CHAPTER 34: CHAPTER 34: GREAT SUCCESS, MISSION

The room was fully furnished, equipped with the usual tools like pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Qin An picked up the pen and began to write the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill.

This Heart Method was derived through the extrapolation of the Cold Source Heart Skill and the Flame Heart Skill, and it was already a Body Storage Realm Heart Method.

Although it carried the attributes of both Heart Methods, it was considered Qin An’s own creation, naturally clear in his mind.

Before long, Qin An had transcribed the entire Heart Method from memory and began reading it carefully while the ink was still wet.

Due to the nature of his scholar profession and because it was his own creation, reading it posed no difficulties.

Once Qin An finished reading the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill, smoke gradually gathered and twisted like a black snake.

[Scholar lv.4 (0/600): Your reading speed has slightly increased]

[Talent: Great Success in Body Storage Realm Heart Method Comprehension]

[Upgrade completed]

Effective!

Qin An felt a slight stir in his heart.

The Golden Finger, despite being strict at times, showed a certain human touch at crucial moments.

Qin An put down the brush, and found a brazier to burn the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill into ashes.

He planned to practice the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill once more.

Having broken through to level four in his scholar profession, he wanted to test if he could rely on his talent to extrapolate the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill to Great Success.

Qin An sat cross-legged on the bed and circulated the energy in his body according to the path of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill.

Smoke emerged, condensing into words as it slithered like a snake.

[You practice the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill, triggering the Great Success talent in Body Storage Realm Heart Method comprehension]

[Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill (Great Success)]

The smoke dissipated.

A faint sound came from Qin An’s muscles all over his body, starting from his left hand, crackling like beans bursting in a bamboo tube.

Left hand, right hand, left leg, right leg, torso...

Until the muscles of the torso were fully nurtured, the energy began to slow down gradually.

The so-called Body Storage, first nourishes the energy with blood and then nurtures the muscles of the limbs, head, and torso with energy.

Once achieved, ordinary blades and spears would find it difficult to cause injury, and the entire body would feel like metal and iron.

The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Skill reaching Great Success signified that Qin An’s realm had reached Body Realm Perfection.

The energy and blood within his body were rapidly consumed, and the Blood Crystals Qin An had accumulated during the battle in the willow grove disappeared completely.

Moments later, Qin An opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

"Blood Crystals are indeed an extremely important resource. I hope I can obtain more through the Evil Extermination Bureau."

Blood Crystals are indispensable for advancement.

Although Qin An had exhausted his Blood Crystals now, what he gained was an increase in his strength.

Qin An drew out the black knife, not using energy, and casually swung it onto his left arm.

"Clang!"

The sound of metal clashing echoed, leaving only a white mark on his arm.

If it were at his previous realm, his arm would be gushing blood by now.

"Only the head has not been nurtured, but the talent requires 600 points to upgrade, which is a bit troublesome."

Qin An sheathed the black knife at his waist, pondering to himself.

There were two paths ahead of him.

The first was to practice the scholar profession.

Once the profession reaches level five, the talent would reach Body Realm Perfection, allowing him to break through to perfection with it.

The second was to acquire more Heart Methods.

Utilizing Heart Method extrapolation and consuming a large amount of energy and blood might lead to the next stage.

"Today’s about rest first."

After thinking for a moment, Qin An lay on the bed fully clothed.

Joining the Evil Extermination Bureau only required risking one’s life.

After risking life, Cultivation Techniques and Blood Crystals would naturally not be a worry.

Moreover, during this period, he could find time to practice his profession proficiency.

This was a double benefit, as either step reaching first would be advantageous for Qin An.

"Once my strength increases, perhaps I can consider eliminating the monkey demon’s threat."

Qin An lay on the bed, but his hand never left the black knife.

The influence of the monkey demon in Lingzhou was ultimately like a thorn lodged in his throat.

He had to find the time to eliminate this threat.

