The room was as quiet as a deep pool, with smoke twisting like slithering snakes.

In a few breaths, the mist coalesced into words, suspended in the void.

[Array Master lv.11 (0/8000): Your array setup speed increases, and your array deciphering speed increases, reducing the material needed for setting up arrays]

[Talent: Pulse Condensation Realm Array Perfection, Pulse Condensation Realm Array Resistance Perfection, Enhancement of Pulse Condensation Realm Array Effects]

Qin An stared at the words, his gaze calm like water, a trace of delight rising in his heart: "Finally, level eleven."

Lately, he had studied arrays tirelessly, racing against time.

A life as dull as chewing wax, yet yielding rich rewards.

The Array Master Profession broke through to level eleven, and all talents reached Pulse Condensation Realm Perfection.

Moreover, knowledge about arrays surged into his mind like a tide, covering every detail.

Qin An dared not boast as the number one array master of Xunyang Prefecture, but when it came to the completeness of array skills, he certainly topped the list.

"All Cultivation Techniques are at level eleven." Qin An glanced over the cultivation panel, fingers tapping the table, pondering: "Now, I just need to focus on the Scholar Profession, practice it to level twelve, then I can integrate the Dragon Race Heart Method and step into Outer Elixir Realm Great Success."

Between level eleven and twelve lies an immensely significant watershed; according to the characteristics of the Golden Finger, a qualitative shift occurs every three levels.

This qualitative shift not only raises the level of every talent but may even grant new talents.

This was why Qin An temporarily decided not to accept tasks, wanting to fully concentrate on enhancing the Scholar Profession.

"It's a bit late tonight, I'll try again tomorrow."

Having made up his mind, Qin An glanced outside at the sky.

At this moment, the bright moon hung high, like a silver disk set against the black silk.

Under the moonlight, Xunyang Prefecture fell silent, only the Evil Extermination Bureau was brightly lit.

Qin An understood the importance of energy, and chose not to sacrifice the main for the trivial by practicing proficiency throughout the night.

After coming to this realization, Qin An planned to extinguish the oil lamp and rest early.

But just at this moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

With his deep cultivation, it took Qin An only a moment to discern the visitor from the sound of the footsteps.

"Coming to find me so late?" Qin An rubbed his chin, thinking: "There must be something important to discuss, I'd better wait for a bit."

Not long after, a knock on the door was heard.

Zhou Yuanfeng's voice carried anxiety: "Mr. Qin, could you spare a moment? There's an important matter to discuss."

Qin An nodded and said: "Push the door, it's not locked."

As soon as the words were spoken, Zhou Yuanfeng hastily pushed open the door and walked in quickly.

Tang Zizhen followed behind Zhou Yuanfeng.

Upon seeing Qin An, Tang Zizhen instinctively turned away, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, unwilling to speak more.

Qin An gestured with his hand: "Please sit."

Zhou Yuanfeng stepped forward, sat down and pushed the document towards Qin An, saying solemnly: "Mr. Qin, have a look, this matter concerns you."

Qin An frowned slightly, opened the document, and after reading its contents, his brows furrowed even deeper.

Zhou Yuanfeng could sense a faint killing intent emanating from Qin An, swirling like the calm before a storm, making one's hair stand on end.

The document mentioned that the creatures from Carefree Mountain came seeking vengeance, but since Qin An was staying within Xunyang Prefecture, they committed senseless murders to compel Qin An to come out.

The document didn't specify any location, it simply instructed him to leave Xunyang Prefecture.

Qin An hadn't expected the creatures from Carefree Mountain to resort to such actions.

These actions not only caused the deaths of innocent people but also sought to push Qin An into the limelight.

With the departure of the General Mansion's leadership, various forces were getting restless, and even minor disturbances could easily trigger a chain reaction.

Thus, what lay before Qin An was an unavoidable situation.

Zhou Yuanfeng saw the evident killing intent on Qin An's body, he pressed his hand on Qin An's shoulder: "Calm down! Don't act rashly."

Although he has now been promoted to Jin Mansion General, which is a higher position than Qin An, he still referred to Qin An as Mr. Qin.

After all, Zhou Yuanfeng believed that Qin An's potential was not limited to a Mountain Patrol Copper General, and he would likely rise to be on par with, or even surpass him, in the future.

