Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

The alternating actions of the four halls of alchemy, weaponry, formation, and talisman were like four distinct yet equally powerful spring breezes, blowing through every corner of the Azure Cloud Alliance, bringing vitality and quietly changing the ecology of the cultivation world in the Southern Region.

The smaller sects and independent cultivators were overjoyed, eagerly absorbing knowledge that was previously unattainable, and their strength improved imperceptibly.

Traditional giants like the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect fell into a deeper silence and anxiety. They could clearly feel that a new order based on "technology sharing" and "shared interests" was eroding the foundation of their millennia-old prestige in an unprecedented way.

However, beneath this seemingly generous and selfless wave of sharing, those most perceptive and of high enough status among the bystanders gradually sensed something deeper and more unsettling—the unfathomable depths of the Qingyun Sect, and the seemingly peaceful and open yet actually meticulously planned and far-sighted control of its leader, Shen Mo.

On this day, the Danxiang Hall on Qingyun Mountain was once again packed with guests, even larger than before. This was not a basic exchange, but a "Dan Dao Seminar" initiated by Li Xiaocao, which aimed to explore ways to improve several common first and second-tier elixirs.

In addition to alchemists within the alliance, the invitees included alchemy masters from major sects that were on good terms with Qingyun Sect or held a neutral stance. Even Elder Zhou from Medicine King Valley was invited again.

The atmosphere inside the hall was lively, with participants debating topics such as the control of the heat for "Ningqi Dan" and alternative medicinal materials for "Huichun San".

Li Xiaocao sat in the main seat, listening patiently and occasionally offering insightful advice, which was often incisive and enlightening.

Mu Qingqing and other elite disciples of the Pill Hall assisted in the demonstration, their techniques were exquisite, and their understanding of the medicinal properties was astonishing.

During a break in the meeting, a senior female alchemist from the "Hundred Flowers School" couldn't help but exclaim, "Elder Li, your understanding of alchemy is truly profound, leaving us all in awe. Especially your 'Hundred Flowers Dew Condensation Method' for harmonizing medicinal properties—it's simply turning the ordinary into the extraordinary!"

"I wonder... if your esteemed institution has any new insights into higher-level elixirs, such as... Foundation Establishment Pills?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent instantly, all eyes focused on Li Xiaocao. Foundation Establishment Pills were crucial to the sect's inheritance; they were the coveted currency of every alchemist, a testament to the sect's strength and prestige.

The Foundation Building Pills of Qingyun Sect are of excellent quality and have long been famous.

Li Xiaocao smiled slightly, her smile gentle yet carrying a subtle sense of distance: "Elder Zhang, you flatter me. The Foundation Establishment Pill is the foundation of a sect, and its refining method involves core inheritance and rare medicinal ingredients. Please forgive me for not being able to elaborate further."

"However, regarding the cultivation of spiritual energy and the stabilization of mental state before Foundation Establishment, our Pill Hall has summarized some auxiliary remedies and precautions, which we can share with you fellow cultivators later."

Her words were polite, but her refusal was watertight.

She then naturally steered the conversation toward a modified "Bigu Dan" formula, providing detailed and sincere advice, as if the earlier probing about the Foundation Building Dan had never happened.

The attending alchemists understood, and although they were slightly disappointed, they also felt it was only natural.

They were willing to discuss the details of such a profound technique as the "Hundred Flowers Dew Gathering Method," which is already a huge favor. How could the secret formula of the core elixir be easily revealed to others?

On the contrary, the insights and elixirs shared later on assisting in foundation building, though not elixirs, were equally invaluable and greatly benefited everyone.

Elder Zhou of Medicine King Valley stroked his beard in silence, inwardly shuddering: "This young woman, Li Xiaocao, is so mature in her actions despite her young age. What she shares is all practical knowledge, enough to improve our level and make good connections, but she doesn't reveal even a trace of the true essence."

"The foundation of Qingyun Pill Hall is probably more than ten times deeper than what has been revealed... Where do they get such a stable supply of the main ingredient of the improved Foundation Establishment Pill, 'Jade Marrow Lingzhi'?"

