Who designed the formation, Qian Zhuang didn't know, but he knew he was in trouble.
With so many casualties, so much time wasted, and so many pills and spiritual tools expended, they hadn't reclaimed even a speck of spiritual ore.
The family wouldn't give him another chance.
The next day, Qian Zhuang was informed that the family had stripped him of his command authority, but still allowed him to remain at the spiritual mine to redeem himself.
That night, a Qian family cultivator with deep law marks arrived at the Qian family camp. Upon seeing Qian Zhuang, he snorted coldly:
"You've done more harm than good!"
Qian Zhuang bowed deeply, keeping his head low, not daring to argue.
The visitor was Qian Zhongxuan, an elder of the Qian family and a Foundation Establishment cultivator, also his biggest support.
"I didn't want to come originally, but you've been ineffective for so long without any achievements. I had to come to clean up the mess. Otherwise, our branch will become a laughingstock in the clan and lose all credibility."
Qian Zhongxuan said coldly.
Qian Zhuang felt even more ashamed, "Elder, it's not that I've been ineffective, it's just that those..."
Qian Zhongxuan interrupted, "Don't make excuses! Those excuses won't work with the family head and other elders. They won't listen to what you say, only see what you do, and what results you produce!"
Qian Zhuang lowered his head, "Yes."
Seeing Qian Zhuang's sincere attitude and knowing that there weren't many Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivators he could support in his branch, Qian Zhongxuan's expression softened slightly as he gave him guidance:
"Others say our Qian family members are like wolves, ambitious and ruthless. This isn't derogatory, but commendatory. Our Qian family disciples should be like wolves, to fight! To seize!"
"Every piece of meat must be firmly held in our mouths. If someone takes a bite of meat from you, you must take a bite of meat from them!"
Qian Zhuang's spirit lifted, bowing respectfully, "Disciple has been taught."
"Hmm." Qian Zhongxuan nodded, "Don't dwell on this failure. Success and failure are common occurrences. Don't lose your determination to strive forward because of this."
Qian Zhuang was greatly encouraged and felt deeply grateful to Qian Zhongxuan, saying, "I will heed your teachings, Elder!"
"Rest for a few days first. Once I've arranged the personnel, it will be time to attack the mountain. Show your worth and don't disappoint me." Qian Zhongxuan looked solemnly at Qian Zhuang, then got up and left.
Qian Zhuang respectfully saw Qian Zhongxuan off, feeling relieved.
At this time, Elder Yu also heard the news and knew that Qian Zhongxuan had entered the Great Black Mountain. He couldn't help but snort coldly:
"Qian Zhongxuan, this old fellow entering the mountain, must have some ulterior motive. Be careful, there might be tough battles in these days."
Yu Chengyi and the others looked serious, nodding in agreement.
Mo Hua also nodded along.
Elder Yu glanced at him and said, "You don't need to nod along. Just stay here and don't go out."
"Can I sneak a peek?"
"Sneak a peek at what?"
"To watch you fight."
Elder Yu frowned, "What's there to see?!"
"I want to learn."
Mo Hua looked modest and eager to learn.
Elder Yu sighed, "Watching is fine, but absolutely do not go out. Battles among cultivators are no child's play."
"Got it!" Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.
'Preserving life is crucial; I won't go out, I'm not foolish.'
In the days that followed, Mo Hua learned a new formation:
The First Rank Earth Fire Formation.
This formation was also learned from Mr. Zhuang's formation book, similar in effect to the Earth Fire Formation, but more powerful, with nine formation runes, a true first-rank formation.
Previously, the formation with seven runes was called the Earth Fire Formation; this one is directly called the First Rank Earth Fire Formation now, with the name unchanged except for adding "First Rank."
I wonder who compiled these formation books, they're too lazy. They should have changed the name at least.
Mo Hua silently criticized in his heart.
After mastering the First Rank Earth Fire Formation, Mo Hua would draw it whenever he had spare time, about ten a day.
