Hongxuan's aura suddenly surged, fiery feathers fluttering, resembling a fierce bird reborn in flames.

Qin An wielded his black blade in a sweeping arc, only to hear a sharp clang.

Looking closely, Hongxuan raised her sharp claws and astonishingly caught the blade.

"Crack!"

With a clench of her five fingers, a menacing fissure opened up on the blade.

At this moment, Huang Man and the others had already approached Hongxuan, employing various Secret Techniques, blade and sword shadows directly targeting Hongxuan's vital points.

Yet Hongxuan remained unmoved, sneering as a fierce flame exploded from her body.

A heatwave surged like a raging dragon, throwing a dozen mountain patrol Bronze Guards several feet back, staggering to the ground.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Qin An spun around, flicked his black blade, and executed the Shocking Dragon Wind and Cloud Step, leaving behind afterimages.

"Boom!"

A rumbling sound erupted, and the spot where Qin An just stood collapsed with a roar, sparks flying everywhere.

Qin An squinted, finally seeing what was in Hongxuan's hand.

Demon Core!

It was a flourishing Demon Core, emitting a terrifying force of blood energy.

Huang Man shouted loudly, "Be careful, she's absorbing the power of the Demon Core!"

Hongxuan laughed loudly, flames flickering continuously around her body: "Monster Hall's Secret Technique, feeding the core with blood, endless True Qi, how can you ants resist!"

She originally didn't want to use this move because a Demon Core was truly too precious.

This was her means of survival.

But now she needs to buy time for the madman.

Moreover, this Qin An in front of her had a high bounty from the Monster Hall and the Fire Crow Race.

If she could take his head, it would certainly offset the consumption this time.

"I will gently take your head off, hang it around my neck, and bring it back to the Monster Hall."

"Then I'll take your torso and limbs to the Fire Crow Race, and by then, I'll have two rewards."

"Don't worry, I'll do it gently."

Hongxuan ignored the other mountain patrol Bronze Guards and walked straight towards Qin An.

Huang Man gritted his teeth, his right hand holding the dagger trembling slightly.

Although that previous strike couldn't compare to Gui Cang, with the Demon Core as the foundation, it was much stronger than Perfect Jade Bone.

The so-called array previously, if broken one by one, would not be difficult.

But now facing Hongxuan, who held the Demon Core and knew how to use it, he was at a loss.

The many mountain patrol Bronze Guards roared and struck with their weapons towards Hongxuan.

Hongxuan glared fiercely, shouting, "If you want to die, you have to get in line behind me!"

The power of the Demon Core burst forth, covering Hongxuan completely.

All the mountain patrol Bronze Guards, including Huang Man, were struck as if by lightning, vomiting blood and flying backwards.

Hongxuan did not linger, turning around and advancing towards Qin An, her claws reaching out to grab Qin An's head.

Huang Man was anxious but powerless to help, secretly sighing in his heart.

With Hongxuan's current strength, coupled with the power of the Demon Core, Qin An probably couldn't withstand her.

This man with terrifying talent was likely to fall here.

Huang Man had seen many confident and highly talented people, but after they joined the mountain patrol, they all met premature ends.

Those in the mountain patrol rarely meet a good end.

"This is his first mission, and he hasn't even experienced the benefits of the mountain patrol yet."

Huang Man felt bitter at heart, "It's a pity, I have to die with him."

Once Hongxuan kills Qin An, none of them would escape.

Thinking about this, Huang Man suddenly realized a lot of time had passed.

"Something's wrong!"

She instinctively looked up to see her colleagues staring ahead in shock.

"What happened?"

Following their gaze, Huang Man's pupils contracted.

Only to see Qin An insert the black blade into the ground, extend his right hand, and throw a punch.

Blood-Burning Heaven-Cutting Hand!

Fist clashed with claw, a wave of air burst.

Blocked?

Huang Man's heart trembled slightly.

At this moment, Hongxuan's voice rang out.

"Burning Qi and blood, you dare practice such a fundamentally damaging Secret Technique?"

At these words, Huang Man turned to look at Qin An.

Qin An's face was slightly pale, seemingly exhausted.

"Sigh..."

Huang Man sighed in her heart.

