As Zhang Chunyang finished speaking, the whole grand hall fell into a dead silence.

The Grand Elder's fists were clenched tightly in his sleeves, his knuckles already turning white.

Below, the bronze token at Qin An's waist trembled incessantly, and the voices of the crowd surged into his mind like a tide.

Wuo Lin's transmitted voice was crisp and decisive: "Are you coming or not?"

Liao Yang: "This matter is suspicious, not sure what medicine Zhang Chunyang is selling in his gourd."

The patrolling bronze officers discussed among themselves: "If we don't go, we might miss a good opportunity, but if we go, we fear that demons will take advantage of the situation..."

Qin An squinted slightly, his fingers unconsciously rubbing the handle of the Cold Star Saber.

He infused his True Qi into the bronze token, replying with just one decisive word.

"Come."

The bronze token immediately returned to silence.

A moment later, not a single person objected, everyone put down what they were doing and headed towards the grand hall where Qin An was.

Qin An released the saber handle, the light in his eyes shining brightly.

Come, why not come?

Since guarding the mountain bore no fruit, why not follow this new clue to the end.

After an incense stick of time passed, many patrolling bronze officers gathered in front of the hall.

Whether it was the Grand Elder or the disciples of the Profound Sun Sect, they all looked at this group of patrolling officers with meaningful eyes.

As for those healers, their eyes were filled with fear as they looked at the patrolling officers.

By this time, although the morning banquet continued, the arrival of the patrolling officers brought a halt to the atmosphere.

Sang Yang Elder scrutinized the calm Qin An, finally unable to suppress his curiosity, said: "What exactly are you all planning?"

He was simply too curious.

Even though he knew the patrolling officers' affairs were not to be interfered with by outsiders, his curiosity eventually won out.

Qin An shook his head and said: "Senior, you will naturally know later, but if a battle occurs then, we will need your help."

Sang Yang Elder nodded in agreement.

For others, he would certainly ignore them.

But towards this young man, he had a favorable impression and naturally agreed.

The morning banquet ended quickly.

A disciple came out and gave the Grand Elder a look.

The Grand Elder quickly understood, stood up from the main seat, and said loudly: "Everyone, since the meal is finished, please enter in turns to diagnose the Sect Leader."

Subsequently, a disciple stepped forward, leading the healers into the main hall one after another.

...

Qin An sat in his seat, patiently waiting.

Every time a healer entered, it wasn't long before they came out with their brows tightly furrowed, looking extremely puzzled.

Seeing this, Sang Yang Elder stroked his beard: "It seems they haven't resolved the toxin."

Qin An nodded and said: "It's almost our turn."

The healers entered quickly and came out even quicker.

At this speed, Qin An estimated that at most an incense stick's time, it would be their turn.

When the healers entered, patrolling officers also entered with them.

The patrolling officers' expressions were the same as the healers', all wore worried looks.

At this moment, the bronze token at Qin An's waist vibrated.

Wuo Lin's voice sounded in Qin An's mind: "Everyone, when you go in later, pretend to examine and then act accordingly when you come out."

As soon as this sentence was finished, many patrolling bronze officers said the same thing.

Qin An frowned, not understanding the meaning of this sentence.

But Wuo Lin seemed unwilling to explain further, just urging everyone to do as instructed.

Though curious, Qin An didn't ask more questions.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was Sang Yang Elder's turn to enter.

Sang Yang Elder turned and said: "Let's go, young friend."

Qin An didn't waste words, stood up, and entered the main hall with Sang Yang Elder.

...

The main hall stood majestically, the vermilion pillars reflecting a deep sheen under the sunlight, seemingly embodying centuries of solemnity.

The glazed tiles on the roof shimmered with cold azure light in the breeze, with the ridge beasts crouching at the eaves appearing to claw and bite, as if they sought to tear the souls of intruders.

The hall was dimly lit, with only a few strands of sunlight slanting through the carved wooden lattice windows, highlighting the floating dust particles.

The gilded chairs rose high, the coiled dragon patterns on the backrests faintly visible in the shadows.

The bronze crane candlesticks on either side had long since extinguished, leaving only solidified wax tears, reminiscent of drooping bloodstains.

