The rear courtyard was serene and simple, with only a pavilion and a few stone tables scattered around.

The stone tables were spotless, indicating that disciples frequently cleaned them.

Qin An entered with his hands behind his back, gently brushing against the Cold Star Saber at his waist, when suddenly he heard hurried footsteps behind him.

Liu Cheng quickly caught up, a fleeting panic in his eyes, but his face showed eagerness: "Mr. Qin, though this backyard is simple, it was meticulously designed by a famous expert. How about I explain its mysteries to you in detail?"

His words were respectful and flawless.

But only he knew how dangerous that moment just was.

Fang Hu was hiding here, and the lifeline of the Thunderfire Sect was tied here as well.

Even though Fang Hu was disguised as a servant, any slight mistake could lead to the downfall of the entire sect.

Years of effort would vanish in an instant.

His head would hang at the gates of the Evil Extermination Bureau.

Qin An's lips curved slightly, a hint of mockery in his eyes: "Mr. Liu is quite confident about this courtyard."

Liu Cheng's earlier panic did not escape Qin An's notice.

He could now be certain that the poison pill master must be hiding in the backyard.

Liu Cheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, not catching the nuance in Qin An's words, and led the way: "Though it appears simple, every plant and tree has meaning. Follow me, and I'll explain the importance of each layout."

Qin An didn't expose him immediately, as he hadn't seen the poison pill master yet, and followed Liu Cheng for a thorough walk around the courtyard.

At every spot, Liu Cheng would explain the purpose and principle of each arrangement to Qin An.

There were many esoteric elements mixed in, which Qin An didn't understand, but he noticed something unusual.

In the center of the courtyard was an artificial small lake, and at its heart lay Lake Heart Island.

The island was dotted with artificial hills, and Qin An could sense an array seemed to exist among the hills.

"An Illusion Array, so that's it."

Qin An had an epiphany.

Anyone approaching Lake Heart Island would be affected by the array, wandering endlessly without finding the key point, eventually walking out.

They might even feel they had thoroughly explored Lake Heart Island.

The presence of an array in such a place indicated there must be something significant here.

Seeing Qin An's gaze linger on Lake Heart Island, Liu Cheng's heart skipped a beat, and his back tensed.

"Would Mr. Qin like to take a trip to Lake Heart Island?" Liu Cheng asked.

Seeing Liu Cheng's pretentious demeanor, Qin An turned and said, "Since there's nothing unusual about this house, I won't bother going. I'll be taking my leave."

He had already looked everywhere but found no trace of the poison pill master, leaving only Lake Heart Island.

Yet Qin An did not proceed directly.

He was waiting for an opportunity.

This pursuit of the poison pill master was sparked because of the pills taken from the Alchemy Master Alliance.

The quantity of pills was vast, making it impossible for a long flight without pause.

After coming to the Thunderfire Sect, they must be stored here.

Now, with arrays swirling on Lake Heart Island, Qin An suspected the Alchemy Master Alliance's pills were within the array.

He didn't rush to Lake Heart Island, fearing the poison pill master and Liu Cheng might act desperately.

If the array was triggered, the pills might all be destroyed.

The mission required exterminating the poison pill master and retrieving the pills.

For the Alchemy Master Alliance's demon pill, Qin An needed to proceed with caution.

Seeing Qin An turn and leave, Liu Cheng sighed in relief.

Though he didn't understand why Qin An was unwilling to visit Lake Heart Island, he also wouldn't risk taking Qin An there.

"I'll see Mr. Qin out." Liu Cheng feigned enthusiasm and dutifully escorted Qin An out of the main hall.

At this moment, many from the Evil Extermination Bureau had already searched the Thunderfire Sect thoroughly but found no clues.

Qin An encountered Chu Xing and Zhao Nian, exchanging brief glances as they headed towards their lodgings.

Soon, the Evil Extermination Bureau members left the main hall and returned to their quarters.

...

Liu Cheng stood at the main hall entrance, finally relaxing completely once the Evil Extermination Bureau members disappeared from sight.

