Who painted the array? Qian Zhuang didn't know, but he knew he was finished.
So many people were lost, so much time wasted, and so many pills and spirit tools spent, without reclaiming a single piece of spirit mine.
The family wouldn't give him another chance.
The next day, Qian Zhuang was informed that he was stripped of his command but was still allowed to stay at the spirit mine to redeem himself through meritorious deeds.
That evening, a Qian family cultivator with deep furrows of law markings on his face arrived at the Qian family's camp. He saw Qian Zhuang and snorted coldly:
"All you do is fail and make things worse!"
Qian Zhuang bowed deeply, keeping his head low, not daring to argue.
The visitor was an elder of the Qian family, a Foundation Building cultivator, Qian Zhongxuan.
He was the biggest supporter of Qian Zhuang's branch.
Qian Zhuang was even more ashamed, "Elder, it's not that I'm ineffective, it's just that those..."
Qian Zhongxuan cut him off, "No excuses! Excuses are useless to the family head and other elders. They don't care what you say; they only look at what you do and what results you achieve!"
Qian Zhuang lowered his head and said, "Yes."
Seeing Qian Zhuang's sincere attitude, and considering that his branch didn't have many Qi Refining ninth-layer cultivators to support, Qian Zhongxuan's expression softened a bit. He gave him some pointers:
"People say our Qian family members are like wolves, with wolfish ambition. This is not an insult but a compliment. As disciples of the Qian family, we must be like wolves—fighting and seizing!"
"Every piece of meat must be held tightly in our mouths. If someone takes a bite from your mouth, you must bite back a piece from them!"
Qian Zhuang's spirit was lifted, and he cupped his hands, "I am taught."
"Good." Qian Zhongxuan nodded, "Don't dwell on this failure. Victory and defeat are common occurrences. Don't lose your spirit of striving because of it."
Qian Zhuang was greatly encouraged and felt even more grateful to Qian Zhongxuan. He said:
"I will follow the elder's teachings!"
"Rest for a few days first. Once I reorganize the personnel, we will attack the mountain. Perform well and do not disappoint me," Qian Zhongxuan said seriously, then got up and left.
Qian Zhuang respectfully saw Qian Zhongxuan off, feeling relieved.
At this time, Elder Yu also received the news. Knowing that Qian Zhongxuan had entered Dahei Mountain, he snorted coldly:
"This old fox Qian Zhongxuan is up to no good. Be alert; we might have a tough battle in the next few days."
Yu Chengyi and the others nodded solemnly.
Mo Hua also nodded.
Elder Yu glanced at him and said, "You don't need to nod. Just stay here and don't go out."
"Can I peek?"
"Peek at what?"
"Watch you guys fight."
Elder Yu frowned, "What's so interesting about that?"
"I want to learn."
Mo Hua looked humble and eager to learn.
Elder Yu sighed, "You can watch, but don't go out. Battles between cultivators are no child's play."
"Mm-hmm!" Mo Hua nodded repeatedly.
His life was more important; he wouldn't go out. He wasn't stupid.
In the next few days, Mo Hua learned a new array:
First-grade Earth Fire Array.
This was also learned from Mr. Zhuang's array book. Its effect was similar to the Earth Fire Array, but it was more powerful, containing nine array patterns, making it a true first-grade array.
However, the previous one with seven array patterns was called Earth Fire Array, and this one was directly called First-grade Earth Fire Array. The name didn't change, just added "First-grade."
Mo Hua silently criticized in his heart, wondering who compiled these array books. They were too lazy to even change the names.
After mastering the First-grade Earth Fire Array, Mo Hua would draw it whenever he had time, about ten arrays a day.
Ten Earth Fire Arrays were not many but not few either. Directly using them might not be very effective, so Mo Hua decided to stockpile them first.
One day, after drawing arrays, Mo Hua took out some pine nuts and started munching.
Next door, Elder Yu was discussing matters.
To ensure Mo Hua's safety, Elder Yu had set up a stone room next to Mo Hua's for rest and meetings with other demon hunters.
Elder Yu was discussing with Yu Chengyi and a few others on how to deal with the Qian family when he suddenly became serious and stepped out of the mine cave.
Outside the cave were rugged rocks and lush trees.
However, the Earth Fire Array had blasted it once, making the ground very uneven and chaotic.
Elder Yu sneered and cursed directly:
"Qian Zhongxuan, you old bastard, what are you sneaking around for?"
Not far away, Qian Zhongxuan suddenly appeared, smiling sarcastically, "Your dog's nose is still as sharp as ever."
Elder Yu replied sarcastically, "If I have a dog's nose, then your mother is a bitch, your father is a dumb dog, and you are a wild dog..."
His words were vulgar and loud, echoing up and down the peak, making Qian Zhongxuan's blood boil.
Qian Zhongxuan regretted provoking Elder Yu, knowing well that this old man could spew the most offensive words.
Qian Zhongxuan took a long time to calm himself.
"Let's set some rules."
"You think you can set rules? Your ass must be on your face; otherwise, where do you get the nerve?"
Qian Zhongxuan endured his anger and gritted his teeth, "If you keep messing around like this, there's no point in talking."
Elder Yu chuckled, "You are not as patient as Qian Hong. Qian Hong can endure more than you, no, he is more shameless than you."
Qian Zhongxuan almost couldn't hold back.
Seeing that it was enough, Elder Yu asked, "What do you want?"
Qian Zhongxuan took a deep breath, "In this fight for the spirit mine, neither of us will take action."
Elder Yu raised an eyebrow, "What about the other Foundation Building cultivators in the Qian family?"
"They won't take action either."
"Why should I trust you?"
Qian Zhongxuan said, "I have arranged for the Dao Court's supervisor to witness this. You should be reassured."
Elder Yu frowned slightly. He didn't know what Qian Zhongxuan was up to, but if both sides' Foundation Building cultivators didn't take action, it would be beneficial for the demon hunters.
"Alright, I agree."
Qian Zhongxuan breathed a sigh of relief, "Then it's settled."
Elder Yu suddenly sneered, "Qian Zhongxuan, are you scared of dying?"
Afraid of risking his life against the old man and the demon hunters.
Qian Zhongxuan's face darkened, saying nothing.
He was indeed afraid. Elder Yu didn't value his life because rogue cultivators lived hard lives.
But he was different. He was a Foundation Building elder of the Qian family, with a high status and endless wealth. He didn't want to die.
Seeing his expression, Elder Yu thought, 'As expected.' He began to insult him directly:
"Then go back to your mother's womb and suckle. This place of real fighting isn't for you. Stay a cowardly weakling in your luxurious nest, rotting away..."
Knowing he couldn't win this war of words, Qian Zhongxuan left in a huff.
Mo Hua listened, dumbfounded.
He thought if cursing had levels, Elder Yu would at least be a half-step immortal.
Elder Yu, not yet satisfied, saw Qian Zhongxuan leave dejectedly. He turned back and saw Mo Hua looking at him in awe.
Elder Yu coughed and said, "Don't learn what I just said."
Mo Hua, having already learned, replied, "Don't worry, Elder Yu."