Chapter 138: Plundering Vitality (Part One)
Chapter 138: Plundering Vitality (Part One)
"I'm still a child. How would I know?" Mo Hua argued innocently.
Zhang Lan hesitated, a look of resignation on his face, and proceeded to explain, "Plundering vitality is actually a form of dual cultivation."
After a brief pause, Zhang Lan continued, "You should at least know about dual cultivation."
Mo Hua's face turned slightly red. "I know a little."
Zhang Lan wasn't sure if he was genuinely ignorant or feigning it, but he went on anyway. "It's basically about intimacy between a man and a woman. To put it bluntly, it's not that big of a deal. However, dual cultivation can enhance one's cultivation to some extent, and the process is rather indulgent, so many cultivators become obsessed with pursuing this path."
Mo Hua had a question. "Can dual cultivation truly enhance one's cultivation?"
"It can provide a slight boost, better than nothing. But instead of wasting time on these side paths, it's more beneficial to focus on meditation and training," Zhang Lan replied.
"Then what's the difference between dual cultivation and plundering vitality?" Mo Hua asked.
"Dual cultivation is relatively normal, but plundering vitality is vicious and cruel. Heretical cultivators employ this method to drain others of their vital energy, essence, and spiritual power. Those who are subjected to plundering vitality may suffer a regression in their cultivation, or worse, a collapse of their foundation, sometimes even resulting in death. These incidents are not uncommon," Zhang Lan explained gravely.
A chill ran through Mo Hua's heart.
"Did that scoundrel you're pursuing also kill someone through plundering vitality?"
"He has definitely done such things in the past, but not recently. The reason we are after him is because last month, he completely drained a woman, reducing her to skin and bones and destroying her dantian. Now she wanders in a daze, her spirit broken, unable to find peace," Zhang Lan said, sighing and gritting his teeth in anger.
Listening to this, Mo Hua couldn't help but feel a surge of compassion. "If you catch him, will he be sentenced to death?"
Zhang Lan nodded. "The Dao Court has always imposed strict penalties for plundering vitality. The punishment is a minimum of a hundred years in prison, and the maximum sentence is death. In this case, the death penalty is inevitable."
Only then did Mo Hua feel relieved.
Zhang Lan thought for a moment and added, "I forgot to mention that dual cultivation is also prohibited."
Mo Hua looked puzzled. "Why are you telling me all this?"
Zhang Lan felt a bit embarrassed under Mo Hua's gaze, but having started the conversation, he continued, "The Dao Court doesn't interfere in the intimate affairs of men and women. However, dual cultivation is not permitted. Any cultivation techniques or secret arts related to dual cultivation will be immediately destroyed if discovered..."
"If a cultivator engages in dual cultivation and is found out by the Dao Court, they will be held accountable. Although the punishment is not as severe as for plundering vitality, the Dao Court will keep a record of it. This could affect your future endeavors, such as finding a master, joining a sect, or even marriage," Zhang Lan explained.
"But you said that dual cultivation doesn't cause any harm. Why is it forbidden, then?" Mo Hua asked, confused.
"That's the theory, but in practice, it's a different story," Zhang Lan sighed. "While dual cultivation itself is harmless and doesn't violate the Dao Laws, prohibiting it prevents people from using it as a pretext for plundering vitality. By not banning dual cultivation, the Dao Court would also find it difficult to investigate such cases. If they tried to prosecute, people would simply claim they were practicing dual cultivation, and there would be no way to prove otherwise..."
As Zhang Lan spoke, he grew more agitated. "What's even more infuriating is that some cultivators remain oblivious even after being subjected to plundering vitality, reveling in their state and even defending those who exploited them. It's sheer stupidity!"
"What if they claim it was consensual? Would you still be able to do anything about it?" Mo Hua asked.
Zhang Lan coldly huffed, "In the face of the Dao Laws, there is no room for consent. Anyone who breaks the laws will be punished, no exceptions."
Mo Hua nodded in understanding.
"This is the first reason," Zhang Lan stated.
