Time flies, and several days pass like a fleeting moment.

Lingzhou City is still bustling with traffic, with shops lined up one after another, yet beneath this prosperous facade lies an unusual undercurrent.

In the Evil Extermination Bureau, figures scurry around, and lately, a hint of joy can be seen between the brows of everyone.

Thanks to Qin An revealing Elder Monkey's ultimate goal, the matter of the Four Yin Daughter has been effectively resolved, delivering a significant blow to the Demon Temple.

At least, it will take a long time for the Demon Temple to find something else to please the Demon Transformation Pool.

During this time, not only has the pressure on the main state been alleviated, but the entire Evil Extermination Bureau has also been significantly relieved.

The state officials within the bureau unconsciously stop and gaze when passing by a certain courtyard.

That's where Qin An, the dual expert in fists and blades, resides.

Being able to share the pressure from the main state is closely tied to the news brought by Qin An.

If it weren't for the information Qin An discovered, the Demon Temple's plan might have succeeded.

Therefore, many state officials in the Evil Extermination Bureau are very interested in Qin An.

But for some reason, ever since Qin An went out last time, he's been staying in Lingzhou.

Every day, he moves between the Evil Extermination Bureau and the book house.

Though puzzled by why this Evil Star suddenly became engrossed in books, no one dares to speculate recklessly.

After all, Qin An's experience is right here; he is the person with the fastest promotion rate in Lingzhou in recent years.

It's not just about strength, but also status.

Someone once said that the emblem of the Mountain Patrolling Gold Official might soon hang on this person's waist.

That role is more noble than a Jinzhou Official.

Even if Qin An stays longer in Lingzhou, they believe there must be a reason for it.

At this moment.

In the small courtyard where Qin An resides.

A state official happens to pass by and hears a sigh from inside the house, immediately pricking up his ears.

However, after this sigh ends, no more sounds come from the house.

The state official thought he could hear some gossip about Qin An to boast about it in the Music Bureau with his colleagues later.

But unfortunately, there was nothing.

After the state official slowly leaves, the door to Qin An's courtyard suddenly opens from within.

Qin An steps out in dark clothes, shattering the morning light, the sheath of his Cold Star Saber at his waist gleaming coldly.

The sun outside the window is just right, bathing him in a warm glow.

However, Qin An's brows slightly furrow.

Over the last ten or so days, he hasn't left Lingzhou, his scholar profession has reached the pinnacle of its current level, yet he faces a challenge.

In front of him, snake-like characters float in mid-air.

[Scholar lv.8 (2000/2000): Your reading speed has greatly increased, and you have photographic memory]

[Talent: Gui Cang Realm Heart Method comprehension at Great Success, Gui Cang Realm Heart Method epiphany at Great Success]

[Promotion Condition: Write the Bodhi Vajra Ice and Fire Scripture with the blood of a Gui Cang Realm monster (0/1)]

After reaching full proficiency, what's required isn't reading a book but writing the Heart Method with demon blood.

Moreover, it requires the blood of a Gui Cang Realm monster to write.

This condition is unprecedented, but since it appeared, it must be completed for the scholar profession to undergo its third transformation, reaching the level of nine.

This is also why Qin An is leaving today.

The lure of level nine is just too great, not only elevating his innate talent to Gui Cang Realm mastery, allowing Qin An to save more demon essence to enter the Pulse Condensation Realm.

Moreover, it will allow Qin An to acquire new talents.

Since he's trained to this point, he must go for the promotion.

"It's time to stretch my legs."

Qin An pulls out a silver plaque from his waist, channeling True Qi into it.

Finding a Gui Cang Realm monster and using its blood to write a Heart Method isn't difficult.

It just requires finding the appropriate task, which for a Mountain Patrolling Official, is the simplest and most effective way.

Qin An bathes in the sunlight, carefully sorting through under the sun.

Soon after, he finds the closest task to Lingzhou.

[The Danger of the Earth Element Sect]

[The Earth Element Sect has seemingly offended a Gui Cang Realm monster, with disciples recently disappearing; investigate and eliminate the demon]

This is the closest to Lingzhou but is still a hundred miles away.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin An takes on the task.

If he can slay the Gui Cang Realm monster, he can smoothly advance to level nine as a scholar.

