282: Choosing the White Tiger Position

Late at night, in the quiet of the inn room.

Qin Feng sat cross-legged, his mind sinking into the System panel. Recalling today's battle with Yan Chi, although it appeared to be a draw on the surface, he could feel a subtle change in his sword dao Realm.

The light screen expanded, and data flowed:

[Name: Qin Feng]

[Age: 19 years old]

[Rank: Early Stage Martial King Peak (Meridians 90% recovered)]

[Talent: Sword Heart (Advanced · Repairing, 90%), Sword Bone (Advanced · Repairing, 95%)]

[Cultivation Technique: Primordial Unity Qi Art (Fourth Layer Minor Achievement), "Daoist Primordial Chaos Art" Volume 1 (Perfection)]

[Martial Skill: Finger Sword Among Flowers (Earth Rank Advanced · Mastery recovered to 85%), Hundred Flowers Sword Technique (Earth Rank Advanced · Integrated with Thunder-Fire True Intent, Mastery 90%), Wind Spirit Illusion Steps (Earth Rank Advanced · Mastery 95%)...]

[Special: Sword Intent Prototype · Thunder-Fire]

[Status: Slight internal injuries, recovering]

Seeing the last line, Qin Feng's eyes lit up.

"Sword Intent Prototype · Thunder-Fire... There really is a change!"

In the battle with Yan Chi, he had integrated the Thunder-Fire True Intent into the Hundred Flowers Sword Technique. Although it was only a prototype, he had already touched the threshold of the Sword Intent Realm. This meant his sword dao had finally begun to move from "technique" to "intent," which was a qualitative leap.

The zi hour had arrived, and new intelligence refreshed:

[Daily Intelligence Refreshed] (zi hour):

1. [White Intelligence]: Yan Chi "lost control" again in the City Lord's Manor tonight, smashing a fake mountain forged from refined iron to pieces. The reason was that someone accidentally mentioned the words "break up" in front of her, making the servants and guards terrified.

2. [Yellow Intelligence]: A type of Medicinal Pill called "Ice Heart Pill" has recently been circulating in the Juyan City black market, claiming to calm violent blood qi and steady the mind, and its price has been hyped up very high. This is the Hehuan Sect's attempt to approach or control Yan Chi in a targeted manner.

3. [Blue Intelligence]: Yan Chi is the Third Miss, possessing the Berserker Bloodline and the Yan Family's fire-attribute Legacy. Her personality is straightforward, her combat power is formidable, and after being treated by Xiao Chun, her berserk state is controllable. If invited to join, she can serve as the "White Tiger" main attacker of the Four Symbols Battle Array. With you controlling the center, Xia Ya (Black Tortoise) as the main defense, Ji Ruxue (Azure Dragon) as the main speed, Yan Chi (White Tiger) as the main attacker, and Xiao Chun (Vermilion Bird) as the auxiliary healer, the power of the five-person array can be doubled. However, this choice will attract targeted retaliation from the Hehuan Sect, so careful consideration is needed.

Seeing the third blue intelligence, Qin Feng's heart jolted.

As expected, Yan Chi is the best candidate for the White Tiger position!

The Four Symbols Battle Array is a secret combined attack Formation from Medicine King Valley, requiring four or more people to perform. They had initially mastered it in the Ancient Wood Deep Forest, but they had always lacked a true main attacker. Xia Ya has plenty of defense but insufficient attack; Ji Ruxue is extremely fast but weak in frontal assault; Xiao Chun is more inclined towards support; although he himself can both attack and defend, as the Formation eye, he needs to coordinate the overall situation and cannot output at full power.

Yan Chi's appearance perfectly filled this gap.

The berserk combat power brought by the Berserker Bloodline, the domineering and fierce nature of the Yan Family's fire-attribute Cultivation Technique, combined with the spear techniques she already excelled at—once integrated into the battle array, the power of the White Tiger position would be terrifyingly extreme.

But the intelligence also clearly warned—this would invite even more violent retaliation from the Hehuan Sect.

"As expected, everything has its pros and cons," Qin Feng muttered to himself.

Although Yan Chi defeated Flower Without Intent today, that was only a stage duel. If he really wanted to recruit her into the team, it would be equivalent to publicly becoming an enemy of the Hehuan Sect. Although the Hehuan Sect is not as strong as the Yin Demon Sect in frontal combat, its methods are sinister and treacherous, with charm techniques, poison techniques, and assassinations being hard to guard against.

"The four great demonic sects... now there are only three left." Qin Feng's eyes were grave. "The Yin Demon Sect was heavily damaged by us, the Corpse Refining Sect has been destroyed, and only the Hehuan Sect and the Blood Spirit Gate remain. If we offend the Hehuan Sect as well, we will be enemies with two major demonic sects simultaneously."

He pondered for a long time and decided to discuss it with everyone.

This concerned the future of the entire team; he couldn't be arbitrary.

The next morning, everyone gathered in Qin Feng's room.

Qin Feng first mentioned that Yan Chi was suitable for the White Tiger position, and then raised the most crucial issue: "Regarding Yan Chi, I want to invite her to join us as the White Tiger position of the Four Symbols Battle Array. Our overall strength will increase significantly.

"But it might also provoke the Hehuan Sect. I want to hear everyone's opinion."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room immediately became heavy.

