Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

"That's good," Shen Mo thought to himself. Being neighbors with these forces that also came from the "periphery" would at least initially prevent too many conflicts of interest and condescending scrutiny, making it easier to maintain a cautious and non-aggressive balance.

Just as he was pulling himself out of his thoughts, a soft, rhythmic knocking sound came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Tap, tap, tap."

The sound wasn't loud, but it rang out clearly in the quiet courtyard.

Zhao Qingyan, who was setting up her formation, and Su Xiao, who was concealing herself, both looked alertly towards the courtyard gate. Shi Tie and Wang Hu also stopped what they were doing and placed their hands on their weapons.

Shen Mo's gaze sharpened slightly. They had just settled in; who would come to visit?

"Go take a look," Shen Mo gestured to Zhao Ming, who was closest to the door.

Zhao Ming strode to the courtyard gate, but did not open it immediately. Instead, he cautiously peered out through the crack in the door, then turned back with a hint of doubt on his face, holding something in his hand: "Sect Leader, there's no one outside, only this... stuck on the door."

He held in his hand a jade visiting card, about half the size of his palm, entirely crimson, warm to the touch, and with golden flame patterns on its edges.

Shen Mo remotely received the visiting card. Upon receiving it, a pure and gentle fire elemental energy emanated from it, clearly indicating that its materials were exceptional. Opening the card, he found several lines of powerful, vigorous calligraphy written in a spiritual light:

"It has been a month since we parted in the Southern Regions. I am overjoyed to hear that Brother Shen has arrived in Tianyuan City. Your younger brother, Yanlie, has prepared a simple cup of tea at Liuhuo Courtyard in the south of the city and cordially invites Brother Shen to come and chat tomorrow afternoon. We can enjoy tea, discuss the Dao, reminisce about the past in the Southern Regions, and also admire your demeanor. I earnestly hope you will grace us with your presence. Your younger brother, Yanlie, bows respectfully."

At the bottom of the signature, there is a faintly flickering flame mark, which is the symbol of the Blazing Sun Sect.

Yan Lie of the Lieyang Sect. The Lieyang Sect prodigy who had briefly "traveled" with them before Zhenyuan Pass, whose attitude was ambiguous during the conflict at Xuankong Mountain Market, and who was listed as one of the "potential rivals" to be wary of in Wanfa City's intelligence.

The invitation was polite and even carried a sense of intimacy, as if the old friend was reuniting. It downplayed the previous conflict at the Hanging Mountain as "an old story from the Southern Region" and invited the visit to drink tea and discuss philosophy. It seemed to be just a routine courtesy visit.

But at this very moment, less than an hour after they had settled in, the invitation arrived precisely at their door... The Blazing Sun Sect had a very clear grasp of their movements.

Moreover, Liuhuo Academy... Shen Mo remembered that it was one of the high-class inns located in the upper middle area of ​​Tianyuan, specifically for receiving some prominent large sects and aristocratic families.

The location of the Lieyang Sect is clearly a level above that of the Yunqi Garden, where the Qingyun Sect is located.

This is a gesture of goodwill, and also a silent declaration.

Shen Mo held the warm visiting card between his fingers, lost in thought. All the disciples in the courtyard watched him, awaiting his decision.

To go or not to go?

If they go, it would establish a preliminary, public connection with the Lieyang Sect, or more specifically, with Yanlie. This might be seen as a signal that the Qingyun Sect is moving closer to the Lieyang Sect, or it might fall into some unknown scheme of the other side.

Not going would be a direct rejection of the other party's feelings, potentially pushing the already ambiguous relationship towards confrontation. In Tianyuan, a place where one is unfamiliar with people and surrounded by powerful enemies, having another enemy is certainly not a wise move.

A moment later, a flash of inspiration appeared at Shen Mo's fingertips, and he used his divine sense to imprint a line of elegant small characters on the blank space of the invitation: "I appreciate Fellow Daoist Yan Lie's kind invitation. I will certainly keep my appointment tomorrow afternoon. Shen Mo."

