The Great Black Mountain was pitch-black and profound, its boundaries unknown.
The seasoned demon hunters of Tongxian City typically divided the Great Black Mountain into three areas: Outer Mountain, Inner Mountain, and Deep Mountain.
The Outer Mountain of the Great Black Mountain was where most demon hunters hunted demon beasts. There were fewer poisonous substances and the miasma was lighter. Although the terrain was treacherous, it was not excessively perilous.
In the Outer Mountain, demon beasts were mostly at the mid-tier of the first rank, occasionally there were one or two late-stage first rank demon beasts, but they were uncommon.
The Inner Mountain of the Great Black Mountain was different—exceptionally dangerous with poisonous substances everywhere and thick miasma that could confuse the mind.
Demon beasts in the Inner Mountain were mainly at the late stage of the first rank, occasionally even second rank demon beasts.
For Qi Refining stage cultivators, encountering a second rank demon beast meant almost certain death if they couldn't avoid it in advance. Therefore, very few demon hunters dared to enter the Inner Mountain.
As for the Deep Mountain of the Great Black Mountain, it was an absolute forbidden zone, prohibited for all cultivators.
Mo Hua had never heard of any demon hunter daring to enter the Deepest area of the Great Black Mountain. Mo Shan had also warned Mo Hua that entering the Deep Mountain meant certain death.
Mo Hua, with his low cultivation level, was very self-aware.
He wouldn't even glance at such forbidden areas as the Deep Mountain.
In such perilous places as the Inner Mountain, he wouldn't take a single step.
Only the Outer Mountain, specifically its outermost regions, were within Mo Hua's planned operational range.
Mo Hua and Da Hu's trio entered the Great Black Mountain, staying at the edge of the Outer Mountain.
Surrounded by dense forests, rugged mountain paths, and the deep solitude of the mountains concealing who knew what, occasional eerie sounds could be heard.
Faint miasma filled the air, mingling with the mountain breeze and an unknown stench, making it unpleasant to breathe.
Occasionally, there was a faint trace of demonic aura lingering in remote corners of the mountains.
This was merely the edge of the Outer Mountain, yet Mo Hua already felt an inexplicable sense of oppression.
If it were the Inner Mountain or the Deep Mountain, Mo Hua couldn't even imagine it.
"What do we do next?" Shuang Hu asked quietly.
All three looked at Mo Hua.
"Leave it to me," Mo Hua said.
Mo Hua had already planned everything.
He deduced the demon beast's emerging route from the footprints on the ground, fur rubbed off on trees, bloodstains on stones, and the faint lingering demonic aura in the air.
At a narrow mountain crevice along the route, Mo Hua set up a trap.
Inside the trap was a Wood Binding Formation capable of trapping a mid-tier first rank demon beast, but only for a short time, about ten breaths.
Around the trap, he also laid out five Earth Fire Formations, each embedded with a spirit stone.
Mo Hua covered the trap with broken stones, placed several Bloodthirsty Grass plants inside, and sprinkled them with blood water.
The Bloodthirsty Grass was collected by asking Aunt Jiang, while the blood water was residue from the cooking of demon meat at the restaurant.
Everything was ready. Mo Hua took Da Hu and the others to hide behind a rocky outcrop.
"Will this work?" Xiao Hu asked.
"Let's try," Mo Hua said with a testing attitude.
He had simulated this plan in his mind for a long time, considering every detail of the trap, Bloodthirsty Grass, blood water, and beyond. It should work without any problems.
Demon hunting was dangerous; there could be no negligence.
Moreover, this was Mo Hua's first time participating in hunting demon beasts, so he had prepared thoroughly.
The four waited behind the rocky outcrop.
From sunrise with the faint mist to noon when the mountain mist dispersed, there was still no sign of the demon beast.
"What if no demon beasts come?" Xiao Hu became restless.
"Shh," Mo Hua put a finger to his lips and gestured quietly.
"Setting traps requires carefulness and patience," Mo Hua whispered. "As Uncle Chu said, we mustn't rush."
The three nodded in agreement.
Another hour passed. Amidst the swaying of the forest, a demon beast finally appeared.
