Enlistment

In an instant, Xia Dong's divine sense probed out silently, sweeping across Zhao Ting.

He felt greatly reassured, becoming even more certain that this Eagle-Wolf Guard flag captain's cultivation was indeed below the fourth level of Qi Refining, as he had not even cultivated a divine sense.

That Cultivation Miscellany recorded that high-level cultivators can use techniques like the Qi-Gazing Technique through their divine sense to observe the cultivation foundations of others. I wonder if I can find similar spells to practice in the future, Xia Dong thought to himself.

His thoughts moved like lightning, yet his expression remained entirely composed.

Relying on the Evergreen Qi-Circulation Art, he retracted his robust Bone Forging Realm blood-energy so thoroughly that, to an outsider, he appeared to be nothing more than a healthy and energetic young man.

Xia Dong offered a slight, neither servile nor overbearing salute.

As a scholar recommended by the magistrate himself, and with the mysterious Dao Registry seal on his household registration, according to the rules of the Great You Dynasty, he was not required to perform the kowtow even when meeting high-ranking court officials.

Zhao Ting stared intently at Xia Dong and asked straight to the point, "I heard you possess a Dao Registry. Have you ever had your spirit roots tested?"

Xia Dong's expression was calm as he replied truthfully, "An immortal master from the Qixia Immortal Sect once tested me and said I have no spirit roots."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ting was startled. "Oh? You actually have ties to the Qixia Immortal Sect?"

Do not be fooled by the current power of the Great You Dynasty Court, which has been pressing the various immortal sects step by step. In reality, the situation is far from as simple as it appears on the surface.

The Qixia Immortal Sect, in particular, was a true holy land of the immortal path during its prime, with influence spanning across multiple prefectures of the Great You Dynasty.

It was only during that great upheaval which led to the depletion of heaven and earth's spiritual energy that the Qixia Immortal Sect decisively contracted its forces, retreating to guard the Linyuan Prefecture.

Precisely because they retreated quickly, they did not suffer a devastating blow after the establishment of the Great You Dynasty, and the sect's foundation remains extremely deep.

On the other hand, although the Eagle-Wolf Guard has now moved into Linyuan Prefecture and even taken the opportunity to incorporate many disciples from the Qixia Immortal Sect's law enforcement teams, they have still failed to reach the true core of this immortal sect.

If nothing else, the few Foundation Establishment Perfection grand cultivators who hold up the facade of the Qixia Immortal Sect are each not to be trifled with.

Especially Lone Moon, according to internal intelligence from the Eagle-Wolf Guard, this Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator had long possessed the foundation to attempt Golden Core formation, yet she has delayed it. Rumors in the streets suggest that Lone Moon has immense ambition, intending to walk the ancient Golden Core path—opening the Purple Mansion first, then forming the Golden Core.

This is a path to the heavens that points directly to the Spirit Transformation realm.

In the Middle Ages, when spiritual energy had not yet waned, walking this path was extremely difficult, let alone in these times of depleted energy.

However, the magical powers and methods of a grand cultivator who dares to attempt opening the Purple Mansion far exceed those of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. Such a terrifying existence is definitely not someone a third-level Qi Refining cultivator like Zhao Ting can afford to provoke.

On the other side, facing Zhao Ting's inquiry, Xia Dong pondered for a moment and decided to bring up his connection to Qin Wan.

In a calm tone, he explained his past engagement with the Qin Family and the fact that Qin Wan had now entered the tutelage of Lone Moon, selecting only what could be said.

After listening, Zhao Ting's heart was stirred with massive waves. He never expected that the plain-looking Xia Dong before him would have such a connection to Lone Moon's lineage.

"I never imagined Brother Xia had such a connection with Lone Moon!" The coldness on Zhao Ting's face melted instantly, replaced by a very warm smile. "Many disciples of the Qixia Immortal Sect have joined our Eagle-Wolf Guard, so our two sides are already close. Since you also hold a Dao Registry, we are all family when it comes down to it. From now on, let us address each other as brothers."

Zhao Ting is a smart man.

Although Xia Dong was rejected by Lone Moon's disciple, Xia Dong had also subtly mentioned that Lone Moon and her disciple still showed him some favor.

Moreover, the Qixia Immortal Sect is not a Devil Dao Sect devoid of emotion or justice; there is no iron rule that one must sever worldly ties to cultivate immortality.

Zhao Ting loses nothing by building a bridge of goodwill first.

Of course, what made Zhao Ting hold Xia Dong in higher regard, aside from his background in the immortal sect, was his indisputable status in the "Dao Registry." The Zhao family is considered a major clan in the capital, yet they have not managed to rank among the thirty-six Dao Registry families from the founding of the Great You Dynasty.

For hundreds of years, while noble families have risen and fallen, those with a Dao Registry have never truly left the center of power in the Great You Dynasty, no matter how they declined.

In the parlance of common merchants, the Dao Registry families hold the "original shares" of the Great You Dynasty.

Even the Duke Qi Mansion, which is currently faring the worst and has been left cold and desolate due to its involvement in the treason case of the deposed crown prince, still has a Golden Core ancestor sitting deep within its estate.

However, the current Duke Qi has no sons, only daughters, and according to the iron rule that the Dao Registry cannot be passed to different surnames, the Dao Registry quota for this generation of the Duke Qi Mansion is likely lost.

Of course, before fully investigating the specific origin of Xia Dong's Dao Registry, Zhao Ting dared not rashly involve himself in such deep waters that might involve battles between immortals.

He planned to stabilize Xia Dong first, then write a secret letter to report to his family, letting them investigate to avoid accidentally causing some massive disaster and being held accountable.

However, as for the Xia Dong before him, winning him over for the time being could never be wrong.

Zhao Ting is a seasoned veteran of the officialdom; within a few words, he was already calling Xia Dong brother and acting familiar.

Since it was a favor that cost him nothing, Zhao Ting simply waved his hand and recommended Xia Dong to be the "Medical Officer" of his flag.

Although this Medical Officer position was lowly and lacked an official rank, it was a solid step into the structure of the Eagle-Wolf Guard.

Upon hearing that this idle position came with a monthly stipend of two spirit stones and one Foundation Building Pill, Xia Dong had no reason to refuse.

After all the twists and turns, he had finally stepped through the gates of the Eagle-Wolf Guard.

Fortunately, this Magistrate Zhao's cultivation was still shallow, and Xia Dong could hide his secrets from him using his own methods.

Before leaving, Zhao Ting affectionately patted Xia Dong on the shoulder. "Brother Xia, do this job well. If you can make contributions within this flag, you might have the opportunity to apply for a bath in the 'Spirit Spring.' With the miraculous effects of the Spirit Spring, it will be much easier to improve your constitution, and in the future, you might even be able to reach the 'Mortal Transformation Realm' and pass the martial examinations."

"Then I thank you, Magistrate Zhao."

"Brother Xia, don't be so distant. Just call me brother."

"Yes, thank you, brother."

Zhao Ting then took Magistrate Yang and bid farewell to Xia Dong, claiming that someone would come to arrange Xia Dong's duties in a while.

Xia Dong sent the two away and let out a sigh of relief.

The world cannot be avoided, like a fish in water.

Since he had been dragged into this mess, he could only go with the flow and act according to the situation.