Deep in the dark dense forest, the dull sound of a blade piercing flesh suddenly broke the silence.

Elder Monkey's rapidly moving figure abruptly froze, every hair on his body standing on end, his eyes filled with an unmistakable fear.

Not far away, Lord Deer's head fell to the ground with a thud.

The scorching blood of Pure Yang soaked the soil, glinting dark red under the moonlight.

Qin An held a blood-dripping antler in his left hand, and in his right, the Cold Star Saber's edge lightly vibrated, blood droplets splattering: "Is that it?"

His tone was as calm as still water, yet the murderous intent it carried was cold as ice.

"One slash... killed Lord Deer?"

The folding fan in Elder Monkey's hand trembled, unable to believe the scene unfolding before him.

Lord Deer, endowed with Pure Yang bloodline, was a top expert even in the Pulse Condensation Realm, yet he couldn't withstand even half a move.

Even if they underestimated the enemy, such a crushing display still sent chills down his spine.

A flash of cold light appeared.

Qin An extracted the demon crystal and absorbed it into his body.

One demon crystal could equal a hundred demon essences.

This trip had yielded a considerable harvest.

After finishing, Qin An raised his right hand, the saber's tip suddenly pointing at Elder Monkey: "Your turn."

As soon as the words fell, the Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step began, and before the afterimage dispersed, he was already like a ghost approaching swiftly.

The Cold Star Saber reflected the moon, like a life-seeking phosphorous flame.

Elder Monkey felt a penetrating chill, the fear of death swirling in his heart.

He raised his hand to throw the folding fan and turned to flee.

He couldn't fight, absolutely couldn't fight.

Though he was indeed an Elder of the Demon Hall, he was a strategist and not notable for combat prowess.

His confidence in facing Qin An was not only because their side held an advantage in the Pulse Condensation Realm but also due to Lord Deer's restraint over the Blood Burning Secret Skill.

Now that Lord Deer was killed by Qin An in one slash, how could just a Pulse Condensation Realm demon like him be Qin An's match?

"Such deep thought, from the moment he appeared, he has been holding back!"

"He hadn't used any saber techniques all along just to confuse us, making us think he only had the Blood Burning Secret Skill!"

"To possess such saber skills yet not forcibly advance, this youngster's caution, no wonder he's survived till now!"

While fleeing, Elder Monkey already understood Qin An's intentions.

Along with surprise, there was a growing fear of Qin An.

Qin An swung his saber horizontally, slicing the folding fan into two.

When he looked up, he saw Elder Monkey's figure disappearing into the dense forest.

"You can't escape," Qin An's tone was as icy as cold stone.

He came today to take Elder Monkey's head.

Only by bringing this head back could those hundreds of lost lives rest in peace.

The Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step was deployed, transforming Qin An into a ghostly figure, chasing after Elder Monkey.

In the dense forest, the dynamics of attack and defense shifted.

Elder Monkey was drenched in sweat, it dripped down along his fur, but there was no time to wipe it.

He could feel the sound of the wind closing in from behind but dared not look back, fearing it would delay his escape.

"Qin An! Spare my life!"

"I'm willing to act as a spy for the Evil Extermination Bureau within the Demon Hall, providing intel on the Demon Transformation Pool!"

"As long as you spare me..."

Elder Monkey begged hoarsely.

There was no response from behind, only the footsteps growing ever closer.

Qin An's eyes were cold as water, his steps intercrossing, the distance between him and Elder Monkey now less than ten zhang.

"A spy? Not necessary."

"Surveillance Guards only kill, not pardon. Just give me your head."

With that said, Qin An closed the distance a few more zhang, thrusting the Cold Star towards Elder Monkey's back.

Upon hearing the sound, Elder Monkey was filled with the feeling of impending death, hurriedly sidestepping, only to see Qin An's Cold Star brushing past, shocking him to the core.

Had he been a bit slower, this Straight Blade would have pierced him through, leaving a gaping hole.

"You can't kill me!" Elder Monkey exclaimed in fear: "I have connections in Xunyang Prefecture, my godfather is a great demon there. If you kill me, my uncle will resent you, and you will die without a body to bury!"

He had run out of bargaining chips.

Not even Demon Hall's intel could sway Qin An; he could only pin his hopes on his own backing.

If Qin An feared Xunyang Prefecture's power, there was a chance he could live.

