Chapter 1052: Chapter 665 Image_3 Chapter 1052 -665 Image_3 There wasn’t much time for him to react—the situation had suddenly taken a dire turn. “There’s an expert!” “We have to flee! Or else we’re dead!” The black-robed cultivator didn’t waste a moment. He turned and tried to escape. In the darkness, Mo Hua pointed his finger. A faint blue water pattern flashed, and a water prison solidified instantly, trapping the leading black-robed cultivator in place. “This is…” The black-robed cultivator’s face went pale. Cheng Mo raised his twin axes, ready to kill the black-robed cultivator. But just then, a crisp voice said, “Capture him alive!” That voice sounded somewhat familiar. But in the wilderness, within the dark forest at night, it carried an air of strangeness. Cheng Mo didn’t recognize it immediately. Still, he instinctively left the man alive, redirecting his strike to the black-robed cultivator’s back. Unexpectedly, upon hearing the words “capture him alive,” the black-robed cultivator’s expression turned utterly horrified. At that exact moment, a streak of golden light shot in from afar. This golden light wasn’t particularly powerful; it headed straight for the black-robed cultivator’s face. It seemed it wasn’t aiming to take his life but rather to tear away his mask and reveal his appearance. Yet remarkably, this action terrified him more than death itself. The black-robed cultivator’s face filled with despair. Before the golden light could shatter his mask, he snapped his own finger. A surge of demonic Qi instantly spread, consuming his flesh and transforming him into a puddle of black murky water. Cheng Mo and the others were visibly shocked and quickly stepped back, exchanging bewildered glances. “Could this be… a demon cultivator technique?” Cheng Mo asked gravely. But all the black-robed cultivators were dead. The scene was littered with blood, the forest eerily silent, with no one left to answer. A moment later, Cheng Mo and his companions let out long sighs of relief. Whatever the case, at least they had survived. Yang Qianjun, his expression solemn, cupped his hands toward the opposing forest and said, “Thank you for your help!” “Might I ask who you are, Taoist Friend? Could you show yourself for a brief talk?” The forest remained silent. Situ Jian frowned, “Could it be someone from Qianxue State Boundary, a senior brother from some sect? Seeing injustice and lending a hand?” “Although the technique used was a basic Fireball Technique, it was precise and effortless, completely turning the tide…” “It must be a spell expert…” “Would an expert in spells only use the Fireball Technique?” “It doesn’t seem likely…” Cheng Mo spoke gravely, “Generally speaking, true experts wouldn’t resort to using such a low-level spell like the Fireball Technique. However, a true master might simplify matters, using an unremarkable spell like the Fireball Technique to work miracles…” “Makes sense…” “So, who could it be?” Cheng Mo pondered for a moment before hesitantly saying, “Could it be some kind of ‘senior’ expert?” “Just call me ‘Junior Brother,’ no need for ‘senior,’ that’d be too formal…” A crisp voice sounded, and Mo Hua quietly revealed himself before the trio, smiling radiantly. Yang Qianjun was stunned. Situ Jian was flabbergasted. Cheng Mo was so shocked that his jaw dropped. “Mo… Mo Hua?!” Mo Hua nodded. “You, you…” Cheng Mo stammered for a while, unable to find words. He took a long moment to collect himself before asking, “That Fireball Technique—was that you?” “Who else?” 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚 Cheng Mo looked around, then asked again, “No one else?” “Nope!” “But you…” *Cheng Mo’s mind was reeling with an immense shock.* *How could it be… Mo Hua?* *How was this even possible?* *His heart brimmed with questions—he wanted to ask so much. But his mind was in disarray, and he didn’t know where to begin.* Mo Hua, however, ignored him and began inspecting the dead black-robed cultivators. He found that their flesh and spiritual power had indeed been corroded by demonic Qi. The leading black-robed cultivator had completely turned into black water. Mo Hua looked somewhat disappointed. Still couldn’t catch one alive… These people, when realizing there was no way out, wouldn’t hesitate to commit suicide, using demonic Qi to destroy their own bodies. *They were truly ruthless toward themselves.* *Or perhaps… they were harboring terrifying secrets that must never be revealed?* Mo Hua thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, “This place isn’t safe. You’re all injured—let’s find a spot to lay low for now…” “Alright.” Cheng Mo and his companions nodded sincerely. So, they carried the unconscious Yi Li along, while Mo Hua went to fetch Hao Xuan. The group wandered through the forest until they found a hidden cave to take refuge. Mo Hua set some basic formations outside the cave for alertness, concealment, and protection. Inside the cave, Cheng Mo and the others focused on healing their injuries. After taking some pills, their wounds improved, and their spiritual power gradually recovered. At last, Situ Jian couldn’t hold back his curiosity and asked, “Mo Hua, why are you here?” Mo Hua replied casually, “I was on my way back to the sect, passing through here, and saw signs of blood. So I followed them and happened to find Hao Xuan being hunted…” “Then I got lucky, saved Hao Xuan, and then followed him to find you all. ‘Luckily,’ I managed to save you guys too…” “Oh…” Cheng Mo nodded, but as he kept nodding, he realized something was off. *Could all these events be mere coincidence, luck, and chance?* “How… did you manage to save us?” Cheng Mo asked. “Oh, you know… just set up a formation, blow them up, and that was that…” Mo Hua replied. “What about those five black-robed men who were lured away earlier?” “Same thing—set up a formation, blew them up, they were gone…” Cheng Mo and the others exchanged looks, each drawing in a sharp breath. “All dead?!” Mo Hua nodded, then sighed helplessly and said, “You know I’m a Formation Master. Physically, I’m weak, and my spiritual power isn’t strong. Direct combat is exceedingly dangerous for me.” “Faced with these ruthless, faceless black-robed cultivators, I had no other choice but to devise a plan, set a formation, and blow them up…” “Who knew they’d be so fragile—one blast and they’re gone. Can’t really blame me for that…” Cheng Mo: “…” Situ Jian: “…” Yang Qianjun: “…” Seeing their stunned expressions, Mo Hua felt he needed to stay low-key. So, with a serious face, he said, “Those are just trivial matters. What’s important now is deciding our next steps.” “These black-robed cultivators… they’re human traffickers, aren’t they?” The group froze, their expressions growing more serious. “Should we return and report this to the Taoist Court?” Situ Jian asked. “Yes, reporting to the Taoist Court is necessary.” “But there’s no time…” “By the time the Taoist Court officials arrive, these traffickers will likely have fled…” “And as for the cultivators they’ve captured and plan to sell off, who knows where they’ll end up…” “If they’re sold to ordinary cultivators, perhaps it wouldn’t be too dire. But if they’re sold to the evil cultivators or demon cultivators, then…” *Gruesome rumors about demon cultivators—killing people to refine skills, pills, or weapons—flooded their minds.* Their faces grew increasingly grim. “So, should we…” Mo Hua’s eyes gleamed as he quietly suggested, “Just kill all the black-robed men?” The group paused, then silently stared at Mo Hua. Especially Cheng Mo and Situ Jian. *It felt as though they were meeting him for the first time—this “Junior Brother” who had always been perceived as innocent, sweet, harmless, and only focused on formation drawing…*