"And there's also the rumored 'Golden Condensation Pill,' which can assist in Core Formation... I'm afraid we've already made progress on those."

He glanced at Mu Qingqing, who stood calmly beside Li Xiaocao, and then thought of the core alchemy rooms in the backyard of the Pill Hall, which were always filled with spiritual energy and heavily guarded. The sense of superiority he had felt because of the long history of Medicine King Valley vanished completely.

The situation was similar at the equipment workshop. Zhao Tiechui opened the "Liuhuo Workshop" to showcase standardized and streamlined production, earning a reputation for efficiency and widespread adoption.

But those who truly appreciate quality turned their attention to the "Craftsman's Pavilion" behind the workshop, a place even more heavily guarded and shrouded in the rich aura of Geng metal.

Once, an elder from another sect who was on good terms with Shi Tie wanted to visit the "Craftsman's Pavilion" to broaden his horizons, taking advantage of being a little drunk.

The usually forthright Shi Tie shook his head vigorously, his large, round eyes glaring:

"No, no! That place is off-limits to the sect leader, me, Old Zhao, and a few core disciples who have received the true teachings. No one else can go in! Those are all precious treasures inside. If you damage them, I, Old Shi, couldn't afford to pay for it even if I sold myself!"

He put his arm around the elder's shoulder, reeking of alcohol, and said, "Brother, it's not that I'm stingy! You can look at as much of the assembly line stuff as you want! But in that 'Craftsman's Pavilion,' we've hidden our most prized possessions!"

"For example, the 'Meteor Chasing the Moon Sword' that was custom-made for Jin Hao was made by melting three kinds of star gold and engraving nine layers of armor-piercing runes. It almost drained the earth's fire veins!"

"And the core components of the 'Zhou Tian Xing Dou Formation' that I researched for Junior Sister Zhao Qingyan—the materials, the runes, wow, they'd scare you to death if I told you! The sect leader personally instructed me, and I, Old Zhao, poured my heart and soul into creating it. Do you think you can just casually look at it?"

The elder listened with great interest, but dared not ask any further questions.

He knew in his heart that the true top combat power of the Qingyun Sect's Weapon Hall, the potential to refine magic weapons and even spiritual treasures, was hidden in that "Craftsmanship Pavilion".

No matter how good the standard magical artifacts circulating outside are, they are just "food" that can be obtained in large quantities and keep you full. What "Craftsman's Pavilion" produces are the "divine weapons" that determine the life and death of masters.

Zhao Qingyan of the Zhentang is aloof and dislikes socializing, but her methods are the most unfathomable.

She sent her disciples to help smaller sects reinforce their formations, teaching them solid basic formation principles and adaptable improvement methods. The results were remarkable, and the recipients were deeply grateful.

However, anyone with some knowledge of formations can sense that the aura of the main peak of Qingyun Mountain and the surrounding thousand-mile mountain range is undergoing a mysterious change.

In the past, although the protective array of Qingyun Mountain was strong, its boundaries and nodes could be vaguely sensed.

But now, the entire mountain range seems to have merged with the surrounding world, the spiritual energy flows smoothly and flawlessly, and when divine sense is probed out, it is like a mud ox entering the sea, unable to discern the true nature of the great formation.

Especially at night, one can sometimes see the power of the stars in the sky transforming into wisps that are invisible to the naked eye, flowing into certain areas of the main peak like rivers flowing into the sea, which is extremely mysterious.

A Golden Core cultivator skilled in array formations privately exclaimed, "The array formation at Qingyun Mountain is truly remarkable! It appears to be the original 'Nine Palaces Flowing Cloud Array' framework, but its inner workings have been completely transformed! This method of drawing upon the power of the stars is unheard of; it likely touches upon the realm of ancient array formations!"

Zhao Qingyan's mastery of formations is probably no less than that of some Nascent Soul cultivators who specialize in formations! If she truly sets up this 'Zhou Tian Xing Dou Formation,' it would likely be enough to withstand a Nascent Soul cultivator!

This assessment circulated within a small circle, further enhancing the mystery and power of the Qingyun Sect's Array Hall.