The Patriarch of the Qian Family suddenly realized but couldn’t quite believe it: "How could it be you? You’re just a little…" Mo Hua stubbornly denied, "It wasn’t me." But his denial was futile. The Patriarch of the Qian Family looked at Mo Hua, his gaze already very certain, yet he did not seem angry. Besides feeling nervous, Mo Hua was also somewhat puzzled. He had fooled Black Mountain Stronghold and even duped the Patriarch of the Qian Family, yet there wasn’t a trace of hatred in the patriarch’s eyes. Was his temper really this good? "Are you wondering why I’m not angry?" the Patriarch of the Qian Family asked. Mo Hua nodded. The gaze of the Patriarch of the Qian Family deepened, "If you were an ordinary cultivator, whether a Monster Hunter, a Tribunal Cultivator, or a clan cultivator, having destroyed my hundred years of effort, I would have you torn to pieces." "But you are different," the Patriarch of the Qian Family’s gaze showed surprise, "You’re just a child in your teenage years, capable of these feats, your courage, wisdom, and strategies are exceptional, which was beyond my expectation." "What’s more important is that you are a Formation Master, and your mastery in formations is even much more profound than that of the third Householder at the Foundation Establishment Stage…" "It is just a pity that you are not a member of my Qian Family…" The Patriarch of the Qian Family’s tone carried a faint regret. "So what if I were a member of the Qian Family?" Mo Hua asked with confusion. The Patriarch of the Qian Family’s gaze hardened, "If you were a member of the Qian Family, even just a side branch, with even the slightest trace of the Qian Family bloodline, I could make you an elder…" "And even if you wished, I could go against all opposition, and make you the Family Head of the Qian Family!" Mo Hua curled his lips, "You should find some more credible lies if you want to deceive people." "Everything in the Qian Family is up to me, if I say you can be the family head, then you would become the family head for sure!" the Patriarch of the Qian Family said. "Being the family head isn’t necessarily a good thing," Mo Hua pointed to Qian Hong, lying on the ground, "This family head just got killed by you..." The Patriarch of the Qian Family was slightly stunned, then shook his head, "You are different from him!" The Patriarch of the Qian Family’s gaze grew somber, "Hong’er, in terms of talent, character, or means, is much inferior. The only value he had was his bloodline; my blood ran in his veins." "So he just serves as a primer for you?" Mo Hua taunted with indifference. But the Patriarch of the Qian Family was not angered, instead, he smiled lightly, "Everyone has their talents, and everything has its use." So you don’t even think of your own grandson as a person… Mo Hua’s look towards the Patriarch of the Qian Family was even more contemptuous. The Patriarch of the Qian Family frowned in thought, then his eyes suddenly lit up, "No, it doesn’t matter if you’re not from the Qian Family. With your abilities, bloodline has become irrelevant." The Patriarch of the Qian Family looked at Mo Hua, "You can come work for me; we’ll build another Black Mountain Stronghold, and I’ll make you the Chief Elder of Black Mountain Stronghold!" "I won’t show my face, and you’ll be above millions as the leader of Black Mountain Stronghold, those evil cultivators will all follow your orders, with respect only to you!" Mo Hua opened his mouth but found himself at a loss for words. This Patriarch of the Qian Family really dared to dream… "Black Mountain Stronghold is gone," Mo Hua reminded him. "It’s the Black Mountain Stronghold of Big Black Mountain that’s gone," the Patriarch of the Qian Family’s gaze sharpened, "but this world doesn’t have just one Big Black Mountain, nor just one Black Mountain Stronghold." "Anywhere can be Big Black Mountain; wherever there are people, a Black Mountain Stronghold could exist." "What name it’s called is just an intimidating title." Mo Hua’s heart grew cold. This Patriarch of the Qian Family had bigger ambitions than he had thought, his schemes were truly profound, and he cared not for temporary gains or losses, able to let go of past grudges. Should he succeed, he would surely become a demon path tyrant. Mo Hua was too lazy to beat around the bush with him and decisively said, "It’s impossible for me to join you!" "Why not?" Mo Hua thought for a moment, then found a somewhat cool reason to say, "Our paths are different, we cannot plan together!" The Patriarch of the Qian Family scoffed slightly, "You’re so young, what do you know of ’the path’?" "No matter what ’the path’ is, it’s definitely not the same as yours," Mo Hua said. The Patriarch of the Qian Family’s expression gradually faded, his tone growing cold, "When you grow up, when you leave Tongxian City, you will see the world’s suffering, witness the chaos of the mortal realm, and taste the despair of Tao cultivation. Then you will understand that what I say is right…" "We’ll have to wait until I’ve seen it to say," Mo Hua didn’t buy the Patriarch of the Qian Family’s bluff, "How can I possibly know without seeing things with my own eyes?" Knowing he could not persuade Mo Hua, the Patriarch of the Qian Family stepped back, "You have time to think over these matters, but for now, you could start by doing a task for me. Whatever you want, I will do everything in my power to provide." The Patriarch of the Qian Family spoke earnestly. The third Householder was locked up in Taoist Prison; he needed a Formation Master. In comparison