ARK SPIRIT

Crack.

The final layer of obstruction opened.

The spiritual qi around Hao Nhien was immediately drawn toward him faster.

More than ten mid grade spirit stones arranged around him all lit up at once.

True qi surged within his dantian.

Its capacity seemed to expand by another level.

The meridians throughout his body became smoother as well.

The aura around Hao Nhien slowly changed.

Denser.

More stable.

Stronger.

Seventh layer Qi Condensation.

Late Qi Condensation.

Hao Nhien did not open his eyes immediately.

He continued circulating for several more cycles, allowing his newly advanced aura to settle.

Breaking through only meant stepping through the door.

What truly mattered was standing firmly on the other side.

Only after a long while did the spiritual qi around him gradually return to normal.

Hao Nhien opened his eyes.

A faint glimmer flashed through his pupils, then disappeared.

He lowered his head and looked at his hands.

Seventh layer.

He had truly stepped into late Qi Condensation.

There had been no earthshaking sensation.

But he knew the difference between his current state and the sixth layer was already obvious.

His true qi flowed more smoothly.

His meridians could withstand greater force.

The response between intent and body had also become slightly faster.

More importantly, his foundation did not feel unstable in the slightest.

Hao Nhien was very satisfied.

He did not need anything more right now.

He stood up.

After glancing once at the medicinal herb garden inside the Cosmic Ark, he sent out an intent.

A faint blue green light flashed.

The Cave Dwelling form withdrew.

A moment later, Hao Nhien had returned to the small room in the courtyard.

The Cosmic Ark transformed into a streak of light and returned to his Divine Soul.

He walked to the door.

Opened it.

Tieu Lan was still awake.

She sat leaning against a wooden pillar outside, arms wrapped around her knees, her head nodding slightly.

The moment the door made a sound, she immediately woke.

“Young Master!”

She sprang to her feet.

“How did it go?”

Hao Nhien looked at her and smiled.

“It went well.”

“I’ve reached the seventh layer of Qi Condensation.”

Tieu Lan froze.

Then her eyes immediately lit up.

“Really?”

“Mm.”

She was so happy she nearly jumped, but remembering that he had just broken through, she forced herself to stay still.

“Then…”

“Congratulations, Young Master.”

Hao Nhien laughed.

“That’s all?”

Tieu Lan blinked.

Then turned and ran into the sitting room.

Not long after, she came back carrying a steaming bowl of spirit rice porridge.

“Then you need porridge even more.”

Hao Nhien looked at the bowl.

“This is your congratulations?”

Tieu Lan nodded seriously.

“You need even more nourishment after a breakthrough.”

Hao Nhien was silent for a breath, then laughed.

“All right.”

“I’ll listen to you.”

He accepted the bowl.

Steam rose from it, carrying the faint fragrance of spirit rice and medicinal herbs.

Tieu Lan suddenly grabbed both his hands, all traces of sleepiness vanishing from her face.

“Young Master!”

“This afternoon, you had only just returned from the Inner Secret Realm.”

“You even passed Heavenly Accord.”

“And now you’ve reached the seventh layer too?”

The more she spoke, the brighter her eyes became.

In the end, she could no longer suppress the wide smile rising at the corners of her lips.

“I knew it.”

Hao Nhien raised an eyebrow.

“Knew what?”

“That Young Master was amazing.”

“…”

“No.”

Tieu Lan thought for a moment, then corrected herself very seriously.

“Very amazing.”

She looked at him again, apparently still feeling that was not enough.

“Other people enter the Inner Secret Realm to search for opportunities.”

“Young Master went in once, rose from the fifth layer to the sixth, and then reached the seventh right after coming back.”

By the time she finished, the pride on her face was almost impossible to hide.

“There’s still the Grand Clan Secret Realm three years from now.”

“If this keeps up…”

Tieu Lan narrowed her eyes slightly as though she were genuinely calculating.

