ARK SPIRIT

“Brother Hao Nhien.”

Quan Lam smiled faintly.

His voice was still as warm and steady as before, but Hao Nhien could see a trace of exhaustion between his brows.

Hao Nhien cupped his hands in return.

“Brother Lam, these past few days probably haven’t been easy.”

Quan Lam sighed and glanced toward the Quan family elder waiting in a distant corner.

“There are a few things we can discuss properly when we meet again.”

“This isn’t the right place to say too much.”

He lowered his voice.

“The Yang family has been more active lately. Today they also obtained the Foundation Establishment Pill, so the Quan family doesn’t want any more conflict at this time.”

“Before the Inner Secret Realm opens, we’ll endure what we can.”

“Other matters can wait until afterward.”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

Quan Lam continued:

“I’ve spoken with my father.”

“He wants you to visit the Quan family.”

Hao Nhien’s gaze shifted slightly.

“What about my father?”

“Uncle Quan Bach has not arrived at the Quan family yet.”

Quan Lam spoke quickly, but every word was clear.

“However, the Quan family has already sent people to search for him discreetly.”

“According to the latest information, our people have found a temporary residence connected to the Han family.”

“My father believes we shouldn’t alert them yet.”

“The best choice is to watch their movements first, then follow the trail to whoever is behind them.”

Hao Nhien remained silent for a breath.

A slight chill settled in his heart.

But his expression stayed calm.

At least there was news.

His father not having reached the Quan family did not mean something had already happened to him.

The Han family was making moves.

The Quan family had begun watching them.

That was still better than he and Tieu Lan knowing nothing at all.

Hao Nhien said:

“I understand.”

“I’ll come in about a week.”

Quan Lam lightly patted his shoulder.

“Good.”

“We’ll talk again then.”

“Take care of yourself, brother.”

“The Inner Secret Realm will open soon. If an opportunity appears, don’t let it slip through your hands.”

With that, he turned and walked toward the Quan family elder.

Hao Nhien remained where he was, watching his back disappear into the crowd.

Tieu Lan stood beside him and asked softly:

“Hao Nhien, Uncle Quan Bach… will he be all right?”

Hao Nhien withdrew his gaze.

“I don’t know yet.”

“But having people search for him is still better than the two of us blindly looking on our own.”

He looked toward the main entrance of Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

“Let’s go.”

“We’ll head back first.”

Hao Nhien pushed open the door to their lodging.

The red lantern light from the street filtered through the window, casting a warm glow across the polished wooden floor.

Tieu Lan followed him inside, placed the things they had bought that day on the table, then turned and looked at him.

“Young Master, you must be tired today.”

“Shall I make some tea?”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

“Mm.”

Outside, Tieu Lan had gradually grown accustomed to calling him Hao Nhien.

But when they were alone, she still preferred calling him Young Master as she had before.

Hao Nhien no longer corrected her.

Perhaps to her, those two words had long since stopped representing a simple relationship between master and servant.

He sat down on the wooden chair beside the window.

Outside, Thanh Van City remained lively even at night.

Rows of lanterns stretched along the streets.

Laughter and conversation drifted from the distance.

The sound of carriage wheels rolling across the stone road mixed with the calls of food vendors whose stalls were still open.

Hao Nhien watched silently for a while.

There were now more than two hundred mid grade spirit stones in his storage ring.

Not counting the three supreme grade spirit stones he absolutely did not want to use casually, this was already far more wealth than he had possessed before.

But after personally seeing a Foundation Establishment Pill sell for three thousand mid grade spirit stones, and an ancient bow of unknown function start at ten supreme grade spirit stones, he understood something even more clearly.

The spirit stones he had now were only enough to let them begin living more comfortably in Thanh Van City.

As for being truly safe?

Still not enough.

Money was only a tool.

What he was thinking about now was Tieu Lan.

The girl was quietly preparing tea in the corner of the room.

Her movements were gentle.

Familiar.

From the first layer of Qi Condensation to the second, her progress had not been slow.

The dense spiritual qi aboard the Cosmic Ark.

