On the desolate mountain, a sudden chill rose, the cold like a blade, piercing straight into everyone's spine.

The corpses of the three Gui Cang Realm Mouse Demons were still warm, as Qin An approached with his blade, his entire aura of killing intent so tangible, it was fearsome.

"Escape!"

The Sixth Elder didn't hesitate, he spread his wings, ready to soar into the sky.

He initially thought this trap would surely kill Qin An, but now it seemed, it was nothing more than a ridiculous farce.

Kill Qin An?

Qin An butchers demons like dogs; how could he be killed?

The Mouse Demons of the Gui Cang Realm formed an array to attack, yet Qin An exterminated them all in an instant; how could such ferocity be opposed?

Even if the Sixth Elder exhausted his Secret Technique, he would still struggle to escape death.

If not to run now, then when?

The matter of revenge can be discussed another day.

As long as the green mountains remain, one need not worry about firewood; preserving one's life is paramount.

As the sound of the wind rose, a pair of iron fists suddenly gripped the Sixth Elder's right claw.

The Sixth Elder hurriedly turned back, meeting the cold, mocking gaze of Yang Yun, the Wind Chasing Fist.

Before he could react, a pipe fell from the sky, striking heavily on his skull.

"Dong!"

Intense pain accompanied by dizziness surged in.

The Sixth Elder staggered, his vision darkening.

Guo Jinfa smacked his lips: "Pretty hard head."

Before the words could settle, the pipe rained down continuously like a storm.

The Sixth Elder struggled frantically, but Yang Yun's two hands enclosed the wind, making his claws crack and unable to move.

After dozens of dull thuds, the Sixth Elder's head was a bloody mess. After a few spasms, he was lifeless.

Guo Jinfa grinned, conveniently gouging out the Demon Core, tossing it to Qin An: "This battle's chief merit is yours, as it should be."

In response to Guo Jinfa's action, Yang Yun nodded silently.

If Qin An hadn't turned the tide, they would have perished long ago.

The Patrol Guard acts according to its own rules.

Qin An flipped his hand to catch the Demon Core: "The fifth one."

The Demon Core dissolved upon contact, swiftly consumed entirely.

Qin An glanced towards where Qian Du was, his figure flickering, disappearing ghost-like.

Although the Shocking Dragon Wind and Cloud Step was only at the Great Success level of Jade Bone Realm, Qin An's performance in the Gui Cang Realm still wasn't slow.

At this moment, Qian Du was surrounded by toxins, attempting to force Peng Xiu back with constant expelling.

Yet Peng Xiu's spear like a dragon fractured the poisonous mist to pieces.

As they say, a year for a stick, a lifetime for a spear; any Patrol Guard wielding a spear was no simple role.

One-on-one, Peng Xiu even held the upper hand.

Killing Qian Du was merely a matter of time.

Qian Du suddenly felt a chill on his back, turning to see Qin An's figure approaching, his expression turned aghast.

He was already struggling against Peng Xiu, and with Qin An joining the fray, how could he possibly fight?

Seeing the Sixth Elder's corpse was already cold, Qian Du gritted his teeth.

He knew the situation was lost, suddenly grinding his teeth with a furious shout.

Then, between Qian Du's chest and abdomen, toxins spread, with one eye after another appearing on it, counting up to twenty.

The twenty fierce eyes were originally shut, but under the stimulation of Qian Du's True Qi, they suddenly opened wide.

Twenty beams of fierce light shot out from the fierce eyes with blade-like sharpness, blasting directly towards Peng Xiu.

Peng Xiu felt his hair stand on end, instinctively activating his Secret Technique, covering the spear with a layer of fiery red, blocking in front of his chest.

"Ka!"

A crisp sound rang out, as the spear cracked in response, with fierce light piercing through, shooting towards Peng Xiu's chest.

As the fierce light neared his chest, Peng Xiu felt a sense of deathly foreboding welling up.

He knew, the prospects were grim.

Just then, a hand emerged from behind, grabbing Peng Xiu's collar, hurling him back...

Peng Xiu only felt his vantage point shift wildly, realizing he'd already landed on the ground by the time he reacted.

"Boom!"

The place where he stood just moments ago was blasted into a pit by the fierce light; had he not moved, he'd have been reduced to remains.

Peng Xiu scrambled up, clasping his hands towards Qin An: "Thank you, brother, for saving my life!"

