The small courtyard was tranquil, filled with lush green bamboo.

A few withered vines climbed the walls, trembling in the breeze, and a partly rusted copper bell hung from the eaves, occasionally swayed by the wind to produce a mournful wail.

Moss sprouted from the crevices of the stone steps, glistening with a damp luster.

A clay jar in the corner collected the rainwater from last night, with a dead leaf floating on the surface, twirling with the ripples.

Suddenly, a sparrow flitted by the eaves, shattering the water's reflection into shimmering golden light.

Wan Ziqing stood at the entrance of the courtyard, her expression as indifferent as ice, and pushed the door open: "Let's go in."

Qin An followed behind her, and as he stepped into the courtyard, he immediately sensed a delicate fragrance wafting through.

Wan Ziqing said slowly, "I practice a method of cutting off emotions and desires, so I don't usually tend to the courtyard, which makes it a bit untidy."

Qin An stroked his black blade without speaking and directed his gaze forward.

He knew this was Wan Ziqing's small courtyard, but he didn't expect there was someone else here.

It was already noon, and the sunlight beautifully stained the courtyard's earth walls with a rusty hue.

A solitary grave crouched in the corner, with a newly tended mound.

A few dandelion tufts shivered in the wind.

The crooked wooden marker in front of the grave had long faded, like scars gnawed by the passage of time.

A short, elderly man with a hunched back squatted in front of the grave, tracing cold clumps of earth with his fingertips.

The damp soil clung to his fingernails, carrying a rancid, decaying odor.

"There was rain last night, and you didn't even shield him with an umbrella. After all, he was your brother. Aren't you being a bit too harsh?"

The old man's voice was somewhat hoarse, akin to the croak of a night raven.

Wan Ziqing carried a jug of wine, walked to the grave, and poured the wine on the mound: "Among the patrol officers, only you are willing to come regularly to offer your respects to my brother."

Patrol officer?

Hearing their conversation stirred waves within Qin An's heart.

The grey-clad old man before them was the mysteriously unfathomable patrol officer within the Evil Extermination Bureau.

He didn't know why Wan Ziqing brought him here to meet the patrol officer, but he knew it definitely wasn't a trivial matter.

The old man sneered briefly, then resumed seriousness, sighing: "When I first met you, you were only a little bean, and now everything has changed."

"The method of cutting off emotions and desires is ultimately not meant for humans. You should end it sooner rather than later."

Wan Ziqing shook her head and said, "My family is dead, what's there to miss? Now, my only wish is to slay some demonic pseudo-gods and see my way through the rest of my days."

The old man sighed again and turned around.

At this moment, Qin An could clearly see the old man's appearance.

The old man held half a stub of a dry tobacco in his crooked finger joints, with a centipede-like scar slicing through his left eye, embedded within a sunken eye socket was a turbid, grayish-white eyeball.

The right eye was incredibly bright, sharp like a blade tempered by fire.

When he frowned, the wrinkle across his forehead pressed down upon the eyebrow like a rusted scabbard imprisoning a sharp blade.

"Are you Qin An?"

Qin An nodded and cupped his fists, saying, "Greetings, sir."

He noticed the badge on the old man's waist.

Unlike the badge of the provincial officer, the old man's badge was as black as ink, with only a single gold thread running through the middle.

Wan Ziqing introduced, "His name is Guo Jinfa. He once carried out a mission with my brother and was saved by him. The two had frequent interactions; his identity is that of a Silver Patrol Officer, yet he's on par with a Gold State Officer."

Patrol officers were also divided into copper, silver, and gold, but each level was higher than the state officers.

Guo Jinfa nodded and said, "You have a sharpness about you and also the scent of blood. I like the smell of blood very much. You are a good seedling for slaying demons and exterminating devils."

Qin An said nothing, merely standing while stroking his blade.

Guo Jinfa exclaimed lightly, "Since you wish to join the patrol officers, why not get closer to me?"

Qin An shook his head and said, "When being a provincial officer, achievements determined the hero. Even more so for a patrol officer."

"When it's based on achievements, flattery can't save one's life—it'll only make one die faster."

Guo Jinfa was momentarily stunned, then burst into hearty laughter showing his mouth full of decayed teeth.

"Hahaha, ruthless enough, thoughtful and shrewd, without excessive words. If you can pass the threshold task, and work hard after entering the patrol officers, the Evil Extermination Bureau will not lack benefits for you."

