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Da’hu had reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement nearly a year ago, but his luck was bad, missing the Monster Hunting Ceremony by just a few days, preventing him from becoming a Monster Hunter and thus unable to hunt monsters in the mountains.

Shuanghu and Xiaohu had about the same aptitude; although they were playful, they were still diligent in their cultivation, so within a year, they also made successive breakthroughs, reaching the sixth level of Qi Refinement.

The Monster Hunting Ceremony was held in front of the ancestral hall, where Da’hu, the two others, and some other cultivators who had just reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement, participated under the auspices of some respected elders.

The Monster Hunting Ceremony was rather complex, beginning with the burning of incense, and worshipping heaven and earth. Afterward, a blood oath was taken, cutting open the palm with a knife and dripping blood into wine, which was then raised in a cup for a collective toast.

The elder spoke some words, but Mo Hua was too far away to hear clearly, only catching a general idea of what was said.

The meaning was that as Monster Hunters, though not related by blood, the blood oath was a pledge, and drinking this wine together signified mutual support—bleeding together, exerting strength together.

Monster Beasts were several times more formidable than cultivators; if there was no unity, one could not survive the life of a Monster Hunter. It was too easy to lose one’s life, becoming prey to the Monster Beasts.

After the blood oath, the newly initiated Monster Hunters were each given a Monster Hunting Token by the elder.

The Monster Hunting Token was said to be made from the bones of special Monster Beasts, only the size of a baby’s fist, and pale white in color.

Every cultivator who became a Monster Hunter received a Monster Hunting Token. Every time a Monster Beast was killed, a blood-red pattern would appear on the Token, becoming more prominent the more Monster Beasts were slain.

A Monster Hunting Token covered in patterns could be seen as a Monster Hunter’s merit.

Each of the three, Da’hu, Shuanghu, and Xiaohu, received a Monster Hunting Token, dripped their fresh blood on it, and then hung it around their necks.

The blood-stained Monster Hunting Token would accompany a Monster Hunter for life; some hunters even treasured their Token as much as their lives, preferring to lose their lives rather than the Token. Losing the Token meant losing one’s past and achievements in Monster Hunting, as well as the entirety of a Monster Hunter’s life.

After the blood oath and distribution of the Monster Hunting Tokens, the Monster Hunting Ceremony came to an end.

Throughout the event, the expressions of Da’hu and the others were tense, and only now did they relax.

They were dressed in new Taoist robes and rattan armor, wielding brand-new Pu Blades in their hands.

The Taoist robes were made of ordinary fabric, cheap but sturdy. The rattan armor and Pu Blades, however, were Spiritual Artifacts; the armor could protect vital veins, and the blades were used to slay Monster Beasts, considered the most common Spiritual Artifacts among Monster Hunters.

Uncle Meng was not wealthy and had used up almost all his savings to fully equip the three of them with these items. From now on, they would have to rely on these Spiritual Artifacts to support themselves.

Mo Hua and the three walked around the streets, but seeing that they seemed somewhat dispirited, Mo Hua expressed concern:

“What’s wrong with you guys, aren’t you happy?”

The group ended up on a small stone bridge, sitting by the railing, watching the gurgling water blend with the distant lights.

“I saw my mother crying secretly last night,” Shuanghu said.

“I saw it too,” Xiaohu added. “I think she feels bad about the Spirit Stones. All the family’s Spirit Stones are gone, and she had saved up little by little.”

“There’s more to it, we even borrowed some. I saw my father borrowing from the uncles in the Monster Hunting Team, and from Uncle Mo,” Da’hu said, then he asked Mo Hua, “Your family isn’t in urgent need of Spirit Stones, are they?”

“Don’t worry, we still have a restaurant, so we’re not short for now,” Mo Hua assured them.

“That’s good,” Da’hu sighed with relief, but the three still looked downcast.

Just a day before, they were still children, but after the Monster Hunting Ceremony, they were about to begin shouldering the hardships of a cultivator’s life. Some things they had not deeply understood before, but now with the responsibility on their shoulders, they started to realize the difficulties of life.

