CHAPTER 169: CHAPTER 159: TARGET, EARTHVEIN CRYSTALS

As Qin An saw the mist in front of him gradually condensing, even with his steady character, he could not suppress the joy in his heart.

After a few breaths’ time, the mist finally condensed into a line of words, floating before Qin An.

[Array Master lv.8 (0/2000): Your speed of setting up arrays has increased, and your speed of breaking arrays has also increased]

[Promotion Condition: Set up the Jade Bone Realm defensive array twenty times (20/20)]

[Promotion Achieved]

[Talent: Mastery of Gui Cang Realm formations, Mastery of Gui Cang Realm formation resistance]

The swirling mist in the air suddenly turned into countless streams of information, pouring into Qin An’s forehead like rivers returning to the sea.

Qin An closed his eyes and focused, letting the vast truth of the arrays surge in his sea of consciousness.

A moment later, his eyes suddenly opened wide.

"It’s done."

Reaching the eighth level in the Array Master profession, he had undergone a second qualitative change back at level six.

Now, not only had the array master’s talent reached the Gui Cang Realm, it had directly reached the level of Great Success in the Gui Cang Realm.

The current Qin An in the path of the array master had far surpassed the Golden Array Sect.

Of the two talents, one signified that Qin An could master all arrays of Great Success in the Gui Cang Realm.

The second signified that all arrays within the caliber of Returning to Storage Realm would be ineffective against Qin An.

What Qin An most longed for, he finally comprehended after reaching level eight as an array master.

All arrays of the mastery level in the Gui Cang Realm were entirely within Qin An’s grasp.

The achievements that others could only reach after decades of intensive practice, Qin An achieved in just twenty-two days, including the ability to search for earth veins.

Qin An composed himself, suppressing the joy in his heart, and lightly tapped the sheath with his knuckles.

"The priority now is to find the withered earth veins."

After twenty-two days of hard practice, it was all for the sake of going out to find the withered earth veins, and now that the array master had reached level eight, he had no reason to stay here any longer.

With this thought in mind, Qin An lifted his foot and walked out of the room.

The morning light streamed through the window lattice, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

According to the array master’s method, to find earth veins, one must first set up an array.

However, the materials for setting up an array were extremely precious.

Though Qin An did not possess them, the Evil Extermination Bureau surely did, it was just a matter of some achievements.

After briefly tidying his clothes, Qin An prepared to head towards where the Confidential Library was located.

But at this moment, a state official from the Internal Affairs Department blocked Qin An’s way.

Qin An halted his steps, frowning slightly: "What is it?"

He was a Silver Mountain Patroller, and though he had not gone out for almost a month, his status was still there.

The fact that a state official from the Internal Affairs Department dared to block his way meant there must be something important.

The state official from the Internal Affairs Department bowed respectfully: "I have orders from Mr. Yang to invite Mr. Qin to come, saying he has something important to discuss."

Qin An’s frown slightly relaxed: "Understood, you may leave now."

The state official from the Internal Affairs Department acknowledged respectfully, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and quietly left.

After a brief moment of thought, Qin An set aside his plan to visit the Confidential Library for the moment, and walked alone towards Yang Quanfeng’s residence.

Though he had ventured out infrequently of late, Yang Quanfeng occasionally passed on some information from the Evil Extermination Bureau.

This included the progress of the Blood Frenzy Elixir and the response from Central State.

It was said that Central State had encountered trouble, tightly entangled with the Demonic Hall, so no response had been given about the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave matter.

This time, having been sought out, Qin An felt it was perhaps related to the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave matter.

...

At Yang Quanfeng’s courtyard.

At the moment, Yang Quanfeng and the remaining eight Jinzhou officials were all present here.

Everyone was in a serious demeanor, even sitting upright in their chairs.

Outside the courtyard, there came the sound of footsteps.

Yang Quanfeng looked towards the source of the footsteps, seeing Qin An enter the courtyard with a straight blade at his waist, he then relaxed slightly.

Qin An found a chair to sit down on his own, saying nothing.

The Gold Patroller Li had told him not to get too close to the Jinzhou officials, otherwise those above would not be pleased.

