Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"The disturbances here are ominous and the dangers are unknown. As the leader of the Southern Region, my Lieyang Sect should investigate and clarify the situation to prevent you fellow Daoists from being in danger!" Huoyun Daoist suddenly spoke loudly, his voice resounding throughout the area. His gaze swept across the entire scene, carrying an unquestionable tone.

He was determined to be the first to enter and seize the initiative.

"Fellow Daoist Huoyun, you have quite the nerve!" Jian Wuhen sneered, taking a step forward, his sword aura flickering around him. "The Heavenly Sword Sect's sword path is profound, and breaking through barriers and exploring hidden realms is our forte. This place is strange, and our sword aura is most acutely sensitive; therefore, it is only right that our sect leads the investigation to ensure our safety!"

"Sword Dao is profound? Hmph, when it comes to breaking formations and exploring secrets, my Blazing Sun Sect's 'Crimson Sun True Fire' burns away all evil. How can your mere sword energy compare?" Fire Cloud Daoist retorted sarcastically.

"Why must you two argue?" Fairy Ling Shuang's clear, cold voice rang out. "The ruins have just appeared, and their fate is uncertain. Why don't the elites from our three sects join hands to explore them together and share the spoils?"

She proposed a compromise.

"Join forces? Hmph, that's like trying to get something from a tiger!" Daoist Huoyun sneered. "Fairy Ling Shuang, your Xuanbing Pavilion has quite the scheme, trying to reap the benefits without lifting a finger?"

Jian Wuhen also said in a sinister voice, "We can join forces, but only if my Heavenly Sword Sect takes the lead! Otherwise, there's no point in discussing it!"

The three parties immediately erupted into a heated argument, each refusing to back down, and the tension escalated. The smaller factions and independent cultivators exchanged bewildered glances, angry but unable to speak out.

Chen Hao rubbed his hands together, his eyes darting around, plotting how to profit from the situation.

Just as the argument was escalating and almost turned physical—

"This is the territory of my Qingyun Alliance. The remnants have appeared in the world, and the Alliance rules will govern their disposal. What do you take my Alliance for, arguing and quarreling here?"

A calm yet clear sound, piercing through all the noise, came from the air.

Everyone looked up and saw three streamlined, azure flying boats hovering quietly in the air, their cloud-shaped emblems gleaming brightly.

Shen Mo and Su Xiao stood at the bow of the lead flying boat, their robes fluttering, their expressions calm. Shi Tie, Jin Hao, and other elites of the Qingyun Alliance stood solemnly behind them, an aura of killing intent permeating the air.

"Shen Mo!" Huo Yun Daoist and Jian Wuhen's gazes sharpened, their expressions turning grim. Ling Shuang Fairy's beautiful eyes flickered slightly. Chen Hao's eyes lit up.

The airship landed, and Shi Tie leaped down first, his voice booming like a bell: "The Azure Cloud Alliance, by order of its leader, is to investigate this place! All bystanders, step back!"

The disciples of the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect changed their expressions, and they all pressed their swords and gathered their qi, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.

"Alliance Leader Shen!" Daoist Huoyun suppressed his anger and cupped his hands, saying, "The relic has appeared in the world, and all who see it should have a share! Although this place is within your alliance's territory, the ancient legacy concerns the well-being of the Southern Region. How can it be monopolized by one family?"

"Our Blazing Sun Sect has contributed greatly to the peace of the Southern Region and has the right to participate in the investigation!"

Jian Wuhen also said coldly, "That's right! The Heavenly Sword Sect also has this right! Does Alliance Leader Shen intend to bully others and monopolize this opportunity?"

Shen Mo landed slowly, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on the faint starlight deep within the rift in the earth. He said calmly, "The ruins are within the Alliance's territory, and the Alliance has the responsibility to supervise and investigate them. This is stipulated by the Alliance's rules, not something that can be exclusively possessed."

"Indeed, what the fairy said makes sense. The legacy of the ancients cannot be enjoyed by one person or one faction alone."

He paused, looking at Daoist Huoyun and Jian Wuhen, his tone still calm: "Since you two claim to have the right to participate, what is your basis? Is it based on the old Southern Region custom of the survival of the fittest? Or on the principle of contribution according to the new rules of our alliance?"

Huoyun Daoist hesitated for a moment, then argued forcefully, "Naturally, it's based on strength and seniority! My Lieyang Sect has dominated the Southern Region for a thousand years, eliminating demons and protecting the righteous, safeguarding this region. In this investigation, we should naturally be the ones in charge!"

"Seniority?" Shen Mo shook his head slightly. "If we're talking about seniority, my Liuyun lineage established itself earlier. If we're talking about strength..."