The wood qi nourishing the medicinal herbs.

And his guidance.

All of it had allowed her to progress steadily.

But that was still not enough.

He did not want her to become someone who knew nothing but fighting.

Much less did he want her to grow accustomed to killing.

But at the very least, when real danger came, she needed the ability to protect herself for a few breaths.

Tieu Lan brought the tea over.

“Young Master, the tea is hot.”

“Drink it before it gets cold.”

Hao Nhien accepted the cup and took a sip.

Warm tea flowed down his throat.

His mood eased slightly as well.

He did not voice the thoughts he had just been having.

But over the past few days, Tieu Lan had been practicing with the sword more diligently than before.

She had been studying the Hundred Herbs Record more carefully.

She had even taken the initiative to ask him how to circulate qi so that her hands would not tremble when danger came.

She did not say much.

But Hao Nhien saw all of it.

He placed the teacup down.

Then reached out and gently rubbed her head.

“Get some rest.”

“We’ll continue practicing swordsmanship tomorrow.”

“I’ll teach you a few more ways to use the sword to maintain distance.”

Tieu Lan smiled softly.

“All right.”

She stood.

After taking a few steps, she turned back.

“Young Master.”

“Mm?”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I’ll work hard.”

Hao Nhien paused slightly.

Tieu Lan lowered her head.

Her voice was soft but clear.

“I don’t want to become a burden to you.”

Hao Nhien looked at her for a moment.

Then smiled.

“You have never been a burden.”

Tieu Lan’s eyes reddened slightly.

But she quickly smiled again.

“All right.”

“Then I have even more reason to work hard.”

With that, she returned to the room beside his.

Hao Nhien sat alone.

Lantern light from the street filtered through the window, swaying gently with the night wind.

One week.

Before going to the Quan family, he needed to prepare as well as possible.

For himself.

And for Tieu Lan.

For the next three days, the two of them spent most of the daytime in the small courtyard behind their lodging.

It was usually quiet during the day.

Tieu Lan used the mid quality Yellow grade sword she had just bought, repeatedly practicing the simple movements Hao Nhien had taught her.

Advance.

Retreat.

Thrust.

Withdraw the sword.

Change direction.

Hao Nhien did not teach her any complicated sword techniques.

His goal was very clear.

Tieu Lan did not need to defeat anyone.

She only needed to remain calm enough to keep an opponent away from her body for a few breaths when danger came.

Thanh Van City was safer than the outside world, but that was no reason to waste time.

Three days were not enough to transform her swordsmanship.

But at the very least, her movements had become more natural, and her sword hand was no longer as stiff as before.

For Hao Nhien, that was enough.

The rest could only come through long term practice.

On the afternoon of the third day.

Hao Nhien and Tieu Lan returned to Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

This time, he did not bring much.

Only two bottles of Clearheart Liquid.

High quality Yellow grade.

Over the past three days, Tieu Lan had also found time to prepare a little more using medicinal herbs nourished aboard the Cosmic Ark.

Most of it was still kept for their own use.

Hao Nhien only brought two bottles.

The single bottle from last time could be explained as a fortunate find.

Two bottles this time showed that they still had a little more.

But not enough to immediately make others suspect that they possessed a continuous source.

As soon as they reached the first floor counter, the young female receptionist from last time recognized him.

She looked slightly surprised, then immediately smiled.

“Fellow cultivator, are you here to consign another item?”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“I’d like to see Manager Luu Van.”

The woman glanced at the two porcelain bottles in his hands and seemed to understand.

“Please wait a moment.”

Not long afterward, Luu Van walked out.

When he saw Hao Nhien, he immediately smiled.

“Fellow cultivator, you’ve returned.”

His gaze fell on the two porcelain bottles on the counter.

“Clearheart Liquid again?”

“Yes.”

Hao Nhien pushed the two bottles forward.

“Only two remain.”

“Please take a look, Manager Luu.”

Luu Van said nothing more.

He immediately brought out the same appraisal tools as before.

One bottle.

One drop at a time.

Light slowly spread across the jade strip.

