Inside the Qin Clan Manor, a servant announced Xia Tong's visit, which surprised Qin Lin.

As the controller of Wanbaoge in Tianyuan City, Xia Tong's power behind her is unfathomable. If she can help the Tianyuan Qin Clan, she should be able to resolve this crisis.

So he immediately ordered his servants to lead Xia Tong to the Qin clan's council hall, and he and Qin Qianfan hurried there together.

"I never expected Miss Xia Tong to visit in person. I am truly sorry for not welcoming you properly!"

Before the person arrived, the voice had already reached him. Upon hearing this aged voice, Qin Xin's heart skipped a beat. From the voice, he could tell that Qin Lin was extremely weak.

Xia Tong smiled, fiddling with the hem of her purple dress to cover her bare calves, and said softly, "Elder Chief, you are too kind. I have come today to present you with a gift."

"Oh? What kind of gift is it?" Qin Lin sat up straight. He knew that the Qin family and Wanbaoge had frequent dealings, but they were all business-related. Moreover, Wanbaoge had always remained neutral and never sided with any family. Hearing that Xia Tong had brought a gift, Qin Lin was a little puzzled. He then looked at Qin Xin, who was holding a wooden box, without noticing Qin Xin's appearance.

"Third Grandfather!" Looking at Qin Lin, whose temples were already snow-white, Qin Xin's eyes reddened, and he held back his tears as he spoke softly.

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Qin Lin was initially overjoyed, but then his anger suddenly erupted, and he scolded, "Xin'er...didn't I tell you not to come back! Why are you so disobedient!"

Seeing Qin Lin's old eyes brimming with tears, Qin Xin remained silent. Qin Qianfan, standing behind Qin Xin, quickly stepped forward and said, "Father, don't be angry. Since Qin Xin managed to get in, he should be able to get out as well. With Miss Xia Tong protecting him, he shouldn't be in any danger."

Hearing Qin Qianfan's words, Qin Lin, who was originally full of anger, calmed down. After glaring at Qin Xin, he looked at Xia Tong with some seriousness, stood up, bowed slightly and said, "Miss Xia Tong, I'm afraid my Qin clan will have a hard time getting through this crisis. I only hope that this child can leave safely."

"Elder Chief, you flatter me!" Seeing Qin Lin's reaction, Xia Tong quickly stood up and said repeatedly.

Qin Xin, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but say, "Third Grandfather, there's no need to worry about my safety. We will definitely get through this crisis safely."

As soon as Qin Xin finished speaking, he was met with an angry glare from Qin Lin, who quickly introduced Shui Qingxi, who was standing next to him.

Looking at the woman beside Qin Xin, Qin Lin's angry expression changed immediately, replaced by a kind smile. Behind him, Qin Qianfan seemed to understand something, a strange smile on his lips.

"Please don't misunderstand, elders. I came to Tianyuan City because I promised Qin Xue." Shui Qingxi noticed the subtle changes in the expressions of the others and quickly explained.

Upon hearing Shui Qingxi's explanation, Qin Lin simply waved his hand, "I never expected that Miss Shui would be the daughter of the Prince of Zhennan."

After learning Shui Qingxi's identity, he sighed inwardly, then glanced at Qin Xin beside him. It had been more than a year since he last saw him, and Qin Xin's growth made him feel somewhat emotional.

"I have already informed my father, but it will still take some time before we arrive in Tianyuan City," Shui Qingxi said softly.

After entering Tianyuan City, Shui Qingxi learned that the Qin Clan was in dire straits. After discussing with Qin Xin, she directly contacted Zhennan Prefecture for protection. Since Tianyuan City was under the jurisdiction of Zhennan Prefecture, no one dared to say anything when they sent troops.

"Thank you, young lady!" Qin Qianfan quickly expressed his gratitude after seeing a glimmer of hope.

Shui Qingxi quickly stopped Qin Qianfan from bowing and said softly, "Uncle Qianfan, there's no need for that. Qin Xue and I are both disciples of Teacher Hua Jin."

