In the quiet room, even the sound of a needle falling could be clearly heard.

Qin An sat cross-legged, his eyes tightly shut.

Inside him, his blood and energy burned like raging flames.

If anyone could sense such a shocking rate of consumption, they would certainly be stunned.

In mid-air, words visible only to Qin An flowed like a melding of water and fire.

[You sit in meditation for years, starting to burn your internal blood and energy]

[A vast amount of blood and energy burns, but you make no progress]

[Yet you refuse to give up, continue burning your blood and energy, and gain some insight]

[The insight deepens endlessly...]

The blood and energy inside Qin An frantically consumed.

It wasn't until sixteen demon essences completely turned to nothingness that Qin An slowly opened his eyes.

In front of him, text appeared.

[You finally comprehend, merging two Heart Methods into one]

[Bodhi Vajra Water and Fire Scripture (Initial Mastery)]

Initial Mastery!

But this was the initial mastery of the Pulse Condensation Realm!

Inside Qin An, his True Qi surged like a vast ocean, refining his five internal organs with pure True Qi.

At the same time, the True Qi was gradually filling his Governing Vessel.

The so-called Pulse Condensation Realm is when True Qi fills eight main meridians.

Every time one is filled, it greatly increases combat power.

The eight main meridians previously condensed by the Earth's veins were now filled with even purer and more terrifying True Qi.

With a wave, True Qi surged, incomparable to the Gui Cang Realm.

"Truly the watershed of top combat power, even just achieving initial mastery of one main meridian can crush the Gui Cang."

Qin An took a deep breath, slowly suppressing the joy in his heart.

"Now that I'm in the Pulse Condensation Realm, after returning, I'll raise all remaining professions to level nine."

He had raised the Heart Method, but his other Cultivation Techniques were still at the Returning to Storage Realm.

Qin An did not want to waste time, achieving comprehensive advancement was the true path to invincibility.

"However, the most pressing matter now is to obtain demon essences and merits."

To be safe, Qin An converted all his merits into demon essences upon arrival, ultimately gathering sixteen.

The breakthrough from Gui Cang to Pulse Condensation is not a simple addition but a qualitative change.

In the future, each advancement will probably require an equivalent number of demon essences.

"I can now store about a thousand demon essences, which converts to roughly ten demon crystals and pseudo-crystals at the Pulse Condensation Realm."

A single demon crystal produced by a fallen Pulse Condensation Realm demon beast can equal a hundred demon essences.

At Qin An's current rate of consumption, he'll probably need to use demon crystals as the unit in the future.

"Are there so many Pulse Condensation Realm demon beasts in Lingzhou?"

Qin An rubbed his chin: "I guess I'll have to obtain them from the Demon Hall, and if that fails, I'll use a large number of demon essences as a replacement."

He needed the transformed blood and energy; compensating quantity for quality would make no difference.

No matter what, the greater consumption and demand after the advancement urgently required Qin An to take on some missions.

Having made up his mind, Qin An got up and walked to the main hall's location: "On returning this time, I'll first train one profession from level seven to level nine, then look for a mission."

Outside the main hall, Mr. Peng was supervising disciples on the cleanup. He hurriedly approached when he saw Qin An arriving.

Qin An was not one for idle talk, so he explained simply, then left for the mountain under Mr. Peng's invitation to stay.

...

At this moment, in a mountain forest.

Hu Yuan and Qianzu led thirty Returning to Storage Realm demon beasts in a rush.

As they passed, pests and vermin scattered in retreat.

"Hurry! The power of the bloodline imprint is fading, don't waste the opportunity!"

Qianzu slithered past various obstacles like a serpent, shouting loudly: "There will be a great reward for whoever takes Qin An's head!"

Hu Yuan followed closely behind, continually urging the many demon beasts, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

After accepting the mission from Elder Monkey, they had been lying in wait around Lingzhou for a long time.

Finally today, Qianzu used the bloodline imprint to locate Qin An's whereabouts.

The thought of soon taking Qin An's head made Hu Yuan unable to conceal his excitement.

