In the courtyard, a perfectly round and translucent bead quietly floated above Chang Qi's palm.

Qin An reached out to take it, examined it closely for a moment, and furrowed his brow slightly: "Only usable twice?"

This bead was the root cause of the calamity that befell the Celestial Calculation Sect.

Chang Qi nodded and said, "This is an unparalleled treasure. If it didn't have a usage limit, the Celestial Calculation Sect wouldn't have ended up like this."

Qin An turned his gaze to Guo Jinfa and said, "Why not directly calculate the location of the Demon Transformation Pool and seize it in one go?"

According to Chang Qi, the Celestial Calculation Bead only had two chances left.

Rather than using it to track the Sixth Elder of the Fire Crow Race, it would be better to aim directly at the Demon Transformation Pool.

If the location could be locked in advance, they might preemptively destroy or seize it.

Guo Jinfa shook his head and said, "This is no easy task. The Demon Hall is also using us to search for the Demon Transformation Pool. Once we act, the Demon Hall will certainly be alerted."

Qin An pondered and said, "It's still better than being restrained everywhere in Lingzhou now."

The Demon Hall's strategy clearly aims to constrict Lingzhou from multiple directions.

Long-term pain is worse than short-term pain. Rather than passively maneuvering, it's better to strike with thunderous speed.

Guo Jinfa said helplessly, "Without absolute certainty, Lingzhou may not be willing to make such a risky move, and as for what Lingzhou plans to do, it's beyond our conjecture."

Qin An lightly tapped his fingers on the knife sheath, understanding that Guo Jinfa's words were true.

To hold a position in Lingzhou, one must not only be of remarkable strength but also deeply understand the art of strategy.

Since Lingzhou has laid out such a plan, there must be profound intentions.

Thinking of this, Qin An turned to look at Yang Quanfeng.

"What do we do next?"

Now that the Sixth Elder's trace has been locked down, a fatal strike must be delivered.

If the location can be accurately targeted, slaying this fiend is not difficult.

Yang Quanfeng slowly said, "After calculating the position using the Celestial Calculation Bead, issue a task and let the Silver Patrol Guard handle it."

The task involving the Great Demon of the Gui Cang Realm is naturally not for the Bronze Patrol Guard to take on.

Qin An nodded and said, "When will it be issued?"

Since there is a location, he certainly wants to witness the death of the Sixth Elder himself.

This time, when the Sixth Elder caused killings, he even tarnished his reputation.

He originally needed to use his reputation to deal with superiors' secret investigations; the quicker the Sixth Elder and the creatures of the Thousand-legged Cave die, the better.

After the group discussed, Yang Quanfeng said no more and signaled Chang Qi to perform the technique.

Chang Qi took a deep breath, operated the Celestial Calculation Sect's secret technique, and channeled True Qi into the Celestial Calculation Bead.

The bead's surface instantly shimmered with light, flickering uncertainly.

The path of calculation requires reliance and cannot be deduced out of thin air.

Previously, when the Sixth Elder was pursuing everyone, traces were left behind, and with the Celestial Calculation Bead's mysteriousness, Chang Qi quickly sensed something.

A phantom gradually appeared ahead, but it was blurred and indistinct.

Qin An glanced at it and frowned: "Too blurry, make it clearer."

Chang Qi gritted her teeth and accelerated the infusion of True Qi.

Her cultivation level was still shallow, barely able to activate the Celestial Calculation Bead.

But Yang Quanfeng knew that the matter was secretive and the fewer people knew, the better, so no other Celestial Calculation Sect disciples were brought in.

Chang Qi could only grittingly persevere and strongly support.

By the time her face turned as pale as paper, the blurred scene in front became clear.

It was a desolate mountain peak shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings.

At this moment, a large pile of Fire Crows and centipede monsters gathered on the mountainside.

The Sixth Elder and Thousand Venom sat facing each other, with a simple stone table in front of them.

On the stone table, bloody food was haphazardly placed.

Surrounding them were severed limbs, making anyone who looked at them feel a strong urge to vomit.

The Sixth Elder lowered his head, tore a piece of bloody meat from the food, and was savoring it.

Thousand Venom wrapped the bloody flesh with its centipede-like lower body, nibbling it finely.

This situation was truly terrifying.

