The bright moonlight poured down like mercury, enveloping the dark courtyard in a layer of cold silver glow, the only source of light in the night.

As Zhao Wuhuan finished speaking, Qin An approached with the stride of a dragon, sitting directly opposite him and picking up a jar of strong wine to drink deeply.

The wine trickled down his jaw, glinting with an amber hue under the moonlight.

"Usually you don't touch a drop, but tonight you're quite spirited," Zhao Wuhuan snapped his folding fan shut, a playful smile in his eyes.

Qin An slammed the wine jar heavily on the stone table, creating a crisp sound as porcelain collided with stone.

"I've heard of major events; naturally, one must drink to celebrate." He tapped the jar with his fingertips and looked up, "The assessment for Mountain Patrol General is imminent?"

A sharp gleam flashed in Zhao Wuhuan's eyes: "How did you know it was about this matter?"

Qin An tapped the wine jar with his fingertips: "If it weren't for this, it wouldn't have been enough for you to come seek me out."

Zhao Wuhuan laughed heartily, setting his folding fan casually at the edge of the stone table, his expression turning serious: "The assessment is in fifteen days. If you're determined to join, I can recommend you."

Qin An nodded: "Of course."

In the current turbulent Xunyang Prefecture, only by accumulating Evil Extermination Bureau merits can one enhance their strength and find footing in this perilous place.

The comfort of a Silver Prefecture General wouldn't be more than slowly boiling a frog, which would only weaken the fighting spirit.

Joining Mountain Patrol, traversing the wilderness, is the way to break through, just like in Lingzhou back then.

"I knew I wasn't wrong about you." Zhao Wuhuan nodded, his eyes flashing: "You were born to be a sharp blade to eliminate demons, as expected. Now, let's move to the second topic."

Qin An took another sip, signaling Zhao Wuhuan to continue.

Zhao Wuhuan paused briefly, his voice lowering: "I heard you joined your senior sister's sect but got abandoned because of the Jin Fengyu incident?"

Qin An nodded: "Jin Fengyu promised to lead me into the ancient battlefield ruins, each taking what they need."

"The affairs of Xunyang Prefecture run deeper than you think." Zhao Wuhuan twirled the folding fan with his fingers, the fan ribs shining coldly under the moonlight: "Even if you become a Mountain Patrol General, it's just jumping from one whirlpool into another. There's always been tension between the master and Jin Fengyu, so her anger toward you is quite ordinary."

"Let her be." Qin An tilted his head, drinking the remaining wine from the jar. As the wine's aroma spread, he said nonchalantly: "I only want Evil Extermination Bureau merits, to improve my strength."

"My junior who went to Lingzhou thought the same." Zhao Wuhuan sighed, the wine jar casting a swinging shadow on the stone table: "In the midst of it all, how can one stay untouched?"

Qin An contemplated: "Let's talk business."

Zhao Wuhuan twirled his folding fan: "Zhou Yuanfeng has sent a secret letter to the master. If you're willing to sever ties with Jin Fengyu, you might be admitted to his sect. What do you think?"

Qin An frowned slightly, falling into deep thought.

Zhao Wuhuan lifted the wine jar, taking a hard swig, letting the wine drip down his cheeks without caring.

The courtyard suddenly fell silent, with only the rustling of the night wind through the bamboo leaves.

Zhao Wuhuan waited for Qin An to give a definite answer.

After a moment, Qin An raised his eyes, a cold light flashing within them.

"Even if the master favors me, I must weigh the pros and cons. I came to Xunyang Prefecture only to slay demons."

Zhao Wuhuan's hand holding the wine jar stiffened slightly, saying helplessly: "As the saying goes, the soil and water nurture the locals; your stubborn nature is indeed quite similar to my junior's from Lingzhou. It's fine, I just wanted a definite answer."

"But there's something I'd like to say."

Qin An asked: "What is it?"

Zhao Wuhuan opened the folding fan, gently swaying it: "In this giant vortex of power, even I find myself at a loss. Being on the same level as you, you won't fare any better. If you want to remain pure, you need pure strength."

Qin An narrowed his eyes: "What kind of strength is pure?"

