"Yu Changlin, when did the demon hunters have such skilled formation masters? I'd like to see for myself," Qian Hong said coldly.
Elder Yu pretended to be clueless, "What formation master? I didn't see anything."
Qian Hong's eyelid twitched, "What kind of formation have you set up here?"
Elder Yu said nonchalantly, "How would I know? I just passed by; I don't know what's on the ground."
Qian Hong frowned in anger, "Old Yu, don't play dumb with me!"
Elder Yu remained indifferent, "Old turtle, don't act tough with me!"
Qian Hong seethed with resentment, but he knew it wasn't the time to argue with Yu Changlin.
Yu Changlin would love nothing more than to argue with him all day here, knowing that once the demon hunters brought the spiritual ores into the city, their Qian family would be powerless.
Earth Fire Formations posed a threat to Qi Refining stage cultivators, but their threat to Foundation Establishment stage cultivators was relatively small.
With the situation urgent, time was of the essence. Qian Hong, feeling helpless, had no choice but to personally scout ahead through the mountain pass to locate the Earth Fire Formations.
Just as Qian Hong took a step forward, he suddenly felt someone probing him with spiritual sense, seemingly preparing to attack him.
Alert, Qian Hong raised his head displeasedly, "Yu Changlin, what do you mean by this?"
Elder Yu's gaze was sharp as a sword, yet he replied calmly, "I mean nothing."
Qian Hong's gaze narrowed, "Are you planning to attack?"
Elder Yu spread his hands, pretending to be straightforward, "Where did you see me attacking?"
Frustrated, Qian Hong gritted his teeth, "You were just using your spiritual sense to assess me, preparing to strike."
Yu Changlin sneered, "That's because you're too timid. I always observe people like this. Your fear is your own business."
Qian Hong met Elder Yu's eyes, with a murderous gaze, but Elder Yu remained unruffled.
Qian Zhongxuan whispered softly, "This old man is stalling for time, Head. Don't fall for his scheme."
Qian Hong knew this well, but he had no better options.
Qian Zhongxuan suggested again, "Why don't you lead the way, Head, and scout out the position of the Earth Fire Formations? I'll cover for you."
Qian Hong looked coldly at him, "Qian Elder, why don't you take the lead and let me cover for you?"
Qian Zhongxuan looked ashamed, "Head, you've forgotten. This matter is entirely your responsibility now. My previous failures have cost us dearly, and I'm no longer qualified to interfere."
Qian Hong cursed inwardly at Qian Zhongxuan's shamelessness.
Ahead, Elder Yu had set some kind of trap. If he went to investigate and was ambushed by Yu Changlin, he'd either die or be severely wounded. If Qian Zhongxuan intervened at that time, not only would the credit be his, but Qian Hong would also owe him a favor.
Qian Zhongxuan was also secretly hoping Qian Hong would be ambushed by Yu Changlin—severe injury was acceptable, death even more so.
Both had their calculations, leaving them hesitating.
At that moment, Qian Zhuang stepped forward and saluted, "May I try, Master?"
Qian Zhuang's tone was respectful, but his excitement was evident.
The time had come for him to prove himself!
He was very familiar with Earth Fire Formations. He had suffered greatly from them before, but he had also successfully broken through them.
Although that time resulted in heavy losses and a severe reprimand, this opportunity now, if he seized it properly, could turn that severe reprimand into a great achievement!
Qian Hong frowned, "Do you have a plan?"
Qian Zhuang said, "Reporting to Master, I have previously broken through this Earth Fire Formation!"
"A Qi Refining stage cultivator can break through it?"
"Yes!"
Qian Hong was intrigued, "Tell me more."
Qian Zhuang explained the methods he had used previously to break through the Earth Fire Formation. After listening, Qian Hong nodded thoughtfully, "Indeed, it makes sense."
Qian Zhuang looked delighted.
Qian Hong instructed, "I have a dozen or so suits of armor here. Pick out Qi Refining stage, Earth-affinity cultivators who are skilled in body refinement. The faster, the better. If this succeeds, I'll mark it as a major achievement for you!"