Qin An said nothing, standing with the Cold Star in front of Qian Du, the aura of killing intent continuously expanding.

At that moment, Yang Yun and Guo Jinfa approached, completely sealing off the area around Qian Du.

Resentment flashed in Qian Du's eyes: "Qin An! This is all because of you!"

If not for Qin An today, they wouldn't face such a demise.

Guo Jinfa took a puff of his dry pipe: "The Qianzhu Cave Secret Skill, the Annihilation Golden Light, tsk tsk, using it will constantly consume one's internal energy and blood, never again to progress further, truly a sacrifice."

This Kind of Secret Technique has severe side effects, not to be used unless in a life-and-death moment.

Having used it means eternal Gui Cang, born incomplete, forever unable to progress.

Whether a cultivator or demon, the cost is significant.

"To be able to kill you all is enough!"

Qian Du let out a fierce roar, twenty fierce eyes emitted golden fierce lights once more.

Golden, supposed to be sacred and majestic, but emanating extinction when shot from the fierce eyes.

The ten beams struck out separately, targeting Guo Jinfa and the others, while the remaining ten beams directly aimed at Qin An's throat.

Qian Du's hatred for Qin An had reached an extreme.

Since he paid such a price, Qin An's head was a must today.

Guo Jinfa and the others deployed Secret Techniques, dispersing all the fierce lights, retreating several steps.

Facing this extraordinary Secret Technique of the Gui Cang Realm required caution from all three of them.

After dispersing the golden lights, Guo Jinfa intended to lend Qin An a hand.

Qin An faced a full onslaught of ten golden lights; he worried Qin An might not handle it.

Yet, in the next moment, he realized he was mistaken.

Qin An stabbed backward with the Cold Star.

The terrifying power of ice and fire spread with overwhelming might, dispersing five golden beams.

The remaining golden light avoided the Cold Star, sweeping towards Qin An's chest.

Qin An's expression remained unchanged, his left hand forming a fist.

He punched out, unstoppable.

Blood-Burning Demon Hand!

A crazy aura erupted from his fist, Qin An seemingly a madman daring to punch the heavens at that moment.

The blood and energy of a Demon Core turned to void, transforming into sky-high blood energy in an instant, combined with the power of ice and fire, gathered into Qin An's left fist.

The punch, unstoppable as it was, shattered all five golden beams, carrying unmatched force, landing on Qian Du's chest.

"Boom!"

A dull rumbling sound emerged, resembling distant thunder and instilling fear in one's heart.

Qian Du let out a miserable scream as all twenty vicious eyes were destroyed by the power of ice and fire, becoming bloody and indistinct.

Qin An performed the Shocking Dragon Wind and Cloud Step, stepping forward to transform into a fleeting shadow.

By the time his figure became clear, Qin An had already arrived behind Qian Du.

With a flash of Cold Star Saber light, a head flew up.

Qin An held the head with his left hand while his right hand, stained with blood that dripped like a chain of beads from the blade, was dyed red by the cold star.

The headless corpse collapsed to the ground, twitching for a moment before lying still.

Qin An casually tossed Qian Du's head to the ground, expressionless as he extracted the demon essence from the corpse and absorbed it into his body.

In today's battle, after accounting for the demon essence used, five pieces of demon essence were obtained.

Coupled with the rewards earned, Qin An could return and exchange the remaining two Cultivation Techniques for full upgrades to the initial Gui Cang Realm.

At present, there was no more combat in the desolate mountains.

However, what met the eye was a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.

Some small demons of the Body Storage Realm and Jade Bone Realm were slain by Peng Xiu and others.

As for their blood marrow, Qin An did not concern himself.

He had already gained the main advantage.

Five pieces of demon essence were enough to cover five hundred pieces of blood marrow.

Even though the Evil Extermination Bureau was a governmental force, it had to pay attention to human relationships and practices.

This, Qin An understood.

Once the battlefield was thoroughly cleared, Peng Xiu and Yang Yun exchanged glances, solemnly clasped their fists, and spoke in unison.

"Thank you, brother, for saving our lives. May we ask your honorable name?"

Though all were here for the task, the fact remained that he saved their lives.

Qin An replied indifferently, "Qin An."

He had no intention of hiding his name.

Currently, he needed reputation and prestige to fend off the upper echelons' secret investigations.

