Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Beside the herb garden, several simple wooden houses have been transformed into alchemy rooms. Earth fire has been introduced, and although they are rudimentary, they are already able to refine some commonly used healing and qi-restoring pills, which is more than enough to supply local consumption.

The underground river crossing has also been quietly repaired, with several small shuttle boats engraved with concealment runes hidden in the dark waterway, forming a secret passage connecting to the outside world.

The absorption and integration of the population is progressing steadily under the careful management of Han Lin and Su Xiao.

Through the secret channels of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, some alchemy apprentices who lost their support in the war, down-on-their-luck array masters, old miners skilled in prospecting for mineral veins, and even a few small families who knew how to tame low-level demonic beasts called "Gold-Sniffing Rats" (which could be used for prospecting) were successively "introduced" to Black Stone Village and Shadow Moon Valley.

Everyone who arrives must undergo rigorous questioning and the test of the "Heart-Questioning Array." The array is personally controlled by Zhao Qingyan. Although it cannot completely see into people's hearts, it is enough to identify those who are wicked and harbor evil intentions.

Several spies who attempted to infiltrate, or cultivators who were being hunted by enemies and were constantly in trouble, were ruthlessly turned away or quietly disposed of.

Those who passed the assessment were dispersed into different teams, led by reliable senior disciples of the Qingyun Sect. They worked while being observed and receiving initial training in the sect's rules.

The contribution point system has also been introduced to these two strongholds. Completing tasks, improving skills, discovering mineral veins or new herbs can earn contribution points, which can be used to exchange for pills, cultivation techniques, or even the opportunity to enter the "Flowing Cloud Secret Realm" (which is publicly claimed to be a sect trial ground) for training.

This system has greatly motivated both new and existing members.

Subtle changes are happening in every corner.

Copper ore and preliminarily refined copper ingots were disguised as ordinary merchant caravans and transported back to the Qingyun Mountain sect via secret routes, becoming an important source of revenue and refining materials for the sect.

The special spiritual herbs of Yinfeng Valley were refined into various pills by Li Xiaocao and the disciples of the Pill Hall. Some were supplied to the front line, some were stored, and some were anonymously sold through the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in exchange for other resources urgently needed by the sect.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Zhao Qingyan and the disciples of the Array Hall, the defensive formations at the two strongholds have begun to take shape. Although they are far less powerful than the "Minor Nine Palaces Flowing Cloud Array" of the Qingyun Mountain main sect, they are sufficient to withstand a short-term onslaught from a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator and have established a weak connection with the main sect's array.

More importantly, a new order and sense of identity began to sprout in these two new territories. People were no longer just rogue cultivators or exiles struggling to survive, but gradually realized that they were members of "Blackstone Village" or "Shadowmoon Valley," with a powerful "main sect" as their backing.

Although we still face external threats and harsh environments, life has hope, rules, and basic guarantees.

On this day, Shen Mo quietly arrived at Black Stone Village. Without alerting too many people, accompanied only by Shi Tie, Sun Hao, and Xiong Meng, he inspected the mine, the newly built workshop, and the defensive formations.

Looking at the orderly tunnels, the clanging furnaces, and the miners and disciples who, though exhausted, had a bright light in their eyes, Shen Mo nodded slightly.

"Well done," he said to Shi Tie. "To achieve this much in just a few months, you've worked hard."

Shi Tie scratched his head and chuckled, "Hehe, it's all thanks to Senior Brother Sect Leader's excellent planning, and the brothers' willingness to put in the effort! It's just... it's a bit stifling. Mining and setting up defenses all day isn't as fun as fighting!"

Shen Mo chuckled, "Don't worry, your time to fight will come. Our foundation isn't secure yet, so it's best not to act rashly. Once our roots are strong and our wings are fully grown, the day will surely come when our Qingyun Sect will make a name for itself in the Black Wind Mountains, and even the entire Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness!"

He gazed into the distance, his eyes deep and thoughtful. Digestion and absorption take time, but the march of time never stops for anyone.

