As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent.

Several dozen copper-made waist badges glinted coldly under the candlelight.

The mountain patrolling officers shot glances like lightning, each with different expressions in their eyes.

Some were clouded with suspicion, while others were deep in thought.

A few appeared unaffected, as calm as an ancient well.

Qin An tapped his chin lightly, pondering the strangeness of the matter.

As he knew, the Profound Sun Sect Leader was poisoned with Thousand-legged Centipede's venom, and should be hanging by a thread.

Now, the news from Liao Yang indicated that the Sect Leader had secluded himself for cultivation, handing over all authority to the elder.

This was indeed peculiar.

The strangest point was that the Profound Sun Sect Leader shouldn't be in seclusion.

Especially at this moment.

Since the Sect Leader was poisoned, monsters have been lurking and strong enemies pressing in; otherwise, mountain patrol officers wouldn't be here taking up tasks.

At such a crisis moment, the Sect Leader's presence is needed, yet he chooses to retreat and entrusts matters to the sect elder, indicating that there are deeper issues.

Liao Yang glanced around, his fingers sliding over the Mountain Opening Axe on his waist, and said gravely, "The poison afflicting the Sect Leader originates from Thousand-legged Cave. Among the centipede monsters in Lingzhou, none are stronger than those from Thousand-legged Cave. You all know its background better than I do."

Wuo Lin, carrying a long staff, darkened her face: "The Top Three Forces."

In the powers of Lingzhou's monsters, those that rival the Fire Crow Race among the top three forces are terrifying existences.

Without the mountain patrolling officers, relying solely on the Evil Extermination Bureau's regional officers, it's hard to withstand their prowess.

And Thousand-legged Cave is one of them.

This force is extremely insidious, known for its poison.

Rumors say that the poison skill of its Gui Cang Realm great demon makes even beings of the same level suffer a fate worse than death.

"Why beat around the bush? Just say it directly." A mountain patrol copper officer impatiently remarked.

Liao Yang has spoken so much, yet hadn't touched on the core issue.

Mountain patrol officers act swiftly and dislike mysteries.

The other mountain patrol officers shared the same expression, indicating they wanted Liao Yang to speak more directly.

Seeing this, Liao Yang stopped concealing and approached the core, saying: "I have a guess. If the elder is secretly communicating with Thousand-legged Cave and has confined the Sect Leader, what then?"

Wuo Lin frowned: "Since they can imprison, why not kill him?"

"Since the Sect Leader's poisoning news is already spreading, just claim he's dead, isn't that simpler?"

Liao Yang shook his head: "Wrong, the Sect Leader has something the elder desires, that's precisely why he's kept alive for now."

As his words ended, Wuo Lin furrowed her brows slightly.

Liao Yang spoke like thunder: "Yang Elixir."

The mountain patrol officers exchanged glances; several of the clever ones had guessed the reason.

Though the Profound Sun Sect holds an esteemed position in Lingzhou, it only has the sect leader at the Gui Cang Realm.

Like how monster powers are divided among the top and bottom three, the Profound Sun Sect is not that strong among the top forces in Lingzhou.

Even someone at the elder's level is only at Jade Bone Realm Perfection.

Following the poisoning incident, the Sect Leader proposed offering the Yang Elixir as a reward to cure the venom.

This proves the Sect Leader possesses a Yang Elixir.

For those in the Jade Bone Realm, the elixir is akin to a stairway to heaven.

Liao Yang surveyed everyone and continued: "The elder is quite astute. Although he has confined the Sect Leader, he leaves a glimmer of hope, allowing the Sect Leader to survive."

"Should someone truly able to cure the Sect Leader make a move, the moment the Yang Elixir is offered, it will be the elder's time to act."

"These are merely my guesses; inviting all colleagues here is to inquire everyone's stance."

"Should it be a thunderous strike, or wait and see?"

After speaking, Liao Yang ceased talking, patiently waiting.

Wuo Lin struck the ground with her staff's tail, sparks flying: "Given the circumstances, why not launch an all-out attack, extinguish the elder, and rescue the Sect Leader?"

At her words, several mountain patrol copper officers agreed it was feasible.

