Tiger's Might

Qin Wan dared not act rashly and could only offer excuses. Yet, this was merely a stalling tactic; the Unborn Cult's pressure on the Qin Family was tightening by the day.

Unless she hardened her heart, completely severed her worldly ties, and abandoned the Qin Family.

But these were the parents and family who had raised her; how could she ever bring herself to forsake them?

Amidst the torment of day and night, Qin Wan could only pray for her master to break through her seclusion soon.

Or perhaps, was this merely a test from her master?

Just as Qin Wan was nearly suffocated by this invisible pressure, she received a letter from Xia Dong—he was asking to meet her outside the marketplace.

The Pine Slope Pavilion remained as cold and desolate as it had been years ago. Qin Wan set up a magical artifact around the area to block any prying eyes.

Upon seeing Xia Dong again, Qin Wan's heart stirred, and she subconsciously released her newly formed divine sense to probe him.

The next moment, Qin Wan gasped, her clear, beautiful eyes filled with undisguised shock.

"Brother Xia... your Martial Dao, has it actually reached the Bone Forging Realm?!"

This time, Xia Dong did not conceal his vital energy.

Under the perception of Qin Wan's fourth-layer Qi Refining divine sense, the vital energy within Xia Dong's body was like a surging river, yet it lacked the crude, violent, and overflowing nature typical of ordinary martial artists.

That vital energy flowed from the outside in, possessing a quality of divine harmony and endless vitality. This was clearly a sign that his Martial Dao had polished his tendons and bones to the limit, with his vital energy feeding back into his internal organs—the threshold of "Organ Strengthening"!

This was the so-called fourth stage of Martial Dao—the Internal Strengthening Realm.

Qin Wan's heart shook violently.

In just a few short years, Brother Xia had actually become a martial arts expert at the peak of the Bone Forging Realm, on the verge of entering the Internal Strengthening Realm.

If Xia Dong could continue to advance triumphantly and reach the "Mortal Transformation Realm" in the future, he would not be without the power to fight even against late-stage Qi Refining cultivators.

Once he could break through the limits of his physical body and step into the legendary "True Intent Realm," where one condenses the Martial Dao True Intent, he would be a terrifying existence capable of standing toe-to-toe with great Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators.

Furthermore, ever since the spiritual energy of heaven and earth began to wane, the lifespan of Foundation Establishment cultivators had been drastically reduced, now barely reaching two hundred years; meanwhile, a martial artist of the True Intent Realm, as long as their vital energy did not fail, could easily live to be one hundred and fifty.

The difference in lifespan was less than sixty years.

Brother Xia reached the Bone Forging Realm in just a few years; even if he spends ten years honing himself, it is by no means impossible for him to break through two more stages and enter the Mortal Transformation Realm. In his lifetime, he might well catch a glimpse of the glory of the True Intent Realm...

Countless thoughts raced through Qin Wan's mind, and suddenly, a conjecture that both chilled her to the bone and brought sudden clarity emerged.

Could it be... that her master had long known that disciples with a "Dao Registry," even without spiritual roots, would find practicing Martial Dao as easy as eating and drinking?

Was that why her master had proactively cultivated this connection?

Perhaps her master had long calculated that Brother Xia possessed a Dao Registry and would sooner or later join the Eagle-Wolf Guard or occupy a key position in the Great You Dynasty Court.

Qin Wan looked at the gentle, jade-like, and composed young man before her, a wave of complex regret surging in her heart.

This true dragon, hidden in the abyss, had been foolishly missed by the Qin Family back then.

However, upon second thought, Qin Wan felt relieved.

Such was fate.

She also deduced from this that Brother Xia's rapid progress in Martial Dao must have been due to the many resources he obtained within the Eagle-Wolf Guard.

The Great You Dynasty Court truly spared no effort in cultivating disciples with a Dao Registry.

Looking at it now, her master's investment back then could truly be called a rare commodity worth hoarding.

Moreover, those spirit stones were merely resources for cultivating an ordinary outer sect disciple; to her master, a Great Perfection Foundation Establishment cultivator, they were truly nothing more than a speck of dust falling from her fingertips.

"Sister Wan'er, I asked you here today because I have a favor to ask."

Just as Qin Wan was lost in her wild imagination, Xia Dong had already taken a seat.

Without much small talk, he took a coarse cloth bundle from his sleeve and pushed it toward Qin Wan.

The bundle opened, revealing a thick stack of [Wind-Riding Talisman]s, each radiating pure magical fluctuations!

Qin Wan's breath hitched; even as an inner sect disciple of an immortal sect, she rarely saw so many talismans at once.

"I have a batch of Wind-Riding Talisman here and would like to ask for your help to sell them secretly through your channels in the marketplace, in exchange for some spirit stones or pills." Xia Dong's expression was calm, yet his tone carried an unquestionable gravity. "However, the source of these talismans... involves a great deal, and you must not reveal a single word to anyone."

The source could not be revealed?

These words, falling into the ears of the already emotionally turbulent Qin Wan, were like a thunderclap on a clear day, instantly confirming all her conjectures!

Did she even need to ask?

Brother Xia worked for the Eagle-Wolf Guard; this batch of talismans was undoubtedly confiscated or seized by the Eagle-Wolf Guard from various places, or perhaps they were strategic supplies issued by the imperial court.

With the undercurrents surging in Linyuan Prefecture, the powerful figures within the Eagle-Wolf Guard who wanted to amass wealth would naturally not dare to sell them openly on the market.

And since Brother Xia possessed a Dao Registry and was one of their "own" in the Eagle-Wolf Guard, he had taken on this task...

Qin Wan was secretly shocked: the waters of the Eagle-Wolf Guard were truly unfathomable.

Looking at the thick stack of talismans on the table, the gloom in Qin Wan's heart was instantly dispelled by more than half.

This was no mere bundle of talismans; it was the key to breaking her current predicament.

As long as she accepted this business, she would effectively be establishing a connection with the Eagle-Wolf Guard.

Although it was only a clandestine transaction, at this critical juncture, it was more than enough.

She could easily use the opportunity of helping Xia Dong fence his illicit goods to drape the Qin Family in the protective mantle of the Eagle-Wolf Guard. Such things did not need to be stated explicitly; a mere hint would suffice.

Borrowing the tiger's might to intimidate the foxes.

Qin Wan took a deep breath, suppressing the agitation in her heart, and the look she gave Xia Dong became one of unprecedented fervor and gratitude.

"Rest assured, Brother Xia." Qin Wan carefully tucked the parcel away, her tone resolute. "Leave this matter to Wan'er. I will distribute these talismans in batches and safely throughout the market. I will not leave a single trail, nor will I let anyone trace them back to you."

Seeing Qin Wan's expression, Xia Dong was surprised; the matter had gone much more smoothly than he had imagined.

He gained a vague understanding, though he kept his face impassive, and smiled. "Then many thanks, Wan'er."

Xia Dong chatted with Qin Wan for a while longer.

In order to win his trust, Qin Wan revealed that she held the key to her master's secret vault and was currently the acting steward for the lineage of Lone Moon.

This served to demonstrate her value to the Eagle-Wolf Guard.

Xia Dong felt a stir in his heart; perhaps he could leverage Miss Qin Wan's current status and background to conduct business alongside Banner Leader Zhao and his men, adding another layer of cover.

As long as there was profit to be made, this path would certainly be viable.

Xia Dong felt his heart lighten considerably.

As long as the plan proceeded smoothly, collecting cultivation resources in the future would be much easier.

He had waited three years for this opportunity!

"I leave the rest to you, Wan'er."