The Quest for Immortality

This is Mo Hua’s fourth year entering Taixu Gate.

It is also the academic year for the Foundation Building Middle Stage.

This year marks the beginning of Mo Hua’s study of the Tao cultivation course for the Foundation Building Middle Stage, including engagement with artifact refining, alchemy, and runes of the Second Grade Middle Stage.

Additionally, step by step, Mo Hua will delve deeper into learning High-Level Second Grade Formations.

Striving to enhance his Divine Sense to Nineteen Patterns within three years.

This is the minor goal Mo Hua has set for himself.

He originally thought about targeting Twenty Patterns, but he also knows deep down that it’s practically impossible.

Twenty Patterns correspond to the Divine Sense of the Golden Core Realm, and given his current cultivation and the growth rate of his Divine Sense, it’s absolutely unattainable in the short term.

Afterward, everything proceeded as usual.

Though the cultivation course changed, the overall framework of the inheritance did not.

Neither did the Elders nor the Instructors who taught the classes change.

Thus, Mo Hua quickly adapted to the study year for the Foundation Building Middle Phase.

After two months, once the Disciples’ cultivation stabilized and everything was on the right track, the Sect informed Mo Hua and the others:

Refining Demon Mountain is now open.

The Elder responsible for cultivation instruction stood before the Tao Teaching Room, and addressed the crowd of Disciples:

”Refining Demon Mountain, as its name implies, is a place for Disciples to hunt Monster Beasts, hone their Taoist Skills, and temper themselves.”

”This is also the most important source of Merit Points for you during the Foundation Building Middle Phase, aside from undertaking rewards.”

”Some rewards even specifically involve hunting Monster Beasts.”

”The Monster Beasts on Refining Demon Mountain come in a wide variety, possess unique Bloodlines, and are formidable. Many rare Monster Beast materials cannot be bought even with Spirit Stones.”

”Therefore, for Sword Cultivators, Artifact Refiners, Alchemists, or any Disciple who needs to refine Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts, visiting Refining Demon Mountain is indispensable.”

”However, Monster Beasts are different from Cultivators...”

The Elder paused slightly, lifting his eyes to the group of Disciples:

”You who hail from noble families have led privileged lives from a young age and mostly seen docile Spirit Beasts. Few among you have truly seen Monster Beasts up close.”

”Monster Beasts have intense Blood Qi and overflowing demonic power, making them very difficult to handle. They are also of a fierce nature, many of which prey on humans.”

”Even those that feed on Spirit Grass and drink sweet dew do not consume humans, but they will still kill humans.”

”Therefore, when hunting Monster Beasts, there should be a group of at least five and up to ten people. And one must be exceedingly cautious, to avoid unwittingly falling victim to these beasts.”

”When you go out to fulfill rewards, Sin Cultivators and Demon Cultivators might not be reasonable, however, such Evil Demons fear the Sect and dread the noble families backing you, hence they may not truly dare to strike a deadly blow.”

”But once you enter Refining Demon Mountain, you will face ferocious Monster Beasts devoid of humanity, and there truly is no reasoning with them.”

”If you are not careful and neglect vigilance, it is highly likely that you end up in the belly of a beast.”

”Moreover, those capable of being captured by the Elders of the Sects and deliberately placed inside Refining Demon Mountain are no ordinary beasts, making them even more troublesome to handle.”

The Elder pondered for a moment, then said slowly, ”Although Refining Demon Mountain is now open, as per usual practice, at least until the second half of the year, or maybe next year...”

”When your cultivation becomes more solid, and your Taoist Skills and Spiritual Artifacts are more attuned with your Cultivation, then consider venturing into Refining Demon Mountain to hunt Monster Beasts, extract materials, and earn Merit Points. It wouldn’t be too late.”

”Sharpening the axe does not delay the work of cutting wood. Do not be hasty and reckless, or else you might suffer the consequences.”

”I have said my part, as for when to enter Refining Demon Mountain, you should weigh it for yourselves...”

The Elder’s gaze lowered, sweeping over the seated Disciples, ”One final thing to say to all of you...”

”If you encounter betrayal by your fellow Sect Disciples or other Sect Disciples within Refining Demon Mountain, even if it’s one of the Four Great Sects, our Sect will certainly demand an explanation.”

”However, if you meet your end within a Monster Beast’s jaws due to your own foolishness and rash actions, the Sect will not take responsibility.”

”Not only Taixu Gate, but this is also the custom throughout Qianxue State Boundary.”

The sons of noble families, if content with self-degradation, can certainly continue their lives of luxury and extravagance.

But if they truly wish to advance, the pressure is great, and the competition, even more so.

Yet even so, being raised within prestigious families shielded from the wind and rain, where most struggles revolve around family interests and personal prospects without truly facing the deadly dangers of the Cultivation World.

Therefore, upon joining the Sect, they must begin to adapt accordingly.

Undertaking rewards is one aspect, to teach Disciples how to deal with Sin Cultivators and understand the malignity of human hearts.

Refining Demon Mountain is the second point, to teach Disciples about the ferocity of Monster Beasts.

Therefore, a long time ago, an Elder of the Qianxue State Boundary, against much opposition, set this rule:

To die within a Monster Beast’s mouth on Refining Demon Mountain is to die in vain.

This rule was established to instill a sense of risk awareness in the Disciples of the Sect, to appreciate the difficulty of life and experience the horror of death.

Upon hearing this, the faces of the seated Disciples all turned solemn, with a sense of vigilance in their hearts.

Mo Hua also felt a bit tense.

But his tension was due to anticipation.

Monster Hunting!

He felt the ”Bloodline” of the Monster Hunter within him growing restless.

In the Refining Demon Mountain, where towering peaks and dense forests house gatherings of Monster Beasts, there will be so much to do.

But he does not know whether Elder Master Xun will agree to him entering the mountain.

Mo Hua pondered to himself.

On the surface, Elder Master Xun’s grounding order was to prevent him from leaving Qianxue State Boundary.

Since Refining Demon Mountain is within Qianxue State Boundary, within the established limits, there should be no issues.

But Mo Hua knew that Elder Master Xun’s intention was to keep him away from danger and have him concentrate on studying Formations securely.

Refining Demon Mountain is perilous, and Elder Master Xun might not agree to him entering.

After deliberating, Mo Hua decided to consult Elder Master Xun anyway.

Upon seeking an audience with Elder Master Xun, Mo Hua’s request to enter the mountain was flatly refused as soon as he broached the subject.

Elder Master Xun, with a stern face and strict tone yet revealing concern, said, ”You child, why such eagerness for trouble?”