Letting You Practice Life Skills, You Grind Your Way to Divine Positions

Ma Rou, with her sharp mind, leaned close to Qin An's ear and whispered, "Even if we're housed separately, we'll be arranged to look out for each other."

"By splitting up, we can monitor a wider area. If the fox woman makes any moves, we'll detect it early."

"We just need to wait a few days for the fox woman's aura to disappear. The villagers will return to normal, meaning the fox woman has given up on absorbing Primordial Yang, and we can head back."

The fox woman had her own process for absorbing Primordial Yang.

Qin An didn't ask for details, but he knew these next few days wouldn't be simple.

If she gave up, it would be fine. If she didn't, a battle would be unavoidable.

Nie Hu, Qin An, and Ma Rou were assigned to the same room.

As soon as they sat down, Nie Hu began meditating to cultivate.

Ma Rou did the same, finding a spot for herself and saying no more.

Strength was the foundation of the Evil Extermination Division. Even during missions, they wouldn't miss any opportunity to improve.

Maintaining a sliver of awareness while cultivating wouldn't put them in danger.

After a moment of thought, Qin An found a chair for himself and sat down, gently wiping his Black Blade.

He had recently unlocked the Healer profession and hadn't had time to find a blacksmith to recast the Black Blade. He thought about getting it reforged when he returned.

Seeing this, Nie Hu snorted, "Only through diligent cultivation can one progress. If you're this lazy, you'll likely lose your life."

Qin An glanced at Nie Hu. "Noisy."

Nie Hu was slightly taken aback.

He had intended to mock Qin An a few times, thinking Qin An was arrogant and had become conceited after killing two Body Infusion Realm demonic creatures.

He had seen many people like this, who would eventually fade into obscurity.

He hadn't expected Qin An to talk back.

He was a veteran Bronze Captain; how could he tolerate this?

Just as Nie Hu was about to speak, Ma Rou smoothed things over.

"We all work under Lord Cheng. Harmony brings wealth."

Hearing the words "Lord Cheng," Nie Hu considered Cheng Sufeng's regard for Qin An. After a cold glance at Qin An, he said no more.

Qin An's expression was as calm as a lake as he continued to wipe his Black Blade.

Time passed, and night fell.

In a dense forest not far from Mountside Village.

Dappled moonlight fell upon the Enchanting Fox Woman, who was clad only in sheer silk.

Beside the Enchanting Fox Woman stood a man whose body was as mottled as a tiger's.

"The Evil Extermination Division has arrived. You have enough cultivator blood, and I will distract the Bronze Captain. The remaining Prefecture Clerks are yours."

"After taking the Prefecture Clerks' blood, if you don't share the Tiger Clan's Secret Treasure with me, the Fox Mother will take your life."

After speaking, the fox woman raised her hand and meticulously adjusted the sheer silk at her chest.

The mottled man's face turned as dark as water, his fists clenching slightly. "Hu Sanniang, are you using the Fox Mother to pressure me?"

Hu Sanniang smiled faintly. "Hu Rong, you seem displeased, but given your Tiger Clan's current situation, what can you do even if I use the Fox Mother to pressure you?"

Hu Rong's eyes grew even dimmer. He then loosened his clenched fists, sighing as if resigned. "I will cooperate with you wholeheartedly and without any pretense this time."

Since ancient times, there had only been tales of foxes borrowing the tiger's might. But in Ling Prefecture, the Fox Mother's clan had reversed the natural order.

Originally, the tiger demons of Ling Prefecture were a powerful force. Even the monkeys and tree lords of Azure Cloud Valley treated them with respect.

However, recently, the tiger demons had stirred up trouble, and the lackeys of the Evil Extermination Division had caught wind of it, nearly wiping out their entire race.

Now, the Tiger Clan's Secret Treasure was tied to the clan's survival and could help them return to their peak.

But the Tiger Clan lacked manpower and had to compromise, borrowing the Fox Mother's influence to obtain the secret treasure.

They were merely a piece of the plan, obtaining a large amount of cultivator blood as a catalyst to open the secret treasure.

As for why they didn't seek out cultivators from sects and factions, it was because the members of the Evil Extermination Division had the most vigorous Blood Essence.