Then boldly added:

“Golden Core might not even be as difficult as the Clan Head said.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

“…”

Tieu Lan blinked.

“What?”

Hao Nhien could not help laughing.

“This afternoon you were so worried you cried.”

“Only a few hours have passed, and now you’re already planning for me to reach Golden Core?”

Tieu Lan flushed slightly.

But this time she refused to back down.

“Back then, I didn’t know Young Master would break through the moment you came back.”

She sounded entirely reasonable.

“Now it’s different.”

“How?”

Tieu Lan raised her chin slightly.

“Now I think three years is a very long time.”

Hao Nhien almost burst out laughing.

That afternoon, Quan Vo Cuc had said that three years was actually very short for cultivators.

But to Tieu Lan, it had suddenly become very long.

“Don’t be too confident on my behalf.”

“I’m not being confident on Young Master’s behalf.”

Tieu Lan immediately corrected him.

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

“I believe in Young Master.”

It was a very simple sentence.

But Hao Nhien paused for a beat.

Tieu Lan did not seem to notice. She had already started making plans in earnest.

“But you just broke through to the seventh layer. You can’t keep running around for the next few days.”

“You need to stabilize your cultivation first.”

Hao Nhien looked at her, somewhat amused.

“You even know that?”

“Of course.”

Tieu Lan counted on her fingers.

“Stabilize the seventh layer.”

“Check your injuries from the secret realm again.”

“We also need to see how much medicinal liquid and how many spirit stones we have left.”

She raised another finger.

“Then we prepare for the sect disciple selection gathering.”

Hao Nhien was slightly surprised.

“You’re already thinking about the gathering?”

“Of course.”

Tieu Lan looked at him as though it were obvious.

“The Clan Head said the Grand Clan Secret Realm is three years from now.”

“If you want to go far, you can’t stay in the Quan family forever.”

“Young Master needs to find a suitable place to cultivate.”

She paused, then added:

“So do I.”

Hao Nhien looked at her.

Tieu Lan pointed at herself.

“You can’t leave me at home waiting every time you go somewhere.”

The smile on Hao Nhien’s face slowed slightly.

Tieu Lan continued:

“I need to become stronger too.”

Hao Nhien was silent for several breaths.

Then he nodded.

“All right.”

“Then we’ll look into the sects together.”

Tieu Lan immediately smiled.

“Yes.”

She turned and ran into the sitting room.

Hao Nhien thought she had come up with another plan, but before long Tieu Lan returned carrying another steaming bowl of spirit rice porridge.

He looked at the bowl.

Then at her.

“This is part of the plan too?”

Tieu Lan nodded seriously.

“Step one.”

“Eat.”

“…”

“You’ve just broken through to late Qi Condensation. You need even more nourishment.”

Hao Nhien was silent for a breath.

Then finally laughed.

“All right.”

“I’ll listen to you.”

He accepted the bowl.

Steam rose from it, carrying the faint fragrance of spirit rice and medicinal herbs.

Tieu Lan sat opposite him, resting her chin in her hands as she watched him eat. The exhaustion of the past few days still lingered at the corners of her eyes, but the unease from that afternoon had faded considerably.

In its place was an almost baseless confidence.

As though as long as Hao Nhien was still sitting in front of her, everything that came later could be handled one step at a time.

After Hao Nhien had eaten half the bowl, Tieu Lan spoke again.

“Tomorrow, first we go see the Clan Head.”

“Mm.”

“We need to ask about Young Master’s parents.”

Hao Nhien nodded slightly.

“That comes first.”

Tieu Lan continued:

“Then we ask about the sect disciple selection gathering too.”

“How much time is left.”

“Which sects are coming.”

“What their requirements are.”

“Which sect Young Master likes.”

Hao Nhien looked at her energetic expression, and his heart suddenly felt much lighter.

Only a few hours ago, she had been standing outside the door with red eyes.

Now she was already planning the next several years for both of them.

That was Tieu Lan.

