Secret Rendezvous

After returning to the city, Xia Dong did not rush back to his residence to wash away the dust of his journey. Instead, he turned his feet and headed straight for the Eagle-Wolf Guard's hundred-man station in Pingyang County.

Walking through the bustling streets, Xia Dong's thoughts stirred, and the Divine Treasury Chapter of the Evergreen Qi-Circulation Art within his body quietly began to circulate.

In an instant, his thick and pure Mysterious Yin Mana vanished like a stone cast into the sea, leaving only the aura of blood and energy expected of a martial artist in the Internal Strengthening Realm on his skin.

This technique was truly miraculous.

As long as Xia Dong intended to conceal his mana, spiritual sense, or even his blood and energy, cultivators below the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm would never be able to see through his true strength.

As for those late-stage Foundation Establishment experts or even greater masters?

Xia Dong's principle had always been to avoid them whenever possible; he absolutely did not want to encounter them.

After all, he felt no sense of security when facing those whose cultivation surpassed his own.

Stepping into the main hall of the station, Xia Dong immediately spotted Zhao Ting sitting in a grand armchair, sipping tea.

With a slight sensing, Xia Dong's heart stirred.

Zhao Ting originally possessed a four-element mixed spiritual root with mediocre aptitude, and his cultivation progress had been very slow.

But now, having started this business of reselling pills and talismans with Xia Dong, he had made a fortune. Not only had he gained the appreciation of high-ranking figures, but he had also apparently encountered some recent opportunities, unexpectedly breaking through from the fourth to the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

However, although his realm had improved, Zhao Ting's spiritual sense and foundation were far inferior to the solidly grounded Xia Dong.

Therefore, when Xia Dong stood before him with his mana suppressed, this newly promoted fifth-layer Qi Refining cultivator failed to notice a single thing.

"Oh! Brother Xueyi."

The moment Zhao Ting saw Xia Dong cross the threshold, he immediately set down his teacup and greeted him with a face full of smiles.

Zhao Ting had been riding high in recent years.

Ever since he entered the middle stage of Qi Refining and secured this stable source of wealth through Xia Dong, his status within his family had risen significantly.

He knew clearly in his heart that all these benefits were brought to him by this "Brother Xia" before him.

Thus, whenever he saw Xia Dong, Zhao Ting felt a genuine, heartfelt warmth.

This was no mere business partner; this was his beloved friend, his own flesh and blood.

In Zhao Ting's view, within the territory of Pingyang County, others could make him unhappy, but they could never let Brother Xia suffer the slightest grievance!

"Xueyi, I was just wondering why the magpies were chirping incessantly in the courtyard this morning—it turns out you were coming!" Zhao Ting enthusiastically pulled Xia Dong to a seat and personally poured him a cup of fine tea.

Xia Dong lived a reclusive life and disliked unnecessary socializing. When he was away from home, he would simply tell others he was gathering herbs in the deep mountains and forests.

Zhao Ting kept these habits firmly in mind. Unless it interfered with the handover of talismans and pills, he would never disturb this "God of Wealth's" quiet cultivation.

Moreover, to avoid suspicion, he even strictly ordered his Eagle-Wolf Guard informants never to monitor Xia Dong's movements, fearing that if Xia Dong discovered them, it would create a rift and cut off this lucrative stream of gold.

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Xia Dong took a heavy parcel from his robes and pushed it toward Zhao Ting. When the parcel was unwrapped, it revealed a batch of high-quality low-grade talismans and several jade bottles filled with Qi-Gathering Pill.

These items were hard currency in both the cultivation world and within the Eagle-Wolf Guard. Especially the Qi-Gathering Pill, which was always in short supply and highly sought after by low-level cultivators.

Furthermore, even if secular martial artists without spiritual roots could not refine spiritual energy, as long as their cultivation reached the Bone Forging Realm or higher, consuming these Qi-Gathering Pill could nourish their blood and energy, providing significant benefits to their martial path.

Zhao Ting did not count them, instead smiling broadly as he tucked the parcel into his Storage Pouch.

Seeing that the business was concluded, Xia Dong picked up his teacup to moisten his throat, then lowered his voice to ask Zhao Ting about the true purpose of his visit: "Brother Zhao, I have come today with a favor to ask. Do you happen to know any reliable artifact refiners?"

