Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Just as he was planning for the future, the system notification sounded again:

[Ding! The system has detected that the host has successfully averted the crisis of the sect's destruction and has initially established the sect's prestige, triggering the phase mission: The Foundation of the Sect.]

[Task Requirements: 1. Upgrade the sect's defensive formation (maze formation) to 'Initial Formation'. 2. Successfully refine any type of low-grade pill (success rate > 10%). 3. Train one disciple to advance one minor cultivation realm.]

[Task Rewards: 30 Karma Points, 1 random basic weapon crafting method, and a slight increase in sect reputation.]

A new mission! And the reward is quite generous! Shen Mo's spirits lifted. With a clear goal and a reward, his motivation was even greater.

He looked down into the deep night below the mountain, his gaze becoming profound and resolute.

"It seems it's time to truly begin 'building' this sect."

Meanwhile, outside Qingyun Mountain, in the desolate forests shrouded in night, several furtive figures were talking in hushed tones; they were the spies who had been secretly observing during the day.

"Did you see that? Black Cloud Demon really coughed up blood!"

"It's absolutely true! I was injured by the red light emanating from that stone lion!"

"The Qingyun Sect is indeed strange! That stone lion must be an ancient treasure!"

"This matter must be reported to the family (sect) immediately!"

"Tsk tsk, is the Qingyun Sect about to have a stroke of good fortune? Or... will they be doomed to a quicker demise because they possess such a treasure?"

Whispers drifted in the night breeze, carrying shock, suspicion, greed, and scheming.

The news that "the stone lion of Qingyun Gate opened its eyes and frightened away the Black Wind Village Chief" began to ripple quietly across the area, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

……

At the summit of Qingyun Mountain, beside the newly formed spiritual eye, Shen Mo slowly opened his eyes, a glint of brilliance lurking within them.

With the help of this pure spiritual energy, although he did not break through, his cultivation at the first level of Qi Refining was completely stabilized, and his divine sense was also refined to some extent.

He stood up, feeling the spiritual energy within his body far more abundant than before, and felt somewhat at ease.

His gaze swept around. Shi Tie was shirtless, shouting and brandishing his steel sword in the distance, honing his martial arts skills. Beads of sweat rolled down his bronze skin, his blood and energy surging.

Ah Yuan was carefully watering the newly sprouted glimmer grass by the herb garden, her little face serious.

Everything was in perfect order, exuding a long-lost vibrant energy.

Su Xiao walked over carrying a wooden tray with water and a few wild fruits on it.

"Sect Leader, please have some breakfast," she said softly, her eyes less worried than before and more composed and capable.

Shen Mo took the bowl of water and instructed, "Junior Sister Xiao, get ready. We're going to the market again today."

Su Xiao was not surprised by this and nodded in response, "Yes, Senior Brother Sect Leader. I have prepared the spirit stones and the purchase list. However..."

She hesitated slightly, "There are so many people watching from below now. Wouldn't it be too conspicuous for us to come down the mountain now?"

Shen Mo smiled slightly, his smile carrying a hint of worldly wisdom: "It is precisely because there are so many eyes watching that we need to go out even more."

"Staying indoors makes us look guilty. Showing ourselves openly demonstrates our strength and allows us to gather information from the outside world."

"Moreover, reinforcing the formation and attempting alchemy both require materials, and cannot be delayed."

Su Xiao suddenly understood and said admiringly, "Sect Leader, you've thought things through thoroughly. Xiao'er understands now."

An hour later, Shen Mo and Su Xiao appeared on the mountain road leading to Qingtai Market. Unlike their previous panic and trepidation, their steps were much more steady this time.

Shen Mo was still wearing the faded Taoist robe of the sect leader, but his spine was straight, his gaze was calm, and he had an aura that could not be underestimated.

Su Xiao followed half a step behind him, her expression alert but not flustered, carefully observing her surroundings.

Sure enough, as soon as the two approached the entrance to the market, Shen Mo keenly noticed that the gazes cast upon them, whether overt or covert, were completely different from the last time.

Last time, the gazes were indifferent, dismissive, and even tinged with schadenfreude. This time, however, the gazes became more complex—there was curiosity, inquiry, surprise, and even a hint of barely perceptible apprehension.

The chattering cultivators at the entrance of the market noticeably quieted down when they saw the two of them.

When their eyes met, some people subconsciously avoided eye contact, while others gave slightly ingratiating smiles, and some even nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"Look, it's people from the Qingyun Sect..."

"That must be Sect Leader Shen, right? He looks quite young, I didn't expect..."

"Shh, keep your voice down! I heard even the Black Wind Stronghold Chief suffered a great loss at their mountain gate!"

"Really? Are those stone lions really that eerie?"

"Who knows... Anyway, it's best to avoid trouble."

The hushed whispers drifted over, barely audible, but Shen Mo and Su Xiao clearly sensed the shift in atmosphere.

Su Xiao's heart trembled slightly, and she subconsciously looked at Shen Mo walking in front of her. She saw that her senior brother, the sect leader, still had a normal expression, as if everything around him was irrelevant to him. She secretly admired his composure.

Upon entering the market town, the changes become even more apparent.

The stall owners lining the road were no longer indifferent. When Shen Mo's gaze swept over a particular stall, the stall owner would even smile, and some would even greet him, "Sect Leader Shen, come and see the newly arrived medicinal herbs?"

Although still tentative, his attitude was much more respectful.

Shen Mo was neither arrogant nor overly enthusiastic; he simply nodded slightly and continued walking. His goal was very clear: to head towards a stall that specialized in selling basic array materials.

The stall owner was a gaunt old man who used to barely glance at anyone from the Qingyun Sect. But today, seeing Shen Mo stop, he actually stood up and greeted him with a smile:

"Oh, it's an honor to have Sect Leader Shen here! My humble stall is truly honored! What would you like to order? We just received a batch of 'Qinggang Stone' powder recently. It's of superior quality and perfect for stabilizing the array base!"

Shen Mo understood immediately; the old man was indeed well-informed, knowing he might need materials for an array. Without showing any emotion, he picked up a pinch of oak powder, rubbed it between his fingers, and asked, "What's the price of this?"

"Hehe, I'll give you a special price, ten taels a serving!" the old man laughed.

"Ten taels?" Su Xiao couldn't help but ask from the side. She remembered that when she asked the price last time, this thing was only eight taels a piece.

The old man explained without changing his expression, "Young lady, you may not know this, but supplies have been tight lately, and prices have gone up. However, since it's Sect Leader Shen who wants it, I'll give you nine taels! Consider it making friends!"

Shen Mo glanced at the old man but didn't say anything. He put down the stone powder and looked at the "Flowing Cloud Sand" and "Low-Grade Spirit Ink" next to him.

He asked the price, and the old man quoted prices that were slightly higher than the market price, but he kept saying "discounted price".

Shen Mo sneered inwardly. Was this because they saw that Qingyun Sect was "generous" and wanted to take advantage of them? Or were they testing his strength?

He stopped haggling and turned to Su Xiao, saying calmly, "It seems this place's goods aren't good. Let's go look elsewhere."

The old man's face stiffened instantly, and he quickly pleaded, "Hey, Sect Leader Shen, please wait! The price is negotiable! Eight taels! No, seven taels and fifty cents! What do you think?"

Shen Mo didn't stop walking; he had already made a judgment in his mind.

The people in this market town have developed a sense of awe, but their greed remains, and they may even be more inclined to take advantage of the situation to make a quick buck because of that awe.

He needs to find a more "realistic" trading partner.