As these words fell, the entire venue suddenly plunged into dead silence, with even the sound of breathing distinctly audible.

Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at Qin An and the giant skeleton formed by the vast sweep of yellow sand covering the sky.

The flying sand stirred everyone's emotions, like an overturned inkstone, spreading panic within their hearts.

Everyone understood the true effect of the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array.

The array set up by Ruan Lingzhi had just reached the peak of perfection; even if Gao Lingyu were present, it would be no different.

However, the array set up by Qin An was entirely different.

Though originating from the same source, the power was as different as night and day, like a sparrow before an eagle, incomparable.

Gao Lingyu's gaze shifted, her lips slightly curling as she turned to Tao Hanping: "Mr. Tao, shall you announce, or shall I?"

Tao Hanping's face revealed bitterness: "I didn't expect there to be such a talent in Xunyang Prefecture. His array talent is so exceptional that even I feel inferior. Today, Mr. Gao has won."

Gao Lingyu's rosy lips parted, unable to hide her delight: "Sect matters are complicated, so I won't keep everyone."

The contest had been won, and from now on, the Celestial Solitary Array Gate would not trouble the Profound Celestial Array Gate.

She already had grievances with the Celestial Solitary Array Gate, so there was no need to keep them for a meal.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible! You definitely cheated!"

Just then, a sharp yell exploded suddenly.

Everyone's gaze shifted to across from Qin An.

Only to see Ruan Lingzhi slumped on the ground, all previous arrogance completely vanished.

He pointed shakily at Qin An, his face twisted and contorted, no longer maintaining a trace of a prodigious demeanor.

Disciples of the Profound Celestial Array Gate cast disdainful glances, while those from the Celestial Solitary Array Gate hung their heads in shame.

The results of the array contest were clear-cut.

A loss is a loss, and a win is a win.

Everyone saw it with their own eyes.

Now, Ruan Lingzhi's attitude was entirely unyielding.

And he even pinned the reason on Qin An's deception.

It was obvious whether cheating occurred.

This was indeed the Heaven and Earth Yellow Sand Array.

If unconvinced, he could improve upon it himself and suppress Qin An's array.

What's the point of saying such things now?

Qin An said indifferently: "I thought you merely lacked character, but I didn't expect you wouldn't even dare to admit defeat. Such disposition, can you call it prodigious? You're afraid you're not even as good as a stray dog on the street."

Ruan Lingzhi clenched his fists, just about to continue arguing with Qin An, when a figure flashed by.

Tao Hanping stepped forward, casting a cold gaze at Ruan Lingzhi.

Ruan Lingzhi froze briefly.

Tao Hanping said coldly: "Enough! Stop this pointless arguing. Even if the Sect Leader were here, he could only admit we've lost. A full-grown man, can't even bear such a loss or victory, don't you have even that bit of responsibility?"

Ruan Lingzhi retorted: "Elder, he definitely cheated. I am the unparalleled genius of the Celestial Solitary Array Gate. How could I lose to such a novice?"

"If he hadn't cheated, why not dare to compete with me again?"

Tao Hanping could no longer endure it, giving Ruan Lingzhi a slap on the face: "Such audacity!"

The slap resounded distinctly on the platform.

Ruan Lingzhi flew backward, rolling several times on the ground, clutching his right cheek, looking incredulously at Tao Hanping: "You even dare hit me! I'm the future Sect Leader, aren't you afraid that when I become Sect Leader, I will demote and punish you?"

Tao Hanping sneered: "Let's talk about it when you become Sect Leader. Once back, I'll report this honestly to the Sect Leader, and make sure to explain this clearly."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Lingzhi's face drastically changed.

He wasn't afraid of the Sect Leader settling scores with him after losing, but this experience made him realize that the main reason for this defeat lay significantly with him.

If he hadn't interrupted Tao Hanping and agreed to Qin An's participation in the contest, they wouldn't have lost.

If this were to reach the Sect Leader's ears, however much of a genius he was, he would definitely face severe punishment.

Since becoming a True Disciple of the Celestial Solitary Array Gate, he acted arrogantly and indulgently within the sect.