Mo Hua was taken aback. "There's more?"
"Of course," Zhang Lan replied. "The cultivation world has existed for over twenty thousand years, with countless cultivators. You can imagine all sorts of bizarre things that have happened..."
Mo Hua's mouth dropped open in shock. "Don't people become Dao companions precisely because they have a good relationship?"
"What do you know?" Zhang Lan replied with an 'you're-still-a-child-you-wouldn't-understand' expression.
"The closer Dao companions are, the easier it is for resentment to grow. They may be passionately in love today, but tomorrow they might hate each other so much that they wish the other dead. Once discord sets in, it can easily turn into enmity, and then the previous dual cultivation becomes plundering..."
Mo Hua's eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Zhang, you know so much, have you also been...?"
Zhang Lan immediately twisted Mo Hua's ear and said, "Don't talk nonsense! I'm a proper cultivator!"
Mo Hua rubbed his ear and muttered, "Who knows if you're proper or not..."
Zhang Lan sighed helplessly and then sized up Mo Hua. "You should be more careful from now on."
"What should I be careful about? I'm not going to go plundering..." Mo Hua trailed off.
A mischievous smile played on Zhang Lan's lips as he said, "You might not go plundering, but you could be plundered."
Mo Hua stared at him, dumbfounded. "Really?"
"It's not just female cultivators who get plundered by male cultivators; male cultivators can also be plundered by female cultivators." Zhang Lan's smile was more of a smirk as he added, "Especially someone like you, who's so good-looking and adorable."
Mo Hua's mouth hung open.
Zhang Lan patted him on the shoulder. "From now on, be extra cautious when you see those alluring and wanton female cultivators. They might be thinking about plundering you."
Mo Hua pondered this for a long while before nodding seriously.
Then, he thought of another possibility and asked curiously, "If female cultivators can be plundered by male cultivators, and male cultivators can be plundered by female cultivators, can male cultivators be plundered by other male cultivators, or female cultivators by other female cultivators?"
Zhang Lan's eyes rolled back in his head.
What kind of nonsense is this?!
What's going on in that little head of yours? How can you ask such questions?!
Zhang Lan was left speechless for a while before finally letting out a powerless sigh. "Let's go to sleep. I'm tired."
With that, he closed his eyes and ignored Mo Hua.
Mo Hua wanted to ask more questions, but seeing the fatigue on Zhang Lan's face, he wisely decided to drop the subject.
The flickering lights in the camp gradually faded as the night grew quiet.
Mo Hua looked through the array book for a while, and at midnight, he entered his sea of consciousness to practice arrays before resting his eyes for a brief moment.
The next day, at dawn, Mo Hua woke up.
As he rose, Zhang Lan and the others also opened their eyes.
After a quick breakfast, they left the camp and continued on their way.
When they reached Solitary Cloud Peak, Mo Hua surveyed the terrain and marked several spots on the map.
These spots were relatively hidden, rarely visited by demonic beasts, and unlikely to be discovered by other cultivators.
Zhang Lan instructed, "Be as cautious as possible and don't leave any traces. We don't want to alert our target. If we encounter that thief, don't act rashly. Keep your distance and observe first. We'll make our move once everyone is gathered."
The group nodded in agreement and then split up to search the areas Mo Hua had circled.
Mo Hua accompanied Zhang Lan.
Given Zhang Lan's higher cultivation level, it was safer for Mo Hua to stick with him.
After searching for a while, the group reconvened in a forest, not far from a campsite.
"There are traces of activity around here," Mo Hua said. "That thief is probably hiding in that campsite."
"Could it be another demon hunter?" Si Tu Fang asked.
"This campsite has been abandoned for a long time," Mo Hua replied. "Demon hunters wouldn't stay here."
Zhang Lan nodded. "Let's surround the campsite. We'll make our move together. Mo Hua, it might be dangerous here, so you stay far away."
"Okay." Mo Hua nodded and quickly ran to a safe distance.
(End of Chapter)
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