Inside the cave was deathly silent, only the ground's tremors like muffled thunder tore through the tranquility.

Qin An raised his head to look at the dome, his gaze cold: "The cave master is dead, the array has collapsed, the cavern will cave in."

Although the array of Ten Thousand Mouse Cave was unpredictable, it required living people to maintain it.

Now, with the cave collapsing, the array naturally dissipated into smoke and clouds.

As the array light extinguished, the rock walls began to crumble.

Li's face changed: "Retreat!"

Everyone hesitated not a bit, transforming into several afterimages, swiftly moving towards the cave entrance.

…

On the barren field.

The moonlight like a silver ribbon, draped over the vast earth with a layer of silver frost.

Dozens of figures shot out from the earth cave, landing, and behind them came continuous booming sounds.

It seemed as if a giant beast was overturning underground, its vibration like a downpour, until a stick of incense later, the barren field returned to silence.

Li scanned the remaining mountain patrol officers, throat moving: "Nearly half lost."

A small half of the mountain patrol officers had already been buried in Ten Thousand Mouse Cave, all due to being divided by the array and facing powerful enemies after entering.

Silence was like iron, pressing the crowd's breath to stagnation.

Mountain patrol officers seldom met good deaths, but witnessing comrades perish firsthand made one's spine chill.

Many mountain patrol officers felt a sense of sorrow and empathy.

The gold-ranked mountain patrol officer next to him stepped forward: "The mission is complete, I take my leave."

Though the silence was daunting, anyone who joined the mountain patrol had a strong heart.

Life is long, it cannot stop at sorrow.

The two gold-ranked mountain patrol officers left quickly, and part of the mountain patrol officers also departed.

Li did not leave, standing still, his complex gaze falling on Qin An.

During the wait on the barren field earlier, Lin Qianyu had already informed about the cavern.

Whether it was breaking the array and slaying enemies or using the tumors to constrain the cave master, it was not something ordinary silver-ranked mountain patrol officers could manage.

If Qin An hadn't broken the array in this battle, causing the cave master to lose his mind, all three gold-ranked mountain patrol officers would have perished on the spot.

This task would also have ended in failure.

"I cannot see through you."

Li sighed: "With your skills, the position of silver-ranked mountain patrol officer is but a temporary stay. In the future, if you ascend to gold-ranked officer, remember today's goodwill."

These words caused a stir among many silver-ranked mountain patrol officers.

The Evil Extermination Bureau had a stringent hierarchy, even for lone demon-subduers like mountain patrol officers.

What sought identity did gold-ranked mountain patrol officers have, they were top-tiered figures within the Evil Extermination Bureau.

In Lingzhou's world, even the leaders of powers would address them respectfully as a lord.

Yet Li, when talking with Qin An, spoke in an equal tone.

The words implied that Qin An was already seen as a future gold-ranked mountain patrol officer.

Lin Qianyu's fingertips trembled slightly, the disappointment in his eyes grew.

Dongfang Mo and others were the same, their eyes looking at Qin An filled with envy.

Though they were geniuses among silver-ranked mountain patrol officers, they were mere juniors before gold-ranked officers.

Even they did not have confidence to be promoted to gold-ranked officer.

After all, no one could guarantee survival in subsequent tasks.

But Qin An was different.

They suddenly felt, their gap with Qin An was not as simple as they thought.

The silhouette wielding a blade within the cavern, already out of reach.

Qin An nodded slightly, calmly said: "Thanks for the favor, if promoted to gold-ranked officer, will certainly not forget your support."

Li gazed deeply at Qin An for a moment, then turned away: "Let's go."

He did not speak any excess words, and he himself was not one adept at speech. To say what he had, was already quite rare.

After Li left, the scene turned quiet.

At this moment, Dongfang Mo stepped forward first, cupping his hands: "Mr. Qin, the green hills will remain, and the rivers will long flow. If there's any task in the future, I will definitely go through fire and water."

Zhao Hai and Yan Li also did the same, cupping their fists to thank Qin An.

The rest of the mountain patrol officers all approached Qin An, thanking him one by one.

Mountain patrol officers divided clearly, the grace of saving life naturally placed in the most important position in their hearts.

Lin Qianyu collected his proud attitude, lowered his head: "Previously, I offended you, hope you can forgive."

Qin An chuckled: "Why be so pretentious?"

Lin Qianyu was slightly stunned, lifted his head to see Qin An's calm expression, realizing he was somewhat sentimental.

