The night was as dark as ink, and all was silent.

Qin An closed the door with a reverse hand.

The dim oil lamp cast flickering shadows across his brows and eyes, adding a touch of mystery to his chiseled face.

"The matter of the Demon Transformation Pool is probably reaching a critical point."

Qin An gently caressed the Cold Star Saber's blade with his fingertips, the chilly metallic sheen reflecting the contemplation in his eyes.

He hadn't agreed to today's proposal.

The Demon Hall hated him to the bone; rash actions might hasten Gao Lingyu's exposure.

Moreover, the most crucial thing at present is enhancing strength.

The urgent task is to quickly refine the eight main meridians with the earth meridian crystal to perfection and step into the Pulse Condensation Realm with a flawless stance.

Only then can he join the ranks of top powerhouses in Lingzhou and truly master the power to protect himself.

Now, nothing else matters; following the path Qin An set is paramount for continuous enhancement.

"Rest for today and practice the scholar profession to level eight in a few days to reach great success in the Gui Cang Realm."

Qin An lay down clothed, habitually resting his right hand on the saber's hilt at his waist.

"Then look for the remaining three main meridians; for now, put other matters aside."

Having made up his mind, Qin An stopped thinking too much, preserving perfect energy by going to sleep early.

...

Time flew by, and the days passed in a flash.

During these days, Qin An poured almost all his energy into the Gentleman's Study.

When the last ray of sunset dyed the scrolls golden, Qin An closed the book, his expression calm as water.

"Finally... it's done."

Smoke twisted like a snake, condensing mid-air into a line of text.

[Scholar lv.8 (0/2000): Your reading speed greatly increases, with superb memorization]

[Talent: Enlightenment in Gui Cang Realm Heart Skills, Great Success in Gui Cang Realm Heart Skills]

[Upgrade Conditions: Read five Gui Cang Realm Skills (5/5)]

[Upgraded]

After the smoke appeared, it swiftly transformed into abundant information, disappearing before Qin An's eyes.

A deluge of information rushed into Qin An's mind like a torrent.

By the time Qin An absorbed it all, he had completely mastered the level eight scholar profession.

The level eight scholar profession brought unimaginable benefits, with all talents reaching the great success level of Gui Cang Realm.

This indicated that Qin An only needed slight deduction of the Cultivation Techniques to swiftly break through to great success.

Qin An let out a breath, rising to the doorway: "I won't be coming again tomorrow."

The study's owner stood behind the counter, slightly dazed.

"Will you come again after tomorrow, sir?"

Qin An shook his head and walked out the door: "I won't be coming for the time being."

Once Qin An's figure disappeared at the end of the street, the study's owner regained awareness, his expression carrying a trace of visible complexity.

"With the character of Mr. Qin, although outwardly inaccessible, his inner nature is somewhat kind."

Being able to run a study to such a degree in Lingzhou, the owner was naturally meticulous.

He knew Qin An appeared aloof but was truly principled.

Just like the matter of silver coins, as Qin An said, not deducting even a bit.

The owner understood; such a person is actually quite kind.

Yet, he didn't understand why Qin An chose to be a mountain patrol guard who only kills and doesn't save.

"I'm just a civilian; these aren't worries for me."

The owner shook his head, clearing the thoughts from his mind, and continued reviewing the day's accounts.

...

When returning to the Evil Extermination Bureau, the sunset was already intense.

Qin An went to the Confidential Library, exchanged merits for a Gui Cang Realm Skill, then returned to his room.

The glow of the oil lamp was faint, yet it perfectly illuminated every corner of the room, clearly lighting up the Heart Method in Qin An's hand.

The cover of the Heart Method displayed four characters: "Golden Breaking Threefold Skill."

This Heart Method emphasized sharpness, transforming the entire body's True Qi into metallic attributes, breaking armor and killing foes when circulated.

This was part of a new batch of Heart Methods recently received by the Evil Extermination Bureau.

How did they obtain them? Just raid a few sect influences related to demons.

This was why the Evil Extermination Bureau never lacked Heart Methods.

