Zhang Lan felt that his dark history as a cultivator had been vividly embellished by this child Mo Hua.
He had been on guard as if facing a great enemy, only to find himself facing a small cultivator at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.
How embarrassing!
Zhang Lan couldn't help but complain, "Why are you, such a small child, running around in the mountains?!"
"I do a lot of things in the mountains: mapping, setting up formations, collecting demon blood, finding spices, gathering herbs, mining stones..."
Mo Hua counted on his fingers, listing one thing after another for Zhang Lan to hear.
Zhang Lan was exasperated, "Okay okay, I get it."
What a mess this all was.
Zhang Lan didn't really believe it. Could a child come to the Great Black Mountain?
As a cultivator in the late stage of Qi Refining, he had to be extremely cautious when entering the mountain, let alone Mo Hua, a small cultivator at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.
Moreover, knowing Mo Hua, although he had talent in formations, his constitution was weak. If he encountered any demons, he would definitely become their meal.
And he was talking about setting up formations and gathering herbs, wasn't that nonsense?
Zhang Lan didn't believe it.
But he also knew that this kid Mo Hua was somewhat unusual, and it wasn't easy to judge him by normal cultivator standards.
So although he didn't believe it, he didn't say anything.
As for the two people behind him, they were still immersed in shock at this moment, not paying attention to what Mo Hua was saying at all.
Their naive appearance made Zhang Lan feel slightly better, feeling that he had regained some face.
Mo Hua glanced at the two people behind Zhang Lan and asked, "Who is this lady?"
"She's a bit senior to me," Zhang Lan said, "You should call her Auntie."
The female cultivator's eyes were sharp as knives. She glanced at Zhang Lan, then turned to Mo Hua and said with a gentle smile, "My surname is Situ, and my name is Fang. Don't listen to your Uncle Zhang, just call me Sister."
Zhang Lan was speechless.
Mo Hua sweetly called out, "Sister."
Situ Fang immediately smiled brightly.
The man beside her said arrogantly, "I'm Situ Xiu."
Mo Hua responded casually with an "Oh."
Zhang Lan couldn't help but say to Mo Hua, "Quickly go wash your face clean, look at yourself, all dirty."
Mo Hua's appearance just now had scared him, and now looking at him was still somewhat uncomfortable.
Mo Hua found a small stream and cleaned his face.
His dirty little face immediately became rosy and porcelain-like.
Situ Fang looked at him a few more times and couldn't help but praise, "Such a picturesque face, you're really good looking!"
"Thank you, Sister, you're beautiful too!"
Mo Hua returned the compliment politely.
Situ Fang's face bloomed with a smile.
Zhang Lan sighed and said to Mo Hua, "It's getting late, why don't you go back first."
Situ Fang also nodded, "There are demons in the mountains, it's not safe for you to stay here. Do you want Sister to accompany you down the mountain?"
Zhang Lan couldn't help but give Situ Fang a look, "Have you forgotten the task?"
Situ Fang looked conflicted.
Mo Hua asked curiously, "What are you all doing in the mountains?"
"It's a secret mission from the Dao Court, I can't tell you."
"You're looking for someone, right?"
Zhang Lan's head throbbed, "How did you know?"
"I heard you talking just now."
Zhang Lan sighed again, feeling helpless against Mo Hua.
Mo Hua's dark eyes turned, "How about I help you find them?"
Situ Fang smiled, "Thank you, little brother, but this matter is too dangerous. We can't let you come along."
Zhang Lan stood aside, silent.
Mo Hua glanced at Zhang Lan and reminded, "The Great Black Mountain is vast. Without knowing the way, it could take ten days or even half a month to find someone."
Zhang Lan furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, then said, "Alright, come with us."
Situ Fang frowned deeply, "Are you crazy? He's still a child."
Zhang Lan sighed helplessly, "If he doesn't guide us, not only will we fail to find the person, but we might also get lost in the mountains."
Situ Xiu sneered from the side, "With this kid guiding us, we won't get lost?"
"We might!" Zhang Lan asserted firmly, "We might get lost, but he won't!"
"How do you know..."
"If he could get lost, he wouldn't have come up the mountain alone."
Zhang Lan understood. Mo Hua wouldn't do something reckless. If he spoke up, he must be confident.
Situ Fang and Situ Xiu fell silent. The image of Mo Hua appearing silently from the bushes earlier flashed through their minds. The fear and vigilance they had felt just moments ago resurfaced.
The little cultivator before them might indeed be trustworthy. What was concerning wasn't him, but themselves...
"That thief is quite dangerous..." Situ Fang still hesitated.
"We three can't protect him?" Zhang Lan asked.
Situ Fang had nothing more to say. Situ Xiu snorted coldly but said nothing.
Mo Hua then asked, "Who are you looking for? Do you have any clues?"
Situ Fang glanced at Zhang Lan.
At this point, Zhang Lan no longer concealed anything and said, "We're chasing after a demonic cultivator."
Mo Hua was taken aback, "A demonic cultivator?"
He had heard the term before but not in the context of cultivation, so he wasn't sure of the difference.
Zhang Lan explained, "A demonic cultivator uses demonic methods to forcibly extract essence from women to enhance their own cultivation. These thieves are condemned by the Dao Laws and pursued by the Dao Court."
Situ Fang nudged Zhang Lan's arm and whispered, "That's enough, don't talk to the child about this." Her cheeks reddened slightly after speaking.
Zhang Lan hadn't considered it significant, but now, he felt awkward continuing.
Mo Hua was somewhat disappointed; he wanted to understand more.
"Do you have any leads?" he asked.
"We have a portrait." Zhang Lan unfolded a picture.
The young man in the portrait was young and handsome, but his features carried a hint of wickedness.
"So young?" Mo Hua remarked.
"He practices demonic cultivation to enhance his appearance. In reality, he's over a hundred years old. If he goes without harvesting for more than a month, his appearance will age rapidly..." Zhang Lan explained.
Mo Hua was surprised, "There's such a method?"
"There are countless bizarre and sinister cultivation methods..." Zhang Lan said, then warned Mo Hua, "Don't learn them. Demonic and malevolent cultivation methods are cold-blooded and cruel; once involved, they can erase one's humanity..."
Mo Hua quickly nodded, taking it as a serious warning.
Zhang Lan continued, "Based on our information, this demonic cultivator is wanted by the Dao Court, desperate and thus entered the Great Black Mountain. He probably won't dare to enter the Inner Mountain, most likely staying in the Outer Mountain, specifically around Solitary Cloud Peak to Broken Cliff..."
After Zhang Lan finished, Mo Hua had a rough idea and said, "Rest assured, if he's in the Outer Mountain, he won't escape."
Seeing this, Situ Fang couldn't help but smile, "Then we'll rely on you."
"Alright!" Mo Hua nodded.
The demonic cultivator hiding in the Outer Mountain, practicing demonic cultivation, over a hundred years old, being hunted by Uncle Zhao...
Could the cultivators chasing Uncle Zhao be after this demonic cultivator?
Mo Hua also wanted to catch this thief and find out the truth.
(End of the Chapter)