Chapter 158 Qian Zhongxuan (Second Update)_1
Who had drawn the Formation Painting, Qian Zhuang didn’t know, but he knew he was doomed.
So many people lost, so much time wasted, so much in Pills and Spiritual Artifacts spent, and not a single Spiritual mine reclaimed.
The Clan would not give him another chance.
The next day, Qian Zhuang was told that his command had been stripped by the Clan, but he was still allowed to stay at the Spiritual mines to make amends for his failure.
That evening, a Cultivator from the Qian Family, whose face bore the heavy patterns of authority, came to the Qian Family camp and harrumphed coldly upon seeing Qian Zhuang:
“Capable of nothing but failure!”
Qian Zhuang bowed deeply and kept his head lowered, not daring to utter a single word in rebuttal.
The visitor was an Elder of the Qian Family, a Foundation Building Cultivator, Qian Zhongxuan.
He was also his biggest support in this branch of the family.
“I wasn’t willing to come, but you’ve been so ineffective, not achieving anything for so long, that I had to take care of things. Otherwise, our branch would become the laughingstock of the Clan, unable to hold our heads high.”
Qian Zhongxuan said coldly.
Qian Zhuang’s face was flush with shame, “Elder, it’s not that I was ineffective, it’s just those…”
Qian Zhongxuan interrupted, “No excuses! These excuses are no use with the Family Head and other Elders, they will not listen to what you have to say, but will look at what you have done, what results you have produced!”
Qian Zhuang bowed his head, “Yes.”
Seeing Qian Zhuang’s sincere attitude, and knowing his branch had only a few promoters at the Qi Refinement Ninth Level, Qian Zhongxuan’s expression softened slightly as he instructed him:
“People say that we members of the Qian Family are like wolves, ambitiously wolfish, and that’s not an insult but a compliment. We, the disciples of the Qian Family, must be wolfish, striving and snatching!”
“Every piece of meat must be bitten fiercely in the mouth. If someone steals a bite from you, you should bite back a piece from them!”
Qian Zhuang’s spirits lifted, and he cupped his fists, “I have learned my lesson, Disciple.”
“Hmm.” Qian Zhongxuan nodded, “Don’t take this failure too hard. Success and failure are common knowledge; don’t let it dull your spirit for progress.”
Qian Zhuang was greatly encouraged and felt even more grateful to Qian Zhongxuan, saying:
“I will remember the Elder’s teachings carefully!”
“Rest up for a few days. Once I’ve arranged the personnel, it will be time to attack the mountain. Make sure you perform well and do not disappoint me.” Qian Zhongxuan looked sternly at Qian Zhuang before standing up and leaving.
Qian Zhuang respectfully saw off Qian Zhongxuan and breathed a sigh of relief.
At this time, Elder Yu also got the news that Qian Zhongxuan had entered Big Black Mountain and couldn’t help but snort:
“That old rascal Qian Zhongxuan has no good intentions entering the mountain. Everyone, be on alert; we may have a tough fight in the next few days.”
Yu Chengyi and others looked solemn and nodded in agreement.
Mo Hua also nodded along.
Elder Yu glanced at him and said, “You don’t need to nod; just stay here. Don’t go out.”
“Can I sneak a peek?”
“Peek at what?”
“At you fighting.”
Elder Yu frowned, “What’s there to see?”
“I want to learn.”
Mo Hua looked humble and eager to learn.
Elder Yu sighed, “You can look, but don’t you dare go out there. A cultivator’s melee is no child’s play.”
“Alright!” Mo Hua nodded vigorously.
His own safety was his priority. He would not go out; he wasn’t foolish.
In the following days, Mo Hua learned a new Formation:
The First-grade Earth Fire Formation.
This was also learned from the Formation Books given by Mr. Zhuang. Its effects were broadly the same as the Earth Fire Formation, only more powerful, containing nine Formation Patterns, a true First-grade Formation.
However, the previous Formation with seven patterns was called Earth Fire Formation, and this one was directly named First-grade Earth Fire Formation. The name hadn’t changed, only with the addition of “First-grade.”
Mo Hua criticized in his mind, wondering who wrote these Formation Books. They were too lazy, at least change the name.
After Mo Hua learned the First-grade Earth Fire Formation, he would draw it whenever he had free time, managing to create about ten copies a day.
Ten copies of the Earth Fire Formation is neither too many nor too few. If used directly, their effectiveness might not be very good, so Mo Hua decided to save them up for later.
One day, after he grew tired of drawing formations, Mo Hua took out some pine nuts to crack and eat for a while.
Meanwhile, Elder Yu was discussing matters in the next room.
To take care of Mo Hua’s needs, Elder Yu had opened up another stone chamber right next to Mo Hua’s for rest and discussions with other Monster Hunters.
Elder Yu was discussing with Yu Chengyi and others how to deal with the Qian Family when suddenly his expression turned solemn, and with a swift movement, he stepped out of the mine.
Outside the cave were rugged rocks and dense woods.