All day, the four little demons gathered in Mo Fan’s cave, bragging and joking.
During a break, Mo Fan slipped back to the spring pool. Besides catching fish, he checked the dragon loaches in the bamboo basket by the rock wall, finding no change, with plenty of spiritual stones remaining.
He noticed the loaches didn’t constantly eat the stones but slept after consuming some, so the stones depleted far slower than he’d expected.
Relieved, Mo Fan had worried that during the night’s cultivation assembly, the loaches might eat all the stones and break free.
That would’ve been a huge loss.
But now, it seemed the stones might last another night, easing his concerns.
In the afternoon, Mo Fan cooked a big pot of boiled fish as promised, and even Red Eyes, the rabbit demon used to vegetarian fare, praised it, devouring fish one by one.
As night fell over Black Wind Mountain, the five demons headed to Scorpion Cave for the cultivation assembly.
When Mo Fan and the others arrived, Blackie Demon Warrior’s aides were already there. After exchanging greetings, they went to pay respects to Blackie Demon Warrior.
Soon, Blackie emerged, glanced at the night sky and the half-hidden moon, and said to the demons, “Don’t miss the cultivation assembly on the mountaintop later. It’s your one monthly chance to refine demon energy. I’ll head up first!”
With that, Blackie looked at Old Six, now recovered, who radiated intense demon energy and transformed into a massive black beetle, a full zhang long.
Blackie leapt onto the beetle’s head, murmuring, “Let’s go!”
“Safe travels, Master!!”
Dali and the other demons shouted, and Mo Fan joined in.
The giant beetle flapped its wings, soaring straight to the mountaintop.
“Let’s go too!”
Spider Demon Old Eight spoke, transforming into its true form, scuttling up the mountain with eight legs at startling speed.
The others followed.
It took two incense sticks’ time to reach the top.
The Black Wind Mountain cultivation assembly was orderly, with areas assigned for each warrior’s group, so Mo Fan quickly joined Dali and the others behind Blackie Demon Warrior.
Blackie was already meditating, while the beetle, now in spiritual form, sat a zhang behind him.
Once settled, Mo Fan looked around, seeing the mountaintop packed with demons, more still arriving.
All had transformed into their spiritual forms.
Gazing at the human-headed, beast-bodied demons, Mo Fan found them somewhat absurd.
At the peak’s highest point stood four figures: the Black Wind Mountain Demon King and three demon generals.
Mo Fan whispered to Chacha on his shoulder, “Brother Chacha, since this assembly is for absorbing moonlight to refine demon energy, can’t we do it without coming to the top?”
“You’re not wrong, but the Great King said the closer to the sky moon, the stronger the moonlight’s power, making cultivation easier,” Chacha replied.
Mo Fan nodded, though as a modern thinker, he struggled to imagine how a moon could hold such energy.
Was this moon different from Earth’s?
He didn’t dwell on it. Like the others, he looked up at the moon, waiting a little longer until the full moon emerged from the dark clouds.
Only then did Mo Fan notice this moon’s uniqueness, far brighter than usual, illuminating the demons’ faces.
“The sky moon is out, children, the cultivation assembly begins! Focus, absorb the moonlight, and refine your demon energy!”
The Demon King stood at the peak, shouting to the demons, then snorted coldly, “Our demon clan’s cultivation is hard-won. Don’t waste this rare chance. If I catch anyone dozing, they’ll be tomorrow’s feast!”
The Demon King’s words hit hard, and every demon perked up, starting to absorb the sky moon’s essence.
Mo Fan, seeing this, turned to Dali and asked, “Brother, what do I do now?”
“Relax your mind, clear all thoughts, sense the free-flowing moonlight around you, try to draw it into your body, then guide it to refine your spiritual energy into demon energy!” Dali advised gravely, then began cultivating.
Half-understanding, Mo Fan followed Dali’s method, trying to sense the moonlight.
“Let’s bet!”
“I bet Lai Bao won’t sense a shred of moonlight tonight!”
Chacha chirped, hopping on Mo Fan’s shoulder, gloating.
“I bet Lai Bao won’t sense it for half a year!” Red Eyes, the rabbit demon, chuckled.
“You’re giving our Brother Lai Bao too much credit. Sensing moonlight is tough. Even I, under the master’s guidance, took half a year to feel it.
So, I bet Lai Bao needs at least a year!” Lai Fu, the dog demon, grinned.
Blackie Demon Warrior overheard, glanced back at Mo Fan cultivating earnestly, smiled, and turned away.
Even he didn’t think Mo Fan could sense the moonlight tonight.
“Master, you usually guide new demons during cultivation. Won’t you guide Lai Bao tonight?” Old Three asked curiously.
“Tonight, I’m not in the mood. Besides, cultivation can’t be rushed. Forcing it would only harm this toad,” Blackie said, shaking his head, and resumed cultivating.
His words reached Mo Fan, sparking anger. He knew Blackie’s true aim was to keep him alive for his venom, caring nothing for his cultivation.
Realizing this, Mo Fan resolved to cultivate seriously. He tried calming himself, emptying his mind.
But the more he tried, the harder it was to stay calm, his mind swirling with countless thoughts, frustrating him.
“Am I doomed to fail tonight, as they say?”
After two incense sticks’ time with no success, Mo Fan felt disheartened.
Still, he refused to give up. If trying to empty his mind failed, he’d stop thinking altogether and focus outward.
With that, Mo Fan closed his eyes, ignoring all thoughts. Gradually, he heard insect chirps and felt the cool mountain breeze.
This comfort eased his heart.
Since arriving in this world, he hadn’t felt such peace in half ~
