Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Shen Mo quietly arrived at Welcoming Peak without disturbing anyone. He simply watched from afar the new faces in the square who were listening attentively or undergoing basic training under the guidance of the stewards, and the intense discussion between Li Xiaocao and Mu En in the herb garden. He also sensed the faint spiritual energy fluctuations coming from the direction of the Array Pavilion, caused by their attempts at new methods.

His face betrayed no emotion, only a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction deep in his eyes.

"System, assess the current sect cohesion index and the progress of technological integration."

[Instruction received. Evaluating...]

[New disciples' sense of belonging: Slowly increasing (45%), but there is still a significant gap and a wait-and-see attitude.]

[Acceptance rate among senior students: slightly below average (55%), with anxieties about resource competition and a sense of superiority.]

[Technological Integration and Innovation: Initial Stage (12%), several valuable innovative ideas have been generated and are currently in the testing and verification phase.]

Overall cohesion index: 58 (up 5 points from last month). Assessment: In the adjustment period, both potential risks and opportunities exist.

[Warning: If external pressure continues to increase, internal conflicts risk escalating. Continued guidance and a balance of interests are necessary.]

Shen Mo nodded slightly. 58 points, barely passing. Integration is not something that can be achieved overnight, and this progress is already quite remarkable. The key is to quickly transform the "new power" generated by this "integration" into tangible "combat power" and "productivity," so that everyone can see the benefits, thus creating a virtuous cycle.

He turned and looked towards the direction of the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm. The "Cloud Shuttle Project" for secret realm trade was the key to breaking the external blockade; while the internal "Hundred Rivers Converging into the Sea" was the guarantee for consolidating the sect's foundation. Both were indispensable.

"Pass on the order to Elder Han and Junior Sister Su," he said to the attending disciples beside him, "The three-month assessment for new disciples is about to begin. Establish a 'Integration Contribution Award,' which will generously reward anyone, regardless of seniority, who demonstrates outstanding performance in skill exchange, task cooperation, and providing effective suggestions!"

"At the same time, the Mission Hall released a series of high-contribution team missions that require cooperation between new and old disciples to complete."

"Yes, Sect Leader!"

On this day, as dawn broke, the "Wen Dao Ping" atop the main peak of Qingyun Mountain was already packed with people. Nearly two thousand people, including inner disciples, outer disciples, and even newly promoted disciples who had passed the preliminary assessment and demonstrated outstanding performance, sat in orderly rows on the huge, smooth, jade-like stone platform, according to their sect and cultivation level, in complete silence.

All eyes, filled with awe and anticipation, were focused on the ancient, blue stone altar at the end of the stone platform.

On the stone altar, Shen Mo, dressed in a simple blue Taoist robe, stood with his hands behind his back. The mountain wind fluttered his robe, and he seemed to blend into the surrounding clouds and the mountains beneath his feet, his aura as deep as the sea.

He did not deliberately release his spiritual pressure, but the magnificent Daoist aura of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, who was faintly touching the threshold of the Golden Core stage, naturally flowed out, inspiring awe in all the disciples, who dared not make a fuss.

This was a rule set by Shen Mo: a Dharma talk held every three months. The purpose was not only to impart the essence of the Daoist teachings, but also to unify thought and unite people's hearts.

When the appointed time arrived, Shen Mo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calmly sweeping over the dense crowd below the stage. He didn't immediately begin explaining the profound techniques, but instead asked a question. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, touching their very souls:

"Do you all know what the foundation of my Qingyun Sect is?"

A slight commotion arose in the audience. Some disciples instinctively wanted to answer that it was the legacy of Ancestor Liuyun, a powerful protective formation, or resources from a secret realm.

Shen Mo didn't wait for an answer and continued speaking to himself, his voice carrying a strange rhythm, as if he were expounding the ultimate truth of heaven and earth: "It is inheritance, it is formation, it is resources, but even more so... 'the Dao'."

"What is the Dao? For our sect, the Dao is the rules, the direction, the 'backbone' that unites us thousands here, encouraging us to move forward together!"