The reason Qin An chose this skill was to supplement the Bodhi Profound Scripture's shortcomings.

The Bodhi Profound Scripture grants a clear heart capacity and ice-fire power.

Logically, it should be unparalleled in attack.

Yet, truly discussing attack, it always falls a bit short.

The Golden Breaking Threefold Skill uses metallic attribute True Qi as its root, also possessing armor-breaking power, and excels in attack.

Supplying the deficiency in attack would undoubtedly benefit Qin An greatly.

Once Qin An finished reading the Golden Breaking Threefold Skill, the scholar profession grew a bit more.

Qin An placed the Heart Method aside, circulating his body's True Qi according to the Heart Method's route.

Once the True Qi circulated slightly, a line of text appeared before Qin An's eyes.

[You cultivate the Golden Breaking Threefold Skill, triggering scholar talent]

[Golden Breaking Threefold Skill (Great Success)]

In front, smoke transformed into information, entering Qin An's mind.

In just moments, he had broken through to the great success of Gui Cang Realm—that's the terror of a level eight scholar talent.

For others, cultivating might take decades of effort.

But for Qin An, this was far from enough.

Not only did he want the Golden Breaking Threefold Skill's effects, but also the benefits of the Bodhi Profound Scripture.

Integrating both as one, that's what Qin An pursued.

Upon thinking, Qin An began deducing again.

[You possess the Bodhi Profound Scripture, wish to fuse the two, triggering scholar talent]

[You initially wanted to burn internal Qi and blood but unexpectedly triggered the Gui Cang Realm Heart Skill Enlightenment Great Success Talent]

[In a trance, you fell into an irresistible state of enlightenment]

[After sitting in meditation for years, you finally fused the two, creating a new Heart Method named Bodhi Vajra Water and Fire Scripture]

[Bodhi Vajra Water and Fire Scripture (Great Success)]

Qin An suddenly opened his eyes, a trace of joy flashing within them.

He still had twelve demon essence, initially thinking that the simulation and fusion of the Heart Method would expend some, but unexpectedly, his enlightenment talent was triggered, and not a single demon essence was wasted.

"The profession is the foundation; if it weren't for the critical situation now, I would have liked to cultivate my profession slowly."

Qin An stood up, sensing the state within his body.

After achieving Great Success, his heart, liver, spleen, and lungs were completely filled with True Qi, and with the five main meridians being refined by earth vein crystals, Qin An was far beyond his former self.

"Demon essence is a lifesaver, better not to simulate it to perfection for now."

After a brief contemplation, Qin An did not continue the simulation.

If he were more ruthless, perhaps using the remaining demon essence for simulation, he could achieve perfection level.

But there was no need.

Firstly, because he was still missing three main meridians, and secondly, because he wanted to keep a trump card.

The Blood-Burning Dragon Demon Hand requires burning blood and Qi; in desperation, it is more potent and more effective than the Ice Flame Water Breaker.

If he truly encounters danger and finds himself without demon essence, that would be a grave error.

"It's time to seek earth vein crystals."

Qin An regained his thoughts, his gaze turning in the direction of the Confidential Library.

"Setting up an array requires materials, let's take a look at the Confidential Library."

The Mountain Patrol Commander's exchange privileges surpass those of State Officials; after all, they are rewards for their life-risking endeavors.

Arranging a vein-searching array isn't conjured from thin air, it requires various materials.

From Ding County to now, Qin An was continuously engaged in slaughter without time to collect materials.

Might as well use merit for exchange, saving quite a bit of time.

...

Inside the Confidential Library.

The State Official from the Internal Affairs Department was dumbfounded after hearing the materials Qin An reported.

In front of him was the Mountain Patrol Commander who only killed but didn't cross, why did he suddenly come asking for a heap of materials?

Though he was full of doubts about this commander, he dared not question further.

Qin An returned to his quarters with a pile of materials, checked them thoroughly, and began pondering the array setup.

"The vein-searching array has two effects."

"The first is directly searching for earth vein crystals, the second is searching for nearly wilting earth veins."

