Chapter 235: Chapter 234 Old Acquaintance_1 “` This Fireball Technique was executed masterfully and packed a considerable punch, it must have come from the hands of a Spiritual Cultivator. It’s rare for Monster Hunters to be Spiritual Cultivators, and if there were any among them entering the mountain, they would follow a Monster Hunting Team and wouldn’t act alone. And a Monster Hunting Team has at least five or six members, sometimes eight or nine, or even more than ten, all with excellent weapons and armor. This group of theirs stood no chance against them. Once surrounded by Monster Hunters, there would be no escaping. People in their line of trade always risked their lives, they could not afford to lose them to a moment of avarice. The leading cultivator felt a surge of panic and immediately made a decision, “Retreat, quickly!” The seven intruding cultivators frantically retreated. Upon seeing this, Ji Qingbai and his beleaguered companions all felt a great relief, putting down their weapons and leaning on the storage chests, gasping for air. Ji Qingbai felt an even stronger sense of gratitude for having survived the ordeal. This situation had been extremely perilous. The Ji Family only had him and his father left—if they had carelessly lost their lives here, the Ji Family lineage would have ended, which would have truly been an unfortunate event for the family. With this thought, Ji Qingbai felt grateful and turned towards the mountain peak to bow and said, “Many thanks. May I know which brother from the Monster Hunting Team it is?” The others also looked towards the direction from where Ji Qingbai’s voice had come. The rugged mountain peak rustled with shrubs, revealing Mo Hua’s small figure. Mo Hua scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, “I’m afraid that’s not quite right, Uncle Ji.” Ji Qingbai and his father addressed each other as brothers, a term which Mo Hua felt he couldn’t possibly live up to. Ji Qingbai was startled. Why was it a child? Looking closely, he recognized the child as somewhat familiar. With features as fine as a painting and a clean, elegant appearance, the child looked like he could be from the Mo Family. Ji Qingbai had met Mo Hua before and held a deep impression of him. “Are you… Mo Hua?” Ji Qingbai asked in disbelief. “Yes.” Mo Hua nodded. “How… How did you end up here?” Ji Qingbai nervously glanced around, “Just by yourself? Where’s your father?” The other three were also looking at each other in bewilderment. Mo Hua said, “Let’s talk about that later, now is not the time.” “So, what now…?” Ji Qingbai was a bit dazed. Mo Hua urged, “Run, quickly…” The Inner Mountain was vast, and there might not be any other Monster Hunters nearby. Even if his signal had been noticed, it wasn’t certain anyone would come to assist. And if support was on the way, it would take some time to arrive. If, in a little while, those seven cultivators came to their senses and returned, that would spell trouble. Ji Qingbai instantly understood and ceased the pleasantries, quickly gathering his things in preparation for departure. As for the several large storage chests, Ji Qingbai decided not to take them. However, just before leaving, he still felt reluctant as those chests contained all their family’s possessions. Seeing this, Mo Hua suggested, “Take them with you.” Startled by his words, Ji Qingbai hesitated, “But if those people catch up…” “If they catch up, I’ll give you a heads up in advance. Then it wouldn’t be too late to abandon them,” Mo Hua said. Ji Qingbai was taken aback. How could one possibly know such a thing in advance? Mo Hua appeared composed. Even if those cultivators caught up, his Divine Sense would allow him to sense them beforehand, giving enough time to react. With time to prepare and set up a Formation, Mo Hua could fend off several more attackers, ensuring they couldn’t get away easily. “Besides, if we take our belongings, they might not dare to pursue us. If we don’t, they’ll know we’re vulnerable and will surely chase after us,” Mo Hua added. Upon hearing this, Ji Qingbai immediately nodded, “Alright!” Several storage chests were loaded onto a single-wheeled wooden cart. Ji Qingbai and the stout man took turns