Concealed Enemy

Mo Hua went to ask Elder Yu, "Elder, how much longer do we have to guard the spiritual mine?"

Elder Yu took a sip of wine, thought for a moment, and replied, "Can't say for sure."

Mo Hua didn't quite understand.

Elder Yu explained, "At the current rate, the Qian family is bound to lose without a doubt, and that old Qian Zhongxuan can't turn the tide. But this is the spiritual mine. The Qian family probably won't give up easily and should be thinking of other ways."

Mo Hua nodded in understanding.

In the following days, the Qian family remained quiet, without any major moves.

Until one early morning, before dawn, shrouded in a thin mist, a large group of cultivators of various appearances and attire entered the Great Black Mountain and arrived at the foot of the Nameless Peak to pay respects to Elder Qian.

It was only then that Qian Zhuang understood what Elder Qian meant by "even if it costs us dearly."

They had indeed paid dearly, hiring a large group of late Foundation Establishment stage cultivators from outside Tongxian City.

"How much spiritual stones must this have cost..." Qian Zhuang winced at the thought.

Elder Yu received the news and widened his eyes, remarking, "This grandson Qian Zhongxuan, he's really willing to spend."

Mo Hua then asked, "Elder, where did these cultivators come from?"

"They were hired from outside the city with spiritual stones. These cultivators usually wander around, selling their lives to whoever pays in spiritual stones. They care only for spiritual stones, not for allegiance. But hiring them costs a hefty amount of spiritual stones. Qian Zhongxuan is probably bleeding heavily," Elder Yu explained.

"Can we defeat them?" Mo Hua asked.

"We'll have to fight and see," Elder Yu sighed.

Both sides began to line up again. However, among the Qian family cultivators who originally wore silver-white robes, there were now many other cultivators mixed in, each with different forms and attire, making the formation look somewhat chaotic.

Elder Yu couldn't help but quip, "Qian Zhongxuan, can this hybrid team of yours even work?"

Qian Zhongxuan's eyelids twitched. "Old man, restrain your tongue!"

"You've spent quite a lot of spiritual stones..." Elder Yu clicked his tongue. "Cutting your own flesh to bait wolves and tigers, you really have something."

Qian Zhongxuan didn't want to talk anymore. Indeed, he had paid dearly, and just mentioning it made his heart bleed.

"We agreed beforehand that this is a contest over the spiritual mine between the Qian family and our demon hunters. These cultivators you've hired with money, can they be considered Qian family cultivators?" Elder Yu loudly questioned.

Qian Zhongxuan snorted coldly. "I gave them spiritual stones, so they are my Qian family's people."

Elder Yu scoffed, "Then if I sleep with your old mother and give her spiritual stones, would she also become mine?"

"You!" Qian Zhongxuan was so angry he couldn't speak.

Elder Yu didn't let up, saying, "If that's the case, then I'm your old man? Unfilial son, come here and kowtow to your daddy! Hahahahah!"

The demon hunters joined in the laughter.

Qian Zhongxuan's defenses were completely shattered. Trembling, he pointed forward. "Kill them!"

Elder Yu also suppressed his smile, his voice low, "Kill!"

Instantly, both sides surged with momentum, on the brink of battle.

After clashing for a moment, Elder Yu frowned as he observed the situation.

The Qian family cultivators were still not much to fear, but these hired cultivators were very tricky.

The demon hunters were seasoned in battles against demons, but these hired cultivators, who were used to exchanging their lives for spiritual stones, were experienced in fighting against other cultivators.

Although lacking in coordination compared to the demon hunters, they employed various sinister and cunning methods, and their techniques were diverse and unpredictable, making them challenging opponents for the demon hunters.

"Elder Yu, can we really win?" Mo Hua asked anxiously.

Elder Yu pondered for a moment and said, "We should be able to."

He then explained, "These hired cultivators seem tricky because we're unfamiliar with them at first. Once we get accustomed to their methods through prolonged combat, it will become much easier for us."

