Bai Zisheng asked, "Shall we just make a move?" Mo Hua thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Although that Zhang Quan is injured and has suffered the backlash from pills, which greatly reduced his strength, this is his lair. We still need to make some preparations, to be as thorough as possible." After speaking, Mo Hua took out several Array Plates. On the Array Plates were the Earth Prison Formations that Mo Hua had already drawn in advance. Ever since witnessing Zhang Quan’s Earth Escape Technique, Mo Hua went back and pondered how to counter this kind of Escape Technique. His forte was formations, so naturally, he started from there. This Earth Prison Formation was something he had learned in the past few days, and then he took the time to draw some on the Array Plates, specifically to break Zhang Quan’s Earth Escape Technique. Zhang Quan was a Foundation Building Cultivator. The Earth Prison Formation was only of the first grade, so the effect for trapping enemies would be greatly diminished. But in this kind of encirclement battle, if one can delay just for a few moments, it could be enough to tip the balance of the fight. Though the mine was not large, to seal it with formations, the Array Plates were clearly not enough. Mo Hua then personally drew several Earth Prison Formations on the ground. These Formations had a special technique; Spiritual Ink seeped into the soil and rocks, and the Formation Patterns integrated with the earth, a method Mo Hua learned after contemplating the Earth Dao Meaning using the Thick Earth Formation. Using the ground as the Formation media, he drew the ground into formation. These several Earth Prison Formations, being one with the earth, were more concealed and their effects were somewhat stronger. After the preparations were complete, Mo Hua discussed with Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi the points of attention for dealing with Zhang Quan: "We can’t let him consume pills." "The moment he takes out a pill, we must interrupt him immediately." "Without consuming pills, Zhang Quan’s physical body and spells are quite weak." "Be wary of his Earth Escape." "If he burrows into the ground, try to corner him in the direction of the Earth Prison Formation…" "The Earth Prison Formation can trap him for a few moments; during this opportunity, beat him mercilessly!" "Tao cultivation is treacherous; we can’t be too reckless…" "If the situation turns bad, we’ll run and plan again from there…" … After discussing, Mo Hua said, "I’ll go in first to have a look." His Divine Sense was strong, and so was his stealth; Zhang Quan wouldn’t detect him. But for Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi, although their Divine Sense was not weak, they were still within the Qi Refinement Realm, and relying solely on the cloak’s stealth, they could easily be discovered by Zhang Quan’s Divine Sense. Bai Zisheng nodded. Bai Zixi whispered with caution, "Be careful." "Mm." Mo Hua then concealed himself, restrained his footsteps, and tiptoed into the abandoned mine. The outside of the mine was chaotic, but it was even more so on the inside. Abandoned mining tunnels, scrap iron, rusty mine carts, and stones scattered all over the place. The smell of rust, mustiness, and Filthy Qi intertwined with the aura of death. Mo Hua frowned slightly. This place — Zhang Quan could actually bear to stay here… Was it truly like being in an abalone shop, where one becomes accustomed to the stench over time? This mine was small, and the mine shafts were not deep. As Mo Hua walked a little while, he found at the end of the mine shaft, in a semi-sealed stone room, Zhang Quan — pale-faced, as if "adding frost to snow" — was cultivating to regulate his breath, seemingly severely injured. Mo Hua touched his chin thoughtfully. Should he strike directly? But it’s a bit risky inside the mine. And since this was where Zhang Quan had hidden, in the rush, Mo Hua had not thoroughly investigated and did not know what arrangements he had made. Mo Hua pondered for a moment, then quietly retreated a little. ``` Then he began setting up some Earth Fire Formations around the stone walls of the mine. The Earth Fire Formation was quite useful; ever since the monster hunting at Big Black Mountain, Mo Hua had been using it regularly and had become quite adept. It was considered essential for home, travel, setting traps, ambushes, and designing enemy killings. Whenever he had nothing else to do, he would prepare some and keep them in his storage bag. Now, they just happened to come in handy. Mo Hua wanted to force Zhang Quan out. Or perhaps, cause the mine to collapse and bury Zhang Quan directly? "A cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Stage, no matter how weak, shouldn’t be buried alive, right..." Mo Hua then thought about using Zhang Quan as a test. After he had set up the Earth Fire Formation, he sneaked out of the mine and whispered to Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi: "We should run far away." Bai Zisheng looked at him