Quan Family Inner Secret Realm

Quan Lam carefully placed Old Zhang’s body onto the carriage.

After returning to the town, he found a reputable escort agency and paid a considerable amount

of spirit stones to have Old Zhang’s body travel with a large caravan back to the Quan family in

Thanh Van City first.

Old Zhang’s body was not the Yang family’s target.

Traveling with a large caravan along the main road was also much safer than continuing to use

the carriage whose Quan family emblem had already been exposed. As for Quan Lam and Thanh

Linh, they decided to travel with Hao Nhien by boat until they were close to Thanh Van City.

Traveling by water was not absolutely safe, but at least it allowed them to change routes, making

it harder for the Yang family to immediately predict their movements.

By the time the three returned to the dock carrying bags of various sizes, the sun was already

slanting toward the west.

From a distance, Tieu Lan was already waiting by the cabin. The moment she saw Hao Nhien,

she immediately ran toward the bow and called out happily:

“Young Master! Young Master is back!”

Hao Nhien stepped onto the boat and smiled as he gently rubbed her head.

“I’m back. Everything is fine.”

Tieu Lan looked him over from head to toe.

Only after confirming that there were no new injuries did she finally let out a relieved breath.

Hao Nhien took the opportunity to introduce them.

“Tieu Lan, this is Brother Quan Lam and Sister Thanh Linh.”

“Brother Quan is from the Quan family of Thanh Van City. We happened to meet earlier.”

Then he turned toward the other two.

“Brother Quan, Sister Thanh Linh, this is my younger sister, Tieu Lan.”

Quan Lam cupped his fists in greeting and smiled warmly.

“What an adorable little sister. Sorry to trouble you.”

Thanh Linh also gave a polite bow, her voice gentle.

“Greetings, little sister.”

Tieu Lan lowered her head shyly.

“Greetings, Brother Quan and Sister Thanh Linh.”

The group of four quickly boarded the boat.

Hao Nhien guided the vessel away from the dock and continued downstream.

Quan Lam and Thanh Linh sat on the deck.

Their gazes still carried a trace of vigilance, but they had relaxed considerably.

After all, they had just survived an ambush.

Being cautious was only natural.

Tieu Lan quietly brewed fresh tea and brought it out for everyone.

Under the evening sunlight spreading across the river, the boat glided smoothly over the water.

After several cups of tea, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Once everyone had become somewhat familiar with one another, Tieu Lan went into the kitchen

to prepare dinner.

Her talent for cooking truly far surpassed her talent for cultivation.

Before long, with limited help from Thanh Linh, mostly washing vegetables, tending the fire,

and setting out chopsticks, she transformed the ingredients they had just bought in town into a

generous meal.

On the wooden table in the middle of the deck were grilled meat skewers, mixed stir fried

vegetables that still retained their fresh green color, steaming chicken soup with wild

mushrooms, hot meat buns, and a fragrant pot of river fish porridge.

The aroma of food drifted along with the river breeze.

Quan Lam looked at the table, and his eyes immediately lit up.

“Little Sister Tieu Lan, with cooking like this, if you opened a restaurant in Thanh Van City,

I guarantee the customers would line up outside.”

Tieu Lan blushed slightly.

“Brother Quan is praising me too much. They’re only simple dishes.”

“Making simple food taste good is exactly what’s difficult.”

Quan Lam spoke very seriously.

He took two jars of wine from his storage ring and laughed loudly.

“It has been a long time since I drank good wine with a brother.”

“Today we have to drink properly.”

Hao Nhien did not refuse.

He still did not know how much sincerity Quan Lam truly had.

But at least for now, the two of them genuinely got along well while drinking and talking.

Quan Lam had traveled across mountains and rivers for years, and his tolerance for alcohol was

excellent.

The wine he brought out was a gleaming red, carrying a warm, rich fragrance with hints of

osmanthus and spiritual fruit.

It became warm the moment it entered the throat, but it was not harsh.

Instead, it made the blood and qi flow more comfortably.

Hao Nhien raised his cup and drained it, feeling the warm wine flow into his stomach while the

true qi inside his body also circulated a little more smoothly.

Quan Lam slapped the table and laughed.

“Brother, refreshing!”

Hao Nhien also smiled.

“Good wine.”

“Of course.”

“I’ve kept this jar for several years.”

The two talked about the battle in the forest, the secret realms Quan Lam had heard about, and

eventually some trivial matters within the clan.