If he were to fall from grace, those disciples he bullied would definitely make his life miserable.

Ruan Lingzhi said nothing further, but merely hung his head, a hint of venom flashing in his eyes.

Seeing this, Tao Hanping turned and clasped his hands toward Gao Lingyu: "Mr. Gao, we accept our defeat in this contest. From now on, we shall each go our own way. May the Profound Celestial Array Gate continue to prosper and thrive!"

Gao Lingyu nodded slightly: "No need to see us off."

Tao Hanping did not linger, leading the numerous disciples of the Celestial Needle Sect and departing the Profound Celestial Array Gate.

Having lost, they had no face to stay, returning to the Celestial Solitary Array Gate early was the right course of action.

Soon, the platform fell silent.

No one knows who softly cheered at first, but the platform soon erupted into cheers like a wildfire.

Recently, the crisis of the Celestial Solitary Array Gate had loomed over the entire Profound Celestial Array Gate like dark clouds.

Today, the clouds that hovered over the Profound Celestial Array Gate for so long were finally dispersed by Qin An.

Hope after despair induced a frenzy of cheers among the disciples of the Profound Celestial Array Gate, and their gazes toward Qin An became increasingly reverent.

Gao Lingyu covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes bright with emotion: "Mr. Qin, your mastery of the arrays now likely surpasses even mine."

She was an array master of Xunyang Prefecture, able to discern at a glance how Qin An's array significantly increased its power.

As for the source, Gao Lingyu could only attribute it to Secret Techniques.

She didn't pry.

There are many secrets in this world, and probing into others' secrets is improper.

Qin An shook his head: "Xunyang Prefecture's array master will always belong to the Profound Celestial Array Gate, and only to Mr. Gao alone; I merely happened upon the knowledge of arrays, and will not become engrossed."

Gao Lingyu's eyes flickered with light, her words carrying deep meaning: "In that case, thank you, Mr. Qin."

Qin An said: "For what do you thank me?"

Gao Lingyu implied: "Thank you Mr. Qin for not showing your prowess in arrays, for helping the Profound Celestial Array Gate through this crisis, and for helping me release the resentment in my heart."

Qin An calmly said, "It was all paid for, silver coins exchanged, no need to thank me. Now that matters are settled, I'll take my leave."

He had many things to do.

Although there was no task, the matter of skill mastery always occupied Qin An's mind.

After returning, Qin An would train his skills as a healer, dancer, and Pill Master to level ten.

If a task arose midway, he would collect demon crystals to refine the Supreme True Elixir.

Time seemed ample and leisurely, but for Qin An, it was very urgent.

Gao Lingyu was perceptive and did not try to persuade him to stay, sending an elder to escort Qin An out of the Profound Celestial Array Gate.

An elder slowly approached the platform with a subtle, meaningful expression.

"If the Sect Leader could unite with Mr. Qin, the Profound Celestial Array Gate could rely on the Evil Extermination Bureau and gain an array grandmaster, a double blessing indeed."

Gao Lingyu's eyes flashed a trace of panic: "That's going too far, elder."

The elder hinted: "Does the Sect Leader truly not have this in mind?"

Gao Lingyu sighed quietly: "Unworthy."

The elder was stunned on the spot: "With your status and position, Sect Leader, how could you not be worthy? He is just a bronze Prefecture General."

Mr. Gao said bitterly: "His potential and talent, being a bronze Prefecture General is not the end, like a dragon in the depths, destined to soar the heavens, while our Profound Celestial Array Gate has reached its bottleneck. Though I'm confident in my looks, I dare not hope for a true dragon."

The elder stood dazed, full of shock.

Such words, he truly heard for the first time from the Sect Leader's mouth.

In his mind, the Sect Leader was extremely proud.

There was no man in Xunyang Prefecture she fancied.

Yet now she seemed quite taken with Qin An, and seemed to view him as highly exceptional, claiming to be unworthy.

Mr. Gao sighed: "After meeting Qin An today, no one else in Xunyang Prefecture catches my eye. Gone…"

With that, Mr. Gao's figure disappeared from the platform.

