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    “Master, that human female cultivator...”


    Upon hearing the Earth Burrowing Rat’s youthful voice, Lan Chang''an’s expression turned somewhat peculiar.


    The Earth Burrowing Rat was a formidable True Dan-level demon beast, gifted with earth-burrowing abilities and a keen sense of smell, making it exceptional at tracking. Over the past half-month while Lan Chang''an was away, it had kept a close eye on Yu Qin’s every move.


    Every interaction she had, her cultivation, meals, entertainment, and even the colors of her undergarments—all were meticulously observed and reported.


    Lan Chang''an found this amusing. Before he left, he had only instructed the Earth Burrowing Rat to keep an eye on her, but he hadn’t expected the creature to take the task so seriously.


    Based on the Earth Burrowing Rat’s report, two suspicious points about Yu Qin surfaced.


    The first was that Yu Qin had privately gathered various medicinal herbs, including powders, potions, and perfumes. However, ording to the Earth Burrowing Rat''s keen sense of smell, none of the substances were poisonous.


    The second suspicious point was that Yu Qin had once gone out for a trip.The Earth Burrowing Rat had not followed her because Lan Chang''an had tasked it with guarding the Xuanmu Vine that grew at the bottom of the deep pool, a priority of utmost importance.


    Lan Chang''an pondered for a moment. “Did she ever deliberately show interest in or try to get close to Xia Wenyue?”


    With Xia Wenyue’s innate Dao physique containing the potential key to breaking through to the Nascent Soul Realm, along with the risks it posed, Lan Chang''an naturally felt on edge and wary of possible threats.


    “No,” the Earth Burrowing Rat shook its little head.


    “In that case, it seems Yu Qin’s intent for seeking refuge here has nothing to do with the secret of Xia Wenyue’s Dao physique.”


    Lan Chang''an let out a soft breath of relief.


    “If that’s the case, even if she has malicious intent, it’s likely due to some connection with a rival faction of the Xia Family.”


    Lan Chang''an was unaware that Yu Qin had previously tried to sow discord between him and Xia Mingqu. During his time away, Yu Qin had refrained from bad-mouthing him further, choosing instead to act submissive and pitiful in front of Xia Mingqu.


    Yu Qin knew the art of subtlety—too much nder would make her motives transparent. It was enough to nt a seed of doubt in Xia Mingqu’s mind without overying her hand.


    ...


    Two dayster, at the Autumnwind Isle estate.


    Lan Chang''an sent out amunication talisman, requesting a meeting with the Xia Family elder, Xia Shenn.


    As the Xia Family’s honored guest elder, Lan Chang''an had sensed that something was amiss with Yu Qin and decided to warn Xia Mingqu. However, despite his status, he was still an outsider to the family, and Yu Qin had once been deeply involved with Xia Mingqu, almost bing his Daopanion. Their rtionship was far more personal andplicated than anything Lan Chang''an could offer.


    Thus, Lan Chang''an chose to approach Xia Shenn first, so as not to put Xia Mingqu in a difficult position.


    Xia Shenn was Xia Mingqu’s cousin, and she had once been married into the Xin Family, the second-most powerful branch within the Wufu Merchant Association.


    Half an hourter...


    Dressed in an elegant, sky-blue gown, the dignified Foundation Establishment female cultivator gracefully descended upon Autumnwind Isle.


    “It''s a rare honor to be invited by you, Fellow Daoist Lan. I didn’t dare dy for even a moment,” Xia Shenn smiled softly, though there was a certain distance in her tone that wasn’t there before.


    Years ago, before Lan Chang''an had revealed his true identity, he had once saved Xia Shenn’s life. After she severed ties with the Xin Family, the Xia Family had tried to pair her with Lan Chang''an, even offering him a precious pill to help him break through to thete Foundation Establishment stage.


    But Lan Chang''an had refused the match, causing their rtionship to gradually be more distant, now more akin to a typical acquaintance between cultivators.


    “Elder Shenn, you tter me. I’m just an old Foundation Establishment cultivator, hardly someone of great importance,” Lan Chang''an responded with a smile, unfazed by the subtle shift in her demeanor.


    In a side hall, the two took their seats.


    Xia Wenyue, with a bright smile on her face, served refreshments and exchanged pleasantries with Xia Shenn.


    “Wenyue, you look much better these days. It seems your cultivation has advanced as well... It appears that Fellow Daoist Lan’s cultivation technique is truly remarkable when ites to nurturing and healing,” Xia Shenn remarked, her surprise evident as she observed the changes in Xia Wenyue.


