As Qin An finished speaking, the whole courtyard suddenly fell into dead silence.

Dozens of Silver Guards turned their gazes to Qin An in unison, their eyes filled with undisguised shock.

After all, the person in front of them was Mr. Tang Zizhen, a Gold Guard.

Within the Evil Extermination Bureau, she held a high and powerful position, a fearsome existence outside, with countless blood on her hands.

Yet at this moment, Qin An dared to face her questioning directly, even retorting, a boldness that truly made people take notice.

Many Silver Guards had a hint of amusement in their eyes, waiting with interest for the follow-up of this confrontation.

It was obvious that Tang Zizhen hadn't expected Qin An to respond in such a way, a flash of cold light in her eyes. "Are you questioning me?"

"I wouldn't dare." Qin An replied neither overbearing nor servile, "I just don't understand, did I delay the timing?"

"The timing wasn't delayed." Tang Zizhen sneered, "But for such an important mission, arriving early shows importance."

Qin An laughed softly, "Even if I arrive early, the mission won't begin earlier, why waste time idly here?"

He understood perfectly well that Tang Zizhen was clearly using this as an excuse.

This reminded him of those superiors in his past life who liked to show off.

Clearly arriving on time was enough, yet they insisted their subordinates wait early.

In Qin An's view, it could be summed up in five words—what great official power.

Tang Zizhen was momentarily at a loss for words from this remark, then suddenly released the pressure of the Inner God Realm, surging toward Qin An like a tide.

Qin An glanced around, appearing composed: "Mr. Tang, could it be that you intend to take action against a Silver Guard in front of everyone? This seems... contrary to the iron laws you value most in the Evil Extermination Bureau?"

Upon these words, Zhou Yuanfeng, who had been observing in the shadows, couldn't help but slightly curl his lips into a smile.

He initially thought Qin An was just exceptionally strong, not expecting his words to be so sharp as well.

As Tang Zizhen's junior disciple, he knew well that his senior sister valued rules above all.

At this moment, Qin An's tactic of using her own methods against her was indeed clever.

Sure enough, Tang Zizhen immediately retracted her aura, her brows knitted tightly together.

"No violation."

"Since that's the case..." Qin An said calmly, "Since there's no violation of the iron laws, and I wasn't late, what further instructions does the superior have?"

Tang Zizhen narrowed her eyes, a trace of frustration flashing through them, and waved her hand: "Let this matter rest, do not mention it again."

She was well aware that Qin An's words were logical and well-reasoned.

If she continued to entangle, it would make her seem at fault.

She couldn't possibly deal with Qin An in front of so many subordinates.

After all, these Silver Guards were her close confidants, and disregarding rules in such a manner would surely dishearten them.

Seeing that he had gained the upper hand, Qin An didn't continue to provoke, instead focusing his gaze straight ahead.

The many Silver Guards looked at Qin An with eyes carrying a hint of curiosity.

This colleague not only possessed remarkable courage but could find a flaw under the pressure of a Gold Guard, which was indeed intriguing.

Especially since some of the Silver Guards found Qin An's face unfamiliar, speculating that he might be a newly promoted Silver Guard.

Tang Zizhen took in all their gazes, set down her teacup, and spoke in a deep voice, "Let's discuss the main matters."

As soon as she finished, the Silver Guards immediately adopted a serious and solemn stance.

Tang Zizhen's gaze was like lightning, her voice abruptly turning harsh: "The mission this time is to annihilate Jiao Long Hall, led by ten Gold Guards, first to brief you on the enemy situation."

"Jiao Long Hall has nine Dragon Commanders, all of them at the Small Success of Inner God Realm cultivation, each capable of causing havoc within Xunyang Prefecture. As for that Dragon Sovereign..."

Her voice sank: "has reached the Great Success of Inner God Realm."

With these words, the solemnity in everyone's eyes grew even stronger.

Qin An rubbed the hilt of his Cold Star Saber, thinking to himself: "Such a mid-level force alone has so many Inner God Realm experts, the waters of Xunyang Prefecture are far deeper than I imagined."

Once everyone snapped out of their thoughts, Tang Zizhen continued: "Additionally, there are numerous Dragon Generals, all possessing Outer Elixir Realm cultivation, ranging from Initial Understanding to Perfection. This battle is perilous; you must all proceed with caution."