A flash of cold light passed through, the Cold Star piercing Elder Monkey's back with unmatched might.

Three-colored True Qi permeated the blade, covering Elder Monkey's entire body from the back.

Intense pain spread, Elder Monkey felt his limbs turning cold.

This was the sign of impending death.

His vision blurred, seeing Qin An's figure approach, leaning close to his ear.

A whispering voice sounded.

"Foolish."

"There's no one alive here, kill you...who would know?"

The Cold Star was pulled out by Qin An, blood splattering across the ground.

Elder Monkey's vision went black, his internal organs torn to shreds by the three-colored True Qi, he fell to the ground convulsing incessantly.

Qin An stood with his saber, decapitating Elder Monkey with a single slash: "Truly a Pulse Condensation Realm great demon, he still managed to linger this long."

The body on the ground ceased twitching, transforming into a headless, white-furred old monkey.

Qin An extracted the demon crystal from Elder Monkey's body, absorbed it, and nodded in satisfaction.

"A decent haul, and another threat eliminated."

Since the Tree Lord incident, Elder Monkey had been like a nightmare, lingering in Qin An's mind.

Now with Elder Monkey killed by his hand, a weight lifted completely from Qin An's heart.

Though there were still matters with the Demon Hall and the Yang Elixir, these could be dealt with gradually.

The crisis resolved, Qin An did not linger, vanishing into a fleeting shadow.

Today's purpose was solely to decapitate, and with that accomplished, he planned to return to the Evil Extermination Bureau to hone his blacksmithing craft.

At least before the Demon Transformation Pool event, he aimed to master several professions to level nine.

With Qin An's departure, tranquility returned to the scene, leaving only Elder Monkey's body lying silently.

After approximately a stick of incense's time, two footsteps sounded.

Heifeng's face was covered in sweat as he watched Qin An's disappearing figure, a hint of apprehension in his eyes.

Footsteps sounded from behind him.

Zhao Wuhuan held a folding fan, gently swaying it: "Scared?"

Heifeng wiped the sweat from his forehead, cautiously saying, "This kid's strength is truly remarkable. Just having entered the Pulse Condensation Realm, he can independently slay two great demons, truly terrifying."

The scene of Qin An battling the two Pulse Condensation Realm demons was all witnessed by Heifeng and Zhao Wuhuan.

Zhao Wuhuan walked to the corpse of Elder Monkey, lifting his foot to grind it: "What kind of trash dares to use a fan?"

Seeing this, Heifeng slightly twitched his mouth, already accustomed to the mindset of this old superior.

"Sir..."

He was just about to speak, but Zhao Wuhuan interrupted him.

"There's nothing to say. I'm becoming more and more interested in him."

Zhao Wuhuan gently swayed the fan: "Just now, in that saber technique, did you discern any specific patterns?"

Heifeng thought for a moment, his face changing drastically: "It's a shadow of the Blood Transformation Saber!"

Zhao Wuhuan nodded: "That's right, it's derived from the Blood Transformation Saber, but it includes more ferocity and explosiveness. Combining two saber techniques in just two days, what does this signify?"

Heifeng shook his head: "I don't know, sir."

Zhao Wuhuan's eyes gleamed with a sharp light: "Such terrifying talent is rarely seen in the world. Even those prodigies from Xunyang Prefecture can only look up to him."

Heifeng pondered for a moment, nodding slightly, agreeing with Zhao Wuhuan's assertion.

In just two days, integrating the Blood Transformation Saber with his own, this is unheard of even in Xunyang Prefecture.

This alone is enough to showcase his terrifying talent, incomparable to ordinary people.

Zhao Wuhuan continued: "I'll speak, you write."

Upon hearing this, Heifeng hurriedly took out a small notebook from his bosom, patiently waiting.

Zhao Wuhuan pondered for a moment, then loudly said: "Over a hundred lives were claimed by the demons, and Qin An, with just the initial Pulse Condensation cultivation, ventured alone, slaying two Pulse Condensation Realm demons amidst the crisis."

Heifeng hastily lowered his head to record, but paused slightly halfway: "Crisis?"

What crisis?

From the start of the fight to the end, everything was within Qin An's plan.

First feigning weakness, then strongly slaying Lord Deer, and then pursuing Elder Monkey.