But this matter concerned the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave, and the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave carried a great vendetta for Qin An, of course he had to come.

Yang Quanfeng cleared his throat: "Since Qin An is here, let’s talk about the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave matter."

He took out a piece of paper densely packed with small words.

Qin An glanced up to see the signature at the end first.

"A letter from Central State?"

The signing spot was marked with the two characters for Central State, and had the seal of Central State imprinted.

Yang Quanfeng paused slightly, opened the secret letter, and slowly read out the contents.

"Central State orders the remaining nine Jinzhou officials to closely guard Lingzhou, the task will be executed collectively by the Mountain Patrolmen."

"This is a major task, it can be accepted from top Gold Patrollers down to Copper Patrollers."

After finishing this sentence, Yang Quanfeng also read the detailed rules in the letter.

After reading the entire secret letter, Yang Quanfeng glanced around.

The crowd fell silent, the scene turned deathly still, with no one speaking.

The Jinzhou officials all knew clearly that Central State’s message was simple—eliminate the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave.

Before this, due to the geographical location of the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave, wanting to exterminate it would come at a great cost.

Additionally, the need to balance demonic forces meant the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave was never acted upon.

However, what the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave had done lately had gone too far.

If they were consistently allowed to collect earth vein crystals, in the end, not only the Demonic Hall, but even the Evil Extermination Bureau might not hold the situation.

Since it had gone too far, they must no longer be allowed to live.

This time, no matter the cost, the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave had to be utterly destroyed.

Qin An tapped the sheath lightly with his fingers, breaking the silence: "What are you worried about?"

The earlier silence signified concern, but what they were worried about, Qin An could not comprehend.

Wan Ziqing’s face remained indifferent, but a hint of complexity could be seen in her eyes.

"Given the current situation, the Central State has not returned to oversee Lingzhou, still requiring nine Jinzhou officials to be stationed, proving Central State is also facing an unimaginable crisis."

The rest of the Jinzhou officials did not speak, clearly agreeing with Wan Ziqing’s statement.

Qin An frowned and said, "Does the Yao Hall have the ability to kill the governor?"

As the strongest presence in all of Lingzhou, even the Patrol Gold Commanders at the Pulse Condensation Realm cannot rival the governor’s capabilities.

It is precisely because of this that the Evil Extermination Bureau can root itself here in such a complex Lingzhou, like a stabilizing force.

However, the concern in Wan Ziqing’s words now made Qin An notice a blind spot.

Relying solely on the Demon Transformation Pool to hold back is impossible.

A crisis like the Ten Thousand Mouse Cave is as formidable as the Demon Transformation Pool, and would definitely cause the governor to return to Lingzhou.

Not returning now means that the Yao Hall not only uses the Demon Transformation Pool as a deterrent, but even has the capability to endanger the governor’s life.

Mo Chuan said complicatedly, "The Yao Hall’s strength should not be underestimated; their leader possesses power equal to the governor."

"If the leader of the Yao Hall takes action, especially when we’re in the wilderness, the governor’s crisis is no less than ours."

Qin An released his grip on Cold Star and said, "Rather than worrying about the governor’s situation, it’s better to first resolve the crisis at Ten Thousand Mouse Cave."

Upon hearing their discussion, he realized that the governor’s situation was not very optimistic.

But no matter what, at present, it’s better to follow the governor’s plan and complete the mission first.

With Shen Bai speaking this way, the other Jinzhou Commanders arranged their complex emotions.

Actually, this was something they all knew as well, but it was hard to mask their feelings.

Yang Quanfeng said solemnly, "In that case, everyone should discuss the details of the task and then release them to the Patrol Commanders."

The task statistics and release have always been handled by the state commanders, which is also a form of power division from the higher-ups.

No matter how urgent it is, the process must be followed.

Moreover, if the tasks aren’t released, how will the Patrol Commanders know?

After all, those Patrol Commanders roam the wilderness, hunting demons and exterminating evils.

Qin An looked up and said, "I’ll take my leave."

Currently, he was no longer a state commander but a Patrol Silver Commander.