Hao Nhien only told half truths.

Quan Lam still responded enthusiastically, as though he had found someone of the same surname

whose temperament suited his own.

Tieu Lan sat nearby and joined the conversation.

She only took a few small sips, yet her cheeks were already pink like peach blossoms.

From time to time, she giggled when Quan Lam told the story of how he had once been chased

by a demonic beast and nearly run himself to death.

Thanh Linh drank as well.

Her cheeks turned bright red, and from time to time she leaned lightly against Quan Lam’s

shoulder.

The atmosphere on the boat became much warmer.

The moon gradually rose higher.

The sound of water gently striking the side of the boat mixed with laughter and conversation,

creating a rare moment of peace on a cultivation road filled with hardship.

By midnight, Tieu Lan was already yawning.

She stood and gave a small bow.

“I’ll go prepare the rooms first. Everyone can keep talking.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“Rest early. We still have a long journey tomorrow.”

Tieu Lan smiled and turned toward the cabin.

Thanh Linh was tired as well.

She leaned fully against Quan Lam’s shoulder, her eyes half closed, one hand still holding his

sleeve.

Quan Lam gently patted her shoulder, his voice softer.

“Sleep. I’m here.”

Only then did Hao Nhien set down his wine cup.

His voice became deeper.

“Brother Lam, what kind of conflict do you have with the Yang family for them to pursue you

like this?”

“Do the Quan family and Yang family really show each other no consideration?”

“I’ve been thinking about it, but I still don’t understand.”

Quan Lam fell silent.

His gaze turned toward the dark river.

After a long while, he looked back at Hao Nhien.

“Let me tell you something.”

“It may benefit you, me, and even the entire Quan family.”

Hao Nhien sat a little straighter.

Quan Lam lowered his voice.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“The matter with the Yang family is only secondary.”

“The Yang family is a major clan in this region, but if the Quan family truly returned to its

former glory, they would hardly be worth considering.”

“What matters more is”

He stopped.

Hao Nhien frowned slightly.

Quan Lam looked at him with an expression more serious than ever before.

Then he suddenly stood.

“Exchange one fist with me.”

He stepped into the open space on the deck and pulled up his sleeves, revealing his dark bronze

gauntlets.

“Don’t worry.”

“Only one fist.”

“We are not deciding victory or defeat.”

“I just want to confirm whether the feeling I had earlier was correct.”

Hao Nhien thought for a breath, then stood and faced Quan Lam.

His right hand slowly clenched.

Thanh Linh, who had been leaning beside the table, also opened her eyes and looked over.

Much of her sleepiness disappeared.

Quan Lam smiled.

“Brother, don’t hold back too much.”

Hao Nhien replied:

“Brother Lam should do the same.”

The two moved at the same time.

No complicated movement techniques.

No evasion.

Only one direct fist.

Quan Lam’s punch was heavy as falling stone, his strength dense and deep.

When the fist came forward, it was like a massive gate slamming shut, forcing the opponent to

meet it head on.

Hao Nhien was different.

His fist was more compact.

Straighter.

The force did not spread outward.

It gathered into a single line.

Boom!

The two fists collided.

The deck trembled slightly.

Hao Nhien stepped back half a pace.

Quan Lam also stepped back half a pace.

Both withdrew their fists at the same time.

Quan Lam looked down at his own hand.

His eyes clearly brightened.

“That’s it.”

“This way of guiding force…”

“The way your true qi moves together with the fist force…”

He raised his head and looked at Hao Nhien.

“You really cultivate the Body Soul Fist Art?”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly in confirmation.

Quan Lam took a deep breath.

“The same root.”

Hao Nhien had also felt it clearly.

Quan Lam’s fist truly came from the same source as the Body Soul Fist Art he had learned.

There were many similarities in the way the body was trained.

The method of using true qi to guide force was also similar.

But the direction of development was different.

Quan Lam’s fist was heavy and stable.

His own was compact and sharp.

Quan Lam said:

“At the foundation, it is still the Quan family’s fist art.”

“But the way you use it is quite different from how we practice it in the Quan family of Thanh

Van City.”

Hao Nhien asked:

“What do you mean?”

Quan Lam sat down again, his expression serious.

“This is a theory shared by many people in the clan.”

“The Quan family once reached its peak because of the Body Soul Fist Art.”

“But over time, the inheritance gradually became incomplete.”

