For the first time, Mo Hua deeply experienced the authority and majesty of the Dao Laws and the Dao Tribunal.
Judging from the current situation, the Qian family was traveling light and swiftly, while the demon hunters needed to transport the spiritual stones, moving slowly. At this rate, they wouldn't reach Tongxian City before being caught by the Qian family.
Elder Yu said, "We need someone to stay behind!"
Yu Chengyi, Mo Shan, and several other Foundation Establishment stage demon hunters stepped forward.
Elder Yu nodded slightly and instructed, "When the time comes, Qian Hong and Qian Zhongxuan will likely show their true colors. I will hold them back, and you deal with the other Qian family cultivators. Engage in battle while retreating, don't get bogged down. Just delay them for as long as possible."
The few remaining nodded solemnly.
In such a situation, staying behind meant facing the Qian family's desperate onslaught, outnumbered and in a very dangerous position.
Moreover, the Qian family had two Foundation Establishment cultivators. If they broke the agreement and intervened, if Elder Yu couldn't handle them, the Qi Refining demon hunters left behind would be in danger.
Mo Hua said, "I'll stay behind too!"
Elder Yu glared at him, "What are you doing, kid? Go home!"
When the time came to deal with Qian Hong and Qian Zhongxuan, he wouldn't have time to ensure Mo Hua's safety.
Mo Shan also patted Mo Hua's head gently and said softly, "Go home, your mother is waiting for you."
They didn't say much, but Mo Hua understood clearly that staying behind in this situation meant being prepared for the worst.
Even if they succeeded in holding the rear, several demon hunters would likely lose their lives.
Many demon hunters had already been injured or killed in the fight against the Qian family.
Now that the spiritual mine was exhausted and they had persisted until now, Mo Hua didn't want to see any more casualties.
Whether it was Mo Shan, Elder Yu, or the other demon hunters, whether familiar or unfamiliar to Mo Hua, he hoped they could all return home together.
Mo Hua then said to Elder Yu, "I can use formations to hold them back, no need for everyone to risk their lives!"
Elder Yu trusted Mo Hua's formations.
They had managed to defend the spiritual mine and successfully escape thanks to Mo Hua's formations. But with the Qian family approaching and time running short, Elder Yu was still concerned.
"The time is too short, can you really set up formations in time?"
"Don't worry," Mo Hua patted the bulging bags on his body, "I've prepared in advance!"
Elder Yu opened his mouth in surprise, "Are all these bags filled with formations?"
Mo Hua nodded.
Everyone exchanged glances, none of them knowing when Mo Hua had prepared these formations.
"These formations, will they be effective?" Elder Yu asked again.
"We don't need to fight to the death. Just using the formations to scare them and delay some time will be enough," Mo Hua replied.
Elder Yu pondered for a moment and nodded, "Alright, we'll use the formations to buy some time."
Later, Elder Yu found Mo Shan and whispered, "If things turn bad, take Mo Hua and leave first!"
Mo Shan wanted to say something, but Elder Yu's face turned stern, "This is an order!"
Mo Shan pursed his lips, saying nothing, but his brow furrowed deeply.
Elder Yu lowered his voice, his tone serious, "Mo Hua's safety is more important than anything else. No matter what, ensure he is safely sent back!"
Mo Shan was taken aback, then nodded gravely.
Meanwhile, Mo Hua was rummaging through his bags, taking out the formations inside.
Thick stacks of them, all were Earth Fire Formations, each a top-grade Earth Fire Formation with nine runes. Previously, the formations with seven runes had been broken by the Qian family's iron-armored earth-type cultivator, prompting Mo Hua to learn a more advanced top-grade Earth Fire Formation for future needs.
Earth Fire Formations were highly effective, but with fewer numbers, their impact was limited and couldn't change the course of a battle. So whenever Mo Hua had spare time, he secretly practiced, accumulating a thick stack of top-grade Earth Fire Formations by now.
Mo Hua deployed the top-grade Earth Fire Formations, and the demon hunters chose a narrow mountain pass, burying the formations in a hidden corner and disguising them to prevent easy detection by Qian family cultivators.