His voice grew deeper, "Now, we are surrounded by powerful enemies, and a storm is brewing. The Blazing Sun Sect is using its power to oppress us, cutting off our resources, and trying to trap us on an isolated island. Some are afraid, some are doubtful, and some are thinking of a way out."

He abruptly changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like lightning: "But what use is fear? What benefit is doubt? Where can we retreat to? In this world of cultivation, where is the true pure land?"

The audience was silent. Many disciples, especially the new ones, looked thoughtful, thinking about their own experiences of wandering and hardship.

"The path of Qingyun lies not in complacency or retreat, but in 'self-improvement'!" Shen Mo's voice was as firm as metal, resounding with conviction. "The lineage left behind by Ancestor Liuyun is not for us to sit idly by and squander our resources, but to bestow upon us a ladder to heaven! The mountain-protecting formation is not a shell to cower in, but a shield to protect our path! The resources of the secret realm are not for pleasure, but a whetstone to sharpen our swords!"

"The Blazing Sun Sect's blockade of us is both a crisis and an opportunity!" His tone carried a hint of coldness and boldness. "This is a perfect opportunity to sever our dependence on external forces and unleash our own potential! The Pill Hall is developing its own pill formulas, the Weapon Hall is innovating its techniques, and the Array Hall is devising ingenious methods. You are all diligently cultivating! This is the chance to refine our sect into a piece of exceptional steel!"

He paused, his voice softening, carrying a guiding force: "However, self-reliance is not the way of a lone wolf. The sect is like a boat; only by rowing together can it break through the waves and move forward. New disciples, you bring different insights and skills, you are the lifeblood of the sect; those who joined earlier, you have a deeper understanding of the sect's rules and principles, you are the foundation of the sect."

"Only when the two are combined can they complement each other's strengths and compensate for each other's weaknesses, sparking new ideas! Do not let minor disagreements create a rift between you. Remember, if the skin is gone, where will the hair attach?"

These words demonstrated both insightful observations of the overall situation and encouragement and admonition within the organization. They were profound yet simple, striking a chord with many new and old disciples who had previously harbored some reservations. Many showed expressions of shame or sudden realization.

"Today, I will explain to you the true meaning of 'Gathering and scattering are impermanent, all streams return to their source' in the Foundation Building chapter of the 'Flowing Cloud Dao Body'." Shen Mo finally got to the point and began to explain the Dao.

Instead of simply reciting from the textbook, he combined his own cultivation experience with various recent events within the sect to explain the profound Daoist teachings in a way that was easy to understand and contained profound truths.

When discussing the circulation of spiritual energy, he used the example of the Pill Hall improving pill formulas and harmonizing medicinal properties; when discussing the use of divine sense, he used the analogy of the Array Hall deducing and precisely controlling formations; when discussing the cultivation of mind and character, he used the example of the fearless and cooperative spirit of the Battle Hall disciples in battle. Every word he spoke was insightful and thought-provoking.

The disciples below the stage, regardless of their cultivation level, listened with rapt attention. Especially those newly initiated, independent cultivators who had originally practiced unorthodox methods, felt as if they had been enlightened. Many of the difficulties they had encountered in their cultivation suddenly became clear, and their sense of belonging to the sect and their reverence for the sect leader were quietly enhanced under the baptism of the Daoist sound.

The sermon lasted for a full three hours. When Shen Mo's final words, "The Dao follows nature; diligence never ceases," faded into the distance, the entire Daoist platform remained silent, everyone immersed in the lingering essence of the Dao. A moment later, a thunderous roar of respect erupted: "Thank you, Sect Leader, for imparting the Dao!"

Countless disciples' eyes gleamed with excitement and determination. This sermon not only enhanced their cultivation and knowledge, but more importantly, it deeply instilled the beliefs of "self-improvement" and "unity and progress" into everyone's hearts. At this moment, the sect's cohesion was sublimated and strengthened invisibly.