Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

About an incense stick's time after they left the market, the crowd in front of the bulletin board gradually dispersed.

However, the discussion about the "Qingyun Sect's bizarre enrollment guidelines" and Shen Mo's "ancestral teachings" spread quietly like ripples from a stone thrown into a still lake, reaching teahouses, taverns, and every corner of the market.

"Have you heard? That Sect Leader Shen from the Qingyun Sect is talking a good game, even bringing up our patriarch!"

"Pshaw, just a bunch of charlatans! Only a fool would believe that!"

"However... Manager Chen from the Hundred Treasures Pavilion seemed quite polite to him?"

"Yes, Manager Chen is a shrewd man; he won't do anything without a profit. Could it be that the Qingyun Sect really has some kind of backing?"

"Who knows... what if that spiritual eye is real?"

"Even if the Spirit Eye is fake, what if... they really don't care about aptitude? My kid..."

"It's free to go and take a look, at worst it'll be a wasted trip..."

Doubt, ridicule, curiosity, hesitation, and a sliver of hope... all sorts of emotions intertwined and fermented in the hearts of the rogue cultivators at the bottom of the market.

Meanwhile, on Qingyun Mountain, Shen Mo was handing over the purchased supplies to Shi Tie and A Yuan for inventory and storage.

"Sect Leader, how is it? Has anyone signed up?" Shi Tie asked impatiently, his dark face full of anticipation.

Shen Mo shook his head: "It won't be that fast. It will take time for the news to spread. Besides, those who are wavering will have to weigh the pros and cons carefully."

Shi Tie gave a somewhat disappointed "Oh".

Su Xiao vividly recounted what happened in the market, especially how the sect leader dealt with the mockery and his conversation with Manager Chen of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. Shi Tie and A Yuan listened with a mixture of anger, relief, and admiration for the sect leader's composure and wisdom.

"Sect Leader, you're amazing! You managed to intimidate those guys with just a few words!" Shi Tie exclaimed excitedly, waving his fist.

Shen Mo chuckled, "It's not about intimidating, but about making our intentions clear, waiting for those who are willing to take the bait. Alright, let's put this matter aside for now. Junior Brother Tie, how's the 'Heart-Testing Stone' being set up in front of the mountain gate?"

"I did as you said, and found a flat, large bluestone and placed it at the entrance to the mountain!" Shi Tie replied.

"Mm." Shen Mo nodded and continued to instruct, "Junior Sister Xiao, for the next few days, you will stay at the mountain gate. If anyone comes to inquire or register, receive them according to the rules, be neither humble nor arrogant, and tell them the truth. Remember, it is better to have none than to have bad ones."

"Yes, Senior Brother Sect Leader!" Su Xiao replied solemnly.

Shen Mo looked down the mountain, his gaze seemingly piercing through the forest, seeing the bustling market and the souls struggling with their fate.

"Now, all we have to do is wait for good news," he murmured to himself.

......

In the days following the return from posting the notice, the atmosphere at Qingyun Mountain was a mix of excitement and trepidation.

The disciples were full of enthusiasm as they prepared to welcome the new fellow disciples who might arrive, but deep in their hearts, the worry about a quiet ending lingered like a thin mist that never dissipated in the mountains.

Shen Mo remained calm and composed. Every day, he would either meditate beside the Spirit Eye, peruse the jade slips he treasured, guide Shi Tie in honing his bones and muscles, or review the supply list compiled by Su Xiao.

But the occasional glances he cast down the mountain were more profound than usual. The decision to open a sect and accept disciples was a matter of the sect's future fortune, not a trivial matter.

Whether the outside world mocks or observes, what truly matters is whether the sect itself has enough "confidence" to bear the new hope that may come.

Perhaps sensing this invisible pressure, or perhaps it was simply a natural progression, the change arrived quietly on a moonlit night with few stars.

That night, all was quiet except for the chirping of insects and the rustling of the breeze through the treetops. Beside the Spirit Eye, the milky-white spiritual energy seemed even more concentrated and active than usual.

Su Xiao did not fall asleep. She sat alone on the smooth "Enlightenment Stone" next to the Spirit Eye, her eyes slightly closed, her mind focused, and she was fully circulating the "Qi Guiding Technique".

Ever since returning from the market that day, feeling the invisible pressure and scrutiny from the outside world, she had been holding back a lot of energy.