With these thoughts, Qin An slowly closed his eyes.

...

The next day.

After rising early and finishing his morning routine, Qin An was about to head out.

He planned to visit the Confidential Library to read some books.

Besides the gain in his scholar profession yesterday, he also had many insights into the situation in Lingzhou.

There was nothing urgent, so he might as well read more.

But before he could leave, Gao Quan hurriedly arrived at the door.

Seeing this, Qin An rested his hand on the black knife and stood still.

Gao Quan came closer, and without a word, tossed a sentence and turned to leave: "Let’s go, it’s time for a mission, and it’s urgent!"

Frowning, Qin An thought for a moment and then followed Gao Quan out of the room.

Judging by Gao Quan’s demeanor, it didn’t seem like a simple mission.

The Evil Extermination Bureau’s tasks naturally involved demons and monsters.

Currently, Qin An was lacking Blood Crystals and Cultivation Techniques, so encountering a mission wasn’t considered burdensome.

...

In the courtyard.

Tang Lingwei stood dressed in black, a serious expression on her face, her waist tightly cinched by a long sword.

About ten state officials from the Evil Extermination Bureau were all prepared for departure.

Once Qin An arrived, Tang Lingwei waved her hand and said, "Set off."

No one spoke, and the group followed Tang Lingwei, heading out of Lingzhou...

Before setting off, the group was provided with fast horses.

Although it was Qin An’s first time riding a horse, with his current strength in Body Realm Perfection, controlling it was not difficult.

Crossing Lingzhou, they headed north all the way.

Gao Quan walked alongside Qin An.

"Be cautious with everything, this time it’s not demons," Gao Quan said seriously.

In the precarious position they maintained at the Evil Extermination Bureau, they naturally needed to stick together for survival, making Tang Lingwei’s team appear more united instead.

Qin An frowned and asked, "If it’s not demons, then what is it?"

Gao Quan looked ahead and stated each word clearly: "Pseudo-God."

It was the second time Qin An heard of the Pseudo-God; last time when he heard it, Gao Quan promised to explain further later.

It seemed now that his words had indeed come true.

The short Yao Feng joined in, saying, "The so-called Pseudo-Gods are born from the evil thoughts of people."

"Anything that people imagine can potentially transform into a Pseudo-God, there are both good and bad among them."

"For instance, when common people worship the Stove God, what they worship could very well turn into a Pseudo-God."

"Benevolent Pseudo-Gods bless the worshipers to have no worries about food and clothing, whereas the evil ones devour their blood and food."

Upon hearing this, Qin An understood.

According to Yao Feng, Pseudo-Gods are beings born from human imagination, without needing Yao Feng to elaborate on the more complex details.

It was Qin An’s first encounter with a Pseudo-God, sparking a bit of curiosity in his heart.

In the distance, the outline of a village gradually emerged.

A shadowy cloud loomed like a dark cloth, covering the entire village.

Looking up, Qin An could feel a heavy pressure bearing down on him.

Tang Lingwei glanced back and reminded, "Proceed with caution."

The group dismounted, drawing their longswords as they entered the village.

The oppressive influence deepened once inside the village.

Responding to the horrifying scene in the village, Qin An furrowed his brows.

The ground was charred and bodies lay scattered everywhere.

Men, women, elders, and children alike, all had become lifeless corpses.

Not far away, stood a towering ancient tree.

The tree was exceptionally tall, with lush leaves.

The roots of the tree wrapped around the necks of numerous corpses, suspending them aloft.

On one of the tree branches, a white-furred old monkey was holding a head, nibbling it meticulously.

Noticing the group’s gaze, the old monkey bared its bloody teeth.

"The lackeys have arrived," it jeered.

Tang Lingwei unsheathed her longsword and mocked, "Pseudo-Gods collaborating with monsters, that’s rare."

The giant tree trembled, cracks formed on its trunk, serving as eyes and a mouth.

A chilling voice echoed.