After writing it, he handed the visiting card back to Zhao Ming: "Just paste it back on the outside of the door as is."

"Sect Leader, are you really going?" Shi Tie couldn't help but ask, his brows furrowed. "That guy was at Suspended Mountain, watching that Lin family brat bully Xiao Cao without saying a word! Now he's pretending to invite me; I'm afraid he has ulterior motives!"

"Yes, Sect Leader," Wang Hu added, "The Blazing Sun Sect is powerful. We're new here, so it's best to be cautious."

Shen Mo glanced at them and said calmly, "Precisely because we are newcomers, we should go even more. The Blazing Sun Sect is one of the major sects in the Southern Region, and has been entrenched here for many years. Their understanding of Tianyuan far surpasses ours."

"Whether Yan Lie's invitation is sincere or not, it is an opportunity to gather information, observe the other party, and even maneuver within the situation to gain benefits."

He paused, then continued, "As for the matter of Suspended Mountain, he didn't take action. It was out of self-preservation and to observe the situation. This is the norm in the cultivation world, not a matter of mortal enmity."

"Now that he has taken the initiative to extend an invitation and adopted a humble attitude, if we refuse, it would make us appear narrow-minded, out of touch with reality, and push potential allies or exploiters to the opposite side."

"What... what if there's a trap?" Li Xiaocao asked worriedly.

"Therefore, I will not go alone." Shen Mo looked at Su Xiao. "Su Xiao, you will accompany them secretly. You don't need to get close to Liuhuo Courtyard. Just observe from the outside. Pay attention to whether anyone else is following or monitoring you, and keep an eye on any activity near Liuhuo Courtyard."

"Qingyan, you stay in the courtyard and oversee the formation. If there are any unusual movements, contact me immediately using the Cloud Nest Token or a communication talisman. Shi Tie, Wang Hu, you two guard the courtyard and protect the others."

"Yes!" Su Xiao, Zhao Qingyan, and the others responded in unison. Shen Mo's arrangements were meticulous, which put their minds at ease.

"Furthermore," Shen Mo's gaze swept over everyone, "the invitation from the Blazing Sun Sect is just the beginning. There will only be more similar invitations, tests, and even provocations in the future. Everyone must remember that here, every word and action can be interpreted and used."

"Speak less, observe more, and listen more. When in doubt, prioritize stability. But if someone comes to bully you, don't suffer in silence; I'll take care of everything."

"Yes, Sect Leader!" The crowd's expressions hardened, and they responded in unison.

Shen Mo waved his hand, signaling everyone to continue with their own business. He took the Cloud Abode Token, walked to the stone bench by the spiritual spring in the courtyard, sat down, and immersed his divine sense into the token, carefully browsing the simplified map of Tianyuan Outer City, especially the area where "Flowing Fire Academy" was located, as well as the layout of the surrounding roads and buildings.

The afterglow of the setting sun (perhaps some kind of celestial formation effect) filtered through the sparse spiritual mist, gilding the small "Yunqi Garden" with a soft golden edge.

In the courtyard, the spiritual spring gurgled, the spiritual herbs glowed faintly, and the newly set up array quietly began to operate, the warning marks hidden invisibly. The disciples rested quietly, regulated their breathing, or exchanged whispers.

The seemingly tranquil courtyard was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, creating the first, almost imperceptible ripples in this colossal city suspended above the abyss.

In the courtyard of the Golden Wolf tribe on the left, totems flickered with faint light, and suppressed roars of beasts could be heard. In the dwellings of Star Luo Island on the right, mist hung in the air, and the sound of tides seemed to echo.

Tomorrow afternoon, the tea served at Liuhuo Courtyard in the south of the city—whether it is sweet or bitter, warm or scalding—may determine whether the first piece Qingyun Sect places in the game of the Tianyuan Conference will be black or white.

Night deepened. The eternally gentle light of the sky gradually transformed into a deep night sky adorned with countless stars (or stars simulated by the array).

This sky city, shrouded in starlight and spiritual light, is serene and mysterious, awaiting the coming momentous event that will sweep across the younger generation of the Eastern Wilderness.