Chapter 308: Chapter 307: Annihilation_1 “Joining the Taoist Soldiers Court, I’ve got you covered!” Leader Yang slapped his chest in assurance. “You’re just a Foundation Building Cultivator, what big talk!” Zhang Lan scoffed. Leader Yang glared at Zhang Lan, “Though I am only at the Foundation Establishment level, there are those who aren’t even that.” Zhang Lan didn’t want to argue with him but said seriously: “Mo Hua was born with a weak constitution; he cannot do Body Refinement. Joining the Taoist Soldiers, fighting in the chaos of a battlefield, is extremely dangerous.” “Of course, I wouldn’t let him do such things,” Leader Yang said. “In military operations, the most difficult part is ‘know your enemy, know yourself.’ He knows the Concealment Technique—advancing, he can use it to hide and scout for enemy intelligence, and retreating, he can also rely on the Concealment Technique to protect himself.” “Scouting for enemy intelligence isn’t dangerous?” “Then let’s not even talk about scouting for enemy intelligence,” Leader Yang said bluntly, taking a big step back, “just Drawing Formation is fine.” Mo Hua couldn’t help but ask, “Is the Taoist Soldiers Court also short of Formation Masters?” Leader Yang vaguely responded, “Not that we are… particularly short of them…” Zhang Lan chuckled, “Don’t listen to his nonsense. Where in the Cultivation World are Formation Masters not scarce? Even those Evil Cultivators who built the Black Mountain Stronghold rely on that Evil Formation Master of the third Householder, don’t they?” 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶 “Not to mention a place like the Taoist Soldiers Court that is dirty, tiring, and constantly endangers one’s life. Formation Masters are esteemed and generally wouldn’t go there.” Leader Yang’s face turned slightly red when Zhang Lan pointed that out, but he still insisted: “That’s exactly why a Formation Master skilled in concealment and self-preservation is even more precious on the battlefield.” Leader Yang looked at Mo Hua with a serious expression and said, “As long as you are willing to join the Taoist Soldiers Court, I can even apply to the higher-ups to make you the Deputy Commander.” “By then, you’ll just follow me; with the deep and extensive connections of the Yang Family in the Taoist Soldiers Court, with our Yang Family’s care, no one would dare to bully you!” Mo Hua felt rather conflicted. It wasn’t that he despised hardship, feared danger, or was unwilling to join the Taoist Soldiers Court, rather once he joined the Taoist Soldiers Court, he would have to leave his hometown and constantly be on the move. He still needed to study Formation with Mr. Zhuang, and when he grew up, he had to take care of his parents. Seeing Mo Hua frowning and looking troubled, Leader Yang hurriedly said: “You are still young, there’s no need to rush your decision. You can think it over. Even if you don’t go now, if one day you change your mind, you can come find me in the Taoist Soldiers Court—just mention the name Yang Jiyong.” Yang Jiyong… Mo Hua silently nodded, remembering the name, and then expressed his gratitude: “Thank you, Leader Yang.” Leader Yang smiled and said, “No need to be so formal, just like you call Zhang Lan ‘Uncle Zhang,’ you can call me ‘Uncle Yang.'” Mo Hua responded, “Uncle Yang.” Leader Yang nodded with a smile blooming across his face. Zhang Lan sighed and said helplessly, “Yang Jiyong, after so many years, you’re still such a shameless fellow!” Leader Yang snorted, “You’re not much better.” The map for navigating Foggy Forest was ready, and so was the map of Black Mountain Stronghold. After that, Leader Yang and Zhang Lan spent a day making preliminary plans for the eradication of Black Mountain Stronghold. The next day, several factions within Tongxian City gathered at the Taoist Court to discuss the eradication matters. Participants included Leader Yang of the Taoist Soldiers Court, the Elder Court Leader and Supervisor Zhang Lan of the Taoist Court, as well as Elder Yu from the Monster Hunting Guild, Mo Shan, Yu Chengyi, and others. Mo Hua brought a small stool to sit on and listen from the side. Leader Yang got straight to the point: “The Formation in Foggy Forest has been altered. The Evil Cultivators probably sensed something. If we act directly, we might startle the snake and be unable to eradicate them in one fell swoop.” “The best strategy is for Monster Hunters to feint an attack, lure the Evil Cultivators out, and then the Taoist Soldiers encircle and eliminate them, ensuring the complete destruction of the Evil Cultivators!” “There are four Foundation Building Evil Cultivators in Black Mountain Stronghold. It’s unlikely that all are within the stronghold, but we must prepare for the worst. Court Leader Zhou, Elder Yu, and I will each deal with one. I’ll also assign two teams of the most elite Taoist Soldiers, equipped with the best armor and weapons, to eliminate