"Demon hunters have been hunting demons together for years, with a good understanding of each other. This gives us an advantage in group battles. Besides, we have iron armor. As long as they can't break through our iron armor, we will ultimately have the upper hand," he continued.

Mo Hua nodded, feeling relieved.

Initially, the demon hunters were indeed in disarray under the attacks of the hired cultivators. However, once they adapted, the situation gradually stabilized.

Meanwhile, the demon hunters clad in iron armor continued to move through the battlefield as if in their own realm. Though their killing pace was slow, wherever they went, both Qian family cultivators and hired cultivators alike could only evade their edge.

Gradually, more flaws appeared in the Qian family's formation, and they were slowly suppressed by the demon hunters.

Watching the iron-clad demon hunters, Qian Zhongxuan remained composed, even showing a faint smirk.

At the same time, Mo Hua sensed something amiss with his spiritual awareness, furrowing his brow and focusing on the battlefield.

Suddenly, one of the iron-clad demon hunters had their throat slashed open by someone, blood gushing out. The demon hunter knelt half-heartedly on the ground, surrounded by hired cultivators who swarmed like hungry wolves.

Fortunately, Yu Chengyi was nearby and immediately intervened to fend off the attackers, while Mo Shan rushed over to assist. Together, they managed to rescue the demon hunter.

Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief but was filled with sudden doubt.

What exactly had happened?

He hadn't seen anything except the demon hunter getting his throat cut.

Though iron armor was sturdy, it couldn't protect every part of the body—vulnerable spots like the neck, eyes, and joints would still be exposed. In open combat, one could prepare in advance, but this attack had gone unnoticed.

Mo Hua only sensed something abnormal with his spiritual awareness; visually, there was nothing to see.

Looking at Elder Yu, Mo Hua noticed him furrowing his brow and murmuring, "It's invisibility technique."

"Invisibility technique?" Mo Hua was astonished. "Can they become invisible?"

Elder Yu nodded and said, "Yes, invisibility technique as the name suggests allows one to disappear from sight. Once under its effect, their form becomes invisible to the naked eye."

Mo Hua was amazed, unable to restrain himself. "Can I learn it?"

"You need a water-element spiritual root to learn it. You have a mixed Five Elements spiritual root, including some water, but it's uncertain whether you can master it," Elder Yu cautioned.

Mo Hua felt somewhat disappointed, then worriedly asked, "How can we counter this technique?"

Elder Yu sighed, "It relies on spiritual awareness. Invisibility technique can hide one's form and to some extent their aura, but it can't conceal the presence of spiritual energy. If your spiritual awareness is stronger, you can detect the invisibility technique."

"That's troublesome," Mo Hua remarked.

Demon hunters were not known for their strong spiritual awareness. If they couldn't see through the invisibility technique, they would be like fish on a chopping block, vulnerable to being slaughtered.

On the battlefield, more and more demon hunters fell victim to surprise attacks, bleeding out.

Mo Hua's gaze hardened. Amidst this chaotic melee, those cultivators not only mastered invisibility techniques but also demonstrated exceptional experience, agile movements, and unusually sharp spiritual awareness.

What should they do? Mo Hua felt anxious.

Just then, Mo Hua suddenly sensed a disturbance around Mo Shan, who was fighting desperately.

"Watch out!" Mo Hua couldn't help but shout.

But he was too far away, amidst the chaos, his voice couldn't reach.

Engaged in combat, Mo Shan exposed a flaw, and the invisible cultivator seized the opportunity to strike.

At the critical moment, relying on his extensive experience, Mo Shan instinctively tilted his head aside as a dagger sliced through his neck, drawing a thin line of blood. Though bleeding, the wound was not severe.

Mo Shan's eyes narrowed. He struck back, but the surroundings were empty—there was no one to be seen.

Disappeared?

Mo Shan frowned, realizing that if this continued, the situation would become unfavorable.

He wiped the blood from his neck, feeling somewhat lucky that he had sensed the killing intent earlier and dodged it, averting danger.

Seeing this unfold, Mo Hua relaxed a bit, then his expression turned solemn.

"Daring to ambush my father, I'll remember you!" he swore.

(End of the Chapter)