Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Cola Novels: turn the page and you're in another world.

Under the reverent, excited, and curious gazes of countless disciples, Shen Mo and his companions were escorted back to the main peak's council hall. Sun Hao, Xiong Meng, and other core disciples, who had already received the news and rushed back from Black Stone Village and Shadowmoon Valley, were also gathered there, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere.

"Sect Leader! You're finally back! Rumors are flying everywhere! They say there's been a huge fight in the secret realm, with Golden Core cultivators making a move and an ancient demon awakening. Is that true?" Sun Hao, being impatient, couldn't help but ask first.

Although Shi Tie was seriously injured, he was in high spirits now that he was back on his own turf. Hearing this, he laughed and said eagerly, "Of course it's true! Let me tell you, the scene back then..."

He spoke with great enthusiasm, vividly recounting his experiences in the secret realm, especially the perilous confrontation with the Blazing Sun Sect and their joint efforts to seal the demon. He embellished the story, eliciting gasps of surprise from the crowd, who clenched their fists in tension at times and felt their blood boil with excitement at others.

Su Xiao occasionally added details, while Zhao Qingyan succinctly explained the key role of the formation. Shen Mo remained silent most of the time, simply adjusting his breathing, but everyone knew that the true core and decision-maker was always this seemingly calm sect leader.

When they heard that Shen Mo, with his late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, had fought the elders of the Blazing Sun Sect to a standstill, and in the end, he had crucially activated the power of the secret realm to seal the demon, even forcing the Golden Core cultivators of the Blazing Sun Sect to sit down and negotiate, reaching an agreement, the entire hall erupted in cheers!

"The sect leader is mighty!"

"May God bless my Qingyun!"

"Let's see who dares to look down on us now!"

The disciples were filled with excitement, a sense of pride and belonging welling up within them. In the past, Qingyun Sect was just an insignificant little sect in the southern region of the Eastern Wilderness, and was often bullied.

Now, the sect leader has actually managed to stand up to the elders of the Blazing Sun Sect and negotiate with a Golden Core cultivator—this is simply an unbelievable feat! The sect's prestige will surely soar because of this battle!

Elder Han Lin stroked his beard and sighed deeply, tears welling in his eyes: "May our ancestors bless us! May Patriarch Liuyun bless us! Our Qingyun Sect finally has hope!"

Li Xiaocao's face flushed with excitement, and her gaze towards Shen Mo was filled with admiration.

Shen Mo raised his hand to suppress the crowd's excitement. His voice, though soft, clearly reached everyone's ears: "This battle was a narrow victory, achieved by the blessing of our ancestor and the united efforts of all fellow disciples. However, the crisis is not over, and the agreement is not a long-term solution."

"The Blazing Sun Sect is eyeing us covetously, the secret realm's treasures are attracting attention from all sides, and powerful enemies surround us. Although our sect has gained a temporary respite, we must work even harder to improve our strength! Today's prestige must be supported by tomorrow's strength; otherwise, it will be nothing but a mirage, only bringing trouble!"

His gaze swept over every core disciple present: "Pass down the order: for the sect's three-day celebration, all disciples' rewards will be doubled! But after the celebration, you must cultivate even more diligently. The Pill Hall, Weapon Hall, Array Hall, and Battle Hall, each fulfilling their duties, must strive to improve! The inheritances obtained in the secret realm will be passed on to the most outstanding among them! Our Qingyun Sect should seize this opportunity to truly rise!"

"We will obey the sect leader's decree!" The crowd responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the hall, their eyes burning with the flame of determination.

In the following days, Qingyun Mountain became a sea of ​​joy. During the three-day celebration, there was an abundance of spiritual wine and fruit, continuous lectures and transmission of skills, and the disciples' morale was high, with their enthusiasm for cultivation reaching unprecedented heights.

The story of Shen Mo's undefeated struggle against the elders of the Lieyang Sect and his joint efforts to seal the demon also spread rapidly throughout the Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness and its surrounding areas through channels such as the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

Initially, many scoffed, believing it to be hearsay. A late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator directly confronting an elder of the Blazing Sun Sect? And negotiating with a Golden Core cultivator? It was utterly absurd!