Liao Yang nodded slightly and asked the silent ones: "Do you all think it's not possible?"

Since all colleagues were invited, naturally, their opinions are sought.

The remaining mountain patrol copper officers shook their heads, indicating impossibility.

Wuo Lin snickered: "Mountain patrol officers always value efficiency. Directly capturing the elder is the fastest way to complete the task."

Liao Yang said helplessly: "Wuo Lin, can you restrain yourself a bit, listen to others' opinions?"

Wuo Lin's eyes flashed brightly: "I only aim to complete the mission, not a safeguard task. Else, why be with you, why hear opinions?"

Many mountain patrol copper officers cast their gazes at Wuo Lin.

A few had a hint of anger in their eyes.

This woman is really annoying.

Liao Yang's gaze shifted, then landed on one person: "Mr. Qin, what do you think?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone focused on the youth in the corner.

His waist-bound straight blade had restrained cold gleams, faint star patterns on the sheath.

Seeing the youth's straight blade, they couldn't help but frown.

Many here know Liao Yang.

Among mountain patrol copper officers, Liao Yang's reputation is quite decent, especially with his powerful axe skills, he's chopped off plenty of monster pseudo-god heads.

Now seeing Liao Yang seek advice from this blade-wielding youth made them curious.

Qin An lifted his gaze: "You know me?"

He didn't expect anyone here to recognize him.

Qin An hadn't met Liao Yang, so wondered why Liao Yang knew him.

Liao Yang smiled with meaning: "Huang Man is my cousin, she often praised Mr. Qin, speaking of your charm with admiration and respect."

Qin An raised an eyebrow: "I see."

If that's the case, then all is easily explained.

Wuo Lin glared: "What's your full name?"

She knew Liao Yang had a cousin, also a mountain patrol copper officer.

But given the word 'respect', Qin An's identity must be special.

Qin An glanced at Wuo Lin, his fingertips slid over the blade, and he said coolly: "What's it to you?"

This woman was too fierce, and self-centered.

Especially her inquiry had a presumptuous tone, which Qin An disliked.

Wuo Lin fumed, eyes wide: "You speak to me like that?"

Many people's eyes held a hint of amusement, even their curiosity about Qin An diminished a bit.

Watching the fun is human nature, especially among the Mountain Patrol Officers, it sparked a lot of curiosity.

Qin An gently stroked Cold Star: "What do you count as?"

Wuo Lin's eyes showed a trace of anger, just as he was about to speak, Liao Yang interrupted him.

"Wuo Lin, we're all colleagues here, your temper is rather..."

"What business is it of yours? This kid looks very unfamiliar and with some skill, he dares to disregard me."

Wuo Lin drew out the long staff from his back, like a venomous dragon exiting its cave, and jabbed straight at Qin An: "Let me teach you a lesson today."

A hundred kinds of rice raise a hundred kinds of people.

Some are amiable and congenial, while others are arrogant and domineering.

Even among the Mountain Patrol Officers, it is the same.

Liao Yang frowned slightly, already having placed his axe by his waist, ready to intercept Wuo Lin's long staff for Qin An.

He knew Wuo Lin's fiery temper and his disdainful nature.

Sometimes, the privileges of being a Mountain Patrol Officer could be intoxicating, and Wuo Lin was just that kind of person.

But Wuo Lin's strength was undeniably real.

Although only at Jade Bone Realm Perfection, he was a veteran Mountain Patrol Officer, unmatched by newcomers.

So Liao Yang was worried that Wuo Lin might hurt Qin An.

Qin An saw the staff approaching, and then drew Cold Star from his waist.

"Zheng!"

The resonant sound of the blade echoed throughout the hall.

Currently, Qin An had consumed four Yang Elixirs, with his internal organs already boiling like a furnace.

The power of this slash, even one at the half-step Gui Cang Realm would have to avoid.

The long staff flew out of his hand, as Cold Star traced a graceful arc and struck Wuo Lin's face hard with the flat of the blade.

Wuo Lin was sent flying, crashing into the wall before heavily falling to the ground.

When she raised her head, a palm-sized crimson blade mark appeared on her face.

