Qin An heard this and his gaze suddenly hardened, pushing the door open and stepping out.

Outside the door, a Household Officer from the Internal Affairs Department held a sandalwood tray in both hands, presenting it respectfully.

A secret letter sealed with wax lay quietly on the tray, with the seal intact, not yet opened.

"You may leave." Qin An took the secret letter and said lightly.

The Household Officer did not dare to say more and withdrew with a bow.

Qin An pondered slightly, and after closing the door, returned to his desk.

He first sipped some tea before opening the secret letter to read.

After reading the contents of the letter, Qin An closed it, pondering slightly.

The letter instructed him to go with other Prefecture Generals to a power a hundred miles away.

This sect was considered a mid-to-lower strength faction within Xunyang Prefecture, named the Zizai Sect.

The Hunter Conference was underway, not only targeting the Loose Cultivators, but also causing anxiety among major sects and powers.

Thus, the Prefecture Generals and Mountain Patrol Generals of the Evil Extermination Bureau all had guard duties.

A hundred miles distant might require a Mountain Patrol Officer in Lingzhou, but for Xunyang Prefecture, it was very close.

Only a Prefecture General needed to go.

"This time, those traveling with me are not under Zhou Yuanfeng's command..." Qin An thought to himself, "This is interesting."

Qin An originally was under Zhou Yuanfeng's command.

But according to the letter, this time among the Copper Prefecture Generals traveling, only he was under Zhou Yuanfeng's command.

The rest were from different Silver Prefecture Generals.

As for why this was so, after some contemplation, Qin An tapped his fingertips on the scabbard, understanding in his heart.

This might be related to the intertwining power dynamics in Xunyang Prefecture.

But the specifics, Qin An did not delve into.

He just needed to accept the task and complete it.

"With numerous demons and Pseudo-Gods at the Hunter Conference, this is a good thing for me."

Qin An gently stroked the scabbard, calculating in his heart, "Eight hundred demon crystals is an enormous number, this journey might help me significantly reduce this distance."

Having made up his mind, Qin An rose and left the room.

According to the letter, departure was scheduled for tomorrow.

Taking this opportunity, he happened to go to the slaughterhouse, practicing his skill as a butcher.

Proficiency is accumulated over time, and he did not want to waste any time.

But before that, Qin An first went to the Confidential Library and exchanged the merits of his last mission for demon crystals.

He exchanged for two demon crystals, bringing his total, including the ones he had, to seventeen.

Regarding exchanges, there is a significant difference between Xunyang Prefecture and Lingzhou.

Lingzhou's Mountain Commanders can only exchange for Cultivation Techniques, while Xunyang's Prefecture Generals can freely exchange.

The reason lies in the rampant demons and Pseudo-Gods outside Xunyang Prefecture.

If exchange rights were restricted, the Prefecture Generals' situations would become increasingly dangerous.

As to why Qin An exchanged everything for demon crystals, besides not needing Cultivation Techniques temporarily, the demon crystals are scarce.

Not only is casting the Supreme True Elixir requiring demon crystals, but his Blood-Burning Eight-Forged Dragon Demon Hand also requires demon crystals as a foundation.

During the journey to the slaughterhouse, nothing else occurred.

With his official robe and the role of silver coins, the slaughterhouse owner agreed swiftly with Qin An.

Then, Qin An practiced his butcher skills on the streets of Xunyang Prefecture while time was still early.

Until night came, he returned to the Evil Extermination Bureau to rest early.

...

At dawn the next day.

The first ray of morning sunlight shone into the room through the windowsill, casting a mottled layer on the ground, quite beautiful.

Qin An finished washing, dressed neatly, with a Cold Star at his waist, stepping out into the outer courtyard of the Evil Extermination Bureau in the morning light.

The courtyard of the Evil Extermination Bureau was already crowded with Prefecture Generals.

Fortunately, the bureau covered a vast area, not feeling cramped even with such numbers.

Many Prefecture Generals already gathered teams and left early.

Those still in the courtyard were mostly awaiting accompanying companions for their tasks.

This mission did not have a Silver Prefecture General leading, as they had their own tasks.

As for where the task was headed, it was a secret unknown to Copper Prefecture Generals.

When Qin An arrived, he had already seen his companions for this trip.

