All around the shattered arena, a gloomy aura surged like a tide, captivating the heart.

"Their aura is skyrocketing."

Before Cheng Hong could finish speaking, the blood and energy of hundreds of Jade Bone Realm creatures suddenly boiled, with the sound of bones popping incessantly.

Jade Bone Great Success... Perfection... Half-Step Gui Cang!

Within just a few breaths, this group of creatures already had one foot in the Gui Cang Realm.

The raging aura pressed like a mountain, suffocating.

Qin An's eyes slightly narrowed: "They consumed a special elixir, causing their blood to surge madly, exchanging for temporary power."

He had a Level Six Pill Master profession, unparalleled in alchemy, even compared to Ge Feng of Spring Breeze Hall.

With just a glance, he saw through the mystery behind it.

Dongfang Mo glanced at Qin An, then turned to the surrounding Silver Guards, waving coldly: "Kill them."

There were more than thirty Silver Guards here, each in the Gui Cang Realm.

Even though there were hundreds of Half-Step Gui Cang creatures, they were but offering themselves to death.

Though divided into three camps, these creatures were equivalent to moving achievements, so naturally, no one wasted words.

Then, the Silver Guards, holding weapons like wolves and tigers, transformed into shadows darting towards the frenzied creatures.

They showed no fear, their eyes only held the cold gleam of the hunt.

The battle commenced in an instant.

The shimmer of swords and sabers tore through the gloom, with severed limbs and blood splashing like ink.

Qin An, as swift as lightning, performed the Dragon Roar Wind Step, transforming into a shadow with just a leap.

Before the shadow faded, he was already among the monsters.

The creatures grinned, revealing sharp fangs.

Qin An remained expressionless, swinging his Straight Blade horizontally, a saber light like snow flashing past.

The Cold Star Saber chimed, intertwining the power of ice and fire.

—Ice and Fire Break Emotion!

Several heads soared into the sky, the madness in their eyes yet to fade, freezing instantly.

Qin An wielded his saber continuously, the momentum relentless, each slash like the scythe of death, reaping monster lives like cutting grass.

Even while slashing, he still had some strength to spare.

Qin An glanced around with his peripheral vision.

Every Silver Guard was tempered through life and death, each possessing unique skills.

Especially Dongfang Mo and the two others.

Dongfang Mo's long sword was graceful and agile, yet every strike was extremely vicious, targeting the weakest points of the creatures, aiming directly at their lifelines.

Yan Li's fists were wrapped in bandages, True Qi flowing over them. As the fists swept by, flesh and blood flew amidst the flipping bandages.

Zhao Hai wielded a dark spear, transforming into cold gleams that pierced through creatures with each flash.

What surprised Qin An the most was Cheng Hong.

Cheng Hong was proficient in the Qi Observation Skill, able to probe into others' foundational strength, yet unexpectedly, her combat prowess was also impressive.

Each of Cheng Hong's hands held a short dagger, and a green light flashed across them as she swung.

Poison?

With his Level Six Healer profession, Qin An could see that Cheng Hong cultivated the Poison Skill.

"Indeed, those who can become Silver Guards are no ordinary individuals."

Calming his mind, Qin An no longer looked around, continuing to wield the Cold Star in his hands.

Even with hundreds of Half-Step Gui Cang creatures, they were no match for the thirty-odd Silver Guards.

In less than half the time of an incense stick burning, only a ground full of corpses remained.

Qin An lowered his head, the Cold Star constantly gleaning the blood marrow from the bodies.

After all, they had yet to step into the Gui Cang Realm, with only blood marrow nurtured within them.

The other Silver Guards followed suit.

However, everyone was disciplined, only harvesting the monsters they had killed, with no overstepping actions.

In this battle, Qin An killed a total of twenty creatures. Although rather unspectacular for the current blood energy reserves, even a mosquito is meat no matter how small.

After everyone had obtained their blood marrow, Qin An felt a gaze sweep across him and looked up in its direction.

Dongfang Mo took out a handkerchief from his chest, wiping the blood from his long sword, his gaze extremely complex.

