"What's different?"

Upon hearing this, Qin An's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

The Household Officer of the Internal Affairs Department looked around cautiously, ensuring no one was nearby, before lowering his voice and saying, "The Jin Mansion General you mentioned, Mr. Zhou's fellow disciple, is known for his integrity, but he seems to have some criticisms about you."

"He's got issues with me?" Qin An frowned, puzzled, "I've never met him, I don't even know his name, where would the grudge come from?"

The Household Officer of the Internal Affairs Department shook his head like a rattle drum, "I don't know either."

Qin An raised an eyebrow and said meaningfully, "Aren't you worried that your gossiping about the Jin Mansion General might reach his ears?"

The Household Officer of the Internal Affairs Department immediately showed a subservient posture, ingratiatingly saying, "Mr. Qin, having just joined the Evil Extermination Bureau and already being promoted to Silver Mansion General, is unprecedented in Xunyang Prefecture. I just wanted to make a good connection with you, get a familiar face."

Qin An waved his hand, "If that's the case, then step back first."

There's no denying it, in this power-struggling Xunyang Prefecture, even the small Household Officers have a myriad of thoughts.

Compared to Lingzhou, Xunyang Prefecture is complicated, while Lingzhou looks like a newborn child.

The Household Officer of the Internal Affairs Department cupped his hands and withdrew.

Qin An stopped dwelling on it, took his saber and headed straight for where the Jin Mansion General was located.

Although he didn't know why the other had a bias against him, the truth would be revealed once they met.

...

In the elegant courtyard, flowers bloomed in abundance, their fragrance filling the air.

At first glance, this hardly seemed like a courtyard of the Evil Extermination Bureau, but rather a place for scholars to enjoy leisurely pursuits.

In the center of the courtyard, beside an antique wooden table, four rattan chairs were arranged.

A woman in black attire sat among them, sipping lightly on tea.

The woman was exceedingly beautiful.

Delicate eyebrows, eyes like autumn water, lips full and red without any makeup, captivating all who saw her.

Yet upon further inspection, one would notice the gold medallion hanging from her waist.

This was the symbol of the Jin Mansion General from the Evil Extermination Bureau, which all major forces in Xunyang Prefecture would avoid at all costs upon seeing.

At this moment, the woman set down her teacup and opened a booklet on the desk for a closer read.

As she read deeper, her delicate eyebrows gradually furrowed.

"Supreme True Elixir Foundation, reaching power at the Outer Elixir…" She closed the booklet, gazed into her teacup, and sneered, "Ha... it just had to land under my command, Zhou Yuanfeng, you're really tired of living."

The moment she spoke, a terrifying aura burst from her body like a star river suspended upside down, causing the flowers in the courtyard to bow.

At this moment, footsteps sounded, approaching from afar.

The woman restrained her aura, looked towards the sound, her expression as cold as ice.

Qin An, dressed in black, holding the Cold Star Saber, walked with the stride of a dragon or tiger into the courtyard, approaching the woman, "This subordinate Qin An, greets you, my lord. May I know your name?"

After his words, Qin An only glanced at the woman, memorized her appearance, and looked no longer.

The woman coolly sized Qin An up, "My name is Tang Zizhen."

Qin An cupped his hands again, "Greetings, Mr. Tang."

Tang Zizhen coldly said, "From this day forward, you are under my command. Although your time is short, and you'll eventually move on to the Mountain Patrol General, if you violate the laws of the Evil Extermination Bureau, I will punish you without mercy."

Raising an eyebrow, Qin An replied, "This subordinate accepts the order."

The prior exchange, especially after Tang Zizhen spoke, made Qin An keenly sense the dislike in her words.

This aroused a sense of puzzlement within him.

He considered he had no existing grievances with this Jin Mansion General, yet why was he treated this way?

But after thinking, Qin An decided not to ask.

Because there was no need to ask.

He wouldn't remain long in the Silver Mansion General position, and when the Mountain Patrol Copper General assessment arrived, he would naturally leave Xunyang Prefecture.

He wouldn't even have much interaction with Tang Zizhen, so asking would bring no benefit.

Tang Zizhen slowly rose, picked up the teapot on the table, and poured it all into the potted plant, "Since you're under Zhou Yuanfeng's command and now under my jurisdiction, keep your distance from Jin Fengyu in the future. My master doesn't like it, and neither do I."

Upon hearing this, Qin An lightly brushed his fingertips over his saber sheath, deriving some meaning and suddenly understanding.

"So that's how it is."