Yang Qing, with an iron whip at his waist, approached, cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Qin, it's been a while. I didn't expect to meet you here, just after parting, looking forward to our cooperation on this trip."

Qin An nodded and replied, "Just mutual assistance."

As his words fell, he cast his gaze to another Copper Prefecture General.

This Copper Prefecture General wore the official robe of the Evil Extermination Bureau, but had a pair of iron hammers at his waist.

The iron hammers glittered coldly in the sunlight.

Noticing Qin An's gaze, the Copper Prefecture General with the iron hammers cupped his hands and spoke.

"I am Qian Yong, may I know what to call you, sir?"

Qin An frowned and said, "Just call me Qin An. Have your Household Officers already set out, gentlemen?"

Though there was no Silver Prefecture General leading, the Household Officers under Copper Prefecture Generals had to follow.

Qin An was new to Xunyang Prefecture and had no Household Officers following him, so he was alone on this trip.

Yang Qing nodded, pointing in a direction, "They are stationed outside the city, we can join them once we head out."

Even with the large size of the Evil Extermination Bureau, it could not accommodate this many people.

On regular days, most Household Officers perform missions outside, led by their Copper Prefecture Generals.

Now that they had gathered suddenly, they wouldn't be allowed into the courtyard.

Qin An nodded and said, "Let's set out."

With the task accepted, Qin An didn't want to waste time.

Yang Qing was also decisive, agreeing quickly, and left the Evil Extermination Bureau with Qin An.

Qian Yong followed behind, a flash of an imperceptible coldness in his eyes, plotting privately.

The reason he could accompany Qin An on this trip was by using his connections within the Evil Extermination Bureau.

Xunyang Prefecture was already a massive power field.

Coupled with collusion with demons, having demonic backing, Qian Yong with his adept social skills, had gotten acquainted with many people in the Evil Extermination Bureau.

After spending some cost, they naturally teamed up with Qin An.

As for why they were together, of course, he wanted to complete the task given to him by the old Jiao dragon.

When Qian Yong saw the task set by the Evil Extermination Bureau, he had already secretly leaked Qin An's whereabouts to the remnants of the Pseudo-God power tied to the Buddha statue and Carefree Mountain.

"With my secret assistance, killing Qin An is no difficult matter on this trip."

Qian Yong concealed the cold light in his eyes, pretended to look normal, and left the Xunyang Prefecture together with Qin An and Yang Qing.

In a wilderness outside of Xunyang Prefecture, hundreds of Household Officers were already waiting.

After Qin An and the others arrived, the three of them led the Household Officers on fast horses, heading straight for Zizai Sect.

...

On the official road, strong winds were howling.

Countless fast horses were galloping everywhere.

This scene was happening on official roads across Xunyang Prefecture.

Among them were not only the people of the Evil Extermination Bureau, but also many loose cultivators arriving at the sects protected by the Evil Extermination Bureau, seeking its protection.

There was no abnormality discovered on the way from Xunyang Prefecture to Zizai Sect.

Qin An and the others smoothly arrived at the foot of a high mountain.

This mountain was called Zizai Mountain, named after Zizai Sect.

At the gate of the mountain stood two Zizai Sect disciples, looking extremely solemn.

Heavy atmosphere had already enveloped the entire Zizai Sect.

Every time the Hunter Conference opened, countless cultivators and Yao creatures with Pseudo-God powers would fall on the spot.

No one knew whether they could survive to the next time.

Therefore, even the mid-lower tier Zizai Sect in Xunyang Prefecture became exceedingly tense.

After Qin An and the others arrived at the mountain gate with hundreds of Household Officers, the disciple on the left side was relieved amidst tension, hurried forward and cupped his hands.

"This humble one greets the distinguished sirs; the Sect Leader has been waiting for a long time, please come in!"

The Hunter Conference was about to start, so neither side wasted any words.

Qin An nodded slightly and, with Yang Qing and Qian Yong, stepped onto the mountain path.

As for the remaining Household Officers, they were already veterans having participated in numerous Hunter Conferences.

Under the instructions of Yang Qing and Qian Yong, they dispersed according to their positions, standing guard in various parts of Zizai Sect.

Only Qin An and the two others strolled up the mountain path and arrived at a platform halfway up the mountain.