He looked at Hao Nhien.

“Or more accurately, the cultivation art still exists.”

“But no one can truly comprehend its most important part anymore.”

Hao Nhien listened silently.

Quan Lam continued:

“Because of that, many generations ago, the Quan family deliberately began allowing different

branches to develop in different directions.”

“Some branches focus on body refinement.”

“Some focus on fist arts.”

“Some combine their techniques with artifacts.”

“Some follow medicine and healing methods to nourish the body.”

“Others have tried to find methods for tempering the soul.”

Something stirred in Hao Nhien’s heart.

Tempering the soul.

Quan Lam continued:

“Every five years, the Quan family branches in the eastern region gather together.”

“To enter the Quan Family Inner Secret Realm.”

Hao Nhien murmured softly:

“Quan Family Inner Secret Realm?”

“Correct.”

Quan Lam nodded.

“The purpose is to test the younger generation, find talent, and see which path of development

might help the Quan family recover its former glory.”

He took another sip of wine and continued:

“The head of the main line and the elders are responsible for gathering information and

organizing the event.”

“Behind them are several Supreme Elders who spend most of the year in seclusion and rarely

appear.”

“They are the ones who hold part of the true secrets of the Inner Secret Realm.”

Hao Nhien asked:

“Who can participate?”

“Every Quan family member below the age of twenty who is in Qi Condensation is qualified.”

Quan Lam raised three fingers.

“Three rounds of selection.”

“My guess is Body, Fist, and Soul.”

“Soul?”

“Correct.”

Quan Lam nodded.

“No one is allowed to know the exact details beforehand.”

“Those who have participated must swear an oath not to reveal what happens inside.”

“But from clues accumulated over many years, we roughly believe that the three rounds

correspond to the three core aspects of the Body Soul Fist Art.”

“Body tests the physical body and one’s foundation in body refinement.”

“Fist tests fist techniques and practical combat.”

“Soul…”

He paused.

His gaze deepened slightly.

“Soul is the most secretive part.”

“And also the most important.”

Hao Nhien listened quietly.

His heart had already begun to stir.

His Spirit Sword required soul power.

The later stages of the Tieu Dao Sword Art would very likely require an even stronger soul.

If the Quan family truly possessed a secret related to tempering the soul, then this was an

opportunity he could not afford to miss.

Quan Lam said:

“The top three after the three rounds will represent the eastern region of the Quan family in the

Grand Clan Secret Realm three years from now.”

“But the condition is that within those three years, they must reach at least late Foundation

Establishment.”

Hao Nhien frowned.

“Three years.”

“From Qi Condensation to late Foundation Establishment?”

“Extremely difficult.”

Quan Lam smiled bitterly.

“Applying ancient standards to people of the present era is naturally cruel.”

He took a sip of wine.

“The age limit below twenty only applies to this Inner Secret Realm.”

“The Grand Clan Secret Realm three years from now uses different requirements.”

He paused briefly and continued:

“The clan wants to find the most suitable people.”

“It wants to recover its glory.”

“So it is willing to pay a great price and invest without hesitation.”

“Better to be cruel than to grow weaker with each generation.”

Hao Nhien thought of his father, Quan Bach.

He thought of the weakened Dong City branch.

He thought of the previous Quan Hao Nhien, who at seventeen years old had still remained

around the first layer.

A clan that had once been glorious.

Now forced to use such harsh methods to find its path again.

Perhaps things had not been easy for the Quan family either.

Quan Lam continued:

“For many years, the Quan family has allowed a portion of its younger descendants to travel

across the continent.”

“It is not simply exile or abandonment.”

“One reason is to allow different branches to form bonds in many places, searching for new

possibilities in bloodline, comprehension, and opportunity.”

“Another is to let them find new paths of development on their own.”

He looked at Hao Nhien.

“That may also explain why your father went to Dong City.”

“I and many other members of the Quan family frequently travel as well.”

“Searching for Soul Nourishing Fruit.”

“And searching for opportunities.”

Hao Nhien asked:

“Is the Soul Nourishing Fruit connected to the third round?”

“Yes.”

Quan Lam took a small jade box from his storage ring and placed it on the table.

He did not open it.

He merely rested his hand on the lid.

“Before each opening of the Inner Secret Realm, the clan quietly purchases Soul Nourishing

Fruit.”

“My father also told me to bring one back if I happened to find it.”