Qin An was like a director, controlling everything.

Where was the crisis to be seen?

Zhao Wuhuan, displeased, said: "I said record it, so record it; don't talk nonsense!"

Heifeng shivered, realizing his lapse, and quickly recorded Zhao Wuhuan's words honestly.

Zhao Wuhuan paused for a moment, then closed the folding fan with a snap: "This person is exceptionally talented and ventured for the sake of the people, being natural material for demon slaying and evil eradication. I need to continue observing to conclude the matter of the Yang Elixir."

With these words, Heifeng had already recorded everything.

He knew very well that every sentence here would influence the judgment of those above regarding Qin An.

"Still need observation?" Heifeng asked, puzzled.

For today's matter, if Heifeng were someone above, he would certainly relieve Qin An from the Yang Elixir matter.

But Zhao Wuhuan said further observation was needed, which confused Heifeng.

Zhao Wuhuan shook his head: "The affair of the Yang Elixir is no small matter. I need to see Qin An's performance through the Demon Transformation Pool, and as of now, Qin An is just acceptable."

Heifeng slightly nodded and put away the small booklet.

Zhao Wuhuan pondered for a moment and took out a cultivation technique from his bosom, handing it to Heifeng: "Find an opportunity to give this cultivation technique to Qin An, without revealing your identity."

Heifeng took a look and found the words "Eight Forged Fist" written on it, a Daoist Gui Cang Realm boxing technique.

"Why give it to him?"

Although Gui Cang Realm Cultivation Techniques are not very important in Xunyang Prefecture, they are still cultivation techniques that many Loose Cultivators do not have the privilege to access.

Zhao Wuhuan smiled slightly: "He claims to be adept at both fist and saber. I've already seen his saber talent; next is his fist talent. Remember, this investigation is not only about his determination to slay demons but also his skills."

"Virtue without talent cannot be utilized."

"Only with both virtue and talent can one have the posture of a prodigy."

Upon hearing this, Heifeng immediately understood Zhao Wuhuan's intent.

The Gui Cang Realm cultivation technique, to Zhao Wuhuan, is but a trivial thing.

Using a small benefit to gain a more direct judgment is what Zhao Wuhuan needs.

But...

Heifeng's mouth twitched slightly: "How can I give it to him without leaving a trace?"

Last time, he already used Ye Lengyu's hand to give Qin An a saber technique, and now he has to give a fist technique, which might be difficult to handle.

Zhao Wuhuan headed towards the depths of the dense forest: "That's your problem, not mine."

Heifeng watched Zhao Wuhuan's figure disappear, sighed helplessly, and could only silently follow behind.

Shortly after, the two left the dense forest.

...

Evil Extermination Bureau.

When Qin An returned, it was already late with sparse stars in the sky.

He first found Yang Quanfeng to explain the matter of Elder Monkey, only then returning to his room amidst Yang Quanfeng's astonished expression.

As for how Yang Quanfeng would handle things after Elder Monkey's death, it was none of Qin An's concern.

The mountain patroller only kills but does not bury, responsible for killing but not burial.

"The matter of the Demon Transformation Pool is approaching..."

Qin An sat on the chair, watching the flickering candle flame on the table, and thought to himself: "And the noble person from the general state is about to arrive. Before that, I must focus on my proficiency."

The events of the day had drained quite a bit of Qin An's energy. He did not stay up late, blowing out the oil lamp before falling into a deep sleep.

...

The next day.

As the first ray of morning sunlight shone in, Qin An had already finished washing up and was heading towards the blacksmith's shop.

After arriving at the blacksmith's shop, because they were all old acquaintances, there was not much need for words.

Soon, a series of dull clanging sounds came from the blacksmith's shop.

Until nightfall, Qin An wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel and headed towards the Evil Extermination Bureau.

"Today, I've gained another two hundred points of proficiency, at this rate, it won't take long to level up the blacksmithing to level eight."

Taking advantage of the night, Qin An thought to himself: "Level nine is also within reach. Once I reach level nine, I'll take on tasks to exchange for the fist technique."

Thinking like this, Qin An was getting closer and closer to the Evil Extermination Bureau.

But just then, a sudden sound of footsteps arose.

Qin An turned his head and noticed a dirty beggar approaching.

The beggar held a cloth bundle in his hand, nervously watching Qin An.

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