Begin your practice with the crane-shaped stance.

Qin Wan dared not act rashly and could only make excuses. But this was merely a delaying tactic; the pressure from the Wusheng Sect on the Qin family was becoming increasingly intense.

Unless she hardens her heart and completely severs her ties to the mortal world, abandoning the Qin family.

But those were her parents and family who gave her life; how could she possibly bear to abandon them?

Tormented day and night, Qin Wan could only pray that her master would break through the barrier and emerge soon.

Or perhaps, this is just a test from her master?

Just when Qin Wan was almost suffocating under this invisible pressure, she received a letter from Xia Dong—Xia Dong asked her to meet him outside the market.

...

...

The pine-covered pavilion remained as deserted as it had been years before, with Qin Wan having placed magical artifacts around it to prevent outsiders from peeping in.

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

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

"Brother Xia... your martial arts have actually reached the Bone Forging Realm?!"

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

Under Qin Wan's fourth-level Qi Refining divine sense, Xia Dong's blood and qi were like a rushing river, yet without the violent and crude feeling of ordinary martial artists.

That energy flowed from the outside in, exuding a sense of harmonious balance and inexhaustible vitality. This was clearly a sign that martial arts had honed the muscles and bones to their limits, and that the energy was nourishing the internal organs, indicating that the practitioner was about to step into the threshold of "internal cultivation"!

This is also known as the fourth level of martial arts – the Inner Strength Realm.

Qin Wan's heart trembled violently.

In just a few short years, Brother Xia has become a martial arts master who has reached the peak of the Bone Forging Realm and is about to enter the Inner Strength Realm.

If Xia Dong can continue to advance rapidly in his cultivation and reach the "Transcendent Realm", he will not be without the power to fight even against cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining.

Once he breaks through the limits of his physical body and enters the legendary "True Intent Realm" where the true essence of martial arts is condensed, he will be a terrifying existence capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.

Moreover, since the decline of spiritual energy in the world, the lifespan of Foundation Establishment cultivators has been greatly reduced, and they can now barely live to be close to two hundred years old; while martial artists in the True Intent Realm, as long as their blood and qi are not defeated, can live to be one hundred and fifty years old without any problem.

Their lifespans differed by less than sixty years.

"Brother Xia has already reached the Bone Forging Realm in just a few years. Even if he spends another ten years honing his skills, breaking through two more barriers to enter the Mortal Transformation Realm is not impossible. In his lifetime, he might very well be able to glimpse the splendor of the True Realm..."

Qin Wan's mind raced with thoughts, and suddenly a conjecture arose that both chilled her to the bone and brought her sudden enlightenment.

Could it be that... Master already knew that disciples with "Daoist registers" could cultivate martial arts as easily as eating and drinking, even without spiritual roots?

That's why Master established good karma in advance?

Master may have foreseen that Brother Xia, possessing Daoist credentials, would eventually join the Eagle Wolf Guard or occupy an important position in the Great You government.

Looking at the gentle and composed young man before her, Qin Wan felt a complex sense of regret welling up inside her.

This true dragon, hidden deep within the abyss, was ultimately missed by the Qin family.

But then she thought about it again and felt relieved.

That's just how fate is.

She also guessed that Brother Xia's rapid progress in martial arts must be due to the many resources he had obtained from the Eagle Wolf Guard.

The Great You Dynasty truly spared no effort in cultivating its Daoist disciples.

In retrospect, Master's investment back then was truly a rare and valuable asset.

Moreover, those spirit stones are merely resources for cultivating an ordinary outer disciple; to a master at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, they are really just a tiny speck of dust slipping through his fingers.

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

Just as Qin Wan was wildly imagining things, Xia Dong had already taken his seat.

Without exchanging many pleasantries, he took out a coarse cloth bundle from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Qin Wan.

The package was opened, revealing a thick stack of [Wind Control Talismans] that radiated pure magical energy!

Qin Wan's breath hitched. Even as an inner disciple of the Immortal Sect, she rarely saw so many talismans at once.

"I have a batch of Wind-Riding Talismans here, and I would like to ask my sister for help to sell them secretly through your channels in the market, in exchange for some spirit stones or pills." Xia Dong's expression was calm, but her tone carried an undeniable solemnity. "However, the source of these talismans... involves many things, and you must not reveal a single word to anyone."

The source cannot be disclosed?

These words struck Qin Wan, whose emotions were already in turmoil, like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, instantly confirming all her suspicions!

Is that even a question?

Brother Xia works for the Eagle Wolf Guard. These talismans were definitely either scavenged or seized from various places within the Eagle Wolf Guard, or they were strategic materials allocated by the imperial court.

Now that undercurrents are surging in Lin Yuan Prefecture, the powerful figures in the Eagle Wolf Guard who want to amass wealth naturally dare not openly sell their wares on the market.

Brother Xia, being a member of the Daoist sect and also an "insider" of the Eagle Wolf Guard, accepted this mission...

Qin Wan was secretly alarmed: the Eagle Wolf Guard's waters were indeed unfathomable.

Looking at the thick stack of talismans on the table, Qin Wan's gloom was instantly dispelled.

This isn't just a packet of talismans; it's clearly the key to breaking her predicament.

By taking on this job, she would essentially be connected with the Eagle Wolf Guard.

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

She could easily use the opportunity of helping Xia Dong dispose of stolen goods to give the Qin family a false sense of security, like the Eagle Wolf Guard. This didn't need to be stated explicitly; a hint would suffice.

The fox borrows the tiger's power.

Qin Wan took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement, and looked at Xia Dong with unprecedented fervor and gratitude.

"Don't worry, Brother Xia." Qin Wan carefully put away the package, her tone resolute. "Leave this to me. I will distribute these talismans in batches and safely throughout the market. I will leave no trace behind and will not let anyone trace it back to you, Brother Xia."

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

He vaguely understood, but his expression remained unchanged as he smiled and said, "Then thank you very much, Wan'er."

Xia Dong chatted with Qin Wan for a while longer.

In order to open up to Xia Dong, Qin Wan revealed that she possessed the key to her master's secret vault and was also the acting manager of the lineage of Master Gu Yue.

This demonstrates her value to the Eagle Wolf Guard.

Xia Dong had a sudden thought: perhaps he could use Wan'er's current identity and background to do business with General Zhao and his group, thus gaining an extra layer of cover.

As long as there are benefits involved, this path will surely be successful.

Xia Dong felt much more relaxed.

If the plan goes smoothly, it will be much easier for him to collect cultivation resources later.

He had been waiting for this opportunity for three years!

...

...

"I'll leave the rest to Wan'er."