Seeing Qin An's gaze sweep over, Dongfang Mo spoke in a deep voice.

"I seem to have underestimated you. Your blade technique is among the best even in the Silver Guards."

Qin An raised an eyebrow: "Just an ordinary blade technique."

Dongfang Mo said seriously: "What I said before, there were many misunderstandings."

Cheng Hong fastened the short daggers back to her waist, a surprised look flashed in her charming eyes after hearing Dongfang Mo's words.

She knew Dongfang Mo was unaware of Qin An's background, but even in such circumstances, with Dongfang Mo's proud nature, he still uttered such words.

This was what surprised Cheng Hong the most.

Qin An shook his head: "I'm only here for the task; the rest has nothing to do with me."

He knew why Dongfang Mo acted this way.

To put it plainly, it was strength.

Though Daqian is in turbulence, the Evil Extermination Bureau stabilizes the shaking storms like a sea-stabilizing divine needle.

And within the Evil Extermination Bureau, strength is the deepest foundation.

If it weren't for his blade technique, Dongfang Mo would never have spoken this way.

As the province chief said, strength and fame, strength comes first.

With strength, fame naturally follows.

Let those above see the potential, only then can the Yang Elixir crisis be resolved.

Dongfang Mo, seeing Qin An's cold nature, also knew the misunderstanding between them was not deep.

Yan Li grinned: "It's time to continue."

The creatures were dealt with, now it's time to delve deeper.

All the creatures emerged from the dark passage ahead; therefore, let's proceed along this passage.

Zhao Hai, resting on his dark spear, said: "According to the information I received, the underground arena is divided into two levels. The outer level is merely a fighting ground for ordinary Jianghu people, while the second level is the core of the underground arena."

The way to the second level doesn't need explaining, just follow the passage down.

After a brief tidy-up, the group was led down the passage once again by Dongfang Mo and the two others.

...

Second level of the underground arena.

The air was filled with the stench of rust and sweat, the damp stone walls seeped with fine beads of water, reflecting a blood-like dark red under the torches.

The flagstone floor was soaked with years of bloodstains, with chipped remnants wedged in the cracks like the shells of dried-up insects.

Huomeng's body was ablaze with fiery feathers as his tightly closed eyes suddenly opened: "All dead."

Qiandu licked his fangs, revealing a hint of viciousness: "How was the medicine's effect?"

Huomeng nodded slightly: "The Blood Frenzy Elixir is indeed normal, causing only minor weakness, and its enhancement lasts about half an hour."

Shuyuan, the smallest in stature, but not lacking in aura: "If the higher-ups find out we used these young ones' lives to test the Blood Frenzy Elixir, we'd likely face severe punishment."

The other Gui Cang Realm creatures exchanged glances, each understanding the other's meaning.

They had deliberately released those Jade Bone Realm creatures to test the effect of the Blood Frenzy Elixir.

A life is precious, and for a creature to survive to their level, naturally they cherish life.

Huomeng sneered: "Don't be sarcastic. As long as we can kill these patrol silver guards, there's no need to fear punishment."

Shuyuan scoffed but did not speak further.

This operation was carried out by a coalition of three superior creature forces, and the instructions from above were simple: follow Huomeng's lead.

All were Gui Cang Realm creatures, so naturally, there was some dissatisfaction, which was why Shuyuan was sarcastic.

Huomeng, facing Shuyuan's scoff, did not take it to heart, slowly stood up, and his eyes carried a hint of coldness.

"They are coming, prepare for battle."

At the end of the passage ahead, a group of people was slowly emerging.

The Gui Cang Realm creatures below exchanged a glance and collectively took out and consumed the Blood Frenzy Elixir.

As soon as the Blood Frenzy Elixir was consumed, their aura suddenly surged.

Huomeng and the other two creatures also consumed the Blood Frenzy Elixir, making their fiery blood extremely agitated.

The side effects had already been diluted and resolved through humans, leaving some calmness amidst the frenzy.

The group of creatures stood on the arena, eyes filled with bloodlust, scanning those emerging from the passage.

...

