In the quiet courtyard.

Hei Feng stood as if on thin ice, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

At the stone table ahead, Zhou Yuanfeng sipped from his cup, the amber liquid glimmering in the moonlight.

The surroundings were silent, no one spoke.

After a long silence, Zhou Yuanfeng suddenly put down his cup, his gaze sweeping toward Hei Feng like lightning.

Hei Feng's spine went cold at once, and he hurriedly lowered his head.

"He's doing well." Zhou Yuanfeng's tone was indifferent: "After the first victory, he spent his days immersed in the Confidential Library."

Hei Feng wiped away his cold sweat, cautiously saying: "I heard a copper Prefecture General fell..."

Zhou Yuanfeng said casually: "Swords have no eyes, one or two deaths are hardly worth mentioning. Instead of worrying about Qin An, think about how to survive the Hunter Conference."

Hei Feng was dumb as a wooden chicken, not daring to speak again.

As Zhao Wuhuan's personal attendant general, his purpose here was solely to inquire about Qin An's recent situation.

As for anything else, he dared not speak more.

Zhou Yuanfeng already disliked his two junior brothers, taking it out somewhat on Hei Feng as well.

This was something Hei Feng knew.

"The Hunter Conference is a place of peril and opportunity." Zhou Yuanfeng shifted the topic: "You've been stagnating at the Great Success of Vein Condensation Realm for years. Perhaps this time you can break through to Perfection."

Hei Feng understood instantly, a gleam appeared in his eyes: "I will do my utmost, sir."

Zhou Yuanfeng said no more, waving Hei Feng away.

Hei Feng did not dare linger, swiftly turning and leaving.

The courtyard returned to silence, with only the gentle sound of wine being poured remaining.

…

Confidential Library.

Qin An held a book in his hands, sitting in a nearby chair, focused intently.

Before him, smoke twisted like spiritual serpents, forming a line of text.

[Scholar lv.9 (1000/3000): Your reading speed has greatly increased, able to instantly recall, with deeper comprehension]

[Talent: Gui Cang Realm Heart Method Proficiency, Gui Cang Realm Heart Method Proficiency, Gui Cang Realm Heart Method Proficiency]

It had been five days since the last mission.

As the scholar level increased, the speed at which proficiency was gained also slightly increased.

After these five days, plus the many cultivation techniques Qin An had read before, he had gained a thousand proficiency points.

At this rate, in another ten days or so he would ascend to level ten.

No missions had been issued during this time.

Qin An found himself enjoying a carefree existence.

A sudden sound of footsteps disrupted Qin An's reading rhythm.

Turning his head, Qin An saw a familiar face approaching leisurely.

Yang Qing, with an iron whip at his waist, walked up and handed over a book: "Read this first, it will come in handy soon."

Qin An looked at the cover and saw it bore the words "Hunter Conference."

He knew little about Yang Qing beyond that he had once been given Zhao Wuhuan's favor, and had guided Qin An when he first arrived at Xunyang Prefecture.

Taking the book in hand, Qin An opened the first page and read it carefully, furrowing his brow slightly: "Information about the Hunter Conference?"

Yang Qing nodded: "That's right, the Hunter Conference is about to begin. You're new, so you naturally need to understand more."

Qin An asked: "Why help me?"

Yang Qing took a few steps forward, sitting beside Qin An: "Mr. Zhao is the Mountain Patrol General and can't often stay with the Evil Extermination Bureau. I owe him a favor, so I promised to assist you within my capacity."

Qin An toyed with the book in his hand: "I see."

With such an explanation, it made sense in a way.

Yang Qing said: "I know you like reading. Once you're done, let's go to a banquet together."

"A banquet?" Qin An rubbed his chin and said, "What kind of banquet?"

Yang Qing pointed outside the Confidential Library: "It's a gathering of influential family scions. Xunyang Prefecture is a large field of fame and fortune. Networking with them could be useful in the future."

Qin An raised an eyebrow: "I'll pass."

Yang Qing was slightly taken aback: "Why pass it up?"

Qin An asked: "Is it just because Mr. Zhao asked that you're taking me to this banquet?"

Yang Qing was silent.

Qin An flipped through the book: "Brother Yang, I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't enjoy lively places. I'd rather read here."

Yang Qing sighed, stood up, and said: "In that case, I'll take my leave."

Qin An watched Yang Qing's retreating back, shaking his head slightly.