It had crimson fur, sharp teeth and claws, drooling—a Clawed Wolf Demon!
Its strength was probably around the mid-tier of the first rank.
Perfect for Mo Hua.
Mo Hua's spirits lifted, and Da Hu's trio became fully alert.
It sniffed the scent of the Bloodthirsty Grass and the putrid smell of the blood water, its eyes greedy yet cautious. It circled outside the trap several times, but eventually ventured inside.
The trap was triggered, and the Wood Binding Formation emitted a faint green spiritual aura, locking the Clawed Wolf Demon in place.
The Clawed Wolf Demon struggled desperately. It seemed it would break free in just a few breaths.
Mo Hua peeked out from behind the rocky outcrop, extended his right hand, and conjured a fireball. The fireball flew straight out, tracing an arc, but instead of hitting the Clawed Wolf Demon, it exploded beneath its feet.
"Didn't hit?"
Da Hu's trio were astonished to see Mo Hua use fireball magic.
However, as the fireball flew out, it didn't hit the Clawed Wolf Demon as they expected, leaving them somewhat disappointed.
"No, it hit," Mo Hua calmly said.
He hadn't aimed for the Clawed Wolf Demon but for the spirit stone beneath its feet.
The spirit stone shattered under the fireball's impact, releasing spiritual energy that infused into the underground Earth Fire Formations.
The formations glowed red and, after three breaths, exploded directly.
With a thunderous roar, rocks shattered.
Mo Hua and the others were left with ringing ears.
Once the smoke cleared, debris littered the ground, scorch marks everywhere.
The Clawed Wolf Demon was covered in wounds, half its fur charred black, its gaze malevolent, but its breath weak.
While it was weakened, they would end its life!
Mo Hua waved his hand. "Go!"
Da Hu's trio snapped out of their shock from the Earth Fire Formation's explosion. When Mo Hua shouted "go," they immediately rushed out, encircling the Clawed Wolf Demon from both sides.
Mo Hua stayed behind the rocky outcrop, only showing a small head to watch.
He wasn't skilled in physical combat and didn't want to disturb Da Hu and the others.
Da Hu's trio had good innate talents for body refining. After honing their demon hunting skills, their martial arts and Tao techniques were now practiced and effective.
Da Hu used boxing, Shuang Hu used knives, and Xiao Hu used leg techniques.
They engaged with the Clawed Wolf Demon, exchanging blows in a well-coordinated manner—fists fierce, legs swift, and blades sharp.
Fire and earth spiritual powers intertwined with the Clawed Wolf Demon's dark red demonic energy.
After dozens of exchanges, the already heavily wounded Clawed Wolf Demon couldn't hold on any longer. Shuang Hu landed a decisive blow to its lower back, ending its life.
The three of them sustained injuries, blood staining their clothes, but nothing severe.
They stood in place, somewhat incredulous.
Did this Clawed Wolf Demon really just die like that?
To hunt and kill a mid-tier first rank Clawed Wolf Demon, their demon hunting team would normally require several Qi Refining stage cultivators, at least five or six at mid-stage, taking turns fighting the demon beast.
There would also be several cultivators on the periphery to prevent the Clawed Wolf Demon from escaping.
Yet, Mo Hua set a trap, deployed formations, cast a fireball, and the Clawed Wolf Demon ended up critically wounded.
The three of them easily surrounded and subdued a critically wounded Clawed Wolf Demon...
It was too easy, much simpler than they had anticipated.
Da Hu's trio looked at Mo Hua, thinking back to the power of the Earth Fire Formation explosion, with lingering awe.
A mid-tier first rank demon beast, with such a robust physique, could be blasted to near death...
Mo Hua, unconsciously, had actually set up such a powerful formation!
The three looked at Mo Hua with slightly different eyes.
Meanwhile, Mo Hua peeked from behind the rocky outcrop, glanced at the Clawed Wolf Demon, and asked, "Is it dead?"
The three finally snapped out of their daze.
Da Hu nodded. "It's dead!"
"Good!" Mo Hua's spirits lifted. Holding a jade bottle in hand, he ran out from behind the rocky outcrop.
He was going to use Blood Extraction Technique.
(End of the Chapter)