Man Xiong Mu altered his original plan.That very day, he took Gu Lido and Fei Tianyun and left White Dog Village.
"Little Chi Li," he said before departing,"I'll return to Skull Mountain first. If all goes smoothly, I'll be back to fetch you—at the earliest in a few days, at most within a month."
"During this time, you must focus wholeheartedly on cultivating the Nether-Communion Mantra."
After giving his instructions, he left in great haste.
Once Man Xiong Mu was gone, Chi Li Mu looked somewhat dejected as she said softly to Wu Tian,"Bai Long'er… do you think it's because I'm too stupid? Or because I caused trouble… that Uncle Man Xiong didn't take me up the mountain?"
Wu Tian knew very well that this was not the reason at all.From Man Xiong Mu's reaction, it was clear that Chi Li Mu's aptitude was far more extraordinary than he had ever imagined.
He gently rubbed against her chest and let out a couple of low whines to comfort her.
Fortunately, the little girl's worries came quickly—and left just as fast. Before long, she had regained her cheerfulness.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Man Xiong Mu had yet to return, but with the aid of the system panel, Wu Tian continued to improve steadily.
On the third day after Man Xiong Mu's departure, Wu Tian's Qi Devouring talent finally broke through.
Ding!System notification: Your talent "Qi Devouring" has reached Perfection.
Ding!System notification: Your talent "Qi Devouring" has advanced. Current talent: Mid-Tier — Feast on Rosy Clouds and Drink Sweet Dew.
Feast on Rosy Clouds and Drink Sweet Dew (Mid-Tier Talent):Your sensitivity to heaven-and-earth essence is greatly increased.You can inhale essence like rosy clouds and refine it like sweet dew.Your cultivation aptitude is moderately enhanced.
Wu Tian carefully sensed the changes within himself.
With Feast on Rosy Clouds and Drink Sweet Dew, even without any cultivation method at all, he would naturally become a spirit beast over time.
Ever since acquiring the Nether-Communion Mantra, he had come to understand many things by observing the mountain spirits.
"The greatest difference between spirit beasts and ordinary ferocious beasts lies in this: they possess the ability to inhale and exhale heaven-and-earth essence, or they have consumed rare heavenly treasures. Nurtured by essence, their bodies reach perfection, giving birth to demonic qi."
"Once demonic qi is formed, ferocious beasts become incomparably more terrifying. With demonic qi reinforcing them, their speed and strength far surpass that of ordinary beasts."
"If I did not have the Nether-Communion Mantra, relying solely on my innate talents to absorb essence, I would eventually give rise to demonic qi as well."
"But now…"
Wu Tian lay atop the bamboo lodge. Dawn had just broken.
He inhaled heaven-and-earth essence while circulating the Nether-Communion Mantra.
What had once arrived only in thin strands now changed dramatically under the influence of Feast on Rosy Clouds and Drink Sweet Dew.
Essence surged toward him like flowing streams, then—guided by the mantra—transformed into azure rosy clouds, which he drew into his body.
As the eighteen ancient tones hummed, the clouds flowed in and out. Before long, a faint layer of blue radiance enveloped his body.
Though far less spectacular than Chi Li Mu's cultivation, it was worlds apart from before.
The cultivation speed of the Nether-Communion Mantra surged sharply.
"Originally, I estimated it would take at least one—perhaps even two—years to bring the Nether-Communion Mantra to perfection."
"But now that my talent has advanced, it shouldn't take that long."
Azure clouds entered through his nose and mouth. Under the combined effects of the mantra and his talent, they condensed into sweet dew, seeping into his organs and nourishing his body.
The sensation was profoundly mysterious—like plants bathing in rain and dew—bringing indescribable comfort.
This time, he cultivated for nearly half an hour before stopping.
"With my talent improved, I can now cultivate three times a day—morning, noon, and night—nearly half an hour each time."
Wu Tian slowly stood up atop the lodge.