Task releases involving confidential matters of the state commanders should be avoided by Qin An at this moment.

Yang Quanfeng nodded slightly in agreement.

The reason he invited Qin An over was to let him learn more.

But under strict rules, even he couldn’t break this rule.

Once Qin An had left, Yang Quanfeng and the other eight Jinzhou Commanders began to formulate a detailed plan.

...

Qin An left Yang Quanfeng’s courtyard and walked slowly within the Evil Extermination Bureau.

He initially wanted to use this time to search for the Earth Vein Crystal, but now it seems that his plans have to change.

As he walked, Qin An pondered.

"Ten Thousand Mouse Cave has cracked the method of vein searching, collecting Earth Vein Crystals during this period must have been plentiful."

"If I can participate in this task, I suppose I can benefit from it."

Currently, Qin An was not in a hurry about advancing his realm; the urgency was lacking Earth Vein Crystals to refine eight key veins.

He can use an Array to search, unconcerned about the complex and precious materials of the Array since they can be exchanged for through merits.

The whole process is extremely slow, perhaps taking a very long time to find just one.

To Qin An, he does not have this time.

Not only is there pressure from demonic forces, but also from above.

Only by quickly improving his strength and showing his talent will he grab the attention of those above.

Currently, Qin An already holds the eighth-level Array Master profession.

Rather than using the Array to laboriously search, he might as well use the Array to delve into Ten Thousand Mouse Cave to find Earth Vein Crystals.

Not only can he speed up the process, but he can also harvest a huge amount of merits to exchange for other Cultivation Techniques.

Very soon, Qin An made his decision.

He would temporarily not search for withered Earth Veins.

Having made his decision, Qin An turned around and returned to his quarters.

It wouldn’t take long for Yang Quanfeng to arrange the tasks; he only needed to wait patiently.

About two hours later, as the clouds outside covered the sunlight, and the sunset appeared in the west.

A voice sounded at the door.

"Sir, Mr. Yang asked me to inform you that the task has been released. If you wish to undertake it, you can check yourself."

Qin An opened his eyes, fiddled with Cold Star in his hand, and acknowledged.

Once the Internal Affairs State Official left the door, he took the Patrol Silver Badge from his waist, and filtered through the vast sea of tasks.

After a short time, Qin An found the task released by Yang Quanfeng and quietly undertook it.

He put the Patrol Silver Badge back on his waist.

After briefly thinking about it, Qin An seized the dark moment to find an Internal Affairs State Official to receive a fast horse and headed straight north of Lingzhou.

This journey is long and challenging, an excellent opportunity to eradicate Ten Thousand Mouse Cave and obtain Earth Vein Crystals.

Qin An estimated this trip would be intriguing.

Until his figure disappeared into the darkness of the street, Lingzhou plunged into tranquility again.

At this moment, countless Patrol Commanders were checking the badges on their waists.

When they saw the task heading to Ten Thousand Mouse Cave marked with unlimited levels, available to Gold Commanders down to Bronze Commanders, their eyes lit up.

Numerous figures continued to shuttle between mountain shadows, all aiming towards the north of Lingzhou.

...

In an extremely hidden place.

At this moment, a white-haired old monkey was dressed like a scholar, with a jug of wine in hand.

The wine in the jug drew an arc mid-air before flowing into the old monkey’s mouth.

Though the old monkey appeared shaky, it exuded a terrifying Pulse Condensation Realm aura.

A row of variously colored demons knelt below, looking more like a hodgepodge.

They all trembled with fear, wary of accidentally causing the old monkey’s displeasure.

At this moment, a Tiger Demon at the forefront gritted its teeth and spoke up, "Elder Monkey, according to my informants, Ten Thousand Mouse Cave is destined to face great calamity."

"Is Yao Hall truly not going to help?"

Elder Monkey’s gaze was fierce, throwing the wine jug at the Tiger Demon’s forehead harshly.

Tusks emerged from the corners of Elder Monkey’s mouth.

Elder Monkey’s body emanated a terrifying aura: "Let them die, it’s best if they all die, why bother with them?"