When the severely wounded dragon monster was escorted into the courtyard, the expressions of those present varied greatly.

Tao Hanping abruptly stood up, a wary gleam flashing in his eyes.

The unhealed wounds on his body and the half-lost lifespan were all thanks to the Jiao Long Hall.

Upon seeing the dragon monster at this moment, his muscles tensed.

If it weren't for being in the courtyard of the Evil Extermination Bureau, he would have already struck out.

Qin An said indifferently, "I see, it seems this dragon has been tamed into a worm."

Zhou Yuanfeng nodded meaningfully, "It wailed for five days and nights in the Evil Extermination Bureau's dungeon, its dragon scales being peeled away and regenerating again and again. If it still wasn't tamed, what we'd have brought out would be a corpse."

Upon hearing Zhou Yuanfeng's words, Jiao Yue couldn't help trembling, looking at Zhou Yuanfeng with eyes full of fear.

Those excruciating torments were vividly etched in his memory.

Only he knew the extent of the torture he had endured during this time.

Not only were his dragon scales plucked, but even his dragon claws didn't escape this calamity.

Moreover, the Evil Extermination Bureau had its own set of interrogation techniques for dragon monsters.

The methods were said to be incredibly painful.

As long as you were a living being, you definitely couldn't withstand it.

He had clearly caved in; if not, how could he have surrendered to the Evil Extermination Bureau back then?

Seeing Jiao Yue's terrified appearance, Qin An slightly raised the corners of his mouth, "Mr. Zhou, what plans do we have next?"

Today, the topic ended here, and the necessary understanding was reached.

Now, Zhou Yuanfeng took Jiao Yue out, indicating there must be a subsequent plan.

Zhou Yuanfeng's gaze was penetrating, as he raised his hand lightly, "Let this dragon monster speak."

Upon hearing this, Jiao Yue didn't hesitate at all, respectfully prostrating on the ground, kowtowing three times to Zhou Yuanfeng and Qin An before raising his head to say, "This humble monster is willing to be a secret agent for the Evil Extermination Bureau, infiltrating the Jiao Long Hall to gather intelligence, loyal unto death!"

Qin An heard this and showed an understanding expression, "I see. If he's inserted into the Jiao Long Hall, intelligence can naturally be gathered, but Mr. Zhou, are you sure he's truly surrendered and won't harbor ulterior motives, such as betraying the Evil Extermination Bureau as soon as he returns to the Jiao Long Hall."

Hearing this, Jiao Yue frantically shook his head, "Mr. Qin, please don't say that. I would never betray the Evil Extermination Bureau. Alive, I belong to the Evil Extermination Bureau; dead, I'm its ghost. My loyalty to the Evil Extermination Bureau is as clear as day!"

He was almost about to swear a deadly oath to Qin An.

Qin An slightly squinted his eyes but remained silent.

Zhou Yuanfeng lightly tapped his fingers on the table and said slowly, "You don't have to worry about that; the Evil Extermination Bureau has ways to ensure he behaves. If he doesn't, the pain he'll endure won't be less than that in the dungeon."

This statement made Jiao Yue shudder again.

There are countless cultivation techniques in this world, and with the talented individuals inside the Evil Extermination Bureau, naturally, there's a way to handle such matters.

Qin An pondered and said, "If that's the case, it would indeed save us a lot of trouble."

By this point, Qin An understood Zhou Yuanfeng's strategy.

If Jiao Yue could be controlled by the Evil Extermination Bureau and inserted into the Jiao Long Hall as a secret agent, it would undoubtedly provide a wealth of intelligence to the Evil Extermination Bureau.

As for how Jiao Yue would explain his return to the monsters in the Jiao Long Hall, the Evil Extermination Bureau should have already devised a plan for Jiao Yue.

Tao Hanping shook his head in confusion, listening in a daze, without grasping the meaning between the two.

Zhou Yuanfeng turned his gaze to Tao Hanping and said in a calm tone, "Ruan Lingzhi was taken by the people of the Jiao Long Hall, and since there's a survivor, there must be a reason. If I'm not mistaken, Ruan Lingzhi's role is to assist the Jiao Long Hall in breaking the formations around other sects, thus creating more opportunities for the Jiao Long Hall."

