Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Among the spectators, Chen Hao squinted at the crystalline skeleton on the high platform, then glanced at Shen Mo, who stood solemnly before the platform, exuding an imposing aura. He clicked his tongue inwardly in amazement: "Impressive methods! Truly impressive methods! This Sect Leader Shen, without making a sound, has unearthed such a formidable figure!"

"From now on, the Qingyun Sect will be the true inheritors of the ancient Daoist lineage. Who would dare to call them nouveau riche? This momentum, this cohesion... it's incredible!"

He seemed to see that, through this incident, Qingyun Sect's position in the Southern Region would be more secure, and the cooperation between Baibao Pavilion and them would be even closer, with a promising future.

The other representatives from allied sects who were watching the ceremony also had different expressions, some of which were envious, some amazed, some thoughtful, and some wary.

Regardless, this ceremony solidified Qingyun Sect's image as "orthodox," "ancient," and "deeply rooted." No one dared to question its heritage and potential any longer.

The sacrificial ceremony lasted for an entire day. Only when the sun set in the west and the moon rose in the east did it slowly come to a close amidst solemn and dignified music.

The gates of Qingyun Palace slowly closed, permanently enshrining the remains and legacy of that ancient hero within.

The crowd in the square in front of the hall gradually dispersed, but the atmosphere of excitement, solemnity, hope and sense of mission lingered for a long time, permeating the entire Qingyun Mountain.

That night, in a quiet room deep within the Flowing Cloud Palace.

Shen Mo stood alone by the window, his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the distant, hazy outline of Qingyun Valley in the night. There, the newly erected "Qingyun Palace" stood quietly under the moonlight, like a silent guardian.

The sacrificial ceremony was a great success, even exceeding expectations. Qingyunzi's "return to his rightful place" greatly united the people, boosted morale, and solidified the foundation.

But he felt little joy, only a deep calm, and beneath that calm, an ever-growing sense of urgency.

The excitement belongs to others; the responsibility lies with oneself. The incense offered at the memorial service comforted the spirits of the fallen and united the people, but it did not resolve any real crisis.

The Xuan Yin Sect is still stirring in the shadows, the hidden dangers of the Samsara Palace still exist, and the "Eye of Return to the Void" is a sword hanging overhead, ready to fall at any moment.

The legacy left by Qingyunzi—the general outline of the "Yuanhai Daozhang", the incomplete "Measuring Ruler" technique, and the true explanation of the "Two Elements Micro Dust Array"—is undoubtedly a supreme treasure, but comprehending it takes time, and transforming it into strength takes even more time.

What he lacks most is time.

A soft knock sounded on the door.

"Come in." Shen Mo didn't turn around.

Han Lin pushed open the door and entered, his face still showing signs of fatigue from the sacrificial ceremony, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

"Sect Leader, everything went smoothly. The spectators from various sects have all made arrangements and departed. They were all deeply impressed by today's events and spoke highly of our Qingyun Sect. The disciples within the sect are also in high spirits, and their enthusiasm for cultivation is at an all-time high."

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Han." Shen Mo turned around and gestured for Han Lin to sit down.

Han Lin did not sit down, but instead took out a jade slip from his robes, presented it with both hands, and said solemnly: "Sect Leader, during the sacrificial ceremony, Shadow Guard Su Xiao intercepted a highly encrypted communication talisman from the north. The method was strange, and it is suspected to be a secret technique of the Xuan Yin Sect. Su Xiao and I worked together and spent some time deciphering it. The contents... please take a look, Sect Leader."

Shen Mo's gaze sharpened as he took the jade slip and immersed his consciousness into it. A moment later, he raised his head, a cold glint flashing in his eyes like lightning piercing the night sky.

The information in the jade slip was simple, just a few words, yet it was shocking:

"The Northern Desert Blood Sacrifice will be initiated at midnight in three days at the 'Valley of Burial Souls.' The offerings are complete, and the formation is nearing completion. At that time, the 'Gate' will open to receive 'Holy Power.' Return immediately."

The signature was a twisted, blood-dripping ghost claw mark—the highest-level "Blood Fiend Token" of the Xuan Yin Sect!

"Three days later, Burial Valley..." Shen Mo repeated softly, his fingertips unconsciously tapping lightly on the jade slip, producing a soft, clear sound that was particularly distinct in the quiet room.