The platform was vast, with roads paved in bluestone, exuding a sense of a prestigious sect.

However, this aura was shrouded in dark clouds.

The disciples of Zizai Sect passing by had numb expressions and withered appearances.

Even though they were cultivators, they were still heavy-hearted facing the Hunter Conference.

At the entrance stood an elderly man with snow-white hair, emanating the aura of the Pulse Condensation Realm Great Success.

Aside from the elderly man, four others stood on either side of him, all of middle age, each exuding the aura of the Pulse Condensation Realm.

Having such strength in a mid-lower tier sect wasn't too bad.

Adding the three Pulse Condensation Realm Bronze Prefecture Generals like Qin An and numerous Returning to Storage Realm Household Officers, they were a great asset to Zizai Sect.

The Sect Leader came forward appearing old and gray, but his eyes shone brightly.

"I am Chen Jing, greetings to the esteemed sirs." Mr. Chen cupped his hands respectfully.

The Prefecture Generals of the Evil Extermination Bureau had noble identities.

Although they were of the same level, having the backup of the Evil Extermination Bureau gave the Bronze Prefecture Generals a transcendent background that Zizai Sect dared not offend.

Qin An came for a task for the first time and did not speak, only stood by with a hand on the knife.

Yang Qing and Qian Yong exchanged glances, with Yang Qing stepping forward.

Yang Qing said, "The Household Officers have already spread around Zizai Sect, strictly guarding it; Mr. Yang can simply provide us with accommodations."

Even though no Yao creatures with Pseudo-God powers appeared, the Household Officers were already strictly guarding.

These few Pulse Condensation Realm masters naturally needed to oversee the place.

Arranging a place was a normal matter.

Mr. Yang nodded slightly, then led Qin An and the others to the guest rooms of Zizai Sect.

As Qian Yong walked, he glanced slyly in a direction, a secretive smile on his lips.

That direction was where the Household Officers' defense was weakest.

After receiving the task, he had already leaked the information.

Once the Hunter Conference began, it would be Qin An's death day, and he could complete the task assigned by Jiao Long Hall and continue living comfortably.

...

At this moment, not far from the foot of the mountain, in a dense forest.

Over a hundred Yao creatures were quietly gathering.

Each Yao creature held the strength of the Gui Cang Realm, led by ten Pulse Condensation Realm Yao creatures and Pseudo-Gods.

Among them, five well-built fox demons were facing off against four Buddha statue Pseudo-Gods in black robes.

The nine Yao creatures and Pseudo-Gods all possessed Pulse Condensation Realm strength, and among them was one with the completion of Pulse Condensation Realm.

The momentum of the many Yao creatures and Pseudo-Gods swept over and bent the trees in the dense forest.

Outside these nine terrifying Pulse Condensation Realm beings, there was a beautiful woman in gauze, smiling as she watched.

The beautiful woman's head adorned with Jiao dragon horns shimmered coldly in the sunlight.

"Why do we need to confront each other so sharply?"

"We have a common enemy on this trip, kill Qin An, then destroy Zizai Sect, and feast on the flesh and blood of cultivators. Is there any joy greater?" the woman in gauze said softly.

She knew well the grudge between Carefree Mountain and the remnants of the Pseudo-God power.

The fox girl of Carefree Mountain, originally the daughter of a sect elder, was abducted by that evil domain Buddha statue.

The Evil Extermination Bureau decimated the power of the evil domain Buddha statue, but the fox girl refused to return to Carefree Mountain.

Therefore, the two sides actually held grudges.

The reason they hadn't taken action at this moment was only known to the woman in gauze.

Even the most grudged powers would set aside their grudges when facing a common enemy.

The leading Buddha statue Pseudo-God and fox demon both snorted coldly.

The fox demon glanced at the woman in gauze and said coldly, "Jiao Yu'Er, the old rules apply; kill more, eat more, according to strength, and... the head of that Bronze Prefecture General, we of Carefree Mountain want it."

Jiao Yu'Er covered her mouth with a light laugh, "Of course, the Hunter Conference begins today, and Qian Yong has already revealed the weak spots."

"Gather your troops, for this is the right path."

"Tonight, let the entire Zizai Sect become a Shura field!"

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