Although Tao Haiping didn't understand what plans the two had, he understood this statement and showed a look of astonishment, "If that's the case, isn't he afraid of being condemned through the ages?"

Zhou Yuanfeng sneered, "Those who fear death care little about posthumous notoriety."

Tao Hanping was speechless, unable to say any more.

Because what Zhou Yuanfeng said was true.

Ruan Lingzhi, willing to survive for a moment, surrendered to the monsters; how could he fear eternal infamy?

Zhou Yuanfeng turned his gaze to the courtyard entrance and waved his hand, "Alright, you can now leave Xunyang Prefecture and return to the Celestial Solitary Array Gate; the rest is the business of the Evil Extermination Bureau."

Tao Hanping was slightly stunned, then realized, "Does the Evil Extermination Bureau not need my help?"

Zhou Yuanfeng coldly replied, "For such matters, the Evil Extermination Bureau doesn't need it. Moreover, what could you help with?"

Tao Hanping felt like he had been struck by lightning, and after a while, he sighed, "If that's the case, I'll take my leave."

Although Zhou Yuanfeng's words were blunt, they accurately hit the nail on the head.

He almost lost his life besieged by the Jiao Long Hall, escaping with significant cost.

Such strength indeed wasn't sufficient in the Xunyang Prefecture's Evil Extermination Bureau.

He didn't wish to linger in Xunyang Prefecture any longer, intending to proceed immediately to the Celestial Solitary Array Gate, to inform the Sect Leader and see what the Sect Leader intended.

Then, seeing the two paying him no attention, Tao Hanping rose and left the place.

...

After Tao Hanping left, only Qin An and Zhou Yuanfeng remained in the courtyard.

Qin An savored the fine wine in his cup and looked up to ask, "Mr. Zhou, is there anything else?"

Zhou Yuanfeng nodded and said, "I heard that this time, you assisted the Profound Celestial Array Gate in winning the competition, helping them through this crisis?"

Qin An didn't hide it, "Indeed."

Zhou Yuanfeng thought for a moment, "If that's the case, your talent in arrays is no less than the Profound Celestial Array Gate, or perhaps even stronger."

Qin An considered for a moment and said, "You could say that."

"Good!" Zhou Yuanfeng lightly tapped his fingers on the table, creating a rhythmic knocking sound as he fell into thought.

After a moment, Zhou Yuanfeng's hands gradually stopped.

"Since the other side lured Ruan Lingzhi over and had him submit, not only will they use Ruan Lingzhi to attack other forces but also use him to set up arrays for the Jiao Long Hall."

"Do you have any methods to sense the Jiao Long Hall through arrays?"

Qin An's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "It is possible, but first, we need to know what arrays the Jiao Long Hall is setting up."

The intricacies of arrays are extremely mysterious, emphasizing mutual generation and constraint.

If Qin An knew what arrays the Jiao Long Hall was setting up, he could set up a reverse array to connect with them.

This is unique to Array Masters, and the method Qin An knows is probably not even present in the Profound Celestial Array Gate.

Only a plug-in-like Array Master profession like Qin An's can learn so comprehensively.

Zhou Yuanfeng let out a sigh of relief, "If that's the case, eradicating Jiao Long Hall is just around the corner. We only need to wait until Jiao Yue returns to Jiao Long Hall, finds the opportunity to inform us what the formation is, and then we can locate Jiao Long Hall."

Qin An raised an eyebrow and said, "When can Jiao Yue return?"

Zhou Yuanfeng laughed, "You're quite impatient."

Qin An nodded, "Jiao Long Hall sees me as a mortal enemy; of course, I'm anxious. I am eager for them to be defeated sooner."

Zhou Yuanfeng shook his head, "It's not possible now, we need to find a suitable opportunity to wash away Jiao Yue's ties with the Evil Extermination Bureau before he can head to Jiao Long Hall."

Qin An contemplated for a moment and said, "If there is news, please inform me, Mr. Zhou. I'd like to see Jiao Long Hall reduced to ruins with my own eyes."

"Naturally," Zhou Yuanfeng nodded.

Qin An stood up and said, "If that is the case, I shall take my leave."

