The blazing golden flames danced wildly on the sword's edge, like an enraged golden dragon coiling around the sword's body.

Mr. Li's entire body was charred black like coal, yet the golden treasure sword in his hand grew even more dazzling, as if it contained a power capable of tearing the sky apart.

The Prefecture Generals all involuntarily swallowed their saliva, their faces showing undisguisable fear.

A glimmer of despair flashed in Zhou Xuan's eyes, as he never expected this mission would become a life-and-death struggle.

Xv Shifeng let out a long sigh and bitterly smiled, saying, "Mr. Qin, just after becoming acquainted with you, we're going to journey to the underworld together; truly, fate toys with people."

He had already given up on resisting.

Under such a crushing attack, there was absolutely no chance of survival.

As Xv Shifeng was speaking, Zhou Xuan also cast a complex glance at Qin An.

But when he looked at Qin An, his gaze momentarily froze.

This expression immediately caught the attention of Xv Shifeng and the other Prefecture Generals.

Everyone simultaneously focused their gaze on Qin An.

They saw Qin An's expression calm as usual, having already sheathed Han Xing at his waist.

This scene unfolded, combined with the complex and dangerous situation at hand, and for some reason, a flash of insight crossed Xv Shifeng's mind.

"Mr. Qin, could it be that you have a way to solve this?"

The terrifying golden giant sword in the sky grew even more menacing, its flames seemingly capable of burning through everything, its sharpness matchless.

Qin An glanced back and said indifferently, "Though this person temporarily outmatches the Green Snake Clan Leader with his treasure, that's the extent of it."

Xv Shifeng's face was full of astonishment: "Even a slight advantage could mean a world of difference; how can it be broken?"

"I have a brilliant plan." Qin An briefly replied, clenched his fist, and mobilized the True Essence within him.

This Golden Divine Sense, he had to obtain it.

This was a crucial step towards surpassing the highest foundation.

Therefore, Mr. Li had only one path, death.

Mr. Li, wielding the golden treasure sword at present, was indeed stronger than the Green Snake Clan Leader using secret techniques, but only marginally so.

He was still only at the External Elixir Realm Perfection, not the Inner God Realm.

As long as it's not the Inner God Realm, there's the possibility of overcoming adversity.

The True Essence within him surged like an ocean, flooding into Qin An's left fist in an instant.

Qin An felt the surging power of Qi Blood and resolutely burned the remaining two demon pills completely.

The terrifying demon pills, after burning, transformed into abundant Qi Blood Power, coursing throughout Qin An's body and converging at his left fist.

On his left fist, the Five-Colored True Essence shone like a brilliant galaxy, even overshadowing the blazing light of the golden treasure sword.

Blood Burning Eight Forged Sealing Demon Hand!

Qin An stepped forward, using Dragon Roar Wind Shadow Step, turning into a phantom, leaping high like a ghost, and crashed down towards Mr. Li.

The left fist, with an unbeatable momentum, struck the golden treasure sword of Mr. Li.

"Boom!"

A violent rumble echoed through the mountainside, the surrounding bluestone floor shattering inch by inch, turning into countless fragments, soaring into the air.

This scene left everyone present staring wide-eyed, their mouths agape as if they could fit several eggs inside.

Xv Shifeng's throat moved, and his grip on his weapon slightly tightened.

He thought Qin An's potential was exceptional, but never expected it could be so formidable.

This punch alone, even if faced by a veteran immersed in the External Elixir Realm Perfection for years, would likely result in immediate death.

Zhou Xuan's face was bitter, a gleam of fear flickering in his eyes.

He finally understood why Qin An dared to speak out against him.

With such strength, not only speaking out but even publicly insulting him, he had the qualification for it.

Among the many Prefecture Generals, complex emotions surged, suddenly feeling like a sparrow meeting a swan.

Qin An, unaware of what everyone else felt, was immensely focused, his eyes like knives slicing through the golden treasure sword before him.

He had only one thought, to slay Mr. Li and seize the Golden Divine Sense, paving a perfect path for his supreme foundation.

The golden flames boiled like a sea, yet Qin An's fist, with a supremely steady trajectory, continuously pierced through the flame's defense.

These golden flames seemed like a giant heavenly pillar struck, suddenly splitting in half.

