After playing around in the hot spring on the mountainside for quite some time, Wu Tian finally calmed himself and began examining the techniques Senior Zhu Yeshuang had bestowed upon him.
Focusing his mind on his spiritual platform, he sensed two runes, one purple and one crimson.
The moment his consciousness touched them, countless complex symbols surged forth.
Wu Tian's head spun violently.
It took him a long while to sort through the overwhelming information, and only then did everything gradually settle.
At the same time, his system panel updated naturally, displaying two new skills.
Fire Eye MantraSuperior-grade incantation.By drawing in fire essence to refine the eye apertures, it sharpens vision, dispels illusions, and allows one to perceive subtle details.When fully mastered, it slightly enhances affinity with the fire element.
Thunder Resonance MantraSuperior-grade incantation.A supportive technique that vibrates the internal organs, cleansing turbid, baleful, and impure energies while refining one's essence and tempering the body.When perfected, it can draw in traces of thunder essence.
"Superior-grade incantations?" Wu Tian's eyes lit up with joy."Senior really is generous."
Thanks to his time in the Transmission Hall, he had already grasped the basics of cultivation.
The first four realms were:Foundation Establishment, Nurturing Qi, Forging the Cauldron, and Refining Techniques.
Foundation Establishment involved drawing in Heaven and Earth Essence to nourish the body until it overflowed and condensed into a strand of true qi.
Nurturing Qi focused on opening apertures and meridians, circulating and refining qi, until true qi could flow freely throughout the body.
Both realms relied primarily on incantations, using ancient sounds imbued with Dao resonance to guide cultivation.
Incantations were divided into three levels:
Entry-level incantations—basic techniques for beginners.Secret transmissions—techniques usable after forming true qi, often guarded by sects.And finally…
Superior-grade incantations.
These were exceedingly rare.
Not only were they far more effective than secret techniques, they often strengthened the foundation, refined marrow, and even enhanced innate talent.
Only sects with millennia of heritage could hope to possess such techniques.
Small sects? Forget it.
After securing the techniques, Wu Tian immediately returned toward the mountain gate.
He had left too suddenly this time. If he missed his usual visit to the Mess Hall, Aunt Wu and Wu Xia'er might worry.
He leapt ashore, shook his body dry, and his snow-white fur shimmered brilliantly.
With his Swift Divine Movement talent, he shot through the forest like a streak of white lightning.
As he neared the mountain gate, the bell around his neck swayed, rippling with faint golden light.
Without alerting anyone, Wu Tian slipped quietly inside.
Seeing that it was already late, he hurried straight to the Mess Hall.
By the time he arrived, the disciples of the Transmission Hall had already begun their morning lessons.
"You little rascal! Why are you so late today?" Aunt Wu exclaimed when she saw him."I thought someone caught you and turned you into dog meat!"
Despite her sharp words, she quickly poured the prepared food into his bowl.
"Hmph," Fat Huang muttered nearby."At this rate, this beast will get skinned and eaten sooner or later."
Wu Tian ignored him completely and focused on devouring his meal.
Just as he finished, the Transmission Hall disciples concluded their lesson and began heading over.
Wu Tian didn't dare linger.
Sensing familiar auras—Fei Tianyun and Gu Lidu among them—he bolted instantly.
With a light leap, he transformed into a white blur, vaulted over the wall, and disappeared along the corner.
Within the Transmission Hall, Fei Tianyun had enjoyed special care after entering the sect.
As the village chief's daughter, and with decent mid-grade spiritual roots, she was naturally surrounded by admirers.
Her arrogance only grew.
Still, sect rules were strict.
Even toward people she once despised, she dared not act openly—only sneer with words.
Coincidentally, as she walked toward the Mess Hall with several senior disciples, she glanced back and caught sight of a fleeting white shadow near the wall.
She brushed it off at first.
But as she sat down to eat, the image gnawed at her.
Suddenly—
Bang!
She slammed her bowl onto the table.
"Wait… that wasn't that damned beast, was it?!"
She immediately stood up, abandoning her meal, and rushed out to search the area.
"Junior Sister, what's wrong?" someone asked.
Fei Tianyun didn't explain. She made up an excuse and stormed off.
Yet after searching the area thoroughly, she found nothing.
"…Did I imagine it?"
She stomped her foot angrily.
"Damn beast. If I ever catch you, I'll make you regret it."
When she returned, most disciples had already finished eating.
Just as she was about to leave, she spotted Aunt Wu washing dishes with a spell.
Her eyes flickered.
She stepped forward cautiously.
"…Senior," she said stiffly, correcting herself mid-sentence."Have you seen a white dog around here?"
Aunt Wu didn't even look up.
"Nope. Never seen one. What white dog would come to the Mess Hall?"
Fei Tianyun nodded, unconvinced but satisfied.
"True enough. That wretch never came up the mountain anyway. Must've been my eyes playing tricks on me."
She muttered to herself and left.
Fat Huang, however, had overheard everything.
His eyes narrowed slightly, clearly scheming.
Before he could act—
Smack!
A sharp slap landed squarely on his back.
"Yellow Fourth, don't you dare get any ideas," Aunt Wu snapped.
"Don't forget—this was Brother Man Xiong's arrangement."
"He's already forged his Cloud Leopard form and entered Refining Techniques."
"Do you know what happens if you offend him?"
Fat Huang shuddered violently, his entire body trembling.
"W-wife… you're overthinking it! I wouldn't dare!"
"You'd better not," Aunt Wu warned."Or I'll cut off your ears."
After confirming he'd given up any foolish thoughts, she waved him away.
"Go clean up. I'll handle things here."
Fat Huang grinned sheepishly.
"My lady, no one's around now. Xia'er's not here either… how about we study the Water-Grinding Mantra together?"
Aunt Wu's face flushed instantly.
"You shameless old fool! Still thinking about that at your age?!"
The Water-Grinding Mantra was a secret dual-cultivation technique.
Enjoyable—and mildly beneficial to cultivation.
"My wife is simply too beautiful," Fat Huang laughed, reaching for her hand."Even now, you're still full of charm—"
Smack!
His hand was slapped away.
Her brows shot up.
"Who are you calling old?!"
Fat Huang's face went pale.
He turned and ran for his life.
"Spare me, my lady! I won't dare again!"
(End of Chapter)