Hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s words, Li Wenwei’s expression shifted slightly, and he found it a bit strange.

’As a True Inheritance disciple of the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, how could Zhao Xuanqi be short on Rare Beast Materials?’

"Regarding intelligence, as long as it doesn’t involve confidential information, there shouldn’t be a problem. As for Rare Beast Materials..."

Li Wenwei paused to think before speaking. "Rare Beast Materials are very strictly controlled. We do have the right channels, but even our organization doesn’t have much of a surplus. Moreover, what we have are mostly common varieties. If you’re looking for large quantities or materials from rare breeds, I’m afraid we won’t be able to help. We’re short on them ourselves."

"It doesn’t matter if you don’t have rare varieties. Common ones will suffice. Besides, the quantity I need isn’t massive. I’m sure that compared to the value I can offer your organization, what you’ll be giving up is a bargain."

Zhao Xuanqi said indifferently.

’The National Salvation Association may have been driven underground after the crackdown, but it was once a massive, nationwide organization. As the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. It’s a motley crew, for sure, but its channels, intelligence, and resources are far beyond anything the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall could dream of. Even across the entire Celestial Sea Prefecture, or all of Haidong Dao, few powers could match it.’

’Meeting my needs for the Hundred Beasts Sect’s Secret Medicine during my Cross-Training stage should be no problem at all.’

’And since they’re operating in the shadows now, it will undoubtedly be easier to get what I want from them.’

’As for the risks?’

’Every path has its risks. The safer routes just require more time to cultivate.’

’And for me—or rather, for this chaotic world—time is especially precious.’

’As long as I can recover my strength quickly, I can handle any risk.’

"Very well. If it’s just common varieties of Rare Beast Materials in small quantities, we can accommodate that. But..."

Li Wenwei paused here, glancing at Zhao Xuanqi. "Pardon my bluntness, Hall Master Zhao. You may be the fourth True Inheritance disciple of the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall and serve as the Wind Shadow Hall Master with considerable prestige inside the hall, but to be frank, the authority of the Wind Shadow Hall isn’t of much help to us."

"Within the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall, the Luo Family’s faction would be of greater help to us."

Zhao Xuanqi understood. The Wind Shadow Hall was merely a blade in the Martial Arts Hall’s hands. But the National Salvation Association didn’t need a blade; they didn’t need him to eliminate their enemies.

The Luo Family’s faction, on the other hand, controlled the docks, ports, trade, shipping, intelligence, and network of contacts—all things that would be of the greatest help to the National Salvation Association now.

"You needn’t worry about that. I have my own plans. I will contact you when things are in place."

Zhao Xuanqi said coolly.

"That would be for the best. In that case, we will await Hall Master Zhao’s good news. I wonder, how is Chu Jiaxuan? May we take her with us now?"

Li Wenwei said with a smile.

"Take her."

Zhao Xuanqi stood up and led the two of them to a side room to retrieve her.

"Hall Master Zhao."

Just as Li Wenwei and his men were about to leave, he suddenly turned and asked Zhao Xuanqi, "If I may be so bold, life is not an easy road. In this chaotic world, Hall Master Zhao, what kind of life do you wish to live?"

"I have heard of the ancient Divine General Realm, the pinnacle of the Martial Dao. I wish to see it for myself."

Zhao Xuanqi said indifferently.

The Divine General Realm...

Hearing Zhao Xuanqi’s words, He’s body trembled slightly. That was the supreme realm for a Martial Artist, but it was also a realm they dared not even dream of reaching.

For a thousand years, countless heroes in Martial History have died with regret before the Celestial Gate.

The world has not seen a Divine General since; the path to the heavens has been severed.

’This man actually has such aspirations and ambition? Such determination and confidence?’

"The pinnacle of the Martial Dao?"

Li Wenwei was slightly stunned, his thoughts unreadable. He cupped his fists to Zhao Xuanqi, then turned and left with his men.

Zhao Xuanqi stood in the courtyard, watching in silence as their figures receded and disappeared.

A flood of thoughts surfaced in his mind.

’In my past life, I was adopted by my master at the age of seven. Until I turned twenty, I lived with him deep in the mountains, observing the Form of a hundred beasts and learning the Hundred Beasts’ Intent. To purify my Fist Technique, my master cut me off from the outside world. I endured inhuman training every day. My fists grew stronger and stronger, reaching a superhuman level, but my spirit grew increasingly lost and lonely.’

’It wasn’t until my master died of old age that I left the mountains. I discovered that I was completely out of step with the world. The noise, the laughter, the troubles—none of it had anything to do with me. After much effort, I finally managed to integrate into modern society, only to find that my soul could no longer find a place to belong.’

’To that world, I was just a "Rare Beast" that couldn’t blend in.’

’Get stronger! Stronger! Stronger!’

’Explore the legendary realms of the Martial Dao.’

’This became my only goal in life. I never even stopped to think about *why* I needed to be stronger.’

’I just needed a reason to live.’

’That is, until I was reborn. The first thing I saw was a girl slumped by my bedside, her face streaked with tears. As Zhao Qi’s memories flooded my mind, I watched the complex mix of worry, joy, and fear flash across her startled face. For the first time, I felt something different.’

’Familial love.’

’And so, I want Zhao Qin to have a better life—one of peace and happiness.’

’But in this era, there’s only so much one person can do. There will always be things beyond my control.’

’Perhaps this arrangement is a good choice. After all, the path I walk is destined to be one of blood and carnage. I can’t protect Zhao Qin forever.’

’But as long as I live, as long as I am strong enough, as long as I have sufficient value, there will be people who will protect Zhao Qin for a lifetime.’

’A person must have value. That is an immutable truth.’

His expression gradually turned cold. The matter with Zhao Qin was resolved for now. As long as he was alive, the National Salvation Association would care more about her safety than even he did.

Now, it was time to think about his own affairs.

’Li Wenwei was right. The Wind Shadow Hall might seem impressive, but its authority in the Upper River District is far too limited. Dealing with a power like the Luo Family is no simple matter, and I don’t have the patience to slowly build a relationship with them.’

"Looks like my peaceful break is over for now."

"Celestial Sea Prefecture is a big place. It’s not just the Upper River District."

Zhao Xuanqi muttered to himself.

...

...

「Half a month later.」

「Changhuan District, Mingyu Street.」

This place was originally the territory of the Hengchang Martial Arts Hall, one of the three major martial arts halls. However, during a dispute with the Yuhe Chamber of Commerce—which is under the Jili Empire—more than half of it was seized. It had become a district the two sides fought over repeatedly.

Within a week, on Zhao Xuanqi’s orders, the Wind Shadow Hall launched a lightning-fast operation. They successively injured three Cross-Training masters from the Yuhe Chamber of Commerce and temporarily drove the chamber out of Mingyu Street.

Then, in his negotiations with the Hengchang Martial Arts Hall, Zhao Xuanqi not only refused their offer to buy back their half of Mingyu Street, but he also moved at lightning speed. He organized his men to sweep away the remaining forces of both the Hengchang Martial Arts Hall and the Yuhe Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, he brought in disciples from the Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall and spent a great deal of money to recruit unaffiliated Martial Artists, porters, and other local powers, swiftly seizing control of all the docks, shipping, and other businesses along the entire street.

This was Zhao Xuanqi’s plan.

If you don’t have territory, you take it.

This world, this land, has always been a jungle.

「Hengchang Martial Arts Hall.」

SLAM!!

The hall master, Dong Wenhui, a man with the build of a giant, slammed his palm down on the solid wood table before him. Half the table instantly shattered.

"The Xiaolin Martial Arts Hall has crossed the line!"