The Quest for Immortality

Mo Hua’s gaze sharpened. ”A monster?”

Situ Jian frowned and said, ”Yes, a monster. It doesn’t look like a Monster Beast, but it doesn’t look human either. Or rather, it looks both like a Monster Beast and a human.”

”It can stand on two legs or crawl on all fours. Its body is massive, wrapped in black cloth, completely shrouded in darkness, making it impossible to discern its features. The only thing visible are its eyes, blood-red like a pool of crimson...”

”The monster suddenly lunged out, its claws sharp, bringing a gust of rancid wind as it attacked. Everyone was caught off guard.”

”Cheng Mo was the first to step forward and confront the monster.”

”But the monster was too strong. With just one move, it opened a deep wound across Cheng Mo’s chest.”

”We hurried forward to assist, and the monster, seeing the numbers, let out a furious roar. It showed no signs of lingering and dragged the Blood Charming Fox’s corpse as it fled toward the depths of the mountain...”

”Cheng Mo’s injuries are severe and need immediate treatment. Moreover, the monster is far too powerful and moves like a ghost. We didn’t dare to pursue recklessly and just brought Cheng Mo back...”

Situ Jian let out a long, heavy sigh.

Mo Hua’s brows furrowed tighter and tighter. He glanced at the barely breathing Cheng Mo and asked, ”How is Cheng Mo’s condition?”

A disciple skilled in alchemy replied:

”He’s lost a lot of blood, but we managed to save him in time. We applied hemostatic powder and gave him pills to stabilize his foundation and restore blood. Given that he’s a Body Cultivator with a robust constitution, he should be fine.”

”Once he’s back at the Sect, Elder Murong can take another look to prevent any long-term effects.”

”It’s just...”

The disciple seemed troubled. ”There’s an unusual amount of demonic power lingering in his wound, and it doesn’t seem easy to purge...”

”Demonic power?” Another disciple exclaimed. ”That monster is half-human, half-demon. Could it be... a Monster Cultivator?”

”But only Sect disciples are permitted inside Refining Demon Mountain. Plus, before entering, the Elders carry out inspections. How could a Monster Cultivator infiltrate?” another disciple questioned.

The group was perplexed.

Mo Hua, however, seemed deep in thought.

Monster Cultivator...

Only Sect disciples permitted entry...

Evading inspection...

After contemplating for a moment, he turned to Situ Jian and said, ”Take me to the spot where you were ambushed by that ’monster.’”

Situ Jian nodded. ”I’ll guide you.”

Ouyang Mu stepped forward. ”I’ll go too.”

He looked remorseful. ”If I hadn’t needed Fox Demon materials for sword casting, Brother Cheng Mo wouldn’t have been injured.”

Mo Hua consoled him. ”This has nothing to do with you.”

But Ouyang Mu, being somewhat stubborn, still looked guilty and wanted to do something to help.

At this moment, Ling Huxiao spoke up from the side:

”I’ll go take a look.”

Ling Huxiao was on good terms with Little Wood.

He was a Sword Cultivator, while Little Wood was a Sword-Casting Master.

Ling Huxiao’s Spirit Sword was maintained and repaired by Little Wood.

The two were both deeply connected to swords and shared a compatible temperament.

Little Wood, however, had rather average cultivation and strength. If he were to encounter the ’monster’ that had seriously injured Cheng Mo in a single exchange, his fate would surely be grim.

Although Ling Huxiao didn’t outright express it, it was clear he wanted to help Little Wood.

Moreover, facing such a formidable non-human, non-demon opponent was a test worthy of a Sword Cultivator.

”Alright,” Mo Hua nodded. ”Ling Hu can come along too. As for Little Wood...”

Mo Hua looked at Ouyang Mu and said, ”You follow the others and bring Cheng Mo back to the Taixu Gate. Don’t worry about anything else or feel burdened by it.”

”Cheng Mo is tough. He’ll be fine...”

Ouyang Mu hesitated for a moment before slowly nodding.

”Let’s go,” Mo Hua commanded. ”Hao Xuan, Brother Yang, you come along as well.”

”Alright.”

With Situ Jian leading the way, Mo Hua, Hao Xuan, Yang Qianjun, and Ling Huxiao followed closely behind. The group of five made their way along the mountain path, through the forest, and arrived at the ambush site.

The ground was stained with a large pool of blood.

Part of it was pale pink, faintly laced with demonic power—it was the Blood Charming Fox’s blood.

The other part was deep crimson, mostly coagulated—this was Cheng Mo’s blood.

The situation was exactly as Situ Jian had described.

Additionally, on the ground was a blood trail along with drag marks leading into the forest.

It was clear that the ’monster’ had dragged the Blood Charming Fox’s corpse into the forest before vanishing deep within.

Mo Hua’s eyes narrowed slightly as he said in a low voice:

”Let’s head into the forest and take a look.”

Situ Jian and the others exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement.

Thus, the group proceeded cautiously, heading deeper into the forest...