Qin An restrained his killing intent, tapping the table with his fingers: "How far is the slaughtered village from Xunyang Prefecture?"

Zhou Yuanfeng frowned slightly: "Far, the Prefecture General is beyond reach."

Although he didn't know why Qin An asked this, he truthfully informed him.

Qin An nodded, speaking softly: "It seems they have a tight control, only the Mountain Patrol General can handle this issue; in that case, has the Mountain Patrol General undertaken the task?"

Zhou Yuanfeng pondered: "Normally, a Mountain Patrol General should have gone, but so far no victory has been reported, likely they've returned empty-handed."

Qin An continued to ask: "Has such a situation occurred in the past?"

Zhou Yuanfeng, hearing this, suddenly realized: "You're suspecting... an internal traitor in the Evil Extermination Bureau?"

He was a smart person, able to guess the meaning without much explanation from Qin An.

Tang Zizhen had been silent and did not intend to speak, but after hearing the two exchange words, she frowned.

This suspicion was very likely: the opponent had control of the distance so well that only the Mountain Patrol General could strike them down.

Yet multiple attempts by the Mountain Patrol General had failed, which was extremely rare.

The opponents weren't top-level forces in Xunyang Prefecture, how could they be so hard to eliminate?

The underlying reason might truly be as Qin An suspected, that this situation was far from simple.

Before the Mountain Patrol General could arrive, there may have been insiders leaking information.

Qin An nodded, continued analyzing: "The document has two doubts, first, as previously mentioned; second, if the creatures are intent on killing me, why not specify the location? Clearly, after I leave the city, they have a way to track me, hence the traitor might not be a single person."

When these words were spoken, Zhou Yuanfeng and Tang Zizhen glanced at each other and remained silent.

Both of them were well aware that Qin An's speculation had some truth to it.

Qin An stroked the Cold Star Saber and said coldly, "It seems they are determined to succeed. The demon creatures they sent are likely not only at the Outer Elixir Realm but may even have Inner God Realm creatures eyeing us."

Zhou Yuanfeng looked up anxiously and said, "Mr. Qin, this matter cannot be speculated recklessly. Allow me to communicate with the Mountain Patrol General again."

Qin An shook his head, his eyes flashing slightly, "It's no use. Since they dare to use this move, they must have absolute confidence. If my guess is correct and there is indeed an internal traitor, even if the Mountain Patrol General goes multiple times, he would likely come back empty-handed."

Tang Zizhen frowned and couldn't help asking, "Then how should we break this situation? Are you planning to go yourself?"

Qin An did not answer.

Zhou Yuanfeng suddenly spoke up, "Senior Sister Tang, do you think this traitor could be Xu Qingfeng?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Qin An and Tang Zizhen focused their eyes on Zhou Yuanfeng.

Their expressions were different.

Qin An showed a look of contemplation.

Tang Zizhen's expression changed drastically, shaking her head in denial, "That waste may be arrogant and domineering, but he wouldn't dare do something that goes against the iron laws of the Evil Extermination Bureau."

Zhou Yuanfeng sneered after hearing this, "I previously asked Senior Sister what he has been doing recently. She said he frequently used the Mountain Patrol General's token to check missions but hasn't taken any. I then had this suspicion. Do you think there's a possibility he's using the Mountain Patrol Token to see if there are missions posted and notify the Fox Demon in advance?"

This was Zhou Yuanfeng's speculation, derived partly from the conflict between Qin An and Xu Qingfeng, and partly from Xu Qingfeng's recent abnormal behavior.

Tang Zizhen fell into thought, rebutting, "Why would he harm Qin An? It doesn't make sense."

Qin An suddenly said coldly, "He suffered a palm and a punch from me, and was seriously injured."

Tang Zizhen's pupils contracted slightly, and she asked in shock, "Why did you two become enemies?"

"Junior Brother Zhou, how many things are you hiding from me?"

Zhou Yuanfeng replied helplessly, "Senior Sister Tang, let's not discuss these matters for the time being. Now we also have Xu Qingfeng's motive."

"Without evidence, don't randomly guess," Tang Zizhen said with a stern expression, hinting, "This matter concerns the teacher's reputation, and unfounded speculation could have negative impacts later."

Zhou Yuanfeng said nothing further.