The Xuan Yin Sect is finally about to make its move! Moreover, its target is the so-called "gate," which seeks to channel "sacred power"! Combining the information about "extraterrestrial demons" and "the Eye of Return to Nothingness" in Qingyunzi's jade slip, it is self-evident what this "sacred power" refers to!

"Notify Su Xiao that all Shadow Guards are on high alert and must monitor all unusual activity in Burial Valley and Northern Desert at all costs. Notify Shi Tie that the War Hall's 'Sharp Metal' and 'Thick Earth' divisions are to immediately enter combat readiness and be ready to be deployed at any time."

"Notify Zhao Qingyan that the mountain-protecting formation, the 'Flowing Cloud Overturning Heaven Formation,' is operating at full power, and the sect is entering a level-two combat readiness state. Notify Li Xiaocao that all the pills in the Pill Hall's inventory should be prioritized for the Battle Hall and the Shadow Guard."

Shen Mo's voice was calm and even, yet it carried a chilling killing intent.

"Sect Leader, you mean..." Han Lin's heart skipped a beat.

"The sacrifice is complete, and the ancestral master has returned." Shen Mo gazed at the boundless night sky outside the window, his gaze seemingly piercing through layers of mountains and landing on the desolate and lifeless northern desert. "Next, it's time to clean house and deal with these... clowns."

He paused, his voice growing even colder: "Issue my secret order, in the name of the Qingyun Sect Leader and the Qingyun Alliance Leader, to secretly invite Fairy Ling Shuang of the Xuanbing Pavilion, True Person Qingmu of the Baicao Sect, and Daoist Songfeng of the Qingmu Temple to meet at 'Soul-Breaking Ridge' on the outskirts of the Black Swamp in three days."

"Just say... you have important matters to discuss, concerning the survival of the Southern Region, ancient secrets, and even more so... the safety of their respective sects' lineages. Whether they come or not is up to them."

Han Lin gasped. Was the sect leader going to... launch a preemptive strike? And, his target was the Northern Desert, where the Xuan Yin Sect was preparing a blood sacrifice? He was even going to join forces with the Xuan Bing Pavilion and other sects? This was stirring up a hornet's nest!

"Sect Leader, isn't this too hasty? The Xuan Yin Sect has been planning this for a long time. The blood sacrifice site must be a den of dragons and tigers, and they may be colluding with the Lie Yang Sect and the Tian Jian Sect. We..." Han Lin said worriedly.

"It is precisely because they are in the shadows and we are in the light that we cannot sit idly by and wait for them to make their move." Shen Mo interrupted him, a sharp glint in his eyes. "The Northern Desert Blood Sacrifice, which draws upon 'Holy Power,' is a calamity that will bring about our downfall, and it is not a matter for our sect or school alone."

"The Xuanbing Pavilion, the Baicao Sect, and the Qingmu Temple have a long-standing feud with the Xuanyin Sect, and their mountain gates are all located within the Xuanyin Sect's sphere of influence. They understand the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.' As for the Lieyang Sect and the Tianjian Sect..."

Shen Mo's lips curled into a cold smile: "If they want to interfere, we can deal with them all at once. The patriarch's return to the sect necessitates a flag-raising ceremony. My Qingyun Sect has been dormant for too long; it's time to show the Southern Region what... the sharpness of an ancient lineage truly is!"

Han Lin gazed at Shen Mo's profile, calm yet radiating a chilling killing intent, and suddenly recalled the sect leader's words during the daytime sacrificial ceremony: "The demonic calamity is not far off; we must be strong." It turned out that those weren't empty slogans, but a declaration before battle! The spirits of the ancestral masters would surely be pleased to see future generations of disciples wielding swords to defend the righteous path and slay demons!

"This old man...understands!" The last trace of hesitation in Han Lin's eyes vanished, replaced by determination. "I'll take care of it right away!"

Han Lin left in a hurry, and the quiet room returned to silence. Shen Mo stood alone by the window, the moonlight shining down and casting a soft glow on him. In his arms, the deep blue jade slip he had obtained from Qingyunzi emitted a gentle, warm luster.

"Senior Qingyunzi, your unfinished business, your ambition to protect all living beings..." Shen Mo murmured to himself, pointing to the smooth surface of the jade slip, his gaze fixed on the north, as if piercing through the endless void, seeing that desolate land shrouded in blood and conspiracy.

"Then let this junior cut off the first claw that's reached out."

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