Chapter 720: Chapter 566: Homecoming_2 “You must be out of your mind, Mo Hua is not…” Then he turned his head and saw, from within the caravan, that same beaming, innocent-looking Mo Hua. Mo Hua waved at them, smiling, “Uncle Zhao, Uncle Sun, Uncle Zhou… I’m back!” Everyone was taken aback, before their faces turned to rapture. “It’s not a mistake!” “It really is Mo Hua!” “Mo Hua!!” “Keep it down, don’t scare the wolf off…” “Who cares about that darn wolf, let it be…” Mo Hua was a bit bemused. “Mo Hua, wait for us. We’ll finish up here and escort you back to Tongxian City…” the Monster Hunters said enthusiastically. Mo Hua looked at them, noticing the blood on their swords and armor. Though they had steely eyes and weathered faces, clearly having pursued the Monster Beasts for quite some time, it seemed they were nearly done with the hunt. Mo Hua shook her head and said: “Uncles, go on with your Monster Hunting, no need to bother. I’ll be fine returning with the caravan.” “Drop by our place later; I’ll treat you to a drink!” Mo Hua added, patting her little chest. The group of Monster Hunters chuckled, but they weren’t prissy about it. Indeed, with Mo Hua’s abilities, they really didn’t need to escort her. “Alright, we’ll slaughter this wolf and head back. We’ve got some fresh Monster meat, all freshly killed, to let you try,” said one of the Monster Hunters, smiling. “Mhm, mhm,” Mo Hua nodded repeatedly. Afterward, the group parted ways. Mo Hua waved her little arms, bidding farewell to her Monster Hunter uncles and grand-uncles. Old Zheng, who had narrowly escaped danger, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead; his look towards Mo Hua was a mix of gratitude and astonishment. “Young man, you know these Monster Hunters?” he asked. “Yes,” replied Mo Hua, nodding. “They are all my uncles and grand-uncles. They used to take care of me when I entered Big Black Mountain. We’re quite familiar…” You entered Big Black Mountain? Old Zheng looked at Mo Hua’s small arms and legs, not sure what to say. But it’s good… to know people. Connections make things easier. Old Zheng felt fortunate in his heart. Lucky indeed, to have bumped into this young man. Otherwise, without knowing any Cultivators out here in the wilderness, meeting a troop of Monster Hunters, with blood on their blades, anything could happen… Old Zheng’s manners toward Mo Hua became even more courteous. But as they continued marching forward, he noticed something wasn’t quite right. The closer they got to Tongxian City, the more Monster Hunters they encountered. And each and every one of these Monster Hunters, upon seeing Mo Hua, first showed shock then joyous faces. One moment solemn and murderous, the next that of joy as if it was New Year’s… Old Zheng gazed at Mo Hua, his mouth agape, and said in a daze: “These Monster Hunters… you know them all?” How do you know all the Monster Hunters in these mountains? Mo Hua nodded. But you seem… to know them too well… Old Zheng still found it hard to believe. Mo Hua grinned, “I’m just well-liked!” Old Zheng was skeptical but continued to speculate silently. This young Cultivator must have an unusual identity, perhaps a child of a high-ranking Elder in the Monster Hunting Guild. Or maybe, the young master of a big family in Immortal City? Old Zheng kept guessing as they went on. The sky began to darken as they continued their journey. The day neared dusk, the evening sky dyed with the glow of sunset. Old Zheng flipped through the Map, estimating the distance, and furrowed his brow, “It’s getting a bit late. If we don’t hurry, it seems we’ll end up spending the night in the mountains…” Spending the night in the mountains would be dangerous… A newly constructed mountain road now stretches from the Inner Mountain through the deep woods of Big Black Mountain, straight to Tongxian City. The Monster Beasts in Inner Mountain are fierce. Those in the deep mountains are even more bloodthirsty, and occasionally, Second Grade Monster Beasts appear. It’s fine during the day, but once night falls, staying in the deep woods, encountering Monster Beasts in the pitch-black night and treacherous terrain, it’s feared that everyone might become a feast for the beasts. “Shall we take a shortcut while it’s not yet dark?” At least to get out of the deep woods. Someone suggested. Old Zheng pondered for a moment and then nodded in agreement, “We need to move fast to reach Tongxian City sooner. Better not to have long nights full of dreams.” Mo Hua looked up, scanning the surroundings. They were located deep within the mountains of Big Black Mountain. The mountain path had been refurbished, and the terrain had altered slightly, which was unfamiliar to her. Changes in the mountain’s shape… Apparently, the change was due to the sheer power when she dissolved the Five Elements Slaughter Demon Great Formation, which had nearly leveled half of the deep mountain, altering the whole landscape. The mountain was the same, but it had changed shape; the roads were no longer the same. For a moment, Mo Hua was unable to discern the exact location. One of the traders in the party then said: “I’ve been to Tongxian City a few times and know a shortcut, but it’s a bit late, and we might encounter Monster Beasts…” After a moment’s thought, Old Zheng replied with a sigh, “It’s better than spending the night in the deep woods. You lead the way, and everyone, stay alert.” “Sure thing, Old Zheng.” So the trader took the lead and the caravan turned onto a narrow path. It was an old mountain trail. Mo Hua vaguely remembered it, seemingly an old road leading from the outside of Big Black Mountain to Tongxian City. It became less traveled and gradually fell into disuse. The journey was indeed full of twists and turns. Some rocks had collapsed a few years earlier due to the Great Formation Dissolution; while people could pass, the vehicles and goods had some difficulties. And then there were the Monster Beasts However, most of them were just middle to late First Grade. The guards in the caravan could handle them, so Mo Hua just gave them early warnings and did not take action herself. With everyone’s cooperation, they slew a Kui Wood Wolf and a Red-eyed Demon Sheep. The rest of the journey became much smoother. Just as they were about to leave the deep woods, Mo Hua’s Divine Sense stirred, her brows furrowed, and she spoke up: “Stop.” Old Zheng was taken aback, and the other Cultivators in the caravan were somewhat puzzled.