Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Sun Hao pondered for a moment before speaking, "What Uncle Shi said makes sense. However, the risks are extremely high. Our sect's foundation is still shallow. If we become the target of everyone's attacks, the consequences will be unimaginable. But if we simply defend ourselves and watch our powerful enemies rise to power, we fear we will become trapped like turtles in a jar. We are caught in a dilemma."

Xiong Meng echoed in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Sun is right! There's no way to avoid it! But we need to be strategic in how we fight. We can't just go in blindly."

Zhao Qingyan said softly, "Sect Leader, although the mountain-protecting formation is sturdy, it will inevitably be breached if defended for too long. Moreover, the sect's development requires resources and manpower. Complete isolation is not a long-term solution." From the perspective of a formation master, she pointed out the hidden dangers of relying on a defensive strategy.

Li Xiaocao said worriedly, "But... it's so chaotic outside, with fighting and killing, many people will die... Although we have enough pills in reserve, we can't withstand the depletion of resources in a major battle."

The crowd chimed in with their opinions, clearly dividing into two camps: "conservative and conservative" and "risky and expansionist." Each had its own logic, and the debate raged on.

All eyes finally focused on Shen Mo, who had remained silent throughout. His decision would determine the fate of the sect.

Shen Mo slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on the huge map of the Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness in front of him. His finger precisely pointed to an area that was originally the border between the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Xuan Yin Sect, but is now a power vacuum.

The area is rich in resources, but due to the confrontation between the two factions in the past, the management was relatively lax, and many small and medium-sized families and independent cultivators have been entrenched there.

"Elder Han's concerns are reasonable. Junior Brother Tie's sharpness is usable." Shen Mo spoke slowly, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable power.

"The chaotic world has arrived, and there is no way to avoid it. If our Qingyun Sect wants to establish itself in this new era, or even rise to prominence, we cannot forever cower within this protective mountain formation. However, expansion is not the same as reckless action, much less a direct confrontation with forces like the Burning Heaven Valley and the Five Poisons Sect."

He drew a circle on the map with his finger: "Our target is not those fat pieces that are being eyed by the major powers, but this place—the 'no man's land' where the two factions meet."

"This place is rich, but the power dynamics are complex and intertwined, lacking strong governance, and it's currently in a state of chaos. All the major powers are focused on the core areas and have no time to spare for this place. This is our opportunity!"

"Does the sect leader mean... to take advantage of the situation and seize the initiative?" Su Xiao's beautiful eyes lit up.

"That's right!" Shen Mo said decisively, "But it won't be a large-scale occupation, but a 'lightning operation'! We'll seize control of several key resource points and transportation routes with lightning speed, creating a fait accompli, and then gradually expand after establishing a foothold."

He looked at Shi Tie and Su Xiao: "Junior Brother Tie, Junior Sister Su!"

"Here!" The two stood up abruptly.

"Junior Brother Tie, you will lead the War Hall's most elite 'Sharp Gold' squad. Your targets are the 'Red Copper Mine,' formerly part of the Heavenly Sword Sect's outer perimeter, and the 'Eagle Beak Pass,' which connects to the Black Wind Mountains. This place is rich in red copper and has a strategically important, easily defensible location. It's currently occupied by a band of bandits. I'm giving you two days to take it, eliminate the bandits, and set up a defensive formation. Can you manage that?"

A fierce glint flashed in Shi Tie's eyes as he patted his chest and declared, "Don't worry, Senior Brother Sect Leader! These mere bandits are nothing but chickens and dogs! If we can't take them down within two days, I, Old Shi, will come running with my head!"

"Junior Sister Su," Shen Mo looked at Su Xiao again, "you are meticulous and led the 'Shadow Shuttle' team. Our targets are the 'Yinfeng Valley' herb garden, which was originally on the edge of the Xuan Yin Sect, and the nearby 'Dark River Ferry'."

"Yinfeng Valley is rich in several kinds of Yin-attribute spiritual herbs, which are important materials for refining antidote pills and miasma-avoiding pills. The underground river crossing is a hidden waterway leading to the southern region. This place is currently being fought over by several small families."

