Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Other teams also experienced similar small-scale battles or gathering challenges. In the unique environment of the secret realm and with a common goal, the boundaries of origin and sect began to blur, and the identity of "teammates" took its place.

When they worked together to slay the monsters and share the spoils, a subtle sense of belonging quietly grew within them.

After the trial, the students returned to the academy with a wealth of knowledge and memories of their first time fighting side by side. Although exhausted, their eyes shone brightly as they excitedly shared their experiences in the secret realm.

In the days that followed, the academy's teaching got on track. The curriculum was well-organized and fulfilling.

Basic theory was taught by experienced and prudent instructors such as Qingxu Sanren, while practical courses such as combat, alchemy, weaponry, and formations were mainly taught by the young talents of Qingyun Sect.

金浩的「实战演练」课，是很多学员又爱又怕的科目。演武场上，他要求极为严格，讲解剑法、身法、合击之术细緻入微，但对练时毫不留情，常常把学员揍得鼻青脸肿。

"Your sword strikes must be fast! Accurate! Your spiritual energy flow must be smooth! Have you not eaten?"

Jin Hao kicked a student whose movements were distorted, sending him flying. He shouted sternly, "In battle, even the slightest hesitation can mean life or death! Shi Dan! You're strong, but too straightforward! You need to learn to use feints and deception!"

"Mu Xiaoyun is agile, but her attacks are weak! Chen Feng! Fire magic isn't for indiscriminate burning! Control! Precision!"

Under his "torture," the students' combat skills improved rapidly. At first, the disciples from the major sects were somewhat unconvinced, feeling that Jin Hao's swordsmanship was not as exquisite as their own. However, after several sparring sessions, they discovered that Jin Hao taught the most practical and efficient fighting techniques, without any fancy tricks, and they were finally convinced.

Mu Qingqing's "Basic Alchemy" course is one of the most popular courses. In the alchemy room, she patiently explains pharmacology, heat control, and the secrets of alchemy, and personally demonstrates the alchemy process. The air is filled with the aroma of medicine, and her techniques are fluid and graceful, leaving everyone in awe.

"Refining pills is like living life; one must have a calm mind and focused intentions," Mu Qingqing explained gently as she manipulated the earth fire. "This 'Blood Coagulation Powder' may seem simple, but it requires extremely precise control of the fire. Initially, it is nurtured with a gentle fire until the medicinal power is integrated, then it is condensed with a strong fire. The opportunity is fleeting."

"Look, the medicinal liquid inside the furnace is now swirling, and fine bubbles are rising from the edges; it's time to switch the fire..."

She even allows trainees to try processing medicinal herbs themselves and experience their properties.

Mu Xiaoyun has a natural affinity for plants and learns the fastest; Shi Dan has steady hands and handles materials with precision; even Chen Feng, who originally looked down on alchemy, was attracted by Mu Qingqing's superb skills and easy-to-understand explanations and began to take notes seriously.

In addition, disciples from the Array Hall will teach basic array identification and deciphering, while disciples from the Weapon Hall will guide the maintenance of magical treasures... The Qingyun Sect imparts almost everything to these students. Although it is the most basic knowledge, it is a complete system that points directly to the fundamental principles of the Great Dao.

Living together day and night, learning together, exploring secret realms together, sweating together in the martial arts arena, smelling the fragrance of medicine together in the alchemy room... the barriers that were originally caused by their backgrounds have melted away without them even realizing it.

Mu Xiaoyun and Shidan became good friends; one was clever, and the other was reliable. Chen Feng also gradually let go of his airs. He discovered that these "country bumpkin" classmates each had their strengths and were sincere in their dealings with others.

Especially after he was rescued by his teammates several times when he encountered danger in the secret realm, and after his classmates discussed and solved problems when he encountered difficulties in cultivation, his sense of belonging to "Qingyun Dao Academy" quietly replaced his alienation from "Chiyan Sect".

Even the two disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect, who were initially timid and solitary, became more cheerful. The resources and knowledge provided by the academy far exceeded what they could have accessed in the outer sect of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

There is no discrimination here, only hard work and talent. They began to feel that perhaps being "exiled" here wasn't a bad thing. (Note: Chapter 334, "Returning Home," is available in full. Click here for more.)