"If the first type is found, it will save a lot of time."

"If the second, waiting will be necessary."

Without hesitation, Qin An pondered for a moment and began setting up the vein-searching array.

An eighth-level Array Master's abilities allow Qin An to master all arrays of the Great Success of Gui Cang Realm, including the vein-searching array, making its setup naturally effortless.

Using the exchanged materials, Qin An set up an array that appeared on the ground, measuring over half a foot.

The vein-searching array was small and did not occupy much space during setup.

"Now just one step remains, using True Qi as the guide."

Qin An activated his inner True Qi, according to the vein-searching array's method, channeling it into the array.

Array setup is extremely challenging, and using True Qi as a guide is even more difficult.

This is the key to activating the array; if one doesn't know how to activate it, channeling True Qi would be futile.

As True Qi surged into the array, the array on the ground glimmered slightly.

In just a few breaths, the array seeped into the ground.

The vein-searching array functions by using the current earth vein as a guide to sense other earth veins.

Although the distance is limited, the restrictions are minimal.

As the array merged with Lingzhou's earth vein, Qin An sensed something, raising his gaze to scan in three directions.

To the north, there was an existing earth vein crystal, and to the west and east, each had a wilting earth vein.

"I'll search for the existing one first."

Qin An made up his mind, didn't think further, stepped outside, and borrowed a fast horse from the Internal Affairs Department's state official to head north.

...

In a guesthouse at Lingzhou.

Gao Lingyu sat cross-legged, meditating.

The tasks arranged by the main province required time; she had already studied Lingzhou's geographical reconnaissance thoroughly and sent two elders for field surveys.

Such trivial matters can be handed to the two elders.

As for herself, she remained in Lingzhou for the time being, without venturing out.

Cultivators naturally seize every moment for cultivation; even though the Profound Celestial Array Gate was not adept at combat, she wouldn't relax at all.

At that moment, Gao Lingyu's previously tightly closed eyes suddenly opened, gazing towards a direction in Lingzhou, a look of astonishment in her eyes.

"Someone's setting up an array in the direction of the Evil Extermination Bureau?"

Just now, she sensed someone setting up an array, but the sensation was fleeting, and what array it was, she couldn't determine.

However, someone setting up an array in the direction of the Evil Extermination Bureau aroused Gao Lingyu's suspicion.

The main province's matters are highly confidential, and every move must be cautious.

Gao Lingyu stood up, pondering, "Who could it be?"

"If the main province hadn't secretly invited me here, I would have liked to investigate."

For someone to catch her attention, the one arranging the array must have substantial abilities.

Unfortunately, she couldn't reveal her identity now, or else it would attract the notice of the demon hall.

As Gao Lingyu thought about it, a sudden knock on the door sounded.

"Enter," Gao Lingyu said indifferently.

A man walked in from outside, the elder who had guarded Gao Lingyu that day.

"Second Elder, how's the survey going?" Gao Lingyu asked.

The Second Elder nodded slightly, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, although there are discrepancies with the geographical reconnaissance, they are minor and credible."

Gao Lingyu contemplated briefly, "If that's the case, tomorrow I will accompany you to explore various places in Lingzhou."

The Second Elder agreed, "There is one more matter, regarding information on Qin An, which I have collected; please, Sect Leader, take a look."

He handed a paper to Gao Lingyu.

Gao Lingyu took it, curious about its contents.

Concerning Qin An, Gao Lingyu still held some reservations.

Especially since Qin An rejected her invitation, it left her quite discontented.

Now with information on Qin An, Gao Lingyu naturally found it intriguing.

Upon finishing reading the paper, Gao Lingyu stood paralyzed like a wooden sculpture.

The paper trembled slightly in her hand, and the candlelight flickered erratically, casting an uncertain light on her face.

"The demon hall and three major demon forces loathe him intensely, even indirectly leading to the Fire Crow Race's and Ten Thousand Mouse Cave's destruction!"

"How could a mere Mountain Patrol Silver Official possess such power?"

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