At the peak of Carefree Mountain, a sea of vibrant flowers swayed in the twilight.

Yet beneath this resplendence, lay a scene of spine-chilling horror.

Every alluring flower rooted itself in a fresh human head.

The crimson petals reflected against the pale skulls, exuding an eerie beauty.

The Fox Girl, draped in sheer silk, walked barefoot across this deadly flower garden.

The fox girls behind her lowered their heads, not daring to gaze at the Fox Girl's back.

Bending down, the Fox Girl lightly sniffed a blood-red flower; her long eyelashes cast shadows under the moonlight: "These flower pots have a good hue."

The fox girls behind her trembled, not daring to look up.

Only the Fox Girl's lazy voice continued: "Remember to have someone trim the branches and leaves... Have the cultivators' bodies been fully utilized?"

"To answer your question, ma'am," the fox girl's voice trembled, "We first harvested their essence, then shared their flesh and blood, not a bit went to waste."

"Very good." The Fox Girl squinted her eyes in satisfaction. As her fingers brushed the petals, she suddenly asked sharply, "There's still no news on the ten Jin Mansion Generals from the Evil Extermination Bureau?"

The fox girl hesitated: "The fox girls skilled in stealth, whom we sent to gather news, still haven't returned."

The Fox Girl placed her fair hand down, gently tucking it into her sleeve: "As soon as she returns, have her report to me immediately. This time, the Evil Extermination Bureau dispatched ten Jin Mansion Generals, there must be something unusual."

The fox girl hurriedly nodded in agreement.

At that moment, a rush of footsteps suddenly broke the silence.

Another fox girl rushed into the flower garden.

Before she could speak, the Fox Girl's expression changed dramatically; her sleeve surged up, sending the intruder flying several meters.

"How dare you!"

The fox girl rolled several times before stabilizing herself. Despite the pain, she crawled to the Fox Girl's side, kowtowing repeatedly.

"Ma'am, something terrible has happened, the Jiao Long Hall is gone!"

Upon hearing this, the Fox Girl's previously tranquility transformed into a sharp intensity, her eyes spilling a hint of murderous intent.

"What did you say! The Jiao Long Hall is gone? Could it be related to those from the Evil Extermination Bureau who deployed earlier?"

The fox girl on the ground quickly replied: "That's right, ma'am, they went out just to annihilate the Jiao Long Hall."

"The Jiao Long Hall could be lifted by the dragons, constantly changing positions..." The Fox Girl's eyes turned cold: "How were they able to pinpoint its exact location?"

The fox girl quivered, answering, "The informant we have in Xunyang Prefecture claims it's likely because Qin An communicated with the protective array of the Jiao Long Hall, locating it."

"The Evil Extermination Bureau then launched a surprise attack, ultimately eradicating the Jiao Long Hall, and now, there is not a single survivor."

"Qin An!" The Fox Girl's knuckles turned bone-white, her eyes flaring with savage, chilling intent: "Again, it's Qin An! Why is it always him!"

Terror spread, and the originally planted flower garden was swept away, turning into ashes and scattered debris under this murderous influence.

The fox girl dared not speak, only continuing to kowtow.

The Fox Girl steadied her aura, though the murderous chill in her eyes grew even colder: "This child has incredible potential; if not removed, the demon clan and Pseudo-God of Xunyang Prefecture will never have peace. Continue to investigate! If there is any secret report of Qin An leaving Xunyang Prefecture alone, report to me immediately! I will send my sons to bring me his head!"

The fox girl kowtowed a few more times, bowing deeply as she replied: "Yes, ma'am."

The Fox Girl waved her hand, and the fox girl, still kneeling, hastily left without daring to glance back.

At this moment, the fox girl standing nearby leaned closer, flattering: "Ma'am, this boy killed people from Carefree Mountain; if he leaves the Evil Extermination Bureau, I will personally take his life!"

The Fox Girl raised her hand and struck the fox girl's face with a slap.

The fox girl staggered, bowing her head, crying out with guilt.

"You still can't discern what matters." The Fox Girl said blandly: "An Inner God Realm demon is a treasure in any faction. Currently, in the relics of the ancient battlefield, both sides are vying. You are an Inner God Realm fox demon, naturally, you must be used where needed, otherwise, with dwindling resources from Carefree Mountain, what will I use to support this large family of sons?"

