Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Yan Zhu's expression was complex, but he finally stood up and cupped his hands to Zhao Tiechui, saying, "Elder Zhao... your demeanor is extraordinary, I admire you. This method... certainly has its merits."

This is the biggest concession and acknowledgment he could make.

Zhao Tiechui grinned, revealing his white teeth: "Master Yan, you flatter me. The way of crafting is like the heavens, with each path having its own. My Qingyun Sect has simply chosen a more practical path. I hope that in the future, we can have more exchanges and discussions with your sect's crafting hall."

The observation and exchange concluded in a subtle yet warm atmosphere. As they departed, the three from the Blazing Sun Sect walked last. One disciple whispered, "Vice Hall Master, that jade slip…"

"Keep it safe." Yan Zhu's gaze was deep as he looked at the other sect's weapon refiners who were holding the jade slips as if they were treasures. He then glanced back at the "Flowing Fire Workshop" that was emitting flames and heat. "This method... might really change something. When I get back, I'll study it carefully and see if there's anything I can learn from it."

"Furthermore, record in detail what you saw today, especially the layout of the assembly line and the thought process behind dismantling the rune array, and report it to the Palace Master."

"yes!"

Outside Golden Flame Valley, the setting sun painted the clouds on the horizon a golden-red hue, creating a picturesque scene against the backdrop of the rising smoke and flames from within the valley. Zhao Tiechui, having seen off the last guest, wiped the sweat from his face and smiled at his disciple beside him, "How was it? Did I, Old Zhao, embarrass the sect leader today?"

The disciples smiled and shook their heads, their eyes filled with respect for the elder.

Inside the Flowing Clouds Hall, Shen Mo listened to Su Xiao's report on the observation of the Weapon Hall, and gently tapped his fingers on the table.

"Junior Brother Iron Hammer, well done. Honesty is sometimes more powerful than selfishness."

He looked westward, as if he could see through the mountains and rocks to the bustling workshops. "By making basic standards public, it may seem like he gave up some profits, but in fact, he established industry standards and won people's hearts."

"From now on, the standard for low-grade magic artifacts in the Southern Region will be set by our Qingyun Sect. Those weapon refiners who benefit from this will naturally side with us."

"The Blazing Sun Sect... even if they learn the form, they can't steal the spirit, let alone erase this human connection."

Su Xiao said softly, "Through these two gatherings on alchemy and weaponry, the alliance, especially the smaller forces, has become increasingly closely connected with our alliance. The channels for the flow of technology have quietly been laid out."

"Yes." Shen Mo nodded. "Next up are the Array Hall and the Talisman Hall. No rush, let's take it one step at a time. Let's weave this mutually beneficial network even tighter."

......

On the eastern side of the main peak of Qingyun Mountain, on the "Yunji Peak," a place perpetually shrouded in mist and shrouded in the most obscure and mysterious energy, new activity has quietly begun.

Unlike the Dantang and Qitang forums, which are large-scale and open to a wide range of like-minded people, the Zhentang forum's "mutual assistance" is more calm and pragmatic.

There was no noisy observation, no generous public instruction; only a few elite formation teams, led by core disciples such as Zhou Yi, quietly left the mountain gate and headed to the garrisons of several smaller sects that had sent requests for help to the alliance.

Their mission is to help these weaker factions strengthen or repair the protective mountain formations upon which they depend for survival.

Yunwu Mountain is located in the southeastern branch of the Qingyun Mountains. Although it is not high, it is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round and has abundant spiritual energy.

There is a small temple on the mountain called "Suoyun Temple". The abbot, Daoist Yunhe, is a cultivator at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. He leads a dozen disciples and grand-disciples who are only at the Qi Refining stage to cultivate here.

The protective formation of Suoyun Temple, the "Little Cloud Mist Formation," has been passed down for generations. However, it has fallen into disrepair over the years, with many of the formation's base stones exhausted and the runes dimmed. It can barely function and can only play a minor role in confusing vision and gathering spiritual energy, with its defensive power being barely worthless.

Not long ago, a group of roaming demonic beasts attacked the village at the foot of the mountain and almost stormed the mountain gate. Although they were repelled by Daoist Yunhe and his disciples, it still gave him a fright.

