie scratched his head, "Hehe, this is a sneaky trick! I love it! It makes them both think they can take down the other, so they beat them to a pulp!"

Han Lin pondered for a moment and said, "This plan is risky, but if executed properly, it can indeed exacerbate the conflict. However, the channels must be absolutely secure."

"Rest assured, I will personally handle this matter through the highest-ranking secret agents of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, and it will absolutely not have any direct connection with my sect." Su Xiao nodded solemnly, his eyes already showing his plan.