The fox girl quickly nodded, not daring to speak further.

"Rest assured, he's merely at the Outer Elixir Realm." The Fox Girl sneered: "When he steps out of Xunyang Prefecture, I will dispatch enough Outer Elixir Realm fox demons, certainly to claim his life."

The fox girl fawned: "With your arrangement, ma'am, Qin An's head will only remain on his neck for a few more days; soon we will claim it, and Carefree Mountain's lost prestige will return."

The Fox Girl nodded, looking toward the devastated flower garden, a flicker of pain crossing her gaze: "Send a few more sons to gather some cultivator heads; I need to replant this garden."

The fox girl responded again, said nothing more, and turned to leave the place.

The flower garden slipped back into deathly silence.

...

Returning to the Evil Extermination Bureau, it was already late at night.

The sky was moonless, thick clouds gathering as if a torrential downpour would soon fall.

"Today everyone is tired; after writing your reports, submit them tomorrow," Tang Zizhen stood with hands behind her back in the courtyard, addressing the returning group.

This mission was indeed dangerous, but fortunately, all were safe; no lives were lost.

Tang Zizhen knew well that a lot of energy had been spent, and she uttered no words of waste.

Several Prefecture Generals exchanged glances, then left the courtyard in pairs and threes.

Qin An, with his waist hanging with cold stars, turned back to his own room.

Zhou Yuanfeng, however, did not leave, but rather glanced teasingly at Tang Zizhen.

The other Jin Mansion Generals also departed, leaving only Tang Zizhen and Zhou Yuanfeng in the courtyard.

Noticing Zhou Yuanfeng's gaze, Tang Zizhen furrowed her brows: "If you weren't my junior, just based on the way you looked at me, I'd have gouged your eyes out, and no one would dare say a word."

Zhou Yuanfeng teased: "Senior sister, do you wish to know how Qin An performed on this mission?"

Tang Zizhen sneered: "No desire to know; when we return, he will naturally write an account, I will read it then. Do you need to tell me?"

Zhou Yuanfeng replied: "What one gains from paper is not as detailed as hearing it from someone else. If you truly do not wish to know, then I will leave now."

Tang Zizhen's brows furrowed tighter, she turned towards the courtyard: "Follow me."

Zhou Yuanfeng, initially acting as if he would walk away, saw Tang Zizhen's demeanor, the corners of his mouth subtly lifted, and he followed silently behind her.

...

Not long after, the two arrived at the room.

Tang Zizhen lit the oil lamp on the table, her fair fingers rhythmically tapping the tabletop.

Though she didn't speak, the meaning was evident — she didn't want to waste time and let Zhou Yuanfeng speak directly.

Zhou Yuanfeng was not one to ramble either; he promptly recounted Qin An's performance in the underground stone cave one by one.

Especially when he mentioned the prowess of the three blade strikes, he described it in extreme detail.

Tang Zizhen listened while rhythmically tapping the tabletop with her fair fingers.

At first, Tang Zizhen's expression was very calm.

But when she heard about Qin An's three blades slaying a dragon, her finger tapping the tabletop suddenly paused.

Zhou Yuanfeng keenly caught a hint of surprise in Tang Zizhen's eyes and pointedly said, "You should actively write a letter to the teacher."

Tang Zizhen snorted coldly, "Even if he has endless potential, even if his talent is astonishing, what does it matter? He is still a person of two-faced and treacherous nature."

"Senior sister, you need to understand one thing first," Zhou Yuanfeng said slowly, "When he had contact with Jin Fengyu, he didn't know the teacher, nor did he know about the power struggle between us and Jin Fengyu, so he actually didn't have any relations with Jin Fengyu..."

He wanted to explain further, but Tang Zizhen waved her hand to interrupt.

"It's still the same matter; he's currently just at the Outer Elixir Realm. Even if he can gain a foothold in Xunyang Prefecture, he's only just stepping over the threshold. Only when he reaches the Inner God Realm will he truly be worthy of my attention."

"After joining the Mountain Patrol General, the crises of life and death are numerous, and geniuses who die prematurely along the way are like crucian carp crossing the river. How can you ensure he can genuinely grow?"

