Begin your practice with the crane-shaped stance.

Chapter 94 Mission

After returning to his cave in a disheveled state, Xia Dong originally planned to rest for a while before continuing his secluded cultivation, hoping to further comprehend the subtleties of using the martial arts intent he had just condensed.

However, at that moment, a commotion came from the edge of the array outside the cave.

Xia Dong released his divine sense, and the person who came was Xiao Hong.

After he left, Xia Dong listened as Xiao Hong, panting, finished explaining what had happened. His eyes narrowed slightly. It turned out that Zhao Ting needed to speak with him and wanted him to return to the city immediately.

Xia Dong knew that what was meant to happen would happen eventually.

There must be an order from above. I wonder if it's about suppressing bandits, or that important person from before is coming again, or something else entirely—

However, Xia Dong didn't have much to worry about at the moment.

He is now a master who has broken through the shackles of the mortal world and entered the realm of martial arts transformation. His blood and qi are like a dragon, and his martial arts intentions have become material.

With this confidence, even without revealing his cultivator's methods, his pure martial arts cultivation alone would be enough to put him to a head-on confrontation with a cultivator in the late stage of Qi Refining.

If he were to launch a sudden attack at close range, he might even have a good chance of gaining the upper hand, thanks to the explosive power of a martial artist.

Thinking of this, Xia Dong turned around and went back to the depths of the cave. He took out a cloth bag filled with freshly harvested green corn and spirit rice. He then walked to the edge of the cold pool, grabbed two of the fattest spirit fish, and strung them together with a straw rope.

He handed these things to Xiao Hong and instructed her, "These are for you to take back and use to aid your cultivation."

Since Xiao Hong began practicing the "Yi Jin Duan Gu Pian" taught by Xia Dong, her physical constitution and physique have been greatly improved, and her martial arts cultivation has yielded remarkable results.

If she continues to cultivate with the help of these spiritual rice and fish, which are full of pure spiritual energy and vitality, she will have a great chance to break through her limits and enter the mortal realm of martial arts.

"You must secretly cook and consume these spirit rice and spirit fish after you take them back, and you must never tell any outsiders," Xia Dong solemnly warned. "These things are extremely precious in the mortal world. If outsiders find out that you possess such spiritual items that can greatly replenish your qi and blood, it could easily lead to your death, understand?"

"Yes, young master, don't worry, I've remembered everything." Xiao Hong nodded vigorously.

She did not refuse Xia Dong's reward in the slightest.

In her heart, she belonged to the young master inside and out, body and soul, and naturally she should accept his rewards without hesitation. Moreover, she knew very well that only by becoming more capable and cultivating herself could she truly help the young master in the future.

Looking at Xiao Hong's calm expression, Xia Dong sighed inwardly.

Since handing over the management of her clinics, shops, and other businesses to Xiao Hong, Xiao Hong has developed a decisive and ruthless temperament amidst the conflicts of interest and the comings and goings of people.

The girl she is today is vastly different from the timid and submissive farm girl who first arrived at the Xia family.

Nowadays, many influential figures in both the legitimate and underworld circles of Pingyang County know that the person in charge of Xia Zongqi's household is not just a delicate concubine, but a formidable character with both real strength and ruthless methods.

After explaining the important matters, Xia Dong asked Xiao Hong to try to get closer to the snake brother who was coiled at the entrance of the cave.

Xiao Hong was initially a little scared, after all, the snake was as big as an iron tower and the fierce aura it exuded would terrify even the wild beasts in the mountains.

Fortunately, probably because both the human and the snake had consumed the "Mysterious Yin Gathering Qi Pill" refined by Xia Dong, and both had a trace of the same "Mysterious Yin Divine Water" flowing in their bodies, the snake did not show any rejection towards Xiao Hong.

The giant snake raised its enormous head high, its golden vertical pupils looking down at Little Red with disdain. A faint white mist emanated from its nostrils, and its thick tail slapped the ground twice, neither too hard nor too soft.

That posture was quite arrogant, as if to say, "For Dongzi's sake, I'll reluctantly let you touch me."

Then, quite cooperatively, it lowered its body slightly and brought its cold, hard scales to Little Red's hand, letting her stroke them.

Little Red carefully touched the snake scales, which felt like cold iron. The snake didn't get angry and seemed quite content.

The fear in Xiaohong's eyes gradually faded, replaced by intense curiosity.

She couldn't help but steal a glance back, gazing admiringly at Xia Dong, who stood with his hands behind his back. The young master was not only a divine physician and an astonishing martial artist, but he could even tame such a demonic beast.

In Xiao Hong's mind, her young master's image became increasingly lofty and mysterious, almost like an omnipotent god, which made her worship him to the extreme.

