The Earth Fire Formations exploded one after another, dazzling like fireworks. Amidst the cries and chaotic fleeing of Qian family cultivators, it was quite a spectacle.
Having eaten and drunk his fill, Mo Hua nodded in satisfaction.
Other demon hunters at the cave entrance watched the pitiful state of the Qian family cultivators and cheered.
"Well blasted!"
"Make it even louder!"
The oppressive annoyance from days of Qian family ambushes was swept away.
Elder Yu also felt relieved and gave the Qian family a tongue-lashing from top to bottom.
Now the demon hunters breathed a sigh of relief, and the pressure was on the Qian family cultivators.
To fight or not?
Charging up would result in being blown to bits, but not fighting meant handing over the spirit mine.
Either way, it was unacceptable to the Qian family.
The next day, the Qian family cleaned up the battlefield and carried the wounded back for treatment.
Originally, there were many wounded and few dead.
But some injured cultivators were intercepted by demon beasts halfway back.
The demon beasts smelled blood and found them. Just as the heavily injured Qian family cultivators had come off the battlefield, they were swallowed by the demon beasts.
Qian family patriarch Qian Hong was furious and ordered that the spirit mine must be taken at all costs!
Under orders, the pressure on Qian family's burly man intensified, and he could only ponder deeply in a camp outside Nameless Peak.
This burly man's name was Qian Zhuang, from a branch line of the Qian family, not directly under Qian Hong, which was why he was tasked with this frontline duty.
This suited him perfectly. Although from a mainline branch, he was not highly valued within the clan, and his future prospects were uncertain.
If he could seize the spirit mine this time, the clan would surely take notice of his achievements, reward him with spiritual stones and pills, and his path to Foundation Establishment would be within reach.
Once he became a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could vie for an elder's position and wield significant influence within the Qian family.
The authority of Qian family elders was considerable, but promotion was strict.
Either you attained Foundation Establishment, excelled in formations, alchemy, or artifact refining, held important positions in sects or ministries, or made outstanding contributions to the clan.
Qian Zhuang didn't meet any of these other conditions. To become an elder, the only path for him was to achieve Foundation Establishment.
Therefore, he must capture this spirit mine. Otherwise, not only would he gain no merit, but it would be a great failure!
Cultivators within the clan were considered family, but essentially, if they didn't bring benefit to the clan, they were useless.
Qian Zhuang didn't want to be useless. He wanted to seize the spirit mine, step on these demon hunters, and ascend to a higher position within the Qian family.
Before long, a Qian family disciple entered and reported:
"Big brother, the brothers have investigated. The explosions last night were caused by formations!"
Qian Zhuang frowned. "Formations? These bumpkins actually know how to use formations?"
"Yes!"
Qian Zhuang's brow furrowed even deeper.
He couldn't help but think back to when they attacked earlier. Could those immovable vine armors have been inscribed with formations?
"What kind of formation?"
"A disciple consulted Master Qian back at the clan. Master Qian said it appears to be the Earth Fire Formation."
Master Qian was a formation master of the Qian family, not yet of the highest rank, but it was only a matter of time. Others respected him and thus addressed him as "Master."
"Earth Fire Formation? What grade?"
"Seven array patterns."
Qian Zhuang's expression turned cold. "Seven array patterns? No wonder."
Seven array patterns could injure cultivators in the late Qi Refining stage. If several were overlaid, their power would be even stronger.
Filled with resentment, Qian Zhuang couldn't help but sneer, "There are actually formation masters willing to help these paupers!"
He didn't believe these poor wandering cultivators could afford the price, or hire a formation master.
This formation master probably signed a spirit contract with them. After success, they will share the spiritual stones from the spirit mine.
In this world driven by profit, this formation master was no exception.
The disciple asked, "Big brother, what should we do next?"
Qian Zhuang replied, "No worries, he's just a seven-pattern formation master, nothing special."
Just relying on one formation master, how many formations could he draw?
They had exploded once last night, probably using a lot of Earth Fire Formations. He didn't believe they could be hit by another Earth Fire Formation tonight.