This kind of Secret Technique, one that burns Qi and blood, could only exchange one move with Hongxuan.

Eventually, he would die, it only delayed his death.

Hongxuan paused for a moment, then, seeing Qin An's pale face, turned into a blur again, clawing at Qin An.

This blow was aimed to take Qin An's head.

Seeing the claws getting closer, Qin An slowly lifted his head.

Hongxuan was slightly startled.

She didn't see even a hint of panic in Qin An's eyes, but rather a calmness like a serene lake.

Her gaze shifted down, and she saw Qin An take out a dim Demon Core from his hand.

The blood energy from the Demon Core was absorbed by Qin An; the dim Demon Core could no longer sustain and shattered into pieces.

Qin An raised his hand, clashed again with Hongxuan's claws.

Blood-Burning Heaven-Cutting Hand!

Hongxuan only felt a tremendous force hit her, with terrifying ice and fire power coupled with a massive amount of Qi blood, causing her to fly backwards.

After she landed steadily on the ground, a trace of shock appeared in her eyes: "You have a Demon Core too?"

Not far away, Huang Man and the others were dumbfounded.

They thought Qin An wouldn't escape death this time, but unexpectedly, Qin An pulled out a dim Demon Core.

Remarkably exchanging another move with Hongxuan.

Joy gradually deepened in Huang Man's eyes.

Who would have thought a whip-wielding mountain patrol Bronze Guard spoke up.

"His Demon Core was already incomplete, now it's gone."

It was then that Huang Man saw the fragments of the Demon Core in Qin An's hand, his inner joy vanishing.

If there were a complete Demon Core, there might still be a chance of survival, but now it seems Qin An has none.

Demon Cores are so precious, how could he possibly bring out more?

"Eventually, we still have to die." Huang Man sighed deeply, gripping the dagger in his hand.

Hongxuan licked her sharp beak, eyes full of ferocity exploding: "You truly opened my eyes, but alas, you little brat can't bring out a second Demon Core."

She no longer gave Qin An any opportunity, intending to kill with one strike.

Her entire body of fiery feathers released a blazing light, enveloping Hongxuan completely.

Within the firelight, a crow's caw sounded.

Hongxuan transformed into a fireball, speeding towards Qin An.

The surrounding area was engulfed in a terrifying heatwave; even a touch would scorch a regular person into charcoal.

At that moment, Qin An suddenly reached into his robes.

When his left hand emerged, a brand new Demon Core appeared in his palm.

Instantly, deathly silence ensued.

"Another... another one?"

Huang Man and the others were dumbfounded, watching the shiny Demon Core. Their throats moved involuntarily.

They never expected Qin An to have pulled out yet another Demon Core; it was simply outrageous.

Within the flames, Hongxuan also saw what Qin An held and felt her breath catch.

But by now, the arrow was on the string and had to be released.

Hongxuan shouted angrily, "Even though you have a Demon Core, today your life will indeed be mine!"

Fire soared into the sky.

Amid the intense flames, Qin An's hands were enveloped in Gang Qi, pushing the Blood-Burning Heaven-Cutting Hand to its limits.

His right hand pierced the flames, causing them to crumble.

Using the Demon Core as a foundation, the two began exchanging blows continuously.

The terrifying sound waves carried boundless might, making numerous mountain patrol officers tremble with fear.

Holding a long whip, a stiff patrol officer turned his head: "Is he... a newcomer?"

Huang Man's eyes held a hint of admiration: "Haven't you heard the name Qin An?"

The patrol officer thought carefully, his face suddenly changing: "Is he the newcomer wanted by both the Fire Crow Race and the Demon Hall?"

Huang Man vigorously nodded, keeping her eyes fixed on the battlefield.

Currently, they couldn't intervene in the battlefield at all.

It was solely Qin An's solo show.

Initially, Huang Man thought Qin An was just somewhat stronger and knew some Secret Techniques.

These days, which patrol officers didn't know a few Secret Techniques?

But now it seemed she was gravely mistaken.

This wasn't just knowing a few Secret Techniques; this was using Secret Techniques as if they were standard Cultivation Techniques.

At this moment, Huang Man's thoughts changed, unconsciously developing a bit of awe for Qin An.