The past estrangement held on the barren field, for Qin An, was like a breeze brushing by the mountains.

"I owe you a life, if you want it, I will give it to you anytime." Lin Qianyu raised his gaze, words firm.

Cheng Hong playfully hooked Qin An's shoulder: "Later, seek intelligence from me, no charge."

These words tempered the solemn atmosphere significantly.

Qin An scanned everyone, thoughts swirling.

Currently, the reputation among silver-ranked mountain patrol officers already formed, but it was far from enough.

He had a plan.

To soon advance to the Pulse Condensation Realm, and condense eight main veins using ground vein crystals, ascending to gold-ranked officer.

By then, even if the Yang Elixir matter was exposed, the authorities would weigh it.

After making plans, Qin An cupped his hands to those around.

"With matters concluded, I, Qin, will not linger, bidding farewell."

After this journey concludes, upon returning, Qin An plans to fully refine the three ground vein crystals he obtained.

Upon refining, then elevate each profession to level seven, subsequently utilizing arrays to search for remaining ground vein crystals.

Improving strength cannot wait, he does not wish to stay stagnant at perfection like during the Jade Bone Realm because of the Yang Elixir issue.

Everyone was a mountain patrol officer, knew each had their own matters.

Exchanging farewells with each other, they departed the barren field.

…

Evil Extermination Bureau.

Though it was late, people still bustled within the Evil Extermination Bureau.

Qin An faced the respectful gaze of the state officials, returning to his room alone.

Closing the door, Qin An lit the oil lamp on the table, carefully counting the spoils of this trip.

The harvest from this journey was substantial, Qin An planned to fully count before considering how to advance next.

The lamp flickered like a bean, illuminating the harvest covering the table.

"Twenty demon elements, one fake element."

This trip, though he used quite a lot of demon elements, he gained more.

The amount of demon yuan stored here would astonish the mountain patrol officers if brought outside.

"Completing tasks is indeed the quickest way," Qin An thought to himself.

"But more important than demon yuan are the earth vein crystals."

Three earth vein crystals, shimmering with a crystalline glow, were placed on the table by Qin An.

This was the greatest harvest of this trip. Each earth vein crystal, if placed on the martial world of Lingzhou, would be enough to spark fierce competition among the masters of the Gui Cang Realm.

Qin An had three here, which could be described as being exceedingly wealthy.

After a brief contemplation, Qin An picked up one of them and infused True Qi into it.

Since he had it, he would quickly refine it.

Once True Qi was infused into the earth vein crystal, it immediately turned invisible.

The surging power of the earth vein poured into the Chong meridian, making the channels flow like a rushing river.

After the Chong meridian was refined by the earth vein crystal, the True Qi within Qin An became purer.

"Continue."

Qin An picked up the second earth vein crystal.

Half a stick of incense later.

The table was empty; Qin An had absorbed all three earth vein crystals.

The Du meridian, Ren meridian, Chong meridian, Dai meridian, and Yinwei meridian were all as crystalline as jade, and when True Qi circulated through them, it was like a vast ocean.

Now, only three of the eight main meridians remained unrefined by Qin An.

Although Qin An's strength had not changed at this moment, his actual combat power had undergone a qualitative transformation.

"If I encounter the Mouse Demon Array again, I might not need to rely on my array talent to eliminate them all."

Qin An caressed his sword and thought to himself, "In the Gui Cang Realm, there should be few opponents left."

In front of him, smoke coiled like a snake, floating in mid-air.

[Qin An]

[Gui Cang Initial Mastery]

[Bodhi Profound Scripture (Small Success), Ice Flame Water Breaker (Small Success), Blood-Burning Demon Hand (Initial Mastery), Dragon Roar Wind Step (Initial Mastery), Xuangang Body (Initial Mastery)]

[Butcher lv.7 (200/1500): The livestock you slaughter are more delicious and their essence can be enhanced]

[Talent: Jade Bone Realm Blade Skill Mastery, Jade Bone Realm Weapon Skill Insight Mastery]

...

[Scholar lv.7 (150/1500): Your reading speed greatly improves, and you have photographic memory]

[Talent: Jade Bone Realm Heart Method Mastery, Jade Bone Realm Heart Method Epiphany Mastery]

...

[Pill Master lv.6 (20/1000): The success rate of your pill concoctions increases, and the medicine efficacy is purer]

[Talent: Jade Bone Realm Control of Heat Great Success, Jade Bone Realm Pill Material Reduction]

...

