The Quest for Immortality

Cheng Mo and the others are not Monster Hunters, lacking experience, so they must start with the simple tasks and progress step by step.

Within the Disciple’s Residence, Mo Hua sat by candlelight, deep in thought.

The Demon Refining Mountain Map had been completed.

He also had a general understanding of the various Second Grade Early Stage Demonic Creatures in Demon Refining Mountain.

Everything was ready; it was time to think about practical action.

Mo Hua studied the Demon Refining Mountain Map, flipping through it for half a day before drafting a route, selecting beasts, and planning strategies.

The next day, Mo Hua wrote a letter and handed it to Master Gu, asking him to help forge a batch of armor.

A few days later, when the armor was ready, Mo Hua approached Cheng Mo and stated frankly:

”The day after tomorrow during the rest period, come with me to Demon Refining Mountain.”

Cheng Mo, whose injuries had just healed, felt a chill upon hearing this, his body still aching faintly.

Even now, he dreamt of the slap that bear had delivered.

Refusing to back down despite his fear, Cheng Mo put on a brave face and boastfully declared:

”Junior Brother, don’t worry. Once we’re in Demon Refining Mountain, I promise to keep you safe!”

But after showing off, he cautiously asked, ”Junior Brother, what are you planning to do in Demon Refining Mountain?”

”What do you think?”

Cheng Mo faltered. ”It can’t be... monster hunting, can it?”

Mo Hua nodded. ”You’re clever.”

Cheng Mo forced a smile, unable to truly laugh.

He glanced at himself—tall and robust, yet bedridden for nearly half a month because of one bear slap.

Then he looked at Mo Hua—slim and refined, though he had grown a bit, still had skinny arms and legs compared to his own.

Cheng Mo muttered under his breath, ”Maybe we should reconsider? A gentleman can exact revenge even ten years later; let’s spare the beasts in the mountain for now.”

Mo Hua replied, ”Are you scared?”

Cheng Mo chuckled awkwardly. ”It’s not that I’m scared; I’m just afraid the beasts might hurt you.”

”No worries,” Mo Hua said proudly. ”Haven’t I told you? I’m from a family of Monster Hunters; this skill has been passed down for generations!”

Cheng Mo’s expression grew complicated.

Saying it was one thing, believing it was another...

Moreover, the terrain varied, the monsters differed, and the hunting techniques weren’t universal.

One can’t use an ancestral ”sword” to slay monsters in Qian State!

Seeing Cheng Mo’s skepticism, Mo Hua sighed. ”Fine, I’ll find someone else.”

Cheng Mo panicked at once.

Whether they hunted monsters or not was secondary, but clinging to a powerful ally was paramount!

After spending quite some time with Mo Hua, Cheng Mo had become relatively familiar with him and knew of his extraordinary intellect, mysterious mastery of formations, and enigmatic background.

Even the stern Elder Master Xun openly supported him.

This was a true ”golden thigh!”

Even if Junior Brother only went to Demon Refining Mountain for sightseeing, Cheng Mo had to follow along.

Cheng Mo grinned. ”I’m just worried my recent injuries might slow us down. Junior Brother, if you don’t mind, I’ll gladly accompany you in whatever you do!”

The underlying message: Take me with you, no matter what.

”Fine,” Mo Hua nodded in satisfaction.

Cheng Mo naturally roped in Situ Jian and the others as well.

Demon Refining Mountain was difficult to navigate; the monsters were hard to slay, merit points were difficult to earn, and the entrance fee alone cost 100 merit points. With their current cultivation level, entering the mountain would almost guarantee a loss.

Situ Jian and the others had originally given up, deciding to wait until their cultivation improved before venturing into the mountain for hunting.

But upon hearing Cheng Mo say that Mo Hua planned to take them into the mountain, their previously disheartened spirits quietly reignited.

Though they didn’t know Mo Hua’s exact plans or methods for dealing with the perilous Demon Refining Mountain and its bloodthirsty monsters...

Following Junior Brother’s lead was undoubtedly the right choice.

This belief stemmed from previous experiences and proved an unassailable truth.

During the rest period, Mo Hua made a quick trip to the Gu Family’s stores in Tai Xu City, picked up some Spiritual Artifacts, drew a few formations on them, and then met with Cheng Mo and the others to head toward Demon Refining Mountain.

At the mountain gate, each person spent 100 merit points to purchase a Demon Refining Command before entering the mountain.

However, as they entered, Mo Hua failed to notice a handsome, relaxed-looking man with a Long Elder’s demeanor, who discreetly cast a glance their way.

This man was none other than Elder Xun’s assigned overseer, Elder Xun Ziyou.

His surname was Xun, given name Ziyou. He hailed from the Xun family and was a direct descendant of Elder Master Xun. With Late Golden Core Stage cultivation, he served as an Elder within Taixu Gate’s Inner Gate.

Watching Mo Hua enter the mountain, Xun Ziyou sighed softly.

”Here we go again...”

He had thought that after two consecutive rest periods spent roaming the mountain, Mo Hua would settle down for a while, but it seemed the moment he had free time, the boy was ready to dive in again.

And this time, he even brought four kids along.

Surely he wasn’t contemplating monster hunting now, was he?

In his mind, Xun Ziyou surveyed the disciples’ cultivation levels and shook his head slightly.

”This is risky...”

They might stand a chance against Second Grade Early Stage Monster Beasts, but the risk was substantial.

Even within the same grade, some beasts were strong, others weak.

If they encountered weaker ones, escaping would be possible even if they couldn’t win.

But coming across stronger ones, failing to defeat them might cost them their lives in Demon Refining Mountain.

Reluctantly sipping his tea, Xun Ziyou murmured, ”So much for my peaceful days...”

It had been troublesome enough keeping an eye on just one of them, but now, in the blink of an eye, it had grown to five...

Smacking his lips, Xun Ziyou found the tea tasted bitter. Shaking his head, he instructed the nearby gatekeeping disciples:

”Keep watch over the mountain gate; I’ll take a look inside.”

The disciples nearby bowed respectfully. ”Yes, Elder.”

In a flash, Xun Ziyou entered Demon Refining Mountain.

Meanwhile, at the foot of Demon Refining Mountain, Mo Hua and the group were seated cross-legged on a large stone, gathering together.

Mo Hua said, ”This time, we aim to hunt a Second Grade Primary Rank Monster Beast called the Cangmu Wolf...”