Their Cultivation Methods, combined with the large amount of Blood Crystals obtained through desperate means, gave them far superior Blood Essence compared to the forces in Ling Prefecture.

It was precisely because of this that the Evil Extermination Division stood firm.

Today, Hu Rong could only swallow his anger and endure Hu Sanniang's threat.

Hu Sanniang covered her mouth with her hand and chuckled charmingly, "Since you're sincere, that's good."

Hu Rong's eyes flickered. "What's your plan?"

The people from the Evil Extermination Division had fallen into their trap, but Hu Rong was unaware of Hu Sanniang's thoughts.

To ensure his safety, he needed to know the entire plan.

Hu Sanniang extended a fair, jade-like finger and tapped it on her brow.

The next moment, three snow-white tails emerged from Hu Sanniang's perky, round backside.

Two of them landed on the ground, transforming into two naked women, identical to Hu Sanniang.

Hu Sanniang released her grip, a cold smile curling her lips. "This time, three Bronze Captains have arrived. Two clones, plus you and me, will lead them in three directions."

"You and I will go all out, kill one Bronze Captain first, then go for another. We'll repeat this until all are eliminated."

Hu Rong's bell-like eyes widened. "Are you crazy? I only want the Prefecture Clerk's blood."

Hu Sanniang shook her head. "It's not enough. You don't want your Blood Essence to be insufficient and fail to open the secret treasure, do you?"

Hu Rong was silent for a long time, his mottled body transforming into overwhelming killing intent. "First, we kill Nie Hu. When the Tiger Clan's massacre happened that day, Nie Hu's hands were stained with plenty of blood. Moreover, among these three Bronze Captains, he is the strongest."

Hu Sanniang nodded slightly. "That's perfect."

The night grew deeper, thick as ink.

Inside the room, the oil lamp flickered, casting dancing shadows.

Nie Hu and Ma Rou were engrossed in their cultivation, leaving only a sliver of their consciousness to sense any anomalies.

Qin An had already wiped his Black Blade and sheathed it at his waist, his hand never leaving the hilt.

This calm felt somewhat boring, but Qin An was used to it.

He preferred being alone; it was a good thing that no one was disturbing him.

Outside the window, wisps of cold wind blew into the room, causing the oil lamp to flicker slightly.

Qin An sat with his legs spread wide, like a general, then suddenly raised an eyebrow, his calm gaze sweeping towards the window.

A figure flickered at the window, and faint footsteps approached like a gentle rain.

Nie Hu and Ma Rou simultaneously opened their eyes, their brows furrowed.

The gentle breeze intensified slightly, and the door, which had not been bolted, creaked open a crack.

On the street outside, villagers emerged from their houses one after another, walking outside.

Their eyes were vacant, their limbs stiff, like puppets on strings.

"They're coming... I'm here..."

Accompanied by murmurs, the villagers split into three groups, walking in three different directions.

At this moment, the Prefecture Clerk of the Evil Extermination Division had already stepped out of his house, coincidentally seeing Nie Hu, Qin An, and Ma Rou exiting theirs.

Ma Rou's delicate brows were tightly knit as she unslung the Soul-Reaping Rope from her waist. "The three directions are different, and the situation is shrouded in mystery. We must be careful."

Nie Hu waved his hand. "The three of us will each take a portion of the people and track them separately."

While they were conversing, the villagers seemed unaffected. Even Village Chief Yang walked with vacant eyes in one direction.

Qin An's hand rested on the Black Blade, and he mused, "Splitting up isn't a good idea."

Given the strange circumstances, if they divided their forces, they would likely be defeated one by one.

Unexpectedly, as he spoke, Nie Hu revealed a cold smile.

"How long have you been a Bronze Captain? How long have I been one?"

"If the Fox Woman had overwhelming strength, why would she resort to such tactics?"

"She's fishing, but am I not fishing her too? If she only absorbs Primordial Yang from two of these three groups, wouldn't she have fallen into my trap?"

Nie Hu posed three consecutive questions, yet Qin An's expression remained as calm as water.

Nie Hu's analysis had some merit.

If they had joined forces, the Fox Woman could have taken the Primordial Yang from the other two locations and fled, leaving them with nothing.

But Qin An knew that Nie Hu's words were directed at him.