[Blacksmith lv.6 (0/1000): The quality of the items you forge improves, and the consumption of forging materials reduces]

[Talent: Jade Bone Realm Strength Skill Great Success, Jade Bone Realm Forged Object Spirituality Granting]

...

[Healer lv.6 (0/1000): The effectiveness of your treatment improves, and the treatment time shortens]

[Talent: Jade Bone Realm Healing Skill Great Success, Jade Bone Realm Poison Resistance Great Success]

...

[Dancer lv.6 (0/1000): Your dances are more graceful and can charm people's minds]

[Talent: Jade Bone Realm Body Technique Talent Great Success, Jade Bone Realm Body Technique Talent Epiphany Great Success]

...

[Array Master lv.8 (50/2000): The speed of setting up arrays accelerates, and the speed of deciphering arrays accelerates]

[Talent: Gui Cang Realm Array Great Success, Gui Cang Realm Array Resistance Great Success]

...

These are all of Qin An's attributes.

After briefly contemplating, Qin An already had a plan.

"Four professions, a total of four thousand proficiency points. If calculating at two hundred points per day, it takes just twenty days to elevate all four professions to level seven."

"I cannot afford to be biased; I need to improve across the board. Otherwise, in the subsequent tasks, there will be life-threatening dangers."

The reason Qin An could take the lead in tasks was entirely due to comprehensive enhancement.

The Heart Method is the foundation, but the Cultivation Technique must not fall behind; otherwise, one is just an ordinary person with unparalleled Inner Strength.

After raising these four professions to level seven, and then practicing the remaining Cultivation Techniques to Small Success, Qin An would train the Scholar profession to level eight, elevating strength to the Great Success of Gui Cang Realm.

At that time, his ability to protect himself will be stronger, and Qin An will then look for the remaining three earth vein crystals.

As the night deepened, after making up his mind, Qin An snuffed out the oil lamp on the table and fell into a heavy sleep, holding the cold star.

...

Demon Hall.

Elder Monkey sat at the edge of the cliff, feeling the gentle breeze blowing.

A jug of wine was placed on the table beside him, and behind Elder Monkey, the disheveled corpse of a human woman lay with her eyes wide open.

Elder Monkey drank from the jug, wiped the wine off his mouth, and used a Confucian robe to cover his empty lower body.

"Human females are ultimately not as robust as demons, but this elder is a man of letters, and should enjoy human females."

The Tiger Demon next to him showed a fawning smile upon hearing this: "The Elder is right; once the Hall Master's plan succeeds, all the beauties of Lingzhou will be offered to you."

Upon hearing this, Elder Monkey's face suddenly turned cold, and he slapped the Tiger Demon on the head: "Nonsense!"

The Tiger Demon was dumbfounded but dared not utter a word.

This old monkey in front of him was truly strong, in the Vein Condensation Realm. As a mere humble Tiger Demon, how could he dare say more?

Elder Monkey retracted his hand and poured the remaining wine in the cup over the Tiger Demon's head.

"Offered? That's unscholarly. It's called mutual consent."

The Tiger Demon realized his mistake and nodded repeatedly.

The Elder Monkey from the Demon Hall had a peculiar quirk, truly seeing himself as a man of letters.

He insisted on attaching the name of a scholar to whatever demonic deeds he committed.

Yet the other demons dared not say anything amiss.

Elder Monkey poured himself another cup of wine: "How's the situation at Ten Thousand Mouse Cave?"

The Tiger Demon quickly bowed: "It's been wiped out, and the mountain patrol officers also suffered significant losses."

Elder Monkey clapped his hands and laughed: "A bunch of double-minded fools; it's better they're dead."

As soon as the words were spoken, Elder Monkey asked again: "How is Qin An?"

The Tiger Demon responded: "Still alive, and seems to have a good relationship with the mountain patrol captain…"

Upon hearing this, Elder Monkey's eyes revealed a hint of coldness: "Let him live a while longer."

The Tiger Demon lowered his head, cautiously moved closer, and showed a pleasing demeanor: "If it weren't for the Elder's disallowance, I would have personally taken his head to make a chamber pot for you."

Elder Monkey chuckled and took a confidential letter from his bosom, unfolding it carefully: "Compared to that, I'm more concerned about the matters in this letter. I wonder if the prefecture will return this time…"

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