Guo Jinfa, seeing this, gripped his pipe tightly: "Their crimes are grave; I really want to send them to their death."

Yang Quanfeng frowned: "These are the corpses of cultivators. It seems they not only targeted the common people but also many cultivators have fallen victim to their evil."

Qin An's gaze was as sharp as a blade, fixed on the Sixth Elder, subconsciously rubbing the cold star at his waist.

This was Mr. Lv's father. It was indeed the first time he had seen him.

However, he estimated that he would soon see him again, and he would bring back this head with a sharp beak.

In the sky, the vivid scene suddenly vanished.

Chang Qi sat down on the ground, sweat pouring from her forehead, pointing in one direction: "In that direction, about a hundred miles, there is a mountain resembling a phoenix. They are midway up."

This was the guidance of the Celestial Calculation Bead, representing the real location.

Yang Quanfeng stood up abruptly: "Gentlemen, are you willing to accept this task first?"

Issuing the task required some procedures, but with Qin An and Guo Jinfa, two Silver Patrol Guards present, it could be expedited.

Guo Jinfa tapped the ash from his pipe onto the ground and exhaled a plume of white smoke: "When idle, Qin and I shall go together?"

Qin An lifted his teacup, drank the contents, and smiled coldly: "Just as I wished."

The two said no more, turned, and dashed out straight toward Phoenix Mountain.

Yang Quanfeng then immediately attended to the task issuance process, then turned to Chang Qi, saying: "You have one last calculation left. Don't use it recklessly. I've already sent a message to Lingzhou, perhaps it will be answered soon."

Chang Qi, deeply aware of the Celestial Calculation Sect's current situation, nodded earnestly without hesitation.

The courtyard returned to quiet.

...

From the Evil Extermination Bureau to the destination, there was still a hundred miles to go.

Both Qin An and Guo Jinfa were people who prioritized efficiency and knew that long-distance raids were not suitable for combat, so they took fast horses, using them as transportation.

After acquiring blood food, monsters would eat for a while, especially flesh from cultivators.

So both knew that riding fast horses wouldn't waste time.

During this time, neither spoke.

Until they were about to arrive, Guo Jinfa looked at the silver badge in his hand.

"The task has been issued. Many have probably taken it."

Qin An held the reins, tying them to a tree, and said, "We have the advantage."

Ahead, the mountain shaped like a phoenix could faintly be seen. Riding directly would be too obvious, so they temporarily left their horses here.

Guo Jinfa took a drag of his cigarette: "The task of Silver Patrol Guards is not like that of the Bronze Guards; we must be careful."

Although Qin An's talent was exceptional and in just a few months he had been promoted to Silver Patrol Guard, Guo Jinfa felt some things should still be clarified with Qin An.

There are many geniuses, but in the turbulent times of Daqian, few geniuses survive.

Qin An lifted his gaze and looked ahead, saying, "I only know one thing."

Guo Jinfa asked curiously, "What thing?"

Qin An withdrew his gaze, his cold star of a blade unsheathed by three inches: "Those who block me, hinder me, or become my enemies must be exterminated, roots and all."

After speaking, a surge of evil qi began to flow around Qin An.

Guo Jinfa was momentarily stunned, then he realized, sighing, "Your personality is really suited for this line of work, Wan Ziqing was right after all."

Initially, he was just doing a favor for Wan Ziqing.

But now it seemed, this was not just a favor, but something that should be.

Even without this favor, after a year, Qin An could have smoothly joined the mountain patrol, perhaps even faster.

"In any case..." Guo Jinfa took another drag from his cigarette, "better to be cautious."

The two said no more and walked together toward the mountaintop.

...

A desolate mountain.

Shaped like a phoenix, as if poised to spread its wings.

It was for this reason that the place was named Fengshan.

At present, besides Qin An and Guo Jinfa, nearby mountain patrols were also undertaking the task.

The mountain patrol was meant to eliminate demons over vast, remote areas, so new tasks naturally caught the attention of many.

Qin An and Guo Jinfa donned masks, both using masks to conceal their auras, appearing like ordinary people.

The mountain path was steep and rugged, a challenge for ordinary people to traverse.

Guo Jinfa commented, "The bloodline tracking method of the Thousand-legged Cave is ultimately a hidden danger."

Earlier during their exchange, Qin An had explained the bloodline location method of the Thousand-legged Cave.