Tang Zizhen cast a cold glance back, "What do you mean 'so that's how it is'?"

Qin An replied earnestly, "This subordinate has no intent to partake in power struggles, only desires to join the Mountain Patrol General and conduct the demon-slaying and monster-exterminating duties."

He understood, he already comprehended the crux of it, and realized why Tang Zizhen harbored such distaste for him.

Earlier, when Tang Zizhen mentioned the term 'teacher,' Qin An already guessed her identity, surely aligned with Zhou Yuanfeng's alliance.

Her teacher was a Mountain Patrol Golden General, and Jin Fengyu was also a Mountain Patrol Golden General, but aligned with different factions from Jin Fengyu.

Having had interactions with Jin Fengyu, even gaining his recommendation to enter the ancient battlefield relic, naturally drew Tang Zizhen's displeasure.

Xunyang Prefecture was a whirlpool of intrigue, and Qin An speculated that there must be power struggles even among the Mountain Patrol Golden Generals.

Tang Zizhen slightly furrowed her eyebrows, "You rose from Lingzhou, with the Deputy Commanding Officer as my junior brother, introduced by Zhao Wuhuan, who is also my junior brother."

As her words ended, Tang Zizhen suddenly shifted her tone, "Now you also serve under Zhou Yuanfeng. On all fronts, every favor you receive is related to my circle."

Qin An looked up directly, "The kindness is remembered, this subordinate is not ungrateful, but as for the ancient battlefield relic, I must visit."

Tang Zizhen's tone suddenly sharpened, "Should I repeat myself? From now on, avoid associating with Jin Fengyu. Once you become a Mountain Patrol General, if fate allows, opportunities will naturally arise to enter the ancient battlefield relic."

Qin An responded calmly, "Forgive me, I cannot comply."

'Fate allowing'?

What does 'fate allowing' mean?

With such supreme foundation within the ancient battlefield relic, how could he entrust his destiny to the unreliable chance of 'fate allowing'?

Qin An must go.

He sought to establish supreme foundations at every realm level, to become invincible within the same realm.

In this turbulent world, having only the Golden Finger alone was not enough, if he couldn't achieve the ultimate, how could he survive?

Those few demon forces would wish nothing more than to eliminate him.

In such a crisis, he wouldn't let go of any opportunity.

Qin An wouldn't immerse himself in power struggles, yet he was also a person of principles.

He kept the favors he received in mind, and if needed, he'd repay them.

However, if forced like Tang Zizhen is doing, he didn't like it.

Tang Zizhen took light steps close to Qin An, "You're truly stubborn, but remember, it's best to behave while under my command."

Qin An felt the aura emanating from Tang Zizhen, rested his right hand on the Cold Star Saber handle, and responded with silence.

Tang Zizhen retracted her aura, waved her hand, "Since we've met, you can leave now."

Qin An sneered coldly and stopped speaking, then turned to leave the courtyard.

After Qin An left, the courtyard fell silent.

Tang Zizhen looked towards the corner: "Come out."

Zhou Yuanfeng appeared with a wry smile: "Senior sister, what are you doing again? Qin An is someone who softens under kindness rather than coercion. Be good to him, and he will naturally be grateful."

Tang Zizhen scoffed mockingly: "I think you've really grown more and more backward."

Zhou Yuanfeng pressed his lips together.

Tang Zizhen's eyes flashed slightly: "The Xunyang Prefecture is full of geniuses; Qin An is not the only one with the Supreme True Elixir. Those who don't listen will meet an untimely end sooner or later."

Zhou Yuanfeng said helplessly: "But his speed of improvement and immense potential is something I've only seen in my life..."

"Enough, stop talking!" Tang Zizhen interrupted harshly: "Every year, aren't the mountain patrol generals who fall all exceptionally talented? Let him survive first!"

Zhou Yuanfeng opened his mouth, wanting to speak.

Tang Zizhen interrupted again: "A two-faced person is not needed. Bring me the memorial."

Zhou Yuanfeng sighed, and then took out a memorial from his chest.

This memorial was written by him and intended to report Qin An's potential to their teacher.

Tang Zizhen snatched it away, tore it to pieces, and turned to walk inside the house.

Zhou Yuanfeng watched Tang Zizhen's back and sighed again.

He understood his senior sister's temperament and knew that what she said was correct.

Truly, many mountain patrol generals die every year.

But he still had faith in Qin An.

"Never mind, I can only go around my senior sister and secretly write a letter to the teacher," Zhou Yuanfeng thought to himself: "Although it might offend my senior sister, I have no other option, it's the only way..."