another Foundation Building Cultivator.” “` “Once their Foundation Building cultivators suffer casualties, we’ll be able to fight with a numerical advantage, establishing our victory.” “As for the other evil cultivators, even if their cultivation techniques and Taoist skills are bizarre and ruthless, they are not a concern on a battlefield like this. Monster Hunters only need to delay them slightly. Once the Taoist Soldiers charge into battle, these evil cultivators will become nothing more than a mob…” After that, Leader Yang opened up the sand table, which displayed both the map of Foggy Forest and the topography of Black Mountain Stronghold. Leader Yang began to discuss the details of the campaign, such as how to advance into the mountain, where the Monster Hunters should position themselves, and where the Taoist Soldiers would lie in ambush. He then explained how to attack the stronghold, to what extent the feigned attacks should carry on, and in case of a retreat, where to fall back to, where to cooperate with each other, and when should the Taoist Soldiers launch their assault… and so on. Elder Yu and others also raised questions or suggestions. Leader Yang either answered them or considered them carefully. After discussing for half a day, the plan gradually became complete. Mo Hua just listened from the side. He was unfamiliar with these matters. Whether it was Leader Yang who had experience with military campaigns or Elder Yu of the Monster Hunting Guild, both had much more expertise than him. Every matter in the world is a matter of learning. Mo Hua just listened attentively, taking the opportunity to learn something new. After the discussion was over, everyone dispersed. Mo Hua lingered behind and quietly asked Zhang Lan: “Uncle Zhang, won’t there be any problems?” Zhang Lan patted Mo Hua’s shoulder, “There are risks in everything, but the risks in this battle are already quite small.” “Why?” Zhang Lan said, “One is because of the intelligence you eavesdropped on, and two, the Taoist Court’s Taoist Soldiers are actually stronger than you think.” Mo Hua was somewhat puzzled, “Are they really that strong?” “Of course,” Zhang Lan said, “The Taoist Court’s unification of the Cultivation World depends on its powerful Taoist Soldiers. Battalions of hundreds, or even larger-scale campaigns involving Taoist Soldiers, are completely different from ordinary cultivators’ battles.” Mo Hua had never witnessed it himself and didn’t fully understand, but he still nodded his head and felt somewhat relieved. Leader Yang was decisive, and once the plan was fully prepared, the cultivators were deployed within two days. Before 6 A.M., with the sky not yet bright, three hundred experienced Qi Refining Ninth Level Monster Hunters and three hundred well-trained Taoist Soldiers set out in the cover of the dim sky, led by Leader Yang, Elder Yu, and Court Leader Zhou, quietly advancing into the deep mountains. Mo Hua also wanted to go but was met with firm opposition from everyone. Not only did his father, Mo Shan, forbid him, but even Court Leader Zhou, Zhang Lan, Elder Yu, Yu Chengyi, and even Leader Yang did not want him to go. It wouldn’t matter much if they suffered injuries, but it would be a serious matter if Mo Hua got hurt. Mo Hua had no choice but to stay put honestly at the Taoist Soldiers’ camp on Nameless Peak. The camp was in Inner Mountain, relatively safer, and moreover, if they encountered any tricky Formation during the assault on Black Mountain Stronghold, they could come back and ask Mo Hua for advice. Some Taoist Soldiers also remained in the camp, both to guard the camp and to protect Mo Hua. Mo Hua stayed in the camp, unable to sleep all night. He practiced Formation on the Taoist Stele in his Sea of Consciousness until dawn when a stir finally came from afar. Even from a great distance, faint sounds of combat reached him, filled with grave murderous intent. Even without sensing with his Divine Sense, he could feel waves of intense Spiritual Power fluctuations. It was a large number of Qi Refining Ninth Level cultivators fighting fiercely, as well as Foundation Building Cultivators unleashing their full power! Mo Hua furrowed his brow, beginning to worry. His father Mo Shan and many of his uncles, with whom he had good relations, were inside the deep mountains, battling those vicious evil cultivators. Mo Hua wanted to have a look but restrained himself. It seemed that going now wouldn’t be of any help, and he might even add to the chaos. Mo Hua could only force himself to draw some Formations to calm his mind. The battle at Black Mountain Stronghold lasted for three days. After three days, news came through. The Taoist Soldiers and Monster Hunters suffered minor casualties. Most, including Mo Shan, Elder Yu, and Zhang Lan, were just wounded. And Black Mountain Stronghold, which had been entrenched in the deep mountains for hundreds of years, was completely conquered! “`