Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Shen Mo watched the Lieyang Sect's flying boat depart, his eyes deep and thoughtful. The "cooperation" with the Lieyang Sect would likely not be easy. This Huoyun Zhenren was cunning and treacherous; his ambitions were far from insignificant.

However, given the current situation, the Qingyun Sect has suffered heavy casualties in the great battle, and I myself need time to stabilize my Nascent Soul realm. It is indeed not advisable to start another major conflict. It is necessary to feign compliance and buy time.

He withdrew his gaze, looking down at the devastated battlefield, at his disciples who, after their initial cheers, had fallen silent as they began to collect the remains of their fallen comrades and tend to the wounded. A heavy weight settled in his heart. The joy of victory was quickly replaced by the somber weight of reality.

"Shi Tie, Su Xiao," Shen Mo said in a deep voice.

"Here!" Shi Tie struggled to his feet, and Su Xiao emerged from the shadows.

"Take stock of the casualties, treat the wounded, collect the remains of our fallen comrades, and make proper arrangements. Wang Hu is seriously injured; send him back to the rear immediately and ask Master Qingsong to do everything in his power to treat him. The spoils of war... will be temporarily collected and disposed of later."

"Yes!" The two accepted the order and immediately got to work.

"Pavilion Master Ling Shuang, Elder Leng Yue." Shen Mo then looked at the two women from Xuanbing Pavilion.

"Please speak, True Lord Shen." Fairy Ling Shuang's tone was much more polite now that Shen Mo was a Nascent Soul cultivator, so his status was naturally different.

"Thank you both and fellow Daoists from Xuanbing Pavilion for your great help. What is the extent of your casualties? If needed, our Qingyun Sect's Pill Hall can provide assistance."

"Thank you for your concern, True Lord Shen. Our Xuanbing Pavilion has suffered over ten casualties, but it's manageable." A flicker of pain crossed Fairy Ling Shuang's eyes, but she quickly concealed it. "Now that things are settled here, I must quickly lead my disciples back to the Northern Territory to prevent any unrest from the remnants of the Xuan Yin Sect or other forces in the Northern Desert. True Lord Shen, we will take our leave now. Xuanbing Mountain welcomes your presence at any time should the need arise."

They also needed to hurry back to consolidate their gains and prepare for any possible changes.

"Very well. Pavilion Master Ling Shuang, Elder Leng Yue, take care on your journey. Shen Mo and Qingyun Sect will never forget this kindness." Shen Mo solemnly cupped his hands in thanks.

"Take care, Lord Shen." Fairy Ling Shuang returned the greeting to Leng Yue without saying much. She quickly summoned the disciples of Xuanbing Pavilion, boarded the light blue flying boat, transformed into a streak of icy blue light, and disappeared into the sky.

Master Qingsong of the Hundred Herbs Sect and Zhou Tong of the Green Wood Temple also came to say goodbye. Master Qingsong left behind a lot of healing pills and invited Shen Mo to visit the Hundred Herbs Sect when it was convenient for him in the future.

Zhou Tong expressed his deepest gratitude to Shen Mo for "taking care" of Song Tao (although Song Tao had been just a bystander in the background the whole time and was terrified). He then took the still-shaken Song Tao and the disciples of Qingmu Temple and boarded the earthen-yellow flying car to leave.

Finally, Shen Mo's gaze fell upon the "Wind-Eroded Rock." There, the people of the Heavenly Sword Sect had silently retreated at some point, leaving behind only a chaotic battlefield.

Sword Without Return… Shen Mo’s eyes turned slightly cold. The Heavenly Sword Sect’s secret intervention this time seemed to be in collusion with the Profound Yin Sect, and their retreat at the last minute was despicable. This debt would be settled sooner or later. However, now was not the time.

The Valley of Burial Souls gradually quieted down. Only the sounds of Qingyun Sect disciples cleaning up the battlefield and the sizzling of the crimson lava pool slowly cooling and solidifying remained. The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the entire valley a poignant dark red, as if telling the tragic story of what had just happened.

Shen Mo slowly descended to the ground and walked to the edge of the enormous lava pool. Wisps of lingering, not-yet-completely-purified evil energy still remained in the pool, but they were no longer a threat. The altar was destroyed, the banners were gone, the demonic projection had vanished, and the so-called "gateway" should have been completely severed as well.

