Chapter 158: Qian Zhongxuan

Who drew the formation array, Qian Zhuang didn't know, but he knew he was finished.

So many men lost, so much time wasted, so many pills and spirit weapons spent—and not a single piece of spirit ore reclaimed.

The family won't give him another chance.

The next day, Qian Zhuang was told he had been stripped of his command, but was still allowed to remain at the spirit mine to redeem himself through service.

That night, a Qian family cultivator with deep nasolabial lines arrived at the Qian camp, met Qian Zhuang, and let out a cold snort:

"You're useless at succeeding and even worse at failing!"

Qian Zhuang bowed deeply, head lowered, daring not to utter a single word of rebuttal.

The visitor was Qian family elder, a Foundation Establishment cultivator: Qian Zhongxuan.

He was also the greatest patron of this branch.

"I didn't want to come, but you've done nothing for so long—no achievements at all—I had to come clean up your mess. Otherwise, our branch will be laughed at, unable to hold our heads up in the clan."

Qian Zhongxuan said coldly.

Qian Zhuang's face burned with shame. "Elder, it's not that I'm incompetent—it's just that those…"

Qian Zhongxuan cut him off: "Don't make excuses! Those excuses won't work with the clan master or the other elders—they won't listen to what you say, only watch what you do and what results you deliver!"

Qian Zhuang bowed his head. "Yes."

Seeing Qian Zhuang's sincere attitude, and knowing his branch had few other Level Nine Qi Condensation cultivators to support, Qian Zhongxuan's expression softened slightly. He advised him:

"Others say Qian family members are wolves—ravenous, ambitious. That's not an insult—it's praise. Qian family disciples must be like wolves: fight! Grab!"

"Clamp every scrap of meat in your jaws. If someone tries to snatch a bite, bite back a piece from his flesh!"

Qian Zhuang perked up, clasped his hands, and said: "Dizishou Sect."

"Hmm." Qian Zhongxuan nodded. "This failure isn't worth dwelling on. Victory and defeat are common. Don't let it dull your drive to advance."

Qian Zhuang was greatly encouraged and felt even more grateful to Qian Zhongxuan. He said:

"I humbly follow your teachings, Elder!"

"Rest for a few days. Once I've rearranged the troops, we'll launch the assault on the mountain. Perform well—don't disappoint me." Qian Zhongxuan stared sternly at Qian Zhuang, then rose and left.

Qian Zhuang respectfully saw Qian Zhongxuan off, and finally exhaled a sigh of relief.

At this time, Elder Yu also learned the news and heard Qian Zhongxuan had entered Great Heishan. He sneered:

"That old bastard Qian Zhongxuan entering the mountain—surely he's hiding something foul. Stay alert. Hard fighting may come these days."

Yu Chengyi and the others all grew solemn and nodded.

Mo Hua nodded too.

Elder Yu glanced at him. "You don't need to nod. Stay here. Don't go out."

"Can I sneak a look?"

"Sneak a look at what?"

"At you fighting."

Elder Yu frowned. "What's so interesting about that?"

"I want to learn."

Mo Hua wore an expression of humble, eager learning.

Elder Yu sighed. "You can watch—but absolutely don't go out. Cultivator battles aren't child's play."

"Mm-hmm!" Mo Hua nodded vigorously.

Survival came first—he wouldn't go out. He wasn't stupid.

In the following days, Mo Hua learned a new formation:

A true first-grade Earth-Fire Formation.

He learned it from the formation book given by Mr. Zhuang. Its effect was roughly the same as the Earth-Fire Formation, but stronger, containing nine formation lines—a true first-grade formation.

The earlier version with seven lines was called Earth-Fire Formation; this one was directly called A True First-Grade Earth-Fire Formation. The name didn't change—just added "true first-grade."

Who compiled these formation books? They were too lazy. At least change the name!

Mo Hua silently grumbled to himself.

