Chapter 730: Tracking

The disciple skilled in the Wind-Traveling-Thousand-Li Technique bowed and departed.

The white-haired, elderly Master Xun sat calmly at the table, his gaze peaceful, yet his heart stirred like a stone dropped into a lake, sending ripples outward.

He always felt he would uncover some astonishing truth.

But what exactly these truths were, he did not know.

Master Xun, for now, had no leads…

…

Mo Hua, having received Master Xun's permission, was in high spirits, his steps noticeably lighter.

Back at the disciples' quarters, he began planning what he would do upon entering the Demon-Slaying Mountain.

If you prepare, you succeed; if not, you fail.

This was the hunter's creed.

Several days later, during the ten-day break, he set out alone for the Demon-Slaying Mountain.

The Demon-Slaying Mountain lay north of Qianxue Province, a vast, undulating range of deep forests, treacherous peaks, shrouded in mist and thick with poisonous miasma.

At the mountain's entrance, Mo Hua looked up and saw intense demonic aura, the terrain unfathomably deep.

Occasional demonic roars and ferocious beast bellows echoed through the air, mingling with a faint scent of blood and radiating menace.

Around him, new disciples stared at the Demon-Slaying Mountain, which loomed like a colossal ferocious beast lying in wait, most looking anxious, eyes filled with fear.

Even seasoned hunters wore solemn expressions, daring not to grow careless.

Only Mo Hua looked relaxed, his eyes slightly bright.

He gazed at the mist-shrouded, demonic aura-wreathed Demon-Slaying Mountain, which bore some resemblance to Great Heishan, and for a moment felt a strange sense of "coming home."

Even a touch of nervous excitement, like returning to one's hometown.

When studying arrays, Mo Hua had been an array master.

But now, Mo Hua felt his hunter's bloodline was beginning to awaken.

He lifted his head, straightened his back, and strode boldly up the mountain—until he was stopped at the gate:

"One hundred merit points. One Yao Yao Ling."

One hundred merit points—Mo Hua could afford it, but he couldn't help asking:

"So expensive?"

The gatekeeper disciple had reached the late Foundation Establishment realm, seemingly from some sect.

He appeared to have graduated and successfully joined the Inner Sect; guarding this gate was how he earned sect merit points.

He spoke flatly: "If you think it's too expensive, don't buy it."

Mo Hua had no choice but to produce his Grand Void Token, deduct one hundred merit points, and purchase a single "Yao Yao Ling" for entry.

Merit points across sects were equivalent, but generally usable only within one's own sect.

Yet for certain public grounds open to Qianxue Province disciples for cultivation, duels, and demon hunting, merit points could also be spent.

The Demon-Slaying Mountain was one such place.

Moreover, the Demon-Slaying Mountain was uniquely restricted: only Qianxue Province sect disciples holding their sect's disciple token, and spending merit points, were permitted entry.

Non-sect cultivators from outside Qianxue Province were strictly forbidden.

This was to prevent outsiders from infiltrating and causing chaos;

Or to stop those with ill intent from lurking with hidden agendas;

And to prevent rare demonic beasts within the mountain from being poached by non-sect cultivators.

Mo Hua bought one Yao Yao Ling and walked alone into the mountain.

The gatekeeper, seeing this, suddenly froze and called out to Mo Hua: "You're going in alone?"

Mo Hua frowned. "Does one Yao Yao Ling admit multiple people?"

The gatekeeper blinked, then shook his head:

"What are you thinking? There's no such thing…"

Mo Hua fell silent.

Then why ask a stupid question?

The gatekeeper hesitated, then studied Mo Hua again, frowning. "Your blood qi is so weak—you're not a body cultivator, your spiritual energy is poor, and you have no companion? You're going up alone like this?"

"I'm just going to take a look. One person is enough," Mo Hua said.

The gatekeeper looked solemn and warned:

"The Demon-Slaying Mountain is dangerous. Even just looking around is risky."

"Mm." Mo Hua nodded.

Seeing Mo Hua clearly wasn't listening, the gatekeeper sighed. "Fine. I didn't say anything."

With a Yao Yao Ling, you can enter.

Mo Hua insisted on going alone; he couldn't stop him, only sighed inwardly:

"These young disciples today really don't know their own limits…"

Mo Hua stepped through the gates of the Demon-Slaying Mountain.

Moments later, a handsome man with an air of casual ease approached.

The gatekeeper instantly bowed deeply:

"Master Xun."