pulling it while Ji Li helped the injured female cultivator. Mo Hua led the way. The group traveled along the mountain path, with Mo Hua occasionally taking out his Compass Disk to check, then choosing a new direction. “` Ji Qingbai and the others, puzzled, followed Mo Hua as he led the way with confidence. They couldn’t help but marvel inwardly at how well Mo Hua knew the paths of the Inner Mountain… Mo Hua led them to a campsite and said, “Let’s rest here and treat our wounds.” Ji Qingbai and the others nodded in assent; they had been battling for a long time and all had sustained injuries. They had been forcibly enduring the pain, but now they couldn’t muster the strength to go on. The group rested in the camp. Mo Hua distributed Hemostatic Pills and various other healing Pills among them. Ji Qingbai received the Pills, sniffed them, and expressed his surprise, “These Pills… they are of such high quality!” Mo Hua nodded and replied, “They were made by Grandpa Feng.” These Pills had been specially crafted for him by Old Mr. Feng. Old Mr. Feng’s skills as a Pill Master were extraordinary, and he used a top-notch Pill Furnace, which was inscribed with a first-class Compound Formation and possessed pure and powerful flames. Naturally, the Pills created in it were of superior quality. It was just that Mo Hua had yet to sustain any serious injuries since he entered the Inner Mountain, so these emergency Pills had been stored for quite some time. Now, they finally came in handy. “Old Mr. Feng from Apricot Forest Hall?” Ji Qingbai was slightly astonished, then nodded in understanding, “No wonder.” Old Mr. Feng was a first-class Pill Master, having saved countless lives. Even in Qingxuan City, he had a significant reputation. Ji Qingbai took two Pills, handing the rest to Ji Li and the young female Cultivator. The female Cultivator, having the most severe injuries and the most blood loss, became relaxed after taking the Pills and soon passed out, slipping into unconsciousness. Ji Li stayed by her side, a look of both worry and affection on his face. Curious, Mo Hua glanced at the female Cultivator, then at Ji Li, and inquired, “Brother Ji, are you two a couple?” Ji Li’s face turned beet red instantaneously. “No… No… not yet.” “Not yet, so you mean it’s going to happen soon?” Mo Hua pressed for details, his eyes twinkling with interest, “If you two get married, can I come to the wedding feast?” He had never attended a wedding feast in his life. Ji Li blushed even more. Seeing this, Ji Qingbai chuckled and said, “If you wouldn’t mind, I’ll definitely invite you when the time comes.” “It’s a deal,” Mo Hua said with a smile. The atmosphere in the camp lightened a bit. Ji Qingbai then asked, “By the way, why are you alone in the mountain? It’s dangerous here, where’s your dad?” “I can manage by myself; my dad has other matters to take care of,” Mo Hua replied. Ji Qingbai looked at Mo Hua, feeling both shocked and regretful. At such a young age, he was already at the seventh level of Qi Refinement, and not only could he survive alone in the Inner Mountain; he was also very familiar with the terrains and composed in the face of danger. Likewise, a chip off the old block, Mo Hua had the same talent as his father for Monster Hunting. The pity was that he had still become a Monster Hunter. Ji Qingbai noticed the Monster Hunting Token hanging from Mo Hua’s neck and sighed inwardly. Once one became a Monster Hunter, it became difficult to find time to learn about Formations. Ji Qingbai still hoped that Mo Hua would pursue the path of a Formation Master, rather than just being a great Monster Hunter. Among Loose Cultivators, Monster Hunters were a dime a dozen, but Formation Masters were exceedingly rare. With Mo Hua’s talent, it was truly a waste for him not to study Formation, to not become a Formation Master. Ji Qingbai felt an immense sense of regret. Seeing Ji Qingbai seemed preoccupied with something, Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask, “Uncle Ji, what brings you to Tongxian City?” Ji Qingbai paused, as if recalling something, and said with a wry smile, “We couldn’t make ends meet in Qingxuan City, so we thought to come here to find ways to get by.”