But before that, Qin An needs to visit the Confidential Library to exchange for a Gui Cang Realm Heart Method first.

The journey is long, and if he needs to return after promotion to advance to the Pulse Condensation Realm, it would be somewhat time-consuming for Qin An.

Qin An puts away his silver plaque, stops thinking further, and heads towards the Confidential Library.

...

After entering the Confidential Library, Qin An searches among the Heart Methods for a while, finally exchanging for one called the Thousand Buddha Scripture.

Heart Methods are rarer than Cultivation Techniques, and even the Evil Extermination Bureau doesn't have many Gui Cang Realm Heart Methods.

The one Qin An found happens to complement the Bodhi Vajra Ice and Fire Scripture, ensuring no issues arise.

After selecting, Qin An also has the Internal Affairs Department exchange for demon essence.

He hasn't taken on tasks for a long time, and with recent exchanges for many Cultivation Techniques, there aren't many merits left to exchange.

But Qin An values stability; demon essence not only aids in deducing Heart Methods but is also crucial for the Blood-Burning Dragon Demon Hand, essential without a doubt.

Merits can be earned again, life is only one; Qin An won't underestimate it.

Until gathering fifteen pieces of demon essence, Qin An returns to his residence.

After silently memorizing the Thousand Buddha Scripture, Qin An requests a fast horse from an Internal Affairs Department official, heading to Lingzhou's official road.

Many state officials watch Qin An's figure gradually recede, unconsciously thinking.

"This Evil Star is off again; which demon is going to suffer now?"

...

On the official road, dust billows.

A fast horse gallops unceasingly, day and night, eventually reaching the front of a mountain peak.

Qin An sits on the horseback, squinting at the scenery ahead.

Majestic peaks pierce the clouds, and the exposed cliffs shimmer with a hard, cold gray-blue under the sunlight.

Around the mountain waist, creamy white mist coils like a sluggish giant python lazily swimming.

The piercing mountain wind swept past the rugged rocks, emitting a sharp howl and swirling a few withered grass leaves in the air.

This mountain peak didn't possess the feeling of green mountains and clear waters; instead, it exuded an earthy and unpretentious atmosphere.

And atop this mountain peak sat the Tuxing Sect, a force within the martial world.

The Tuxing Sect was considered a prominent power in Lingzhou, among which were masters of the Gui Cang Realm.

The disciples in the sect practiced a cultivation technique named Earth Element Skill, a powerful defensive method, which, when deployed, could cover the entire body with earth-yellow True Qi.

While defending, it also possessed the power of attack, but compared to defense, the attacking power appeared somewhat insufficient.

At this moment, on the mountain path, two disciples were anxiously keeping watch.

Upon noticing Qin An approaching on horseback, the two disciples instantly behaved like startled birds.

"Who is it!"

One of the disciples blocked Qin An's path, speaking heavily.

Recently, the Tuxing Sect had provoked a demon of the Gui Cang Realm.

According to reason, the Tuxing Sect wouldn't be afraid, but this Gui Cang Realm demon greatly restrained the Tuxing Sect.

Even the Sect Leader barely escaped death because of it.

If the demon wasn't deterred by the large number of people in Tuxing Sect, the sect might have already faced annihilation.

Yet despite this, Tuxing Sect often had disciples dying at the hands of the demon.

Under such a dark atmosphere, even these two mountain-guarding disciples felt anxious.

Qin An came closer, dismounted, and presented the silver badge at his waist: "Evil Extermination Bureau Mountain Patrol Silver Officer, here to lend Tuxing Sect a helping hand."

The mission wasn't complicated, just needed the demon to be killed; thus, Qin An didn't plan to conceal his identity.

An identity is something used to resolve unnecessary trouble in certain situations.

Stepping forward, the disciple was slightly stunned; after verifying the authenticity of the silver badge, he was overjoyed: "Greetings, sir! Please follow me!"

His words were filled with evident excitement.

Several days ago, the Sect Leader said he had already reported to the Evil Extermination Bureau, which naturally wouldn't disregard it.

They hadn't thought someone would be dispatched so quickly, and it was even a Mountain Patrol Silver Officer.