With everything prepared, the dozen or so demon hunters staying behind hid behind rocks, waiting for the Qian family cultivators to arrive.
Mo Hua also joined them in hiding.
Time passed slowly, tension thickening on everyone's faces.
Seeing this, Mo Hua sighed with a hint of regret, "Too bad it's not nighttime."
Elder Yu paused, "What difference would nighttime make?"
"At night, when the Earth Fire Formations explode, it's like fireworks, very spectacular!" Mo Hua recalled with excitement the last time he used Earth Fire Formations, even preparing snacks to enjoy while watching.
Unfortunately, all those tasty treats were gone now, leaving Mo Hua somewhat disappointed.
Elder Yu, Mo Shan, and the others didn't know how to respond, but Mo Hua's diversion eased the tension, turning their apprehension into a somewhat entertained watchfulness as they silently kept their eyes on the road.
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, footsteps grew louder, and the figures of Qian family cultivators became clearer.
A dense mass, nearly two thousand strong appeared.
The demon hunters held their breath, no longer speaking.
As Qian Hong approached, seeing the narrow terrain, he frowned and raised his hand to signal the Qian family cultivators to halt.
Scanning with his spiritual sense, he sneered and shouted, "Elder Yu Changlin, hiding like a turtle with your head tucked in?"
Elder Yu signaled the demon hunters not to act rashly, swiftly leaping to a high point and sitting cross-legged on a large boulder, smiling, "Sure, I can be a turtle. But if I'm the big turtle, then you're the small one. Shouldn't you call me 'dad'?"
Qian Hong's expression turned cold, but he remained composed.
Elder Yu admired, "If there's anyone with the deepest patience and composure, it's you. No matter how you're insulted, you stay as calm as a turtle..."
Before he could finish, Elder Yu suddenly exclaimed in mock surprise, "Could it be true that you were born from a turtle and your mother?"
Such words were too much for Qian Zhongxuan to bear, but Qian Hong merely frowned slightly, saying, "Elder Yu Changlin, are you stalling for time with me?"
Elder Yu didn't hide his intentions, "That's right."
Qian Hong coldly questioned, "And why should you? Just because of those dozen or so demon hunters hiding behind the rocks?"
Elder Yu replied calmly, "Your Qian family disciples are a bunch of pussies. We're enough with these ten people. More might frighten you."
"Why aren't you attacking then?" Qian Hong demanded.
"Let's rest a bit first. Mining has been exhausting," Elder Yu sighed, "This Black Mountain is really strange. How did we end up digging into a demon nest?"
Elder Yu kindly asked Qian Hong, "Have your disciples entered the mines? Have they encountered any demons? Ah, I hope they haven't been eaten..."
Qian Hong's expression soured.
Elder Yu was alarmed, "You've already entered the mines? Has someone been eaten by demons already? Can't be!"
Then Elder Yu lamented, "Why are we so careless? If I'd known, I wouldn't have let them dig those mines. That way, your Qian family would've had fewer deaths... Ah, it's my fault!"
Qian Hong gritted his teeth, "Elder Yu, stop with your endless chatter. What exactly are you planning?"
Elder Yu remained composed, saying nothing.
Qian Hong felt a hint of apprehension and asked coldly, "Are you planning to attack?"
Elder Yu replied, "We agreed. If you don't attack, I won't either."
"Good," Qian Hong said, then began ordering the Qian family cultivators to move forward.
Whatever tricks Elder Yu played, Qian Hong would soon discover.
As the Qian family cultivators advanced, Elder Yu remained unmoved, showing no signs of action.
"What's this old fox, Elder Yu Changlin, up to?"
Just as Qian Hong began to wonder, explosions resounded, flames raging forth, engulfing the front ranks of the Qian family cultivators.
Following the explosions came cries of agony, Qian family cultivators panicked, halting their advance.
Qian Hong instantly understood what had happened, cursing inwardly,
"Why the hell is it formations again!?"
(End of the Chapter)