The main hall was brightly lit, with dozens of direct descendants of the Cheng Family holding their breath, their eyes focused on the white-haired elder.

Sang Yang's status was esteemed, especially in the medical realm of Lingzhou. They all wished to receive guidance from Sang Yang.

When Sang Yang crushed the jade in his hand, the sound shattered the silence like a thunderclap.

Even the usually composed Cheng Sufeng couldn't help but look up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"You just said..." Sang Yang regained his composure, suddenly stood up, and the brilliance under his white eyebrows surged: "This fire poison was actually deciphered by Qin An?"

The voice was filled with disbelief.

Qin An, again.

Yesterday, when he met Qin An on the street, he was still upset with Qin An for being rather disrespectful towards him.

But now Cheng Sufeng told him that the fire poison in the jade was discovered by Qin An, which genuinely surprised him.

Cheng Sufeng solemnly nodded: "Mr. Qin's medical expertise far surpasses mine."

His unreserved praise left the surrounding Cheng family members looking at each other in astonishment.

Sang Yang furrowed his brow in deep thought, the whiskers on his chin trembling slightly: "To perceive the intricacies of the fire poison—what a remarkable talent. Is he specialized in the medical field?"

At this moment, Sang Yang temporarily set aside his previous thoughts and became increasingly curious about Qin An.

He didn't know what was written in the letter from the headquarters, but receiving a letter from them undoubtedly proved Qin An's competence.

The incident last night wasn't really a conflict; at most, Qin An was just a bit aloof.

If Qin An indeed focused on medical studies, he could take Qin An to a certain place, which is one reason he returned to Lingzhou this time.

Unexpectedly, Cheng Sufeng's face showed a hint of hesitation when this was mentioned.

Sang Yang quickly noticed this moment of hesitation.

Sang Yang frowned and said, "Is there more to this, or did Qin An somehow take a shortcut?"

"I see, I thought as much—a young man suddenly mastering fire poison insights seemed too unlikely."

He was somewhat disappointed.

In his mind, Qin An must have taken some shortcut.

After all, he knew all the young talents in the medical field today, and an unfamiliar Qin An emerging out of nowhere defied logic.

Cheng Sufeng replied helplessly, "It's not that he took a shortcut; it's just that although Mr. Qin has great talent in medicine, he is more passionate about the sword he wields, more engrossed in slaying demons and evils."

Before he finished speaking, the hall erupted into chatter.

The direct descendants of the Cheng Family exchanged glances, seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

For someone praised by Sang Yang not to be primarily trained in medicine was indeed shocking.

Sang Yang was stunned, his fingers clenching the armrest tightly: "What did you say? A person with exceptional medical talent, going into such brute force endeavors as wielding a sword?"

He wanted to believe he had heard wrong, as this was something unheard of.

Surprisingly, Cheng Sufeng nodded affirmatively.

"Senior, it's true. Mr. Qin's personality is quite... peculiar, so even I can't understand what he's thinking."

He tried to choose the best word to describe Qin An.

In truth, it wasn't peculiarity—it was incomprehensible.

Sang Yang remained silent for a long time, and the surrounding air was thick with stillness.

After a long while, Sang Yang sighed and sat back down: "Where is he now?"

Cheng Sufeng replied, "In the Evil Extermination Bureau."

Sang Yang drummed his fingers on the armrest of the chair: "Tomorrow, you will take me to the Evil Extermination Bureau; I want to meet him."

Cheng Sufeng was slightly taken aback but then agreed.

Though he didn't understand why they needed to meet Qin An, since the elder requested it, he naturally had to comply.

Besides, it was just a meeting and shouldn't lead to anything else.

By unravelling the fire poison today, Cheng Sufeng already had insights and estimated that he would soon reach the Jade Bone Realm Perfection.

Sang Yang waved his hand: "Alright, stop standing around; all of you, leave. This elder needs some good rest."

He needed to digest what Cheng Sufeng had said and didn't want any disturbance.

Including Cheng Sufeng, all the direct descendants of the Cheng Family cupped their fists and left.

Soon, only Sang Yang was left sitting in the room.

Sang Yang tapped the armrest with his hand, and after a long while, he let out a deep sigh.

