Family

Xia Dong slowly steadied his mind, gathering his surging Mysterious Yin Mana and vast blood energy back into his dantian and viscera.

Although the breakthrough was successful, he did not rush to continue recklessly practicing the Mysterious Yin Kidney-Refining Art.

The transformation of the five viscera and six bowels in the Internal Strengthening Realm requires a gentle, gradual approach, like spring rain nourishing the earth.

The internal organs are the most fragile parts of the human body; if one pushes too hard, the results will be counterproductive.

For this period, he only needed to focus on one thing: consolidation.

He needed to stabilize his blood energy and allow his body to slowly adapt to the metamorphosis of the Internal Strengthening Realm.

In his spare time, Xia Dong stayed in his secret chamber, brush in hand, to draw talismans.

With the foundation of "One Proof Eternal Proof," his execution of basic talismans was as smooth as flowing water, resulting in a high success rate and remarkably consistent quality.

Furthermore, the more he practiced, the deeper his understanding of the Wind-Riding Talisman became, gradually bringing his Wind-Riding Technique toward perfection.

He could clearly sense that once the Wind-Riding Technique reached perfection, it would likely be able to break through its limits.

This was due to the deepening bond between him and the Bronze Ancient Bell.

It seemed the Bronze Ancient Bell itself was incomplete and shattered, beginning to recover alongside his cultivation. A subtle sense of symbiosis had formed between man and bell.

After some time, he had accumulated a thick stack of Wind-Riding Talismans and Disease-Dispelling Talisman.

Xia Dong then emerged from seclusion and met with Qin Wan at their usual spot.

After a few cups of tea, a hint of fatigue showed on Qin Wan's brow.

She did not hide anything, giving Xia Dong a rough account of how Pei Hongling and the others had pressed her step by step on Lone Moon Peak, and how she had burned her bridges by destroying the secret vault key in public to eliminate future trouble.

Upon hearing this, Xia Dong's hand holding the teacup paused, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

He studied the seemingly delicate young woman before him, unable to help but admire her decisiveness. "Wan'er, that was a truly beautiful and clean move."

Qin Wan gave a bitter smile, meeting Xia Dong's gaze directly, and spoke candidly, "Brother Xia, although the key is destroyed and their twisted schemes are thwarted, the business under my control cannot stop. Right now, I am in desperate need of your help with cultivation supplies."

Xia Dong set down his teacup and revealed a relaxed smile.

He did not answer immediately, instead casually dropping a bombshell: "Don't worry, Wan'er. I forgot to tell you, I have already secured the position of Flag-Bearer for the Eagle-Wolf Guard in Pingyang County."

"Flag-Bearer?"

After a brief moment of shock, Qin Wan's eyes shimmered.

With Brother Xia's new status as an "Imperial Official" and "Eagle-Wolf Guard Flag-Bearer" to act as a shield, she would have much more leverage to intimidate Pei Hongling and the others in the future.

Qin Wan let out a long sigh of relief. "Congratulations, Brother."

Xia Dong took a heavy cloth bag from his sleeve and pushed it toward Qin Wan. "These are the talismans I've accumulated during this time. Aside from exchanging them for daily spirit stones, I would like to ask you to buy two things for me—a copy of the Basic Alchemy Scripture and an alchemy furnace."

Qin Wan frowned slightly, calculating skillfully. "The Basic Alchemy Scripture isn't difficult; although it's controlled on the market, I can buy it directly as an inner disciple of the Immortal Sect. But an alchemy furnace is very expensive..."

Her tone shifted, and she said decisively, "Brother Xia, I think we can rent one. As long as I provide the guarantee, renting a decent furnace from the sect's Marketplace shouldn't be a problem."

"Renting is fine, as long as it works," Xia Dong agreed readily.

Afterward, Xia Dong added, "Also, please help me get more jade slips on the production of other basic talismans."

This was a move born of necessity.

Although the Peaceful Yin Talisman Scripture was exquisite, the variety of basic talismans recorded within was far too limited; it was the same few over and over again.

As for those high-level talismans with immense power, they not only required vast amounts of mana but, more strictly, required the condensation of a "Talisman Seed" within the body to be drawn.

Cultivating a Talisman Seed was extremely difficult and remained far too distant for him at present.

For now, mastering more basic talismans to broaden his means and financial avenues was the most practical path.

After hearing Xia Dong's request, Qin Wan merely nodded slightly, wisely suppressing the doubts in her heart without asking a single extra question.

She knew the rules of survival in this world too well: the fewer secrets one knows, the safer one is. Yet, deep down, Qin Wan couldn't help but feel waves of shock, her thoughts racing.

First, a large batch of high-quality Wind-Riding Talismans, and now, requests for jade slips on basic talisman crafting. Brother Xia must have a highly accomplished talisman master behind him. Now he urgently needs an alchemy furnace and the Basic Alchemy Scripture... Could it be that he has recruited a cultivator with potential in alchemy?

Qin Wan was secretly startled. Whether a talisman master or an alchemist, both were scarce talents highly sought after by all factions in the cultivation world; even the lowest-ranked ones would not be at the beck and call of a mortal martial artist.

Countless guesses flashed through her mind.

Behind these events, was it a faction within the Eagle-Wolf Guard? Or... did it stem from the "Dao Registry" family behind Brother Xia?

Could it be that Brother Xia's family has finally contacted him in secret, preparing for him to acknowledge his ancestors and perhaps even quietly assigning him cultivators as retainers?

The more Qin Wan thought about it, the more likely it seemed.

The thirty-six Dao Registry noble families, which had been passed down since the founding of Great You, possessed terrifying foundations.

Equipping a core descendant living outside the family with a few low-level cultivators as attendants to manage businesses would be as easy as turning over one's hand.

If that is the case, Brother Xia's sudden need for these basic alchemy tools might be to cultivate his own confidants, or perhaps... he has been helplessly drawn into the family's power struggle and is secretly accumulating his own strength?

Thinking of this, the look Qin Wan gave Xia Dong couldn't help but carry a hint of awe and anticipation.

A golden scale is no creature of the pond; once it meets the wind and clouds, it turns into a dragon.

Even if Brother Xia lacked spiritual roots and was declared unable to tread the path of immortality, as long as he seized the resources of his family and the Eagle-Wolf Guard, he would surely soar in the martial arts...

"If Brother Xia were to one day become a martial arts grandmaster of the True Intent Realm..."

Qin Wan's heart gave a heavy thud.

A martial arts grandmaster of the True Intent Realm could manifest their spirit and intent, and project their life force into physical form.

Their raw strength alone was enough to rival a great cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Regardless of what the truth might be, the potential and bottomless hidden cards Xia Dong had revealed had already far exceeded her expectations.

Perhaps she really had missed out on the greatest opportunity of this lifetime.

The past could not be recovered.

Now, she could only do her best to make amends.

"Rest assured, Brother." Qin Wan reined in her chaotic thoughts, her eyes bright and her tone growing increasingly firm and eager. "The pill furnace, the alchemy manuals, and those jade slips for talisman crafting—Wan'er will go to the Marketplace to procure them for you immediately. I will certainly handle it for you as quickly as possible, and I will never delay your important affairs."