Chapter 147 Kui Wood Wolf
He had already mastered the Golden Armor Array, stepping past the threshold of First-Grade nine-rune formations. From here on, he only needed to continue studying and practicing formations as before.
Even with Mister Zhuang's sharp eye for talent, he had said it wouldn't be difficult for Mo Hua to become a Second-Grade Low-tier Formation Master, that greatly boosted Mo Hua's confidence.
But then, a sobering thought struck him:
Becoming a Second-Grade Formation Master may not be hard... but becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator sure is.
For an independent rogue cultivator, Foundation Establishment was a mountain of hardships.
Mo Hua sighed softly.
Forget it... one step at a time.
He took some time to visit the artifact forge and asked Master Chen to craft a new set of vine armor.
Among the armor most often used by demon hunters, there were two types, vine armor and iron armor.
Vine armor was made from soaked and sun-dried vines, later refined by artifact forgers. Its defense was mediocre, it could barely resist a mid-First-grade beast. Without adding an Iron Armor Array, it was easy to get injured during hunts.
Iron armor, on the other hand, was made from refined steel. It could withstand attacks from late First-grade beasts, but the cost was exorbitant. Ordinary hunters couldn't afford it.
Most late-stage Qi-Refining hunters asked forgers to mix refined iron into their vine armor—blending vine and metal—making it tougher without being ruinously expensive.
That was exactly the kind of armor Mo Hua requested from Master Chen.
Previously, during a deep-mountain hunt, Mo Shan's armor had been torn open by a fierce beast.
Though it was cracked, Mo Shan couldn't bear to throw it away and still wore it.
When Mo Hua saw that, he decided to have a new armor made for his father.
Since it was Mo Hua's request, Master Chen went all out, refused help from Dazhu and the others, personally hammering, quenching, and soaking the materials himself.
He even mixed in extra refined iron.
When Mo Hua tried to pay him in spirit stones, Master Chen waved him off.
When Mo Hua insisted again, Master Chen's already-dark face turned darker:
"Don't insult me, boy. You think I'm that petty?"
Mo Hua had drawn arrays for him and occasionally brought him rare ores; though Master Chen never said it aloud, he remembered every bit.
So Mo Hua simply brought him a few pounds of beef instead. That, Master Chen happily accepted.
Once the armor was ready, Mo Hua inscribed a First-Grade Golden Armor Array upon it.
A genuine First-grade array—complete with all nine formation lines—usable even by a ninth-layer Qi-Refining cultivator.
With that array, the armor's defense would be greatly strengthened.
Mo Hua didn't want his father returning home battered and bruised from demon hunting anymore.
...
A few days later, Mo Shan was preparing to head into the inner mountains again. Liu Ruhua packed his dry rations and meat jerky.
Mo Hua presented him with the armor.
Mo Shan stared at the finely crafted new vine armor, momentarily stunned.
"This is…?"
"Master Chen at the forge helped me make it. I gave him a hand earlier, so he wouldn't take any payment." Mo Hua smiled.
Mo Shan couldn't tear his eyes away, but still said, "This looks expensive. My old one still works."
"That old one's cracked, it's dangerous," Mo Hua said firmly.
Liu Ruhua chuckled, "It's your son's gift. Take it."
Mo Shan finally accepted it. The armor felt heavy in his hands, and his heart felt warm.
He tried it on, it was a bit heavier, but fit perfectly. Then he started taking it off again.
Liu Ruhua frowned. "You're not wearing it?"
Mo Shan stroked the armor, reluctant. "It's new. I don't want to ruin it."
Liu Ruhua snapped, "If the armor doesn't break, it'll be you who does!"
Mo Shan blinked, then laughed awkwardly. "Fair point."
After tidying up, Mo Shan donned the armor his son gave him and headed into the mountains.
The mountain roads were rough, the beasts dangerous.
But wearing that armor, stepping into the depths of Black Mountain, Mo Shan felt his spirit rise, no matter how perilous the path ahead, he feared nothing.
Mo Hua watched him leave, feeling a faint regret.
He had, after all, drawn a genuine First-grade Nine-Rune Golden Armor Array inside that armor…
If his father had asked, he could've shown off a little.
But since he didn't ask, Mo Hua couldn't very well brag on his own.
Still, knowing his father was better protected, Mo Hua could rest easier.
He returned to studying new formation arts.
...
Meanwhile, deep within Black Mountain, Mo Shan regrouped with his fellow demon hunters.
This time, their target was a Late First-grade Kui Wood Wolf Demon Wolf.
The Kui Wood Wolf was over two zhang tall, with black-green fur, sharp claws and fangs, and faint green demon qi radiating from its body.
Its demon qi was poisonous and of the wood element—if one was injured, the toxin would spread through the body, taking root like a vine—very difficult to cleanse.
After discussing their plan, the hunters set out to track it.
Since opening the family restaurant, Mo Shan had more spirit stones for cultivation, and some luck. Now, he was already a ninth-layer Qi-Refining cultivator.
He and several others of the same level led the way, advancing cautiously through the forest, searching for traces of the wolf.
One burly hunter glanced at Mo Shan and exclaimed,
"Old Mo, you finally changed your armor?"
"My son gave it to me," Mo Shan said lightly, but a hint of pride crept into his tone.
The other hunters exchanged looks, half amused, half jealous.
"Alright, that's enough showing off."
"Go on, laugh, we won't hit you."
"Only if you can beat him first."
They chuckled together for a moment.
Then Mo Shan's expression hardened. "It's close."
Everyone instantly tensed, laughter vanishing as vigilance took over.
Crouching low, they crept through dense undergrowth until, by a murmuring stream, they spotted it.
The Kui Wood Wolf was drinking from the water, its savage eyes darting warily around.
Mo Shan whispered, "Old rule, I'll strike first. Be careful. Don't get hit by its claws!"
The group nodded.
Mo Shan waited for the perfect moment, then shot forward like lightning, fist wreathed in flame, driving a blazing punch at the wolf's ribs.
But halfway through, the Kui Wood Wolf sensed danger, twisting its body, Mo Shan's blow landed on its back instead.
The wolf staggered, snarling, its eyes glowing a deep poisonous green.
The other hunters rushed out from all sides, The hunt had begun.
Fighting a demon beast was exhausting, physically and mentally.
One lapse of focus, one careless move, and the beast would tear through your defenses.
Its flesh was tougher, its blood more potent than a human's, it took patience, skill, and endurance to wear it down.
Only seasoned hunters dared venture this deep.
Mo Shan's team was no exception. Their coordination was seamless, their strikes decisive.
If the situation turned dangerous, they'd withdraw instantly.
If they saw an opening, they'd strike without hesitation.
Time passed slowly.
Mo Shan moved with utmost caution, his footwork pushed to the limit, his form flickering as he avoided the beast's claws.
He didn't want a single scratch marring that armor.
After about an hour, the Kui Wood Wolf's aura weakened, it finally collapsed.
The hunters didn't relax.
One burly man stepped forward to check, then sighed in relief.
"Dead."
He turned to call back.
But Mo Shan's instincts screamed. His eyes flicked toward the wolf.
"Not dead yet!" he shouted.
Before his words finished, the fallen Kui Wood Wolf's eyes snapped open.
(End of Chapter)