While Xiao Hong and the giant snake were playing nearby, Xia Dong turned around and went back to the secret room to start organizing the trump cards he would bring back to the city.

In fact, he also had a rare and extremely valuable spiritual item in his storage bag: the complete molted shell of a ghost-faced spider.

This thing is in perfect condition, with clearly visible, naturally formed, eerie spiritual patterns on it, and it is incredibly tough.

The Ghost-Faced Spider is an extremely rare "ghostly demon." Such a special spiritual object containing pure Yin energy would definitely be a sought-after high-level refining material in the cultivation market.

Looking at this molted shell, Xia Dong's thoughts became completely clear.

Based on his past experiences, he had completely figured out the pattern of how the ancient bronze bell in his sea of ​​consciousness refined evil spirits.

Like the lantern ghosts that used to roam Huangni Village, or the spirits in the broken Yin-gathering banners at the bottom of dry wells, they are all pure Yin spirits without any substantial physical form.

Therefore, once they get close, the ancient bronze bell will not even give them a warning, but will directly absorb, grind, and ruthlessly refine them.

However, if they encounter a powerful demon like the Ghost-Faced Spider, they have already cultivated to the point of being "half-illusory and half-real".

In the world of cultivation, the most powerful ghost kings can even directly "transform from the void into reality," condensing a powerful physical body comparable to that of a great demon.

Faced with this terrifying being with a tangible form and overwhelming power, the bronze bell lost its ability to automatically target and refine enemies. Xia Dong had to actively control the bronze bell to forcibly kill it.

The cost of actively controlling an ancient bronze bell is simply too high.

Xia Dong still vividly remembers the intense emptiness and weakness he felt when his magical power and consciousness were instantly drained and a small portion of his "innate essence" was also absorbed.

He would never use this trump card lightly unless it was a matter of life and death.

However, Xia Dong remained very calm.

Although he no longer has the "Yinling Pill" refined from the ancient bell to quickly enhance his spiritual consciousness, he is not anxious.

Spiritual practice is like water dripping on a stone, a slow and persistent process.

As long as you cultivate the "Mysterious Yin Scripture" step by step, with each increase in magical power, your spiritual consciousness will naturally be nourished and gradually improve.

Although this progress is certainly not as fast as directly consuming top-grade Yin Spirit Pills, as long as one regularly engages in a large amount of talisman making and pill refining to repeatedly squeeze and temper one's divine sense, this steady and solid progress is actually quite considerable and reliable.

m.

After making proper arrangements for the cave and the mountains, Xia Dong quietly returned to Pingyang County with Xiao Hong.

After quickly washing up at home, Xia Dong changed into the flying fish robe of the Eagle Wolf Guard and went straight to the Hundred Household Office to meet Zhao Ting.

Xia Dong did not conceal his martial arts cultivation, allowing the immense, ever-flowing energy that broke through the shackles of the mortal world to circulate within his body, releasing his martial arts aura.

Xia Dong had a very clear plan in mind.

To gain a foothold in the bureaucratic system of the Great You Dynasty, one must demonstrate sufficient value. Compared to those cunning and uncontrollable cultivators, the imperial court actually prefers pure martial arts practitioners from the bottom of its heart.

Yes, martial arts training.

If those who are merely "martial artists" honing their strength before reaching the Transcendent Realm are considered to be "martial cultivators" once they enter the Transcendent Realm, their martial arts will become refined, and it is no exaggeration to call them "martial practitioners".

Transcending the mortal realm is the true starting point of martial arts cultivation.

According to ancient texts, if a martial artist in ancient times reached the pinnacle and achieved physical immortality, their skill was absolutely extraordinary.

It's inferior to the immortals who cultivate immortality.

Those beings undoubtedly belong to a terrifying, mythical level.

As soon as he stepped into the inner room, Zhao Ting, who was looking down at the files, suddenly raised his head and stared intently at Xia Dong. Feeling the oppressive aura of blood and qi that was as real as a furnace, he dropped the brush in his hand onto the table with a "thud".

"Xueyi, you—you've transcended the mortal realm in martial arts?!" Zhao Ting exclaimed in shock, his eyes filled with undisguised surprise, a deep sense of envy, and even a tiny, almost imperceptible hint of jealousy.

It should be noted that Zhao Ting had almost exhausted all the wealth he had accumulated over the past six months, and had also bribed officials at the Thousand Households Office to obtain pills to break through his bottleneck, which was how he barely advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Xia Dong's martial arts transformation is comparable to the late stage of Qi Refining in immortal cultivation, or at least the seventh level of Qi Refining!

How long has it been?

This kid's martial arts training speed is simply monstrous!

However, Zhao Ting was, after all, a seasoned veteran of the officialdom, and his jealousy vanished in an instant, replaced by a surge of elation.

