Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Inside the "Deduction Pavilion" of the Array Hall, Zhao Qingyan was floating in mid-air, her fingertips swirling with pale blue spiritual light. A huge array diagram floated beneath her feet, a linked model of the "Minor Nine Palaces Flowing Cloud Array" and the Black Stone Village branch array.

Within the array, the points of light representing spiritual energy flowed slowly along the pre-set paths, occasionally flickering slightly at certain nodes, as if encountering an obstacle.

"Still here..." Zhao Qingyan frowned, her fingertip touching the "Xun" position of the array eye, and the spiritual light suddenly became chaotic. She closed her eyes, her consciousness sinking into the array diagram, as if she could see countless tiny threads of spiritual energy intertwining and repelling each other.

Footsteps sounded outside the pavilion, and Su Xiao's voice was tinged with laughter: "Junior Sister Qingyan, studying formations again?"

Zhao Qingyan opened her eyes and saw Su Xiao standing at the door holding a food box. She quickly put away the array diagram and said, "Senior Sister Su, what brings you here?"

"I brought you some food." Su Xiao walked in and placed the food box on the stone table. "Elder Han said you haven't left the Divination Pavilion for three days and was worried you might be hungry."

Zhao Qingyan opened the food box, inside were several pieces of osmanthus cake and a bowl of spirit rice porridge, still steaming. She picked up a piece of osmanthus cake, took a bite, and the sweet fragrance melted on her tongue: "Thank you, Senior Sister Su."

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Su Xiao sat down opposite her, his gaze falling on the array diagram. "Is this the linkage diagram between the mountain-protecting array and the branch hall? How's the progress?"

A hint of joy flashed in Zhao Qingyan's eyes: "It's done! I tried it three times just now, and the flow of spiritual energy is finally smooth. It's just that the array eye in the 'Xun position' still needs to be reinforced with 'Void Stones,' otherwise it will easily collapse under strong attack."

"Void Stones?" Su Xiao thought for a moment. "There are three left in the warehouse. I'll have Elder Han bring them over to you this afternoon."

"That's wonderful!" Zhao Qingyan was so excited she almost stood up. The hem of her plain white Taoist robe swept across the ground. "Senior Sister Su, you don't know, once this linkage formation is complete, when a branch hall is attacked, the mountain-protecting formation can respond immediately, doubling the speed of support! Last time, when Black Stone Village was attacked by monsters, it was because the formation wasn't working properly that we received reinforcements half an incense stick later..."

She became more and more excited as she spoke, gesturing in the air with her fingertips: "Look, this is the 'central hub' of the main formation, and these are the 'nodes' of the branch formations. The spiritual energy is connected through the 'flowing cloud patterns,' just like... just like the meridians in the human body! As long as one place moves, the whole body can feel it!"

Su Xiao looked at her shining eyes and couldn't help but laugh: "Look how happy you are, like a child. But it's really something to be happy about. Once this formation is complete, the sect's defenses will be impregnable."

"Not just defense!" Zhao Qingyan suddenly lowered her voice, "I also added an 'early warning' function to the array diagram. Once an enemy approaches within 500 feet of the branch hall, the central array eye will light up as a warning, and Senior Sister Su's Shadow Guards will receive the message immediately."

A glint of light flashed in Su Xiao's eyes: "That's a good idea. But wouldn't the 'early warning' function consume too much spiritual energy?"

"No," Zhao Qingyan shook her head. "I use the principle of 'spiritual resonance,' which only triggers when an enemy gets close and consumes almost no energy at other times."

She paused, then added, "By the way, Senior Sister Li Xiaocao said that her newly refined 'Concentration Pill' can help disciples enhance their spiritual sense. After taking it, the disciples of the Array Hall can improve the accuracy of their array control by 30%."

Su Xiao nodded: "I'll talk to Senior Sister Li later and ask her to refine a few more batches. By the way, Elder Shi just sent word that he defeated the Crimson Flame Guards of Burning Heaven Valley and reclaimed the Fire Crystal Mine."

"Really?" Zhao Qingyan was both surprised and delighted. "Elder Shi is truly brave! With him and Zhan Tang here, the border will definitely be secure."

"Yes." Su Xiao looked out the window. Sunlight streamed through the windowpane and shone on the array diagram, making the spiritual energy dots seem to come alive. "Before Sect Leader Shen went into seclusion, he said that the sect was now 'ready for everything except the east wind.' Now it seems that this 'east wind' is the result of his seclusion. We disciples must take good care of our home."

Zhao Qingyan nodded solemnly, her fingertips touching the array diagram again. This time, the spiritual energy flowed smoothly through the "Xun position," and the entire array diagram emitted a soft blue light, like a tranquil starry sky.