This time, with him and Qianzu, they had a total of thirty-two Returning to Storage Realm demon beasts on their side.

Thirty-two great demon beasts working together, even with extraordinary skills, Qin An would find no escape.

Once Qin An's head was obtained, Elder Monkey would certainly grant a generous reward upon return.

By then, the Tiger Demon would become a favored figure beside Elder Monkey, and his status in the Demon Hall would rise.

The steep forest posed no obstacle to the demon beasts, though it was otherwise difficult to traverse.

After about half an hour of rushing, the demons arrived beside a main road.

At the moment, no one was passing the road, but the sound of horse hooves gradually approached from a distance.

Qianzu's eyes showed a hint of bloodlust: "Just ahead, he's coming!"

Just as the words fell, a black-clad figure was gradually closing in.

Hu Yuan waved his hand, growling lowly: "Ambush!"

Despite their guaranteed success on this mission, caution was necessary, and they couldn't be careless.

The numerous demon beasts quietly concealed themselves, their fangs dripping with a thirst for blood.

...

Qin An drove a fast horse, galloping swiftly along the main road.

Having resolved the matter with the Earth Walking Sect, Qin An didn't linger, almost traveling day and night toward Lingzhou.

Though now a Pulse Condensation Realm master, Qin An was unwilling to undertake such long-distance runs on foot.

At this moment, dark clouds loomed over the main road.

In the rainy season, a light drizzle would occasionally fall.

Just as Qin An was about to pass the main road ahead, a piercing voice, accompanied by the sound of the wind, reached his ears.

Qin An's eyes narrowed, and he slapped his hands on the horse's back, flipping over to the ground.

The steed he had just been riding was ripped to shreds by sharp claws where he paused earlier.

Qin An squinted, assessing the newcomers, a slight smile on his lips: "Demons."

The varicolored Tiger Demon licked the corner of his mouth: "Qin An, Elder Monkey has ordered the taking of your life, obediently hand over your head to spare some unnecessary suffering."

As he spoke, thirty great demon beasts emerged from all directions, encircling Qin An.

Qianzu sneered, the scraping sound of fangs was tooth-aching: "It doesn't matter if the ambush failed, today you are doomed to die!"

Qin An looked around, seemingly amused, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Have you gathered all the Gui Cang realm great demons you could find?"

With this number, any mountain patrol silver guard would lose their head here.

Hu Yuan sneered, "Naturally, we've known for a long time about your numerous secret techniques."

"But now, with thirty-two Gui Cang realm great demons here, even if you had heavenly abilities, you won't escape here alive!"

He had long wanted to rid Elder Monkey of this mortal enemy, Qin An, and upon seeing Qin An today, he was unimpressed.

Perhaps the aura was slightly fierce, but here they had more than thirty monsters.

In comparison, Qin An's aura was insignificant.

Qin An revealed an expression of realization and lightly sighed, "You really came prepared."

Hu Yuan wanted to say more.

He was a tiger turned demon, and his favorite pastime was watching prey die in fear.

But Thousand-legged didn't give him the chance.

Thousand-legged bared his fangs: "Enough talking, the more you speak, the more changes occur, let's get his head first."

Hu Yuan, upon hearing this, set aside his hobby and waved his hand: "Take his head!"

Numerous Gui Cang realm monsters stepped forward, each showing bloodthirsty eyes.

This one is a dual spearman, killing him will surely deal a heavy blow to the Evil Extermination Bureau.

At this moment, the weather suddenly changed and light rain began to fall.

A shadowy cloud was approaching.

Qin An slowly drew the Cold Star saber, raindrops splashing into crystal-like rivulets on his black clothes: "Indeed..."

His voice was deep but filled with a sense of mockery.

"Even for a Gui Cang realm like myself, facing you would only lead to retreat."

"But... what if I'm not Gui Cang?"

As his words fell, the surrounding monsters were slightly stunned.

Hu Yuan laughed loudly, his claws pointing at Qin An, full of ridicule: "The gap between Condensing Vein and Gui Cang is like heaven and earth, no matter how talented you are, you couldn't possibly progress so quickly!"