He also understood the stakes involved, but the suspicion in his heart was growing stronger.

Qin An slowly interrupted, "Whether Xu Qingfeng is the traitor or not, let's not worry about it for now. For now, let's solve this issue."

Zhou Yuanfeng asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Qin An sneered, "Since he wants me to go out, then I will go out."

Zhou Yuanfeng frowned, "If your speculation is true and there are Inner God Realm creatures waiting for you, going out would be like seeking death. This must not be done."

Qin An said slowly, "If you give me half a month, can you minimize the casualties?"

Upon hearing this, both Zhou Yuanfeng and Tang Zizhen showed puzzled expressions.

Tang Zizhen asked in confusion, "Even with half a month's time, what impact can it have?"

Qin An responded indifferently, "In half a month's time, I can achieve Great Success in the Outer Elixir Realm. With my Supreme True Elixir Foundation and various Secret Techniques, I can behead them."

"Great Success in the Outer Elixir Realm in half a month?"

Tang Zizhen widened her eyes, unable to control her expression anymore, "How long have you been in Xunyang Prefecture?"

When he first arrived, Qin An was merely in the Pulse Condensation Realm. How could he have improved so rapidly in just a few months?

For an ordinary person, achieving Great Success in the Outer Elixir Realm in such a short time would be wishful thinking. Yet Qin An could accomplish it.

Before, if someone had told Tang Zizhen such absurd words, she would have slapped them.

But coming from Qin An's mouth, Tang Zizhen began to feel inclined to believe it.

Qin An raised his eyes and said, "I am confident."

Zhou Yuanfeng shook his head, "But even if you reach Great Success in the Outer Elixir Realm, with the Supreme True Elixir Foundation and Secret Techniques, surpassing the Inner God Realm is no small feat."

He believed Qin An had the potential, but felt that facing the Inner God Realm as an Outer Elixir Realm was no different from courting death.

As another possessor of the Supreme True Elixir, Zhou Yuanfeng also had many Secret Techniques.

But he felt he had no guarantee.

Tang Zizhen regained her composure and agreed, "I agree with Junior Brother Zhou's statement. You haven't entered the Inner God Realm and don't know its horrors. The True Essence of the Inner God Realm carries the Power of Divine Sense. Each move can swallow the opponent's Divine Sense. You are currently in the Outer Elixir Realm, without the Power of Divine Sense, thus, you absolutely cannot act rashly."

Although she was dissatisfied with Qin An and disapproved of his past opportunistic behavior, she acknowledged his potential and his character of slaying demons, exorcising evil.

Therefore, even if she didn't like Qin An, she advised him at this moment.

"The Inner God Realm..." Qin An's eyes shone brightly, "I am naturally aware of its characteristics."

The Outer Elixir Realm does not cultivate Divine Sense, but upon reaching the Inner God Realm, one will connect six pillars of Divine Sense in the mind.

These pillars are known as the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind.

Each breakthrough strengthens the Divine Sense further.

Once combined with True Essence, it can devastate the enemy's Divine Sense.

Qin An understood the power of the Inner God Realm, but his confidence was not just in the Supreme True Elixir and various Secret Techniques.

Zhou Yuanfeng, seeing Qin An's composed expression, anxiously asked again, "Mr. Qin, at this critical juncture, if you have any secret skills, please reveal them. We can better assist you in analysis."

He was truly anxious because Qin An had been kind to him, and after spending a lot of time together, Zhou Yuanfeng considered him a close ally.

If Qin An genuinely had no certainty of victory, Zhou Yuanfeng would explore every avenue to assist, even if it meant seeking help from his teacher.

Qin An's fingers brushed the hilt of the Cold Star Saber, speaking calmly, "As you two just mentioned, the Inner God Realm has methods to harm Divine Sense. I lack the Power of Divine Sense, which puts me at a disadvantage in confrontation, but I do have a means to counter Divine Sense attacks."

These words made Zhou Yuanfeng and Tang Zizhen wear puzzled expressions.

They had never heard of anything capable of countering Divine Sense attacks, especially since it was a unique aspect of Inner God Realm cultivators.

Tang Zizhen pondered Qin An's words, and suddenly her expression changed, realizing, "Could it be that you possess the Five Elements Divine Sense?"

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