“I only know that it is related to the third round, a trial aimed at the soul.”

“No one explains exactly how it is used.”

“That secret is known only by certain Supreme Elders.”

Hao Nhien looked at the jade box.

His gaze was not greedy.

But it was extremely focused.

Quan Lam noticed and smiled faintly.

“You’re also interested in the Soul aspect?”

“I am.”

Hao Nhien did not hide it.

“I feel that if the Body Soul Fist Art is missing the Soul aspect, then it cannot be complete.”

“Exactly!”

Quan Lam slapped the table.

“I think the same.”

“My body refinement is not bad.”

“My fist techniques are not bad either.”

“But when it comes to the soul, I can almost only rely on it strengthening naturally as my realm

increases.”

“There is no effective method for tempering it.”

“The Body Soul Fist Art clearly should contain this part.”

“But the current Quan family does not possess it.”

He lowered his voice.

“Many people in the clan believe that the true secret lies in the third round of the Inner Secret

Realm.”

“Whoever discovers that secret…”

“may be able to touch the most important lost part of the Body Soul Fist Art.”

Hao Nhien fell silent.

He had already made his decision.

He could not let this opportunity pass.

Soul power was currently his greatest limitation.

The Spirit Sword was powerful.

But every time he called upon it, the consumption was enormous.

The Tieu Dao Sword Art had only revealed its first technique.

If he wanted to comprehend the later techniques, soul power would very likely become even

more important.

Furthermore, if he could establish a position within the Quan family, it might also create a

better position for his father, Quan Bach.

Quan Lam said:

“I want you to participate as well.”

“Because I am not confident that I can take one of the top three places.”

“Competition within the Quan family is extremely fierce.”

“This is also intentional on the part of the elders and the clan head.”

“They believe only competition can create strong people.”

He smiled bitterly.

“I am the youngest son of the head of the Quan family in Thanh Van City.”

“From the outside, that seems advantageous.”

“But because of that, many people also have their eyes on me.”

Hao Nhien asked:

“Who should I pay attention to?”

Quan Lam raised three fingers.

“First, Quan Thieu Duong.”

“His talent is extremely strong.”

“His fist art is fierce, direct, and domineering.”

“He is currently the person many elders expect the most from.”

“Second, Quan Tu Mac.”

“This person does not like direct confrontation, but he is extremely difficult to read.”

“He is good at planning.”

“He uses talismans, formations, and artifacts to support his fist techniques.”

“If you meet him inside the secret realm, do not only watch his fists.”

“Third…”

Quan Lam paused.

His expression became more serious.

“Quan Huyen.”

“He is returning from the Western Wastes.”

“He has extensive practical combat experience.”

“His fighting style is heavy with killing intent.”

“I heard he once survived alone in a demonic beast region for more than half a year.”

“I have never fought him.”

“But if the rumors are not too exaggerated, he may be the most difficult person to deal with.”

Hao Nhien remembered the three names.

Each represented a different path.

If the Quan family had truly allowed its branches to develop in different directions, then this

Inner Secret Realm might be very interesting.

Hao Nhien said:

“I can participate.”

“But I don’t think aiming for the top three is realistic for me right now.”

Quan Lam looked slightly surprised.

“Why?”

“I’m only at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation.”

Hao Nhien spoke very clearly.

“I know myself.”

“If the gap in cultivation is too great, I won’t have a chance.”

“So I mainly want to participate to learn what the Soul aspect truly is.”

“As for the top three positions, I won’t force it.”

Quan Lam looked at him for a while.

Then laughed.

“That is not necessarily true.”

“You’ll understand when the time comes.”

He laughed again.

“But I like your caution.”

“People who open their mouths and immediately declare that they will definitely take first place

usually die early.”

Hao Nhien also laughed.

“I would still like to live a little longer.”

“Then it’s decided.”

Quan Lam spoke seriously.

“I will return to the clan first.”

“I’ll discuss your situation with my father.”

“I don’t think there will be much of a problem.”

“You carry the Quan surname.”

“You possess the Body Soul Fist Art.”

“And you have real ability.”

“The clan has no reason to reject you from the start.”

He paused.

“At the same time, I’ll look into Uncle Quan Bach’s situation.”

“If he truly came to Thanh Van City, there should be traces.”

Hao Nhien cupped his hands.

“Thank you, Brother Lam.”

“We are brothers of the same family. Why be so polite?”