Only after checking the second bottle did Luu Van set everything down.

“The quality is still very stable.”

“The medicinal properties and vitality are almost identical to the previous bottle.”

He thought for a moment.

“The last bottle sold at auction for two hundred mid grade spirit stones.”

“But auctions always involve uncertainty.”

“If Heavenly Treasure Pavilion purchases them directly, I can offer one hundred eighty mid grade spirit stones per bottle.”

“Three hundred sixty for both.”

“No additional fees.”

Hao Nhien considered it briefly.

If they were auctioned, the price might be higher.

It might also be lower.

More importantly, putting two bottles into the auction together would certainly attract more attention than last time.

Selling them directly to Heavenly Treasure Pavilion was more discreet.

“Agreed.”

Luu Van nodded slightly.

He was about to call someone to prepare the spirit stones when the door behind the counter suddenly opened.

A woman stepped out.

The moment she appeared, Hao Nhien immediately noticed her.

Not because she deliberately released pressure.

Nor because of any unusual fluctuation of spiritual power.

She was simply very difficult to ignore.

She appeared to be around twenty five years old.

A pale pink robe draped over her tall figure, its edges embroidered with fine silver cloud patterns.

Her long black hair was partly gathered behind her head and secured with a simple white jade hairpin.

Her face was beautiful, but without the youthful softness of a young girl.

Her phoenix eyes curved slightly.

The corners of her lips seemed to always hold the faintest trace of a smile.

Not overly approachable.

Yet not distant either.

But from Hao Nhien’s perspective, this woman clearly understood very well how others reacted to her.

She walked closer.

Her gaze passed over the two bottles of Clearheart Liquid.

“Luu Van.”

“Is this the medicinal liquid that Medicine Sect bought at the previous auction?”

Luu Van immediately replied:

“Yes.”

“From the same consignor.”

The woman gave a soft sound of acknowledgment.

Only then did her gaze shift to Hao Nhien.

Then to Tieu Lan.

“I heard the quality is just as stable this time.”

Luu Van nodded.

“Almost no different from the previous bottle.”

The woman smiled lightly.

“Then it is worth taking a closer look.”

She did not immediately ask about the medicinal liquid.

Instead, she looked at Hao Nhien.

“With medicinal liquid this good, I assume the person who possesses it has used quite a bit himself?”

Hao Nhien did not deny it.

“I have.”

The curve of her lips deepened slightly.

“That makes things easier.”

“Business is business.”

“Sometimes looking at the product isn’t enough.”

“You have to look at the person using it to know how good the product really is.”

Her tone was half serious.

Half teasing.

Hao Nhien looked at her.

Luu Van immediately introduced her.

“This is Lang Tuyet.”

“One of the managers responsible for Heavenly Treasure Pavilion’s branches throughout the Eastern Plains.”

“Manager Lang came to Thanh Van City mainly to handle the ancient bow from the previous auction.”

Hao Nhien cupped his hands.

“Greetings, Manager Lang.”

Lang Tuyet nodded slightly.

“No need to be so formal.”

She looked at him again.

“I’m only a little curious.”

Lang Tuyet raised one finger.

“Just a little.”

Hao Nhien thought for a moment.

Finally, he nodded.

“All right.”

Lang Tuyet stepped half a pace closer.

Her finger lightly pressed against his arm.

Only a brief touch.

No spiritual power entered his body.

No spiritual awareness swept across him.

It was more like someone experienced in body cultivation testing the firmness and response of his body.

Hao Nhien instinctively tightened his arm slightly.

Lang Tuyet immediately withdrew her hand.

Her eyes brightened a little.

“Not bad.”

She glanced at the two bottles of Clearheart Liquid again.

“Firm body.”

“Good vitality as well.”

“At least it seems the goods you sell aren’t only impressive because they smell nice.”

At that, she looked at Hao Nhien once more.

The corner of her mouth curved upward.

“As for the person using them…”

“He seems slightly more interesting than the product.”

Hao Nhien coughed lightly.

“Does Manager Lang inspect all merchandise this way?”

Lang Tuyet laughed.