While he was cold by nature, he was no fool, instantly perceiving Yang Qing's intentions.

As Zhao Wuhuan said, Xunyang Prefecture was a massive whirlpool of power, unlike the purity of Lingzhou.

Besides Zhao Wuhuan's face, Yang Qing wanted to form a friendship with Qin An.

It was because Qin An was highly regarded by Zhao Wuhuan, and Yang Qing thought Qin An's potential might be substantial.

However, Qin An had no desire to get involved.

Xunyang Prefecture, interwoven with political intrigue, still ultimately valued strength over all else.

Strength, after all, is the foundation of everything.

With this in mind, Qin An preferred to enhance his skill proficiency, elevating his cultivation technique to a higher level.

Thinking thus, Qin An continued reading the book in his hands.

After finishing the book, Qin An slightly knitted his brows.

"No wonder the Hunter Conference hasn't been extinguished—it actually benefits the Evil Extermination Bureau quite a bit."

The book stated that the Hunter Conference was targeted only at cultivators.

After all, compared to the flesh of ordinary people, the flesh of cultivators was a great supplement to demons and Pseudo-Gods.

Such conferences provided significant benefits to the Evil Extermination Bureau.

Whenever a conference was launched, the Evil Extermination Bureau mobilized all its elites.

Mountain Patrol Generals handled the wilderness, while Prefecture Generals took care of nearby areas.

Cultivators faced danger, but demons and Pseudo-Gods exposed their trails and were hunted down by the bureau.

In Qin An's view, every Hunter Conference resembled a game of chess between two sides.

"Less than half a month until it begins," Qin An mused: "During this period, I'll elevate the scholar to level ten and integrate the Flood Dragon Secret Skill into the Heart Method."

He hadn't forgotten his aim—the eight hundred demon crystals were a significant amount, but not something he intended to hoard without use.

Leveraging his cultivation technique to a higher plane was akin to an investment, facilitating faster acquisition of demon crystals.

With no further thoughts, Qin An placed the book back on the shelf, picked up another eclectic book, and continued to immerse himself.

…

In the shadows, a Household Officer quietly withdrew, leaving the Confidential Library to arrive at a small courtyard.

Qian Yong sat cross-legged, cultivating his Heart Method.

After sensing the arrival of the household officer, he finally opened his eyes.

"How is it?"

The household officer quickly lowered his head and said, "Except for meals, he has been in the Confidential Library reading miscellaneous books."

Qian Yong frowned slightly, "Got it."

The household officer dared not say more and then quietly left.

After the household officer left, Qian Yong tapped his index finger lightly on the table, lost in thought.

A few days after the intimate encounter with the woman from Jiao Long Hall, the news about Qin An slaying the evil domain's Buddha statue and the Carefree Mountain's fox demon had already spread.

As far as Qian Yong knew, both the remnants of the pseudo-gods and the Carefree Mountain were in a rage and had already set their sights on Qin An.

But alas, Qin An remained behind closed doors, and Qian Yong couldn't create an opportunity.

He was a covert agent planted by Jiao Long Hall in the Evil Extermination Bureau, but he was not loyal to any single monster faction.

He was involved with various monster factions.

Though only a copper Prefecture General, he lived quite comfortably in the Evil Extermination Bureau because of these connections.

Many who joined the bureau with him had long since died, countless in number.

In Qian Yong's eyes, they were all fools.

If a bit of unimportant information and the life of a few civilians can be exchanged for peace, why not do it?

Qian Yong smiled sinisterly, "Can't find an opportunity for now; looks like I'll have to wait for the Hunter Conference; by then, he'll surely have to come out."

With this thought, Qian Yong stopped thinking further and continued his cultivation.

...

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, several days had gone by.

In the Confidential Library, Qin An took a deep breath, absorbing the words before him entirely.

[Scholar lv.10 (0/5000): Your reading speed has greatly increased, and your memory has become photographic, with deeper understanding]

[Talent: Gui Cang Realm Heart Method Proficiency, Gui Cang Realm Heart Method Enlightenment, Gui Cang Realm Heart Method Amplification]

As the words took shape, they quickly disappeared, transforming into vast amounts of information that surged into Qin An's mind like seawater.

After a period of monotonous life, Qin An finally cultivated the scholar profession to level ten.