“No need to be so dejected, it’s actually a good thing,” Mo Hua said.

All three turned to look at Mo Hua.

“Before, only Uncle Meng and Auntie Meng could earn Spirit Stones, and you could only spend them. Now that you’re Monster Hunters, you can hunt Monster Beasts and earn Spirit Stones. Auntie Meng’s burden will be lighter, and life will get better. Once you repay the debts and earn some extra Spirit Stones, Auntie Meng will be able to buy a lot of nice things to eat,” Mo Hua said.

The three kids’ eyes lit up.

“But,” Shuanghu scratched his head, “can we really earn Spirit Stones? I heard from my dad that new Monster Hunters mostly just watch and learn and don’t get to share in any Spirit Stones.”

“You guys are pretty good at fighting, aren’t you?”

“Yeah.”

“Just treat Monster Hunting like fighting. You used to fight people, now you’ll fight monsters.”

“But… Monster Hunting is still different from fighting,” Xiaohu hesitated.

“Then just learn more from the uncles in the Monster Hunting Team. Nothing happens overnight. The faster you learn, the sooner you can help out, and the faster you’ll get to share in the Spirit Stones. That way, Uncle Meng and Auntie Meng will be happy.”

Mo Hua comforted them, and all three kids perked up a bit.

“However,” Da’hu said hesitantly, “if we go Monster Hunting, we won’t be able to come play with you often.”

“And later on, we might not be able to play with you ever again…” Xiaohu added quietly.

After saying that, the three of them looked downcast again.

“It’s okay, in a year or two, maybe I’ll also reach the sixth level of Qi Refinement, and by then, I could become a Monster Hunter too and then I could go to the mountains with you guys,” Mo Hua said.

“Oh right, of course!” Xiaohu said happily.

“Of course what?” Shuanghu rolled his eyes at Xiaohu, then looked at Mo Hua with a bit of concern, “You’re not healthy and you’re not following the path of Body Cultivation. Being a Monster Hunter is dangerous, and Uncle Mo won’t agree. You should become a Formation Master instead, which has higher status, earns more Spirit Stones, and doesn’t involve fighting.”

Da’hu nodded quickly, “Being a Formation Master is good!”

Xiaohu echoed, “Yeah, being a Formation Master is good!”

“Alright, then I’ll consider becoming a Formation Master first. If another opportunity arises, or if I can pursue Body Cultivation, then I’ll consider being a Monster Hunter,” Mo Hua said.

But after thinking about it, he realized that he probably didn’t have any talent to be a Monster Hunter. He was frail, and the Cultivation Technique he learned placed emphasis on Spiritual Power. If he really became a Monster Hunter, one close attack from a Monster Beast could easily rip him apart, and he might not survive…

Mo Hua felt a bit regretful, as he was quite drawn to the idea of the bold and free style of Body Cultivation practitioners, who were brave and carefree.

Unfortunately, he was born weak and never had the chance.

Mo Hua patted his waist pouch, “Today I’ll treat you guys to Liu’s street-side osmanthus cakes as a farewell treat.”

The mention of food invigorated the three boys.

“But you’re always treating us, it doesn’t seem fair,” Shuanghu said somewhat embarrassedly.

“Don’t worry, once you become famous Monster Hunters known far and wide, after you’ve killed lots of Monster Beasts and earned a lot of Spirit Stones, you can treat me to something delicious then!”

Upon hearing this, the three boys felt their spirits rise, and they nodded together, “Okay!”

The worries of a moment ago swept away, they walked to the cake shop with their heads held high and an air of confidence.

After eating the cakes, the day was getting late, so it was time to go home.

Before leaving, Da’hu reminded Mo Hua, “Be careful when we’re up in the mountains. If anyone bullies you, make sure to tell us, and we’ll come back to fight for you.”

Touched, Mo Hua smiled and said, “Okay, it’s a deal!”