Tao Yuanyi spoke first, his tone cautious: "Young Master Qin, Third Miss Yan's combat power is indeed formidable. If she can join, the battle array's power will surely increase greatly. But... she is, after all, the City Lord's daughter, with a special status. Moreover, she formed a death feud with the Young Lord of the Hehuan Sect yesterday. If we recruit her into the team, it's equivalent to publicly becoming an enemy of the Hehuan Sect."

Senior Sister Leng added: "Senior Brother Tao is right. We have already heavily damaged the Yin Demon Sect. If we offend the Hehuan Sect as well, it will be like making enemies with two major demonic sects at the same time. Young Master Qin, making too many enemies is not a wise move."

Xiao Chun thought for a moment and said softly: "Brother Feng, I think although Sister Yan Chi has a fiery temper, her Heart-Nature is not bad. During the treatment yesterday, I could feel her inner kindness and straightforwardness. If she is willing to join, she would indeed be a very good partner. It's just... how should we deal with the Hehuan Sect's retaliation?"

Xia Ya slapped the table and said heroically: "What's there to fear! Even the greatest Yin Demon Sect was beaten by us until they didn't dare to show their faces. What does the Hehuan Sect count for? That Flower Without Intent looked unpleasant to the eye; if he was beaten, so be it! If Yan Chi is willing to come, I welcome her with both hands! We just happen to lack someone who can fight!"

Ji Ruxue had been silent, and only now spoke slowly: "From a tactical perspective, Yan Chi is the best candidate for the White Tiger position. Once her Berserker Bloodline is fully controlled, her combat power will be comparable to an ordinary Martial Emperor. If she joins the Four Symbols Battle Array, with five people forming the array, the power can indeed be increased by more than double. But the risk does exist—the Hehuan Sect excels at assassination and poisoning, so we need to be fully prepared."

Everyone expressed their views, and Qin Feng listened quietly.

After everyone finished speaking, he said slowly: "What everyone said makes sense. Recruiting Yan Chi has obvious pros and cons."

"The pros are: first, it fills the shortcomings of the battle array and significantly improves overall combat power; second, we gain the friendship of the City Lord's Manor and a powerful ally in the Northern Border; third, Yan Chi herself has great potential and a promising future."

"The cons are: first, publicly becoming an enemy of the Hehuan Sect may lead to retaliation; second, Yan Chi's special status might attract the attention of other forces; third, although her berserk state is controllable, there is still risk."

Qin Feng paused and looked at everyone: "So I want to ask everyone's opinion—should we play it safe and temporarily avoid frontal conflict with the Hehuan Sect, or take a risk, recruit Yan Chi, strengthen our power, and face the even greater crises of the future?"

The room fell into silence.

Everyone is weighing the pros and cons.。

Tao Yuanyi and Senior Sister Leng looked at each other, and finally Tao Yuanyi spoke: "Young Master Qin, although I worry about making too many enemies, I also understand that the path of martial arts is like rowing upstream; if you don't advance, you retreat. If we can really form a complete Four Symbols Battle Array, it will be of great benefit for our journey to the Imperial Capital. I... support recruiting Yan Chi, but we must be fully prepared."

Senior Sister Leng nodded in agreement.

Xiao Chun said softly: "I support Brother Feng's decision."

Xia Ya grinned: "I already said, what's there to fear!"

Ji Ruxue said indifferently: "I agree as well. However, we need to formulate a detailed response strategy, especially to guard against future assassinations and poisoning by the Hehuan Sect."

A flash of emotion passed through Qin Feng's eyes. These were his partners; although each had their concerns, in the end, they all chose to support his decision.

"Good." Qin Feng took a deep breath. "In that case, after the auction ends, I will find an opportunity to talk to Yan Chi. But before that, we need to do a few things."

"Senior Sister Leng, Senior Brother Tao. We need to be careful with security lately and find out about the auction's situation."

"No problem, leave it to us," Senior Brother Tao said readily.

Qin Feng looked at Xiao Chun again: "Xiao Chun, prepare a batch of high-quality Detoxification Pills, Heart-Clearing Pills, and pills that can counter charm techniques. The Hehuan Sect's methods are sinister; we must be prepared."

"Okay, I'll go prepare right away." Xiao Chun nodded.

"Xia Ya, Ruxue, you two go find out about the Hehuan Sect's movements in Juyan City, especially Flower Without Intent's whereabouts after he left. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

"Understood!" The two agreed.

Qin Feng finally looked out the window, his gaze deep.

Recruiting Yan Chi—if this move is right, the team's strength will increase greatly; if it's wrong, it could lead to eternal damnation.

But on the path of martial arts, where are there any absolutely safe options?

If you don't enter the tiger's den, how can you get the tiger's cubs?

"Then, let's begin."

Everyone dispersed to prepare for the next plan.

Qin Feng stayed in the room, opened the System panel again, and looked at that green intelligence.

"Yan Chi... I hope you won't let me down."

He whispered to himself, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

If they could really form a complete Four Symbols Battle Array, and the power of five people could be doubled, that would be their greatest reliance for going to the Imperial Capital.

As for the Hehuan Sect's retaliation in the future... "Soldiers will block, water will cover with earth." Qin Feng clenched his fists. "Anyone who wants to touch my partners will have to ask my sword first."