Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Ah Yuan blinked her big eyes, looking at this person and then at that person, and whispered in agreement, "Hmm... Ah Yuan can do even more things..."

Shen Mo glanced at Su Xiao approvingly and nodded, saying, "Junior Sister Xiao is right. Our energy is limited; if we are bogged down in trivial matters, how can we talk about improving our cultivation?"

"Moreover, the sect's defense, foreign relations, and even the development of new sources of revenue in the future will all require more manpower."

Shi Tie seemed to understand something, his eyes widening in confusion as he asked, "Sect Leader, do you mean... we need to recruit people?"

"That's right," Shen Mo affirmed. "I intend to establish my own school and accept disciples."

Upon hearing this, all three were taken aback. Taking on disciples? In its current state, the Qingyun Sect still wants to take on disciples? They dare to take on disciples?

Shi Tie was the first to react, but a look of worry appeared on his face: "Sect Leader, taking on disciples is certainly a good thing! But... but given our situation, what kind of people can we recruit?"

"What if we attract some people with ulterior motives, or spies sent by other sects?"

He was straightforward and his first thought was safety. The shadow of Black Wind Stronghold still lingered.

Su Xiao frowned and replied, "Senior Brother Shi's concerns are not without merit. That's one point. The second is resources. Although the Spirit Eye has been revived, its output is extremely limited."

"We can still support the four of us now, but if we add more people, the expenses for spirit stones, pills, and even daily necessities will be enormous. With the current financial resources of my sect, I'm afraid... it will be difficult to continue."

She was in charge of supplies and knew the family's finances best; her words were filled with anxiety about the current situation.

Hearing her senior brothers and sisters' worries, A-Yuan's face also showed tension, but looking at Shen Mo's calm expression, she whispered:

"But... wouldn't the sect be more lively if new senior brothers and sisters came? A-Yuan... A-Yuan also wants more companions..."

Her voice still carried a childlike, innocent expectation.

Shen Mo took in the reactions of the three. Shi Tie's loyalty and vigilance, Su Xiao's rationality and foresight, and A Yuan's innocence and longing were all real and precious.

He didn't immediately refute them, but patiently waited for them to finish speaking before slowly opening his mouth:

"Your concerns are all reasonable. The threat of spies and the shortage of resources are indeed our two major challenges at present."

He first acknowledged their concerns, then changed the subject, saying, "However, everything has its advantages and disadvantages. If we throw the baby out with the bathwater, our Qingyun Sect will never grow strong."

He looked at Shi Tie and said, "Junior Brother Tie, it's understandable that you're worried about spies infiltrating. Therefore, this time when accepting disciples, we'd rather have fewer but better ones. We don't value aptitude, but rather character."

"We must set up numerous tests to observe their words and actions and discern their true nature. Even if we select only one or two out of a hundred, it would be a great fortune to find one or two people with upright character and a heart devoted to the sect."

He then looked at Su Xiao: "Junior Sister Xiao, your concern about resources is a matter of managing a household well. However, increasing revenue and reducing expenditure are both important, and the growth of people is also the beginning of increasing revenue."

"New disciples are not merely a drain on your resources; they can also create value. They may share the workload, allowing you to focus on your cultivation; or they may develop specialties, such as alchemy, talisman making, or beast taming, thus contributing back to the sect. Moreover..."

Shen Mo's lips curled into a meaningful smile: "Our Qingyun Sect's founder is blessed with great fortune. Who knows if there won't be new opportunities in the future (a setup for the system)? It's certainly worrying to sit around and do nothing, but only by joining hands can we open up a new world."

Finally, he looked at A-Yuan, his tone softening with affection: "A-Yuan's longing for companions is only natural. How can a sect talk about inheritance if it doesn't even have this much warmth?"

Shi Tie scratched his head and thought for a moment, then agreed in a deep voice, "The sect leader is right! I was thinking wrong! We can't skip meals just because we're afraid of choking! If we choose our people carefully, we'll definitely find some good talent!"

