Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"More than twenty years have passed... He still remembers Qingyun Sect and me. Moreover, it seems he is quite aware of Qingyun Sect's recent activities."

The message mentioned, "I heard that you have already embarked on the path of the Nascent Soul, and your name in Qingyun resounds throughout the Eastern Wilderness," which clearly indicates that you are not someone who is blind and deaf.

"Sect Leader, what is the purpose of this Li Xiaoyao's message?" Han Lin, recovering from his shock, looked worried. "He was mysterious and unpredictable back then, and his cultivation seemed very ordinary. Now, after many years, he has suddenly reappeared, coinciding with such a sensitive time as the Tianyuan Conference... Whether he is friend or foe, a blessing or a curse, is hard to predict."

Chen Hao also calmed his excitement and nodded in agreement: "Elder Han is absolutely right. The methods Senior Li displayed at the Hundred Treasures Pavilion back then already astonished the pavilion's elders. Now it seems that his cultivation is even more unfathomable. If he harbors goodwill towards the Qingyun Sect, it would naturally be a tremendous help. But if..."

He paused, not continuing, but his meaning was clear. Such a mysterious and powerful entity suddenly contacting them would inevitably arouse suspicion.

In particular, the opponent used a lost ancient talisman, demonstrating extraordinary concealment and teleportation abilities. This unfathomable prowess itself was a source of pressure.

Shen Mo did not answer immediately. In his mind, the carefree and unrestrained image of Li Xiaoyao more than twenty years ago intertwined with the brief yet information-rich letter he received today.

The letter's tone was peaceful and intimate, even carrying a hint of anticipation for a reunion with an old friend, seemingly without malice. "Boiling tea and discussing swordsmanship, reminiscing about past ties" also fits the image of a detached yet occasionally caring hermit that Li Xiaoyao had left him with.

But... is that really the case?

Why would a mysterious "rogue cultivator" with unfathomable cultivation level happen to appear at the Qingyun Sect, which was on the verge of collapse, more than twenty years ago? And why did he "coincidentally" point out the key source of the spiritual spring, providing the most crucial physical evidence for his "fabricated" myth? And now he "coincidentally" appears again on the eve of the Tianyuan Conference?

Too many coincidences cease to be coincidences.

Shen Mo couldn't help but recall the terrifying discovery in the quiet room: the overlapping of faces, the system's warning, and the horrifying words "shared souls" and "interference traces"... Could Li Xiaoyao's sudden appearance be related to all of this?

Was his sudden appearance at the Qingyun Sect, which was just beginning to show signs of recovery, really just a coincidence?

Or is he also part of some "plan"? Or perhaps, an informant or executor for that "unknown higher being"?

This thought sent a chill down Shen Mo's spine, but he showed no sign of it on his face. It was precisely in times like these that composure was crucial.

"Whether it's a blessing or a curse, we'll only know when we meet," Shen Mo said slowly, his voice regaining its composure. "Li Xiaoyao was kind to our sect in the past and mentored me. This time, his message is kind and he says he wants to meet me in Tianyuan City. Logically and morally, we have no reason to refuse. Besides..."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "The Tianyuan Tournament is a gathering of heroes, a mixed bag of people. Having another old acquaintance might offer more support, or at least provide more insight into the unknown variables."

Han Lin and Chen Hao exchanged a glance, both understanding the deeper meaning in Shen Mo's words. Whether Li Xiaoyao was friend or foe was unclear, but since he had taken the initiative to approach them and didn't seem to show any immediate signs of hostility, it was better to proactively contact him and ascertain his true intentions than to passively speculate.

In the complex environment of the Tianyuan Tournament, it's better for a mysterious and powerful being to remain stable than to be completely unknown.

"Sect Leader's considerations are thorough." Han Lin nodded. "However, how should we reply? The message talisman has been destroyed, and we have no way to contact him."

"No need for a special reply," Shen Mo said. "Since he said he'd meet in Tianyuan City, then let's meet there. If he wants to see us, he'll come looking for us. We just need to proceed with the preparations for the conference as planned. However…"

He looked at Chen Hao, "Manager Chen, I will have to trouble the Hundred Treasures Pavilion to use all available channels to secretly investigate all information related to 'Li Xiaoyao' and 'Xiaoyao Sword Intent,' especially his whereabouts and rumors in the Central Region and Eastern Wilderness in recent decades. Note that it is essential to keep it secret and not to alert him."

"Sect Leader Shen, rest assured, leave this matter to me!" Chen Hao solemnly replied. "While I can't speak for everything else, the Hundred Treasures Pavilion has fairly good information channels. We will do our utmost to find out the background of this Senior Li!"

"Thank you for your trouble." Shen Mo nodded, then said to Han Lin, "Elder Han, regarding Li Xiaoyao's matter, it's best to keep it to the three of us for now. There's no need to publicize it, so as not to cause unnecessary speculation and unrest. The most important thing for us disciples right now is to prepare for the Tianyuan Tournament."

"I understand," Han Lin replied.

After discussing a few more details about the conference preparations, Chen Hao and Han Lin took their leave. Once again, only Shen Mo remained in the Flowing Cloud Hall.

The sun had completely sunk behind the western mountains, and the twilight, as dark as ink, gradually bathed the palace in its light. Shen Mo did not immediately light the lamps, allowing the shadows to engulf him. He sat alone on the main seat in the empty hall, his figure appearing somewhat lonely in the dim light.

Li Xiaoyao...

This suddenly appearing name is like a pebble thrown into a seemingly calm lake, creating ripples that seem to resonate with the deeper, darker whirlpool at the bottom of the lake.

Friend? Foe? Outsider? Or... one of the players?

Shen Mo slowly closed his eyes. In his sea of ​​consciousness, the dim and silent system light remained unresponsive.

In his arms, the jade slip containing self-doubt and system warnings, and the heavily sealed Qingyunzi jade slip, lay quietly in different places, yet both seemed to radiate invisible, cold pressure.

Amidst an identity mystery and system warnings, the shadow of Qingyunzi's "return" looms large.

Then came the Tianyuan Conference, where heroes vied for supremacy, bearing the heavy responsibility of the rise and fall of sects.

Now, there is another mysterious figure, Li Xiaoyao, who suddenly reappears after 20 years.

Layers of mist and immense pressure, like invisible shackles, entangled us.

But in Shen Mo's heart, the icy shell forged by reason and coldness seemed to become even harder and colder under this immense pressure.

He opened his eyes again, his gaze now devoid of confusion and turmoil, only filled with an unfathomable darkness and resolute determination.

"Come on," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible in the empty, silent hall, yet carrying a sharp edge that cut through all hesitation. "Whether you are Li Xiaoyao, or anything else. Whether what lies ahead is opportunity, a trap, or something destined to bury my 'return'..."

"They want my path, they want everything I have, they want the present and the future that the name 'Shen Mo' represents..."

"Show your true skills in Tianyuan City and give it a try."

He stood up, and a spark of light flew from his fingertip, illuminating all the eternal lamps in the hall. In an instant, the light dispelled the darkness, illuminating the Flowing Cloud Hall as bright as day, and also illuminating the expressionless yet seemingly storm-suppressing calm on his face.

(End of Volume 4)