Zhang Chunyang sat high on the throne, nodding slightly when he saw Sang Yang Elder and Qin An enter.

"Please, begin both of you."

Sang Yang Elder wasted no words, stepped forward, and placed his hand on Zhang Chunyang's wrist.

The previously confident expression suddenly changed, withdrawing his hand in confusion, placing it aside.

This expression made Qin An frown slightly.

He knew Sang Yang Elder's character, a man extremely proud yet graceful.

Such an expression would never appear on Sang Yang Elder's face.

Sang Yang Elder gave Zhang Chunyang a complex look, then turned his gaze to Qin An, saying: "Young man, you give it a try."

He spoke nothing of the illness and said nothing else, just instructed Qin An to have a try.

Qin An nodded slightly, resting one hand on the Cold Star Saber's handle, while stepping forward to place his left hand on Zhang Chunyang's wrist.

The robust elder in front of him looked on with calm eyes, as serene as an autumn lake.

Qin An, possessing a level five healer profession, immediately noticed the anomaly upon probing Zhang Chunyang's pulse, his brows furrowing.

A tremendously potent toxin lurked within Zhang Chunyang's body, poised to erupt like a rushing river, endangering Zhang Chunyang's life at the slightest misstep.

However, this toxin was deeply hidden, requiring an in-depth investigation to find a solution.

Having the healer profession, Qin An understood that further examination steps were extremely complex.

Yet other healers, including Sang Yang Elder, merely checked the pulse briefly and ended the examination.

This wasn't right.

Just as Qin An was thinking this, a voice sounded in his ear.

"Young friend, do not be alarmed, this is the Pure Yang Sound Transmission Skill, only you can hear it."

Qin An raised his head slightly, exchanging a glance with Zhang Chunyang, remaining silent.

Zhang Chunyang's expression remained calm, yet voices were transmitted into Qin An's ears through Pure Yang Power.

"I am afflicted by a strange poison and my end is near, I will use a Yang Elixir as a medium to activate the Profound Sun Sect's Pure Yang Array to suppress the poison."

"The Sect Leader is allied with the Thousand-legged Cave demons, I intend to perish with them."

"Later, young friend, act unaware. After leaving, I will have you considered for a private room to discuss the illness, which contains a secret passage for escaping the Profound Sun Sect."

"Wishing you well, young friend."

One sentence after another entered his ears, and after Qin An finished listening, he looked up and met Zhang Chunyang's gaze.

He finally understood why Wuo Lin said to feign confusion and also realized why those healers would diagnose and treat so swiftly.

These people had all received Zhang Chunyang's Secret Technique through sound transmission.

After noticing Qin An's gaze, Zhang Chunyang paused slightly and transmitted again.

"Everything is due to my own fault; I did not strictly discipline my child, who fell in love with a demon creature, bringing back a strange poison, which I inadvertently consumed, causing this disaster."

"I have wronged the entire Profound Sun Sect. Today, I atone for my sins with my death. My young friend, there are still good disciples in the sect. I hope the Evil Extermination Bureau will forgive the innocent disciples of the sect."

"With my life, I wish to offset the sins of the Profound Sun Sect."

After saying this, Zhang Chunyang returned to calmness, as if he did not want to speak any further.

Qin An released his hand, gently tapping the scabbard at his waist, then stood up and came in front of the elder Sang Yang.

"Let's go."

Elder Sang Yang raised an eyebrow and glanced at Qin An, secretly thinking that there was something amiss with this young man.

But he did not say much, leaving the main hall with Qin An and returning to their seats outside.

One after another, healers entered the main hall.

Elder Sang Yang, aware of the Profound Sun Sect's issue, feared eavesdroppers and did not converse with Qin An.

Until all the mountain patrol copper guards had entered, the vibration of the copper token became more apparent.

Qin An transferred True Qi into it, immediately sensing the information within the copper token.

"Mr. Qin, how should we proceed?" Liao Yang transmitted and inquired.

After a brief contemplation, Qin An replied, "Stay."

Wuo Lin expressed concern, "Zhang Chunyang has a Returning to Storage Realm cultivation, and even he speaks of mutual destruction. Their cultivation is certainly not low, staying might be dangerous."

