Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Qingyun Mountain, whose main peak square is usually shrouded in mist and quiet and secluded, is now bustling with people and sparkling with spiritual light, resembling a grand gathering of immortals.

Dozens of temporary sandalwood tables were arranged in a staggered manner, covered with moon-white brocade. Spiritual tea steamed on them, releasing a refreshing aroma, while various spiritual fruits were crystal clear and radiated spiritual light.

Cultivators dressed in various sect costumes, with cultivation levels ranging from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment, either chatted in small groups or sipped tea alone while secretly observing. Their gazes involuntarily drifted toward the towering main hall, half-hidden in the clouds, their eyes filled with curiosity, awe, inquiry, and even a hint of barely perceptible flattery and eagerness.

This bustling scene is a complete transformation for Qingyun Sect, which was a remote and deserted place just a few years ago.

The change stemmed from the battle at the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm that shook the Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness a few months ago. The story of Sect Leader Shen Mo, with his late Foundation Establishment cultivation, fighting against the elders of the Blazing Sun Sect without defeat, and even joining forces with a Golden Core cultivator to seal an ancient demon, had already been spread far and wide through channels such as the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, embellished with extra details.

The Qingyun Sect and Shen Mo's name were once unparalleled in popularity.

"Look! That's Wang Mang, the vice leader of the Blackwater Gang! A mid-Foundation Establishment expert! We used to have to take a detour when we ran into him in the Blackwater Marsh, but now he's come in person, and with generous gifts!" A young outer disciple guarding the edge of the square excitedly tugged at his companion's sleeve and said in a low voice, his face full of pride.

His companion was also excited, his gaze sweeping over the rarely seen figures in the arena. He clicked his tongue and exclaimed, "More than that! See that old man with the white beard? Lin Yuanshan, the patriarch of the Lin family! The Lin family is a powerful clan with a late-stage Foundation Establishment ancestor in charge, controlling several bustling markets!"

"And over there, the weapon-refining elder from the Golden Stone Sect, the alchemist from the Flowing Fire Valley... Good heavens, all the big shots who are usually impossible to invite are here today! They've all come because of our sect leader's reputation!"

"Of course! Our sect leader dared to confront even the elders of the Blazing Sun Sect head-on, and even joined forces to seal the demon. With such strength and courage, who wouldn't respect him?" The disciple straightened his back, as if that glory had also been bestowed upon him.

The other Qingyun Sect disciples on duty around them were conscientious in maintaining order, but the pride and confidence between their brows could not be hidden.

Inside the main council hall, the atmosphere was far less relaxed than in the plaza. Although equally full of distinguished guests, a more somber air permeated the space.

Sect Leader Shen Mo sat upright in the main seat, wearing a simple blue Taoist robe that made his face look pale from blood loss. His aura had not fully recovered to its peak, but his deep eyes were calmer than ever before, as if they could reflect the turmoil of the world and see through the wickedness of people's hearts.

To the left and right of the lower group, all the core high-ranking members of the sect, including Han Lin, Su Xiao, Shi Tie, Zhao Qingyan, and Li Xiaocao, were present. Even Sun Hao and Xiong Meng, who had been stationed at Black Stone Village for many years, were urgently recalled.

The hall was filled with people, yet no one made a sound; all eyes were focused on Elder Han Lin, who was giving his report.

Han Lin held a jade slip in his hand, his face solemn, his voice steady yet clear as he read aloud the list of various forces that had visited recently and even today, the gifts they had presented, and their stated purposes.

His face showed little joy, but rather a hint of barely perceptible worry.

"...Wang Mang, the deputy leader of the Blackwater Gang, personally came and presented 100 catties of 'Centennial Blackwater Mystic Iron,' 10 'Ghost Pearls,' and 1,000 high-grade spirit stones. He said that they used to live next door to each other, and there had been occasional misunderstandings, which was truly inappropriate."

"I wish to turn hostility into friendship from this point forward, and acknowledge our sect's jurisdiction over the area within three hundred li around Black Stone Village. I also hope to open trade routes and provide our sect with exclusive stalls in the 'Blackwater Market' under their control, for mutual benefit," Han Lin read aloud.

Before he could finish speaking, the hot-tempered Shi Tie couldn't help but snort coldly and interrupt in a gruff voice, "Bah! That old mudfish Wang Mang! All talk and no action! He wasn't this polite when he was robbing our mines and raiding our caravans!"