The joyous atmosphere lingered in the hearts of every disciple of the Profound Celestial Array Gate, not dissipating for a long time.

…

Upon returning to the Evil Extermination Bureau, it was still early.

Qin An ate a bowl of noodles on the street outside, then closed the door to his house.

The oil lamp on the table flickered with light.

Under the lamplight, after a moment of contemplation, Qin An decided to proceed with enhancing his healer skill mastery.

The healer skill mastery relates to the technique of self-protection.

Currently, both Qin An's boxing and blade techniques have reached the Great Success of Vein Condensation Realm, yet the self-protection technique is still at a basic level.

Prioritizing training in self-protection techniques would provide a life-saving method in future battles against beasts.

Once he advances the healer skill to level ten, he'll then train in the dancer profession to further develop body techniques.

With his decision made, Qin An left the Evil Extermination Bureau once more, heading to the nearest medical hall in Xunyang Prefecture.

Spending a small amount of silver coins, coupled with the influence of his official attire, Qin An smoothly became a resident healer at the medical hall.

…

Meanwhile, as Qin An honed his healer skill mastery, on the main road, the carriage of the Celestial Solitary Array Gate slowly departed Xunyang Prefecture.

Inside the carriage, Ruan Lingzhi's face was stormy. Even with Qianqian by his side, he felt no desire.

The events of the day had ended in defeat, largely due to him.

Upon returning, the Sect Leader would surely be furious, and his status would plummet to its lowest.

By then, any hope of promotion in the Celestial Solitary Array Gate would be lost.

Not to mention the position of the next Sect Leader, even retaining the spot of a True Disciple seemed improbable.

Qianqian quietly gauged Ruan Lingzhi's expression, then stealthily moved closer, placing her fair hand on Ruan Lingzhi's chest.

Ruan Lingzhi's gloom dissipated slightly at the gesture.

Qianqian teased, "Why so despondent, Mr. Ruan? It was merely a simple matter of victory or defeat, is it worth such distress?"

Ruan Lingzhi sighed, holding Qianqian in his arms, bitterly saying, "Today showed how indifferent the world can be. When I'm deemed useless, everyone looks at me with disdain, just like Tao Hanping who usually wouldn't dare utter a word but today dared slap me and publicly humiliate me."

Qianqian pouted with a playful smile: "In my eyes, your strength and potential are exceptional. It's just bad luck today."

Ruan Lingzhi's gloom eased considerably, and he couldn't help but kiss Qianqian passionately.

Moments later, Ruan Lingzhi lifted his head.

"You always understand me the best."

Qianqian chuckled softly, then pointed in a direction: "My sisters have prepared a boudoir. Why don't you join me there? We two ladies will serve you and dispel today's misfortune."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Lingzhi seemed to forget all past grievances, his eyes blazing with passion: "Alright, in that case, let's head there and soothe today's frustration."

At this thought, Ruan Lingzhi lifted the curtain.

Tao Hanping was riding a horse not far away, frowning when he saw this: "What is it now?"

Ruan Lingzhi pointed in a direction: "I have some kin over there, and I'd like to visit them briefly."

Tao Hanping sneered: "You're not even from Xunyang Prefecture, what kin do you have here, it's absurd."

Ruan Lingzhi said: "Mr. Tao, I'll set today's matter aside for now. If the Sect Leader blames me when we return, you won't escape the blame either."

"If you comply with me, I will take all the blame for today. Otherwise, with embellishment, it won't be good for anyone."

Tao Hanping snorted: "Are you threatening me?"

"It's not a threat," Ruan Lingzhi replied coldly, "consider it a transaction, how about it?"

Tao Hanping thought for a moment, raised his hand to stop the group, then turned his horse towards the direction Ruan Lingzhi indicated.

Returning wasn't urgent. Since Ruan Lingzhi wanted to discuss a transaction, Tao Hanping found it acceptable.

At least he couldn't bear the blame.

The convoy gradually veered from the main road, heading towards Jiao Long Hall.

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