As soon as the words fell, the room fell into dead silence.

The tall figure finished speaking and then fell silent, simply sitting in the chair, lightly tapping the armrest with his fingertips, waiting for Qin An's response.

Qin An pondered slightly, raising his gaze, his eyes like blades, as if trying to pierce the veil and see the true face of the other party.

The tall figure noticed his gaze and slightly curled his lips: "Have you guessed it?"

Qin An nodded, his tone confident: "Mountain Patrol Golden General."

The tall figure leaned forward with interest: "What makes you say that?"

Qin An's fingertips traced the edge of the teacup: "All the guards in the courtyard are Silver Prefecture Generals, the Golden Prefecture Generals of the Evil Extermination Bureau are all in the Bureau and none are injured. Those whom Mr. Sun calls major figures of Xunyang Prefecture, and can ensure my Yang Elixir remains unharmed, apart from the Mountain Patrol Golden General, there is no other possibility."

The tall figure continued to ask: "Why not the Mountain Patrol Silver General?"

Qin An shook his head and said: "The Mountain Patrol Silver General is one rank higher than the Prefecture General, on the same level as the Golden Prefecture General. At that level, they still cannot quell the crisis of my Yang Elixir."

The tall figure fell into silence.

Qin An also did not speak, but instead rotated the teacup on the table.

A moment later, the tall figure broke the dead silence.

"You guessed right."

As the words fell, the veil moved without wind, slowly parting to both sides, revealing the true form of the tall figure.

Only to see a middle-aged man in dark clothes, with a black base and gold pattern token hanging at his waist, sitting upright, the sound of his knuckles tapping the armrest particularly clear in the quiet room.

The middle-aged man spoke slowly: "My name is Cui Fengyu, one of the Mountain Patrol Golden Generals of the Evil Extermination Bureau. A few days ago, I was injured and temporarily staying in Xunyang Prefecture to recuperate."

Qin An nodded: "Seems I guessed correctly."

Cui Fengyu shifted the topic: "It's not difficult to guess my identity, after all, combined with the things you've experienced before, my identity had already surfaced."

Qin An nodded and said: "In that case, why not ask Mr. Cui to tell me what the second benefit is."

He did not want to dwell too much on identity, preferring to inquire about the next benefit sooner so that he could leave earlier.

As for currying favor with this Mountain Patrol Golden General before him, it held no benefit at all.

Mountain Patrol Generals are inherently about exterminating evil over thousands of miles, and power is paramount, as it is with Prefecture Generals.

After attending Gao Lingyu's banquet, Qin An became more convinced that only by elevating his own strength could he establish himself in Xunyang Prefecture.

Cui Fengyu squinted his eyes: "You were recommended by Zhao Wuhuan to enter, do you have a connection with Zhao Wuhuan's teacher?"

Qin An shook his head slightly: "No connection, I don't even know who his teacher is."

Cui Fengyu's smile deepened: "His teacher is also a Mountain Patrol Golden General and quite famous among them. Even compared to his teacher, I am slightly inferior."

"Since you have no connection, then I'll tell you the second benefit."

Qin An nodded, waiting for Cui Fengyu to continue.

"Two choices." Cui Fengyu raised a finger like a sword: "First, become my personal guard. When your cultivation reaches the Mountain Patrol Copper General, I will take you as a disciple."

He deliberately paused: "With this relationship, you could walk freely within Xunyang Prefecture."

Qin An's expression did not change: "The second choice?"

Cui Fengyu raised a slight eyebrow: "Isn't the first choice enough to move you?"

Qin An slowly said: "Can it prevent me from being harmed by demons?"

Cui Fengyu paused and shook his head: "It cannot."

Qin An stroked the scabbard: "Since it cannot, then it is meaningless. I am only interested in elevating my strength, killing all the demons that threaten me, and establishing roots in Xunyang Prefecture."

Cui Fengyu sighed: "You are straightforward. Actually, I'd like to take you as a disciple, but since you are unwilling, I'll give you the second choice."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cui Fengyu shifted the topic, his gaze suddenly becoming sharp.

