The Quan Family

Three days later.

Early in the morning, Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan left their lodging in the central district.

The two walked through the broad streets. Cultivators and merchants moved back and forth without pause. On both sides of the road stood artifact shops, medicine halls, talisman stores, tea houses, and tall inns.

Carriages bearing clan emblems rolled across the stone roads.

The bells of spirit beasts occasionally rang through the lively air.

Hao Nhien was in no hurry.

He walked while observing his surroundings.

The closer they came to the districts occupied by the major clans, the more different the atmosphere became from the commercial area.

There were fewer people.

But late stage Qi Condensation cultivators appeared far more often.

From time to time, Hao Nhien also saw people whose depths he could not judge at all. Just from their clothing and the way those around them reacted, he could tell their status was not low.

Tieu Lan walked beside him.

Today, she wore a newly bought pale green dress.

Her mid quality Yellow grade sword hung at her waist.

The Mystic Shadow Crossbow was hidden inside the small basket on her back.

Compared with the first day she had entered Thanh Van City, she now carried herself much more naturally.

But her gaze still swept across her surroundings from time to time, carefully taking everything in.

The two turned onto a white stone road leading toward the western residential district.

The road here was wider.

Cleaner.

There were fewer people as well.

Large estates gradually appeared on both sides, with high walls, broad gates, and guards stationed outside.

Above them, clan banners fluttered in the wind.

The bustle of the commercial district was gone.

In its place was a stricter, quieter sense of order.

The Quan family estate of Thanh Van City stood at the end of a broad road.

Its walls rose nearly three zhang high and stretched far to either side.

The main gate was made from thick, heavy black wood.

Protective runes were carved into the two stone pillars beside it.

Above the gate was the image of a spread winged eagle cast in black bronze.

Not overly extravagant.

But difficult to forget.

The eagle’s eyes faced straight outward, as though silently watching every person who approached.

Hao Nhien stopped before the gate.

His heart stirred slightly.

The Quan family.

This was the clan connected by blood to his current body.

It might also be the place that could help him uncover Quan Bach’s whereabouts.

And the secrets related to the Body Soul Fist Art.

Hao Nhien took a light breath.

Then stepped forward.

“This one is Quan Hao Nhien, from the Dong City branch.”

“I was invited by Quan Lam to meet the clan head.”

The gatekeeper was a middle aged man wearing light armor.

He looked at Hao Nhien, then at Tieu Lan.

He showed no surprise.

Clearly, Quan Lam had already informed them.

The man nodded slightly.

“Young Master Quan Hao Nhien, please wait a moment.”

He took out a jade communication talisman and spoke quietly into it.

Not long afterward, the main gate opened.

A white bearded old man walked out.

He wore a light gray robe, his expression gentle and his steps steady.

The moment he saw the two of them, he smiled and cupped his hands.

“Young Master Quan Hao Nhien, Miss Tieu Lan.”

“Young Master Lam informed us in advance.”

“The clan head and Young Master Lam are waiting for you.”

“Please.”

Hao Nhien returned the gesture.

“Thank you for the trouble, Steward.”

The old man smiled.

“You’re too polite.”

He turned and led the way.

The moment they passed through the main gate, the view opened up.

The front courtyard was paved with blue stone and wide enough to hold hundreds of people.

On both sides were gardens, small ponds, and several neatly maintained plots of spiritual herbs.

The spiritual qi inside the estate was also clearly denser than outside.

Not the kind of concentrated density created inside a single room by a formation.

It was steadier.

More natural.

Along the way, many Quan family disciples passed by.

Their gazes occasionally lingered on Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan.

Some were curious.

Some were evaluating.

And some carried a hint of dissatisfaction.

“That’s the one from Dong City?”

“Yeah. I heard Young Master Lam brought him back.”

Another person looked at Hao Nhien a few more times.

“Fifth layer Qi Condensation…”

The voice was very soft.

Hao Nhien heard it but paid no attention.

He simply kept walking.

Beside him, Tieu Lan unconsciously moved a little closer.

Her gaze swept over the people around them before quickly withdrawing.

The old steward led the two across the main courtyard, around a long corridor, and eventually to a quiet residence toward the rear of the estate.

Two people were already waiting in the receiving room.

One was Quan Lam.

The other was a middle aged man in his forties.

