The letter from Jiang Yuexuan arrived through official academy channels.

No hidden courier.

No informal messenger.

Just as she had advised.

Yu Qingmei inspected the seal and allowed Qin Yuheng to open it.

The message was short.

Candidate Qin,

Jiang Clan has confirmed that several old shadow-road references near Silent Wastes are being purchased by unknown intermediaries.

Some purchases are legal. Some are not.

The pattern suggests someone is gathering enough fragments to create a convincing false road.

Do not trust any complete map that appears suddenly.

—Jiang Yuexuan

Qin Mo read the letter and looked grim.

"A convincing false road."

Qin Yuheng nodded.

Blood Sun had learned that incomplete bait failed. Now they might build a complete-looking path from many partial truths.

This was more dangerous.

A crude lie was easy to reject.

A carefully assembled truth could guide people exactly where the enemy wanted.

Qin Wanshan’s response was immediate:

Map authentication standards must increase.

No map accepted unless verified by:

- True Destination Law Compass

- Safe Pattern Observation Eye

- Shadow Discernment Crystal

- Whisper Provenance Crystal

- Jiang or Qin independent record comparison

Qin Mo added another line:

And common sense.

The Jiang letter marked another subtle shift.

Jiang Yuexuan was no longer merely warning as an observer. She was sharing clan-confirmed movement. Still not an alliance, but closer.

Qin Yuheng replied through Yu Qingmei.

Information received. We will not trust sudden complete maps. If related Shattered Sun or shadow-road patterns appear in Heavenly Gate region, we will inform through official channel.

Formal.

Safe.

Useful.

Floor 72: Broken Star Caravan Route.

This floor involved escorting caravans across star-fallen terrain while false guides offered shorter roads. The team used True Destination Law Compass and Clean Exchange Road Seal to avoid shortcut traps. SSS reward: Caravan Route Integrity Core.

Floor 73: Pale Beast Treaty Field.

A negotiation-combat floor where beast tribes and human remnants were trapped in endless treaty violations. Qin Yuheng had to identify which treaties were broken by corruption and which by greed. Lin Xian’er’s clean contract methods influenced his strategy even though she was not present.

SSS reward: Treaty Integrity Crystal.

Floor 74: Sunken Command Harbor.

A naval-command floor with drowned ships obeying old fleet orders. Qin Yuheng resolved command loops without claiming admiral authority. Reward: Fleet Order Resolution Compass.

These floors strengthened coalition, route, and old-order tools.

During this period, Qin Yuze began formal pre-academy training under Qin Zhengyuan and Qin Feng.

His S-grade Crimson Spear Battle Heart progressed quickly.

Too quickly, sometimes.

He loved frontal breakthroughs.

Qin Zhengyuan repeatedly forced him to retreat, reposition, and defend.

"Your talent grows in prolonged frontal combat," Qin Zhengyuan said. "That does not mean you must always choose frontal combat."

Qin Yuze complained.

Qin Yuheng laughed.

"Now you understand."

Qin Xue’er watched everything with bright eyes, practicing wooden sword movements when adults looked away.

Mu Qinglan eventually gave her proper beginner lessons.

Not because she was ready for Tower training.

Because hiding her interest would only make her practice incorrectly.

Blood Sun made no direct move during these weeks.

That worried Gu Tianhe.

"Silence before a larger net."

Qin Wanshan agreed.

The next net came through politics.

Several regional families began requesting marriage alliances, training exchanges, and guest invitations for Qin Yuze after his public Awakened status.

Qin Wanshan rejected all.

One letter contained a hidden observation dust similar to the spear incident.

Silent Heaven traced it to a merchant route connected to an unknown intermediary.

Again, dead end.

Qin Yuheng’s anger grew quieter.

Not weaker.

Quieter.

Mo Cangyan had shifted to probing the family’s younger generation socially, legally, and indirectly.

This was harder to stop than battlefield attacks.

The Qin family responded by strengthening internal education.

Qin Yuze and Qin Xue’er were taught: 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Never accept private gifts.

Never reveal talent details.

Never follow invitations without family confirmation.

Never sign even harmless-looking documents.

Never test blood or talent in public facilities without Qin protection.

Qin Xue’er raised her hand.

"What if it is candy?"

Qin Mo answered, "Especially candy."

She looked horrified.

A serious rule became memorable.

Sometimes that was enough.