Zhou Yuanfeng timely asked, "What exactly are our responsibilities?"

While Tang Zizhen was speaking, only Zhou Yuanfeng dared to interrupt at that moment.

After all, other than being a Silver Guard and having the potential of a Supreme True Elixir, Zhou Yuanfeng was also Tang Zizhen's junior disciple.

Tang Zizhen turned her gaze to him, speaking plainly, "The Dragon Sovereign and the nine Dragon Commanders, a total of ten Inner God Realm monstrosities, will be handled by the Gold Guards. Your responsibility is to lead your men and annihilate the Dragon Generals and those Jiao Long beasts."

"There is no specific deployment in this mission. You may fight alone or join forces; slay the beasts on sight, leaving no trace of Jiao Long Hall!"

Zhou Yuanfeng continued his inquiry, "As far as I know, there are quite a few Jiao Long beasts among the ancient battlefield ruins. Even if we eliminate Jiao Long Hall this time, remnants will remain; they might resurge."

"There are numerous Mountain Patrol Generals within the ancient battlefield ruins." Tang Zizhen replied, "Jiao Yue has done well this time; all the Dragon Commanders have returned to Jiao Long Hall for rest, allowing us to capture them all in one sweep. As for the Jiao Long beasts within the ruins, the Mountain Patrol Generals will cooperate in their eradication, there's no need for us to worry."

Zhou Yuanfeng ceased his questions, and everyone responded in silence.

All questions had been asked, all explanations had been given.

The mission this time could be summarized in one word—kill.

Leave no survivor!

This indeed aligns with the Evil Extermination Bureau's style.

After seeing everyone understood, Tang Zizhen gave Qin An one last deep look, then waved her hand: "Move out!"

No longer delaying, everyone headed toward the location of Jiao Long Hall.

At this moment, ten Gold Guards led their Silver Guards and numerous Bronze Guards with Household Officers, turning into a torrent that disappeared within Xunyang Prefecture.

...

In the depths of the mountains, the Evil Qi blots out the sky.

At this moment, an enormous architectural complex is situated here.

Waves of sky-piercing Evil Qi swirl continuously around the complex, even veiling the sunlight.

The Dragon King sits in the main hall, leisurely gnawing on a human pill.

The nine dragon commanders stand with heads bowed, each also holding a bloody human pill in their hands, their eyes glimmering with greed.

"This expedition went quite smoothly; we obtained a lot of resources from the ancient battleground." The Dragon King swallowed the remaining human pill in one gulp, licked the blood from his lips, and laughed, "Your contributions are indispensable, and these human pills are rewards for all of you. Rest up, and then continue to the ancient battleground ruins to seize more resources for Jiao Long Hall."

The nine dragon commanders exchanged glances, bowed in unison, and then could no longer control their bloodlust, eagerly devouring the human pills.

The scene was bloody and brutal, with a bloody stench pervading the hall.

Below stood many dragon generals, their eyes sweeping over with greed, but they remained silent.

In the corner, Ruan Lingzhi rested his head against a beauty's bosom, drunk and hazy-eyed.

Ever since he defected to Jiao Long Hall, his expertise in arrays earned him the Dragon King's favor, granting him a life of luxury a hundredfold greater than at the Celestial Solitary Array Gate.

Resources and beauties, almost inexhaustible.

He was already intoxicated by it all.

Life was never this exhilarating at the Celestial Solitary Array Gate.

Ruan Lingzhi raised his cup and drank deeply.

The Dragon King observed Ruan Lingzhi's demeanor and laughed heartily, "Mr. Ruan, how does it feel? My Jiao Long Hall must be tens of thousands of times better than your Celestial Solitary Array Gate."

Ruan Lingzhi laughed heartily, raising his glass in response, "The Dragon King's Jiao Long Hall is naturally excellent. I'd say there's nothing better within Xunyang Prefecture."

At first, he felt some fear, but soon he erased it completely.

Now he already considered himself a part of Jiao Long Hall.