"Now that we've got a strong fist, you're wagging your tail? I think he's like a weasel paying respects to a chicken—he's up to no good! Who knows what kind of evil scheme he's plotting!"

Su Xiao, who was sitting to the side, frowned slightly and gently advised, "Senior Brother Tie, please calm down. The Blackwater Gang has been entrenched in the Blackwater Marsh for many years and controls the main road leading to the southern region. Its leader is a late Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"They have taken the initiative to make overtures, acknowledging our sect's sphere of influence and opening up our markets. If this can ease tensions, it will certainly benefit our sect's future development of trade and acquisition of southern specialty resources. Of course, we still need to carefully observe the depth of their sincerity and must be wary."

Sitting upright in the main seat, Shen Mo unconsciously tapped his fingertips lightly on the armrest of his chair, without immediately expressing his opinion. Seeing this, Han Lin continued reading:

"Lin Yuanshan, the elder of the Lin family, presented a piece of 'Millennial Warm Jade,' fifty sticks of 'Mind-Calming Incense,' and five 'Jade Marrow Fungus,' a fourth-grade spiritual herb. He said that his family has always admired the Taoist methods of Ancestor Liuyun and admired the young and promising Sect Leader Shen, and wished to form a brotherhood alliance with our sect."

"They acknowledge our clan's jurisdiction over Shadowmoon Valley and the surrounding two hundred miles, and hope to cooperate deeply in the areas of pill refining and spiritual plant cultivation. At the same time... they hope to send three outstanding disciples from their clan to our clan for cultivation, and are willing to offer one-tenth of the profits from three of their clan's markets as tuition fees."

Zhao Qingyan, who was in charge of the array hall and some internal affairs, raised her cold eyes and spoke in a voice like the gentle tapping of a jade chime: "The Lin family is a business family, skilled in calculation, and their family businesses are spread across several counties. This alliance is a pretense; their true intention is to use my sect to establish its new reputation and expand its influence, and even to spy on my alchemy and array inheritance."

"The 10% stake in those three markets may seem substantial, but in reality, it binds our interests to theirs. However, if they are truly sincere, accepting a few outer disciples in exchange for actual resources and business channels is not out of the question. But a strict contract must be signed, the core inheritance must never be lightly passed on, and new disciples must undergo rigorous testing through the 'Heart-Questioning Array'."

"The Golden Stone Sect has presented 500 catties of top-grade 'Red Copper Essence' and 100 pieces of third-tier 'Melting Fire Crystals,' acknowledging our sect's jurisdiction over the foothills 400 li west of Eagle Beak Gorge, and is willing to prioritize supplying our sect with refining materials at 80% of the market price..."

"Liu Huo Valley has gifted us ten 'Earthfire Lotus Seeds' and three fourth-tier 'Blazing Sun Grasses,' acknowledging our sect's jurisdiction over the Dark River Ferry and the downstream waters for a hundred miles. They are also willing to open their 'Earthfire Cave' for our sect's Alchemy Hall and Weaponry Hall to use..."

"Seven Star Sect..."

"The Zhao family (the lineage of Zhao Yuanming from Blackstone City)..."

Han Lin read them all aloud. The gifts became increasingly valuable, and the promised sphere of influence grew larger and larger. From the original strongholds such as Black Stone Village and Shadow Moon Valley, the influence expanded outwards, encompassing almost half of the southwestern foothills of the Black Wind Mountains within the Qingyun Sect's "sphere of influence."

Their intentions were nothing more than to make friends, form alliances, become vassals, or send their children to study.

Some of the younger core disciples in the hall, such as Sun Hao and Xiong Meng, couldn't help but show excitement on their faces.

Sun Hao clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Sect Leader Brother! This is wonderful news! In the past, which of these forces wasn't arrogant and haughty? Now, however, they are vying to acknowledge our territory and offer generous gifts!"

"This proves that our Qingyun Sect has truly risen! We should seize this opportunity to gather allies and firmly control this vast area!"

Xiong Meng grinned and said, "That's right! Senior Brother Sect Leader! From now on, we'll be in charge of this territory! Let's see who dares to cause trouble! We'll accept their gifts, get them to do our bidding for us, and mine resources. What do we have to worry about if our sect doesn't prosper?"

Some of the disciples nodded in agreement, clearly encouraged by this unexpected "grand occasion".