The monsters around relaxed, easing their minds, and continued encircling Qin An.

"Talented individual?"

With a raised hand, Qin An unleashed a saber strike towards the nearest Gui Cang realm monster: "I've killed many, they hardly deserve that title."

The enveloped monster felt its fur stand on end and hurriedly raised both hands to defend.

A cold glint flashed, and a line of blood appeared on the monster's forehead.

Qin An retracted his saber and stood, the pressure of the Condensing Vein realm swept across the scene: "How was that strike?"

The monster in front split in half, and a demon core fell to the ground, traces of three-colored True Qi still lingering on the demon corpse.

This strike, Condensing Vein!

The terrifying aura, accompanied by the drifting drizzle, enhanced Qin An's image as a black-clad nightmare.

"He..." Hu Yuan's throat rolled, terrified: "Condensing Vein realm! Run quickly!"

Without needing his command, the monsters on scene sped away in the opposite direction.

They were only Gui Cang realm monsters, although called great demons in Lingzhou, facing the Condensing Vein realm Qin An was like meat on a chopping board.

Thousand-legged also turned and fled.

But before he could take a few steps, a straight blade pierced through his chest.

Qin An extracted the demon core, leaving Thousand-legged's corpse to fall to the ground: "So it's a bug from Thousand-legged Cave, no wonder you found me."

He raised his gaze, watching the monsters scatter and flee, his lips slightly curled: "Since you came, don't leave."

Exercising Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step, Qin An used the Condensing Vein realm to wield Gui Cang realm cultivation technique, moving like a fish in water.

The ghostly figure flickered continuously, with each flash, a head would soar high.

In less than ten breaths, Qin An was carefully wiping the Cold Star saber in the rain.

Rainwater ran down Qin An's black hair, dripping onto Hu Yuan's fur.

Hu Yuan's eyes were wide open, already turned into a demon corpse.

A scene of gore unfolded, the corpses of Gui Cang realm monsters piled messily as if worthless.

"The total of thirty-two demon cores..." Qin An shook off the rainwater on Cold Star and sheathed it: "Saved some effort, and quite a harvest."

Having previously emptied his demon cores, today's interception battle rewarded Qin An handsomely.

"Time to head back."

This battle was merely an interlude for Qin An.

Without a fast horse, but Qin An wasn't in a hurry, he could find one at a nearby station.

Then Qin An disregarded the corpses on the official road, utilizing Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step, moving like a specter towards the closest official route.

Although the rain intensified, the hazy rain mist only made Qin An's figure seem even more unfathomable.

...

The Evil Extermination Bureau was bustling with people.

Despite the afternoon, the Bureau remained busy.

Upon returning to the Bureau, Qin An immediately attracted attention.

Seeing Qin An's waist token and smelling the heavy scent of blood on him, everyone silently avoided his gaze.

This new noble of Lingzhou always returned like this after heading out.

The battle-hardened knew it was the smell of demon blood.

No one dared mention it.

Qin An approached a clerk in the Internal Affairs Department and acquired a clean set of clothes before returning to his room.

The rain had drenched his black clothes, but after changing into dry ones, Qin An felt much more comfortable.

Killing enemies in the rain had an atmospheric feel, yet the wet sensation was uncomfortable.

In front of him, smoke twisted snake-like, transforming into lines of text.

After scanning through, the proficiency level of his butcher profession was revealed.

[Butcher lv.7 (200/1500): The livestock you butcher are tastier, enhancing their essence]

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

The butcher profession, like the scholar profession, grew while Qin An harvested demon cores.

Upon returning, Qin An planned to first advance his butcher profession to level nine.

After reaching level nine, he would then take on new tasks.

"Tomorrow I'll practice the butcher profession."

The butcher practice was straightforward, as he was familiar with Lingzhou's butchers and needed only pay some silver coins.

Having decided, Qin An didn't think further.

Today, he intended to rest for a while.

Yet just as Qin An intended to rest, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded.

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