As the sect leader's most capable assistant, she desperately hoped to become stronger, better share the sect leader's burdens, and better uphold the sect's reputation.

She had been stuck at the peak of the first level of Qi Refining for some time. That thin bottleneck seemed easy to break through, but she always fell just short.

Tonight, her mind was exceptionally clear, and the vibrant spiritual energy around her seemed particularly welcoming.

She could clearly feel the trickle of spiritual energy within her body flowing faster and faster along the cultivation path, repeatedly washing over that invisible barrier.

"Almost there...almost there..." Su Xiao thought to herself, fine beads of sweat appearing on her smooth forehead, and her breathing becoming slightly rapid.

Inside the side hall, Shen Mo, who was studying "Detailed Explanation of Basic Formations" with his divine sense, suddenly felt something and abruptly raised his head, his sharp gaze piercing through the wall and looking in the direction of the spiritual eye.

"Is this... a breakthrough?" A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He immediately got up, quietly came outside the hall, stood with his hands behind his back in the shadows, and silently guarded Su Xiao so as not to disturb him.

Meanwhile, Shi Tie, who was sleeping on a straw mat in the corner of the main hall, rubbed his eyes groggily and mumbled as he sat up: "What's going on... why do I feel... the spiritual energy around me... is all messed up?"

He was physically strong and slow to perceive changes in spiritual energy, but at this moment he also vaguely felt that something was wrong.

In the next room, A-Yuan was also awakened from her sleep. Clutching her small blanket, she timidly peeked out and looked at the increasingly dense aura of spiritual energy in the direction of the spiritual eye outside the window. Her little face was full of curiosity and a hint of fear.

Beside the Spirit Eye, Su Xiao had reached the most crucial moment! She gritted her teeth, focused all her attention on her dantian, and guided the increasingly surging spiritual power to launch a final assault on that solid barrier!

boom--!

It was as if a silent thunderclap resounded in her mind! Su Xiao's whole body trembled violently! The barrier that had been blocking her for so long shattered in response!

In an instant, she felt her consciousness expand outwards like a bird breaking free of its shackles! The surrounding environment, which she could only vaguely sense before, became crystal clear!

She could "see" the calm figure of the sect leader in the shadows, "hear" the faint sound of dew sliding off the leaves in the distance, and even vaguely sense the trajectory of the spiritual energy flowing in the air!

The originally weak stream of spiritual energy in her dantian suddenly grew stronger, surging like a small river, flowing through her wider and more resilient meridians!

An unprecedented sense of power and control welled up within me!

Qi Refining Level 2!

Become!

Su Xiao slowly opened her eyes, a flash of light appearing briefly before being replaced by overwhelming joy and excitement! She had successfully broken through!

"Hoo..." She exhaled a long breath, which carried a faint white light that shot out a foot or so before slowly dissipating!

This is a sign of spiritual power improving and beginning to take shape!

"Excellent!" A voice of approval, tinged with satisfaction, came from the shadows. He stepped out, a genuine smile on his face. "Congratulations, Junior Sister Xiao, on taking another step forward on the path to enlightenment!"

"Sect Leader... Senior Brother!" Su Xiao hurriedly stood up and was about to bow excitedly, but Shen Mo raised his hand to stop her.

"Stabilizing your cultivation level is crucial," Shen Mo said gently. "Feel the difference at the second level of Qi Refining."

Su Xiao nodded vigorously, closed her eyes again, and carefully felt the surging power in her body and her more acute senses. The corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

The commotion finally woke up the others.

Shi Tie, wearing an overcoat, came running over, his eyes wide as he stared at the still-fluctuating spiritual energy around Su Xiao. He asked in a muffled voice, "Sect Leader! Junior Sister Su...she's broken through?!"

"Mm." Shen Mo nodded with a smile.

"That's fantastic!" Shi Tie slapped his thigh and grinned, even happier than when he himself had broken through to the next level. "Hahaha! Junior Sister Su is amazing! Our Qingyun Sect finally has another Qi Refining Level 2 cultivator!"

A-Yuan ran over barefoot, looking up at Su Xiao with admiration: "Senior Sister Su, you're so amazing!"

Su Xiao squatted down, patted A Yuan's head, and smiled gently: "A Yuan will be just as amazing in the future."