Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Walking back to Yunqi Garden, the "night" in Tianyuan was already deep. The cool "moonlight" shone on the clean streets, lengthening Shen Mo's lonely shadow.

He savored everything that had happened that night: the elder of the Thick Earth Sect's attack, the crowd's reactions, those two obscure divine thoughts…

"It seems the waters are deeper than I thought," Shen Mo thought to himself. "But that's fine too. It's always good to show some of your strength when necessary. Hiding your abilities will only make people look down on you."

He raised his head and looked up at the night sky. Above Tianyuan, the huge phantom of the array compass slowly rotated under the "starlight," like the eye of heaven, indifferently watching everything below.

Since returning from the Daoist discussion and tea party at Juxian Pavilion, Shen Mo's image in the hearts of the Qingyun Sect disciples has quietly risen even higher.

Although Shen Mo only mentioned briefly that he "exchanged some cultivation insights with a few fellow Daoists," Zhao Qingyan and Su Xiao were both very perceptive. From the subtle relaxation in Shen Mo's brows, as if he had resolved a minor problem, and the obvious decrease in the doubt and contempt in the prying eyes outside Yunqi Garden in the following days, they could guess that the sect leader must have shown off a little bit that night in a way that they could not yet fully understand.

"Sect Leader, about the tea party that night..." One day, while Shi Tie and the others were cultivating in the courtyard, Zhao Qingyan finally couldn't help but find an opportunity to ask in a low voice.

She wasn't just curious about gossip; as a formation master and the person actually in charge of managing the disciples, she needed to have a clearer understanding of the situation facing the sect.

Shen Mo was by the spiritual spring in the courtyard, watching A Tu fiddling with several pieces of "Tianyuan Stone" that he had recently acquired from outside (with Shen Mo's permission, accompanied by Su Xiao on a short trip to buy them). These stones were said to be unique to the Tianyuan market. Upon hearing this, Shen Mo shifted his gaze from the stones that gleamed with a strange, eerie light and looked at Zhao Qingyan.

"Nothing special, it's just that someone wanted to test our mettle, so I handed them a stone." Shen Mo said calmly, "Let them know that Qingyun Sect isn't just full of 'crude chickens and dogs,' but also has people who can discuss the 'Dao.' At least, things won't look so bad on the surface anymore."

He did not elaborate on the two obscure divine thoughts, as they involved a deeper level, and there was no need to cause his disciples unnecessary trouble for the time being.

Zhao Qingyan was intelligent and sensed that the sect leader didn't want to say more, so she didn't press the matter further. Instead, she said, "These past few days, the rumors outside seem to have changed. There's still a lot of discussion, but fewer people are coming to 'visit' directly. Senior Sister Su Xiao also noticed that at least two groups of people who were secretly watching have left."

"However... there are a few auras that seem to be paying more attention to us than before. They are very subtle, but they don't seem to have any ill intentions. It's more like they are... observing and assessing us."

"Hmm." Shen Mo nodded. "The tea party is just the first hurdle. Once you cross it, you're qualified to speak on the surface. But true influence comes from your fists."

"Next, the various arrangements for the conference will be announced one after another, including individual competitions, team competitions, and specialized competitions... that's when the real test will be taken."

"Everyone, please stay alert. These last few minutes are crucial."

"Yes, Sect Leader!" Zhao Qingyan replied solemnly.

Just then, a knock came from outside the courtyard gate. Zhao Ming, who was guarding the gate, opened the door a crack, whispered a few words to the person outside, then closed the door, took out a simple white visiting card with an antique style and a smooth, jade-like surface, and quickly walked up to Shen Mo.

"Sect Leader, it's a deacon from the Supreme Dao who sent a visiting card, saying... it's an invitation for a chance encounter?"

"The Supreme Dao?" Zhao Qingyan was slightly taken aback.

Shen Mo accepted the visiting card. The card was warm to the touch, and its material was neither gold nor jade. The front of the card only had a simple yin-yang symbol, without any text.

Open the book, Cola Novel, the place where dreams begin and come true. Inside, a line of small characters, written in a flash of inspiration, reads: "Having heard your words of discussion on the Dao, I am deeply moved. I, Qingxu, will be brewing tea at the 'Listening to the Pines Pavilion' this afternoon. If you have time, please come and chat."

