Chapter 78: The Yao Yao Ling Ceremony

Brother Da Hu had reached Foundation Establishment sixth stage almost a year ago, but bad luck kept him from making the Yao Yao Ling ceremony by a few days, so he couldn't become a Yao Yao Ling hunter and thus couldn't go up the mountain to hunt beasts.

Shuang Hu and Xiao Hu had similar aptitudes; though they were playful, they trained diligently, so within a year, they too had gradually broken through and reached Foundation Establishment sixth stage.

The Yao Yao Ling ceremony was held before the ancestral hall, where Brother Da Hu and the other two, along with several other newly arrived Foundation Establishment sixth stage cultivators, participated under the supervision of elders of high virtue and great prestige.

The Yao Yao Ling ceremony was elaborate: first, incense was burned and heaven and earth were worshipped; then, blood was sworn upon—cutting the palm with a knife and letting the blood drip into wine, after which all drank together from the cup.

The elders spoke some words, but Mo Hua, standing far away, didn't hear clearly—he caught only fragments.

The meaning was this: though fellow Yao Yao Ling hunters had no blood ties, they swore blood oaths, drank this wine together, pledged mutual support, shared blood and shared strength.

Beast beasts were several times stronger than cultivators; without united effort, one could not survive as a Yao Yao Ling hunter and would easily lose their life, becoming prey for the beasts.

After the blood oath, the newly appointed Yao Yao Ling hunters received their Yao Yao Ling from the elders.

The Yao Yao Ling was said to be made from the bones of a special beast, no larger than an infant's fist, pale white in color.

Every cultivator who became a Yao Yao Ling hunter received one Yao Yao Ling; each beast slain would leave a new blood-red crack upon it—the more beasts killed, the more obvious the cracks became.

A Yao Yao Ling covered in cracks could be regarded as a hunter's merit.

Brother Da Hu and the other two each received a Yao Yao Ling, dripped their blood onto it, and hung it around their necks.

A Yao Yao Ling stained with blood would accompany a hunter for life; some hunters treasured theirs as dearly as their lives, refusing to part with it even at the cost of their own. Losing the Yao Yao Ling meant losing all past achievements and the entirety of one's identity as a Yao Yao Ling hunter.

After the blood oath and distribution of the Yao Yao Ling, the ceremony ended.

Brother Da Hu and the other two had been tense throughout; now they finally exhaled.

They wore new Dao robes, vine armor, and held brand-new broadswords.

The Dao robes were made of ordinary cloth—cheap but sturdy. The vine armor and broadswords were spiritual artifacts: the vine armor protected the heart meridian, the broadsword was used to slay beasts, and together they were the most common spiritual artifacts among Yao Ling hunters.

Uncle Meng had never been wealthy; he had spent nearly all his savings to equip all three of them. From now on, they would rely on these spiritual artifacts to support themselves.

Mo Hua and Brother Da Hu and the others wandered the street, but seeing their listless expressions, Mo Hua worriedly asked:

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

They walked to a small stone bridge, sat on the edge beside the railing, watching the gentle flow of water mingle with distant lantern lights.

Shuang Hu said: "I saw my mother crying secretly last night."

Xiao Hu said: "I saw too. I think she's upset about the spirit stones—our home's supply is gone, and those were her savings, painstakingly gathered."

"It's worse than that—we borrowed too. I saw my father borrow from Uncle Hunters in the Yao Yao Ling squad, and from Uncle Mo." Brother Da Hu said, then turned to Mo Hua: "Your family isn't short on spirit stones, right?"

"Don't worry, we run a food stall—we're fine for now," Mo Hua reassured.

"Good," Brother Da Hu sighed, but all three remained listless.

One day ago, they were still children; after the Yao Yao Ling ceremony, they must now bear the hardships of a cultivator's life. Things they hadn't truly felt before now settled on their shoulders, and only then did they understand how hard life was.

"Don't be so down—it's actually a good thing," Mo Hua said.

Brother Da Hu and the other two turned to look at Mo Hua.

"Before, only Uncle Meng and Aunt Meng earned spirit stones—you only spent them. Now you're Yao Yao Ling hunters—you can hunt beasts and earn spirit stones. Aunt Meng's burden will lighten, and life will get easier. Once you repay your debts and earn more spirit stones, Aunt Meng can buy herself plenty of good food."

Their eyes lit up.

Shuang Hu scratched his head: "But can we even earn spirit stones? My father says most new hunters just watch and learn—they rarely get any spirit stones."

"Aren't you good at fighting?"

"Yeah."

"Then treat hunting beasts like fighting people—you used to fight humans, now you fight beasts."

"But… hunting beasts isn't the same as fighting," Xiao Hu hesitated.

"Then learn from the Uncle Hunters in the squad. Nothing comes overnight—the faster you learn, the sooner you can help, and the sooner you'll earn spirit stones. That way, Uncle Meng and Aunt Meng will be happy."

Mo Hua's reassurance lifted their spirits somewhat.

"Still," Brother Da Hu hesitated, "if we go hunting, we won't be able to come play with you often."

"And we probably won't be able to play with you at all anymore…" Xiao Hu murmured quietly.

Their expressions sank again.

"It's fine. In one or two years, maybe I'll reach Foundation Establishment sixth stage too—then I'll become a Yao Yao Ling hunter and go up the mountain with you."

"That's right! That's right!" Xiao Hu cheered.

"What's 'that's right'?" Shuang Hu rolled his eyes at Xiao Hu, then looked at Mo Hua with concern: "You're not strong, and you don't train the body path—being a Yao Yao Ling hunter is dangerous. Uncle Mo won't allow it. You should be a formation master—higher status, more spirit stones, no fighting."

Brother Da Hu nodded quickly: "Being a formation master is better!"

Xiao Hu followed along: "Yeah, being a formation master is better!"

"Alright, I'll consider becoming a formation master first. If I get another opportunity—or if I can train the body path—I'll reconsider becoming a Yao Yao Ling hunter," Mo Hua said.

But he thought again—he truly had no talent for being a Yao Yao Ling hunter. He was weak by nature, and his cultivation method emphasized spiritual power. If he became a Yao Yao Ling hunter, the moment a beast got close and bit him even once, he'd be dead…

Mo Hua felt a pang of regret—he'd always longed for the body cultivators, their fists striking flesh, their moves wide and bold, brave and elegant.

Too bad—he was born weak, with no chance.

Mo Hua patted his waist pouch: "Today I'm treating you to Liu's osmanthus cakes from the street—consider it a farewell."

Hearing there was food, all three perked up.

"But you always treat us—it's not right," Shuang Hu said, embarrassed.

"It's fine. When you become famous Yao Yao Ling hunters, slay many beasts, earn lots of spirit stones, then treat me to something delicious!"

Hearing this, the three instantly felt bold, nodding in unison: "Alright!"

Their earlier worries vanished; the group marched off, head high, toward the cake shop.

After eating the cakes, it was late—they had to go home.

Before leaving, Brother Da Hu warned Mo Hua: "When we go up the mountain, be careful. If anyone bullies you, tell us—we'll come back and fight for you."

Mo Hua's heart warmed; he smiled: "Alright, it's a promise!"