    Xia Wenyue had always been a stunning beauty, but her frail health had dulled her radiance. Now, with her illness under control, her appearance had blossomed to new heights, as if she were an exquisite jade, wless and mesmerizing. Even Xia Shenn, as a fellow female cultivator, couldn’t help but feel a tinge of amazement.


    She nced again at the handsome, otherworldly Lan Chang''an and sighed inwardly.


    Back when Lan Chang''an was concealing his true identity, Xia Shenn had held some affection for him, though it hadn’t developed into romantic love. When the family had tried to pair them, she had been open to the idea.


    However, after Lan Chang''an revealed his identity and rode off gantly on his turtle, Xia Shenn’s heart, long dormant, had stirred momentarily.


    In the years since, she had quietly kept an eye on this guest elder from Liang Kingdom, learning about his past through reports and rumors. The more she learned, the more she admired his perseverance and the more curious she became about his journey.


    But s, Lan Chang''an had rejected the family’s marriage proposal, and Xia Shenn had too much pride to approach him again.


    Now, as she sat here, a small part of her couldn’t help but hope for something more.


    ...


    After a cup of tea’s time, Xia Shenn’s faint hopes began to dissipate.


    Lan Chang''an showed no interest in revisiting the past, instead steering the conversation toward topics like the current politicalndscape of the Wufu Merchant Association, the growth of the Xuan Yin Demonic Sect, and the ongoing war in the Liang Kingdom.


    Once Xia Wenyue had withdrawn from the room, Lan Chang''an finally broached the subject of Yu Qin with Xia Shenn.


    Of course, he was subtle, merely suggesting that with the Wufu Merchant Association facing both internal and external pressures, the Xia Family should keep a closer eye on Yu Qin.


    After all, he had no concrete evidence.


    Sure, Yu Qin had tried to seduce him, but there was no tangible proof of wrongdoing. Without hard evidence, his words were just spection.


    “Do you believe Yu Qin is up to something? Do you have any proof?” Xia Shenn’s brows furrowed in thought.


    Lan Chang''an chuckled, “No proof, just a hunch. Take it for what it’s worth.”


    “I see. I’ll make sure Mingqu is aware. But right now, he’s preparing to break through to thete Foundation Establishment stage...” Xia Shenn hesitated, unsure of how to proceed.


    “He’s nning a breakthrough?” Lan Chang''an understood her concern.


    Reaching thete Foundation Establishment stage was a critical juncture, one that required absolute focus, free from emotional distractions.


    ...


    After leaving Autumnwind Isle, Xia Shenn decided it was still best to speak with Xia Mingqu.


    As the next leader of the Xia Family, if Xia Mingqu couldn’t handle minor personal matters, then he didn’t deserve the family’s resources.


    Inside Xia Mingqu’s residence...


    “Shenn, I’m nning to enter seclusion soon to break through. With the patriarch and my father stationed at the merchant guild’s headquarters, I’ll need to rely on you to handle the family’s affairs in my absence.”


    Xia Mingqu greeted his cousin with the utmost respect and trust.


    “It’s no trouble; I’ll handle everything.”


    After a brief nod, Xia Shenn got straight to the point, rying her earlier conversation with Lan Chang''an.


    “Lan Chang''an suspects Qin’er?” Xia Mingqu couldn’t help but smile wryly.


    Just over half a month ago, Yu Qin hade to him, tearfully using Lan Chang''an of inappropriate conduct during a pulse check, iming that he had taken advantage of her.


    To maintain stability within the family and to protect his own pride, Xia Mingqu had kept the matter quiet, telling no one.


    Now, with Xia Shenn bringing this up, he couldn’t help but feel conflicted, so he decided toe clean.


    “So, you believed her?” Xia Shenn’s expression turned cold.


    “Not entirely. I trust her words about thirty percent. After all, ording to the intelligence we’ve gathered from the Liang Kingdom, Lan Chang''an has a solid reputation as a good-natured man,” Xia Mingqu shook his head.


    After Yu Qin’s return, Xia Mingqu had discreetly investigated her background. Her fall from grace and expulsion from the Yunxia Mountain sect were legitimate, as was her family’s decline. Everything seemed in order.


    “What do you n to do about this?” Xia Shenn pressed.


    “Qin’er and I were close once, but that was many years ago. Those feelings have long since faded. She can’tpare to someone like Talisman Master Lan.”


    Xia Mingqu’s tone was calm and resolute.


    “It''s good that you understand.”


