Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

The introduction of the contribution system was like installing a highly efficient and fair engine in the entire sect. From then on, the atmosphere of Qingyun Sect was completely renewed!

Every morning, without being urged, the disciples would spontaneously go out to find work to do.

Shi Tie, along with Zhang Daniu and others, continued the repair work with great enthusiasm; Li Xiaocao carefully tended to every herb in the herb garden; Wang Lie meticulously planned the patrol route; Sun Xiaohou racked his brains to think of ways to save the sect money on purchasing spirit stones.

Zhao Qingyan stayed up all night checking the accounts and the simple talisman book that Su Xiao had given her; even Qian Xiaodou, with her short legs, helped sweep the courtyard and feed the few ordinary pheasants that Shen Mo had specially asked Sun Xiaohou to buy.

The entire sect is showing a vibrant, self-disciplined, and highly efficient new look!

Shen Mo, freed from tedious daily management, can devote more energy to his own cultivation, research on formations and elixirs, and answering his disciples' higher-level questions.

He would occasionally tour the area, and when he saw the progress and efforts of his disciples, he would not hesitate to offer a few words of guidance.

Seeing that Shi Tie lacked control over his qi and blood when practicing the "Giant Spirit Shaking Mountain Technique," he reminded him, "Junior Brother Tie, exert seven-tenths of your strength and hold back three-tenths. The power of the Giant Spirit is not brute force; it's about controlling it from the heart! Feel the flow of qi and blood, as if it were your own arm!"

Shi Tie suddenly realized what was going on and tried to adjust his breathing and exertion. Sure enough, he felt much more comfortable and admired the sect leader even more.

Seeing that Su Xiao's spiritual awareness was growing too quickly and she was becoming slightly restless after practicing the "Nourishing Spirit and Concentrating Mind Technique," he gently advised her: "Junior Sister Xiao, wisdom is not sharpness, but clarity. The growth of spiritual awareness must be gradual, based on calmness. Do not be greedy for speed."

Su Xiao felt a chill run down her spine and quickly composed herself, silently reminding herself not to be impatient.

Seeing Lin Xiaofan still cultivating day and night, almost to the point of self-torture, he sternly admonished him: "Lin Xiaofan! Haste makes waste, and excessive rigidity leads to ruin! Your path lies not in speed, but in stability!"

"If you continue to be so unrestrained, I will punish you by forbidding you from practicing for ten days, and you will be required to focus on reciting the 'Meditation Mantra'!"

Lin Xiaofan was immediately terrified and turned pale. He dared not act recklessly anymore and obediently slowed down his pace.

Tailoring his teaching to individual needs and striking a balance between rigor and relaxation, Shen Mo, with his knowledge far exceeding that of his time and the assistance of the system, plays the role of a guide, carefully nurturing and guiding these disciples as they grow.

......

The Qingyun Sect is thriving, with its disciples full of energy and a flourishing atmosphere.

However, just as Su Xiao had worried, the changes in the sect could not be completely hidden from the outside world.

On this day, Su Xiao went down the mountain again to the market to purchase a batch of medicinal herbs, seeds, and daily necessities. Now that she was cultivating the "Nourishing Spirit and Concentrating Mind Technique," her spiritual sense was becoming increasingly sharp. As soon as she stepped into the market, she vaguely felt that something was not quite right.

The market was still bustling, but some subtle glances seemed to fall on her more frequently than before. Those glances still held inquiry and curiosity, but they also seemed to carry a hint of scrutiny, and even a subtle trace of malice.

She was wary inside, but remained outwardly calm, and headed to the Treasure Pavilion first.

When Manager Chen of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion saw her, he still had that same smiling and amiable demeanor, but after exchanging pleasantries, he lowered his voice and asked, seemingly casually:

"Miss Su, your sect seems to be thriving lately? I heard another disciple has successfully reached the Qi Refining stage? Is it in... the Enlightenment Cave?"

Su Xiao's heart skipped a beat! The sect hadn't announced Lin Xiaofan's successful Qi Induction, so how did the Hundred Treasures Pavilion know?!

She forced herself to remain calm and smiled, saying, "Manager Chen is indeed well-informed. It's just that I was lucky; it's all thanks to the excellent guidance of my senior brother, the sect leader."