Qin An shook his head, his gaze sweeping over Elder Sang Yang and Wild Bull: "He uses the Pure Yang Array as a lead to suppress the strange poison, allowing for mutual destruction. What if two Gui Cang be added?"

Upon hearing this, the copper token fell silent.

This was Qin An's plan.

Elder Sang Yang and Wild Bull beside him were both in the Gui Cang Realm.

During the retreat, he could seek their opinions.

If they were willing to stay and assist, Qin An thought it worth a risky attempt, especially since it involved the Yang Elixir.

If they were unwilling, then even if the Yang Elixir was there, Qin An would retreat first.

After a long silence, Liao Yang's voice reappeared.

"Let's do it! This would be a great merit!"

Mountain patrol guards perform tasks for merits.

Risks are certain; many patrol guards die each year.

If one fears death, who would become a patrol guard?

After risk comes considerable gain.

Upon hearing this, all the other mountain patrol copper guards agreed.

At this time, all the healers had finished diagnosing and treating.

Every healer feigned a confused expression, as if genuinely encountering a stubborn ailment.

The Grand Elder took in everyone's expressions, a slight upward curve on his lips.

He felt secure.

The strange poison afflicting Zhang Chunyang was one even the Hundred Medicine Valley couldn't handle, how could these healers possibly resolve it?

Once these healers are escorted away, he could control the Profound Sun Sect.

By then, he could certainly use the Yang Elixir to advance into the Gui Cang realm.

While pondering this, a voice suddenly echoed inside the main hall.

"Come, guide these healers to the side hall to discuss a treatment plan."

Subsequently, a disciple emerged from the main hall, beginning to lead the people present to another place.

Seeing this, the Grand Elder's eyes filled with more derision.

"Still not wishing to die, but in this world, wishing not to die doesn't mean you won't die."

He believed Zhang Chunyang was stalling for time, but it was futile, so he didn't bother to intervene.

Under the disciple's guidance, everyone arrived at a magnificent side hall.

Although the side hall was much smaller than the main hall, it was large enough to accommodate numerous healers.

The disciple stepped forward, cautiously closing the door.

Then, the hidden path of the side hall opened, and numerous disciples quickly streamed in.

One young disciple stepped forward, saying, "Everyone, please follow me to leave through the hidden passage."

The disciple's eyes had a trace of sorrow, as if knowing what their Sect Leader intended but powerless to prevent it.

The hidden passage behind them was pitch dark.

Many of the healers exchanged glances before collectively walking toward the hidden passage.

They came to heal, not to court death; none stayed behind.

Qin An turned to Elder Sang Yang, asking, "Senior, what do you think?"

Elder Sang Yang patted Wild Bull's head, saying, "Since there's demonic disturbance, I naturally cannot sit idle."

Qin An raised an eyebrow, "I thought Senior only looked after health, uninterested in mundane affairs."

Elder Sang Yang helplessly responded, "If that were so, why would the General Prefecture be on good terms with me?"

Qin An recalled the scene when Elder Sang Yang delivered a letter.

The letter contained critical content; without the General Prefecture's trust, Elder Sang Yang wouldn't have been sent.

Wild Bull mooed, "Kid, you owe this old bull a favor."

Qin An laughed, "Indeed so."

Wild Bull swayed its tail, "If things become untenable, this old bull will help the old fellow and you escape, but as for the other patrol guards…"

Liao Yang heard this, his mouth twitching slightly, "No need to trouble yourself. Once a patrol guard, life and death are already set aside."

He truly hadn't expected Qin An to enlist the help of two Returning to Storage Realm experts.

With ability, with status, and with connections.

Such networking, even being an elder of the Hundred Medicine Valley.

He felt Qin An's future prospects would surely not stop at a mountain patrol copper guard.

Wuo Lin looked at Qin An with a hint of respect in her eyes.

Though she didn't speak, her eyes said it all.

A disciple stepped forward, asking, "Aren't the lords leaving?"

Qin An stood gripping his saber, "Since accepting the task, naturally I should give it a try."

The disciple bit his lip, refraining from further persuasion, then led the numerous disciples into the hidden passage, quickly vanishing.

At this moment, only the mountain patrol guards remained.

Above the Profound Sun Sect, Zhang Chunyang's desolate voice echoed.

"Come on…"

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