Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

If you could only read one fantasy novel in your life, it would probably be "Gou Zai Fei Men Bian Shenhua" (苟在废门编神话).

Upon hearing the news, the Valley Master of Baicao Valley rushed over and personally invited Mu Qingqing to stay in Baicao Valley as a guest alchemist, but she politely declined: "Thank you for your kindness, Valley Master, but I still need to return to my sect to report."

As Mu Qingqing left Hundred Herbs Valley, she received a message from Li Xiaocao on a jade slip: "Qingqing, well done! I've already memorized the recipe for 'Seven-Colored Spiritual Flame' in the 'Alchemy Classic.' I'll show it to everyone at the next sect competition!"

Mu Qingqing smiled, looking up towards Qingyun Mountain, her heart filled with pride. She knew that she represented not only the Qingyun Sect, but also the "Liuyun Lineage" that Sect Leader Shen Mo had spoken of.

Qingyun Mountain, Moyun Pavilion.

Su Xiao looked at the two secret reports in his hand. One was the news that Jin Hao had won the "Sword Trial Tournament" and the other was the report that Mu Qingqing had impressed everyone in Baicao Valley.

A smile appeared on her lips as she placed the secret report on the table and said to Han Lin beside her, "Elder Han, look, the new generation of our Qingyun Sect is truly promising."

Han Lin stroked his beard, his eyes filled with satisfaction: "Yes, Jin Hao has Elder Shi's demeanor; Qingqing has Junior Sister Li's intelligence. The sect leader's seclusion was the right decision."

"However," Su Xiao changed the subject, "the people from the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect probably won't let this go easily. Now that Jin Hao has won the championship, they will definitely turn their attention to the Azure Cloud Sect."

Han Lin nodded: "I've instructed the Shadow Guards to keep a close eye on their movements. Also, Elder Shi has reported that he has repelled the second provocation from Burning Heaven Valley and seized a batch of 'Fire Crystals'."

"Alright." Su Xiao stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the Sword Sharpening Cliff in the distance. "With the sect leader in seclusion, we disciples must take good care of our home. Jin Hao and Mu Qingqing are making a name for themselves outside, so we must also intensify our cultivation inside and not hold the sect back."

Han Lin also stood up and walked to her side: "Yes, when the sect leader comes out of seclusion and sees that we have managed the sect in an orderly manner and that all the disciples have become successful, he will be very happy."

Outside the window, the setting sun bathed Qingyun Mountain in gold. In the training ground, A Yuan continued practicing her swordplay, her sword energy sweeping across the scene, scattering fallen leaves. In the alchemy hall, Li Xiaocao hummed a little tune, cultivating new spiritual herbs. In the array hall, Zhao Qingyan's fingertips danced with spiritual light, deducing a new array…

......

As soon as the Baibaoge caravan set up camp at the foot of Qingyun Mountain, Chen Hao jumped off the carriage. His brocade robe was stained with mud, but he didn't seem to care.

He looked up at the three gilded characters "Qingyun Gate" on the mountain gate and clicked his tongue twice: "When I came here three years ago, this mountain gate was just a bunch of broken wooden planks nailed together. Now it looks quite impressive."

"Manager Chen!" Wang Ergou rushed out of the door, a freshly washed towel draped over his shoulder. "You've finally arrived! Elder Han is waiting for you in the main hall. He said we need to discuss the order details this time."

Chen Hao took the towel and wiped his sweat, but his eyes glanced towards the weapon hall: "No rush. A few of my familiar rogue cultivator friends asked me to inquire about the availability of the 'Azure Cloud Sword.' I heard that at the last sword-testing tournament, Senior Brother Jin Hao used that sword to cleave the Crimson Flame Blade of the Blazing Sun Sect?"

"Absolutely!" Wang Ergou puffed out his chest. "Our Qingyun Sword is made of Flowing Cloud Steel, mixed with Star Pattern Iron. It's engraved with 'Hidden Edge Pattern' on the blade, cutting through iron like mud and even has a built-in force-dissipating array! Last month, the Heavenly Sword Sect ordered eighty of them at once, saying they wanted them as standard issue for their inner disciples!"

Chen Hao clicked his tongue in amazement: "Wow, this is a huge business."

He patted Wang Ergou on the shoulder, "Come on, take me to see Elder Han, and while we're at it, let's take a look at your weapon-making workshop—I still have three jin of Xuan Yin Iron waiting to be exchanged for a sword."

Inside the main hall, Han Lin was frowning at the account book when he saw Chen Hao enter. He quickly stood up to greet him: "Manager Chen, what a rare guest! Please have a seat. I have already asked Elder Su Xiao to prepare the payment for the 'Concentration Flower' from last time."

