Evil Extermination Bureau's small courtyard.

Cheng Sufeng held a scroll of medical book, deeply engrossed in reading, excitement barely contained between his brows.

After receiving guidance from Sang Yang, his cultivation progressed rapidly, only a step away from perfection.

Even though there's a little gap now, he knows it's not far to reach.

Lately, apart from executing missions, he has been almost sleepless in his study of medical skills.

He envied Qin An, initially hoping to stand alongside him in this mountain patrol recruitment, but missed the chance due to his cultivation not reaching perfection.

He resolved that in the next trial, he will give his all to join the mountain patrol ranks.

"I wonder how Qin An is doing," Cheng Sufeng thought as he put down the medical book.

Unconsciously, his thoughts drifted back to their first meeting, considering the experience somewhat mystical.

At that time, he only thought Qin An had exceptional medical talent and spontaneously brought him under his wing.

Unexpectedly, within a few months, Qin An had surpassed him, becoming a mountain patrol copper commander revered in the province.

Such encounters are rare even in all of Lingzhou.

Of course, Cheng Sufeng only found it wondrous, without a hint of jealousy.

The world is full of prodigies, the city above even more dazzling, comparing everything won't lead to cultivation.

As he was deep in thought, footsteps approached from outside the courtyard.

Cheng Sufeng frowned slightly and put down the medical book.

The small courtyard he lived in was always quiet, partly because of his needs to read medical books.

Cheng Sufeng never liked noise.

Not long ago, he had told Nie Hu that unless it was urgent, he should not be disturbed.

The sudden visit made Cheng Sufeng feel puzzled.

Then, a knock on the door was heard.

A very familiar voice of Cheng Sufeng came through the door.

"Are you in?"

Cheng Sufeng's expression changed abruptly, tossing aside the medical book and rushing to open the door, seeing the calm face of the young man outside.

"Qin An! When did you get back?"

Qin An, with a cold star at his waist, nodded slightly: "Just got back not long ago, and happened to have something to find you for."

Cheng Sufeng hurriedly led Qin An into the room and, even before Qin An spoke, eagerly inquired about mountain patrol matters.

He had long yearned for it, unable to ask around, and now that he met Qin An, how could he miss it?

Qin An came with important matters to discuss, but seeing Cheng Sufeng's eager expression, he understood his curiosity as well.

So he simply chatted with Cheng Sufeng first.

Soon, Qin An's voice echoed in the room.

Every time Qin An spoke of something exciting, Cheng Sufeng's eyes sparkled, calling it thrilling.

Even after Qin An finished, Cheng Sufeng felt he hadn't had enough.

"The mountain patrol is indeed more thrilling than the provincial guard; I will definitely join in next recruitment," Cheng Sufeng said, clenching his fists, then remembered Qin An had come for something and asked with restraint: "By the way, what did you come to see me about?"

Qin An pondered for a moment and said: "When you established the medical hall initially, what process did you go through?"

He wanted to improve his proficiency as a healer, naturally starting from the healer's direction.

Practicing medicine is not done behind closed doors; through a medical hall, one can improve faster.

Hearing this, Cheng Sufeng realized: "My family has practiced medicine for generations; all the Lingzhou Medical Halls are run by the family, naturally opening many halls in Lingzhou."

Qin An nodded: "May I practice at one of the medical halls?"

Since they were the Cheng Family's medical halls, Qin An thought it would save a lot of trouble.

Cheng Sufeng waved his hand and said: "What's the difficulty in that, a mountain patrol copper commander gracing the Cheng Family's halls, the Patriarch wouldn't dream of refusing, how could he?"

Not to mention Qin An's esteemed status, just his promotion to a silver provincial guard had already made the Cheng Family famous.

Plus, his mountain patrol rank was even higher than a provincial guard?

He figured the old Patriarch would be thrilled, with no chance of refusal.

Qin An stood up: "In that case, let's do it now."

The matter of proficiency improvement is better done sooner than later; Qin An, being a seeker of efficiency, naturally wanted to seize the time.

Cheng Sufeng understood Qin An's temperament and didn't waste words, getting up to lead the way.

