Returning to the City

Qian Hong had never felt such humiliation in his entire life.

As the head of the Qian family, he had always been respected, holding a prestigious position with dignified demeanor. Now, he was leading a group of Qi Refining disciples through Earth Fire Formations, looking disheveled and miserable.

This appearance seemed to underscore his incompetence, leaving him deeply ashamed!

Qian Zhongxuan also felt humiliated, but seeing Qian Hong beside him looking even more disgraced, he instantly felt somewhat less embarrassed.

Qian Hong coughed forcefully, suppressing the surge of blood in his throat, and angrily shouted at the Qian family cultivators behind him:

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and chase after them!"

Upon hearing this, the Qian family cultivators immediately moved forward, chasing after the enemy.

Just as Qian Hong breathed a sigh of relief, he suddenly felt a powerful force surging behind him. His heart chilled, and he swiftly turned around, meeting the force head-on with his palm.

The clash of Foundation Establishment stage spiritual energies instantly created a violent shockwave. Qian Hong felt numbness in his arm, and the opponent's spiritual energy penetrated into his palm, causing intense pain.

Qian Hong staggered back four or five steps before steadying himself.

The Qian family cultivators noticed the commotion and stopped, looking towards Qian Hong.

Qian Hong shouted sternly, "Go after the demon hunters! Intercept the spiritual stones! Don't let them escape!"

The Qian family cultivators hesitated for a moment before resuming their pursuit across the mountain path.

Qian Hong's gaze was sharp as he looked at the person who had ambushed him and said, "Yu Changlin, you have quite the audacity to ambush us!"

"What ambush?" Elder Yu looked bewildered, "I just wanted to pat you on the shoulder and greet you. Instead, you struck me with a palm. To suspect others with a petty mind is truly shameless."

"You don't intend to intercept our two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators alone, do you?" Qian Hong said coldly.

Qian Zhongxuan stood beside Qian Hong, looking vigilant.

"What nonsense are you talking about? We agreed that Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn't interfere. I've always been honest and trustworthy," Elder Yu said solemnly.

Qian Hong saw through Elder Yu's intentions and sneered, "Even if you delay our two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators, once my Qian family cultivators catch up to you, you won't escape."

"It's hard to say," Elder Yu replied with a smirk, "Let's wait until you catch up."

Meanwhile, not far ahead, Mo Hua was directing about a dozen demon hunters to set up First-Rank Earth Fire Formations.

Mo Hua hadn't used up all the Earth Fire Formations at once; he still had some left.

One must always keep a card up their sleeve, as Elder Yu had taught him.

The previous Earth Fire Formations had hindered the majority of the Qian family's forces and exhausted the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, making it easier for Elder Yu to restrain them.

Now, these Earth Fire Formations were meant to intimidate them and slow down their progress, preventing them from advancing recklessly.

After experiencing the power of the First-Rank Earth Fire Formations just now, the Qian family cultivators knew better.

These Qi Refining stage cultivators from the Qian family were now daunted by the First-Rank Earth Fire Formations that had injured even Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

As a dozen demon hunters remained behind to cover their retreat, they strategically buried Earth Fire Formations along the Qian family's inevitable path.

Mo Hua used his flowing water steps to scout the terrain, finding suitable spots to bury the Earth Fire Formations, while Mo Shan stayed close to him.

The pursuing Qian family cultivators soon triggered another Earth Fire Formation.

Flames erupted suddenly, spiritual energy reverberated, accompanied by explosions and the cries of cultivators.

"How are there still Earth Fire Formations?" Qian family cultivators were both suspicious and fearful, hesitating to continue.

Several leading cultivators either urged on or tempted the others with a few words, prompting the group to press forward.

But not long after they resumed their advance, another explosion echoed.

The Qian family cultivators halted again in fear. After a moment, they rallied their spirituals and resumed their pursuit. However, before long, they triggered consecutive Earth Fire Formations.

Thus, all along the way, flashes of fire appeared intermittently. While few Qian family cultivators were injured physically, the mental anguish they endured was excruciating.

After all, no one knew where the next explosion would be or who would be the next victim.

With hesitation in their hearts, their steps unconsciously slowed.

Every step was taken with anxiety, every completed step brought a sense of relief from narrowly escaping disaster.

Gradually, all the Qian family cultivators developed a shadow over the Earth Fire Formations, significantly slowing their progress.

Qian Zhuang and a few others tried to encourage or coerce, but it was to no avail.

They continued on, stopping and starting, progressing slowly.

When the Qian family cultivators finally caught sight of the demon hunters in the distance, the hunters had already exited the Great Black Mountain with bags and chests filled with spiritual stones.

By the time the Qian family cultivators emerged from the Great Black Mountain, the demon hunters had entered Tongxian City one after another.

Mo Hua followed at the rear of the demon hunter group, the last wave to enter the city.

Before them was the gate of Tongxian City, and behind them, the Qian family cultivators hurriedly pursued with aggressive momentum.

Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief. After such a long battle and standoff, they had successfully mined the spiritual ore and evaded the pursuit of the Qian family, safely escaping.

The demon hunters had entered Tongxian City, leaving the Qian family helpless despite their urgency.

When Mo Hua regained his senses, he noticed Elder Yu standing beside him, having appeared silently.

Elder Yu's clothes were torn in several places, and he had expended considerable spiritual energy. He glanced at Mo Hua and, seeing no injuries, visibly relaxed, finally letting go of his worries.

At the same time, Qian Hong and Qian Zhongxuan also arrived.

They had been delayed by Elder Yu all the way, and now they appeared fatigued. But what truly dismayed them was the scene before their eyes.

The demon hunters were laden with bags and chests, openly carrying spiritual stones — the very stones that should have belonged to the Qian family!

Qian Hong's eyes burned with fury.

The Qian family had spent so much time, effort, and manpower, only to end up empty-handed. Now, they looked disheveled and miserable.

This was the biggest defeat Qian Hong had faced since assuming leadership of the family!

Consumed by anger and urgency, his expression twisted, Qian Hong shouted fiercely:

"Yu Changlin! You old bastard! I will not let you off! I will tear you to pieces!"

"And your formation master, I will find him and tear him apart as well, to ease my resentment!"

Elder Yu was unfazed by Qian Hong's threats. After so many years, had he not faced threats from the Qian family before? If he truly feared them, he would never have opposed them.

But he was concerned about Mo Hua. While he could ensure Mo Hua's safety, he still worried that Mo Hua might be distressed.

Elder Yu turned his head to glance at Mo Hua and was surprised to see Mo Hua's face devoid of worry, instead wearing a sly grin.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Elder Yu asked, "What are you laughing about?"

Mo Hua blinked and whispered, "The old turtle's shell is cracked."

Elder Yu furrowed his brow, not quite understanding. He lifted his head and saw Qian Hong, disheveled, his clothes torn, and his expression contorted in rage. It suddenly dawned on Elder Yu.

Qian Hong, who had always kept his emotions in check, was now completely unhinged. Disheveled, with a twisted expression, and loudly berating others, he resembled a shrew.

Having dealt with Qian Hong for so long, Elder Yu had never seen him in such a desperate and furious state.

Unable to hold back, Elder Yu burst into laughter and then yelled at Qian Hong:

"Qian Hong, you old turtle! If your shell is cracked, just tuck your head back and roll away. Don't embarrass yourself here!"

(End of the Chapter)