Looking at the battlefield, after exchanging dozens of moves, the flames on Hongxuan's body were extraordinarily dim.

The Demon Core in her hand was drained to the last bit, turning into fragments.

Hongxuan looked at Qin An, now without a Demon Core as well, and laughed: "You are out, but I absorbed more; victory today is mine!"

Today's battle was thrilling, but the victor would surely be her.

Even losing a Demon Core, what of it?

As long as she could take Qin An's head, combined with the matter at Casting Valley, it would be enough to recoup the loss, even with profit.

Just as Hongxuan felt joy in her heart, sounds of gasps suddenly arose.

A hint of confusion flickered in her heart, and she instinctively turned to look, only to see those damned patrol officers all staring at Qin An as if they were witnessing a terrible monster.

"What happened?"

Hongxuan turned, eyes first bewildered, then replaced by fear.

She saw Qin An calmly pull out another Demon Core, his gaze meeting hers.

"Sorry, my stock is quite sufficient."

He still had two such Demon Cores.

Hongxuan froze, then reacted, turning to fly toward the sky.

Cannot fight head-on!

With his ample Demon Cores, a direct confrontation would only lead to her complete destruction.

As for the Casting Valley task, she couldn't care about it anymore.

Survival came first!

But before she could fly away, Qin An already transformed into a shadow, closing in swiftly.

A voice sounded beside Hongxuan's ear.

"I still prefer your unruly demeanor."

Hongxuan turned sharply, seeing Qin An's hand clasping her forehead.

Terrifying Qi Blood Power erupted, making Hongxuan's head feel a sharp pain.

A beautiful head fell from the neck, tossed aside by Qin An casually.

The headless body transformed into a Fire Crow.

Qin An skillfully dissected the body, extracting the blood marrow and absorbing it.

By now, Huang Man and the others slowly approached.

Qin An rose, surveying the surroundings.

Everyone upon whom Qin An's gaze fell instinctively avoided it, as if frozen in terror.

Had it been a typical encounter with a newcomer, they would never act like this, but Qin An was indeed extraordinary.

In the heat of the battle, it had been a rollercoaster.

Just when they thought survival was hopeless, Qin An continuously pulled out Demon Cores, slaying Hongxuan on the spot.

Not only did he have power, but he also had depth.

Mountain patrol officers revered only the strong; these patrol officers naturally harbored a sense of awe for Qin An.

Qin An raised his eyes, examining the bronze cauldron.

Now, the guests around the cauldron began to awaken, struggling to stand and casting confused glances about.

Knowing the procedure, Huang Man quickly revealed her identity, prompting the startled guests to hurriedly leave.

Qin An stepped up to the cauldron, furrowing his brow.

The cauldron was bright red like magma, yet not a shred of heat escaped.

With his blacksmith profession, he knew a terrifying aura was circulating within, seemingly forging something extremely terrifying.

Huang Man stepped forward, asking, "What's the situation?"

The present patrol officers remained silent, subtly signaling Qin An as the leader.

Qin An turned his head, saying, "A step too late, what's inside is already completed, I reckon..."

Before Qin An continued, the bronze cauldron suddenly opened.

Terror-inducing Evil Qi swept up, covering everything around.

Wherever the Evil Qi passed, all turned barren yellow.

A metallic sound rang abruptly.

From the cauldron's edge, a large pitch-black hand emerged.

The hand gripped the edge, and with a slight force, a humanoid three zhang tall jumped out from the cauldron.

Qin An's eyes narrowed slightly, gripping the black knife: "Pseudo-God!"

Three zhang tall, the Pseudo-God was entirely made of metal, with sinister flames continuously rising.

Except for the facial features, they were identical to a madman.

Upon its appearance, the Pseudo-God laughed wantonly.

"It's done!"

"I am done!"

"From now on, I shall no longer have a human body, achieving the might of forging a Pseudo-God!"

The laughter gradually waned.

The metal Pseudo-God looked down coldly, voice like ice: "Now I am halfway to Gui Cang. Once I kill you all, acquiring the Yang Elixir from the valley, I shall step into the realm of Gui Cang!"

Qin An squinted his eyes: "Yang Elixir? Well, that's a pleasant surprise."

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