"Brother, you have keen insight. I only broke through by chance," Xia Dong replied with a slight bow, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Luck? There's no such thing as luck in this world!" Zhao Ting waved his hands repeatedly, strode forward, patted Xia Dong's shoulder heavily, and said with a radiant face, "Xueyi, you don't need to be modest in front of me. With your martial arts talent, not to mention in this small Pingyang County, even in the entire Eagle Wolf Guard system, you are definitely among the top martial arts talents!"

By the way, how's your understanding of the Vajra King Mantra coming along?

Xia Dong humbly replied, "I've gained some understanding and have barely grasped the basics."

"Great! Excellent!" Zhao Ting was overjoyed. "That cultivation technique is incredibly obscure. The fact that you've been able to comprehend it means it's highly compatible. Should I prepare the necessary documents and report it to the higher-ups right now? With your current Transcendent Realm cultivation, plus your understanding of the Vajra King Technique, maybe the higher-ups will be so pleased that they'll directly recruit you into the Profound Insight Division!"

Upon hearing the words "Tongxuan Division," Xia Dong's heart sank slightly.

The headquarters of the Tongxuan Division is located far away in the capital, which is the core of the Great You Dynasty that truly governs the extraordinary forces. It is a place where hidden talents reside and its foundation is unfathomable.

Although Xia Dong barely passed the test in front of Master Guyue last time, he should be considered to have concealed his identity as a cultivator and the secret of being a "Qi Refiner," but he didn't have the guts to gamble on whether his breath concealment technique could fool those old monsters in the Tongxuan Division of the capital who had lived for countless years.

Even more worrying is that the "Taoist register" file he possesses, whether genuine or fake, is currently sealed away in the Tongxuan Division. If he goes there, he might end up being a fake instead of the real Li Kui.

With a quick thought, Xia Dong looked troubled and earnestly said, "Brother, I've only scratched the surface of the Vajra King Technique; I haven't even entered the realm. If I submit it now, and the officials of the Tongxuan Division don't show me my true abilities during the assessment, not only will I be punished, but you'll also be implicated in the crime of 'falsely reporting military intelligence.' I'd rather die than shirk that responsibility. Let's not submit it for now."

Zhao Ting listened, glanced thoughtfully at Xia Dong, and nodded with a smile: "Alright, the Tongxuan Division's assessment is rigorous, so it's indeed wise to be cautious. You can study it secretly on your own first, and when you feel confident enough to notify your superiors, I will draft an official document to submit for you."

"Thank you for your understanding, brother."

After discussing their personal matters, Zhao Ting's expression gradually became serious.

He turned and walked behind his desk, lowering his voice to say, "Xueyi, the reason I urgently called you back is because of a very important matter. The higher-ups have just discovered that a key stronghold of the Wusheng Sect in our Linyuan Prefecture is hidden right inside the Crimson Fire Mine!"

Xia Dong raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Crimson Fire Mine? Isn't that the place Qin Wan mentioned before, where Master Gu Yue punished Pei Hongling and several other inner disciples by sending them to guard?

Zhao Ting snorted coldly: "The Crimson Fire Mine is an important industry of the Qixia Immortal Sect, and it has always been guarded by our Eagle Wolf Guards. I really don't know what kind of tricks these Wusheng Sect fiends used to be able to sneak in right under our noses and the Immortal Sect's noses."

"So, the higher-ups ordered us to go to the Crimson Fire Mine to exterminate the demons?" Xia Dong keenly grasped the key point.

"That's right." Zhao Ting nodded, his tone grave. "Moreover, the intelligence our spies risked their lives to bring back says that these demons are secretly lurking deep in the mine, seemingly engaged in some extremely evil blood sacrifice ritual, with grand schemes. The commander has given a death order: they must not be allowed to succeed."

Seeing Xia Dong deep in thought, Zhao Ting's tense expression eased slightly, and he comforted her, "But you don't need to worry too much. After all, the Crimson Fire Mine is Qixia Immortal Sect's territory. With such a major incident, the Immortal Sect will definitely not sit idly by. It is said that this time, True Person Guyue will personally lead a team to the Crimson Fire Mine to wipe out the Wusheng Sect bandits. With her in charge, our Eagle Wolf Guard only needs to provide support from the outside and clean up the battlefield. This bandit suppression should go very smoothly."

Hearing that Master Guyue would also be going, Xia Dong's heart was filled with doubts.

He knew that the jade slip Qin Wan had given to Senior Gu Yue last time was probably quite extraordinary. Logically speaking, Senior Gu Yue should now be focusing on comprehending the jade slip and the important matter of forming his core.

Why go to suppress bandits at this time?

Could there be some amazing secret hidden inside the Crimson Fire Mine?