to Mo Hua, the third Householder’s formation skills were far inferior. If Mo Hua could help him, whether the third Householder lived or died was not of any concern to him. "And if I don’t wish to?" Mo Hua said coldly. "Then it’s not up to you," the Patriarch of the Qian Family said lightly. Mo Hua’s gaze hardened, "Do you intend to kill me?" "I won’t kill you," said the Patriarch of the Qian Family, "but you must have parents and friends, right?" Mo Hua raised an eyebrow and said, "You dare!" The Patriarch of the Qian Family didn’t want to anger Mo Hua or leave him with grudges. He wanted Mo Hua’s willing help, so he spoke softly, "As long as you help me, I can leave them unharmed." Mo Hua sneered inwardly. The Patriarch of the Qian Family asked, "You don’t believe me?" Mo Hua looked at him with disdain, "What do you think?" He had even killed his own flesh and blood, showing how ruthless and unprincipled he was. His words were nonsense, not a single one could be trusted. Even if he helped the Patriarch of the Qian Family, he would just be the second Householder. Useful when needed, discarded when not. Seeing that Mo Hua was unpersuaded, the Patriarch of the Qian Family also lost interest in convincing him. After all, once his cultivation broke through, he could threaten Mo Hua with his parents. He didn’t believe Mo Hua would defy him then. And with Mo Hua’s formation expertise, given time, rebuilding the Black Mountain Stronghold wouldn’t be difficult. It would just take a little more time. Time erodes the mind, and Mo Hua, still young, couldn’t have an unswerving Taoist heart. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂 Deep within people’s hearts lie great desires. He just needed to find a way to tempt Mo Hua onto the Demon Path; even if Mo Hua took only one step, he would never turn back. At that time, Mo Hua would have no choice but to willingly serve him. He would still be able to rebuild the Black Mountain Stronghold, harbor evil cultivators, and use formations for concealment and stealth. However, this time, with Mo Hua’s formation enhancements, the Black Mountain Stronghold would be even stronger and forever hidden from discovery. After all, there wasn’t likely to be another junior cultivator who could, like Mo Hua, excel in stealth and formations, be brave and strategic, daring enough to infiltrate Black Mountain Stronghold and steal its dark secrets. Mo Hua also understood the Patriarch of the Qian Family’s intentions and said unhappily, "Unjust deeds will surely kill oneself; beware the retribution you invite." The Patriarch of the Qian Family thought Mo Hua was naive and scoffed, "If there really was retribution in this world, I should have suffered it long ago, not lived til now." Mo Hua wanted to say more but saw the Patriarch of the Qian Family smile faintly, "Are you still thinking about buying time?" Mo Hua said righteously, "Haven’t I been delaying time all along?" The Patriarch of the Qian Family’s gaze on Mo Hua grew more appreciative and also meaningful, "Do you guess whether I am now assimilating the medicinal power or not?" Mo Hua was taken aback, released his Divine Sense, and his heart shook. The Patriarch of the Qian Family’s aura was gradually becoming stronger! The Patriarch of the Qian Family said calmly, "I know you rang the bell to call for help, but this lair is complex. By the time they arrive, I will have just finished assimilating the medication, broken through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and will be ready to annihilate them, avenging the previous ambush." Mo Hua was shocked; everything was within the calculation of the Patriarch of the Qian Family. He had been assimilating the power of the Lifespan Transformation Elixir in his body all along, just toying with him while conversing! A chill grew at the bottom of Mo Hua’s heart, and panic set in. He forced himself to stay calm, to think of any possible solutions. But his thoughts were in disarray, and he couldn’t come up with any ideas on the spot. Just as he was at a loss, Mo Hua suddenly stared blankly, then his face showed horror as he looked behind the Patriarch of the Qian Family as if he had seen a terrifying scene. The Patriarch of the Qian Family thought Mo Hua was pretending to trick him and paid no attention. But Mo Hua had truly seen a horrific scene! He saw that the dead pig had silently stood up! It was already dead, its eyes were clouded white, and therefore it emitted no aura at all. The Patriarch of the Qian Family didn’t realize it. With an aura of deathly stillness, the pig silently walked up behind the Patriarch of the Qian Family. Unaware, the Patriarch of the Qian Family sensed something was off because Mo Hua’s terrified expression seemed genuine. The Patriarch of the Qian Family thought to turn around and take a look, but it was too late. The Pig Monster with clouded white eyes opened its blood-filled mouth and in one bite, bit off the right side of the Patriarch of the Qian Family’s body. The Patriarch of the Qian Family’s shocked expression lingered on his face, utterly unaware of what happened. As he struggled to turn his head, he then saw the dead pig, looking at him with cold, hollow eyes. "How could this…" The Patriarch of the Qian Family murmured. The Pig Monster chewed the half of his body briefly and directly swallowed it. Before the Patriarch of the Qian Family could utter another word, the gaping maw opened again. This second bite completely devoured the cunning and deep-thinking Patriarch of the Qian Family! Those who fed on humans ended up feeding the pigs.