The Dragon King's eyes flashed with contempt, and he changed the subject, "After this brief rest, they will return to the ancient battleground ruins. But next time, there will be a long rest. By then, I hope Mr. Ruan will assist us in attacking other human forces' mountain gates."

Ruan Lingzhi nodded without hesitation, thumping his chest in assurance, "Fear not, Dragon King. With my talent in arrays, the arrays within Xunyang Prefecture are no more than weak defenses. I guarantee to lead Jiao Long Hall as if entering an unguarded realm."

The Dragon King nodded slightly, "If that's the case, then I'll leave it to Mr. Ruan. If there is anything you need in Jiao Long Hall, feel free to command the creatures under me."

Ruan Lingzhi wrapped his arm around the beauty's slender waist beside him, waving his hand, "Enough, enough, Dragon King, these things are already good enough. However, I do have a small question."

The Dragon King raised his eyebrow, "What question? Please feel free to speak."

Ruan Lingzhi took a moment to organize his words before saying, "Under the Dragon King, there is a Jiao Long creature, seemingly called Jiao Yue, with whom I have had pleasant conversations. But he seems quite interested in arrays, wanting to learn from me, and even asked about Jiao Long Hall's defensive array's name."

"I just realized it—it's quite interesting that there's someone who understands arrays in Jiao Long Hall. I wonder if the Dragon King could assign him to my side, since I do enjoy our conversations."

The Dragon King was slightly stunned and then seemed to realize something. He suddenly stood up and quickly approached Ruan Lingzhi, staring at him with intensity, "What did you just say? Jiao Yue approached you, even asking about the defensive array's name?"

Ruan Lingzhi, once nearly drunk, turned pale upon feeling the terrifying Evil Qi of the Inner God Realm creature up close, "Dragon King, is there a problem with this?"

The Dragon King suddenly turned to a dragon general, "Where is Jiao Yue now?"

The dragon general hurriedly saluted, "Not long ago, Jiao Yue said he wanted to capture more female cultivators for the Dragon King, and then left Jiao Long Hall."

Hearing this, the Dragon King's pupils constricted, "Not good, there's deception involved in this!"

To have mingled to this position, how could he lack consideration?

Considering Jiao Yue's unusual behavior and now his disappearance, the Dragon King quickly deduced the reason.

"Quickly, order the lads to take Jiao Long Hall and leave this mountain peak for another location!"

The order was abruptly issued, but the dragon commanders and dragon generals present had no doubts, saluting before preparing to leave the hall.

But then, a series of terrifying rumblings suddenly arose.

The entire hall shook violently amidst the rumbling sounds.

This scene caused all the creatures present to turn pale.

The Dragon King suddenly raised his head, shouting, "What is happening!"

"Report—"

Urgent footsteps echoed.

A Jiao Long creature stumbled and rolled into the hall, prostrating before the Dragon King, "Reporting to the Dragon King, ten Jin Mansion Generals, leading many from the Evil Extermination Bureau, have surrounded Jiao Long Hall."

"Several of our kin, seeing the situation's danger, initially intended to drag Jiao Long Hall away, but were beheaded by people from the Evil Extermination Bureau. Now, Jiao Long Hall cannot move."

"What did you say!" A terrifying aura erupted from the Dragon King, causing the creatures present to tremble all over.

The prostrating Jiao Long creature dared not rise, repeatedly bowing its head.

Ruan Lingzhi's face turned deathly pale, "Not good, it must be that Qin An guy. He must have some method to sense the presence of arrays. Jiao Yue revealing the array's name exposed Jiao Long Hall's location!"

Before he could finish speaking, a fierce gust of wind rang out.

Ruan Lingzhi looked up, seeing a claw expanding, gripping his head.

"Spare me!" Ruan Lingzhi quickly pleaded, "Dragon King, this has nothing to do with me. Jiao Yue is the traitor, I was only tricked into revealing information!"

The plea was still unfinished when the Dragon King, in his fury, clenched his fingers, and Ruan Lingzhi's head burst like a watermelon, blood splattering.

The headless body fell to the ground, twitched for a moment, then lay still.

The gathered creatures watched it all without a hint of emotion.

The Dragon King flicked the blood off his claws, his eyes shining fiercely as he howled towards the sky, "Everyone, hear my command, step out and engage the enemy!"

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