Beside him, a buffalo chewed on some sweetgrass and teased, "Old man, you seem quite interested."

Sang Yang turned around and glared at it: "If you keep up with that sharp tongue, I'll deduct your food rations tomorrow."

The buffalo, unfazed, mimicked Sang Yang's manner of speaking: "This old man, Sang Yang, only seeks a carefree life in this lifetime, won't be burdened by disciples..."

Sang Yang was furious upon hearing this and grabbed the buffalo's horn: "If you keep babbling, I'll break it off!"

The banter between the buffalo and the old man echoed through the ornate window lattices, scattering dew in the courtyard.

...

The next day.

Dawn light first appeared.

Qin An stretched lazily, hung the Cold Star at his waist, which was placed conveniently, and then used True Qi to communicate with the patrol copper token.

This trip back had been quite fruitful for Qin An.

Not only did he recast the Cold Star, infusing it with a touch of spirituality, but he also advanced his blacksmithing profession to level six.

In addition, he cleverly obtained a Yang Elixir by leveraging his talent as a Pill Master.

Now, Qin An needed just one more Yang Elixir to achieve the stage where the Yang energy of the five viscera overflowed.

Given this situation, he planned to continue taking patrol missions to collect more Yang Elixirs and soon reach the perfect Gui Cang level.

Only then could he truly establish himself in Lingzhou.

As the True Qi mediated, the patrol copper token emitted a glow, forming a light screen in mid-air.

On the light screen, tasks were as vast and complex as an ocean of clouds.

Qin An concentrated hard, intending to select a suitable task from among them.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the window.

Qin An reversed his grip on the Cold Star, his thumb lightly pushing the hilt, preparing a cold flash three inches long.

Even within the Evil Extermination Bureau, he didn't relax his vigilance.

In these times, staying alert could preserve one's life.

"Mr. Qin, are you awake? Cheng has urgent matters to discuss with you."

Cheng Sufeng's voice accompanied the sound of knocking.

Qin An pondered for a moment, then went to the door and opened it.

When Qin An opened the door, the scene outside came into view.

At the door stood not only Cheng Sufeng but also an elderly man and a wild ox.

The elderly man's eyes were complex as he looked at Qin An, and the wild ox swung its tail in the courtyard, its large eyes full of curiosity.

Qin An's fingertips rubbed the knife handle, and he asked directly, "What brings you here?"

Cheng Sufeng responded concisely, "Elder Sang Yang wishes to see you."

No matter what, he had to explain the matter and also see Qin An's opinion.

Qin An rubbed his chin and said, "Come in."

He originally didn't want to get involved in certain matters, but since they came to his door, he might as well ask what the matter was.

Elder Sang Yang glanced at Cheng Sufeng and said, "This is not your concern anymore, you may go."

Cheng Sufeng nodded quickly and then quietly left the courtyard.

After Cheng Sufeng left, Elder Sang Yang looked at Qin An with a complex expression.

Qin An raised his eyes and said, "Elder, I'm not dead, so why the mournful face?"

Elder Sang Yang snapped back to reality and said helplessly, "Your character is indeed as Cheng Sufeng said, extremely peculiar."

Qin An raised his hand and said, "Please."

Elder Sang Yang turned and said to the wild ox, "Old Ox, stay outside."

The wild ox rolled its eyes and lay down in the courtyard, seemingly not intending to go in either.

Elder Sang Yang stepped into the room.

Qin An shut the door behind him and got straight to the point, "May I know the purpose of your visit, Elder?"

He had limited time, as he had to take on the Mountain Patrol Guard task later, so he didn't plan to beat around the bush.

Elder Sang Yang pondered, "I was originally traveling around Lingzhou, but returned recently due to urgent matters."

"In Lingzhou, there is a faction called the Profound Sun Sect. Not long ago, the Sect Leader was engaged in battle with a monster and was severely injured."

"This monster is an evolved centipede, extremely poisonous. Many elders from the Hundred Medicine Valley have treated it but all failed."

"Therefore, the Valley Master sought me to treat the Sect Leader of the Profound Sun Sect."

At this point, Elder Sang Yang paused slightly to observe Qin An's reaction.

Qin An poured a cup of tea and handed it to Elder Sang Yang, asking, "Is this matter related to me?"