Zhou Yuanfeng fell silent, no longer speaking, and sighed.

He knew his senior sister was right.

Back then, when he stepped into the Outer Elixir Realm with the backing of the Supreme True Elixir, he was also spirited and joined the Mountain Patrol General.

However, geniuses in the Mountain Patrol General were as common as cattle, and even he could only be considered middling among them.

Even in one accident, he was completely unable to step into the Inner God Realm.

Zhou Yuanfeng also knew that Qin An and he had similar aptitudes.

But even Zhou Yuanfeng couldn't guarantee how long Qin An could live within the Mountain Patrol General.

Zhou Yuanfeng appeared disinterested, stood up dejectedly, and left the little courtyard, not saying another word along the way.

Tang Zizhen watched the silhouette of her junior brother disappear into the darkness, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

But that moment of indecision was swiftly erased.

"If he refuses to detach himself from Jin Fengyu, I can never change my view of him; even if he's a talent born of the skies, he first must stay alive. Staying alive is the qualification to speak with me."

Thinking this, Tang Zizhen felt somewhat weary, extinguished the oil lamp early, and drifted off to sleep.

...

After Qin An closed the door, he first lit the oil lamp and poured himself a cup of tea. Not until he had finished the hot tea did he stare at the lantern on the table to begin planning his future path.

Currently, his scholar and butcher professions had both risen to level eleven, and both his Heart Method and blade techniques reached the Outer Elixir Realm Initial; Qin An planned to upgrade his blacksmith profession next.

The attack method, albeit possessing blade techniques, was still lacking.

If he could also raise his unarmed skills to the Outer Elixir Realm, relying on its terrifying blood and energy burst, Qin An reckoned he could even battle against a peak Outer Elixir Realm at its heyday.

Understanding this, Qin An planned to practice his butcher profession proficiency the next day.

At present, time was short for him.

The external crisis wasn't just the Carefree Mountain; there was even the matter of the Mountain Patrol General.

Once the Mountain Patrol General assessment arrived, he would have to participate.

Every small improvement now could increase the success rate of the assessment.

Moreover, looking further ahead, there was the matter of ancient battlefield relics.

He had to gather the Five-element Divine Consciousness and forge his supreme foundation.

No matter the aspect, all were tied to strength.

With this realization, Qin An bathed, changed into clean clothes, and then extinguished the oil lamp for a deep sleep.

...

The next day, as the morning sunlight streamed in, Qin An rose early, went out for breakfast, and found the nearest blacksmith shop.

After spending a little silver, Qin An began hammering away in the blacksmith shop.

Today was uneventful until deep into the night when Qin An finally walked out from the blacksmith.

On the way back, the night was as dark as ink, the moonlight as clear as water.

Thinking today was peaceful, unexpectedly when Qin An arrived at the door, he saw someone standing there.

Black Wind stood solemnly with hands hanging at his sides.

Upon seeing Qin An, Black Wind showed a hint of respect, clapped his fists, and said, "Humble subject sees Mr. Qin!"

His words undeniably exuded respect.

Within the respect, there was a touch of complexity.

Originally, he and Qin An were at the same level, plus he was Zhao Wuhuan's loyal general, thus having considerable status in the Evil Extermination Bureau.

But once Qin An advanced to the Outer Elixir Realm and became the Silver Mansion General, he already held a position higher than Black Wind.

According to the Evil Extermination Bureau's rules, upon meeting, he must address him as Mr.

Qin An nodded, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Is Mr. Zhao inside?"

Black Wind replied, "That's right, Mr. Zhao said there's an important matter to discuss with Mr. Qin, please come in."

Upon hearing this, Qin An wasted no time, stepped into the courtyard.

As soon as he entered, he saw Zhao Wuhuan with two jars of wine, sitting on a stone bench, gazing at the bright moonlight.

It seemed he heard footsteps, Zhao Wuhuan then turned his gaze, snapped open the folding fan in his hand, his eyes gleaming with a hint of playfulness.

"Unexpectedly, in such a short time, Mr. Qin is now at the same level as I am. Have a seat, there's an important matter to discuss with Mr. Qin today."

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