Soon, the two left the Evil Extermination Bureau, heading straight for the Cheng Family's medical hall.

...

The Cheng Family's Medical Hall.

As the largest medical hall in Lingzhou, it had set up multiple branches in the area.

Cheng Sufeng took Qin An to the nearest branch.

Upon arrival, Qin An, to avoid trouble, tucked away his mountain patrol badge and wore a simple black outfit.

The shopkeeper, who was going over the accounts, suddenly noticed someone entering and immediately looked up.

"Young Master, why have you come so suddenly?"

Cheng Sufeng moved forward, pointing to Qin An: "This is my friend, and he wants to practice at the medical hall, for however long he wishes. You are to treat my friend as you would treat me."

Before coming, Qin An had told Cheng Sufeng not to mention his identity to avoid trouble.

Cheng Sufeng naturally complied.

The shopkeeper, unsure of Cheng Sufeng's intentions but hearing his command, naturally did not refuse and respectfully bowed: "I shall follow Young Master's orders."

Cheng Sufeng chatted a bit more with Qin An, knowing he had other matters to attend to, and didn't continue speaking with him long.

Soon after Cheng Sufeng departed, only the shopkeeper and Qin An remained there.

Although the shopkeeper did not know Qin An's identity, he had reached his position by being observant.

Even Cheng Sufeng treated Qin An so well, so naturally, he wouldn't neglect him.

"Mr. Qin, please come with me, I will introduce you to the matters of the medical hall," the shopkeeper bowed.

Qin An nodded slightly: "Much obliged."

Then, Qin An followed the shopkeeper to the consultation area.

...

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

The moonlight was misty.

At this moment, in a remote mountain far from Lingzhou, a group was fleeing hastily through the barren ridges.

Behind him, the fire crow flapped its wings, flames scorching the sky, the oppressive power of the Gui Cang Realm was suffocating.

Among those fleeing, although some possessed Gui Cang Realm capabilities, they were clearly no match for the fire crow, with several parts of their bodies scorched beyond recognition.

The barren mountains ahead were vast, and just as the group was about to escape them, the fire crow had already arrived first.

The elder of the Gui Cang Realm, heavily injured, suddenly handed a wooden box to a woman beside him: "Chang Qi, quickly take the treasure to Lingzhou, the Evil Extermination Bureau can ensure its safety!"

The woman named Chang Qi wore a yellow dress, with blackened marks from burns on her face.

After receiving the wooden box, Chang Qi showed a hint of sorrow.

"Uncle, you..."

The elder of the Gui Cang Realm angrily said: "Quickly! Do not hesitate! The Celestial Calculation Sect's treasure must not fall into the hands of the Fire Crow Race!"

Chang Qi gritted her teeth and held the wooden box tightly.

The fire crow landed, transforming into a red-haired elder, flames raging all over his body, sneering: "Old fool! If you just divine the person from the Evil Extermination Bureau for me, I'll spare your life. Why so stubborn!"

The elder of the Gui Cang Realm turned his head and said: "Demon, do not dream, if you let me divine about the Evil Extermination Bureau, and if they find out, the Celestial Calculation Sect will be exterminated!"

The sixth elder sneered, mocking: "Aren't you all exterminated now as it is?"

The elder of the Gui Cang Realm gritted his teeth: "This extermination is like a noble martyrdom, if I submit to you, it would be aiding the wicked!"

The sixth elder's eyes gleamed fiercely: "You humans value integrity, it's just a joke to us demons. Very well, since you wish to die, I'll grant it."

"I will get the Celestial Calculation Bead, and find someone who can use it."

Having said that, a fiery sea surged from the sixth elder towards Chang Qi.

The elder of the Gui Cang Realm's eyes flashed coldly, then he took a step forward.

At his center, a giant Eight Trigrams expanded, covering everything around.

Soon, everything around became unimaginably blurry.

The sixth elder paused, then his eyes gleamed with killing intent: "The Celestial Calculation Array, sacrificing your life, you truly don't value it."

Looking around, Chang Qi and the others were nowhere to be seen.