"Within three months, if you can advance to the Outer Elixir Realm, I can recommend you to enter the ancient battlefield relics."

"Ancient battlefield relics?" Qin An furrowed his brows: "What are those?"

Cui Fengyu said indifferently: "From the Outer Elixir Realm to the next level, you can still achieve supreme foundations."

"When you reach the Outer Elixir Realm, you will understand what it is. The ancient battlefield relics are essential for achieving supreme foundations."

"Of course, you must first reach the Outer Elixir Realm to qualify for entry. As for what the ancient battlefield relics are, it is a place born from battles between humans and demon pseudo-gods from an extremely ancient era."

"It was originally an incredibly vast battlefield, but it shattered due to a great war and is spread throughout Daqian."

"Xunyang Prefecture happens to have one."

Qin An squinted his eyes: "How do you seek supreme foundations within, could you explain more clearly?"

Cui Fengyu shook his head: "Cultivators must avoid being of two minds, being distracted. If I tell you now, you might become presumptuous."

"When you reach the Outer Elixir Realm, you can browse the relevant materials in the Confidential Library."

Qin An knew that if he continued to ask, Cui Fengyu would not reveal the reason.

However, he noticed some intrigue in Cui Fengyu's two choices.

"If a normal person, they would definitely choose the first one." Qin An said.

Cui Fengyu asked with slight curiosity: "Why would you ask that?"

Qin An shook his head: "I am now at Great Success of the Vein Condensation Realm. To advance to the Outer Elixir Realm within three months, how difficult it is. Any rational person would see no hope in the second choice."

Cui Fengyu leaned back in his chair and nodded: "That's right, but this is the greatest benefit I can offer you. I originally intended to give you more Demon Pills, but while waiting for Mr. Sun's elixir, I exchanged all my merits for Demon Pills to stabilize my injuries, so I can't provide any now."

"So... will you choose the first one?"

In his thinking, the second choice was indeed attractive, but advancing to the Outer Elixir Realm within three months was incredibly difficult.

As long as Qin An had a slightly rational mind, he would choose the first benefit.

After all, to become a personal guard of the Mountain Patrol Golden General and then the disciple upon reaching the Mountain Patrol Copper General is a sky-soaring path within the Evil Extermination Bureau.

This is a shortcut that anyone would want to take.

Qin An raised his eyes: "I choose the second."

Cui Fengyu was slightly surprised, his hand on the armrest tightening: "Do you understand the instability of choosing the second? If you cannot break through to the Outer Elixir Realm, I will not let you revert to choosing the first."

Qin An nodded and said, "I am certain, I choose the second option."

Cui Fengyu's eyes revealed a hint of complexity. He released his grip on the armrest and sighed, "You truly are as unconventional as Mr. Sun said. Since this is your own choice, I will not interfere further, and I only hope you can break through to the Outer Elixir Realm."

Qin An stood up and said, "In that case, I will take my leave first."

Having met him in person and uncovered Cui Fengyu's true identity, and even gained the benefits he should have, Qin An naturally wanted to return to practice his Array Master's proficiency.

After all, for Qin An, proficiency was his foundation in this world, and any form of talent was false.

He was very aware in his heart that he had no talent, and his current strength was entirely obtained through proficiency.

As for why he chose the second option, it was because he was confident he could advance to the Outer Elixir Realm within three months.

After all, his cultivation speed was different from ordinary people. As long as he had enough demon crystals and cultivation techniques, he could deduce the Heart Method.

Now that he had obtained two Demon Pills, combined with the two previously given by Gao Lingyu, and with the demon crystals he had stored, he had enough for five Demon Pills, just three away from the Supreme True Elixir.

In other words, just three hundred demon crystals. Collecting three hundred demon crystals within three months was not a difficult task.

Cui Fengyu nodded and said, "In that case, go back, and if you ever need anything in the future, you can ask the Prefecture General of the Evil Extermination Bureau to send me a message. I will help you with whatever I can."