“Depends on the merchandise.”

She paused.

“And on the person.”

Tieu Lan stood beside them and lowered her head slightly.

Her shoulders trembled.

Hao Nhien did not even need to look to know she was trying not to laugh.

He immediately changed the subject.

“Manager Lang came because of the ancient bow?”

“Mm.”

Lang Tuyet stopped teasing him.

“That item has remained in Thanh Van City for some time.”

“No one is willing to gamble ten supreme grade spirit stones on it.”

“I’m preparing to move it to another branch and see whether it can find someone with the right opportunity.”

Hao Nhien’s heart stirred slightly.

But his expression did not change.

“I see.”

Lang Tuyet looked at him for a moment.

Whether she noticed anything or not, she merely smiled.

Then her gaze shifted toward Tieu Lan.

“Was this medicinal liquid prepared by this little sister?”

Tieu Lan was slightly startled.

Then she nodded.

“I only know a little about medicinal herbs.”

“A little?”

Lang Tuyet glanced at the two bottles on the table.

“If knowing a little is enough to keep the medicinal properties this stable, people who have studied medicine their entire lives probably won’t be very happy to hear that.”

Tieu Lan blushed slightly.

“The ingredients were good.”

“That, I believe.”

Lang Tuyet smiled.

Hao Nhien’s gaze shifted slightly.

As though sensing it, Lang Tuyet continued:

“Relax.”

“Heavenly Treasure Pavilion does business through goods and reputation.”

“If a guest does not wish to reveal the source, we do not necessarily need to ask.”

Her tone was calm.

But the meaning was clear.

Hao Nhien cupped his hands.

“Thank you.”

Lang Tuyet looked at him.

“You don’t need to keep calling me Manager Lang.”

“It sounds too distant.”

“I’m only a few years older than you.”

“Just call me Sister Lang.”

Hao Nhien paused slightly.

But quickly went along with it.

“Thank you, Sister Lang.”

Lang Tuyet smiled faintly.

“You know how to follow the situation.”

“Not bad.”

She took out a pale purple jade slip.

Silver cloud patterns covered its surface.

She handed it to Hao Nhien.

“This is my personal communication jade slip.”

“If you ever have any unusual items you want to consign, or need to ask about information within Heavenly Treasure Pavilion’s reach, you can contact me.”

Hao Nhien looked at the jade slip in her hand.

“Sister Lang is giving this to me just because of two bottles of medicinal liquid?”

“Of course not.”

Lang Tuyet smiled without quite smiling.

“I’m a merchant.”

“Merchants don’t only look at the goods in front of them.”

“We also look at what the person standing before us might bring in the future.”

She studied him for a breath.

“I’m simply establishing a line of contact in advance.”

Hao Nhien accepted it.

“Then I won’t refuse.”

“That’s better.”

Lang Tuyet nodded lightly.

Then she turned toward Luu Van.

“I still have a few things to handle.”

“Take good care of this young brother.”

Luu Van immediately replied:

“Yes.”

Lang Tuyet walked two steps before turning back.

“Young brother.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

“That bow is very expensive.”

“Don’t let curiosity make you poor.”

Hao Nhien paused.

Lang Tuyet had already smiled and turned away.

Hao Nhien watched her departing figure for a moment.

Then immediately withdrew his gaze.

This woman…

She had clearly noticed that he was interested in the bow.

He simply did not know when she had noticed.

Tieu Lan lightly tugged at his sleeve.

“Hao Nhien.”

“Mm?”

“Sister Lang is very beautiful.”

“Mm.”

Hao Nhien answered instinctively.

Then immediately felt that something was wrong.

Tieu Lan lowered her head.

The corner of her mouth curved upward.

“I understand.”

“What do you understand?”

“Nothing.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

Tieu Lan still wore a very serious expression.

But the corners of her lips were clearly struggling to hold back a smile.

He coughed lightly.

“Let’s go buy something.”

After leaving Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, Hao Nhien now had another three hundred sixty mid grade spirit stones in his storage ring.

He did not immediately return to the inn.