He raised his head, gazing towards the deeper wilderness to the north. The Xuan Yin Sect Master… that mysterious and unpredictable figure, capable of transmitting "holy power" remotely and suspected of having a profound connection with the extraterrestrial demons, where is he now? Is he lurking in the shadows, licking his wounds, or is he brewing an even more terrifying conspiracy? (The latest chapter of the novel is updated; come and follow it!)

There is also the Hall of Reincarnation, the Eye of Return to the Void, and the unfinished task of Patriarch Qingyun to mend the heavens...

The road ahead is still long.

But today, victory has finally been achieved. Qingyun Sect has weathered this storm, and Shen Mo has officially entered the Nascent Soul realm, truly gaining the right to stand firm, protect, and pursue the truth in this turbulent world of cultivation.

"Return to the mountain." Shen Mo turned around and gave the order in a deep voice to the busy disciples.

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried the majesty of a Nascent Soul cultivator and a resolute determination born from surviving a calamity.

It's time to go back and properly digest the gains from this battle, settle the wounded and injured, consolidate our cultivation, and then... face new challenges and a new game.

The battle flag of Qingyun Sect fluttered in the blood-stained evening wind.

......

Qingyun Mountain, Liuyun Peak.

The first light snow of early winter silently blanketed the rolling mountains, draping the verdant pines and cypresses in a pristine silver coat. Sunlight pierced through the thin clouds, scattering across the glistening snowflakes and refracting them into shimmering gold. The air was crisp and clear, carrying the unique chill and purity of a post-snowfall day; inhaling it invigorated the spirit.

In stark contrast to the tranquil snowscape in the mountains, the Qingyun Sect was filled with an almost overflowing, fervent, and festive atmosphere.

More than a month has passed since the earth-shattering battle at the Burial Valley of Souls in the Northern Desert, a battle that determined the fate of the Southern Region and even the Eastern Wilderness. However, the afterglow of victory and the overwhelming prestige that followed have not faded. On the contrary, like sparks thrown into boiling oil, they are burning ever brighter and brighter within and outside the Qingyun Sect, and even throughout the entire Southern Region of the Eastern Wilderness, spreading like wildfire.

"clang--!"

"clang--!"

"clang--!"

The distant, deep, and soul-stirring sound of the bell rang out from the summit of Qingyun Mountain, piercing through the thin snow and morning mist, echoing among the mountains for a full eighty-one rings!

This is the "Suppressing Fortune Bell," which is only rung when a sect has a Nascent Soul True Monarch in charge, or during a major celebration concerning the sect's survival and prosperity! The bell's sound contains a special spiritual rhythm that not only announces to all directions but also calms the mind and gathers fortune.

At this moment, throughout the Qingyun Sect, from the Liuyun Hall where Sect Leader Shen Mo resides, to the various halls and palaces, and even to the markets where outer disciples gather, lanterns and colorful decorations adorn every corner. Brand new Qingyun banners, embroidered with patterns of flowing clouds around mountains and stars, flutter in the cold wind.

The disciples, whether from the inner or outer sect, all changed into brand-new, standardized Taoist robes. Their faces radiated genuine pride, excitement, and high morale. They walked with their backs ramrod straight, and their words and actions exuded an confidence that "our sect is at its zenith and has a bright future."

The huge square in front of Liuyun Hall had been swept clean and spotless, and the snow piled up around the square only added to its solemnity.

In the center of the square, a new nine-zhang-tall giant stele, carved from a single piece of "ten-thousand-year-old warm jade," has been erected. On the front of the stele, in ancient and vigorous calligraphy, are engraved the eight characters "Suppress demons and slay evil, protect all living beings." These characters were personally written by Shen Mo, and they contain the magnificent Daoist charm and awe-inspiring righteousness of the newly promoted Nascent Soul cultivator.

On the back of the monument, the names, hometowns, and achievements of the Qingyun Sect disciples who fought bravely and unfortunately perished in the Battle of the Northern Desert are densely engraved, so that future generations of disciples can pay homage and remember them. This is called the "Monument to the Martyrs".

Incense smoke curled around the monument, and disciples had already come to pay their respects, their expressions solemn.