The man addressed as "Master Xun" gave a slight nod and said casually: "I'm going in to take a look."

"Yes."

The gatekeeper respectfully stepped aside to let him pass.

Elder Xun stepped through the mountain gate and looked up at the winding path ahead.

On the path at that moment, a small boy in a Grand Void Gate robe marched upward with proud, confident strides.

Elder Xun shook his head slightly.

"The Ancestor really is something—since he's worried about the boy's safety, he should just lock him inside the sect, not let him out…"

"Even if he lets him out, don't send him to this Demon Refining Mountain—it's asking for trouble…"

"This kid doesn't even know his own cultivation level or strength—he wanders alone into the Demon Refining Mountain? Doesn't he fear death at all…?"

As Elder Xun was silently grumbling, he suddenly saw Mo Hua's figure pause, stop walking, turn around, and look down the mountain.

Elder Xun's heart snapped taut—he instinctively flickered aside and hid.

Mo Hua stood on the path, gazing downward.

Yet after a long while, he saw no suspicious figures; he tilted his head, eyes puzzled, and thought silently:

"Did I misperceive?"

"Just now, someone was definitely watching me, probing me with spiritual sense—seemingly even muttering ill of me…"

"How come, in an instant, not a single shadow remains?"

Mo Hua glanced left and right, scanning the surroundings, then shook his head and muttered, "Just an illusion."

After that, he turned and continued climbing the mountain.

After Mo Hua passed, Elder Xun slowly revealed himself, staring at the spot where Mo Hua had vanished from the path, his gaze trembling slightly.

Could that brat… have sensed me…?

How old is he? How strong is his spiritual sense? How could he possibly detect the surveillance of a full Jin Dan cultivator like me?

This can't be real…

Elder Xun frowned.

After a moment, he raised his head again and continued up the path, following behind Mo Hua.

But this time he'd learned his lesson—he no longer dared trail openly behind; instead, he moved through the trees, concealing his form, activating a secret technique to suppress his aura, and kept his distance, trailing far behind.

He had to obey the Ancestor's command: secretly watch over this boy, whose single hair mattered more than his own arm.

After all, his own arm—if it broke, it broke.

But if this child lost even one hair, who knew how the Ancestor would "refine" him.

Elder Xun sighed helplessly.

Thus, Mo Hua walked ahead, and Elder Xun followed behind.

Mo Hua didn't know that the moment he entered the mountain, he'd already gained a "bodyguard."

He was focused on carrying out his own plan.

In unfamiliar territory, first understand the environment—that's basic for a Demon Hunter.

So it was with Great Heishan.

So it was with Demon Refining Mountain too.

Mo Hua pulled out a map of Demon Refining Mountain.

This map, he'd bought for two spirit stones from the small Xiancheng below the mountain.

The map bore only crude, rudimentary markings of the mountain's terrain, rivers, streams, and vegetation—just rough outlines of the mountain ridges.

This wouldn't do.

Mo Hua began, as was his habit, to personally measure the terrain of Demon Refining Mountain, using this crude map as a base to draw his own personal map of the mountain.

Demon Refining Mountain was vast, and the demonic beasts numerous.

The outer regions held mostly second-grade demonic beasts, but deep within the mountains, it was said there were even third- and fourth-grade ones.

Yet these beasts above third-grade were trapped within the deep mountains by arrays.

Disciples couldn't enter the deep mountains.

Likewise, the high-grade beasts inside couldn't descend the mountain.

Mo Hua planned to operate only along the outer fringes.

The more experienced a Demon Hunter, the more cautious, self-aware, and long-lived he became—and the more demonic beasts he could hunt.

This was what his father, Mo Shan, had told him.

Mo Hua deeply agreed.

Though he wasn't "experienced," his techniques were skilled—he could barely count as an "experienced" Demon Hunter.

On the path of Demon Refining Mountain.

Mo Hua sat on a large rock, spread out the crude map, and studied it intently, committing every peak to memory.

Then he gazed outward, taking in the entire outer mountain, comparing it with his mental map to ensure he had a clear understanding.

After finishing, he chose a route and set off up the mountain.

As he walked, he observed and recorded.

Far behind, in the grass, Elder Xun followed silently, his expression slightly astonished.

He realized he'd underestimated this child.

Sharpening the blade doesn't delay the chopping.

Entering Demon Refining Mountain, first learning the terrain—that's beyond what ordinary disciples could even conceive.

Sect disciples only cared whether their realm was high, their cultivation deep, their Dao arts strong, or their blades and spiritual weapons sharp.

