The stone doors of the cave dwelling slammed shut with a heavy rumble.The intertwined glow of the night-pearl and the bronze lotus lamps cast shifting light across Man Xiong's face, making his expression appear even darker.
"Tong Guan clearly has ill intentions," Man Xiong said coldly as he sat down on a stone chair."The situation below the mountain is chaotic. Great Demons are appearing frequently. This trip down the mountain will be dangerous."
Wu Tian, however, remained calm and unhurried.
"Master, I have the ability to sense danger. If he's plotting something, who lives and who dies is still uncertain."
"Besides, with the senior's cultivation decree protecting me, he wouldn't dare act openly."
"If he resorts to underhanded tricks, we'll respond accordingly. Soldiers block soldiers, water counters fire."
Man Xiong was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing.
"I never thought that at my age, I'd be comforted by a dog."
"Haha… looks like I'm the one lacking composure. I'm not as steady as you, you little fellow."
With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the jade slip toward Wu Tian.
"No matter what, we finally have the Moon-Devouring Qi Circulation Diagram. Take it and cultivate. If you don't understand something, come ask me."
Wu Tian leapt up and caught the jade slip precisely in his mouth. He felt both excited and uneasy.
"Master… could Tong Guan have tampered with the diagram?"
Man Xiong shook his head.
"Don't worry. A Qi Circulation Diagram must be paired with later cultivation methods to form a complete inheritance. By itself, it isn't that significant."
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed so easily."
"More importantly, the essence of a Qi Circulation Diagram lies in the cultivation intent embedded within it. Tong Guan can't fabricate that."
"He merely used the inheritance seal to imprint the authentic intent onto the jade slip. That can't be faked."
"Cultivate with peace of mind."
"I see. Thank you, Master."After his excitement subsided, Wu Tian hesitated and asked awkwardly, "Um… Master, how do I use this jade slip?"
It was his first time encountering such an item.
Man Xiong chuckled. "My oversight. Focus your mind and circulate your Nether Qi to your spiritual platform."
As he spoke, he waved his hand. A strand of black wind gently lifted the jade slip from Wu Tian's mouth and placed it against his forehead.
Wu Tian circulated his Nether Qi. The moment it reached his spiritual platform, the jade slip burst into radiant light, as if a full moon had sunk into his mind.
A diagram formed in his consciousness—constructed from seventy-two apertures.The pattern was incredibly complex, with dense lines interwoven like a massive mouth biting down on a bright moon.
"What a perfect Moon-Devouring Qi Circulation Diagram…"
Wu Tian's spirit trembled with excitement. This diagram fit him flawlessly. His canine body possessed exactly seventy-two apertures—no other circulation method, no matter how profound, would suit him this well.
Seeing him immersed, Man Xiong smiled.
"No rush. I've just returned to the mountain. Even if we're heading down soon, we'll rest and prepare first."
"I'll also investigate what Tong Guan is truly planning."
"And as for this thousand-year Ironwood Heart…"
He placed the deep-green core on the table.
"This is a mid-grade spiritual material, suitable for refining artifacts. Extremely valuable. I suggest you set it aside for now. The bitter bamboo outside is enough for your current needs."
"Use this once your cultivation is higher."
Wu Tian nodded, then suddenly remembered the artifacts still stored in his abdomen. He hurriedly spat them out—a banner, a black net, a bell, and a purple-cyan ruyi cord.
"Master, these are my spoils from before."
"And this ruyi cord—I refined it myself during this time…"
Man Xiong looked at the items that had emerged from the dog's mouth, clearly reluctant to touch them. After a quick glance, he said:
"These three artifacts are common inheritances within the sect."
"The Cloud-Covering Banner can conceal one's presence, but it has many limitations. Our Cloud Perch lineage has superior concealment techniques—this item is rather redundant."
"The Soulbinding Net is best used by groups. With over a hundred people, it can instantly form a massive net, leaving enemies with no escape."
"For you, however, it's of little use."
"The Soul-Shaking Bell suits you well. One ring can stun the soul. If an enemy hesitates even for an instant, you can strike decisively."
After a brief pause, Man Xiong finally reached out and lifted the purple-cyan ruyi cord with black wind, examining it closely.
The cord was clean and pristine, its purple-cyan surface interwoven with water and fire patterns.It measured just under five feet and radiated a gentle sheen—its quality was evident at a glance.
"You refined this from Ironwood rods taken from the Wild Dog Cave disciples, didn't you?"
"I see four strands of soul-thread fused together. Two bear the Cloudwater and Wind-Gathering incantations. The other two… I can't quite identify."
Wu Tian transmitted, "Those were taught to me by the senior. I engraved them as well."
Man Xiong nodded.
"You've got ambition, using four strands. The time and effort required far exceed ordinary artifacts."
"But the beauty of the ruyi whip lies in its simplicity—it only requires soul-thread as material. With continuous refinement, it can eventually become a high-grade ruyi tether."
"Other artifacts require many different materials, and most can't even be upgraded into true artifacts."
"Since you've chosen this path, don't abandon it. One day, when it becomes a ruyi tether, it will be an excellent protector."
Wu Tian nodded earnestly.
"That's exactly my plan. As long as I have soul-thread, I can keep refining it without searching for other materials."
"Hard work, yes—but it saves time."
Man Xiong considered for a moment, then said:
"I'll take the Cloud-Covering Banner and the Soulbinding Net. I can exchange them at the Merit Hall."
"I'll use the merit to obtain the Soul-Shaking Incantation—the spell needed to activate the bell. I don't have it myself."
"You stay here and cultivate. Use the bitter bamboo outside for your thread-drawing incantation. Don't slack off."
Wu Tian agreed immediately. He swallowed the purple-cyan ruyi cord again, hopped onto a nearby stone chair, and began his daily cultivation without delay.
He had already opened sixty-eight apertures.
At most, four or five more days—and he would achieve full aperture opening.
As the incantations echoed, water, fire, wind, and lightning surged.Heaven and Earth essence flowed like radiant mist, completely enveloping his body.