He lowered his head and took another mouthful of porridge.

“All right.”

“Tomorrow we’ll follow your plan.”

Tieu Lan immediately smiled.

“Yes.”

Then, as though remembering something, she tilted her head.

“But Young Master.”

“What?”

“Golden Core in three years…”

She looked at him very seriously.

“I still think you can do it.”

Hao Nhien stared at her for a moment.

In the end, he could only shake his head and laugh.

“Eat your food.”

“You’re the one who needs to eat, Young Master.”

“…”

Outside the window, night had completely fallen.

A crescent moon hung above the roof of the courtyard.

Inside the small room, the unease of the past several days finally began to fade.

There were still many things to do tomorrow.

But at least tonight, both of them knew where they wanted to go next.

The next morning.

The morning mist had not yet completely faded from the roofs of the Quan family estate.

Hao Nhien had changed out of the torn clothes he had worn out of the Inner Secret Realm and into a simple black robe prepared by the Quan family.

Not ornate.

But well fitted.

Tieu Lan stood in front of him and adjusted his collar.

The movement came naturally.

Hao Nhien lowered his head and looked at her.

The corner of his mouth curved slightly.

But he said nothing.

When Tieu Lan finished, she looked up.

“Done.”

“Let’s go.”

The two left the courtyard.

On the way to the main hall, Hao Nhien noticed that the way people in the estate looked at him had changed.

Before, there had been curiosity.

Assessment.

Doubt.

Now, most of it had turned into respect.

Hao Nhien did not pay too much attention.

Being recognized had its advantages.

But too much attention was not necessarily a good thing either.

When they reached the main hall, a guard immediately stepped forward.

“Young Master Hao Nhien.”

“Miss Tieu Lan.”

“The Clan Head is waiting inside.”

Hao Nhien nodded.

The two entered.

The main hall was as spacious and imposing as before.

Quan Vo Cuc sat in the main seat.

Several elders were seated below.

And there was one familiar face.

Quan Lam.

His complexion was still slightly pale, but his spirit had improved considerably.

The moment he saw Hao Nhien enter, he immediately stood.

“Hao Nhien.”

“About what happened in the secret realm…”

He bowed deeply.

“Thank you.”

His voice was very sincere.

Hao Nhien remembered the steps before the seventh recovery chamber.

Back then, Quan Lam had been only a few steps away from the door.

If Hao Nhien had not stood diagonally above him and reduced part of the wind pressure, it was hard to say what the final outcome would have been.

Hao Nhien stepped forward and patted his shoulder.

“No need to be so polite.”

“It’s already over.”

Quan Lam still wanted to say more.

Hao Nhien smiled faintly.

“Besides, the blood oath has already been formed.”

“There’s no point bringing up what happened in the secret realm over and over.”

Quan Lam was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“All right.”

“I won’t mention it again.”

Hao Nhien nodded as well.

But another thought suddenly appeared in his mind.

If this guy knew that in Heavenly Accord, I once saw him stab me with a fatal blow…

I wonder what kind of expression he would make.

The corner of Hao Nhien’s mouth twitched slightly.

Quan Lam immediately looked at him.

“What are you smiling about?”

“Nothing.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Quan Lam stared at him for a while, clearly unconvinced, but did not ask further.

Quan Vo Cuc spoke.

“Hao Nhien.”

Hao Nhien immediately turned.

“Clan Head.”

Quan Vo Cuc looked him over once.

“Seventh layer Qi Condensation.”

He gave a slight nod.

“Congratulations.”

Several elders also looked at Hao Nhien a few more times.

Quan Vo Cuc smiled.

“You entered the secret realm at the peak of the fifth layer.”

“Broke through to the sixth inside.”

“And after only one night back, you’ve already stepped into the seventh.”

“Your good news comes so quickly that even I’m starting to feel a little jealous.”

Hao Nhien cupped his fists.

“Without the Quan family’s Inner Secret Realm, I could not have advanced this quickly.”