Ten Earth Fire Formations may sound like a lot or a little; using them directly may not yield the best results, so Mo Hua planned to save them for later.
On this day, after Mo Hua grew tired from practicing formations, he took out pine nuts and cracked them for a while.
Next door, Elder Yu was in discussion.
To accommodate Mo Hua completely, Elder Yu directly opened another stone room next to Mo Hua's for resting and discussions with other demon hunters.
Elder Yu was discussing with Yu Chengyi and others how to deal with the Qian family when suddenly his expression turned serious, and with a flash, he walked out of the mine.
Outside the cave were rugged rocks and lush woods.
However, after being blasted by the Earth Fire Formation, the ground was pockmarked and messy, looking quite chaotic.
Elder Yu sneered and cursed directly:
"You old Qian Zhongxuan, sneaking around, what are you up to?"
Not far away, Qian Zhongxuan suddenly appeared, smiling ambiguously, "Your dog nose is still so sharp."
Elder Yu said sarcastically, "If my nose is a dog's, then your mother is a female dog, your father is a stupid dog, and you are a stray dog..."
The insults were unbearable and loud enough to be heard from peak to the base of mountain, thoroughly infuriating Qian Zhongxuan.
Qian Zhongxuan wished he could slap himself.
He knew full well that Elder Yu Changlin, this old guy, couldn't hold back when insulting people. Why did he provoke him?
Qian Zhongxuan took a while to calm himself down.
"Let's establish a rule."
"You establish it, does your ass grow on your face? Otherwise, where does such audacity come from?"
Qian Zhongxuan gritted his teeth, suppressing his anger, "If you continue to harass like this, there's no need for us to talk."
Elder Yu chuckled, "You're not like Qian Hong. Qian Hong can keep his cool better than you. No, I should say he's even more shameless than you."
Qian Zhongxuan was about to lose his composure.
Seeing the situation improve, Elder Yu stopped, "If you have something, say it."
Qian Zhongxuan held back again, saying, "In this dispute over the spiritual mine, I won't intervene, and neither should you."
"Elder Yu raised an eyebrow, 'What about the other foundational cultivators from the Qian family?"
"They won't intervene either.'
"Why should I trust you?"
Qian Zhongxuan said, "I've had it notarized by the Chief Justice of the Dao Court. You should be able to trust that."
Elder Yu's brow furrowed slightly. He didn't know what Qian Zhongxuan was plotting, but for both foundational cultivators to refrain from acting, it was beneficial for the demon hunters.
"Fine, I agree."
Qian Zhongxuan breathed a sigh of relief, "Then it's settled."
Suddenly, Elder Yu sneered, "Qian Zhongxuan, are you afraid of death?"
Afraid to fight this old bone like him, and afraid to exchange lives with demon hunters.
Qian Zhongxuan's face turned ugly, neither confirming nor denying.
Indeed, he was afraid. Elder Yu Changlin was willing to risk his life because independent cultivators could only endure hardship.
But Qian Zhongxuan was different. He was the elder of the Qian family, respected and wealthy, enjoying endless prestige and wealth. He didn't want to die.
Seeing his expression, Elder Yu thought as much and directly began to curse:
"Then you should go back to sucking on your mother's milk. This place of real swords and guns doesn't suit you. Just be a cowardly egg, rotting away in your luxurious nest... "
Qian Zhongxuan knew he couldn't match Elder Yu in words, so he turned and left in a huff.
Mo Hua listened in astonishment.
He thought if insults could be ranked, Elder Yu would at least be a half-step immortal.
Not having vented enough, Elder Yu saw Qian Zhongxuan sneak away, somewhat unsatisfied. He turned back and saw Mo Hua staring at him in astonishment.
Elder Yu coughed and said, "Don't learn the words I just used for cursing."
Mo Hua, having already learned them, reassured him, "Elder Yu, rest assured."
(End of the Chapter)