Chapter 78: The Demon Hunting Ritual
Chapter 78: The Demon Hunting Ritual
About a year ago, Dahuhu had already reached the sixth layer of Qi Refinement. However, he was unlucky as he missed the Demon Hunting Ritual by just a few days. This meant he couldn't become a demon hunter and thus couldn't venture into the mountains to hunt demons.
Shuanghu and Xiaohu, on the other hand, had similar talents. Despite their playful nature, they were diligent in their cultivation and managed to break through to the sixth layer of Qi Refinement within the year.
The Demon Hunting Ritual was held in front of the ancestral hall, where Dahuhu, his brothers, and other cultivators who had recently reached the sixth layer of Qi Refinement participated under the auspices of several venerable elders.
The ritual was rather intricate. It began with the burning of incense to pay homage to the heavens and the earth. Next was the blood oath, where they cut their palms with a knife and let their blood drip into a cup of wine, which they then drank together.
An elder gave a speech, but Mo Hua was too far away to hear clearly, only catching snippets of what was said.
The gist of it was that as fellow demon hunters, although they had no blood relation, the blood oath bound them as if they were family. They would support each other, shedding blood together and lending strength when needed.
Demonic beasts were several times stronger than cultivators, and only through unity and concerted effort could they hope to succeed as demon hunters. Failure to do so would likely result in losing not just battles but their very lives, becoming nothing more than prey for the beasts.
After the blood oath, the newly inducted demon hunters were given Demon Hunting Orders by the elders.
It was said that these orders were made from the bones of a special kind of demon beast. They were only about the size of an infant's fist and had a pale white color.
Each cultivator who became a demon hunter received one of these orders. With every demon beast they slew, a faint blood-colored crack would appear on the order, becoming more prominent with each additional kill.
A Demon Hunting Order covered in cracks was a testament to a demon hunter's achievements.
Each of the three brothers, Dahuhu, received their orders and dripped their blood onto them before hanging them around their necks.
These orders, now stained with their blood, would accompany them throughout their lives as demon hunters. Some hunters valued these orders so highly that they would protect them at all costs, even at the expense of their own lives. Losing one's order meant forfeiting all past accomplishments and essentially, one's identity as a demon hunter.
With the blood oath taken and the Demon Hunting Orders distributed, the ritual came to a close.
Dahuhu and his brothers, who had been tense throughout the ceremony, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
They wore new Daoist robes and Transcendent Leaf Armor (a type of translucent armor made from refined spiritual plants, known for its lightweight durability)
, and held new Primal Sabers (a type of single-edged sword commonly used by cultivators)
.
While the robes were made of ordinary fabric and inexpensive, they were sturdy. The Wisteria Armor and Oak Blade, on the other hand, were spiritual artifacts. The Wisteria Armor could protect their vital heart meridian, and the Oak Blade would be their primary weapon for hunting demon beasts, a standard choice for most demon hunters.
Uncle Meng was not a wealthy man, and he had spent most of his savings to equip the three brothers adequately. From now on, they would have to rely on these artifacts and their own skills to forge their path.
As Mo Hua and the three brothers strolled through the streets, he noticed their lack of enthusiasm and asked with concern:
"Is something the matter? You don't seem happy."
They came to a small stone bridge and sat by the railing, gazing at the flowing stream and the distant lights blending with the night.
Shuanghu spoke up, "I saw my mother crying last night."
Xiaohu added, "I saw it too. I think she was sad about the spirit stones. We've used up all the stones she saved."
"It's not just that," Dahuhu said. "We also borrowed some. I saw my father borrow from the uncles in the demon hunting team, and from you, Mo Hua." Then he asked, "Your family doesn't urgently need the spirit stones, do they?"
"Don't worry," Mo Hua reassured him. "Our family still has the restaurant, so we're not lacking for now."
"That's good," Dahuhu sighed in relief, but the three brothers still looked glum.
Just the day before, they had been carefree children, but now, after the Demon Hunting Ritual, they were about to face the hardships of a cultivator's life. Some things they hadn't fully grasped before now weighed on their shoulders, and they realized how challenging life could be.
"Before, only Uncle Meng and Aunt Meng could earn Spirit Stones, and you could only spend them. Now that you're demon hunters, you can hunt demonic beasts and earn Spirit Stones. Aunt Meng's burden will be lighter, and life will get better. Once you've repaid your debts and earned more Spirit Stones, Aunt Meng will be able to buy all sorts of delicious food." Mo Hua offered a comforting smile.
The three brothers' eyes lit up at the mention of delicious food.
Shuanghu scratched his head, "But, can we really earn Spirit Stones? Dad said that most new demon hunters only get to watch and learn, and don't get a share of the Spirit Stones."
"Aren't you guys great at fighting?"
"Yeah."
"Then just think of demon hunting as fighting. Before, you fought people, now you'll fight beasts." Mo Hua suggested.
"But... demon hunting is still different from fighting, isn't it?" Xiaohu hesitated.
"Then learn from the uncles in the demon hunting team. Nothing comes easy, and the faster you learn, the sooner you can help out and earn your share of the Spirit Stones. That way, both Uncle Meng and Aunt Meng will be happy." Mo Hua's words lifted their spirits.
"However..." Dahuhu hesitated, "If we go demon hunting, we won't be able to come and play with you often."
"And I guess we won't be able to play with you at all in the future..." Xiaohu added quietly, his expression falling.
"It's alright," Mo Hua said, "In a year or two, I might reach the sixth layer of Qi Refinement too, and then I can become a demon hunter and join you in the mountains."
"Oh yeah, oh yeah!" Xiaohu exclaimed excitedly.
"What are you agreeing to?" Shuanghu rolled his eyes at Xiaohu, then looked at Mo Hua with concern, "But you're not in good health, and you're not taking the path of a body cultivator. Being a demon hunter is dangerous, and Uncle Mo won't agree to it. You should just be an array master. It's a higher status, you earn more Spirit Stones, and you don't have to fight."
Dahuhu nodded vigorously, "Being an array master is good!"
Xiaohu echoed, "Yeah, being an array master is better!"
"Alright, then I'll consider being an array master first. If I come across another opportunity or if I can take the path of a body cultivator, I'll reconsider being a demon hunter." Mo Hua said, though he knew his talent didn't lie in demon hunting. With his weak body and a cultivation technique that focused on spiritual power, he'd likely be ripped apart by a demonic beast the moment it got close.
Mo Hua felt a twinge of regret. He admired the bold and free-spirited life of a body cultivator, where every move and strike was powerful and unrestrained.
Alas, with his weak constitution, that opportunity was lost.
Mo Hua patted his waist pouch, "Today, I'll treat you to Liu's Osmanthus Cake from the street stall, as a send-off treat."
The mention of food immediately lifted the brothers' spirits.
"But, it's always you treating us. It's not good for you to spend so much," Shuanghu said, a little embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it. When you become famous demon hunters, known far and wide, when you've slain countless beasts and earned a fortune in Spirit Stones, you can treat me to something delicious!" Mo Hua grinned.
The three brothers straightened their backs, feeling proud and ambitious, and nodded, "Okay!"
Their earlier worries vanished, and the group strode toward the cake shop with vigor and enthusiasm.
After finishing the cakes, the day had grown late, and it was time to part ways and head home.
Before leaving, Dahuhu instructed Mo Hua, "Be careful while we're away. If anyone bullies you, be sure to tell us, and we'll come back and beat them up."
Mo Hua's heart warmed, and he smiled, "Deal!"
(End of Chapter)
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