Once his worth surpassed that of Yang Elixir, everything would naturally be resolved.

"Do you have a title?" Yang Yun asked.

Qin An frowned and said, "What is a title?"

Guo Jinfa, holding a smoking pipe, explained, "When traveling the martial world, the more famed deeds you accomplish, the titles will naturally follow."

"It's not self-appointed but given by others in the martial world as a form of acknowledgment."

Peng Xiu pointed to the broken long spear and said, "For example, I am known in the martial world as the Flaming Spear."

Yang Yun chimed in, "I am known as Wind Chasing Fist."

Qin An realized and turned his gaze to Guo Jinfa, asking, "Old Guo, what are you called?"

Guo Jinfa's face stiffened, and his mouth twitched slightly before he looked aside, "Titles are unnecessary to mention."

Yang Yun curiously said, "Why doesn't Mr. Guo mention the Old Smoking Pipe title?"

Guo Jinfa: "..."

Qin An patted Guo Jinfa's shoulder and asked, "Have you found the first person who coined this title?"

Guo Jinfa instinctively gripped his smoking pipe, "I'm searching for them. When I find them, I will tear their mouth apart."

During their discussion, each already knew the others' information.

The mission was accomplished, clearing one of Qin An's major worries so that his reputation wouldn't be harmed.

Qin An planned to return to the Evil Extermination Bureau.

This trip had earned him merits and demon essence; he intended to upgrade the remaining Jade Bone Cultivation Technique to Gui Cang Realm to tackle stronger enemies.

At that moment, an anomaly suddenly appeared.

The corpse of Qian Du lying on the ground began to shudder, and suddenly, the twenty bloody vicious eyes emitted several beams of fierce light.

The fierce light gathered and transformed into a shadow.

The shadow emanated a powerful aura, gradually coalescing into an old white-haired monkey.

When the old white-haired monkey appeared, Guo Jinfa and others clenched their weapons, their eyes revealing a trace of seriousness.

"Demon Hall, Elder Monkey!"

Qin An rubbed the Cold Star Saber, squinting his eyes.

This was only a shadow, not posing a real threat, but Qin An sensed a familiar aura from it.

"Tree Lord?"

When he killed Tree Lord back then, the shadow of this Demon Hall had appeared before.

Now it reappeared, likely harboring ill intentions.

Though Elder Monkey resembled a white-haired monkey, he wore a human scholar's robe, possessing some scholarly air.

His gaze fell upon Qin An, his voice raspy, "Failed again, you're really hard to kill."

Qin An replied indifferently, "They were simply not strong enough."

Elder Monkey shook his head, "Ever since Tree Lord died, old man thought you had the potential to rise. Regrettably, I'm dealing with the Demon Transformation Pool now."

"This head will temporarily remain on your neck. After the Demon Transformation Pool issue is resolved, I'll personally come to claim it."

Qin An raised his eyebrows, "You are welcome anytime."

The feud with Demon Hall, originating from Tree Lord, had become too tangled to unravel.

As for Elder Monkey's words, Qin An naturally took them lightly.

After saying those words, Elder Monkey vanished.

The surroundings returned to tranquility.

Guo Jinfa said gravely, "This demon possesses not only strong abilities but is also the Demon Hall strategist. To be targeted by him is quite dangerous."

Qin An gestured with his hand, "It's alright."

To rise, one needs blood and merits.

For merits, one must slay demons and eliminate evils.

Qin An was mentally prepared long before.

With matters settled, Qin An didn't wish to linger.

After bidding farewell to everyone with a clasped fist, he headed towards Lingzhou.

As for Guo Jinfa, he was originally here to deliver a silver token to Qin An. Completing the task was merely convenient; of course, he wouldn't return to Lingzhou.

After Qin An left, Guo Jinfa and others also departed one after another.

Feng Mountain regained its tranquility, leaving behind only a battlefield of demon corpses.

...

Lingzhou.

Qin An returned the horse to the Internal Affairs Department's state official and immediately headed for the Confidential Library.

This trip back was meant to exchange the Body Technique and defense method, advancing both Cultivation Techniques to the Gui Cang Realm.

All around were bustling state officials.

Before Qin An could reach the Confidential Library, many state captains hurriedly rushed to a specific location.

Qin An furrowed his brows and halted upon hearing an urgent shout from a passing state captain.

"Quick, Mr. Wan has gone mad, rush to support immediately!"

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