Tall.

Broad shouldered.

With a short beard.

His eyes were deep and steady.

He was simply sitting there.

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But the moment Hao Nhien entered, he felt an immense distance between them.

Like standing before a mountain.

There was no need for the man to deliberately release any pressure. The mere weight of his presence was enough to make Hao Nhien understand just how vast that gap truly was.

He could not see through Quan Vo Cuc’s exact cultivation.

But through Quan Lam, he already knew that the head of the Quan family was a Golden Core cultivator.

Golden Core.

Those two words caused Hao Nhien’s heart to tremble slightly.

Long ago, Quan Bach had told him that Golden Core was an extremely distant realm.

An extremely lofty one.

For most Qi Condensation cultivators, it was almost like another heaven entirely.

Back then, Hao Nhien had only listened.

He had not truly understood.

But today, standing before a genuine Golden Core cultivator for the first time, he finally began to grasp the meaning behind those words.

It was not simply stronger spiritual qi.

Nor merely deeper true qi.

It felt as though life itself had stepped into another level.

A trace of admiration rose in Hao Nhien’s heart without him realizing it.

And along with it, a faint sense of longing.

One day…

He wanted to know what it felt like to stand at that realm as well.

But the thought only flashed through his mind.

Hao Nhien quickly collected himself.

When Quan Lam saw the two of them enter, he immediately stood.

“Brother Hao Nhien.”

“You finally came.”

Hao Nhien cupped his hands.

“Brother Lam.”

Then he turned toward the middle aged man.

“Hao Nhien greets the Clan Head.”

Tieu Lan also bowed.

“Tieu Lan greets the Clan Head.”

The middle aged man stood.

His gaze rested on Hao Nhien for a moment.

Then he smiled.

“I am Quan Vo Cuc.”

He stepped closer.

“Hao Nhien, Tieu Lan.”

“Welcome to the Quan family.”

Hao Nhien cupped his hands once more.

Quan Vo Cuc looked at him and said:

“Quan Lam has already told me what happened on the road.”

“As for the Dong City branch and your identity, I have also sent people to investigate further.”

“Until everything is completely clear, the two of you can stay here without worry.”

The way he spoke was neither overly familiar nor distant.

Hao Nhien actually found that more reassuring.

A clan head who had never met him before.

If he had immediately acknowledged him as family based only on a few words from Quan Lam, that would have been far more suspicious.

Hao Nhien asked:

“What about my father?”

The smile on Quan Vo Cuc’s face faded slightly.

“Quan Bach has still not arrived at the Quan family.”

“But I have already sent people to search for him discreetly.”

“The temporary residence connected to the Han family that Quan Lam mentioned is still under observation.”

“So far, Quan Bach has not appeared there.”

“But at least we now have a lead.”

Hao Nhien remained silent.

Quan Vo Cuc continued:

“If the Han family is only one link in the chain behind this, moving too early could sever the trail.”

“You can rest assured.”

“If there is any new information, I will have someone inform you immediately.”

Hao Nhien cupped his hands.

“Thank you, Clan Head. This junior understands.”

Quan Vo Cuc waved a hand.

“For now, let the elders handle the matters concerning your father.”

“What you need to do is prepare for the Inner Secret Realm.”

He looked more carefully at Hao Nhien.

His gaze remained on him for several breaths.

Hao Nhien immediately felt as though something invisible had swept across his body.

It did not hurt.

Nor did he feel any sense of force or intrusion.

But before a Golden Core cultivator, the difference in cultivation between them was simply too great.

He knew it would be nearly impossible to completely conceal the condition of his body.

Quan Vo Cuc nodded slightly.

“Fifth layer Qi Condensation.”

“Strong vitality.”

“Your true qi is fairly condensed.”

“Your meridians are also more stable than those of most cultivators at the same realm.”

He looked at Quan Lam.

“You really did not exaggerate.”

Quan Lam smiled.

“I told you.”

Hao Nhien simply replied:

“I had a little fortune.”

“What cultivator who travels far does not have fortune?”

Quan Vo Cuc smiled.

“Obtaining fortune is one thing.”

“Keeping it is another.”

He returned to his seat and gestured for everyone else to sit as well.

The old steward served tea, then withdrew.

Quan Vo Cuc raised his cup.

