Chapter 8, Bonfire Party

Chen Zining now spends the vast majority of his time in meditation practicing the "Qian Kun Yin Yang Jue". He has discovered that as his cultivation techniques improve, the refinement and forging of his spiritual awareness and body naturally lead to a corresponding advancement in his true qi cultivation, without any so-called obstacles or bottlenecks.

On this night, the bonfire in the square continued to burn until the crescent moon sank in the west and dawn broke in the east before it gradually extinguished

After a group of forty-seven people was ready, they set off before dawn the next day. Half of the youths who completed their coming-of-age ceremony this year were in the group, and they also brought along two hunting dogs. Whenever they reached a dangerous area, they would stop to rest for a while, dispatch the hunting dogs to conduct a search, and only then would they pass through quickly

You, young man, would rather have those useless books than the life-saving leather armor. I truly do not understand what is going through your mind

I want to go to the city to buy some books, and the most valuable thing I have is this piece of animal skin, which I certainly need to sell. Books are not cheap in the Holy Lan Continent; they cost at least several dozen copper coins or more

Chen Zining smiled and handed one of the spirit cores to his sister, saying: "Keep this, you can also use a first-tier spirit core. Remember to hold it in your hand while practicing, and absorb the spiritual energy within it."

Chen Zining stood by the campfire, holding a串 of sliced meat in both hands, skillfully grilling it. His sister, Chen Muxiang, sat on a small stool beside him, also with both hands occupied; one hand held a skewer of grilled meat, while the other held a bright red mountain fruit. She took a bite from her left hand and then from her right, thoroughly enjoying both the view and the food.

The corn and some crops planted outside the village have also matured, and the elderly and women in the village have begun to busy themselves with the harvest. Naturally, the laughter and play of the children cannot be absent; they are usually confined within the walls of the village and are not allowed to step outside. Although Chenjia Village is not small, they have played in every corner, knowing exactly where there is a mouse hole and where there is an ant nest.

Another boy beside him said, "Zining, are you really going to sell the hide of the iron-skinned beast? It would be much better to keep it for yourself and make a piece of leather armor."

Chen Zining picked it up, smiled without speaking. This is also an ancient custom, where adult men make a pendant from the fangs of the fierce beasts they hunted during their coming-of-age ceremony, to demonstrate their bravery and strength. In the future, when they encounter a girl they like, they present it as a token of affection.

Chen Zining also wanted to go along. He mentioned that he had only visited www.hetushu.com three years ago with his parents and a few fellow villagers. This time, he was particularly happy to be able to join the trip. Even Chen Muxiang, upon learning of this, insisted on going as well, and it was only after Chen Zining promised her that he would bring back delicious food and fun items that she finally relented

The creature referred to by Chen Zikang as the Tuo Mountain Beast is quite similar to the Tuo Beast, belonging to the same species, but is somewhat shorter, with short and stout limbs. Its feet have five toes, providing excellent grip on the ground, and it is capable of carrying a load of two to three hundred jin while traversing narrow mountain paths

Only during the rare occasions of spring sowing and autumn harvest, when the adults are also working nearby, are they allowed to go outside. It is as if they are birds released from their cages or dragons entering the vast sea, playing freely without restraint. In an instant, bursts of laughter rise across the expansive fields

When the moon had just risen, more than ten bonfires of varying sizes were lit in the square. Some were roasting whole game, while others were lined up to do it themselves. In the center, a circular space was left open, where several youths took turns wrestling and showcasing their skills

A first-level spirit core can be sold for a price of twenty gold coins, which is nearly equivalent to more than half a year's income for an adult hunter. However, the first-level spirit core has the effect of enhancing the power of those below the warrior rank. Unless it is of no use to oneself, no one would think of selling it for money

However, there were no troubles along the way. Several young boys were also carrying slightly smaller bundles, walking in the middle of the group. Chen Zikang said, "It would be great if our village could raise a few pack beasts; it would make traveling in and out of the mountains much easier in the future"

Each pack animal requires around 20 gold coins, which is quite expensive! Moreover, it is only used three to four times a year, making it not cost-effective

Chen Zikang laughed and said, "How can you still have the face to be like us, dragging back a thousand-pound iron beast? You really should carry two bags on your back"

Early the next morning, many who had stayed up late due to last night's revelry were still asleep. Chen Zining had risen early and was now sitting cross-legged on his bed, running through the "Qian Kun Yin Yang Jue" several times. He had spent the entire previous day utilizing spiritual power, and by the time he returned to the village, his spiritual energy was nearly depleted. After a night of cultivation, he had fully recovered and even made some progress, gaining a more adept control over his spiritual power.

The villagers began to organize the furs they had hunted and the medicinal herbs they had gathered, preparing to travel to Taichang City at the foot of the mountain for trade. They needed to purchase clothing, food, salt, daily necessities, and so on, for the entire winter, all before the first snowfall. The round trip covers over 200 miles of mountainous terrain, and with the added burden of carrying goods, they would need to stay in the city for two nights, totaling three days and two nights.

Chen Zining would join the village hunting team to hunt in the mountains every couple of days. Although he did not employ any obvious cultivation techniques, with the assistance of his spiritual awareness and spiritual power, he still performed exceptionally well, earning the recognition of everyone.

At this moment, Zhan Ping walked over, holding two shiny spirit cores the size of fingers and a metal beast's fang, and handed them to Chen Zining, saying: "Tomorrow, take this fang to the Second Elder and ask him to help you turn it into a pendant"

Of course, the mountain bandits and wild beasts, as well as the robbers and outlaws, make it so that there is no peace outside the city. Moreover, since each of us carries goods that are clearly valuable, we must remain vigilant and cautious throughout our journey

Chen Zining also interjected, "Yes, Zikang, what hardships are you facing? The burdens we carry are all the same weight as yours"

When the village girls appeared in neat and beautiful attire, dancing gracefully in the square, the atmosphere of the evening reached its peak, with cheers, whistles, and applause rising and falling in an unending chorus

Seeing the beautiful spirit core, Chen Muxiang jumped up excitedly, extending her greasy little hand and exclaimed: "Give it to me! Give it to me! I want that shiny little stone." And the *illustration*.

After the adult ceremony, the real autumn hunting begins. The villagers must conduct a thorough sweep of the well-fed and robust game before winter sets in. Once the snow falls, hunting activities will nearly come to a halt, necessitating an early start to winter storage.

After finishing his training, Chen Zining practiced his punches several times in the courtyard. Having completed the coming-of-age ceremony, he was no longer required to gather in the square for morning exercises, but he did not wish to change the habits he had maintained for many years

Zhan Ping couldn't help but laugh, saying: "This is not a small stone; it is the spirit core hunted by your brother, used to enhance one's power."

This time, there were more than forty people going together, all of whom were young and strong. Chen Zining noticed that everyone had a large backpack, and they were all fully armed with long guns, short knives, and bows and arrows. He couldn't help but ask the leader of the group, Chen Daohong, "Elder Chen, is the journey very dangerous? Why is everyone fully armed?"

After the onset of winter, autumn hunting activities gradually decreased. Even when hunting, the trips were no longer far, primarily because the wild wolves in the mountains had begun to gather in packs and roam about. During this time, it was particularly easy for a wave of beasts to attack the villages, making it the most anxious period for the mountain dwellers. However, since Chenjia Village completed the construction of its outer stone wall, which took forty years, one hundred years ago, there have been no large-scale attacks. Occasionally, some reckless individuals would be shot from a distance by those guarding the wall.