As the stone door slammed shut behind him, only father and son remained inside the cave.The dim lighting made Tong Jin feel an unexplainable fear creeping into his heart.
"What did Huang Ren say to you outside?"The Wild Dog Cave Lord had transformed into a short-tailed black dog, lying on the ground. His ghostly green eyes stared unblinkingly at his son.
Tong Jin had initially wanted to hide it, but the cold gaze made him shudder. Stammering, he recounted everything Huang Ren had said, word for word.
"Father, I didn't plan to do anything," he hurriedly explained."Really. I remembered what you said—I chased him away!"
His voice grew quieter as he spoke.
The Wild Dog Cave Lord remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.
"No. You're going to do it."
"Go find your senior brothers and sisters. Have them keep an eye on that dog."
"If there's a suitable opportunity—kill it."
"However…"His gaze lowered slowly."You must not appear. And you must not act personally. Do you understand?"
Tong Jin wasn't stupid. After hesitating for a moment, he asked cautiously,"But Father… they're all from Wild Dog Cave. If something goes wrong, Cloud Perch Cave will definitely know it was us."
"Something goes wrong?"The cave lord let out a cold laugh."Who told you anything would go wrong?"
"Go. Do exactly as I said."
Tong Jin didn't understand, but he didn't dare defy his father. He nodded and left the cave.
The stone door closed once more, plunging the cave back into darkness.
The Wild Dog Cave Lord's green eyes turned colder still.
"Man Xiongmu… I've already given you a man. You'd better know when to stop."
Cloud Perch Cave
Man Xiongmu had already left.
And not secretly—he had openly accepted a patrol assignment from the Mountain Inspection Hall before descending the mountain.
Wu Tian lay on a stone bench, his breathing slow and rhythmic. As Nether Passage Qi circulated through his body, he alternated between the four spells of water, fire, wind, and lightning. Turbid energy was continuously being expelled.
During this period, he had not relaxed for even a moment. All his focus was devoted to spell refinement and opening his meridians.
Even after the conflict with Wild Dog Cave, his cultivation had only grown more intense.
Whether it was the senior's decree or Man Xiongmu himself—those were external forces. They could be borrowed, but never relied upon.
Only one's own strength was the true foundation.
After opening the meridians came the Qi Circulation Realm.
This stage was crucial. First, it allowed the refinement of spell weapons. Second, Qi circulation could cleanse the body and reshape one's aptitude.
Different Qi Circulation Diagrams led to different transformations.
Cloud Perch Cave's Nether Cloud Diagram enhanced speed and allowed one to hide within shadows and ghostly winds.
Fire Crow Cave's Wind-Fire Diagram strengthened wind and flame affinity, granting partial control over those elements.
Other branches—Black Bear Cave, White Ape Cave, Fierce Tiger Cave—each possessed their own diagrams, resulting in various miraculous traits upon completion.
Great strength, iron skin, ghost control—countless variations.
Wild Dog Cave's diagram was called the Devouring Moon Diagram.
It allowed practitioners to absorb moonlight at night to nourish body and soul—and even devour ghosts.
Terrifying beyond measure.
It was said this diagram originally belonged to the sect master's direct lineage. Sun and moon essence was profoundly mysterious—ordinary inheritances were not qualified to touch it.
Only because Wild Dog Cave's founder came from the core lineage did they possess such a method.
Its ability to devour ghosts directly countered the Beast Soul Path practiced by the Thirty-Six Caves—one of the reasons Wild Dog Cave could suppress other branches.
Everyone knew the sect master's lineage held methods to restrain the Thirty-Six Caves. The Devouring Moon Diagram was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Wu Tian had long considered Qi Circulation Diagrams.
If he had no choice, that would be one thing—but if he could obtain Wild Dog Cave's inheritance, he would never give it up.
Other diagrams were at best secret-grade. The Devouring Moon Diagram was likely a high-tier method.
Devouring moonlight and consuming ghosts were extremely rare abilities.
He did not intend to miss this chance.
Since Wild Dog Cave had delivered itself to his doorstep, he naturally wanted that diagram.
As for spell weapons—he had already discussed his ideas with Man Xiongmu.
The concept of forging a brand-new soul-binding thread had been rejected outright.
Creating a new spell weapon was far more complex than he imagined. Material compatibility, incantation refinement—everything was built upon countless failed attempts by predecessors.
To create a new weapon from scratch required decades, even centuries, and massive resources. Only great sects could afford such experiments.
Thus, his options were limited.
Three choices remained:Soul Banner, Ruyi Whip, or Water-Severing Staff.
Wu Tian favored the Ruyi Whip.
By adding different spiritual materials, its attributes could be altered. Many disciples across the Thirty-Six Caves chose this weapon.
Wind-Fire Whip.Water-Fire Whip.Wind-Water Whip.Nether Wind Whip.Nether Fire Whip.
Lightning-based materials were rare, and there were no lightning-based nurturing spells in the sect—so no one forged such weapons.
Wu Tian, however, aimed higher.
He wanted to forge a whip capable of wielding water, fire, wind, and lightning simultaneously.
Though it would consume far more materials and demand greater effort to nurture, he desired a premium spell weapon.
One strike—elements erupting in chaos—turning enemies into ash.
"With the Ruyi Whip, and once the Devouring Moon Diagram is perfected…"
"Whip the body, devour the soul."
"That will form my initial combat system."
"And perhaps I can consult that senior as well—she may offer guidance…"
Wu Tian immersed himself in cultivation, ignoring the outside world. Thunder roared, water and fire clashed, wild winds swept through his body, purging impurities at a rate far beyond ordinary cultivators.
Unknowingly, a full night passed.
After exiting the cave, he used the Flame Vision Spell to absorb a thread of morning purple energy into his eyes. The exhaustion of overnight cultivation eased slightly.
He turned back toward the cave—
Then his gaze turned cold.
His danger-sensing talent had already alerted him to approaching malice.
"No rush."
Wu Tian returned inside and fell into deep sleep.
About an hour later, fully restored to peak condition, he slowly opened his eyes.
He walked out once more—this time heading toward the mountain gate.
"There—he's left the cave."
"Careful. Follow quietly."
"Find a deserted spot. Kill it."
Seven or eight figures hid beneath the shadow of a cloud-concealing banner, suppressing their presence as they stared at Wu Tian from afar.
(End of Chapter)