Indeed, Mo Hua couldn't draw too many; he could only draw seven or eight Earth Fire Replicating Formations a day.
But in Mo Hua's hands, there were still plenty of ordinary Earth Fire Formations left, all from previous stock.
Originally, these Earth Fire Formations were left for demon hunters in the middle stage of Qi Refinement to set traps and hunt demon beasts.
With the enmity between demon hunters and the Qian family, Elder Yu had already prohibited demon hunters from hunting demons in the Great Black Mountain, so Mo Hua had accumulated a lot of Earth Fire Formations, which he was now clearing out.
So the Qian family disciples had bad luck.
The Qian family was bombed the first night.
They were bombed again the second night.
They were bombed again on the third and fourth nights.
Qian Zhuang was furious and also puzzled. He wanted to know just how many Earth Fire Formations these demon hunters could have.
But the Qian family disciples were not willing.
Stepping on an Earth Fire Formation might not necessarily kill them, but it would certainly injure them. It was easy to be intercepted by demon beasts on the way down the mountain and die in the jaws of the beasts.
So many Qian family cultivators began to have thoughts of retreat, lingering on the edge and afraid to step into the Earth Fire Formations.
Qian Zhuang sensed trouble and exclaimed boldly, "Brothers, we've been attacking for four days already. They can't possibly have so many formations left. They're probably exhausted now..."
"We're just one step away. We must not fail at the final moment! Otherwise, all sacrifices would be in vain!"
"As long as we attack and occupy the spirit mine, the patriarch will surely reward us generously!"
Inspired, the Qian family cultivators were filled with hot-blooded enthusiasm and once again set foot on the mountain road.
And once again, they fled in embarrassment amidst the flames of the Earth Fire Formations, defeated and routed.
Mo Hua stood halfway up the mountain, watching the scene before him, involuntarily respecting the Qian family cultivators who were commanded.
To consume his formation reserves at the cost of lives was indeed ruthless!
Meanwhile, Qian Zhuang, watching this scene, almost coughed up blood.
How could there still be formations?
Do these guys have ten hands each to draw so many formations?
Looking at the rugged terrain and dense vegetation ahead.
Qian Zhuang was starting to feel uneasy.
But with morale scattered in the short term, unable to launch another attack, the Qian family once again had to lower their flags and drums.
The demon hunters had repelled the Qian family's offensive without losing a single soldier.
Elder Yu looked at Mo Hua with an even more amiable expression, which made Yu Chengyi, his adopted son, feel uncomfortable.
His dad had never shown him a good face, always sour and tough, like a pickled rock.
After several days of rest, the demon hunters' condition had improved a lot, and their expressions were more relaxed.
Suddenly, Mo Hua remembered a problem and asked Elder Yu with concern:
"What if the Qian family sends a Foundation Establishment cultivator? What should we do then?"
"We'll deal with it as it comes," Elder Yu replied.
Mo Hua looked puzzled. "A Foundation Establishment cultivator is supposed to be very powerful, right?"
Elder Yu nodded. "Indeed, Foundation Establishment cultivators are powerful, but they're not invincible."
Mo Hua frowned, not fully understanding.
Elder Yu looked at Mo Hua and explained further:
"A Foundation Establishment cultivator's cultivation is roughly equivalent to ten late Qi Refinement stage cultivators. If it's just one against five or six late Qi Refinement cultivators, they have no chance of winning because they simply won't last long..."
"But if it's ten or more, even up to a hundred late Qi Refinement cultivators, fighting against a Foundation Establishment cultivator with extensive combat experience, the outcome is unpredictable. Most likely, it'll be a case of trading injury for injury, life for life. For every ten late-stage cultivators lost, the Foundation Establishment cultivator, even if they survive, will be critically wounded and dying."
"If it's dozens or hundreds, even a Foundation Establishment cultivator won't survive long if they can't escape."
"As the saying goes, even a fierce tiger fears a pack of wolves. That's the principle."
Mo Hua suddenly understood.
(End of the Chapter)