He quickly returned to the inner courtyard, gracefully landing on Lake Heart Island after a few agile movements.

With a roar, the surrounding arrays opened, and Fang Hu emerged, dressed in servant's attire.

"Lucky for us, he didn't search Lake Heart Island," Fang Hu said.

Liu Cheng exhaled: "I didn't expect him to be so naive. I was prepared to claim Mr. Fang was my servant tasked with cleaning Lake Heart Island if he found him. But now it seems unnecessary."

Fang Hu sneered: "In that case, heaven is on our side. After tomorrow, we'll kill them all."

A murderous glint flashed in Liu Cheng's eyes: "All shall follow Mr. Fang's orders."

...

Time passed swiftly, the day fading into a blur.

Throughout the day, Evil Extermination Bureau members feigned searching for the poison pill master's traces, keeping the Thunderfire Sect occupants uneasy.

Tonight, the sky was moonless, with stars hidden behind dark clouds, casting a black veil over the heavens.

In the room, the oil lamp flickered.

Qin An drew the Cold Star from his waist, wiping the blade with a white cloth, its surface glinting coldly.

Chu Xing's fingers flicked iron spikes, hissing like a serpent.

Meanwhile, Zhao Nian was eagerly gearing up, impatient to destroy the Thunderfire Sect.

The trio remained silent, aware tonight could be the Thunderfire Sect's move, needing rest to face the forthcoming battle.

The oil lamp on the table flickered hesitantly.

A mild breeze passed, dimming the light before brightening again.

At that moment, a flurry of footsteps sounded outside the building.

Then, a Household Officer opened the door.

With a grave expression, the officer clasped his hands: "Report! Sirs, Liu Cheng has led the poison pill master and numerous Thunderfire Sect disciples to surround us."

Qin An said lightly: "How many of them came?"

The Household Officer hurriedly replied: "A total of more than two hundred Gui Cang Realm disciples have come."

"Two hundred? Seems like they've come out in full force." Chu Xing grinned viciously and stood up: "Mr. Qin, Mr. Zhao, today we shall annihilate the Thunderfire Sect!"

The two hundred Gui Cang Realm disciples outnumbered the household officers here by dozens.

However, the foundation of the Thunderfire Sect's disciples was not deep.

The Household Officers of the Evil Extermination Bureau all possessed Secret Techniques; if they wanted to annihilate them, it would be an easy task.

Qin An nodded and said, "Let's go meet them."

With that, the three took the lead, leading over a hundred Household Officers out of the building's main door.

...

As soon as they stepped out, they saw torches burning in the open space ahead.

Each disciple of the Thunderfire Sect held a torch, their faces filled with excitement.

They were already aware that associating with demonic entities, pseudo-gods, and poison pill masters was a path of no return.

Today, being able to kill the people of the Evil Extermination Bureau assured their own safety, so naturally, they wore such expressions.

Qin An gave a cursory glance: "It seems quite a few of you have come, you must have planned well in advance."

Liu Cheng stepped forward two paces and sneered: "After all, you are big figures from the Evil Extermination Bureau. If we hadn't planned ahead, how could we take off your heads?"

Chu Xing licked his lips, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Those who defy the Evil Extermination Bureau meet grim ends, Liu Cheng, have you thought it through?"

Liu Cheng was about to speak when Fang Hu placed a hand on his shoulder, stepped forward, and fixed his gaze on Qin An.

Zhao Nian said with interest: "Mr. Qin, it seems this is that poison pill master. You've killed one before, and now he seems to want to flay you alive."

Qin An scoffed: "Whether he can flay me alive or not is still unknown. Many people in this world want me dead, but they all die before I do."

Upon hearing the words, Fang Hu sneered: "Even at this point, you're still so sharp-tongued, truly the lapdog of the Evil Extermination Bureau."

"Qin An, today's grudge will be settled altogether!"

Qin An's playful expression faded, his face becoming as calm as a lake: "Noisy, kill them."