Unfortunately, the temple lacked resources and was unable to repair the great formation, so it had no choice but to submit a request for help to the Alliance Council.

That morning, before the mountain mist had dissipated, two beams of light landed before the simple gate of Suoyun Temple. The light faded, revealing two disciples dressed in the attire of the Qingyun Sect's Array Hall.

The person in the lead was Zhou Yi, followed by a young female disciple from the Array Hall.

Master Yunhe and his disciples were already waiting at the mountain gate. Upon seeing the newcomers, he quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said with a mixture of trepidation and gratitude, "Yunhe of Suoyun Temple welcomes the envoy from Qingyun Sect! I am deeply grateful for your esteemed presence!"

Zhou Yi quickly returned the greeting, his tone gentle: "Master Yunhe, you are too kind. As members of the alliance, it is only right that we help each other. I am Zhou Yi from the Array Hall, here on the orders of Elder Zhao Qingyan to assist your temple in inspecting the protective array. This is my junior sister, Lin Xiaoyue."

The female disciple named Lin Xiaoyue also bowed shyly.

Seeing that Zhou Yi, though young, possessed a calm demeanor and pure spiritual power, Daoist Yunhe dared not be negligent and quickly invited the two into the temple. The temple was simple, so everyone sat down on stone benches in the courtyard, where a young Daoist boy served them tea.

Zhou Yi didn't waste any time on pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Master, please show us the core base and various nodes of your temple's protective formation."

"Alright, this way please!" Daoist Yunhe quickly got up and led the way.

The group arrived at a secluded stone cave behind the main structure, the core of the "Small Cloud Mist Array." Intricate array patterns were carved into the ground, with several dull-colored low-grade spirit stones embedded in the center, their spiritual energy almost completely depleted. The array patterns showed signs of breakage and wear in many places.

The group arrived at a secluded stone cave behind the main structure, the core of the "Small Cloud Mist Array." Intricate array patterns were carved into the ground, with several dull-colored low-grade spirit stones embedded in the center, their spiritual energy almost completely depleted. The array patterns showed signs of breakage and wear in many places.

Zhou Yi crouched down, his fingertips glowing with spiritual light as he gently brushed across the array patterns, carefully sensing them. Lin Xiaoyue also took out a compass, a star-fixing ruler, and other tools to measure the direction of the surrounding spiritual veins and changes in the energy.

Daoist Yunhe and his disciples stood nervously to the side, not daring to breathe.

After a long pause, Zhou Yi stood up, his brows furrowed slightly: "Master, this formation is ancient, many of its runes have failed, and the core spirit-gathering structure is also flawed, resulting in a severe loss of spiritual energy."

"What's more troublesome is that the earth vein survey was inaccurate when the formation was set up, and the formation and the spiritual energy of the mountain were not completely in sync, so its power was reduced to less than one-tenth."

Master Yunhe blushed and sighed, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, your insight is truly remarkable. To be honest, this formation was set up by my grandmaster. Many of its essential elements have been lost over time. My knowledge is limited, and I can only barely maintain it; I have no ability to repair it. Last time, when the demonic beasts attacked, it almost caused a great disaster..."

Zhou Yi nodded and comforted him, "Master, there's no need to worry. The foundation of the formation itself is still intact, and repairing it won't be difficult. Now that we're here, we will certainly do our best."

He turned to Lin Xiaoyue and said, "Junior Sister, you are responsible for surveying the nodes and energy points of the entire mountain's spiritual veins and recalibrating the foundation of the formation. I will repair the core formation patterns and optimize the spirit gathering circuit."

"Yes, Senior Brother Zhou." Lin Xiaoyue accepted the order and quickly walked out of the stone cave with her tools.

Zhou Yi then took out various engraving knives, spirit ink, and several mid-grade spirit stones from his storage bag. With practiced skill, he first carefully removed the spiritual grime that had accumulated in the old array patterns, and then used specially made spirit ink to meticulously repair and reconnect the broken runes along the original path.

His technique was precise and graceful, as if he were painting a meticulously detailed picture, with inspiration flowing from his fingertips and blending into the array patterns.

Yunhe Daoist and his disciples stood around, dazzled and filled with admiration.

In the past, they maintained the formation by following the broken diagrams and using brute force to infuse spiritual power. They had never seen such an exquisite technique before.