suspiciously, "What did you do?" Mo Hua chuckled slyly: "I’ve prepared a welcoming gift for Zhang Quan!" The three of them ran far away and hid behind a large boulder. Mo Hua covered his ears, and Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi, though puzzled, did the same. Soon after, there was a thunderous explosion, and the mine collapsed. The noise was tremendous. But fortunately, this place was remote, and it was in a mining area where blasting was common, so it did not attract the attention of other cultivators. The collapse of the mine raised a thick cloud of dust. When the dust settled, the entrance was blocked by large stones. Mo Hua was somewhat surprised. Possibly due to the uniqueness of the mine, with its mixed aura and dangers, the Earth Fire Formation was more powerful than he had anticipated. Bai Zisheng said, "He hasn’t been blasted to death, has he?" Mo Hua was not sure either, "He shouldn’t have. It’s just a first-grade Earth Fire Formation, and the mine isn’t that deep..." Before he finished speaking, there was a disturbance at the mine entrance. The noise grew louder and soon, the rocks blocking the entrance were shattered, and a cultivator with a dirt-smudged face and rags hanging off his body emerged. He bellowed angrily: "Who? Who is it?" "Who the fuck is it?" "Who dares to plot against me?!" This person was indeed the Foundation Establishment Stage Zhang Quan. The moment the Earth Fire Formation exploded, he had realized it, and then he ran desperately to get out, but was still blocked by the huge rocks. The Earth Fire Formation’s power had greatly increased inside the mine tunnel. Although not fatal, it had blasted him until his skin was charred, he felt a thud in his head and ringing in his ears, and he was in a sorry state. This mining area was his hiding place. Under the rage of Zhang Quan, he couldn’t think of anyone who could find him or who would dare to calculate against him like this. And moreover, using a formation! Formations were not something ordinary cultivators could learn. Just then, Zhang Quan was startled. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a flash of golden light. This speck of golden light was all too familiar. Zhang Quan hastily turned around, only to see a young boy in white, and at the same time, his long spear, as well as the dazzling golden light at the tip of the spear. A golden streak arrived first, followed by the thrust of the spear like a dragon. Bai Zisheng’s spear was fierce, aiming straight for Zhang Quan’s throat. Zhang Quan was terrified. It was the young boy from the Hundred Flower Tower! He panicked. Back then in the Hundred Flower Tower, he had taken a Corpse Blood Pill, and his cultivation had increased, allowing him just barely to suppress this young cultivator in white. ``` He was severely injured and suffering from the backlash of medicinal power, undoubtedly no match for this young boy. Zhang Quan used his arm to block the spear. A bloodstain was immediately drawn on his hand, leaving a trickle of blood. Zhang Quan gritted his teeth and used the Earth Escape Technique, vanishing into the ground. Just moments after his disappearance, a fireball, with the speed of lightning that one couldn’t cover one’s ears in time, struck a pile of rubble. Bai Zisheng and Mo Hua were fellow disciples, having spent a long time together; even though they occasionally quibbled, they were extremely in sync. The moment Mo Hua’s Fireball Technique flew out, Bai Zisheng’s gaze shifted. As the Fireball Technique hit the rubble, Bai Zisheng also made his move, thrusting his spear forward. Blood seeped from the ground. Then, a few mottled furrows appeared and spread outward, revealing Zhang Quan’s disheveled figure. He covered his bleeding shoulder, his eyes red with rage. This Fireball Technique, he knew it all too well! That damned, sneaky little devil! Zhang Quan looked around and indeed saw Mo Hua sitting cross-legged on a large rock in the distance, watching him with a mocking expression on his face. "It’s you!!" Zhang Quan’s eyes were about to split with fury. Mo Hua nodded, "Yes, it’s me!" Zhang Quan clenched his teeth, but suddenly felt a tremor in his heart, and with a change of expression, asked: "That needle, was it your doing?" Mo Hua asked in confusion, "How did you figure that out?" Zhang Quan remained silent. He had discovered the needle on his clothes only after he had left the secret passage and changed his attire. He couldn’t understand the purpose of this needle. But his years of experience in Tao cultivation told him that such things must not be kept, so he destroyed the needle and discarded it. And now, he had hidden in this remote mine, so well-concealed, and yet he had been discovered. Considering this, the needle must have been for tracking. Those who tracked him down were these three young cultivators. So, this needle had to be the work of these three young cultivators. Among these three, this youngest looking, seemingly innocent but most cunning little cultivator must be the instigator behind