    Xia Shenn’s expression softened. Regardless of personal feelings, Xia Mingqu hadn’t lost sight of the bigger picture.


    Lan Chang''an was already ate-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, with a high-ranking demon beastpanion and the skill of a quasi-third-rank talisman master. His status wasn’t far off from a Fake Dan cultivator.


    ...


    By evening.


    In his meditation chamber, Lan Chang''an sat cross-legged, deep in thought as he pondered the secret core dissolution technique he had traded from Zhang Tieshan.


    The technique was called the Returning Dust Core Transformation Method, and Lan Chang''an had already studied it extensively during his spare time.


    However,cking a master’s guidance, he still hadn’t fully grasped some of its more intricate details, even after many years of contemtion.


    This was despite his previous life’s experience as a peak Core Formation cultivator, giving him a significant advantage in understanding such techniques.


    It was a testament to the importance of proper tutge.


    Many cultivation sects had secret arts that, even if leaked, would be nearly impossible for ordinary cultivators to master without guidance.


    “Zhang Tieshan never had a Nascent Soul master, yet he dared to pursue this path of ‘Pill Reformation.’ His fortune must be extraordinary...”


    Lan Chang''an’s thoughts drifted back to the letter he had received from Liang Kingdom. Zhang Tieshan had disappeared after being hunted by a Core Formation cultivator.


    Most assumed he was dead.


    But Lan Chang''an was convinced that Zhang Tieshan had used this as an opportunity to fake his death and quietly undergo Pill Reformation.


    “In another two years at most, I should reach the eighth level of Foundation Establishment. Even without a master, I should be able to fullyprehend this technique before reaching the ninth level.”


    Lan Chang''an mulled over his n.


    “Even if I fail the Pill Reformation and suffer a bacsh, I can use the Evergreen secret spell to recover, so I’m not too concerned about damaging my foundation...”


    He had already tested this when Guan Qiaozhi failed her own Foundation Establishment attempt, confirming that the secret spell could heal such damage.


    Squeak!


    The Earth Burrowing Rat suddenly appeared beside him, seemingly out of nowhere.


    “Oh?”


    After listening for a moment, a smile crept across Lan Chang''an’s face. He waved the creature off, sending it back underground to continue its cultivation.


    He murmured to himself, “It seems the Xia Family’s decision-makers haven’t let me down.”


    Unbeknownst to Xia Shenn and Xia Mingqu, their conversation had been secretly overheard by the Earth Burrowing Rat.


    Lan Chang''an usually had little interest in eavesdropping on others, nor did he care to intrude on their privacy.


    But Xia Mingqu’s attitude and decisions would directly impact Lan Chang''an’s future within the Xia Family.


    Had Xia Mingqu been swayed by Yu Qin, developing hostility or suspicion toward him, Lan Chang''an would have wasted no time in leaving the Xia Family for good.


    “So it was a ploy to sow discord after all. If I had been forced out, Xin’s power would have rivaled the Xia Family’s.”


    In ns like the Xia and Xin Families, where both of them had a Fake Dan cultivator, everyte-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was a key to holding their territory.


    And Lan Chang''an wasn’t just anyte-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.


    As long as he remained in Qingsha Bay, the Xia Family’s rear would be secured, and they would continue to benefit from his high-quality talismans.


    Reflecting on the two earlier suspicious points regarding Yu Qin, Lan Chang''an could now roughly deduce her next move.


    ...


    A few dayster, Lan Chang''an took the initiative to visit Xia Shenn’s cultivation site, and rumors began circting that their rtionship was warming, hinting at a rekindling romance.


    In truth, Lan Chang''an was merely dropping subtle hints for her to pick up on.


    Whether Xia Mingqu took them to heart or not was no longer his concern.


    As an honored guest of the Xia Family, Lan Chang''an had already done his part by offering a basic warning. He wouldn’t go above and beyond for something like this.


    Three days after his visit to Xia Shenn, Yu Qin came to Autumnwind Isle once more, seeking medicinal remedies.


    Lan Chang''an couldn’t be bothered to deal with her and left her standing at the door.


    “It’s fine if Talisman Master Lan doesn’t handle this personally. The medicine I need is something even his little disciple could prepare.”


    Yu Qin remained unfazed, shing a bright smile.


    With her radiant beauty on full disy, she went to Xia Wenyue, requesting some medicinal herbs and ingredients for concocting remedies and fragrance sachets.


    She even took the time to chat with Xia Wenyue.


