Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"Shen Mo! You've gone too far!" Jian Wuhen trembled with rage. This was a public humiliation! When had his Heavenly Sword Sect ever suffered such an insult?

"If the Sword Sect Master feels this is unfair, he can consult the contribution record details. If there are any objections, the Alliance Arbitration Hall will handle the matter," Shen Mo said calmly. "Alternatively, your sect may choose to withdraw from this investigation. The Alliance will not force you to."

Withdraw? Looking at the entrance to the ruins, where starlight faintly shimmered and might hold an extraordinary opportunity, how could Jian Wuhen be willing to give up? But to accept this humiliating fate…

Huoyun Daoist was also gritting his teeth, but he was more pragmatic than Jian Wuhen. His low contribution was a fact; he couldn't defeat the Qingyun Alliance by force, and he wasn't in a position to gain the upper hand through reasoning… He suppressed his anger and forced out a few words through gritted teeth:

"Alright! As Alliance Leader Shen says! It'll be based on contribution! I want to see if there really are that many treasures in these ruins, enough for you all to share!"

His words were an admission of defeat, yet they carried a hint of unwilling sarcasm.

Seeing this, Jian Wuhen knew that the situation was hopeless and that continuing to make trouble would only make him more humiliated. He could only let out a heavy snort, flick his sleeves and remain silent, which was considered as acquiescence.

Shen Mo said no more and nodded to Han Lin. Han Lin understood and announced loudly, "Since there are no objections, this plan will proceed. One hour later, each faction will send its personnel according to their quota and assemble here. Elder Jin Hao of our alliance will coordinate the initial exploration of the ruins!"

"Remember, the ruins are dangerous. Once inside, you must follow instructions, refrain from fighting, and not trespass into unknown areas. Violators will be severely punished!"

With the plan finalized, everyone had nothing more to say and sprang into action, taking stock of manpower and preparing supplies. Smaller factions and independent cultivators were overjoyed, making the most of the remaining time for final preparations.

The members of the Lieyang Sect and the Tianjian Sect had gloomy faces and felt extremely aggrieved.

Shen Mo stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the deep fissure in the earth, his eyes profound.

Determining shares based on contribution may seem simple, but it's actually a brilliant move. It not only resolves disputes and demonstrates the authority of the alliance's rules, but also further binds the contribution system to tangible benefits, thus incentivizing all parties.

More importantly, by placing the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect in a position where "participation is only possible by following the rules," their competitiveness has been weakened.

"Sect Leader, according to the quota, the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect can only send two people each, and they must be in the second or third batch," Jin Hao said in a low voice.

"It's alright. Just keep an eye on them. Your primary task is to find out what's going on inside, especially the source of the Star Power," Shen Mo instructed.

"Disciple understands!"

An hour later, all forces had assembled. The Qingyun Alliance had the largest number of members, led by Jin Hao, and included two formation masters, two alchemists, and four elite warriors. The Lieyang Sect and the Tianjian Sect each had two members, their faces grim.

The team consisted of three members from Xuanbing Pavilion, two from Baibao Pavilion (including an appraiser from Chen Hao's faction), one each from six smaller sects and four independent cultivators with high contributions, forming a joint exploration team of nearly thirty people.

Standing on the edge of the fissure, feeling the ancient aura and hidden danger emanating from it, everyone's expressions were solemn.

"Once inside, we must work together. If anything is discovered, register it according to the rules; no hiding or fighting is allowed. Let's go." After Jin Hao finished speaking, he bowed to Shen Mo and transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the darkness. The others followed.

On the ground, countless eyes were fixed on the entrance to the deep abyss. Shen Mo stood silently. Su Xiao quietly approached and whispered, "The Shadow Guards have infiltrated the ranks of rogue cultivators. Jian Wuhen and Daoist Huoyun were secretly exchanging messages just now; the content was encrypted and could not be intercepted, but their emotions fluctuated violently."