Quan Lam smiled and added:

“Once you enter the city, you don’t need to go directly to the Quan family.”

“Prepare carefully first.”

“When you’re ready to visit, just have someone send me a message.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“All right.”

“I also want to prepare a little before going.”

After that night, Quan Lam continued staying on the boat.

During the day, he discussed fist techniques with Hao Nhien.

Quan Lam was very interested in the way Hao Nhien simplified his movements.

When he saw that Hao Nhien retained only forward movement, retreat, lateral sweeps, and several

basic punches, he remained thoughtful for a long time.

“This idea is very distinctive.”

Quan Lam said.

“Remove what is unnecessary.”

“Concentrate force only where it is truly needed.”

“It sounds simple.”

“But it is very difficult to do.”

Hao Nhien replied:

“I’ve only just begun.”

“No.”

Quan Lam shook his head.

“You have a major advantage.”

“Your fighting style seems to have developed alongside your body refinement and the

condensation of your true qi.”

“The simpler the technique, the easier it is to direct the force exactly where it needs to go.”

He paused slightly.

“As for how far your Soul aspect has developed, I cannot tell.”

“But the way you practice your fist art is clearly no longer the same path as ours.”

He looked at his own gauntlets and smiled bitterly.

“If I wanted to imitate you, I would have to tear down and rebuild many things.”

“It is not impossible.”

“But the results certainly would not be as good as yours.”

Hao Nhien also learned a great deal from Quan Lam.

Quan Lam had traveled to many places.

He had fought all kinds of cultivators.

Sword cultivators.

Talisman cultivators.

Saber cultivators.

Poison users.

Crossbow users.

Artifact users.

Those who specialized in ambushes.

That experience was exactly what Hao Nhien lacked.

“When facing someone who uses talismans, do not wait until the talisman activates.”

“The moment his hand touches it, you should already be on guard.”

“When facing a small crossbow, do not wait until you see the bolt.”

“Watch the shoulder and wrist.”

“When facing a sword cultivator, if you are not certain your speed matches theirs, do not try to

steal the first move.”

“Control the terrain.”

“Control the distance.”

“When facing someone wearing inner armor, do not attack the chest first.”

“The neck.”

“The eyes.”

“The wrists.”

“The knees.”

“Those are more reliable.”

Besides that, Quan Lam also introduced Hao Nhien to several practical items worth preparing for

real combat.

Gauntlets.

Inner armor.

Detoxification Pills.

Defensive talismans.

Smoke for obscuring vision.

Medicine for stopping bleeding.

Those things could not turn a weak person into an expert.

But they could help an expert survive for one more breath.

And in real combat, a single breath could sometimes decide life and death.

Hao Nhien remembered everything carefully.

He understood more and more.

Cultivation was not only about realm.

Cultivation arts.

Comprehension.

Real combat was also about preparation.

Equipment.

Habits.

Experience.

And the ability to remain calm in the worst possible moment.

Three days later, the boat had traveled deep into the outer region of Thanh Van City.

The two riverbanks had become increasingly crowded.

More boats traveled across the water.

Banners belonging to merchant associations and clans had also begun appearing along the river.

Farther ahead, beyond the thin mist, the enormous outline of Thanh Van City finally began to

emerge.

Quan Lam stood at the bow, looking toward the great city ahead.

“Brother Hao Nhien, after entering the city, I’ll return to the Quan family first.”

“Don’t reveal too much too quickly.”

“First, find somewhere stable.”

“Listen for information.”

“Then decide what your next step should be.”

“If I learn anything important, I’ll come find you myself.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“I understand.”

Quan Lam smiled.

“No.”

“You may not understand everything yet.”

“But that’s fine.”

“You learn very quickly.”

Hao Nhien looked at him.

“Brother Lam does too.”

Quan Lam froze.

Then laughed loudly.

“Good.”

“I’ll accept that.”

Tieu Lan stood nearby, holding her basket of medicinal herbs.

As she watched the two of them talk, there was also a trace of anticipation in her eyes.

Thanh Van City lay ahead.

The Quan family also lay ahead.

The Inner Secret Realm.

The Soul Nourishing Fruit.

The Body Soul Fist Art.

The lost Soul aspect.

And three names.

Quan Thieu Duong.

Quan Tu Mac.

Quan Huyen.

All of them were like new threads, quietly weaving themselves into Hao Nhien’s path.