They entered the mountain only thinking of killing demonic beasts as fast as possible.

They never considered first learning the environment.

In cultivation battles, life and death, victory and defeat, aren't decided solely by strength.

Heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human harmony—none can be missing.

The environment is "earth's advantage."

Only experienced demon hunters or seasoned elder cultivators could recognize this.

Yet this young boy accomplishes it with an ease ingrained in his bones.

Elder Xun nodded slightly.

No wonder the Laozu values this kid—despite his seemingly mediocre talent, his methods are truly impressive…

Thereafter, Elder Xun watched Mo Hua wander alone through Demon Refining Mountain all day.

Whenever he encountered unusual terrain, ores, herbs, or dangers like swamps, mud pits, miasma, or demon dens, Mo Hua recorded them.

When he sensed demonic beasts, he scanned with his spiritual sense, detected them early, and avoided them well in advance.

Occasionally, when bad luck left him cornered by a beast with no escape, he used his concealment technique to hide.

Some demonic beasts were blind by nature, relying on scent to detect prey.

His concealment technique couldn't fool them.

Mo Hua relied on his agility to maneuver with them, luring them to the cliff's edge, then, with lightning-fast movements, instantly formed ever-changing spells to knock the beasts off the cliff, while he himself withdrew calmly.

Elder Xun grew more and more astonished.

If not for Mo Hua's Foundation Establishment stage and his pure, orthodox aura, unmistakably human,

he would have suspected Mo Hua was a terrifying shape-shifting ancient demon capable of assuming human form.

Experienced, skilled, polished.

In this perilous mountain where even late Foundation Establishment disciples tread with utmost caution and full alertness, he walked as if strolling through a garden, composed and at ease.

Like he was walking in his own courtyard.

Such a young boy—truly extraordinary…

The more Elder Xun watched, the more he admired; his reverence for the Laozu naturally arose.

No wonder he's the Laozu!

He could see through the facade of a mid-low grade spiritual root and perceive this child's true exceptionalism.

Elder Xun then thought further…

Perhaps the Laozu sent him here to watch over this child precisely so he could witness these things firsthand.

So he could understand: though this child's spiritual root is poor, his methods and intellect are top-tier, worthy of great trust—hence the Laozu's special attention.

"The Laozu truly has deep foresight…"

Elder Xun sighed inwardly.

As he pondered, he suddenly noticed the sky darkening—the sun set behind Luoshan, crimson twilight staining half the heavens; in less than half an hour, night would fall.

"We should head back…"

Elder Xun crouched on a tree, stretched his shoulders, thinking it was time to return to the sect—but when he looked down, Mo Hua remained oblivious, still trudging through the mountains with no intention of returning.

Elder Xun froze, frowning slightly.

This kid doesn't plan to spend the night in the mountain, does he…

Any forest inhabited by demonic beasts becomes extremely dangerous after nightfall.

Darkness swallows the land; the moon rises, heavy with yin energy; most demonic beasts grow bloodthirsty and agitated.

Some yin-gui demons, unable to move during daylight, emerge en masse at night, slithering through shadows to hunt flesh.

Demon Refining Mountain is no exception.

Thus, an unwritten rule exists within the mountain:

Unless one is a late Foundation Establishment cultivator in a team of five, and absolutely forced to pursue a demonic beast, no one may spend the night in the mountain.

The mountain is already perilous at night.

At night, there aren't enough elder cultivators on duty; even if disaster strikes, timely rescue may not come.

Even late Foundation Establishment prodigies in teams of five face grave danger sleeping in the mountain.

How much more so this lone, frail, mid-Foundation Establishment boy?

Elder Xun's head throbbed.

"This kid's nerve is too bold…"

Yet Mo Hua looked utterly unconcerned.

His reasoning was simple.

If he returns now, he'll have to come back tomorrow—and waste another hundred merit points. Too wasteful.

Merit points are always better in greater quantity; one should save whenever possible.

Mo Hua remained focused, observing the terrain and recording key locations on his map.

Until deep night fell, the sky dark and starless, darkness so thick he could barely see his own hand.

Only then did Mo Hua consider spending the night.

At this hour, the demonic energy in the mountain grew denser in the crisp night air.

Low growls of demonic beasts rose and fell around him.

In the darkness, many strange beasts stirred restlessly.

Even Elder Xun, a late Jin Dan cultivator, felt a chill creep into his heart.