His gaze swept over the two of them indifferently. Although he did not say it outright, the events at Sword Peak were still fresh in his mind, and his meaning was self-evident.

Huoyun Daoist and Jian Wuhen blushed, filled with shame and indignation.

Jian Wuhen gritted his teeth and said, "Then what should we do according to Alliance Leader Shen's opinion? Do you really want to rely solely on the words of your Qingyun Alliance?"

"Of course not." Shen Mo said with his hands behind his back, his voice echoing throughout the room. "Since everyone wants to investigate and has their own version of events, let's follow the newly established rules of our alliance—to determine the share based on contribution."

"Contribution points?" Everyone was taken aback.

"Not bad." Shen Mo's gaze swept over everyone. "Since the alliance was established and the contribution system was implemented, each member has a record of their work in clearing out monsters, maintaining trade routes, contributing resources, and completing tasks."

Those who contribute more and give more to the alliance will naturally enjoy more rights.

"The dangers and rewards of this exploration of the ruins are unknown. To ensure fairness, the exploration share can be calculated based on each faction's cumulative contribution to the alliance."

Those who contribute more can send more people to explore first; those who contribute less will have their share reduced accordingly.

"In this way, fairness can be ensured, and all factions can be incentivized to contribute more to the alliance. What do you all think?"

Upon hearing this, everyone reacted with varying expressions.

The smaller factions and independent cultivators were taken aback at first, then their eyes lit up with joy! Contribution points? They had been frantically taking on alliance missions these past few days and had accumulated quite a bit!

They thought they wouldn't get such a good thing, but unexpectedly, Alliance Leader Shen proposed to distribute it according to contribution!

This is much fairer than simply judging based on ability or seniority! At least, they also have a chance to get a share!

The expressions of the Lieyang Sect, Tianjian Sect, and others changed.

Contribution? These two groups outwardly complied with the alliance but inwardly obstructed it. Apart from the initial perfunctory contribution, what decent contribution have they made? If distributed this way, their share will probably be pitifully small!

Contribution? These two groups outwardly complied with the alliance but inwardly obstructed it. Apart from the initial perfunctory contribution, what decent contribution have they made? If distributed this way, their share will probably be pitifully small!

"Absurd!" Huoyun Daoist roared. "Contribution points? That's just something your Qingyun Alliance created! How can it be used as a basis for exploring ancient ruins? Is the thousand-year foundation of my Lieyang Sect really less valuable than a few missions taken by those lowly rogue cultivators?"

"Elder Huoyun, you are mistaken," Fairy Ling Shuang suddenly spoke, her voice cold and clear. "The contribution system records the extent of each faction's participation in alliance affairs and the weight of their contributions, which is the fairest system imaginable."

"Does the Blazing Sun Sect believe that a thousand-year-old foundation allows it to transcend the rules? Or does it believe that my Xuanbing Pavilion and other sects, as well as many independent cultivators, have made no contribution to the Southern Region?"

Her Xuanbing Pavilion has recently deepened its cooperation with the Qingyun Alliance, accumulating considerable contribution points, which is beneficial to them.

Chen Hao quickly chimed in, "Fairy Ling Shuang is absolutely right! Excellent contribution points! Clearly marked prices, fair and honest! Our Hundred Treasures Pavilion supports this! Alliance Leader Shen's insight is brilliant!"

Smaller factions and independent cultivators also began to clamor:

"Yes! It's fair to base it on contribution!"

"We've taken on so many missions, we deserve some rewards!"

"Exactly! The big sects can't always have the final say!"

Huoyun Daoist and Jian Wuhen's faces turned ashen. They hadn't expected Shen Mo to use "contribution points" as a trump card, let alone expect such a large response. To forcibly oppose it would mean making enemies of all the smaller forces and losing their moral compass.

Shen Mo stopped looking at them and turned to Han Lin: "Elder Han, please publish the ranking of each member's contribution to the alliance and the corresponding share calculation plan as of now."

"Yes." Han Lin was prepared. He took out a jade slip, activated his spiritual power, and a light screen appeared in the air. It clearly listed the contribution values ​​of major forces, some small and medium-sized sects, and famous rogue cultivators, as well as the proposed exploration quotas (number of people, entry order, time, etc.) calculated based on the values.

The Qingyun Alliance naturally topped the list with the largest share; friendly forces such as the Xuanbing Pavilion and the Baibao Pavilion followed; while the Lieyang Sect and the Tianjian Sect ranked at the bottom with very small shares.

Many small and medium-sized sects and independent cultivators were also on the list. Although their share was small, they still gained the qualification to enter.

The moment the screen appeared, the audience erupted in uproar. There were joy and sorrow, but mostly a sense of fairness—numbers don't lie, and whoever puts in more effort should reap more rewards; it's only right!