Today's discussion is almost done, Qin An still needs to go to the medical hall to practice his medical skills, aiming to reach level ten as soon as possible.

Zhou Yuanfeng hesitated slightly, asking, "Is it appropriate for me to say something?"

Qin An paused, hand on the scabbard, raising an eyebrow, "You have been good to me, feel free to speak."

Zhou Yuanfeng pondered, "You are extremely talented, if you could focus on cultivation, you should have broken through the Outer Elixir Realm long ago, why distract yourself with other matters?"

"I mean... could you possibly give up some things?"

Lately, Qin An's actions have not gone unnoticed by Zhou Yuanfeng.

He knows Qin An is capable of many things but never thought Qin An would abandon cultivation in his spare time to be a resident doctor at the medical hall.

This puzzled him greatly.

Qin An thought for a moment and shook his head, "Mr. Zhou, I have my own ideas on this matter."

Zhou Yuanfeng sighed, "Very well, I was just offering a reminder. I know you have a mature mind. Since you have your own ideas, don't mind what I say."

He once held the Supreme True Elixir Foundation and was ranked among the top in the Outer Elixir Realm, naturally knowing that everyone has secrets.

Qin An didn't want to speak, and he didn't want to ask.

The previous words were solely out of concern for Qin An.

Qin An did not linger further, cupped his fists, and left the courtyard.

…

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, several days had passed.

During this period, no major incidents occurred in Xunyang Prefecture.

The people from the Evil Extermination Bureau were busy commuting, dealing with quite a few troublesome monsters.

Qin An was rather idle.

Zhou Yuanfeng did not assign him tasks, he lived a life commuting between two places.

Every day, he either went to the medical hall as a resident doctor, diligently practicing his medical profession skills, or returned to the Evil Extermination Bureau for rest.

Many who knew of Qin An's strong talent wanted to socialize with him but found no opportunity.

A few who were slightly smarter ran into Qin An halfway and feigned small talk with him, aiming to forge a good rapport.

To this, Qin An politely declined one by one.

Ever since the one banquet with Gao Lingyu, Qin An abandoned the idea of skillfully networking in Xunyang Prefecture and turned his focus to enhancing his own power.

At this moment, in a room of the Evil Extermination Bureau, the oil lamp flickered, casting flickering shadows around.

Qin An sat in a chair and took a sip from his teacup.

Looking at the text in front of him, Qin An's lips curled into a slight smile.

[Medical lv.10 (0/5000): Your patient treatment effectiveness increases, treatment time shortens, medicinal effects enhance]

[Talent: Great Success in Meridian Condensation medical cultivation technique, Great Success in Meridian Condensation poison resistance, Meridian Condensation Medicine Mastery]

After the past ten days, living almost like bitter cultivation, Qin An finally raised the medical profession to level ten.

Upon reaching level ten, all talents have achieved Great Success of Vein Condensation Realm.

"It's time to enhance protective cultivation techniques." Qin An thought, taking out a cultivation book from his bosom and placing it on the table.

The book cover contained the words 'Profound Truth Gang Qi,' the same as the Gang Qi method Qin An initially cultivated, focusing on Gang Qi defense.

However, this book is a cultivation technique of the Meridian Condensation Realm.

This was exchanged by Qin An from the Confidential Library when his medical profession was reaching level ten.

In addition to the exchange, he also acquired four demon crystals.

Now, with eight demon crystals stored in his body, he has enough to enhance and merge the protective techniques.

The reason Qin An didn't choose other protective techniques was simply because he couldn't find any suitable ones.

Perhaps one day, the Evil Extermination Bureau will have new cultivation techniques, but Qin An can't wait that long.

With the capacity to enhance strength, he will take action.

He won't leave it aside waiting.

After all, in this era, crises could emerge anytime.

If life is lost, then no matter how many cultivation techniques one has, it's all useless.

Qin An leveraged the night to read the content of 'Profound Truth Gang Qi' carefully.

Until his scholar profession saw a slight improvement, he set the book aside, sat cross-legged on the bed, quietly circulating True Qi within.

True Qi navigated the 'Profound Truth Gang Qi' route.

Once Qin An completed one cycle, the Golden Finger was immediately triggered.

He saw a mist in front slowly condensing into words.

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