Zhao Ting was in the middle of leisurely skimming the foam off his tea when he was caught off guard by the mention of an "artifact refiner." His hand stiffened slightly, and he raised an eyebrow, looking at Xia Dong with some surprise.

"An artifact refiner? Xueyi, why are you asking about those arrogant fellows?" Zhao Ting set down his teacup and leaned forward.

Xia Dong calmly spun the cover story he had already prepared: "A few days ago, a friend of mine got lucky and stumbled upon a severely wounded, dying demonic beast. He risked his life to obtain a piece of high-quality beast hide. He asked me to inquire if I could find a reliable artifact refiner to craft it into a piece of close-fitting inner armor—a trump card for self-preservation."

"Demonic beast hide? And a complete one at that?" Zhao Ting's eyes lit up instantly, and his breathing grew heavy.

If it were damaged, it would be one thing, but a high-quality, intact demonic hide was not only a source of powerful defense but also a rare and precious material in the eyes of an artifact refiner. Such items could increase the success rate and quality of the forged magical tools.

Zhao Ting leaned in closer and lowered his voice: "Leave this to me. As soon as I have news, I'll let you know."

Seeing Zhao Ting agree so readily, Xia Dong felt a weight lift from his heart. He knew that with Zhao Ting's current status in the Eagle-Wolf Guard and his slick, resourceful nature, this matter would likely succeed.

"Then I will trouble you, brother. Once it is done, my friend will surely reward you handsomely." Xia Dong stood up and bowed sincerely.

"Hey! We are brothers; don't be so formal!" Zhao Ting waved his hand dismissively and walked Xia Dong all the way to the front gate of the station.

After parting ways with Zhao Ting, Xia Dong walked home, feeling his steps grow much lighter.

Recalling that snake skin shimmering with a cold, ghostly green light, Xia Dong felt a sense of anticipation. If he could obtain a piece of inner armor with decent defensive capabilities, it would be like gaining an extra life.

Before long, Xia Dong returned to his quiet little courtyard.

He closed the gate and habitually inspected the perimeter, ensuring everything was in order before finally relaxing.

Taking advantage of the free time while waiting for Zhao Ting's news, he planned to organize and understand the recent events occurring within Linyuan Prefecture.

After all, being completely ignorant of the winds of change in the outside world was an easy way to suffer losses.

Just as Xia Dong was mentally calculating which aspects to look into first, a light tapping sound suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Knock, knock-knock." The knocking was steady and polite.

Xia Dong raised an eyebrow, his first reaction being that Xiao Hong had returned. However, out of the caution etched into his bones, he subconsciously moved his spiritual sense, and an invisible ripple of mental energy spread out toward the courtyard like a gentle breeze.

Yet, when his spiritual sense swept over the figure outside the gate, Xia Dong's expression froze.

This fluctuation of spiritual power, carrying a faint trace of lightning-attribute energy within its clarity... it was so familiar!

Could it actually be her?

A wave of astonishment surged through Xia Dong's heart.

One had to understand that for the sake of discretion and safety, they had always met at a fixed, secret location. This was the first time in history she had taken the initiative to find his secular residence.

Suppressing his surprise, Xia Dong set down his teacup and strode across the courtyard to open the door.

As the wooden door creaked open, a beautiful figure came into view. She was not wearing her eye-catching sect robes today, but rather a simple, elegant cyan casual outfit. Her waterfall-like long hair was held up by nothing more than a wooden hairpin, yet it could not conceal that increasingly cold and ethereal temperament of hers.

The person who had arrived was none other than Qin Wan.

Seeing Xia Dong open the door, Qin Wan bowed slightly. Her pretty face, usually gentle and indifferent, now carried a hint of apology.

"Brother Xia, sorry to disturb you."

Before Xia Dong could offer any pleasantries or questions, Qin Wan raised her eyes and spoke straight to the point: "Something has happened within the sect recently, and I must leave to take up a post in a remote place. This journey will take at least three to five years, and in the future... I'm afraid I won't be able to help you acquire those spiritual herbs and talismans anymore. Before I depart, I specifically came to let you know."