Earth Fire

The smithing disciples and Qian family disciples clashed, creating a chaotic scene.

In Tongxian City, typically, cultivators at the mid Qi Refining stage, around levels five to six, could start learning attack-oriented Dao techniques.

Dao techniques used for combat by cultivators were divided into two categories: martial Dao techniques focused on refining the body, using robust physical forms to conduct spiritual power for close-range attacks, and spell Dao techniques specialized in spells, using divine awareness to control and condense spiritual power for long-range casting.

There were also cultivators who practiced both physical and spiritual cultivation simultaneously, but such cultivators required two unique conditions:

Exceptional talent, including high-quality spiritual roots and excellent physical refining aptitude. A prestigious family background with a profound cultivation heritage capable of harmonizing the conflicts between physical and spiritual cultivation paths. Ideally, the family should also possess several spiritual mines and an endless supply of spiritual stones...

However, the opportunity for dual cultivation in both physical and spiritual paths was rare in the cultivation world. Some major families couldn't produce a dual-cultivator for several generations, let alone in remote Tongxian City.

Whether they were wandering cultivators or cultivators from small clans, they could only choose one path for cultivation—either focusing on physical refining to become a "body cultivator" or specializing in spells to become a "spirit cultivator."

The advantages of body cultivation during the Qi Refining stage far outweighed those of spiritual cultivation. Unless one had an exceptionally poor physical constitution—like Mo Hua—most would choose the path of body cultivation.

Therefore, the current battle was essentially a melee between body cultivators.

There were a few Qian family disciples who practiced spiritual cultivation, but before they could unleash their spells, they were knocked down with a single punch.

In melee battles between body cultivators, it was essentially fist against flesh, supplemented by different types of spiritual power. Between each punch and palm strike, there were colorful lights intertwining, appearing quite spectacular.

This was Mo Hua's first time witnessing such a large-scale battle among cultivators, and he was momentarily stunned. It took him half a day to realize he should be doing something.

But what should he do?

Mo Hua thought about it and concluded that the only thing he could do was—run!

In a melee of body cultivators, with his slender arms and legs, surviving with all limbs intact would be considered a success. Not burdening everyone else would be his greatest contribution!

Mo Hua was about to make a break for it. He had barely taken a few steps when he felt someone grab his shoulder. He struggled to break free, but instead, a pair of cold hands seized his neck.

Turning his head, Mo Hua saw Qian Xing staring at him coldly, as if he were his father's murderer.

"Stop!" Qian Xing's voice was filled with malice.

Everyone halted, clearing a path. Qian family disciples, nursing their arms and wiping blood, sheepishly moved behind Qian Xing, while Big Zhu and his group stood facing Qian Xing.

Seeing this scene, Mo Hua's heart sank. "It's over. This is the last thing I wanted to happen!"

Initially, Big Zhu and his group had the upper hand. Now that he was captured, the tables had turned, and things didn't look good.

Big Zhu stared at Qian Xing, expressionless. "Release him! Otherwise, you're dead!"

"If you can't win fair and square, you resort to dirty tricks, coward!"

"Come at us again if you dare..."

The smithing disciples were also furious.

Qian Xing sneered, "Only know how to fight and kill, you deserve to be lowly for your whole life. I've already sent for reinforcements. When the clan guards arrive later, none of you will be able to escape."

"What do you want?" Big Zhu shouted.

"What do I want?" Qian Xing smiled, tightening his grip around Mo Hua's neck. "Rest assured, I won't kill him now. Killing him would dirty my hands, and dealing with the Judicial Court would be troublesome. I just want to take him up the mountain, hang him from a tree, attract a few demonic beasts, and let them devour him bit by bit in agony to satisfy my hatred. Even if the Judicial Court investigates, they won't trace it back to me if he's eaten by demonic beasts."

Big Zhu's eyes burned with anger. "Bastard, how dare you!"

"You dare to call me a bastard too? What are you?" Qian Xing laughed in anger. "Fine, kneel in front of me, slap yourselves, and end it yourselves, and I won't kill him. How about that? You like to take the lead, right? I'm giving you this opportunity."

Qian Xing threatened while gripping Mo Hua's neck, "Kneel, or I'll kill him right now!"

Big Zhu and the others were at a loss, feeling both angry and humiliated.

Mo Hua's eyes flashed with determination. "Qian Xing... don't push your luck!"

"Push my luck? I'm being polite here. If you don't agree, causing all this mess, and you blame me for pushing my luck?" Qian Xing retorted. "Today, I've lost face on such a large scale. Taking a few lives to salvage some face is quite reasonable, isn't it?"

Mo Hua's young voice carried a chilling tone. "Then you're digging your own grave!"

Qian Xing, not angry but amused, said, "You're just at the fourth level of Qi Refining, ignorant of martial arts and spells. What can you do to me? Saying I'm digging my own grave? Alright, let's see how you'll deal with me today..."

Before he could finish, Qian Xing suddenly felt a burning sensation on his chest. Lowering his head, he found a piece of paper stuffed there, drawn with seven array patterns. The patterns were drawn in bright red ink, which grew increasingly vivid, almost glowing.

This... an array formation?

Before Qian Xing could comprehend, a deafening explosion erupted.

Without warning, a powerful spiritual energy surge accompanied by scorching burns and excruciating pain engulfed Qian Xing.

His Dao robe turned to ashes instantly, and the spiritual artifact chest protector on his chest cracked open. Waves of scorching air burned his face beyond recognition. The explosion's aftermath sent him flying, crashing through several stalls before finally coming to a stop.

The street fell silent in an instant.

Several Qian family disciples, caught in the blast, lay on the ground, moaning in pain.

Meanwhile, Big Zhu and other cultivators stared in shock at Mo Hua, who was crouched with his head in his hands, looking somewhat disheveled, and Qian Xing, whose entire body was charred and unrecognizable. For a moment, they were speechless.

The explosion's sound and the resulting spiritual energy disturbance also alerted nearby cultivators, who rushed to the scene.

(End of the Chapter)