Quan Lam immediately turned toward him.

“You really reached the seventh layer?”

“Mm.”

Quan Lam sighed.

“I’m still stuck at my bottleneck.”

“Looks like I’ll have to enter seclusion after today too.”

Hao Nhien smiled.

“Don’t rush.”

“The sixth to seventh layer is a major threshold.”

“The closer you get, the steadier you need to be.”

Quan Lam grimaced.

“I know.”

“But looking at you, who wouldn’t feel impatient?”

Tieu Lan stood beside them and smiled softly.

She leaned slightly closer and whispered so only Hao Nhien could hear:

“My Young Master is still the most impressive.”

Hao Nhien coughed lightly.

Quan Lam immediately turned.

“What did Miss Tieu Lan just say?”

Tieu Lan blinked.

“Nothing.”

Quan Lam looked at her.

Then at Hao Nhien.

In the end, he could only frown.

The atmosphere in the hall eased slightly.

But Hao Nhien had not forgotten why he had come today.

He turned toward Quan Vo Cuc.

“Clan Head.”

“About my parents…”

“What is the situation now?”

The hall immediately became quiet.

Quan Vo Cuc set down his teacup.

“The Quan family has already begun dealing with the Han family matter.”

Hao Nhien waited in silence.

“The Han Clan Head and several elders in charge have been restrained.”

“Those connected to the attempt to capture you, along with any clues that may be related to Quan Bach and his wife, are all being investigated.”

“Those who directly took part are currently being held.”

He paused.

“As for the grievances involving your parents, I have not rushed to decide on their behalf.”

Hao Nhien lightly tightened his grip on his sleeve.

Quan Bach.

That name still gave him a very strange feeling.

The memories remained.

But he himself had never truly met this father through his current eyes.

Even so, there was one thing he no longer wanted to separate.

Quan Bach was the father of Quan Hao Nhien.

And he was Quan Hao Nhien.

Quan Vo Cuc looked at him.

“I want to hear your opinion.”

“If you want the Quan family to immediately punish those from the Han family who directly took part in this matter under clan law, I can do so.”

Hao Nhien thought for a while.

Then shook his head.

“Please let my parents decide the grievances that belong to them.”

His voice was calm.

“They were the ones pursued.”

“I still do not know everything they went through.”

“If I decide the life and death of others for them now, it may not be right.”

He paused.

“I only hope the Clan Head will continue helping me search for clues.”

“I will remember this favor.”

Quan Vo Cuc looked at him for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

“To remain calm when hatred involving your parents is placed directly in front of you is not easy.”

He stood.

Walked down.

Placed a hand on Hao Nhien’s shoulder.

“But this is not simply about helping you.”

“Quan Bach is a member of the Quan family.”

“So are you.”

“A member of the Quan family was hunted down, and a junior of the Quan family was targeted for capture by outsiders.”

“If we could still pretend not to know…”

“Then this so called family would be nothing more than a name.”

Hao Nhien remained silent.

Quan Vo Cuc continued:

“I have already sent people to continue tracing Quan Bach and his wife.”

“If they left any clues in the Eastern Plains, we will continue following them.”

He paused.

“I hope that when they return, they will see how much you have grown.”

Hao Nhien took a deep breath.

“Thank you, Clan Head.”

Quan Vo Cuc nodded and returned to the main seat.

“Then what is your next plan?”

“I want to spend a few days stabilizing the seventh layer.”

Hao Nhien replied.

“After that, I want to participate in the sect disciple selection gathering.”

Quan Vo Cuc was not surprised.

“You want to join a sect?”

“Yes.”

Hao Nhien said:

“My path right now is still too scattered.”

“A great deal of what I know comes from trying things myself and learning from the results.”

“That can carry me for a while.”

“But if I want to go farther, I need to see a more complete cultivation system.”

“How the sects train their disciples.”

“How they choose cultivation arts, techniques, sword arts, body tempering methods, and the medicine path.”