“I have already had your name registered under the Dong City branch.”

“This time, more than a hundred younger members of the Quan family will enter the Inner Secret Realm.”

“All under twenty years old.”

“All at Qi Condensation.”

“Most are among the more outstanding younger members from the various branches.”

He paused.

“Sharing the Quan surname does not mean anyone will yield opportunities to one another.”

“But remember one thing.”

“The Inner Secret Realm is not a place for members of the Quan family to kill one another.”

“You may compete.”

“There may be winners and losers.”

“But it is not a death match.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“I understand.”

Quan Vo Cuc looked toward Quan Lam.

“You tell him.”

Quan Lam set down his teacup.

“Brother Hao Nhien.”

“The three people I mentioned before are still the ones you should pay the most attention to.”

Hao Nhien recalled them.

“Quan Thieu Duong.”

“Quan Tu Mac.”

“Quan Huyen.”

Quan Lam raised an eyebrow slightly.

“You remembered them well.”

Hao Nhien smiled faintly.

“Anyone who might become an opponent is worth remembering.”

Quan Lam nodded.

“Quan Huyen in particular deserves attention.”

“He comes from the Western Wastes.”

“He has far more real combat experience than most people his age.”

“I met him once.”

“The aura around him was very heavy.”

Hao Nhien did not ask further.

He understood.

That was not something one gained from training in a courtyard.

Quan Lam continued:

“In the past few days, I’ve also obtained information about two others.”

“They may not be as famous as those three.”

“But they definitely cannot be underestimated.”

“The first is Quan Nha.”

“From the northern branch.”

“She has just entered the ninth layer of Qi Condensation.”

“She speaks little and is extremely patient.”

“Her fights tend to last much longer than people expect.”

Hao Nhien frowned slightly.

Patience.

In real combat, that could sometimes be more troublesome than straightforward strength.

Quan Lam continued:

“The other is Quan Phong.”

“From the eastern branch.”

“Late eighth layer Qi Condensation.”

“A body cultivator.”

“His fists are powerful, and he can take a tremendous amount of punishment.”

“He has a hot temper, but don’t underestimate him because of that.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

Quan Lam smiled bitterly.

“And those are only the most noticeable ones.”

“There are still more than a hundred others.”

“None of them came here just to watch someone else take the opportunities.”

Hao Nhien looked at the teacup before him.

Eighth layer Qi Condensation.

Ninth layer.

There might even be people close to the peak of Qi Condensation.

And he was only at the fifth layer.

Even with the Body Soul Fist Art.

The Spirit Sword.

Tieu Dao Sword Intent and several other methods.

The difference in cultivation still existed.

He could not reveal every trump card each time he encountered an opponent.

Hao Nhien raised his head.

“Clan Head.”

“If the gap in cultivation is that large, wouldn’t mid stage Qi Condensation cultivators have almost no chance?”

The question was very direct.

Quan Vo Cuc did not appear displeased.

Instead, the corner of his mouth curved slightly.

“If the Inner Secret Realm were nothing more than an arena, then you would be correct.”

“Anyone below the seventh layer would barely need to enter.”

Hao Nhien’s gaze shifted.

Quan Vo Cuc set down his teacup.

“But the Inner Secret Realm is not an arena.”

“At least in the early stages, a higher cultivation realm does not necessarily mean going farther.”

Hao Nhien listened in silence.

Quan Vo Cuc spoke more slowly.

“Everyone who has entered the Inner Secret Realm has sworn a blood oath.”

“They are forbidden from revealing the details of its trials to anyone who has not entered.”

“Even Quan Lam does not know.”

Quan Lam gave a helpless shrug.

Quan Vo Cuc continued:

“I can only tell you one thing.”

“The Inner Secret Realm tests what the Quan family is truly looking for.”

“Not cultivation alone.”

Hao Nhien’s heart stirred.

Body.

Fist.

Soul.

The three words Quan Lam had once speculated about immediately surfaced in his mind.

Quan Vo Cuc looked directly at him.

“So those at lower cultivation realms still have a chance.”

“But having a chance does not mean it is safe.”

“You are only at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation.”

“Your combat strength may be higher than your cultivation suggests, but if you encounter someone far stronger, do not fight merely for a momentary victory.”

“Going farther is more important.”