Su Xiao's beautiful eyes sparkled as she carefully considered Shen Mo's words, especially his mention of "open source" and "opportunity," which greatly reduced her concerns and replaced them with a sense of eager anticipation and challenge.

She nodded in agreement: "Senior Brother Sect Leader is very thoughtful; Xiao'er is short-sighted. If planned properly, new disciples may not be a burden, but rather an asset."

When A-Yuan saw that her senior brothers and sisters had agreed, a happy smile immediately appeared on her face.

Seeing that the three had reached a consensus, Shen Mo felt reassured and concluded:

"In that case, the matter of establishing the sect and accepting disciples is settled. Tomorrow I will draft the regulations, Junior Sister Xiao will assist in refining the assessment standards, Junior Brother Tie will be in charge of preparing the venue, and A Yuan... um, be in charge of making the herb garden look even prettier, to leave a good impression on the new disciples."

"Yes! Sect Leader (Senior Brother)!" the three replied in unison, their voices filled with enthusiasm and anticipation.

......

The next morning, Shen Mo was walking silently down the winding road down Qingyun Mountain.

Behind her, Su Xiao followed lightly. Today, she had specially worn a half-new light green dress, her hair was neatly combed, and her pretty face showed a bit of nervousness, but more so, she was eager to try.

She held a sandalwood box about a foot long tightly in her arms. The box itself was simple and unadorned, yet it exuded a calm and serene aura. Inside was the "Announcement of the Qingyun Sect on Opening the Sect and Accepting Disciples," which Shen Mo had painstakingly drafted.

"Nervous?" Shen Mo didn't turn around, his calm voice breaking the silence of the mountain path.

Su Xiao was slightly startled, then shook her head, replying in a clear yet firm voice, "With Senior Brother Sect Leader here, Xiao'er isn't afraid. It's just... thinking about the people and words I might have to face later, I feel a little uncertain."

She paused, then couldn't help asking again, "Sect Leader, will our recruitment notice... really be able to attract people? Those terms..."

Shen Mo stopped and turned to look at her, a mysterious smile playing on his lips:

"Junior Sister Xiao, do you know that the cheapest thing in this world is the 'genius' that can be found everywhere; the most precious thing is those 'fools' who, despite being in the mud, still yearn for the light and persevere despite all setbacks?"

"We are not looking for those who add flowers to brocade, but those who offer charcoal in the snow. This document is the sieve."

Although Su Xiao didn't quite understand, looking into Shen Mo's calm and confident eyes, her anxiety subsided considerably. She nodded vigorously and said:

"Xiao'er understands! No matter the outcome, Xiao'er will follow Senior Brother Headmaster."

"Let's go." Shen Mo turned around and continued walking, his back casting a long and determined shadow in the morning light.

Half an hour later, the two arrived at Qingtai Market.

The market today seems even more bustling than usual. The sounds of hawking, bargaining, and the chatter among cultivators mingle with the aromas of various spiritual herbs, elixirs, and materials from demonic beasts, creating a vibrant yet restless atmosphere of the marketplace.

The appearance of Shen Mo and his companion did not cause much of a stir, but many eyes still swept over them, some openly and some covertly.

After the previous Black Wind Stronghold incident and the "Ancient Pill" controversy, this young leader of the Qingyun Sect has become a minor celebrity in this area.

Their gazes held curiosity, inquiry, and apprehension, but also a hidden malice and disdain.

Shen Mo kept his eyes straight ahead and walked calmly towards the bulletin board area in the center of the neighborhood.

Su Xiao followed closely behind, trying her best to straighten her back and imitate the sect leader, attempting to ignore those piercing gazes.

The bulletin board area is always the busiest information hub in the market. A huge wooden wall, weathered and somewhat mottled by wind and rain, is densely covered with all sorts of slips of paper, animal hides, and even fragments of jade slips.

The notices were varied and dazzling, ranging from those seeking to purchase "Flaming Tiger Whip" and form teams to explore "Black Wind Cave" to those offering bounties for "flower thieves," as well as numerous small sects and families recruiting disciples and servants.

At this moment, dozens of people had gathered here, in small groups, pointing and talking, like a noisy little market.