This is someone on par with a Jinzhou Officer, with every Mountain Patrol Silver Officer being a Gui Cang Realm expert, and due to being in the Evil Extermination Bureau, their depth and secret techniques are countless.

With the assistance of the Mountain Patrol Silver Officer, they would surely be able to resolve the crisis.

Qin An slightly nodded: "Lead me inside."

Another disciple came forward, took the reins from Qin An's hand, and led Qin An up along the mountain path.

With someone to lead the way, there was naturally no obstruction.

The journey was extremely smooth until Qin An arrived at the main hall of the Tuxing Sect.

Many disciples of the Tuxing Sect had gloomy faces, like walking corpses.

But when they saw the silver badge at Qin An's waist, a glimmer of hope appeared through their gloom.

After the disciple led Qin An to sit down, he respectfully clasped fists: "Please, sir, rest for a while. I will go invite the Sect Leader."

Such an important matter naturally required the Sect Leader to come personally.

Qin An nodded, picked up the nearby tea, and took a sip.

The disciple soon left.

And then, half an incense stick of time later, a middle-aged man in a long earth-yellow robe with long whiskers entered the hall.

The man with long whiskers exuded a Gui Cang Realm aura, but his current state was not good.

His face was as pale as paper, and even when entering, he was supported by disciples, seemingly ready to collapse at any moment.

"I am Peng Xing; greetings, sir!"

The Tuxing Sect Leader Peng Xing had just entered and immediately saluted Qin An.

According to rank, a Mountain Patrol Silver Officer held a much higher status than him.

Even if he was a Gui Cang Realm expert, to a Mountain Patrol Silver Officer deeply rooted, killing him would merely take some time.

Qin An squinted his eyes, setting down the teacup: "Mr. Peng, please sit."

Mr. Peng didn't hesitate, sitting down on the chair with the disciples' assistance.

Just after sitting down, Mr. Peng spat out a mouthful of blood.

Fortunately, he covered his mouth with a handkerchief in time, thus not losing demeanor.

Qin An frowned: "Even being the same Gui Cang Realm, you shouldn't be wounded this severely."

Mr. Peng revealed a bitter smile: "Sir, it's not known to you, although the opponent's strength is similar to mine, I am tightly restrained by him."

"The Tuxing Sect excels in earth attribute cultivation technique, while the opponent is a Locust Tree Demon..."

At this point, Mr. Peng didn't continue, but everything was already implied.

Qin An rubbed the handle of the Cold Star Saber: "I see."

If this were the case, then the situation seemed justifiable.

The five elements mutually generate and restrain; it's already lucky enough for the restrained ones to survive.

"Where is the demon now?" Qin An asked.

Since he figured out the cause, he naturally wouldn't waste time.

Early Pulse Condensation is the most critical matter for Qin An.

Mr. Peng shook his head: "I don't know either, but yesterday when the demon took the sect's disciples, he left a message that today Tuxing Sect would suffer complete annihilation."

Qin An said indifferently: "What big talk."

Mr. Peng merely shook his head helplessly.

"From today, I will reside in the sect; I want to see what kind of demon it is."

Qin An said slowly.

Mr. Peng slightly nodded: "If the demon comes to offend, I will stake my life to advance and retreat with you, sir."

Perhaps because the task was newly issued, only Qin An, a Mountain Patrol Silver Officer, came.

Mr. Peng still felt slightly unsettled.

He saw Qin An's face seemed quite young, perhaps just promoted to a Mountain Patrol Silver Officer, so he said what he said before.

Qin An remained silent, neither explaining.

He came prepared, naturally donning the Human Skin Mask.

No matter how loud the name of "Double Piercing Martial Arts" sounded, Mr. Peng wouldn't recognize it at this moment.

Mr. Peng slowly rose: "Sir, I will first find a disciple to lead the sir to your room for rest."

No matter how you look at it, someone was sent by the Evil Extermination Bureau, which counts as alleviating the current crisis of Tuxing Sect, so he naturally treated them with courtesy.

But at this moment, the entire hall suddenly trembled, dust falling between the beams.

Qin An got up with his hand on the saber, his gaze suddenly gleaming coldly.

From outside the hall came the tragic screams of disciples, mixed with the eerie sound of some roots breaking through the ground, as if the entire mountain peak had come to life.

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