"At least at the level of a Mountain Patrol Silver General, you can have autonomy." Zhao Wuhuan said faintly: "Of course, if you reach the level of a Mountain Patrol Golden General like our master, no one in Xunyang Prefecture can stop you, but that's very difficult."

"Even with your outstanding talent, the dangers in the Xunyang Prefecture Mountain Patrol are abundant. Those who've made it as Mountain Patrol Golden Generals today have relied on not just strength and effort, but also sheer luck."

"No one can guarantee a smooth journey to this point."

At those words, Qin An understood instantly.

He knew his answer hadn't displeased Zhao Wuhuan.

In fact, given Zhao Wuhuan's character, such an answer was rather fitting.

"I'll do my best," Qin An nodded.

If someday he could stand above Xunyang Prefecture, perhaps everything would fall into place.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuhuan, sensing the sword-like aura emanating from Qin An, chuckled quietly.

He didn't interrupt Qin An, but in his view, reaching that point would require both a great deal of time and tremendous luck.

"In future power schemes, you might need to soften a bit, no need to be so hard," Zhao Wuhuan raised the wine jar, changing the topic: "Drink up, once we finish the fine wine, I must set off again, to take on a new task. Someday, we'll meet again in those wild mountains and drink to our fill."

Upon hearing this, Qin An lifted the wine jar.

The two drank to their heart's content.

When the moon tilted westward, Zhao Wuhuan finally left, stepping on the ground covered in silver frost.

Qin An circulated his True Essence to dispel the intoxication, then turned and walked into the inner chamber.

Tomorrow he had blacksmith training, and needed to conserve his energy.

...

Time passed; in the blink of an eye, several days had gone by.

During this period, the previously calm Xunyang Prefecture had once again turned chaotic.

Various demons and Pseudo-Gods caused trouble around Xunyang Prefecture, displacing many commoners.

The people of the Evil Extermination Bureau rushed around everywhere day and night; the struggle between parties was unending.

Since the last mission, Qin An had not received any new tasks.

He took advantage of the rare spare time to immerse himself in refining his blacksmithing skills daily.

Today, it was already late at night.

Qin An put down his hammer, setting it aside, and looked at the text before him, a slight smile forming on his lips.

[Blacksmith Level 11 (0/8000): The quality of your forged items improves, material consumption decreases, and item characteristics enhance]

[Talent: Perfection in Force-type Cultivation Technique at Vein Condensation Realm level, granting spirituality to forged objects, perfection in Heart Forging Skill at Vein Condensation Realm]

"Finally at level eleven." Qin An wiped the sweat from his forehead, the exhaustion of days of intense practice dissipating instantly.

During this time, he had nearly spent every day and night engrossed in the practice of the blacksmithing profession.

Only he knew the tediousness of the process.

Of course, the monotony brought with it great benefits.

After reaching Level 11 in the Blacksmith profession, all talents have achieved Meridian Condensation Realm Perfection.

This is also the foundation for Qin An's next development of martial techniques.

"It's time to go back," Qin An thought silently in his heart.

However, before leaving, he decided to reforge the Cold Star Saber once more.

Now that the Blacksmith profession had reached Level 11, Qin An was extremely formidable in forging.

The Cold Star Saber was forged at Level 10, so Qin An planned to reforge it to aid in the upcoming Mountain Patrol General task.

Thinking of this, Qin An drew the Cold Star from his waist and threw it into the scorching forge, letting it gradually heat up inside.

Moments later, the continuous clangs spread throughout the blacksmith shop.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Qin An looked at the straight blade before him, glinting with a cold light, and the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Though still a weapon of the Pulse Condensation Realm, the talent reaching the perfect level made the Cold Star Saber even more formidable than before.

Qin An felt the increasingly rich spirituality on the Cold Star's blade, paused no further, sheathed it back at his waist, and walked towards the Evil Extermination Bureau.

...

Upon returning to the Evil Extermination Bureau, Qin An did not linger and went to the Confidential Library to take a manual on a Pulse Condensation Realm hand-to-hand Cultivation Technique and additionally exchanged for two Demon Pills before stepping into his courtyard.