Upon reaching level ten in the scholar profession, the proficiency cap increased to 5000 points, compared to the previous limit of 3000 points.

However, the benefits were numerous.

All talents ascended to the Great Success of Vein Condensation Realm, exactly as Qin An intended.

Qin An briefly composed himself, put the book he held back on the shelf, and walked towards his small room.

"It's time to advance to the Great Success of Vein Condensation Realm!"

...

In the courtyard.

After closing the door, Qin An sat cross-legged on the bed, placing Cold Star in the most suitable place for drawing, and then took out the Flood Dragon Secret Skill from his pocket.

After reading through the entire Flood Dragon Secret Skill, the scholar profession increased slightly, and he fully comprehended the Flood Dragon Secret Skill.

"As expected of the Jiao Long Hall's treasure, it's indeed excellent," Qin An thought to himself.

The so-called Flood Dragon Secret Skill involves refining a trace of flood dragon bloodline within oneself.

After refining it, the whole body's Qi and blood boil like fire, with the ability to control the wind.

Not every flood dragon monster can refine the flood dragon bloodline; only after refining can they be considered the true elite of Jiao Long Hall.

The key is, this Heart Skill can also be practiced by humans.

Qin An put down the Secret Skill in his hand and then closed his eyes to run his True Qi.

The route of operation was entirely according to the path indicated by the Flood Dragon Secret Skill.

Not long after, smoke coalesced into words like a serpent.

[You practice the Flood Dragon Secret Skill, triggering the scholar's talent]

[Flood Dragon Secret Skill (Great Success)]

Qin An opened his eyes, sensing the newfound peculiar True Qi within him, and continued to push forward.

[You possess the Bodhi Vajra Water and Fire Scripture and wish to combine the two Heart Methods into one]

[After sitting in meditation for years, there is no gain]

[You start trying to continue your deduction, triggering the Great Success talent of Gui Cang Realm Heart Method Enlightenment]

[You have an insight and combine the two cultivation techniques into one, naming it the Bodhi Four Symbols Skill]

[Bodhi Four Symbols Skill (Great Success)]

A torrent of information surged into Qin An's mind like a tsunami; after a long time, he opened his eyes.

He still had a reserve of fifteen demon crystals, initially prepared to consume them for fusion.

Unexpectedly, the enlightenment talent was triggered, and the demon crystals were not expended.

This was indeed a nice reward.

After carefully sensing, Qin An drew Cold Star from his waist.

A flash of cold light fell on the straight blade's surface, revealing a strand of True Qi.

This time, the True Qi was different, no longer a tri-color but instead four colors.

The ferocity of fire, the sharpness of gold, the continuity of water, and the swiftness of wind.

The four attributes combined, supplemented by the fusion power of the Bodhi Heart Skill, Qin An felt his actual combat power had drastically improved.

"If I encounter a Perfect Meridian Condensation again, perhaps I won't need to consume any demon crystals, just one strike is enough," Qin An thought to himself, examining the four-color True Qi.

Even without the Three Blades Unite, this single strike would be impossible for an ordinary Perfect Meridian Condensation to withstand.

Only those like him, who established their foundation with the Eight Earth Veins, could contend with him.

A flash of cold light; Qin An sheathed his blade, and smoke formed a line before his eyes, revealing all cultivation techniques.

[Qin An]

[Great Success of Vein Condensation Realm]

[Bodhi Four Symbols Skill (Great Success), Ice Flame Blood Transformation Saber (Basic Understanding), Blood-Burning Eight-Forged Dragon Demon Hand (Basic Understanding), Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step (Basic Understanding), Mysterious Origin Healing Body (Basic Understanding)]

With the Bodhi Four Symbols Skill reaching the Great Success level, Qin An's strength also reached the Great Success of Vein Condensation Realm.

Qin An pondered slightly and decided to enhance the butcher profession.

The rest of the techniques were at basic understanding, and he didn't want to specialize excessively.

Only by comprehensive enhancement can he solidify his foundation, achieving true invincibility at the same level, and even overcoming adversity.

Previously, while in Lingzhou, he was able to walk out of those crises only by doing the same.

The same applies now.

With this in mind, Qin An prepared to follow the same pattern, going outside to find a butcher's stall.

But before he reached the door, there was a sound of footsteps.

Outside the door, the Internal Affairs Department's household officer spoke respectfully.

"Mr. Qin, the task for the Hunter Conference has arrived."

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