After mastering the A True First-Grade Earth-Fire Formation, Mo Hua would draw it whenever he had time—still about ten per day.

Ten Earth-Fire Formations weren't many, but not few either. Used directly, their effect might not be great, so Mo Hua decided to hoard them for now.

On this day, after growing tired from drawing formations, Mo Hua pulled out pine nuts and cracked them open.

Next door, Elder Yu was holding a meeting.

To ensure Mo Hua's safety, Elder Yu had carved out another stone chamber beside Mo Hua's, for resting and meeting with other demon-hunters.

Elder Yu was discussing with Yu Chengyi and others how to counter the Qian family when suddenly his expression turned grim. He flashed out of the cave.

Outside the cave were rugged rocks and dense Lin Mu.

But after being blasted by Earth-Fire Formations, the ground was pitted and uneven, looking chaotic.

Elder Yu sneered and shouted:

"Qian Zhongxuan, you old bastard—what are you sneaking around doing?"

A moment later, Qian Zhongxuan appeared nearby, smiling without warmth. "Your dog nose is still as sharp as ever."

Elder Yu mocked: "If my nose is a dog's, then your mother's a bitch, your father's a dumb dog, and you're a stray dog…"

The insult was vile, and loud enough to carry across the peak and down the slopes—making Qian Zhongxuan's blood boil.

Qian Zhongxuan wanted to slap himself.

He knew full well that old devil Yu Changlin had a foul mouth and would say anything—so why did he provoke him?

It took Qian Zhongxuan a long time to calm himself.

"Let's set some rules."

"You say it's settled? Do you have your ass on your face? How else could you have such a big mouth?"

Qian Zhongxuan suppressed his anger, gritted his teeth, and said, "If you keep搅and缠 like this, there's no point in us talking."

Elder Yu chuckled, "You're not even as good as Qian Hong. Qian Hong has more patience than you—no, wait, he's even more shameless than you."

Qian Zhongxuan was barely holding on.

Elder Yu decided to stop while ahead. "Speak your piece."

Qian Zhongxuan held his temper again and said, "For this struggle over the spirit mine, I won't intervene, and neither will you."

Elder Yu raised an eyebrow. "What about the other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Qian family?"

"They won't intervene either."

"Why should I believe you?"

Qian Zhongxuan said, "I've had the Dao Ting Si's Zhou Zhangsi act as witness. You can rest easy."

Elder Yu frowned slightly. He didn't know what Qian Zhongxuan was scheming, but if neither side's Foundation Establishment cultivators intervened, it was also good for the beast hunters.

"Fine, I agree."

Qian Zhongxuan exhaled in relief. "Then it's settled."

Elder Yu suddenly sneered, "Qian Zhongxuan, you're scared to death."

Afraid to fight this old bone to the death, afraid to trade lives with the beast hunters.

Qian Zhongxuan's face darkened, saying nothing.

He truly was afraid. Elder Yu Lin didn't care about his life because as a lone cultivator, living meant only suffering.

But he was different—he was a Foundation Establishment elder of the Qian family, honored and wealthy beyond measure. He had no desire to die.

Seeing his expression, Elder Yu thought, as expected, and launched straight into curses:

"Then go back to your mother's womb and suckle. This place of real blades and blood isn't for you. Just be a cowardly worm, hide in your nest of wealth, rot and fester..."

Knowing he couldn't match words, Qian Zhongxuan swept his sleeve and left.

Mo Hua stared, dumbfounded.

He thought: if cursing had realms, Elder Yu would at least be a half-step immortal.

Elder Yu hadn't finished venting. Seeing Qian Zhongxuan slink away, he felt a lingering dissatisfaction—then turned to find Mo Hua staring at him in awe.

Elder Yu cleared his throat and said, "Don't you dare learn those curses I just used."

Mo Hua, who had already learned them, replied, "Elder Yu, rest assured."

Thank you to Wang Shui Lun Lian for the tip~