With this thought, Zhou Yuanfeng stopped thinking further, turned, and left the courtyard.

...

After leaving the courtyard, Qin An headed straight for the Confidential Library.

Now as a Jin Mansion General, he had the authority to review the core secrets of the ancient battlefield relics, and naturally wouldn't waste this opportunity.

In the Confidential Library, various Generals came and went frequently.

After verifying his identity with the Internal Affairs Department officer, Qin An entered the second floor alone.

On the second floor, there was a room with a locked door that required the Jin Mansion General's badge to open.

When Qin An opened the door, a dense array of bookshelves came into view.

Each bookshelf was labeled with a classification, making it easy to find what one needed.

After about half an incense stick's time, Qin An found what he needed, holding the book and sitting down in front of a chair, he began to read carefully.

The book contained extensive records about ancient battlefield matters, including even the Supreme Foundation method of the Outer Elixir Realm.

Once Qin An finished reading the book in its entirety, he closed it.

"I did not expect the ancient battlefield relics to have turned into pseudo-gods!" Qin An lightly tapped the knife sheath with his fingers, lost in thought.

The book stated that fragments of ancient battlefield relics were scattered across the entire Daqian, each fragment transforming into a pseudo-god.

The reason was the accumulation of resentment during the pseudo-god wars between humans and demons, leading to the mutation of the ancient battlefield relics.

However, the relics that transformed into pseudo-gods had differences.

Pseudo-gods could be good or bad; benevolent ones could bless a region, while malevolent ones could bring disaster.

Because of their nature, the pseudo-gods created from ancient battlefield relics could not leave their locations and remained neutral.

As for why they remained neutral, it was because their thoughts were mixed with those of human and demon pseudo-gods at the time of their mutation.

Qin An thought to himself: "The ancient battlefield relics that can provide abundant resources are pseudo-gods, which is indeed a secret, but this Supreme Foundation of the Outer Elixir Realm is troublesome."

The Outer Elixir Realm refers to cultivating the human pill within.

When the human pill first forms, it is golden in color and exudes a treasure-like luster.

When cultivation reaches its peak, the luster will instead become restrained until the human pill turns blood red, achieving External Elixir Realm Perfection.

Beyond the Outer Elixir is the Inner God Realm.

The so-called Inner God is about cultivating one's divine sense.

Upon reaching the Inner God, one can merge divine sense and True Essence into one, making a vast difference in combat power.

To acquire the Supreme Foundation of the Inner God Realm, one needs to gather the Five Elemental Divine Senses, which only exist in ancient battlefield relics.

The reason is that the Five Elemental Divine Senses are rare and can only be born in places with intense resentment.

And the ancient battlefield relics have plenty of resentment due to the many humans and demon pseudo-gods who perished there.

"It seems I must take a journey to these ancient battlefield relics," Qin An decided in his heart.

Even after becoming a Mountain Patrol Copper General, not every mission involves traveling to ancient battlefield relics.

But Jin Fengyu's recommendation could give me another chance.

Even if I can't find the Five Elemental Divine Senses, I can still find other benefits in the ancient battlefield relics.

After all, the ancient battlefield relics are not only home to the Five Elemental Divine Senses, but also countless natural and rare treasures.

"Time to practice my butcher skills," Qin An put his thoughts aside.

He stood up, walked out of the Confidential Library, and headed towards the butcher's shop.

The things seen today are important, but those are matters for the future; for now, it's better to practice my butcher profession up to level eleven.

As for Tang Zizhen's cold disdain, Qin An did not take it to heart.

As long as no one provokes him, all is well.

He just wants to improve himself.

If provoked, Qin An has his own ways of handling things.

...

Jiao Long Hall.

The Dragon King sat on the throne, clenched his five fingers, and crushed the female cultivator's head in front of him.

Even though the female cultivator was stripped bare, this bloody scene did not stir any desire.

The headless corpse fell to the ground, and Jiao Yue, prostrate on the ground, dared not make any reckless move.

Just now, according to the Evil Extermination Bureau's explanation, he managed, with great effort, to allay the Dragon King's concerns about him.

But after hearing about the death of two dragon generals, the Dragon King's fury was already erupting like a volcano, plainly evident.

Jiao Yue dared not make any rash moves, afraid to lose his life.

The Dragon King took a deep breath to calm his internal anger, his voice like thunder: "From now on, everyone must closely monitor Qin An's movements. If any flaw is found, kill without mercy!"

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