In Guo Jinfa's view, this was more of a shackle.

If Qin An did not use his true qi, the human skin mask could hide his aura.

But as a mountain patrol, how could he not use true qi?

Qin An continued upward: "Sometimes, it can be beneficial."

Guo Jinfa asked, puzzled, "Why is it beneficial?"

Qin An replied calmly, "If one's strength is sufficient, using oneself as bait can avoid many troubles."

Guo Jinfa understood.

So the kid planned to use this to his advantage and lure out the monsters from the Thousand-legged Cave to kill in the future when his strength improves.

He was about to speak when the silver badge hidden in his chest suddenly vibrated.

The same happened to Qin An, who said slowly, "The second one, no more."

In the distance, a figure flashed by.

The silver badge had vibrated once before, and again just now, indicating that aside from them, two more silver patrol guards had joined the task.

But these two did not show themselves, evidently intending to act alone.

Guo Jinfa nodded and said, "Fengshan is only a hundred miles from Lingzhou, not too remote, and there aren't many silver patrol guards around."

As they conversed, they had drawn near the middle of the mountain.

At this moment, a bloody scent was spreading.

With the bloody scent, came the cries of battle.

Qin An raised an eyebrow, "They've engaged."

The mountain patrol's way of doing things was renowned for efficiency.

Earlier from the position indicated by the Celestial Calculation Bead, Qin An and Guo Jinfa had seen the Six Elders and Qiandu, two great demons of the Gui Cang Realm.

Similarly, the two silver patrol guards were also in the Gui Cang Realm.

It's likely they discovered the monsters or were discovered by the monsters, leading to an immediate battle.

With this thought, the two did not linger and rushed towards the middle of the mountain with all their might.

...

At the middle of the mountain.

At this moment, a fierce battle was underway.

Over a hundred centipede demons and fire crows were surrounding the two individuals.

The two of them appeared middle-aged, one slightly shorter in stature but wielding a long spear.

All the monsters that approached were pierced through by the long spear.

The other person was tall, holding no weapons, but wore a pair of gauntlets on his hands.

The gauntlets faintly glimmered, his unarmed combat prowess used to the fullest; with a casual wave, he could crush the heads of several fire crows.

On the other side, apart from the attacking fire crows and centipede demons, Qiandu and the Six Elders stood to the side, watching coldly.

"Aren't you going to act, bug?" The Six Elders' sharp beak glinted with a bloody glow.

Qiandu smacked his lips, raised his cup, and drank the blood water from it: "Aren't you not acting either?"

The Six Elders sneered, "Yang Yun of the Wind Chasing Fist and Peng Xiu of the Flaming Spear, both are renowned silver patrol guards, this old man doesn't want to risk his life."

Qiandu responded indifferently, "So you let your fire crows act first to weaken them?"

The Six Elders chuckled, "Aren't you doing the same?"

Monsters were inherently ruthless and extreme.

At this moment, their thought was to use the lives of those underling monsters to first exhaust the two silver patrol guards.

The Six Elders continued, "The mountain patrol guards' intervention indicates our location has been exposed, likely due to the Celestial Calculation Bead."

Qiandu was silent.

The Six Elders suddenly recalled something, his expression growing increasingly somber, "Could today's predicament also have been predicted by the Demon Hall?"

Qiandu displayed a faint, wry smile, "An elder of the Demon Hall, a monkey demon, has his entire cultivation in his brain, far superior to those monkeys of Cangyun Valley."

"He not only predicted that the Celestial Calculation Bead would find us but also another matter."

The Six Elders' eyes widened, "What matter?"

For some reason, he felt a thread of unease in his heart.

Qiandu's mouth twisted into a sinister grin, "When Tree Lord died, the monkey elder, in phantom form, saw Qin An and knew this child could not be left alive."

"After learning of the bloodline location method, he had me use it with the Demon Transformation Pool to trade with you, and you agreed."

"This action not only imposed restraints on the central region but was also to kill Qin An."

"If he doesn't come, continue killing, if he comes, then take Qin An's head."

Upon these words, Qiandu's gaze turned to the foot of the mountain.

"Now... he's here."

As the words fell, a fissure abruptly opened in Qiandu's abdomen.

Inside the fissure, three pairs of blood-red eyes opened.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.