"Of course, the premise is not to violate the rules of the Evil Extermination Bureau."

Qin An cupped his hands and said, "Farewell."

He did not linger any longer, turned, opened the door, and stepped out of the courtyard.

...

Outside the courtyard, Mr. Sun was full of curiosity, not knowing what Qin An had discussed with Cui Fengyu.

But seeing that Qin An didn't want to elaborate, Mr. Sun sensibly refrained from asking further.

"Mr. Qin, let me see you off," Mr. Sun said, cupping his hands.

Qin An nodded and said, "Thank you."

Under Mr. Sun's guidance, he left the house, his figure gradually fading at the end of the street.

Mr. Sun watched Qin An's back, his eyes carrying a hint of emotion.

He felt Qin An's strength had increased again, and the speed of this improvement was simply astonishing.

If he were to fight Qin An relying on medical cultivation technique, he would likely be defeated in a single move by Qin An.

Behind him, the sound of footsteps approached.

Mr. Sun already knew who was coming and said respectfully, "Lord, are we departing now?"

Cui Fengyu, with a gold medal hanging from his waist, looked into the distance, "The Mountain Patrol General is someone who exterminates evil across thousands of miles, never resting for a moment. Since my injuries have healed, I will depart immediately."

Mr. Sun dared not say more and nodded in agreement.

Cui Fengyu's tone turned, "Qin An is an interesting person. If he ever needs help in Xunyang Prefecture, do assist him, whether through your connections or other means."

"If you can't manage it, just send me a message."

Mr. Sun's eyes showed a look of astonishment.

He knew very well the status of the Mountain Patrol Golden General, second only to the General Mansion in the Evil Extermination Bureau.

But now this Mountain Patrol Golden General admired Qin An so much.

This was enough to demonstrate Qin An's formidable talent and astounding potential.

"As you command," Mr. Sun agreed.

Cui Fengyu said no more, turned, and walked out of Xunyang Prefecture.

...

Time flew by, and several days swiftly passed.

During this time, Qin An stayed mostly in the Evil Extermination Bureau's room, only going out for meals, living almost a two-point-one-line life that made him feel quite idle.

At this moment, the room was brightly lit, and the moonlight shone through the window, combined with the flickering candlelight, casting a mesmerizing yellow glow.

Qin An sat in the chair, rearranging the teacups in front of him.

The teacups, initially arranged in a certain order, made the air seem to distort subtly.

If someone knowledgeable were present, they would surely recognize the teacups as an array.

At Qin An's Array Master level, anything he arranged could become an array, so even the most ordinary teacups could improve his Array Master proficiency.

"Finally reached level nine."

Qin An let out a long breath.

In front of him, smoke coalesced into a line of text, floating in the air.

[Array Master lv.9 (0/3000): Your array setup speed is accelerated, and your array dismantling speed is accelerated, with reduced array setup materials]

[Talent: Gui Cang Realm Array Perfection, Gui Cang Realm Array Resistance Perfection, Gui Cang Realm Array Effect Enhancement]

The Array Master had originally been at level eight, but with this period of intense training, Qin An had reached level nine, heralding the third metamorphosis.

After metamorphosis, besides the feature of reduced setup materials, all Gui Cang Realm talents were elevated to perfection.

Moreover, an additional talent for Gui Cang Realm Array Effect Enhancement emerged.

This talent was quite interesting.

Any array Qin An set up could have enhanced effects, and this enhancement was extremely powerful.

To put it simply.

If someone else set up the same array with Qin An, perhaps the other's array would operate at full capacity, but Qin An could make it operate at 120% capacity.

"With this talent, the odds of winning the bet with the Profound Celestial Array Gate are even greater," Qin An thought to himself.

"Now, I must seize the time to enhance the Array Master to level ten. Once I reach Great Success of Vein Condensation Realm, I can switch to another profession to practice."

With this in mind, Qin An saw it was late and decided to rest early.

But just then, a knock on the door suddenly broke the silence of the night.

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