Wu Tian could clearly feel a deep, oppressive aura filled with the threat of death pressing in from all directions.
His instincts exploded into action.
Every strand of fur on his body stood on end. His forelegs lowered as a low growl rumbled from his throat.
Yet at the same time, his Danger Sense talent continued to send feedback—
Man Xiong Mu posed no real threat to him.
His instincts screamed danger, while his talent calmly denied it.
Wu Tian was not surprised.
Man Xiong Mu would never truly harm him. But there was no doubt that the methods he was displaying right now possessed the power to kill him outright.
Fear was a biological response.
As the massive palm descended from the sky, the sensation of danger intensified, as if an invisible hand were gripping his throat, suffocating him.
However—
His body began absorbing the surrounding heaven-and-earth energy in an astonishing manner.
Especially wind-attributed energy.
It poured into him like a waterfall.
The Undying Body talent activated.
If described in the terminology of human cultivation, it would be more appropriate to call it an Immortal Method.
From the moment Man Xiong Mu released the Cloud Leopard to the formation of the sky-covering giant hand, only three breaths had passed—
Yet Wu Tian's stamina and mental strength had already been fully restored to peak condition.
At this moment, he could easily activate Wind Escape and vanish beneath the shadow of the enormous palm.
But he did not move.
Instead, he remained perfectly still.
He sensed that Man Xiong Mu was trying to teach him something.
This was an opportunity.
The giant palm of dark wind descended and enveloped his body entirely.
At this moment, Wu Tian felt like an ant caught in a god's grasp, lifted up and slowly carried before Man Xiong Mu.
Man Xiong Mu's physique was terrifyingly powerful.
His upper body was bare, and dark green-black tattoos formed the image of a giant bear across his skin.
His eyes had turned completely black, exuding an emotionless calm that sent chills down the spine.
"White Dragon," he asked calmly,"Tell me—what do you feel?"
Wu Tian was trapped in the palm, as if he could be crushed at any moment.
Yet from this hand—no, from the wind itself—he sensed something unfamiliar.
After a long pause, he answered uncertainly,"…Willpower?"
Man Xiong Mu nodded.
"The human mind, when aligned with a certain law of heaven and earth, becomes Dharma Intent."
"When cultivation reaches a certain level, even emotional fluctuations can influence the phenomena of heaven and earth."
"This is the origin and foundation of everything—Dharma Intent."
As Wu Tian listened carefully, the giant palm transformed into a pitch-black rope that wrapped around his body, suspending him in midair.
Man Xiong Mu's voice echoed through the surroundings.
"When circulating qi reaches completion, the body undergoes refinement—cleansing the meridians and marrow, stepping beyond humanity and aligning more closely with heaven-and-earth energy."
"The next step is to condense a true form—mountains, rivers, plants, spirits, demons—all are viable."
"The essence of form condensation is comprehension of Dharma Intent."
"I've heard that some supreme techniques in the Central Plains sects can directly give birth to Dharma Intent once fully mastered. Such methods are invaluable for form condensation."
"To borrow the form of heaven and earth to comprehend its laws—that is the true essence."
"But Skull Mountain disciples rarely achieve this."
"That's why most of them are blocked before the Mystic Gate."
"Only after ten or twenty years of accumulation, grinding away with bitter effort—or stumbling upon a rare opportunity—can they break through."
"But you are different."
As he spoke, the black rope transformed again—this time into a colossal black panther over thirty meters long, like a moving mountain, carrying Wu Tian upon its back.
"You have already awakened Wind Escape."
"For you, comprehending Dharma Intent is as simple as eating and drinking."
"Forging the Cauldron exists to condense the soul and better perceive heaven and earth."
"Refining the Dao plants Dharma Intent as a seed, moving from surface to depth, understanding the laws of the world more profoundly."
"But you…"
Man Xiong Mu paused.
"You already possess the fruit—before even planting the seed."
The massive panther vanished, transforming into a short blade.
Blade light wrapped around Wu Tian as it swept across the sky.
Man Xiong Mu demonstrated exquisitely refined control, transforming a single strand of Netherwind into countless forms.
Effortless. Natural. Free.
Wu Tian was utterly awestruck.
For the first time, he truly witnessed the terror of a Refining Arts expert.
With only a single method—the Netherwind Art—Man Xiong Mu displayed power that inspired fear.
Wu Tian was gently placed back on the ground.
Man Xiong Mu's eyes returned to normal, though a strand of black wind still spun slowly in his open palm.
"Incantation arts are simplified expressions of heavenly laws, refined by ancient masters."
"They allow cultivators who have not comprehended Dharma Intent to wield a fraction of that power through runes and chants."
"Once Dharma Intent is understood, any compatible incantation naturally becomes far more powerful."
"As for the Refining Arts Realm…"
Man Xiong Mu's voice grew deeper.
"It is not about individual spells."
"Nor about flashy techniques."
"It is about the laws of heaven and earth themselves."
"With Dharma Intent as the seed, rooted in heaven and earth, one comprehends the laws."
"Once the law is grasped, countless techniques follow naturally."
He looked at Wu Tian and continued,"What I showed you earlier can be categorized into techniques—Netherwind Grasp, Phantom Panther, Wind-Rending Blade, and so on."
"But those are merely applications."
"The true foundation lies in the law behind the Netherwind."
"Master the law, and techniques become effortless."
"If one only practices techniques without understanding the law…"
Man Xiong Mu chuckled coldly.
"Useless fools spend decades mastering a single technique."
"I comprehend the law, and one insight leads to ten thousand."
"Sooner or later, I may even naturally develop variations of Wind Escape itself."
He stared intently at Wu Tian.
"White Dragon."
"You possessing the Wind Escape talent is excellent. It proves your bloodline is terrifying."
"But talents are merely gifts of blood."
"If you do not comprehend Dharma Intent, do not study the laws—then no matter how hard you cultivate, you will merely fuse talents and bloodlines into an inner core."
"Becoming a Demon Saint—let alone a Great Demon Sovereign—will be impossible."
Wu Tian finally understood.
He took a deep breath, lowered himself to the ground, and spoke with utmost seriousness:
"Please guide me, Master."
Man Xiong Mu smiled faintly.
"Others must condense Dharma Intent through technique and refinement before touching the laws."
"But you, having awakened Wind Escape, stand at a higher vantage point."
"If you are willing to rebuild your foundation step by step, your path will be far easier than anyone else's."
"I will teach you a method."
"The Twelve Transformations of Ghost and God."
"You may condense transformations of hands, feet, mouth…"
"Lion, tiger, leopard…"
"Blade, staff, rope…"
"Bow, arrow, horse…"
"Twelve transformations in total."
"When all twelve are mastered, you may manifest the form of a Ghost God with three heads and six arms."