Instead, he led Tieu Lan back to the weapon shop they had visited before.

The white bearded old man recognized them as soon as he saw them.

“You two again?”

“Is the sword working well?”

Hao Nhien nodded.

“Very well.”

“Today I want to look at crossbows.”

The old man looked slightly surprised.

“For this young lady?”

“Yes.”

Hao Nhien said:

“Something small.”

“Easy to use.”

“Easy to conceal.”

“It doesn’t need overwhelming power, but it must be enough to create distance in an emergency.”

The old man thought for a moment.

Then turned and retrieved a long wooden box from inside the shop.

He opened it.

Inside lay a small black crossbow.

The body was less than one chi long.

Its limbs could be folded inward.

The frame was made from profound iron mixed with spirit wood, with several dark runes carved into the surface.

“I have one.”

“Mystic Shadow Crossbow.”

“High quality Yellow grade.”

“It doesn’t require much true qi.”

“Most of its power comes from the crossbow mechanism and the energy storing runes, so even early Qi Condensation cultivators can use it.”

“Fast to fire.”

“Easy to conceal.”

“Especially suitable for someone who does not want to fight at close range.”

The old man placed another small box on the counter.

“It comes with thirty qi piercing bolts.”

“At close enough range, even a mid stage Qi Condensation cultivator could suffer if caught unprepared.”

Hao Nhien picked up the crossbow and tested its weight.

It was not heavy.

The folding mechanism was fairly simple.

Tieu Lan would be able to use it after some practice.

“Price?”

“One hundred fifty mid grade spirit stones.”

Tieu Lan immediately looked at him.

“Hao Nhien…”

One hundred fifty.

Not cheap.

But Hao Nhien barely hesitated.

Spirit stones could be earned again.

A single breath when real danger arrived could not be bought back.

“I’ll take it.”

The old man immediately smiled.

“Good.”

Tieu Lan said softly:

“My sword is already enough.”

“This is different.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

“The sword is for when someone has already reached you.”

“The crossbow is for before they get that close.”

“I can’t always be standing right beside you.”

Tieu Lan fell silent.

Hao Nhien paid the spirit stones.

Then handed the box to her.

“Starting today, you need to get used to this.”

“You don’t need to practice until you can hit every shot.”

“But when danger comes, you must at least be able to draw it, load it, aim, and fire without panicking.”

Tieu Lan held the box in her arms.

She nodded lightly.

“I understand.”

Hao Nhien said:

“The sword helps you maintain distance when someone gets close.”

“The crossbow gives you another chance before that happens.”

“I know you don’t like fighting.”

“But if someone truly intends to hurt you, you cannot hesitate merely because you are afraid of hurting them.”

Tieu Lan tightened her grip on the box.

“All right.”

“I’ll practice.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

“Not for me.”

“For yourself.”

Tieu Lan raised her head.

Only after a moment did she nod seriously.

“All right.”

“For myself.”

Hao Nhien said nothing more.

The two left the weapon shop.

Thanh Van City remained lively beneath the night sky.

But compared with the first day he had stepped into this place, Hao Nhien’s state of mind was different now.

He had more spirit stones.

He had a relatively stable channel for doing business with Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

He had Lang Tuyet’s communication jade slip.

He had obtained another life saving tool for Tieu Lan.

He had information from Quan Lam.

He had an invitation from the Quan family.

More importantly…

He had observed long enough.

It was time to step inside.

Hao Nhien raised his head and looked toward the deeper districts of the inner city.

Under the distant lights, the banners of the major clans occasionally appeared between the tall rooftops.

“Tieu Lan.”

“Yes?”

“In three days, we’ll go to the Quan family.”

Tieu Lan held the crossbow box in her arms.

She nodded softly.

“All right.”

“I’ll go with you, Hao Nhien.”

Hao Nhien smiled.

“Mm.”

“We’ll go together.”

The night wind swept along the long street.

Two figures walked side by side beneath the lantern light.

Ahead lay the Quan family.

And the first true doorway Hao Nhien was preparing to step through since arriving in Thanh Van City.