"I'm still a kid, how would I know?" Mo Hua replied confidently.
Zhang Lan's expression froze, full of helplessness. He could only explain, "The so-called 'qi plundering' is actually a form of dual cultivation."
After pausing for a moment, Zhang Lan continued, "You must at least know about dual cultivation."
Mo Hua blushed, "I only know a little."
Zhang Lan didn't know if Mo Hua genuinely didn't know or was pretending, so he went on, "It's essentially about relations between men and women. In plain terms, that's what it is. However, dual cultivation can enhance cultivation progress and the process is intimate, so many cultivators are deeply engrossed in studying this path of dual cultivation."
Mo Hua had a question, "Can dual cultivation really enhance cultivation progress?"
"It can enhance a little, better than nothing. But if you have spare time to delve into these side paths, it's better to spend more time meditating and practicing," Zhang Lan advised.
"What's the difference between dual cultivation and qi plundering?" Mo Hua asked.
"Dual cultivation is relatively normal, while qi plundering is malicious. Evil cultivators use qi plundering to draw upon others' vitality, essence, and spiritual energy. Those who are gathered upon may experience setbacks in cultivation at best, or their foundation may collapse, leading to death. These occurrences are not uncommon," Zhang Lan explained.
Mo Hua felt a chill in his heart.
"Did the demonic cultivator you're pursuing gather upon someone until they died?" he asked.
"He has definitely done such things before, though not recently. We're pursuing him because last month, he completely destroyed a woman's vitality and spiritual foundation through qi plundering, leaving her in a state of constant confusion and distress," Zhang Lan said with a sigh, grinding his teeth.
Mo Hua listened with compassion and asked, "If you catch him, will he be sentenced to death?"
Zhang Lan nodded, "The Dao Court always deals strictly with cases of qi plundering, sentencing from a hundred years to the death penalty. For the one we're pursuing, death is unavoidable."
Mo Hua finally felt reassured.
After a moment of thought, Zhang Lan added, "I forgot to mention, dual cultivation is also prohibited."
Mo Hua looked puzzled.
"I'm just a kid, why are you telling me this?" Zhang Lan felt a bit embarrassed under Mo Hua's gaze, but since he had brought it up, he explained reluctantly, "Ordinary relations between men and women are not regulated by the Dao Court. But dual cultivation is different. Any techniques or methods related to dual cultivation, once discovered, are immediately destroyed..."
"Once a cultivator is found engaging in dual cultivation, the Dao Court will hold them accountable. Although the punishment is not as severe as for qi plundering, it will still be recorded in their file with the Dao Court, which could affect their future in terms of apprenticeships, sect admissions, or marriage arrangements..." Zhang Lan continued.
Mo Hua asked in confusion, "But you said dual cultivation doesn't really hinder anything, so why is it banned?"
"In theory, yes, but in practice it's another matter," Zhang Lan sighed. "Although dual cultivation itself is harmless and does not violate the Dao Laws, not prohibiting it would indirectly condone qi plundering under the guise of dual cultivation. Moreover, the Dao Court finds it difficult to investigate. Once they start investigating, others might claim they were engaged in dual cultivation rather than qi plundering, leaving us powerless..."
As Zhang Lan spoke, he became somewhat impassioned. "What's most infuriating is that some cultivators, even after being plundered from, remain oblivious or even defend those who plundered from them. It's simply foolish!"
Mo Hua asked, "If they say it was consensual, wouldn't you have no way to intervene?"
Zhang Lan snorted coldly, "Before the Dao Laws, there's no such thing as consensual. Violate the Dao Laws, and we'll catch every single one of them, none can escape."
Mo Hua nodded.
Zhang Lan continued, "That's the first reason."
Mo Hua paused, "Is there another reason?"
"Of course," Zhang Lan said, "In the cultivation world over these twenty thousand years, with billions of cultivators, all sorts of chaotic matters have arisen..."
"Oh, I see," Mo Hua nodded.
Zhang Lan continued, "The second reason is that dual cultivation between Dao companions can also turn into qi plundering."
Mo Hua opened his mouth wide, "Isn't it because they have a good relationship that they become Dao companions?"
"What do you know?" Zhang Lan gave Mo Hua a look that said 'you're still young, you wouldn't understand'.
"The closer Dao companions are, the more likely they are to develop grievances. Today they love each other passionately, tomorrow they might hate each other enough to kill. Once there's discord, previous dual cultivation can turn into qi plundering..." Zhang Lan explained.
Mo Hua's eyes widened in surprise, unable to hold back, he said, "Uncle Zhang, you know so much, aren't you afraid of being falling prey to it yourself?"
Immediately, Zhang Lan pinched Mo Hua's ear and said sternly, "Don't talk nonsense! I am a proper cultivator!"
Mo Hua rubbed his ear and muttered softly, "Who knows if you're proper or not..."
Zhang Lan sighed helplessly, then sized up Mo Hua and said, "You need to be more careful in the future."
"Why should I be careful? I won't go qi plundering anyone..." Mo Hua retorted.
Zhang Lan chuckled mischievously, "Even if you won't go qi plundering, you might be the one who gets plundered from."
Mo Hua looked dumbfounded, "Really?"
"Not only female cultivators can lose their qi to male cultivators but male cultivators can also be seized of their qi by female cultivators," Zhang Lan said with a half-smile, "Especially someone like you, handsome and charming."
Mo Hua's jaw dropped.
Patting Mo Hua on the shoulder, Zhang Lan said, "In the future, when you encounter those seductive and wanton female cultivators, be more cautious. You never know, they might have their eyes on you."
Mo Hua pondered deeply for a while, then nodded earnestly.
Later, he noticed another gap in his knowledge and curiously asked, "If qi of female cultivators can be seized by male cultivators, and vice versa, can male cultivators be plundered by other male cultivators, or female cultivators by other female cultivators?"
Zhang Lan was dumbfounded by the question.
"What kind of chaotic thoughts are in your head? How can you ask such questions?!" Zhang Lan was speechless for a while, then sighed weakly, "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 Zhang Lan looking worn out, he wisely refrained from doing so.
The campfire flickered in the camp, gradually quieting down.
Mo Hua read his formation book for a while, practiced some formations in his mind at midnight, then closed his eyes to rest for a while.
At dawn, Mo Hua woke up as the sky began to lighten.
He got up, and at the same time, Zhang Lan and the other two also opened their eyes.
After a simple breakfast, the three of them left the camp and continued on their journey.
When they arrived at Solitary Cloud Peak, Mo Hua examined the terrain and marked several locations on the map.
These places were relatively secluded, rarely visited by demonic beasts, and not easily discovered by other cultivators.
Zhang Lan instructed, "Be careful and avoid leaving any traces to avoid alerting the target. If we encounter him, don't act rashly. Keep a distance and wait until we're all together before making a move."
Everyone nodded, then they split up and headed towards the locations marked by Mo Hua.
Mo Hua followed Zhang Lan.
Zhang Lan had a high cultivation, so Mo Hua felt safer following him.
After searching around, they finally gathered in a forest not far from Solitary Cloud Peak, where there was a campsite.
Mo Hua said, "There are traces around, the demonic cultivator should be hiding in that campsite."
"Could it be other demon hunters?" Situ Fang asked.
"This campsite has long been abandoned, demon hunters wouldn't stay there," Mo Hua replied.
Zhang Lan nodded and said, "Let's surround the campsite and attack together. Mo Hua, it might be dangerous here, stay back."
"Okay."
Mo Hua nodded, then immediately ran far away.
(End of the chapter)