She cleverly attributed the credit to the sect leader, avoiding the specific details of the "Enlightenment Cave".

Manager Chen chuckled, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes, but he didn't press further. Instead, he pointedly reminded him, "Prosperity is certainly a good thing, a very good thing!"

"However... the taller the tree, the more the wind will blow. Miss Su, when you return, you should remind Sect Leader Shen to be extra careful. There are more than one pair of eyes watching your sect in this mossy area."

This is already a pretty straightforward reminder!

Su Xiao's heart sank, but she said gratefully, "Thank you for the reminder, Manager Chen. I will definitely pass it on to Senior Brother Sect Leader."

After finishing her shopping and leaving the Treasure Pavilion, Su Xiao's keen senses detected at least two or three figures following her at a distance.

A chill ran down her spine, and she quickened her pace, wanting to leave the market as soon as possible. As she rounded a corner, she could even clearly hear a few hushed but malicious whispers coming from a nearby teahouse:

"Hey, have you heard? That penniless sect leader of Qingyun Sect, I don't know what stroke of luck he had, seems to have actually come up with something?"

"The Enlightenment Cave? It's all hype! I think it's just a charade!"

"Who cares if it's true or not! What right does a declining sect have to monopolize the Spirit Eye? I heard it's revived? If it's true..."

"Hmph! Black Wind Stronghold suffered a humiliation last time, and now they really think they're something special? Just wait and see..."

These words, like cold, venomous snakes, slithered into Su Xiao's ears, sending chills down her spine! Sure enough! The changes within the sect had already attracted greedy eyes! And it was likely not just one force involved!

She dared not linger and almost ran away from the market, returning to Qingyun Mountain in a panic.

Back on the mountain, Su Xiao immediately sought an audience with Shen Mo, recounting everything she had seen and heard without reservation, her pretty face filled with worry.

"Senior Brother Sect Leader! The situation is probably worse than we expected! The manager of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion warned us that someone is following us in the market, and some people are secretly talking about it. It seems... it seems they have malicious intentions towards our Spirit Eye and Enlightenment Cave!" Su Xiao's voice trembled with a hint of lingering fear.

Shen Mo listened quietly, his face showing little surprise. He had already anticipated all of this when he decided to "fabricate a myth" and enhance the sect's strength.

Possessing a treasure is a crime; this is an eternal truth in the world of cultivation.

"I understand." Shen Mo's tone was calm, as if he had only heard a casual greeting. He comforted her, "Thank you for your hard work, Junior Sister Xiao. I have my own plans for this matter, so there's no need to worry too much."

His calm demeanor resonated with Su Xiao, calming her flustered heart somewhat.

"From today onwards," Shen Mo immediately ordered, "strengthen the sect's security. Increase the frequency of patrols, which will be arranged by Wang Lie. Immediately alert anyone who discovers any suspicious signs. No disciple may leave the mountain without special circumstances."

"Yes!" Su Xiao replied solemnly.

Soon, the entire Qingyun Sect felt the tense atmosphere.

With a solemn expression, Wang Lie increased the frequency of patrols and even began setting up simple warning traps along some hidden paths (a skill he acquired as a hunter).

Shi Tie, Zhang Daniu, and the others also trained even harder, determined to become stronger as soon as possible to protect the sect!

However, what is destined to come will eventually come.

Several days later, at dusk, the setting sun, as red as blood, dyed Qingyun Mountain a poignant crimson.

Sun Xiaohou, who was responsible for keeping watch from the tallest ancient tree near the mountain gate, suddenly tumbled and scrambled down the tree, his face pale, panting heavily as he ran wildly towards the main hall, shouting in a trembling voice:

"Master...Master! Something terrible has happened! Down the mountain...down the mountain! So many...so many people are coming! They're carrying weapons! They're heading...towards our mountain!"

Sun Xiaohou's distorted cry of surprise was like a thunderclap, exploding in the peaceful and tranquil twilight of Qingyun Mountain.

The disciples who were busy in front of the main hall froze instantly, their laughter and chatter abruptly stopped, and all their eyes turned to the direction down the mountain, their faces filled with astonishment and tension.

It was as if an invisible string in the air suddenly tightened.