In the herb garden of Dantang, the world described by Mayday is all contained in "Gou Zai Fei Men Bian Shenhua" (苟在废门编神话). Li Xiaocao is squatting in front of a "star-patterned grass" (星纹草), her nose almost touching the leaves. She is wearing a green dress, with a dried "concentration flower" (凝神花) in her hair, and her skirt is covered with mud, like a village girl who has just returned from the fields.

"Senior Sister Xiaocao!" Wang Ergou's voice came from behind, "Look at the 'Fire Crystal Grass' I just picked! Elder Shi brought it back from Blackwater Marsh, saying it's for you to use in alchemy!"

Li Xiaocao turned around and saw Wang Ergou holding a tattered cloth bag containing several herbs with reddish leaves. Her eyes lit up: "Fire Crystal Grass? This is the main ingredient for refining the 'Crimson Sun Pill'! Wang Ergou, where did you get this?"

"It was given to me by a disciple of the Battle Hall." Wang Ergou scratched his head and laughed. "Elder Shi said that this grass grows next to the fire crystal mine and can dispel cold. He asked you to try adding it to the Foundation Establishment Pill."

Li Xiaocao took the herbs, her fingertips gently brushing the leaves, feeling the warm spiritual energy they contained: "This herb is potent; adding it directly might cause the furnace to explode... But perhaps it can be neutralized with 'Moonlight Orchid'?" She suddenly stood up, patting the dirt off her skirt, "Let's go! Let's try the new formula in the alchemy room!"

With a flick of her fingertips, seven-colored flames burst forth in the furnace—this was the "Spirit Flame Technique" she had learned from the Flowing Cloud Secret Realm, which allowed her to precisely control the heat.

"Gurgle, gurgle..." A soft boiling sound came from the furnace. Li Xiaocao was completely focused, not even noticing the beads of sweat sliding into her eyes. She remembered what Shen Mo had said before he went into seclusion: "The path of alchemy is like life; the timing and degree of control are paramount."

Suddenly, the furnace lid was pushed open with a "bang," and three bright red pills rolled out, their surfaces shimmering with faint golden patterns and radiating a scorching heat.

"It's done!" Li Xiaocao jumped up in surprise. "The Crimson Sun Foundation Building Pill! It can both build a foundation and dispel the cold, perfect for disciples from the north!"

She was about to reach for it when Wang Ergou stopped her, saying, "Senior Sister, be careful! This pill looks hot!"

Li Xiaocao laughed and slapped his hand away: "It's alright, this pill is mild and won't harm anyone." She picked up a pill, smelled it, and nodded in satisfaction, "Even better than expected!"

Just then, Su Xiao's voice came from outside the door: "Junior Sister Xiao Cao, refining pills again?"

Li Xiaocao quickly put away the pills and wiped her hands. "Senior Sister Su! You've come at the right time. I just refined the 'Crimson Sun Foundation Building Pill.' Would you like to try it?"

Su Xiao walked in and saw the remaining seven-colored flames in the alchemy furnace. A hint of approval flashed in her eyes: "You've improved the alchemy formula again? What is it this time?"

"It's made with Fire Crystal Grass from Blackwater Marsh and Moonshadow Orchid from Yin Wind Valley. It can dispel cold and strengthen the body's foundation." Li Xiaocao proudly presented the pill, "Look how beautiful the patterns are!"

Su Xiao took the pill, feeling its warmth in his hand. The fragrance of the pill carried a hint of domineering fire, yet it was perfectly neutralized by the coolness of the Moon Shadow Orchid: "Excellent pill! I'll give it to the new disciples to try later, especially those from the north, whose constitutions tend to be cold, they really need this."

"Yes!" Li Xiaocao nodded vigorously. "I'll write it down in the 'Alchemy Classic' and show it to everyone at the next sect competition!"

Seeing her excited expression, Su Xiao couldn't help but laugh and said, "Don't just focus on refining pills, remember to eat on time. Elder Han said you've lost two pounds this month."

"Okay!" Li Xiaocao stuck out her tongue. "Once this batch of pills is finished, I'm going to the dining hall for two big bowls of braised pork!"

As the two were talking, Zhao Qingyan's voice came from outside the door: "Senior Sister Su, are you there? I need to report to you about the array linkage..."

"I'm here!" Su Xiao replied, winking at Li Xiaocao. "Looks like there's good news from both the Pill Hall and the Array Hall today. We should celebrate!"

Li Xiaocao hurriedly went to get the wine jug: "I have some 'Osmanthus Wine' that I bought from the foot of the mountain last time, I've saved it for you and Senior Sister Zhao!"

The alchemy room suddenly became lively. Su Xiao, Zhao Qingyan, and Li Xiaocao sat together, drinking osmanthus wine and talking about their respective progress.