Qin An and the others had just exited the passage when they felt a chilling Evil Qi sweeping over.

This underground arena was large, but despite the spaciousness, the Evil Qi was still thick enough to make one's heart tremble.

Ahead, thirty Gui Cang Realm creatures stood in place, casting violent glares at them.

Dongfang Mo led the group, and upon seeing these creatures, a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Yan Li clashed his fists together, producing a muffled sound: "Thirty of them, such achievements are indeed impressive."

Zhao Hai held his pitch-black spear upside down, but his eyes bore a serious look: "Don't be careless, they have all taken the elixir that temporarily boosts their strength."

Dongfang Mo lifted a finger, brushing across his long sword: "Be careful."

Huomeng and the other two creatures stood at the forefront.

Their gazes swept over the group.

Qianjue suddenly spoke: "That little brat is here."

These words surprised Dongfang Mo and the others the most.

Dongfang Mo frowned: "Have I crossed paths with you before?"

Subconsciously, he thought Qianjue was referring to him.

Qianjue remained silent.

Zhao Hai pondered: "Did I slaughter your juniors?"

Shuyuan scoffed, which served as an answer.

Yan Li's deep voice said: "I don't remember where I've killed any of you."

There was still no response.

This attitude made all three of them frown deeply.

They had all built a supreme foundation with five Yang Elixirs and were well-known among the creatures.

Initially thinking these creatures were talking about them, it now seemed there might be someone else.

The other patrol silver guards were all baffled, not understanding what it meant.

Only Cheng Hong's smile continued to widen.

She knew who these creatures were talking about and felt a slight thrill within her heart.

She had been thinking about what expression these people would have once Qin An's identity was revealed.

Now it seemed, she could get her wish, and even started to look forward to it.

Huomeng frowned: "You eagle dogs, don't know the situation within your own team?"

These words deepened the surrounding confusion.

Even though there was a standoff, everyone's curiosity was burning fiercely inside.

Huomeng's gaze passed over the crowd, finally landing on Qin An: "Qin An, our grudge should end here."

The scene fell into silence, like a dead zone.

Dongfang Mo looked at Qin An with disbelief, clearly dumbfounded by these words.

Qin An lifted his gaze, speaking calmly: "Oh."

Just one word, nothing more.

Huomeng sneered: "You've repeatedly slaughtered our companions and disrupted the creature hall's plans. Today, taking your head back to the creature hall will surely yield great rewards."

The shock in Dongfang Mo's eyes grew even more.

Repeatedly killing creatures and even disrupting creature hall plans?

He knew Qin An was skilled, but he didn't expect this kind of reputation.

Wait!

Qin An?

Yan Li's eyes flickered with interest: "Are you the recently famous Demon-Slaying Saber?"

Since Qin An wore a Human Skin Mask and never revealed his name, they did not know Qin An's identity.

Zhao Hai rubbed his pitch-black spear: "If you are the Demon-Slaying Saber, then the saber techniques earlier do match your title."

Dongfang Mo's expression grew increasingly complex.

The feats of the Demon-Slaying Saber were already widespread among the patrol silver guards, but they didn't realize the person in front of them was the Demon-Slaying Saber.

The other patrol silver guards had similar expressions, especially the one who initially provoked Qin An, wishing they could slap themselves.

Cheng Hong was very excited, but she felt that Huomeng hadn't mentioned the main points.

The foundation built with five Yang Elixirs hadn't been explained.

Cheng Hong thought maybe the creatures didn't know Qin An's secret.

Thinking of this, Cheng Hong felt not entirely satisfied but wasn't foolish enough to expose Qin An's depths.

Qin An lifted his Cold Star Saber, the tip pointing at Huomeng, his tone flat as water: "Too much nonsense."

Huomeng was taken aback.

Qin An twirled the saber with a flourish, sneering: "For a feathered beast to talk so much, let me pry open your beak and see if you grew an extra tongue."

Not far away, Shuyuan snickered, looking at Huomeng with mockery.

Huomeng's eyes widened, flames erupted around him, and in his fury, he laughed instead: "Kill, kill them!"

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