Qin An asked, "I wonder what Mr. Guo has to discuss with me."

He still had several Cultivation Techniques to deduce and didn't want to waste time, so he naturally selected the important things to say.

Guo Jinfa collected his smile: "Half a month from now, if you can reach Jade Bone Realm Perfection, you'll be able to take on a task related to Fire Crow Mountain."

Fire Crow Mountain?

Qin An furrowed his brow.

Apart from the three major forces that have been wiped out, Fire Crow Mountain was also a demonic force, sharing similar foundations with Cangyun Valley's monkey demons.

But Qin An didn't know why Guo Jinfa wanted to tell him this in advance.

Guo Jinfa stroked his white beard: "I owe this girl's brother many favors, so I'm repaying part of them by letting you know in advance."

"This doesn't comply with the rules, but the patrol officers themselves are unruly. We can even temporarily assist the other side's demons to slay the demonic and pseudo-gods."

"Remember to quickly seek ice attribute treasures, they will benefit your upcoming task."

"I cannot say more, as there's still a bottom line even when one is unruly."

Qin An understood; this was arranging for him to come over and get a little extra attention.

Thinking of this, Qin An asked.

"Is ice attribute True Qi feasible?"

Guo Jinfa frowned: "When I say ice attribute treasure, it's ice attribute treasure. Don't twist my meaning. Even if you are at Jade Bone Realm Perfection, ice attribute True Qi is still not feasible."

"Unless you can forge Jade Bone with Cangshan Jade."

He initially admired Qin An's attitude, but at this moment, Qin An's words made him somewhat displeased.

The young people these days are a bit impetuous, all thinking of shortcuts, not realizing that only solid ground can see you through in the Evil Extermination Bureau.

If it weren't for considering Wan Ziqing's brother, he would have cursed out loud by now.

Qin An pondered for a moment, then drew the black blade from his waist.

Seeing this, Guo Jinfa's frown deepened: "What do you mean by this?"

Qin An operated the Two Principles Bodhi Heart, the power of ice and fire interwoven on the black blade: "How about this kind of True Qi?"

Guo Jinfa was slightly stunned, instinctively sensing for a moment before his eyes widened: "How do you have such powerful True Qi?"

Even at Jade Bone Realm Perfection, it was still far away compared to Qin An's True Qi.

Qin An sheathed his black blade: "As long as it works."

Guo Jinfa took two steps forward: "Did you forge Jade Bone with Cangshan Jade?"

The moment he saw Qin An had such True Qi, he thought of this possibility.

Qin An looked at Wan Ziqing without speaking.

Wan Ziqing nodded, saying: "No need to hide, Mr. Guo, although he doesn't seem reliable, he's not a bad person either."

Guo Jinfa's mouth twitched slightly.

Qin An finally nodded: "I accidentally obtained a piece of Cangshan jade, and cultivated the jade bone."

As soon as these words were spoken, Guo Jinfa fell into silence.

A few breaths later, Guo Jinfa sighed.

"It seems that I was mistaken, thinking you wanted to take a shortcut, not realizing you are the shortcut."

"Since that's the case, it saves us the effort of searching for treasures."

Originally just casually mentioned Cangshan jade, unexpectedly Qin An actually had it.

This indeed surprised him enough.

Guo Jinfa took a puff of dry tobacco, squinted his eyes: "I would like to know, after you join the mountain patrol, how much of a storm you can stir."

Wan Ziqing said: "Qin An, we have pretty much finished talking about the matter, if there's nothing else, you can leave first."

Today she brought Qin An here mainly to discuss this matter, now that it has been discussed, there's naturally no need to continue.

With her nature of cutting off emotions and desires, saying this much is not easy.

Qin An nodded slightly, stroked his black knife and left the small courtyard.

After Qin An left, Guo Jinfa finally withdrew his gaze and looked at Wan Ziqing.

"Why are you looking at me?" Wan Ziqing frowned.

Guo Jinfa slowly said: "That kid can reach Jade Bone Realm Perfection half a month later?"

He said everything just now, except for this.

With Qin An here, saying these words seemed a bit inappropriate.

No matter how strong Qin An is, without Jade Bone Realm Perfection, he can't even pass the threshold.

Wan Ziqing said blandly: "If he can't, then the opportunity hasn't come; if he can, then he's naturally suited for this path."