the needle. Zhang Quan ground his teeth in hatred. He wanted to rush over and slaughter Mo Hua right then and there. But then, he caught sight of Bai Zixi beside Mo Hua. That beautiful young girl with a cool demeanor, her sword emitting a brilliant glow and entwined with white flames. Back at the Hundred Flower Tower, that golden sword light had pierced his Iron Corpse shell. Zhang Quan, wary, couldn’t help but curse: "Shameless little devil, you bully others with your power! If you have the guts, come over and fight me head-on, instead of skulking around!" Mo Hua said, shocked: "You’re such an old cultivator, how can you have no shame, asking me, a little cultivator barely in my teens, to duel you one-on-one..." "You think I’m as foolish as you?" Zhang Quan angrily retorted, "Sharp-tongued!" At that moment, Bai Zisheng stabbed with his spear again. Zhang Quan parried clumsily, and after a few exchanges, he began to struggle. With his injuries not yet healed, he would surely lose if this continued. Exerting all his strength, Zhang Quan took a hit from Bai Zisheng, shook him off with a palm strike, and then fled into the earth, attempting to escape outside. But he hadn’t gotten far when he realized that the soil beneath him had changed, forming bars and creating a prison that trapped him. Zhang Quan was shocked. What was this thing? The Earth Prison Formation trapped Zhang Quan, who struggled fiercely. After a few moments, he broke the formation and escaped. But Bai Zisheng also rushed over, entangling him. Zhang Quan tried to flee, was trapped again, and was caught up with by Bai Zisheng. After several attempts, Zhang Quan understood. It was a formation! There were array plates laid on the ground around this area. They used the formation to counter his Earth Escape Technique. Indeed, it was a good strategy! Zhang Quan’s heart felt a chill, but he was not particularly nervous. Now that he knew it was a formation, there was a way to deal with it. Though he did not understand formations, this did not mean he lacked experience in dealing with them. Moreover, he often dealt with Formation Masters. The nearby Earth Series formations used the array plates as formation media, and the array plates on the ground were visible. As long as he avoided the array plates, he would avoid the formation. Zhang Quan burrowed into the ground, choosing a direction without array plates, and escaped. However, unexpectedly, he was trapped again. And this time, the Earth Series formation that trapped him was somewhat stronger, and it held him for even longer. This formation seemed to merge with the Earth, its presence profound. It was as if the will of this expanse of land wanted to imprison him. Zhang Quan’s expression suddenly changed. What kind of tactics were these? How could such a formation be laid out? Who laid out this formation, and how did they merge it with the Earth? Zhang Quan was completely baffled. While he was stunned, Bai Zisheng stabbed him in the back with a spear once again. Zhang Quan’s heart turned cold, and he endured the pain, his embarrassment quickly turning into rage. He was a Foundation Establishment cultivator. When had he ever been so humiliated, chased by a few Qi Refinement Realm juniors like a mangy dog, scurrying around in disgrace? Zhang Quan revealed his figure, bleeding profusely. His expression was full of gloom and ferocity. "I must kill you all!" Zhang Quan took out a blood-patterned bronze medicine bottle. Even if he suffered from the backlash of the medicine or went mad from it, he wanted to kill these junior cultivators! Your next journey awaits at empire But Bai Zisheng had been waiting for this moment. Seeing him take out the medicine bottle, preparing to take pills, Bai Zisheng immediately made a move, his spear slicing Zhang Quan’s palm open and knocking the medicine bottle away. Zhang Quan was both shocked and furious, disbelief written all over his face. You bastards, won’t you give me even a slight chance?! Escape techniques, Corpse Blood Pills, every tactic I’ve used has been thwarted! Bai Zisheng, clad in white, majestic and tall, pointed his spear at Zhang Quan and said loudly: "Use whatever means you have left!" These words were Mo Hua’s idea for him to say. He was also told to strike an imposing and arrogant pose while speaking, to appear handsome and dismissive. Zhang Quan’s complexion turned even paler, but his eyes began to show a dense network of blood vessels. Driven to desperation, he no longer needed to hide anything. "These things, I never wanted any living person to see..." Zhang Quan’s voice was laced with bone-chilling venom. Bai Zisheng frowned slightly, and Mo Hua also had a concentrated look in her eyes. Just then, in the dead silence of the mines, a horrifying bell sound suddenly rang out. With the ringing of the bell, a chill wind blew by. The surrounding rocks trembled and fell away, revealing dozens of black coffins hidden among the rubble. From within the coffins came the sound of nails scraping. It was as if something had awakened...