He turned again to look at Mo Hua, seeing the boy standing still, scanning his surroundings as if searching for a place to rest, and couldn't help sneering inwardly:

"If you're going to spend the night in this demon mountain, prepare early! It's already this late—now you're scrambling? Where's even a single safe spot left…?"

If all else fails, he'd have to reveal himself and drag the boy down the mountain…

But that would contradict the Laozu's instructions.

Laozu said to keep an eye on him secretly.

As Senior Xun was pondering this, he suddenly noticed Mo Hua move.

He seemed to have found a place to land.

Senior Xun frowned, gazing into the deep night.

He saw Mo Hua's light figure climb a large tree, then leap onto a Shanfeng, climb halfway up its slope, and leap across to another cliff, using shrubs for cover, walking a short while until he found a highly concealed cave, unlikely to be noticed.

Mo Hua walked toward the cave.

Senior Xun froze, then sharply sucked in a breath.

Demon beast den!

No, this isn't meant for humans to live in!

This is the den of a ferocious demon beast! And from the lingering demonic aura, it's the den of at least a Rank Two late-stage demon beast!

You foolish child, do you want to die?

Senior Xun immediately wanted to act, yank Mo Hua out of the cave—but when he scanned with his divine sense, he froze again.

"No demon beast?"

He scanned again, his heart slightly eased.

Perhaps the demon beast went out hunting.

Or maybe, "a clever rabbit has three burrows"—this is just one of several dens of a Rank Two demon beast; though the demonic aura is strong, at least tonight, it isn't staying here.

Senior Xun slowly exhaled.

Then he watched helplessly as Mo Hua, like a crow occupying a magpie's nest, walked calmly into the den of a Rank Two late-stage demon beast that could swallow him whole without spitting out his bones.

Mo Hua entered the demon beast den, first took out some fresh herbs and scattered them around to eliminate the beast's stench.

Then he found a safe corner and set up layered arrays.

First a warning array, then a concealment array, followed by an earth-and-stone defense array, and finally a self-reactive ground-kill array.

After setting up the arrays, Mo Hua took out dried meat and filled his stomach.

Then he took out fruit wine and drank a few gulps.

After eating and drinking his fill, he took out a soft blanket, wrapped himself like a rice dumpling, lay down quietly and obediently, and fell asleep with a steady, prolonged breath…

Outside, Senior Xun was utterly stunned.

No…

This is a demon beast den! How can you treat it like your home?

How can you possibly sleep here?!

Your heart is too big…

Senior Xun sighed deeply, at a loss for words, and finally resigned himself, silently waiting at the cave entrance.

He dared not rest, only closed his eyes to cultivate his spirit.

Afraid that if the demon beast truly returned, it would swallow this boy with a heart bigger than the sky in one bite—that would be a disaster.

Laozu would surely peel my skin off…

The night was deep, the mountain wind cool and chilling.

Mo Hua slept sweetly inside.

Senior Xun stood guard outside, tense and fearful.

Thus passed the night, until dawn broke, the eastern sky turned pale, Mo Hua opened his eyes, slowly sat up, stretched, then gazed with burning eyes, full of vigor.

Outside the cave, Senior Xun's gaze was dull, his expression weary.

Time was running late.

Mo Hua got up, packed his blanket, erased the arrays, and marked the location of the den on his map with a "small bonfire" symbol.

Thinking that if he ever needed to spend the night in the mountains again, he would come back here next time.

Mo Hua ate a light meal, then prepared and set off again.

Time was tight—he had to complete at least another quarter of his map in a single day.

Senior Xun rubbed his brow, sighed helplessly, and began silently following behind Mo Hua again.

Thus, Mo Hua spent another day running through the Demon Refining Mountains.

Senior Xun diligently followed him another day.

But Mo Hua had no idea.

His exclusive Demon Refining Mountains map was now half-finished, meeting his target.

After the ten-day break ended, Mo Hua returned to Grand Void Gate.

After cultivating for eight days, another ten-day break arrived.

Mo Hua went to the Demon Refining Mountains again, spent one hundred merit points to buy a Yao Yao Ling, and entered the mountains.

This time, entering the mountains, Mo Hua was familiar with the terrain.

He already knew the general topography, dangerous demon beasts, miasmas, poisons, and more—so his reconnaissance became much faster.

Two days later, Mo Hua's map was complete.

Next, he would formally begin developing a full set of demon-hunting tactics, combining arrays and spirit artifacts.

So he could later bring Cheng Mo and the other "little junior brothers" into the Demon Refining Mountains to play.

(End of Chapter)