Guo Jinfa grinned with his mouth full of black teeth, and said no more.

...

After leaving the small courtyard, Qin An walked straight towards his residence.

No abnormalities occurred during this time, only the gaze of passing Jinzhou guards grew increasingly respectful toward him.

Qin An deeply understood the reason, it's because they were aware that he was about to join the mountain patrol.

He did not bother with it though.

In Qin An's mind, only by diligently improving his strength, he can focus on what truly matters.

Everything else is unrelated to him.

Returning to the small courtyard, Qin An closed the door, then sat cross-legged on the bed, carefully examining the five cultivation techniques.

This time, he used up all his achievements entirely, and must elevate his strength to a new level.

Thinking of this, Qin An prioritized picking up the Heart Method.

This Heart Method is called Ice and Fire Dual Extremes, it emphasizes the intertwining of ice and fire forces, similar in wonder to Two Principles Bodhi Heart.

The Jade Bone Realm Heart Method is extremely rare, even the Evil Extermination Bureau doesn't have many.

Qin An searched for a long time, unable to find a Heart Method to compensate for Two Principles Bodhi Heart, coupled with the overly domineering nature of Two Principles Bodhi Heart, there's a high chance of reappearing the situation of devouring like last time.

So he would rather choose a similar Heart Method, perhaps it might enhance the effect post-devouring.

Thinking of this, Qin An stopped pondering and crossed his legs, circulating True Qi according to the path of Ice and Fire Dual Extremes.

In the next moment, words floated before Qin An's eyes, twisting like a snake.

[You cultivate Ice and Fire Dual Extremes, triggering Scholar Talent]

[Ice and Fire Dual Extremes (Great Success)]

Before his eyes, once the words coalesced, they turned into a mist.

The mist didn't dissipate, instead began condensing into new words.

Qin An knew clearly in his heart, this signified he could continue improving.

Sure enough, after the words appeared, they immediately gathered in mid-air.

[You possess Two Principles Bodhi Heart, intending to utilize it to fuse with Ice and Fire Dual Extremes]

[You start trying but achieve nothing after sitting for years]

[Still have eight Blood Marrows within, you attempt to consume blood energy]

The pseudo-magic from earlier had already been used extensively by Qin An, mostly during the pursuit of the Tree Lord.

All remaining parts absorbed by Qin An perfectly filled the storage limit.

Qin An currently has two demon origins, one pseudo-origin and one Tiger Evil Bead obtained from the Tree Lord.

He's not lacking in blood energy.

Thinking of this, Qin An stirred his mind, once again forming words.

[You consume all stored blood energy, and begin your comprehension]

[After years of sitting in vain, you decide to continue consuming blood energy]

Qin An opened his eyes, frowned: "Each realm is a threshold, after Jade Bone Realm, it's no longer as low consumption as Body Storage Realm."

The higher the realm, the harder the cultivation becomes.

With the existence of the Golden Finger, Qin An was already quite fast.

If today he cannot reach perfection, Qin An will not stop.

Thinking of this, Qin An took out the Tiger Evil Bead, and absorbed some of the evil qi inside.

The Tiger Evil Bead instantly dimmed somewhat.

[You have absorbed the Tiger Evil Bead, replenished blood energy, but there's a vast distance between Great Success and Perfection, consuming blood energy still has no effect]

Qin An's eyes flashed with determination: "Continue."

Holding the Tiger Evil Bead in his left hand, he proceeded to absorb it continuously.

The Tiger Evil Bead began to quickly darken, the words before Qin An's eyes flashed like a revolving lantern.

Until half of the Tiger Evil Bead was absorbed, the words finally showed a change.

[You trigger Scholar Talent, Jade Bone Realm Heart Method comprehension to Great Success]

[You have achieved enlightenment, integrating the best of both techniques]

[Two Principles Bodhi Heart (Perfection)]

Qin An suddenly opened his eyes wide: "It's finally perfect!"

The blood color spread continuously within, rapidly covering Qin An's skull.

Qin An's inner True Qi surged like a sea, ceaselessly flowing until half a stick of incense later when it gradually calmed.

His entire body was like blood jade, True Qi like giant waves.

At this moment, Qin An triggered Scholar Talent to comprehend, reaching Jade Bone Realm Perfection.

"Next one."

Qin An placed the Heart Method aside, without pausing, taking up another technique - Blade Technique.

"Today, I might as well elevate with gusto!"

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