The necessary words have been said, action must now follow.

The reason Qin An spoke so much earlier was to confirm one thing: that no one was left on Lake Heart Island.

Now that confirmation was obtained, it meant it was their time to die.

As soon as the words fell, many Household Officers drew their weapons, shouting and charging towards the Thunderfire Sect disciples.

The disciples of the Thunderfire Sect were not to be outdone, becoming like a torrent, colliding with the Household Officers of the Evil Extermination Bureau.

The encounter between the two sides turned into the most primal kind of slaughter.

Every move was made with full force.

Initially, Fang Hu and Liu Cheng were full of ambition and confidence, but the moment the battle ensued, their expressions changed dramatically.

With just a minor clash, dozens of disciples fell at the hands of the Evil Extermination Bureau Household Officers.

The battle's progression was beyond their imaginations.

Fang Hu's eyes widened in disbelief: "You weren't poisoned?"

Qin An stepped forward, executing the Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step with a momentum like a meteor striking the ground, arriving close in an instant: "The mere Three Corpses Divine Elixir, fortunately, I'm familiar with it. Such lowly tactics can only be employed by lowly people like you."

Fang Hu felt a tremendous pressure bearing down on him, a surge of life-and-death crisis enveloping his entire being.

Especially when he saw the dazzling blade in Qin An's hand, a sliver of fear welled up within him.

"Join forces to kill him!"

As Fang Hu's words fell, Liu Cheng was already on the move.

Liu Cheng's palms rose on both sides, bursting with the might of thunderfire, pressing towards Qin An.

Fang Hu was not to be outdone, popping several pills into his mouth, his eyes turning crimson, as the aura emanating from him became threefold stronger than before.

On the other side, Chu Xing and Zhao Nian were already locked in combat with two elders from the Thunderfire Sect.

Both sides were in the Vein Condensation Realm, but Chu Xing and Zhao Nian, utilizing their Secret Techniques to the fullest, managed to lightly wound both elders in just a few exchanges.

Chu Xing found a moment to call back: "Mr. Qin, hold on, once they're done for, we'll come to your aid!"

Hearing this, Qin An remained calm in his heart.

Facing the two attacking, he first redirected the Cold Star Saber towards Fang Hu and stabbed forward.

In Fang Hu's eyes, a trace of panic flickered, but he braced himself, crossing his palms to strike against the incoming Cold Star Saber.

With the enhancement of pills, he was confident of blocking this strike.

As long as he could block it, Liu Cheng would be able to relieve the situation for him.

With both of them working together, he didn't believe they couldn't kill Qin An.

However, in the next moment, searing pain shot up from his wrists.

Fang Hu looked down to see his hands had already flown high, tracing an arc in the sky before landing on the ground.

Blood gushed forth unceasingly, and before he could even scream, a long blade had been thrust into his mouth, piercing out the back of his skull.

"What a pity it's not a pseudo-god, no demon crystal to be gained."

Qin An slowly retracted the blade, his tone as cold as ice.

As he pulled out the blade, Fang Hu couldn't help but twitch.

But he could struggle no more, for the four-colored True Qi on Qin An's blade had already obliterated his internal organs.

The body fell to the ground.

Qin An turned his head, looking at Liu Cheng beside him, and said playfully: "Haven't broken through my defenses yet?"

As he withdrew his blade, Liu Cheng's thunderfire-charged palms had already imprinted on his back.

Yet the inch-thick Gang Qi barrier was firm like fine iron.

The thunderfire could only disrupt the outermost layer of Gang Qi, stopping dead when it met the True Essence Barrier within.

The fear flashed in Liu Cheng's eyes as he trembled, withdrawing his palms and preparing to flee.

At that moment, a whistling sound cut through the air.

Instinctively turning his head, Liu Cheng only felt a sharp pain at his neck, his vision rising and then sharply falling again.

The headless body slumped to the ground, blood pouring from the wound.

Qin An dispassionately sheathed his blade, resembling an Asura from the underworld: "Leave not one alive!"

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