    As a senior in the Foundation Establishment stage, Xia Wenyue could hardly refuse and reluctantly apanied her.


    Lan Chang''an didn’t interfere, simply instructing the Earth Burrowing Rat to watch over Xia Wenyue in secret.


    ...


    Half a monthter.


    Xia Mingqu began his seclusion to break through to thete Foundation Establishment stage.


    Lan Chang''an monitored his progress from afar and determined that there would be no major issues with the breakthrough.


    However, given Xia Mingqu’s age, he could have afforded to spend another year or two honing his foundation.


    The decision to rush the breakthrough likely stemmed from the Xia Family’s desire to bolster their strength.


    The Xia and Xin families each had a Fake Dan ancestor, creating a delicate bnce of power.


    Fake Dan cultivators typically reached a teau in strength, with little room for growth, barring a few exceptional cases. Thus, the true movers and shakers were often thete-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators who could influence the oue of power struggles.


    While Xia Mingqu cultivated in seclusion, Xia Shenn and Yu Qin took turns guarding the entrance, a perfectly reasonable arrangement given their close rtionships with him.


    But a few days into his seclusion...


    Inside the chamber, Xia Mingqu’s aura surged as he approached the breakthrough to thete Foundation Establishment stage.


    Suddenly, however, the flow of his spiritual power came to a screeching halt, and his cultivation began to plummet uncontrobly.


    Cough!


    A mouthful of dark purple blood burst from Xia Mingqu’s lips as his spiritual power red wildly, mming into the chamber walls.


    “Mingqu!”


    Xia Shenn’s face paled in shock as she rushed inside, breaking through the chamber’s barrier.


    “What kind of poison is this? I personally inspected all the pills!”


    Xia Mingqu’s normally fairplexion was now a mix of red and green. His body trembled, his face twisted in disbelief.


    He had clearly suffered a cultivation mishap—one induced by poison.


    ...


    Standing at the chamber door, Yu Qin hesitated for a moment.


    Xia Shenn turned to her, her eyes burning with rage. “Yu Qin! Did you poison him?”


    Over the past several days, aside from herself, only Yu Qin had been in close contact with Xia Mingqu.


    Lan Chang''an, meanwhile, hadn’t even set foot in Xia Mingqu’s residence since his return.


    Yu Qin’s charmingughter echoed from outside the chamber, dripping with mockery.


    “Poison? Oh, that’s no ordinary toxin. It’s a special mixture of rare medicinal powders, perfume, and potions. Once someone attempts to break through a bottleneck, it activates, causing their blood to boil and their mind to spiral into chaos...”


    Before Xia Shenn or Xia Mingqu could react, Yu Qin casually tossed a small ck orb into the chamber.


    Boom!


    A st of ck me erupted, engulfing the entire room in a ten-zhang radius, while thick, poisonous smoke spread across the chamber.


    Without waiting to see the oue, Yu Qin, dressed in her signature pink robes, transformed into a streak of light and soared above the rising clouds of poison.


    “Without Talisman Master Lan’s herbs, I wouldn’t have been able to execute my n so wlessly,” she mused with a yful smirk, casting a nce in the direction of Autumnwind Isle.


    Even in the middle of her escape, she couldn’t resist casting me on him.


    “Yu Qin! How dare you harm the young master!”


    A Foundation Establishment elder from the Xia Family quickly rallied the n’s forces, sending a squad of cultivators to pursue Yu Qin.


    But Yu Qin remained calm andposed.


    Most of the Xia Family’s core members were tied up in their power struggle with the Xin Family, stationed at the merchant guild’s headquarters and other branches to protect their assets.


    At present, only four Foundation Establishment cultivators are left to guard Qingsha Bay.


    One of them, Lan Chang''an, was an outsider.


    Autumnwind Isle was located in a remote area, far from the Xia Family’s core territory. It would take time for Lan Chang''an to arrive.


    That left only three real pursuers.


    Besides, Xia Mingqu and Xia Shenn had already been injured by her ambush and were unlikely to pose much of a threat.


    Of course, the biggest variable was Lan Chang''an.


    Based on her intelligence, Yu Qin knew that Lan Chang''an could easily overpower her. But she also knew that he had a reputation for ying it safe back in Liang Kingdom, where he was known as the “Turtle Talisman Master.”


    A man like that wouldn’t risk his life or act rashly!


    With this certainty, Yu Qin felt confident in her escape.


    Her confidence stemmed from the detailed intelligence provided by her backers, along with her own deep knowledge of the Xia Family’s terrain and defenses.