However, as more details emerged, especially the strange silence from the Lieyang Sect and the corroboration from some cultivators who were near the secret realm at the time and felt the earth-shattering energy fluctuations, the rumors gradually became credible.

"Have you heard? Shen Mo, the young sect leader of Qingyun Sect, is quite something! In the Liuyun Secret Realm, he fought Chixiao Shangren of Lieyang Sect for three hundred rounds to a draw!"

"More than that! I heard that when the ancient demon finally awakened, it was he who made the crucial move, activating the power of the secret realm, and together with True Immortal Chiyang, they managed to seal the demon away!"

"The Blazing Sun Sect has even reached an agreement with them to share the resources of the secret realm! The Azure Cloud Sect is about to rise to power!"

"I'd never heard of this small sect before; I never imagined it was so well-hidden! Shen Mo must have received the true teachings of Master Liuyun!"

Teahouses, taverns, markets, and gatherings—everywhere was the talk of the town, and the name of Shen Mo. This previously unknown little sect had suddenly become the focus of attention in the surrounding area.

Many independent cultivators and small forces began to reassess their relationship with the Qingyun Sect. Some surrounding forces that were originally dissatisfied with the Qingyun Sect's occupation of Black Stone Village and Shadow Moon Valley also quietly restrained their claws and became more polite.

Some small families and independent cultivators even considered joining the sect and tried to find out the entry requirements for the Qingyun Sect through various channels.

The Qingyun Sect rose to fame in one battle, and its reputation soared!

The Qingyun Sect rose to fame in one battle, and its reputation soared!

However, despite this seemingly favorable situation, Shen Mo remained unusually clear-headed.

Inside the main hall of the sect leader, Shen Mo, whose injuries had recovered to about 70-80%, was having a private conversation with Su Xiao and Han Lin.

"Junior Sister Xiao, how is the outside world reacting?" Shen Mo asked.

Su Xiao's expression was solemn: "Reporting to Senior Brother Sect Leader, the news spread very quickly, and the effect was even better than expected. Many independent cultivators and small forces expressed goodwill, and some even showed interest in actively joining us. However... the Blazing Sun Sect, apart from tacitly acknowledging the existence of the agreement, has not made any further statements, and their silence is somewhat abnormal."

"Furthermore, according to the secret report from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, the people from Burning Heaven Valley and Five Poisons Sect have been frequently active on the border recently, seemingly paying close attention to the unusual activity in the secret realm. Also... several second-rate forces that have had friction with us in the past, such as the Earthly Fiend Gang and the Black Water Gate, are also making moves."

Han Lin added, "Sect Leader, the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow. Our sect is now in the eye of the storm, which is both an opportunity and a risk. There are probably quite a few who covet the secret realm and are wary of our sect's rise."

Shen Mo nodded, his gaze profound: "As expected. Empty fame is exhausting; the real test has only just begun. The Blazing Sun Sect's temporary silence is both a recuperation and a wait-and-see approach. The other forces, on the other hand, are like sharks swarming at the scent of blood. Agreements cannot stop greed; strength is the only true measure."

He pondered for a moment and then instructed, "Elder Han, conduct rigorous screening of new recruits; better to have none than to have unqualified ones. Junior Sister Xiao, intensify intelligence gathering efforts, especially regarding information about the fragments of the 'Boundary-Stabilizing Compass,' which should be given the highest priority."

"In addition, spread rumors that the core of the secret realm has undergone an unusual and extremely dangerous change. Although the ancient demon has been sealed, the hidden danger has not been eliminated, and an even stronger restriction has been awakened, making it impossible for anyone but a Golden Core cultivator to enter. This is a way to dampen expectations and prevent everyone from treating us like pushovers."

"Yes!" Su Xiao and Han Lin accepted the order.

"Furthermore," a glint of light flashed in Shen Mo's eyes, "it's time to make 'Black Stone Village' and 'Shadow Moon Valley' a little more 'active'. Let Shi Tie and Sun Hao go out occasionally to 'suppress bandits' and 'explore,' flexing their muscles and also probing the strength of the surrounding forces."

Su Xiao and Han Lin exchanged a glance and understood Shen Mo's intention: to maintain his reputation while avoiding becoming a target of public criticism, and to strike a balance between reality and illusion.

"Understood, Senior Brother Sect Leader, we'll make the arrangements right away."