"A mere clown, nothing to worry about." Shen Mo's gaze was distant, as if piercing through the earth's crust, looking towards the ancient city sealed in dust. "I want to see what exactly is hidden within this Starfall Ancient City. The world described by Mayday is all in 'The Myth of Gou Zai Fei Men.' It has attracted all sorts of demons and monsters to reveal themselves."

Outside the valley, time slowly passed in anxious waiting. Sun rose and moon set, and three days went by.

At the entrance to the fissure, the surging stellar power ebbed and flowed, occasionally accompanied by muffled rumbling sounds from the ground, causing the valley to tremble and adding to the unease.

The remaining forces from each side were stationed around the crack, clearly divided and wary of each other, with an invisible tension permeating the air.

In the camp of the Blazing Sun Sect, the crimson tents resembled burning flames. Daoist Huoyun sat cross-legged among them, his face so gloomy it could drip water, the spiritual tea in front of him long since gone cold.

The two trusted elders he sent in were both at the early stage of the Golden Core realm and were skilled in breaking restrictions with fire techniques. Before they left, he repeatedly instructed them to keep a close eye on the people of the Azure Cloud Alliance and to seize the initiative at all costs if they were discovered.

Three days passed, and apart from occasional tremors, no news returned from underground. The crack seemed like a greedy maw, swallowing up all those who entered.

"Useless! All of them are useless!" Huo Yun Dao Ren cursed inwardly, feeling both annoyed by his subordinates' incompetence and resentful of Shen Mo's "contribution" system.

According to the quota, his Lieyang Sect could only send two people, and even then, only in the second batch. How could he accept this? What if the Qingyun Alliance seized the opportunity within those ruins first…

"Elder, please calm down," a disciple standing nearby said cautiously. "Elders Chen and Li are highly skilled and experienced; they will surely achieve something. Although the Qingyun Alliance has many members, they may not be able to be the first to act in everything."

"What do you know!" Daoist Huoyun waved his sleeve impatiently. "That brat Shen Mo is cunning, and Jin Hao is no pushover either! Besides... the ruins have an ancient aura, and the fortunes within are unpredictable. Alas!"

He sighed heavily, his gaze falling on the Heavenly Sword Sect's camp shrouded in a chilling sword intent, a cold smile playing on his lips.

That old devil Jian Wuhen is probably even more restless than him, isn't he? The Heavenly Sword Sect's reputation has plummeted, and it desperately needs an opportunity to regain its face, but unfortunately, it has the smallest share...

Just as he had expected, the atmosphere inside the Heavenly Sword Sect camp was even more oppressive. Jian Wuhen sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, his sword energy fluctuating erratically, revealing his extreme inner turmoil.

The two men he sent in were carefully selected, skilled in stealth and combined sword formation attacks. He had hoped they could operate covertly and achieve something significant. But now, there's been no word from them…

"Could something have gone wrong inside? Or... was it a sabotage by the Qingyun Alliance?" This thought gnawed at his heart like a venomous snake. His hatred for Shen Mo and his fear of the Qingyun Alliance reached their peak at this moment.

The Xuanbing Pavilion camp was much quieter. Fairy Ling Shuang stood quietly outside the tent, gazing at the deep fissure in the ground, her clear, cold eyes thoughtful.

The three she dispatched were elites from the pavilion, skilled in ice magic and defense. They were not seeking merit, but rather avoiding mistakes. Their most important task was to find out the details of the ruins and bring back intelligence.

She was quite open-minded about opportunities; the Xuanbing Pavilion had a well-established lineage and did not urgently need external things.

What she cared more about was whether this suddenly discovered relic would disrupt the current delicate balance, and... Shen Mo's attitude towards the matter.

Chen Hao of Baibaoge was extremely busy. He set up a stall outside the ground fissure, selling all kinds of talismans, pills, and magical artifacts that were said to "specifically counteract evil spirits" and "protect against the power of stars." The prices were high, but business was still booming.

His small eyes narrowed, gleaming with a sharp light, as he calculated how many business opportunities this ruin could bring, and how to trade with the forces that might obtain the treasure.

The smaller sects and independent cultivators gathered together, discussing with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, speculating about the situation underground, and praying that the people they sent in would return safely, and preferably bring back some valuable items.