"Elder Han, you're too kind." Chen Hao sat down on the rosewood chair, took out a brocade box from his sleeve and pushed it over. "It's a small token of my appreciation. It's 'Fire Crystal Sand' from the Western Regions, for the Pill Refining Hall to use. It can enhance the quality of the pills by three points."

Han Lin opened the brocade box and saw that it contained dark red fine sand. He nodded, "That's thoughtful. But I'm afraid you didn't come just to catch up with old friends?"

"As expected, I couldn't hide it from you." Chen Hao said seriously, "All twelve branches under the Hundred Treasures Pavilion want to resell Qingyun Sect's goods. Flowing Cloud Pill, Qingyun Sword, Small Nine Palaces Array Plate, Cloud Mist Talisman—these four items are selling like hotcakes in the Southern Region's cultivation market! Last time, the people from Burning Heaven Valley came to buy Flowing Cloud Pills, offering 20% ​​more than the Heavenly Sword Sect. What do you think…"

Han Lin stroked his beard and smiled: "Manager Chen is well-informed. However, there aren't many goods, so they have to be delivered in order: the Azure Cloud Sword ordered by the Heavenly Sword Sect will be delivered next month, the Flowing Cloud Pill for the Blazing Sun Sect will have to wait for Elder Li Xiaocao's new formula, there are only twenty sets of the Small Nine Palaces Array Plate, and the Cloud Mist Talisman..."

He pointed out the window, "Elder Qian of Futang said that production is limited this month, and priority will be given to Zhantang."

Chen Hao panicked: "Then could we... order another batch? Double the price!"

"Even doubling the price won't work." Han Lin waved his hand. "Before the sect leader went into seclusion, he said that the four products are the foundation of the sect, and we should be selective and not accept inferior products. If you really want them, send over the Xuan Yin Iron first—Master Zhao Tiechui said that it can be used to forge the 'Xuanbing Sword,' which is even rarer than the Qingyun Sword."

Chen Hao's eyes darted around, and he pulled out a list from his pocket: "What a coincidence! I brought five catties of Xuan Yin Iron, three Concentration Flowers, and two Void Stones this time... Is that enough to exchange for thirty Azure Cloud Swords?"

Han Lin's eyes lit up, and he was about to speak when footsteps sounded outside the hall. Su Xiao walked in carrying a food box. Seeing Chen Hao there, she smiled and said, "Manager Chen, are you here to discuss business again? Have something to eat first. This is the 'Spirit Rice Cake' that Dan Tang just steamed. It has star-patterned grass juice added, so it's sweet but not greasy."

Chen Hao took the food box, tasted a piece of pastry, and his eyes immediately curved into crescents: "Delicious! Even better than the 'Jade Dew Cake' from Hundred Herbs Valley! Elder Su, your Pill Hall is truly a place where dragons and tigers reside."

Su Xiao sat down opposite him, tapping the ledger on the table with her fingertips: "If Manager Chen likes them, I'll have Elder Li Xiaocao pack a couple of boxes for you later. But speaking of which, could your branch of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion keep an eye out for some spiritual materials for us? Like 'Millennium Fire Ginseng' or 'Mysterious Ice Soul,' those are exactly what our sect's disciples are lacking in their cultivation."

"No problem!" Chen Hao patted his chest. "Whatever Qingyun Sect needs in the future, Baibao Pavilion will give priority to supplying it! It's just that..." He lowered his voice, "People from Lieyang Sect and Tianjian Sect have been asking about the distribution of your spiritual veins lately, so you need to be more careful."

Su Xiao's expression hardened: "Thank you for the reminder. The Shadow Guards are already watching them."

In the medicinal herb garden of Dantang, Li Xiaocao was squatting by the experimental field of "Star Pattern Grass," her nose covered in mud, looking like a village girl who had just dug for food in the fields. Behind her stood Mu Qingqing and A Yuan, both holding freshly picked herbs in their hands, their eyes focused.

"Qingqing, look at this one." Li Xiaocao pointed to a star-patterned grass with reddish leaves. "It was grown in the silt of the Blackwater Marsh. Its medicinal properties are 30% stronger. It's perfect for dispelling the cold for the disciples of the Battle Hall when paired with the Crimson Sun Pill."

Mu Qingqing leaned closer to smell it, her brows furrowing slightly: "It is a bit strong... but after Wang Ergou tried it last time, he said he felt warm all over, and even his rheumatism didn't flare up anymore."

"That's right!" Li Xiaocao clapped her hands excitedly. "Once this batch of herbs matures, I'll show you my 'Seven Stars Gathering Fire Pill,' made with seven kinds of fire-attribute spiritual herbs and my 'Seven-Colored Spiritual Flame.' I guarantee it'll be even more effective than the 'Heaven-Burning Pill' from the Blazing Sun Sect!"

Suddenly, A-Yuan exclaimed, pointing to the weeds along the edge of the field: "Senior sister, these grass leaves have golden threads! Is it 'Golden Thread Grass'?"