Elder Sang Yang shook his head, "It's not related, but I want you to accompany me."

Qin An frowned, "Why?"

Elder Sang Yang calmly replied, "The path of medicine accumulates the strengths of a hundred schools. I can't guarantee to counteract the poison, but your medical talent is exceptional, and perhaps you could see details I might overlook."

No one is perfect. Although, in Elder Sang Yang's view, Qin An's medical skills weren't as good as his, who could guarantee to perfectly solve the centipede's poison?

If someone with excellent medical skills were with him, perhaps he could notice details he couldn't see himself.

Qin An pondered, "There are many experts in the Hundred Medicine Valley; why not bring them along?"

Elder Sang Yang shook his head, "They all come from the same school and follow the same path. What could they see?"

Qin An poured another cup of tea, "Not going."

By this point in the conversation, they had almost talked it through.

But Qin An had no intention of going.

He and Elder Sang Yang had only met a few times; not to mention friendship, even if they met on the street later, it would only be limited to a greeting.

Moreover, his current situation was extremely dangerous, needing to complete tasks to enhance his strength and establish his reputation.

Otherwise, let alone the top three forces and the Demon Hall, even the people above would be enough trouble for him.

So he had no leisure to do this thing.

Elder Sang Yang saw that Qin An did not agree and seemed to have expected it, showing no surprise.

Switching the topic, he thought for a moment before speaking.

"I know the rules of the Evil Extermination Bureau, and I know the rules of the Mountain Patrol Guard. What if there are benefits?"

Qin An laughed, "Elder, you're joking. What benefits could compare to those of the Evil Extermination Bureau?"

Elder Sang Yang's eyes focused, "What about a Yang Elixir?"

The smile on Qin An's face suddenly disappeared, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the table, "Explain."

Elder Sang Yang's lips curled into a smile, "The reward from the Sect Leader of the Profound Sun Sect is two Yang Elixirs. If we can cure him, one for you and one for me."

Qin An lightly tapped the scabbard, "Elder, you've already entered Gui Cang; why do you need a Yang Elixir?"

Elder Sang Yang sighed, "In the Jianghu, one can't control their destiny. People say the Evil Extermination Bureau has many constraints, but little do they know the sects are even more so. The Hundred Medicine Valley needs it, and as an elder, how can I not come?"

Having said everything he needed to, Elder Sang Yang fell silent.

Everything now depended on Qin An's decision.

Qin An contemplated for a moment and then said, "Elder, could you wait outside for a moment?"

Elder Sang Yang nodded, understanding that Qin An was considering the feasibility, so he said no more and walked straight out the door.

After the door closed, Qin An took out the Mountain Patrol copper badge and infused True Qi into it.

Soon after, a light curtain reappeared before him.

Qin An carefully looked, screening for any matters regarding the Profound Sun Sect.

Since there was a chance to obtain a Yang Elixir, Qin An naturally was willing to try.

The reason he wanted to check the task was to see if there was a task related to the Profound Sun Sect.

If there was, wouldn't it be a win-win situation?

If not, he just couldn't take the task, that's all.

Subsequently, under Qin An's screening, a task appeared before him.

Qin An rubbed his chin and thought, "There really is a task, interesting."

Below the task, the content was succinctly mentioned.

[The Profound Sun Sect Leader has recently been heavily poisoned, with surrounding demonic factions watching closely. Assign Mountain Patrol Guards to guard the Profound Sun Sect for three days.]

[After three days, a state guard will take over.]

It's common for the Evil Extermination Bureau to be short-staffed, so tasks like these guard duties are temporarily assigned to Mountain Patrol Guards.

When the time comes and there are enough hands available, someone will naturally be dispatched to take over.

Qin An pondered for a moment before accepting the task.

Hence, this win-win situation was achieved.

"If I can obtain the Yang Elixir, I will definitely reach Jade Bone Realm Perfection earlier."

"Gui Cang is a threshold; without entering Gui Cang, one is ultimately just an ant."

"As a Mountain Patrol Bronze Guard, only by entering Gui Cang can one truly have a foundation."

Qin An pushed the door open, stood with his hand on the knife, and the scabbard reflected the sky full of rosy clouds.

"When do we set out?"

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