The signature is a small seal with the character "Qing" that exudes a profound Taoist charm.

Without mentioning any specific matters, the tone was calm, as if it were just an ordinary invitation between monks to exchange ideas, arising from a "discussion on the Dao."

However, the one who sent the visiting card was the Supreme Dao, the foremost of the three holy lands. Even if it was just a steward, its significance was completely different.

"Sect Leader, this..." Zhao Qingyan's eyes showed wariness.

It is unusual for the Supreme Daoist sect, which is detached from worldly affairs, to suddenly extend a private invitation to the leader of a small sect in the Southern Region.

"It's alright." Shen Mo closed the invitation card, his face expressionless. "Since it's an 'invitation by chance,' I'll go check it out. Qingyan, keep an eye on the house. Su Xiao, you come with me, no need to follow closely, just keep watch on the perimeter."

"Yes." Su Xiao's cold voice came from the corner, and her figure had quietly faded away.

In the afternoon, the constant and gentle "sky light" of Tianyuan shifted slightly to the west, gilding this sky city with a layer of pale gold.

Shen Mo, still dressed in a green robe, left Yunqi Garden alone. Following the faint directions on the visiting card, he walked slowly towards a relatively secluded area in the west of the city, where ancient pines and bamboos grew.

Listening to the Pine Pavilion is not a magnificent building; it is just an ordinary stone pavilion built on a small slope surrounded by ancient pine trees. It is quiet and elegant, and rarely visited by tourists.

When Shen Mo walked outside the pavilion, there was already someone inside.

The man was dressed in the simplest moon-white Taoist robe, his hair was casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, his face was thin and refined, with three long wisps of beard, and he looked to be about forty or fifty years old. His temperament was gentle and detached, as if he had blended into the surrounding pine breeze and bamboo shadows.

He was bending over a small red clay stove, brewing tea with relaxed and natural movements, without a trace of smoke or fire. His cultivation level... was clearly at the peak of the Golden Core stage, and his aura was harmonious and restrained, faintly conveying a sense of harmony with heaven and earth. He had obviously reached the pinnacle of this realm and could step into the Nascent Soul stage at any moment.

Hearing footsteps, the Taoist priest raised his head and looked at Shen Mo, a peaceful smile on his face: "Could you be Fellow Daoist Shen Moshen of the Qingyun Sect? I am Qingxu, and I apologize for the intrusion."

"You're too kind, Daoist Qingxu." Shen Mo stepped into the pavilion, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "It is my honor to be invited by you, Daoist."

"Please sit down." Master Qingxu gestured for Shen Mo to sit on the stone bench opposite him. Just then, the water in the small kettle on the stove boiled. He picked up the kettle and, with fluid movements, scalded the cups, placed the tea, and brewed it. His technique was skillful, and the aroma of the tea rose with the steam. It was a delicate pine needle fragrance that was refreshing and pleasant.

"This is 'Suihan Pine Needle' tea, produced in the back mountains of my Taishang Dao. It grows in ice and snow and thrives in strong winds. The tea is pure and refreshing, and has the effect of calming the mind and clearing away distracting thoughts. Fellow Daoist Shen, please try it." Daoist Qingxu pushed a cup of emerald green tea in front of Shen Mo.

Shen Mo thanked him, picked up the teacup, and took a sip.

The tea soup has a slightly astringent taste, which quickly transforms into a refreshing sensation that penetrates the mind, clearing the head and even making the nascent soul within the body seem more active.

It is indeed a fine tea, and what is even more precious is the pure, peaceful, and unyielding spirit it embodies.

"Excellent tea," Shen Mo praised sincerely.

Master Qingxu smiled slightly, took a sip himself, put down his teacup, and looked at Shen Mo with a hint of inquiry, but without any sense of being aggressive: "The other night, in the Juxian Pavilion, I happened to hear your discourse on 'the unity of knowledge and action, and the inclusiveness of all things,' and I was quite inspired."

"Fellow Daoist's understanding of the path of cultivation is unconventional, comprehensive, and insightful, faintly reminiscent of ancient traditions. May I ask where your teacher came from?"