Since he had already learned the Golden Armor Array and crossed the threshold of First Rank Nine Patterns.
After that, all he needed to do was continue studying and practicing arrays as before.
With Mr. Zhuang's insight, saying that becoming a Second Rank Array Master wouldn't be difficult, Mo Hua's confidence soared.
But then he thought, becoming a Second Rank Array Master might not be difficult, but becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator is challenging for a wandering cultivator...
Establishing a foundation as a wandering cultivator is fraught with difficulties.
Mo Hua sighed.
Forget it, he'd take it step by step.
Mo Hua took some time to visit the Forging Workshop and asked Master Chen to craft a new set of Vine Armor.
A commonly used armor for demon hunters, there are two types: Vine Armor and Iron Armor.
Vine Armor is made by soaking and drying vine tendrils, then refined by an artifact refiner. Its defense is average, barely able to withstand mid-stage First Rank demon beasts. Without the Iron Armor Array, it's easy to get injured while hunting demons.
Iron Armor is made from refined iron and can defend against attacks from late-stage First Rank demon beasts. However, it consumes too much refined iron and is expensive; most demon hunters cannot afford it.
Typically, late-stage Foundation Establishment demon hunters would ask an artifact refiner to mix refined iron into Vine Armor, combining vine and iron to enhance its defense without being overly expensive.
Mo Hua asked Master Chen to refine Vine Armor suitable for late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Previously, during the inner mountain demon hunt, when facing a formidable demon beast, Mo Hua's Vine Armor had been cracked open during the fight.
He couldn't bear to discard the cracked Vine Armor and still wore it.
Seeing this, Mo Hua decided to have a new set of Vine Armor crafted for his father.
Because it was Mo Hua's request, Master Chen spared no effort, insisting on doing everything himself without letting his apprentices intervene, hammering, forging, soaking, all personally handled.
Moreover, the amount of refined iron mixed in was substantial.
Mo Hua wanted to give Master Chen spiritual stones, but Master Chen refused.
When Mo Hua insisted, Master Chen's already dark face turned even darker.
"Do you look down on me?" he asked.
Mo Hua also drew arrays for him occasionally and even dug up some ores for him, although he didn't say it aloud, he remembered it all.
Mo Hua had no choice but to bring him a few pounds of beef. Master Chen was less polite this time, happily accepting it.
After bringing back the Vine Armor, Mo Hua drew a First Rank Golden Armor Array on it!
The First Rank Golden Armor Array truly included nine array patterns, something even a cultivator at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining could use.
After drawing the Golden Armor Array, the defense of the Vine Armor should be greatly enhanced.
Mo Hua didn't want his father, who was a demon hunter, to suffer any more injuries.
A few days later, Mo Shan was about to enter the inner mountains for another demon hunt. Liu Ruhua packed his bags, preparing dried meat and rations for him.
Mo Hua then gave this set of Vine Armor to Mo Shan.
Mo Shan looked at this brand-new, finely crafted Vine Armor and was momentarily stunned.
"This is..."
"Master Chen from the artifact refining workshop helped me refine it. I helped him out, and he didn't ask for my spiritual stones," Mo Hua said with a smile.
Mo Shan looked at the Vine Armor, unable to take his eyes off it. He tried to decline:
"It's a bit too valuable. This old one can still be used."
"That one's already cracked. It's very dangerous," Mo Hua said.
Liu Ruhua also smiled and said, "It's a gesture from Hua'er. Just accept it."
Only then did Mo Shan take the Vine Armor. It was heavy in his hands, warming his heart.
Mo Shan tried it on. Although it was a bit heavier, it fit him well. Then he wanted to take off the Vine Armor.
Liu Ruhua frowned. "Aren't you going to wear it?"
Mo Shan touched the Vine Armor, thinking it was a gift from his son and hesitated to wear it, saying:
"It's new. I'll keep it for now. I'm afraid I'll damage it."
Liu Ruhua said impatiently, "The Vine Armor won't break, but you might get hurt."
Mo Shan was stunned for a moment, then smiled awkwardly. "You're right."
With everything packed, Mo Shan entered the mountains wearing the Vine Armor Mo Hua had given him.
The mountain road was rugged, and the demon beasts were dangerous.
Mo Shan wore the Vine Armor and entered the Great Black Mountain. Suddenly, he felt invigorated. Even if the road ahead was rough, he wasn't afraid anymore.