His entire coat was glossy and lustrous, shimmering faintly in the morning light, as if carved from flawless white jade—divine and otherworldly.
With a light bound, he leapt down from the bamboo lodge, riding the wind—agile and swift.
As he continued cultivating the Nether-Communion Mantra, Wu Tian felt his body growing lighter by the day. His claws and fangs sharpened, and even his strength had increased somewhat. His overall power rose steadily.
"At this rate, once the Nether-Communion Mantra reaches perfection and Nether Qi is born, I'll truly become a genuine spirit being."
"Spirit beasts possess demonic qi… while what I will possess is Nether Qi."
"From Man Xiong Mu's explanation, demonic qi excels at reinforcing the physical body, while Nether Qi can communicate with yin and yang—its uses are boundless…"
Wu Tian did not slack off. He continued accompanying the hunting party.
To him, this dangerous primordial forest was the best cultivation ground imaginable.
During this time, he also discovered several heavenly treasures through his Wind Spirit talent—treasures of immense value for cultivation.
Yet without exception, each was guarded by spirit beasts or even demons—far beyond what he could currently handle.
Days passed.
More than half a month went by, and still there was no news from Man Xiong Mu.
Wu Tian began to worry that something had gone wrong.
He was cultivating the Nether-Communion Mantra, yet had no idea what path lay beyond its completion. His road had already diverged from that of ordinary beasts.
If he could not ascend Skull Mountain and obtain further methods, the situation would become troublesome.
Several more days passed.
As the one-month deadline drew near, a sudden sword light descended from the sky above the village.
Wu Tian was cultivating together with Chi Li Mu when an overwhelming sense of danger struck—like the collapse of heaven and earth, like mountains crumbling and seas roaring.
The warning carried by the wind made every hair on his body stand on end.
His heart pounded violently. He wanted to warn Chi Li Mu to flee—
—but his body would not move.
This was not suppression by some external force, but fear rooted in bloodline and soul. Merely sensing that presence forced him to prostrate on the ground, utterly unable to resist.
Buzz!
A sword light fell from the heavens, landing within the bamboo lodge, revealing two figures.
At the forefront stood a figure in red robes, shrouded in golden radiance. Her features were indistinct, yet even the slightest aura she released caused heaven-and-earth essence to surge like tidal waves.
Within a hundred miles, ferocious beasts prostrated themselves. Birds fell silent. Heaven and earth plunged into stillness.
Wu Tian dared not lift his head—no, he could not.
It felt as though a pillar connecting heaven and earth had appeared before him, with all essence surging and submitting.
The sight alone crushed his thoughts with terror.
A slender finger of white jade extended and lightly touched Chi Li Mu's forehead. The little girl remained dazed, unaware of what was happening.
"Li Fire Dao Body. Pure soul. Indeed an immortal seed."
A cool, calm female voice rang out.
"From today onward, you are my first direct disciple. Come—follow me."
Man Xiong Mu, standing behind her, flushed with excitement, hurriedly urged,"Little Chi Li—why aren't you kneeling to acknowledge your master?!"
As if struck by sudden inspiration, Chi Li Mu knelt without hesitation and kowtowed.
After the third bow, a gentle force lifted her up.
"To find such fine jade in this desolate southern land… it seems this, too, is my destiny."
"Come. Return to the mountain with me. Cultivate under my guidance."
Man Xiong Mu finally let out a long breath of relief.
This woman was no one from Skull Mountain. Her origins were immense. Rumor had it she had been exiled here for some transgression, tasked with suppressing the southern fire volcanoes.
She merely resided temporarily at Skull Mountain. Even the Lord of Skull Mountain treated her with utmost reverence.
For Chi Li Mu to become her disciple—this was a supreme blessing. Her future would be limitless.
As the red-robed woman prepared to take Chi Li Mu away, Wu Tian panicked.
He lunged forward, clamping his teeth onto the hem of Chi Li Mu's clothes, letting out urgent barks.
"Woof! Woof!"
(End of Chapter)