Qian Zhuang was overjoyed, "Yes!"
Soon, over a dozen Qi Refining stage cultivators with ninth-layer cultivation, Earth-affinity roots, and expertise in body refinement from the Qian family were selected.
They donned their armor and, as Qian Zhuang instructed, dispersed and cautiously advanced, attempting to dismantle all the Earth Fire Formations along the mountain path.
Confident in his plan, Qian Zhuang was nearly certain of success. He believed that once all the Earth Fire Formations were cleared, the path ahead would be clear, making it difficult for the demon hunters to escape and ensuring a great achievement for himself.
However, his aspirations were shattered as soon as the first Earth Fire Formation exploded.
Accompanied by a loud blast, crimson flames flickered, blackened smoke billowed, and powerful spiritual energy shockwaves reverberated.
The Qian family cultivators in armor were engulfed by flames and then thrown back by the surging spiritual energy, crashing to the ground in agony, their bodies half-charred and blood-soaked, their armor cracked.
Everyone gasped in shock, and Qian Zhuang stood dumbfounded.
This wasn't supposed to happen!
Why was its power so much stronger?!
Qian Hong glanced at the injured Qian family cultivators caught in the Earth Fire Formation's explosion, then turned his cold gaze towards Qian Zhuang, his eyes as icy as if he were looking at a dead fish.
Qian Zhuang's entire back was soaked with cold sweat as he realized the gravity of the situation.
If he couldn't handle this situation, not only would he miss out on gaining credit, but his reckless ambition had led him into a trap.
Originally, he had wanted to impress Qian Hong and turn his previous reprimand into a commendation, but now not only had he lost any chance of commendation, but his reprimand had doubled.
Qian Zhongxuan also cast a cold glance at Qian Zhuang before turning to Qian Hong and saying, "Lord, the only way forward now is to charge through."
Qian Hong gave him a sharp look, "How do you propose to charge through? You've seen the power of this formation. Even if we charge through at the Qi Refining stage, we'll be severely injured if not killed."
Qian Zhongxuan's eyes flickered slightly, "The mountain pass isn't large. Just one or two hundred cultivators risking their lives to charge through and trigger all the Earth Fire Formations will clear the way for the rest of us."
Qian Hong's heart sank as he looked at Qian Zhongxuan with an even more hostile gaze.
This was pushing him to do something morally reprehensible.
With nearly two thousand people watching, if he dared to sacrifice them secretly, he could kiss his position as the Head goodbye.
Gritting his teeth, Qian Hong said, "As the Head, I will lead the charge and break through this Earth Fire Formation myself. Qian Elder, I ask that you fight alongside me to prevent any treacherous actions from Yu Changlin."
Qian Zhongxuan pretended to hesitate.
Qian Hong immediately added, "The elder's previous mistakes can be forgiven with this action."
Qian Zhongxuan raised an eyebrow, "Is that true?"
"It is!"
Qian Zhongxuan respectfully said, "As an elder of the Qian family, I will advance and retreat with you, Lord."
Qian Hong snorted inwardly but maintained a relieved expression on his face, "We can't delay any longer. Let's move, but we must be wary of Yu Changlin's potential ambush."
"Agreed!"
Thus, Qian Hong and Qian Zhongxuan, two Foundation Establishment stage elders, joined forces, displaying their techniques and personally moving to detonate the Earth Fire Formations along the mountain path.
Their figures shuttled back and forth amidst explosions of fire and surges of spiritual power.
When the explosions gradually subsided and the fires died down, and the black smoke dispersed, the two finally halted.
At this moment, both were in a sorry state, with torn clothes, dirty faces, and although there was no visible blood, their internal organs throbbed with pain from the shock of spiritual power. They suppressed the urge to spit blood.
Even Foundation Establishment stage cultivators would find it difficult to endure a baptism in several First-Rank Earth Fire Formations.
(End of the Chapter)