Mo Hua watched Mo Shan leave, feeling somewhat regretful in his heart.
He had even drew a First Rank Nine Patterns Golden Armor Array on the Vine Armor.
A true First Rank array, oh.
If his dad were to ask, he could boast a little.
But since Mo Shan didn't ask, he didn't feel like bragging about it himself.
However, with the new Vine Armor and the Golden Armor Array, Mo Hua felt a bit more at ease with Mo Shan going into the mountains for demon hunting.
Afterward, Mo Hua continued to study other arrays.
Meanwhile, within the inner mountains of the Great Black Mountain, Mo Shan gradually gathered with his fellow demon hunters.
This time, they were hunting a late-stage First Rank Wood Wolf demon.
The Wood Wolf demon stood over twenty feet tall, with black-green fur, sharp claws and teeth, and a faint green demonic aura.
The demonic aura of the wolf demon was toxic and wood-based. Once inflicted by its wounds, the demonic energy would spread and grow, making it difficult to eradicate.
After discussing strategies, the demon hunters set out to track down the Wood Wolf demon.
Since opening a restaurant at home, Mo Shan had surplus spiritual stones for cultivation, and his luck was still good. He was now a Ninth Level Qi Refining cultivator.
Mo Shan and several other Ninth Level Qi Refining demon hunters took the lead, moving through the mountains, searching for the Wood Wolf demon's presence as they went.
A burly demon hunter glanced at Mo Shan and exclaimed in surprise:
"Old Mo, did you actually replace your Vine Armor?"
"My son gave it to me."
Mo Shan's tone was casual, but there was a hint of undisguised pride in his expression.
Several demon hunters nearby felt a mix of sourness and jealousy.
"That's enough."
"If you want to laugh, go ahead... we won't beat you up."
"You guys better be able to beat him first."
They bantered for a while.
Suddenly, Mo Shan's expression hardened. "We're close."
The other demon hunters all stiffened their expressions, suppressed their smiles, and remained on high alert.
Bending low and using the cover of deep bushes in the forest, they cautiously advanced. Finally, near a murmuring stream in the forest, they spotted the Wood Wolf demon.
The Wood Wolf demon was drinking by the stream, its cruel eyes scanning its surroundings.
Mo Shan lowered his voice. "Same old rules. I'll make the first move. Be careful not to get scratched by its claws!"
Everyone nodded.
Seizing the moment when the Wood Wolf demon was off guard, Mo Shan swiftly leaped out with agile body techniques. His fists were swift like the wind, wrapped in fierce flames, aiming a punch at the Wood Wolf demon's side ribs.
Midway through the punch, the Wood Wolf demon became alert, twisting its body, causing the punch to hit its back instead.
The Wood Wolf demon winced from the blow, staggered back a few steps, its black eyes narrowing as a deep green malice spread.
Other demon hunters emerged from all sides, surrounding the Wood Wolf demon.
The hunt was officially on.
Hunting down a demon beast was a time-consuming and exhausting task, demanding immense mental focus.
Demon hunters needed to be vigilant, engaging in close combat with the demon beast without a moment of complacency. Otherwise, they risked exposing weaknesses that could lead to dire consequences.
Demon beasts possessed robust physical bodies and much denser vitality than cultivators, requiring gradual attrition to defeat.
This process was lengthy and tested one's cultivation, techniques, patience, and experience.
Those who dared to hunt demons in the inner mountains were seasoned demon hunters.
Mo Shan's team was no exception.
They worked together seamlessly, acting decisively. If the situation turned unfavorable, they didn't hesitate to disengage. Once they found an opening, they didn't hold back.
Time passed slowly.
During the hunt, Mo Shan was more cautious than usual, pushing his body techniques to the limit. He dodged every attack from the demon beast, determined not to leave a scratch on his Vine Armor.
After about an hour, the Wood Wolf demon's aura weakened, and it finally collapsed slowly to the ground.
Maintaining their distance, everyone remained on guard.
A burly demon hunter approached cautiously, checked the demon, and then breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "It's dead."
Turning towards Mo Shan's direction, the burly demon hunter walked over.
Mo Shan glanced sideways at the demon beast, sensing danger, and urgently shouted, "It's not dead yet!"
Before he could finish his sentence, the Wood Wolf demon lying on the ground opened its eyes.
(End of the Chapter)