Hao Nhien cupped his hands.

“I will remember.”

Quan Vo Cuc nodded slightly.

“It is good that you understand the difference.”

“Those who do not know their own limits rarely travel far.”

He paused.

“As for the missing portion of the Body Soul Fist Art…”

Hao Nhien immediately focused.

“For a long time, the clan has suspected that it may be connected to the Inner Secret Realm.”

“No one can say for certain.”

“But if that speculation is true…”

Quan Vo Cuc looked at him.

“For someone who has already cultivated the Body Soul Fist Art, that place could become a major opportunity before Foundation Establishment.”

Hao Nhien remained silent.

It was not certain.

But that was enough.

If this were only a competition for ranking, he might not be willing to take too many risks.

But if there were truly clues related to the missing portion of the Body Soul Fist Art…

That changed everything.

Quan Vo Cuc stood.

“All right.”

“You’ve only just arrived. Rest first.”

“This afternoon, Quan Lam will take you to the Martial Hall.”

“You can observe more of the younger generation there.”

“And let them take a look at you as well.”

The final sentence made Quan Lam laugh.

Hao Nhien understood the meaning too.

A newcomer from a branch almost no one had heard of.

And now the Clan Head had suddenly allowed him to enter the Inner Secret Realm.

If the others were not given a chance to see him for themselves, the discussion would only grow louder.

Hao Nhien cupped his hands.

“Thank you, Clan Head.”

Quan Vo Cuc did not stay long.

After giving a few more instructions, he left with the old steward.

Quan Lam remained.

He led Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan through several of the Quan family’s main areas before stopping in front of a small courtyard in the eastern corner of the estate.

It was some distance from the Martial Hall and the main training grounds.

Very quiet.

Only the rustling of leaves and the soft sound of flowing water could be heard outside.

Low stone walls surrounded the courtyard.

The black wooden gate was also carved with the spread winged eagle of the Quan family.

Quan Lam pushed the gate open.

“This is where my father arranged for the two of you to stay.”

“It isn’t large.”

“But it is quiet enough for cultivation.”

Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan stepped inside.

There was a small pond in the courtyard.

Several spirit fish swam slowly beneath pale lotus flowers.

A few old trees stood beside the pond, casting shade over the stone path.

Behind them was a two story wooden house.

The lower floor contained a receiving room and a cultivation chamber.

The upper floor had two separate rooms.

Not luxurious.

But clean and complete.

Quan Lam pointed toward the cultivation chamber.

“There is a small spirit gathering formation inside.”

“When activated, the spiritual qi will become considerably denser than outside.”

“The bedrooms also have soundproofing formations.”

“If you need anything else, just find the steward or send me a message.”

Tieu Lan walked to the pond.

She looked at the lotus flowers gently swaying on the water.

Her eyes visibly brightened.

“It’s so beautiful…”

“I’ve never stayed anywhere this peaceful before.”

Hao Nhien looked around.

Quan Vo Cuc had arranged things with just the right measure.

Not so luxurious that Hao Nhien felt he was being deliberately won over.

But not cold or neglectful either.

A place to stay.

A place to cultivate.

Enough spiritual qi.

And enough peace.

For two people who had only just arrived at the Quan family, this was already very good.

Hao Nhien turned toward Quan Lam.

“Thank you, Brother Lam.”

“This courtyard is very good.”

Quan Lam smiled.

“As long as you like it.”

“Rest for a while.”

“I’ll come back this afternoon and take you to the Martial Hall.”

He looked at Hao Nhien.

“The Inner Secret Realm opens in less than two weeks.”

“There isn’t much time.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“I know.”

Quan Lam lightly patted his shoulder, then left.

Only Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan remained in the courtyard.

A gentle breeze passed over the pond.

Carrying the faint scent of grass and trees.

Tieu Lan stood beside him.

She lightly tugged at his sleeve.

“Young Master…”

“Mm?”

“This place is really beautiful.”

She looked at the two story house ahead.

Then at the pond.

“I feel…”

“Like we’ve come home.”

Hao Nhien was silent for a moment.

Then he smiled.

“Mm.”

“At least for now, this is our home.”

He looked toward the cultivation chamber.

His voice slowed slightly.

“Before we enter the secret realm…”

“We’ll turn this place into our foothold.”