Qin An's left fist turned into a claw, tightly gripping the blade of the golden treasure sword.

The terrifying golden flames, hit by the Blood Burning Eight Forged Sealing Demon Hand's blood aura, surged into the sky, forming a long river of fire in midair.

Mr. Li's body was charred black, but his features were still barely recognizable.

At this moment, Mr. Li's eyes held a trace of incredulous astonishment.

"Impossible, how do you possess such a powerful secret technique? And use it without reservation!"

This is the Golden Iron Sect's treasure, also its most formidable foundation.

Years ago, after obtaining the Golden Divine Sense, he resisted myriad temptations, not absorbing it into himself but instead crafting it as the Golden Iron Sect's golden signboard.

But today, even this External Elixir Realm treasure, to Qin An, was still akin to an ant shaking a tree.

All of Mr. Li's confidence crumbled in an instant.

Qin An, holding the golden treasure sword, drew Han Xing with his other hand, pulling Mr. Li to his side with force.

Han Xing, with ghostly speed, pierced Mr. Li's heart.

A cold gleam flashed, and the Five-Colored True Essence flowed along Han Xing, permeating Mr. Li's entire being.

A sharp pain coursed through Mr. Li's body, his organs reduced to pulp under the frenzied turmoil of the Five-Colored True Essence.

"Bang!"

A dull sound rang out.

Mr. Li let go of the golden treasure sword, falling stiffly to the ground, his eyes blank as they gazed at the sky.

He was already spent and flickering.

The aura of death was spreading.

"What did I do wrong?" Mr. Li murmured to himself, "I just wanted to live, to lead the Golden Iron Sect to live. In such a chaotic world, what's wrong with wanting to live?"

He seemed to be persuading himself.

At this moment, Mr. Li heard a voice by his ear.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to live. Everyone can live for themselves." Qin An flicked the blood off the straight blade, saying indifferently, "But if to live, you must make others unable to live..."

The words were not finished when Mr. Li abruptly interrupted, "Is that wrong?"

Qin An shook his head, "Right or wrong is not judged by others, but if you can kill others to live, you must also be prepared for others to kill you. What does right or wrong matter? This world is one of the strong preying on the weak."

"Indeed, the strong prey on the weak..." Mr. Li closed his eyes, his breath cut off completely, becoming a corpse.

Qin An shook his left hand, and the flames on the golden treasure sword were instantly extinguished. The golden divine sense contained within was communicated by Qin An using True Essence and absorbed into his body.

In his mind, the solitary fire element divine sense suddenly quaked. Shortly after, a golden divine sense stood beside the fire element divine sense; the two entangled, yet distinctly separate.

"Two strands of divine sense now." Qin An threw the treasure sword to the ground as if it were trash, thinking to himself, "The position of the wood element divine sense is in the ancient battlefield relics, while there is no news on the other two strands. However, there's no rush; I am only at the Outer Elixir Realm Initial level, and there's still a ways to go before reaching the Inner God Realm."

At this moment, the entire scene was silent and no one spoke.

At this time, a slight breeze blew over, and a silver Prefecture General fell to the ground, exhausted, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Although his face was pale, he could hardly contain the joy in his eyes.

A cheer erupted, echoing contagiously across the platform.

Xv Shifeng stepped forward, clasped his fist towards Qin An, and bowed, "For this life-saving grace from Mr. Qin, Xv will never forget. In the future, should you need anything, I will definitely exert myself to the fullest, until death, without hesitating for a moment."

The other silver Prefecture Generals exchanged glances, imitating Xv Shifeng's gesture, and clasped their fists to Qin An, "Life-saving grace, never forget. For any future instructions, we will give our lives!"

Though the Xunyang Prefecture was filled with intrigues, these officials of the Evil Extermination Bureau were all battle-hardened, having lived by the edge of the sword, with a distinct sense of valor.

They had a clear understanding of right and wrong.

Today's favor would be repaid someday.

Zhou Xuan stood still, his eyes showing a complex expression, yet he didn't make any movement.

The pride of a Mountain Patrol Copper General made him unwilling to bow to Qin An.

Moreover, Qin An had defied him in front of everyone, a memory that still felt like a slap on his face.