"Your mission is to use intelligence and means, either to divide and weaken the enemy or to secretly control the area, to ensure that this place falls into my hands. The process must be clean and efficient, leaving no trace."

Su Xiao solemnly accepted the order: "Xiao'er understands! I will certainly live up to your mission!"

"Remember!" Shen Mo's tone was solemn. "The operation must be swift! Ruthless! And secretive! After succeeding, immediately disguise it as a local power struggle or the result of a spontaneous action by independent cultivators. Hang up the flags of temporarily recruited independent cultivators, and under no circumstances should your Qingyun Sect identity be revealed!"

"Elder Han will coordinate resources to provide you with the necessary talismans and array support. Qingyan, you are responsible for remotely monitoring the two array nodes, ensuring communication and providing array cover when necessary. Xiaocao, prepare sufficient healing and detoxification pills."

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, their eyes burning with fighting spirit.

With the plan set, the Qingyun Sect's war machine instantly sprang into action.

That night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

Outside the copper mine, Shi Tie led twenty fierce and ruthless elite warriors, lurking like ghosts among the rocks.

The mine was brightly lit and noisy, where the gang of bandits known as the "Black Fiends" were drinking and making merry, completely unaware that death was approaching.

"Pah, a bunch of rabble." Shi Tie spat, then whispered to Sun Hao beside him, "Sun, you take a team and sneak in from the side, take out the checkpoint first. Xiong Meng, you and I will launch a frontal assault! Make a big commotion, and finish this quickly!"

"Yes, Uncle Shi!" Sun Hao and Xiong Meng accepted the order and silently disappeared into the darkness.

Half an incense stick later, several short screams came from the side of the mine, then faded away. A cold glint flashed in Shi Tie's eyes, and he suddenly leaped up, unleashing the powerful aura of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, charging towards the mine gate like a humanoid Tyrannosaurus Rex!

"Enemy attack!" The bandits panicked, but it was too late!

"Get out of my way!" Shi Tie threw a punch, the violent force smashing the heavy wooden door and the bandits behind it to pieces!

Xiong Meng followed closely behind like a tank, wielding his giant shield with unstoppable force! The disciples of the Battle Hall were like tigers among sheep, their swords flashing and screams echoing everywhere.

The outcome of the battle was a foregone conclusion. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the mine was littered with corpses, and the remaining bandits knelt and begged for mercy.

Shi Tie quickly brought the situation under control, Xiong Meng led his men to clear the battlefield, and Sun Hao had already begun to set up the simple array plate given to him by Zhao Qingyan in a dangerous location.

At the same time, outside Yin Wind Valley.

Su Xiao led ten members of the "Shadow Shuttle" team, skilled in stealth and assassination, lurking within the dense miasma. Inside the valley, three small families were locked in a tense standoff over control of the herb garden.

"The Wang and Li families are arguing, while the Zhang family is hiding behind them, hoping to reap the benefits," a team member whispered.

Su Xiao's lips curled into a cold smile: "Perfect, let's add fuel to the fire. Ah Chou, you go and impersonate someone from the Wang family to assassinate the young master of the Li family. Ying Mei, you impersonate someone from the Li family and burn the Zhang family's supplies."

"Yes!" The two team members, skilled in disguise and concealed weapons, accepted the order and left.

Soon, the situation in the valley suddenly changed! The young master of the Li family was attacked and seriously injured, the Wang family was identified, and the Zhang family's supplies were burned. The three parties immediately turned on each other and engaged in a chaotic battle!

Just as they were locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle, Su Xiaoyu waved her hand and shouted, "Attack! Finish this quickly!"

Ten dark figures, like ghosts seeking death, plunged into the battlefield! Their targets were clear: the leaders and experts of the three factions! Poisoned hidden weapons, unpredictable escape techniques, and perfectly coordinated attacks caught the three factions completely off guard!

"There's an ambush!"

"He's an expert! Retreat!"

In the chaos, all three families suffered heavy losses, their leaders were killed one after another, and the remaining troops scattered and fled.

Su Xiao and the others quickly took control of the herb garden and the ferry crossing, cleaned up the traces, and hung up an anonymous flag that had been prepared beforehand, painted with a hideous ghost head.