Closing the door, Qin An opened the hand-to-hand Cultivation Technique book in the dim glow of the oil lamp.

On the book, five large characters were written: "Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand."

The so-called Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand is a hand-to-hand Cultivation Technique capable of sealing another's True Essence.

When executed, one's own True Qi can be injected into another person, sealing their True Essence completely.

The Blood-Burning Eight-Forged Dragon Demon Hand has a capture effect, but it's a superficial seize.

Qin An planned to expand on it, hence he exchanged for such a technique.

The room was extremely dark, leaving only the flickering glow of the oil lamp.

Once Qin An mastered the Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand, he closed the book and channeled the True Essence within him.

The Five-Colored True Essence circulated continuously in his body, and as Qin An raised and guided it, the True Essence flowed to his fists like a torrent.

The next moment, multiple afterimages flashed through the room.

Qin An began practicing the moves of the Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand.

His hands sometimes formed fists, sometimes claws, and sometimes palms.

With each motion, a fierce wind sound was generated.

Not even an Outer Pill Demon Creature could endure long under these hands.

Moments later, as Qin An practiced the last move of the Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand, a line of smoke appeared before him, twisting like a snake.

[You have cultivated the Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand and triggered the corresponding talent]

[Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand (Perfection)]

In an instant, the Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand reached the complete level of the Pulse Condensation Realm.

"It's still not enough."

Qin An's eyes narrowed slightly; he then stopped practicing the Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand and switched to practicing the Blood-Burning Eight-Forged Dragon Demon Hand.

When Qin An swung his fist, not only was there the sound of wind, but also a series of low dragon roars resonated throughout the room.

The smoke quickly dissipated and, in less than a breath, recombined into new text.

[Equipped with both the Blood-Burning Eight-Forged Dragon Demon Hand and the Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand, you attempted to merge the two, yet, lacking talent, you failed]

[Although the Jiao Long Hall has long perished, there are still Carefree Mountain and other demons eyeing your every move. Growing restless, you decided to advance at all costs]

[You began burning your blood and energy; after a large amount of burning, insights dawned upon you, merging the two hand-to-hand Cultivation Techniques into a new one]

[You named the new Cultivation Technique the Blood Burning Eight Forged Sealing Demon Hand]

[Blood Burning Eight Forged Sealing Demon Hand (Initial)]

"Success!"

The six Demon Pills turned entirely to void, replaced by an overwhelming flood of information pouring into Qin An's mind.

Qin An closed his eyes in contemplation, and within just a few breaths, he absorbed all the information, thoroughly mastering the Blood Burning Eight Forged Sealing Demon Hand.

Qin An opened his eyes, a subtle glint flickering within them.

Clenching his fist, feeling the power of True Essence enveloping his fist, Qin An punched forward.

The terrifying True Essence Power enveloped the fist, with a resonating dragon roar surrounding it.

This time, the dragon's roar was purer than before.

Moreover, as the True Essence flowed, a sealing power boiled over his fist.

The six Demon Pills elevated the Blood Burning Eight Forged Sealing Demon Hand to Outer Pill Realm Initial, and its effect was extremely frightening.

Not only did it continue the might of blood burning, but it also possessed the traits of the Mystic Spirit Heaven-Sealing Hand.

In fact, it surpassed it.

Now, every time Qin An clashed fists with an enemy, the terrifying sealing power could spread across the enemy's whole body, ceaselessly sealing the opponent's strength.

"I originally planned to enhance the Healer skill and deduce the protective Cultivation Technique, but there's no time now," Qin An thought to himself as he withdrew his fist stance.

According to his prediction, tomorrow should be the assessment for the Mountain Patrol General.

Given this, Qin An decided to pass the Mountain Patrol General's assessment first.

Qin An did not waste time; after extinguishing the oil lamp on the table, he retired early to rest.

...

The next day, as the morning sunlight streamed in, Qin An rose, washed up briefly, and stepped outside.

At this moment, the courtyard of the Evil Extermination Bureau was already bustling with a group of Silver Prefecture Generals.

Two Mountain Patrol Copper Generals stood on either side.

Both sides glared at each other, their eyes clashing with a spark of tension in the air.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.