Qin An shifted his gaze from Xv Shifeng and the others and landed it directly on Zhou Xuan's face.

"Clang!"

A crisp sound rang out.

Han Xing was drawn by Qin An and held steadily in his hand.

Zhou Xuan was slightly startled.

Qin An said indifferently, "We said we'd have a match before. Now that the task is complete, it's time to fulfill that promise. Draw your sword."

With these words, Xv Shifeng and the other silver Prefecture Generals all looked at Zhou Xuan with a mocking expression.

They had witnessed the conflict between Zhou Xuan and Qin An.

In truth, they were dissatisfied with this Mountain Patrol Copper General.

They were of the same rank, yet Zhou Xuan always acted superior.

If not for the test mission, with their temper, they might have already had a falling out.

Now, Qin An wanted to duel Zhou Xuan, and naturally, Xv Shifeng and the others stood on Qin An's side.

Zhou Xuan's eyes were vacant, staring at Han Xing in Qin An's hand, his body involuntarily shivering.

He had witnessed Qin An's terrifying display just now.

To ask him to pick up his sword and fight Qin An now—where would he find the courage?

Zhou Xuan stood there, feeling the gaze of Xv Shifeng and the others, as if pins were under his feet, making him uneasy.

The air was as still as a dead zone.

In this quiet atmosphere, every minute and second felt like years to Zhou Xuan.

After a moment, a sound of a weapon being sheathed was heard.

Zhou Xuan instinctively looked up to see Qin An indifferently turning away, walking towards the main hall of the Golden Iron Sect.

The air was filled with Qin An's voice.

"Be more low-key in the future. Without the strength, don't try to show off."

Zhou Xuan froze on the spot, his clenched fist relaxing slightly, the oppression in his heart disappearing in an instant.

He knew that his spirit had been completely suppressed by Qin An at that moment.

Now, he didn't even dare to harbor resentment towards Qin An, only feeling grateful that Qin An didn't really attack him.

Once the matter was concluded, finishing touches had to be made.

The whole Golden Iron Sect had many weapons imbued with Geng Metal Qi, which was a great treasure for the Evil Extermination Bureau.

When the finishing touches were done, everyone headed towards the Evil Extermination Bureau.

...

Nothing happened on the way back to the Evil Extermination Bureau.

The sky was already overcast with clouds, reaching the second half of the night.

Qin An didn't say much with Xv Shifeng and the others; he returned to his room and rested early.

The next morning, when the morning sun shone through the window, Qin An washed simply, changed into clean clothes, and went to the door.

Outside, a Household Officer from the Internal Affairs Department was already waiting respectfully.

When he saw Qin An, he immediately walked up, bowed his head, and bent at the waist, "Congratulations, Mr. Qin, on your promotion to Mountain Patrol Copper General!"

The Household Officer held a wooden tray, upon which was a pitch-black token.

In the middle of the token was a very thin copper thread.

This was the badge of a Mountain Patrol Copper General.

After a night's calculation, Qin An's achievements and promotion had long been determined.

Qin An nodded slightly, attached the token to his waist, and walked towards the street outside.

...

Sitting at a stall beside the street, Qin An first had breakfast.

After paying, Qin An did not linger and headed straight for the Xunyang Prefecture medical hall.

Now, Heart Method, blade skills, and fist techniques had all reached the Outer Elixir Realm Initial level.

After this battle, Qin An felt his body-protecting Cultivation Technique was slightly lacking.

So he planned to first cultivate the medical skills to level eleven, and then enhance his body-protecting Cultivation Technique.

Though this mission consumed all the Demon Pills, the golden divine sense was more valuable than a hundred Demon Pills.

Once he practices medicine to level eleven, he would exchange the merits from this trial for enough Demon Pills and Cultivation Techniques.

Quickly, Qin An's figure disappeared into the streets.

...

Carefree Mountain, flower garden.

The Fox Girl knelt on the ground, trembling and afraid to speak.

In front of her, the Fox Girl plucked a fresh flower and kneaded it into her palm.

When the flower turned to powder, the Fox Girl released it, her eyes cold as frost.

"The eruption of ancient battlefield relics is imminent. Prioritize the ancient battlefield relics, Qin An's head... let him live a few days longer for now."

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