The elder of the Gui Cang Realm fully activated the Celestial Calculation Array, sealing everything around: "If I cannot live, why fear death?"

Terror reigned as the Heavenly Calculation Skill surged within the elder of the Gui Cang Realm.

But at that moment, a sea of fire appeared, swallowing everything around.

The elder of the Gui Cang Realm spat blood, despair flickering as the sixth elder approached.

The sixth elder grasped the elder's neck, speaking coldly: "Pity, in your haste, it was full of flaws."

He realized the elder was not afraid, instead showing a hint of relief.

The sixth elder's expression changed, sensing the others had long vanished.

No matter how fast they ran, their presence shouldn't vanish.

The elder of the Gui Cang Realm laughed skyward, despite blood flowing from his seven orifices: "My Celestial Calculation Array's true purpose was to transport them to Lingzhou, you lost!"

The sixth elder's face darkened, revealing a sanguinary beak, he swallowed the elder alive.

Flames surged up, enveloping the entire sixth elder.

"Damn it!"

"Wretched humans! I will feast on a hundred to vent my rage!"

As the sixth elder's anger boiled, a voice suddenly sounded.

The sixth elder turned fiercely, looking behind.

Behind him appeared a semi-human, semi-centipede demon, exuding terrifying Gui Cang aura.

"Why has the Thousand-legged Cave's insect come to find me!"

The sixth elder's eyes narrowed.

The centipede demon smiled bloodthirstily: "Naturally, for Qin An."

The sixth elder rushed close, eyes flaring: "Repeat that."

The centipede demon licked its fangs: "Several Gui Cang experts of my race, died by Qin An's hands, we've used bloodline tracking, he can help you find Qin An, avenge your lost child, how about it?"

The sixth elder retreated slightly upon hearing this: "The cost!"

Between demons, deals were purely beneficial.

Though eager for revenge, the sixth elder was not rash.

The centipede demon pointed towards Lingzhou: "Help us find the Celestial Calculation Bead, we help you find Qin An, even help you take Qin An's head."

"The Celestial Calculation Bead?"

Hearing the offer, the sixth elder suddenly looked up: "The Demon Transformation Pool affair, is it true?"

The centipede demon said nothing, calmly observing the sixth elder: "Sixth elder, some things are not to be uttered lightly, or else you'll miss your revenge."

The sixth elder greedily glanced: "If I obtain the Celestial Calculation Bead, I can locate Qin An, and find the Demon Transformation Pool, wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?"

The centipede demon coldly laughed: "That person has been transported to Lingzhou, can you find him?"

"Even if found, aren't you afraid the Demon Hall will spare no effort to annihilate the Fire Crow Race?"

The sixth elder's eyes darkened: "What do you mean, why would the Demon Hall move against the Fire Crow Race?"

The centipede demon slowly said: "The Celestial Calculation Sect has always hidden, never appearing, haven't you struggled to find it, the Demon Hall has noted everything."

"Do you think the general prefect would stay hidden? Do you know how much life the Demon Hall sacrificed to lure him out?"

"If you snatch the prize, you'll die terribly."

"Of course, we can share, but not devour it alone."

The sixth elder took a deep breath: "This matter is significant, I must return and consult with the Clan Leader."

The centipede demon turned, heading deeper into the mountains: "As you wish, if there's a result, find me at the Thousand-legged Cave."

Soon, the centipede demon vanished.

After the centipede demon left, the sixth elder glanced towards Lingzhou, clenching his fists.

"Qin An, I'll let you live a few more days."

Then, the sixth elder transformed into a fire crow, soaring into the sky.

...

Lingzhou, Cheng Family Medical Hall.

Recently, Qin An had been commuting strictly between the medical hall and the Evil Extermination Bureau, his routine precise to the extreme.

And the gains from this routine were abundantly rewarding.

Before him appeared a mist, revealing all the information of the healer.

[Healer lv.5 (800/800): Your treatment of patients is somewhat effective.]

[Talent: Mastery of Medical Skills in the Body-Storage Realm]

[Upgrade Condition: Rescue someone on the brink of death (0/1)]

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