“How stronger cultivators understand each realm and the road beyond it.”

He paused.

“If I encounter a sect that suits me, I want to try.”

“Not simply to find someone to rely on.”

“But to understand what I am still lacking.”

Quan Vo Cuc listened, then nodded slightly.

“That is not a bad way to think.”

“The Quan family can give you a place to stand.”

“But one branch of the family in Thanh Van City cannot give you everything.”

He looked at Hao Nhien.

“Is there any sect that has already caught your attention?”

“Not yet.”

“I want to observe first.”

Quan Vo Cuc thought for a moment.

“If you need the Quan family’s help with information or introductions, just say so.”

“As for whether the sects value you…”

He smiled.

“That part will depend on you.”

Quan Lam immediately cut in:

“If even Hao Nhien doesn’t catch their eye, then I’ll have to question the judgment of those sects.”

Hao Nhien laughed.

“Brother Quan, saying that could offend the entire Eastern Plains.”

Quan Lam turned his head and looked around.

“Who can hear me?”

Several elders looked over at the same time.

Quan Lam immediately coughed.

“I’ll speak more quietly.”

One elder gave a light snort.

The atmosphere in the hall became relaxed again.

They remained for another cup of tea.

Quan Vo Cuc told Hao Nhien what he needed to know about the upcoming selection gathering.

The time.

The location.

The forces likely to appear.

Several formal rules.

And some things that were never written down, but were still best understood.

Hao Nhien committed each one to memory.

By the time they left the main hall, the sun had already risen high.

Quan Lam walked with them for a while.

The moment they left the area around the main hall, he turned toward Hao Nhien.

“Hao Nhien.”

“You really can’t tell me how you managed to go so far in the secret realm?”

Hao Nhien looked at him.

“You really want to hear it?”

“Yes.”

“The blood oath won’t let me explain clearly.”

“I can only tell you one thing.”

Quan Lam immediately leaned closer.

“What?”

Hao Nhien answered with complete seriousness:

“The secret to surviving usually isn’t very pretty.”

Quan Lam froze.

After a moment, he laughed.

“What kind of answer is that?”

Hao Nhien smiled too.

But did not explain.

He remembered the times he had turned back down the stairs.

Remembered crawling.

Remembered nearly pressing himself flat against the ground to avoid the wind.

At times like those, looking good or not truly did not matter.

What mattered was continuing forward.

Quan Lam’s smile gradually softened.

He remained silent for several breaths before nodding.

“I think I understand.”

At the fork in the road, Quan Lam stopped.

“I need to go into seclusion.”

“Hao Nhien.”

“This time I won’t say thank you again.”

“But I’ll remember this friendship.”

Hao Nhien looked at him for a moment, then smiled.

“Then hurry up and break through.”

“Don’t still be standing in the same place when the gathering begins.”

Quan Lam immediately glared at him.

“You reached the seventh layer one night ago and you’re already talking down to me?”

“I’m only reminding you.”

“Just wait.”

“All right.”

Quan Lam snorted, then turned and left.

His steps were clearly faster than when he had arrived.

Hao Nhien watched him go.

The corner of his mouth curved slightly.

Tieu Lan quietly asked from beside him:

“Young Master Quan Lam really sees Young Master as a friend now, doesn’t he?”

Hao Nhien thought for a moment.

“Probably.”

“And Young Master?”

Hao Nhien looked at Quan Lam’s retreating figure.

Only after a while did he answer:

“At least for now, I consider him a friend.”

He paused slightly.

“In this world, completely trusting someone is not easy.”

“But finding someone who can walk part of the road with you, who will still stand beside you when something happens, and who remembers the bond between you…”

“That is already rare.”

Tieu Lan nodded softly.

Hao Nhien turned toward her.

“Let’s go.”

“Back to the courtyard.”

The two walked side by side beneath the morning sunlight.

The sect disciple selection gathering was no longer far away.