The shadow of the Blazing Sun Sect, the threat of the Earthly Fiend Gang, and other covetous forces will not give them many opportunities for peaceful development.

"Tell the brothers to stay humble and patient, and to accumulate strength gradually before unleashing it," Shen Mo instructed Shi Tie and the others. "The real storm may be coming soon."

Just as he finished his inspection and was preparing to return to his sect, Su Xiao sent a new message via a communication talisman:

"Sect Leader, a secret report from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion: The envoy from the Blazing Sun Sect has reappeared at the headquarters of the Earthly Fiends Gang, seemingly for a secret meeting. At the same time, our informants at the Blood Blade Sect have reported that the Blood Blade Ancestor has been frequently mobilizing his men recently, suggesting some unusual activity."

Shen Mo's gaze sharpened. The trees may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease. It seemed this newly cultivated fertile land was about to face new challenges. He had to return as soon as possible to devise a plan. The path for the Qingyun Sect to establish itself in this chaotic world was destined to be anything but smooth.

The Qingyun Sect, located in the Black Stone Village and Shadow Moon Valley in the southwest corner of the Black Wind Mountains, is like two stubborn nails. After the initial test of blood and fire, it was not only not removed, but under Shen Mo's strategic planning and the hard work of all the sect members, it has become more and more stable and full of vitality.

Copper ore and Yin-attribute spiritual herbs, along with preliminarily processed talismans and pills, were exchanged through the secret channels of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion for a continuous stream of spirit stones and scarce resources for the sect, thus supporting the development of Qingyun Mountain.

The disciples, having undergone trials in the new environment, have made progress in both their cultivation and character, creating a thriving scene.

On this day, at the Lingxiao Palace atop Lieyang Peak, the main mountain of the Lieyang Sect.

The main hall is magnificent and built of crimson flame crystal. It is bathed in a dense yang flame spiritual energy that is almost tangible all day long. The temperature is extremely high, and ordinary Qi cultivation disciples would be burned in a short time here.

Inside the hall, the sect leader of the Blazing Sun Sect, the Golden Core True Person "Blaze True Person", did not appear. The one in charge of daily affairs was the sect's law enforcement elder, the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection "Red Sky Venerable".

He was dressed in a crimson Taoist robe, with a simple and honest face, exuding an air of authority without anger. At this moment, he was listening to a report from an elder in charge below him.

This person was none other than Zhao Yan, who had once served as an envoy to Qingyun Mountain.

"Uncle-Master Chixiao," Zhao Yan bowed and reported, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness that was barely perceptible, "According to reports from multiple sources, the Qingyun Sect has been making frequent moves lately. Its two outposts, 'Black Stone Village' and 'Shadow Moon Valley,' have not only not been swallowed up by the Blood Blade Sect or the Earthly Fiend Gang, but have been managed like an ironclad fortress, maintaining ambiguous relationships with several local small families and generating considerable profits."

"Its leader, Shen Mo, lives a secluded life, but he is shrewd and skillful. He has handled several conflicts flawlessly and has now established a significant presence in the southwest corner of the region."

Master Chixiao slightly raised his eyelids, flames flickering in his eyes. His voice was calm yet carried a sense of oppression: "Oh? You mean the Qingyun Sect that caused you to return empty-handed last time, merely drawing a line in the sand? I remember, that Shen Mo was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage?"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Zhao Yan's face, and he quickly said, "Uncle, you are wise. Shen Mo is indeed in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, but his mastery of formations is extraordinary, and he also has several Foundation Establishment cultivators under his command, so his combat strength is not weak."

"More importantly, this faction acts with extreme discretion and caution. It never takes the initiative to expand, nor does it compete with major factions like ours. It simply focuses on managing its own small territory, making it impossible for others to find fault with it."

"With the current situation still unsettled, our sect's focus is on digesting the remnants of the Heavenly Sword and the Profound Yin, and guarding against the Burning Heaven Valley and the Five Poisons Sect. If we rashly use force against the Azure Cloud Sect, we may waste our strength and suffer losses instead."