Upon hearing Hua Jin's name, Qin Qianfan's gaze faltered slightly, and he seemed somewhat embarrassed. Qin Xin, on the other hand, watched this scene with a smile.

"However, everyone needs to be extra careful these next few days to avoid leaking the information," Shui Qingxi said solemnly, her demeanor displaying the air of a female general.

Qin Lin and Qin Qianfan both nodded slightly. After discussing it, they decided to keep it a secret from their clansmen to prevent any traitors from leaking the information and alerting the Iron Blood Mercenary Group.

"By the way, Third Grandfather, after the Iron Blood Mercenary Group captures a member of the Qin Clan, they search his body. What exactly are they looking for? Does our Qin Clan have any treasures?" Qin Xin suddenly remembered something and asked.

Upon hearing Qin Xin's words, Qin Lin frowned, let out a soft sigh, and said, "I have no way of knowing about that. Perhaps Elder Mo knows."

"Old Mo?" Qin Xin also thought of the mysterious old man who had always lived in the Martial Arts Hall.

"Old Master Mo is seriously injured, and he hasn't said who injured him. Now that you're back, why don't you go and pay him a visit?" Qin Lin's expression was grim as he spoke, indicating that Old Master Mo's injuries were quite severe. Otherwise, the family wouldn't be in such a passive position, allowing the Iron Blood Mercenary Group to surround them.

"Hmm." Qin Xin nodded slightly and then left the council hall, heading towards the Martial Arts Hall.

Shui Qingxi and Xia Tong did not come along; they stayed in the council hall to discuss the next steps with Qin Lin and Qin Qianfan.

Qin Xin was somewhat uneasy along the way. Before even reaching the Martial Arts Hall, he sensed the black aura swirling above it through his spiritual sense, which resembled death energy.

Just as Qin Xin arrived at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall, before he even stepped inside, an aged voice echoed in his ears.

"Come in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the doors of the Martial Arts Hall slowly opened.

Qin Xin stepped inside and was immediately struck by the sight of an elderly man with white hair, dressed in a gray robe, sitting cross-legged on the ground. The black patterns circling around the man's neck startled Qin Xin slightly.

"Old Mo, what's wrong?" Qin Xin asked with some concern. He was very familiar with these black patterns. He had previously eliminated the hidden dangers with the help of the Danqing Strange Fire, but now he didn't know why they had reappeared.

Old Mo sighed softly, forcibly using his Yuan Power to suppress the black patterns. "We still fell for Qin Lang's trick. It seems that he was one of those who dealt with the Tianyuan Qin Clan before."

As he spoke, a sharp glint flashed in Old Mo's aged eyes.

"I never expected you to return at this time. Now I am barely able to protect myself, and I'm afraid I won't be able to protect the Tianyuan Qin Clan." Old Mo sighed softly, his eyes revealing helplessness.

Qin Xin looked at Elder Mo with some respect and said, "Elder Mo, there's no need to worry. I have already requested assistance from Zhennan Prefecture."

"Zhennan Prefecture? It seems you've made quite a few friends at the Eastern Wilderness Academy." Old Mo smiled as he looked at Qin Xin, slightly surprised by Qin Xin's progress in cultivation.

Even he never expected that a boy whose martial bones had been stripped away and whose life was hanging by a thread could now enter the late stage of the Awakening Realm. Just over a year ago, he was still called a "waste".

Seeing that Elder Mo's expression had softened considerably, Qin Xin asked directly, "Elder Mo, you said you knew my father's whereabouts? Where is he now?"

Qin Xin didn't have much affection for this father he had never met, but he still wanted to know how he felt.

"Your father?" Old Mo murmured. "This is for you."

As Mo Lao spoke, a fragment of a jade pendant flew out of his hand and landed directly in Qin Xin's hand.

The Spirit Devouring Stone trembled slightly, as if the jade pendant fragments were responding to it.