On this day, the Taoist academy's first quarterly assessment concluded. Qingxu Sanren announced the results and distributed rewards—contribution points based on performance.

Mu Xiaoyun, Shi Dan, and others ranked among the top, earning a considerable amount of contribution points, which could be exchanged for pills, magical artifacts, and even the qualification to enter secret realms for cultivation. Everyone was overjoyed.

In the evening, the students gathered on the lecture platform to exchange their experiences and envision the future.

"Once I've saved up enough contribution points, I'm definitely going to exchange them for that 'Flowing Cloud Sword'!" one student said, waving his arm.

"I want to learn how to refine 'Foundation Building Pills' from Instructor Mu!"

"Next time we challenge the secret realm, our team must hunt down an even stronger monster!"

Looking at her chattering classmates, gazing at the ancestral statue in the center of the lecture hall, and the distant, mist-shrouded main peak, Mu Xiaoyun whispered, "Brother Shidan, do you think... we can become as powerful as Instructor Jin and Instructor Mu in the future?"

Stone Egg clenched his fist, his eyes resolute: "As long as I study hard at the academy, I'm sure I can!"

Chen Feng, unusually, did not refute. Gazing at the drifting clouds on the horizon, he murmured, "This place... is quite nice."

Inside the Flowing Clouds Hall, Shen Mo listened to Qingxu Sanren's report on the first cohort of students' quarterly assessments, a faint smile appearing on his face.

Han Lin remarked with admiration, "Sect Leader, these children have made rapid progress, and their temperaments have meshed quite well. Especially those promising talents from the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect, their changes have been remarkable. This academy has certainly made a good start."

Shen Mo walked to the window and looked towards Qixia Valley, where lights twinkled, full of vitality. He said softly, "Elder Han, look at these children. When they talk about the future, they always mention 'Dao Academy' and 'contribution points.' Do they even remember their original sects?"

Han Lin was slightly taken aback, then stroked his beard and smiled, "Sect Leader, you are truly insightful. Your influence is subtle and pervasive, like a gentle rain nourishing the earth. This Dao Academy is indeed a crucible."

Shen Mo's gaze was distant: "The seeds sown today may one day grow into towering trees, deeply rooted in the fertile soil of our alliance. When they return after learning, they will be sparks that can start a prairie fire."

Outside the hall, the night breeze carried the faint sounds of laughter and philosophical discussions from Qixia Valley.

......

Since the alliance was established, the first "Alchemy Exchange Meeting" led by the Dan Hall of Qingyun Sect was quietly launched in the Danxiang Hall on the main peak of Qingyun Mountain.

The news had already caused quite a stir in the Southern Region's alchemist circle.

Since Li Xiaocao took over, and especially after the trip to Wanfayuan, the Dan Hall of Qingyun Sect has risen to prominence. Its pills are of stable quality and outstanding efficacy, especially the improved "Foundation Building Pill," which is extremely rare and highly sought after. Now that it is willing to open up for exchange, how can one not be tempted?

Inside the Danxiang Hall, the arrangement was different from usual. The tall alchemy furnace was not lit, and several rows of long sandalwood tables were placed in the center of the hall, covered with clean white cloths.

On the surrounding walls, some illustrations depicting the properties and pharmacological interactions of various medicinal herbs were temporarily hung. The air was filled with a faint, refreshing fragrance of various herbs, which was invigorating.

About thirty or forty alchemists from various schools were invited and have arrived one after another.

They were dressed in various styles, some wearing magnificent alchemist robes and exuding an air of elegance, coming from sects that established their schools on alchemy, such as "Medicine King Valley" and "Hundred Herbs Sect".

Some wore simple, coarse cloth Taoist robes, with shrewd eyes; they were alchemists supported by small sects or independent, wandering alchemists. There were even one or two with a faint smell of the sea on them, who were said to come from the distant "Danxia Island in the East China Sea".

The group chatted in small groups, their eyes occasionally glancing toward the head of the table with curiosity, scrutiny, and even a hint of subtle competition.