Qin An leaned Cold Star on the ground, his eyes as cold as water: "Now, do you still want to ask?"

At his words, the entire room erupted in astonishment.

Soon after, many Mountain Patrol Officers turned their gaze towards him, eyes filled with surprise.

To defeat a veteran Mountain Patrol Officer in one move as a newcomer was truly something unheard of.

Liao Yang removed his hand from his axe, his Adam's apple moving: "Mr. Qin, even I can't take that blow, such vigorous Yang energy implies Mr. Qin has probably ingested two Yang Elixirs."

The reason he said this was because he had consumed one Yang Elixir.

Even in the Jade Bone Realm Perfection there are strengths and weaknesses, and even he wasn't confident to take it, so Qin An must have consumed even more Yang Elixirs.

As for guessing two, it couldn't possibly be more than two, for Yang Elixirs were too precious.

Wuo Lin was holding her face, a trace of disbelief passing by before silently getting up and picking up the wooden staff from the ground.

Throughout the whole process, she didn't say a word.

Until the staff was once again slung over her back, she then lifted her eyes and spoke.

"The strong rule, I'll heed you."

Even with a red mark on her face, she seemed to not care, and the way she looked at Qin An had already changed.

Liao Yang noticed and his mouth twitched slightly: "You're still the same as always, never changing."

"Mr. Qin, don't fret, Mountain Patrol Officers admire strength, and that one slash from you has already made her submit."

Wuo Lin's nature was vile, but when faced with someone strong enough, she quickly surrendered.

To put it bluntly, she's too arrogant, once meeting someone more arrogant, she concedes.

Wuo Lin gripped her long staff: "I yield to him, not to you. Call me a hag again and I'll take you on."

Liao Yang waved his hand: "Enough, I don't care to waste time."

With that, he again turned to look at Qin An.

"Mr. Qin, any good strategies?"

The recent commotion had subsided, so Liao Yang wished to get straight to the point.

After the previous fuss, the Mountain Patrol Officers present remained silent, their gazes fixed on Qin An.

Before Qin An displayed his strength, they might not have paid much attention.

But once Qin An showed his abilities, whatever he said next would seem reasonable to them.

It's a stereotype perhaps, but that's sometimes just how it is.

Qin An pondered briefly: "As I came along with the elders of Hundred Medicine Valley, perhaps we can use medicine to explore our path."

The current situation was unclear, and even the enemy's strength was unknown.

Moreover, outside the Profound Sun Sect, there were pseudo-gods and demonic creatures eyeing them menacingly, acting rashly would only lead to their own downfall.

If we need to heal, why not follow the procedure, at least meeting the Sect Leader of the Profound Sun Sect first.

Liao Yang was slightly surprised at his words: "Does Mr. Qin actually have connections in Hundred Medicine Valley?"

They had come through assignments, never expecting Qin An would be with someone from Hundred Medicine Valley.

"If that's the case, this method is feasible," Wuo Lin chimed in.

Her earlier temper was entirely gone, as if Qin An's strike on her never occurred.

In the patrol, if you're strong enough, it saves you a lot of trouble.

The other Mountain Patrol Officers exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

They weren't fools; the reason they wanted a full assault was because they hadn't had the chance to meet the Sect Leader.

And now that Qin An had that opportunity, they'd naturally use his method.

Qin An stood up and said: "For now, let's continue guarding Profound Sun Sect as per the mission, not letting demonic creatures get close, just keep a closer watch."

Since they decided not to scare the snake by beating the grass, they'd naturally proceed as usual.

Thereafter, everyone began developing some more detailed plans.

Once matters were more or less decided, people began to leave the room one after another.

Qin An stood, saying no more, and headed towards the accommodations.

The task was not simple, but with soldiers antagonizing and blocking, and earth mounds warding off water, he'd first see how the Sect Leader was.

If there were any other peculiarities, Qin An could quickly address them.

The way back was uneventful.

As he passed the disciples from Hundred Medicine Valley, they greeted Qin An reverently.

But just as he was nearing the lodging, a figure suddenly blocked Qin An's path.

Looking up, Qin An saw Cold Star unsheathe three inches, its blade condensing ice and fire into a single line of power.

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