Southern Borderlands.Skull Mountain.
Poisonous miasma lingered over the region year-round. Venomous snakes, insects, and toxic ants crawled everywhere.
At the foot of the mountain lay a small village that had taken root here for over a hundred years. The villagers raised white dogs and possessed rudimentary knowledge of breeding and controlling gu—poison insects—allowing them to survive in such a harsh and treacherous environment.
The white dogs of this village were different from the dogs of the Central Plains. Their bodies were covered in short white fur, their limbs strong and agile, and their ears keen enough to hear the movement of the wind itself. Often, they could sense danger ahead of time, allowing the villagers to avoid disaster.
When hunting outside, these dogs could not only evade large ferocious beasts, but also steer clear of sinister spirits and wandering ghosts. They were regarded as auspicious beasts.
"How did I end up becoming a white dog after just one night of sleep?"
Wu Tian stared at his own paws, wanting to cry but unable to shed a tear. In his previous life, he had been nothing more than an ordinary working-class man. Yet after one night of heavy drinking, he woke up as a white dog belonging to this village.
At first, he thought it was just a dream.
But after two or three days passed and nothing changed—when hunger struck if he didn't eat—he was finally forced to accept reality.
"Bai Long'er, what's wrong with you? Are you sick?"
Just as Wu Tian was drowning in self-pity, a little girl of five or six years old gently stroked his white fur while speaking softly beside him.
Her skin was fair as snow. Though she wore old, worn Miao clothing, her delicate beauty was impossible to hide—clearly the makings of a future b
"You haven't eaten for two days. Should I take you to Grandpa to have a look?"
Wu Tian felt the warmth of her gentle touch, the comfort briefly pushing aside the turmoil in his heart. This little girl was his young mistress—her name was Chi Li Mu.
In this village, surnames were placed last. Everyone carried the surname Mu.
His current body was still that of a puppy. Southern Border White Dogs lived longer than ordinary dogs, but they matured slowly. It usually took about three years to reach adulthood, during which they were taught by their parents how to hunt and sense danger through the wind.
But just a few days ago, his parents—along with the elders of the girl's family—had met with an accident while hunting. Seven or eight villagers died, along with more than ten white dogs.
For such a small village, it was a devastating blow.
Wu Tian stuck out his tongue and gently licked the little girl's hand.
At such a young age, she had already lost her father. After such a tragedy, everyone in the village was busy, leaving no one to care for her.
Though young, Chi Li Mu was sensible beyond her years. She only spoke to him each day, never disturbing the adults as they worked.
"Fine… what's done is done. Since I'm already here, I might as well live on."
Wu Tian sighed inwardly. He slowly rose from the ground, shook the dust from his fur, and stood beneath the sunlight. His short white coat gleamed like polished jade.
With a thought, a faint, translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes.
This was the cheat he had discovered not long ago.
Name: Wu TianAge: 2Bloodline: Southern Border White DogTalent: Poison Devouring 3% (Beginner)Skills: Hunting 11%, Wind Listening 7%
The panel recorded his current condition in simple terms—extremely rudimentary.
So far, he had not discovered any other functions. It merely quantified his talents and skills.
"I haven't eaten for two days. If this keeps up, I'll starve to death."
Feeling the hunger gnawing at his body, Wu Tian let out a low whimper. He nudged the girl's pant leg with his head, then suddenly sprang forward like a streak of white light, dashing out of the village.
Southern Border White Dogs differed from ordinary dogs. They lived longer, grew slower, and only reached adulthood after three years. At two years old, he was still a puppy.
Yet despite his age, he had already received guidance from his elders. His hunting skills were passable.
White dogs raised in the wild forests were born hunters. Their ears could pick up subtle changes in the wind and decipher danger from it.
The Wind Listening skill was practically an innate talent—precisely what allowed them to survive in such perilous lands.
Wu Tian felt strength coursing through his young but agile body. His running speed was astonishing.
Following familiar paths, he slipped silently out of the village. The patrols didn't stop him—white dogs were trusted. Only near the village gate did an adult white dog let out a warning roar.
Wu Tian understood perfectly.
It was telling him to go back.
Leaving the village alone was extremely dangerous.
But Wu Tian didn't look back, disappearing in a blur.
The guard dog roared anxiously, but by the time the nearby villagers realized something was wrong, Wu Tian had already slipped away.
Beyond the village lay an ancient forest. Towering trees blocked out the sky. Spider webs hung between branches, massive spiders lurking within them.
Wu Tian's heart pounded. These spiders were enormous, their bodies covered in thick bristles and vivid colors—clear signs of potent venom.
Worse still, snakes and poisonous insects hid in the shadows.
He had barely left the village when he encountered countless toxic creatures, including several venomous snakes. Dense foliage blocked sunlight, leaving the forest floor damp and dark, littered with decaying branches and leaves.
Wu Tian stuck out his tongue and pricked up his ears, activating Wind Listening to carefully interpret the information carried by the breeze.
The dangers of the forest far exceeded his expectations.
He had thought that with an adult's intelligence and the body of a white dog, hunting would be easy—as long as he wasn't reckless.
Now he knew he had underestimated this place.
Wu Tian stayed cautious. He knew that white dogs possessed the talent Poison Devouring, allowing them to consume poisonous creatures without harm, even increasing their resistance.
But not all poisonous creatures were edible.
His elders had once taken him into the forest and taught him which prey was safe.
His pace slowed. Ears high, senses sharp, he listened to the wind and sniffed the air, avoiding danger while searching for prey.
Soon, he found his target.
A green snake.
Its scales shimmered faintly, its body less than a foot long.
Perfect prey.
Poisonous, but not highly so. Small enough for his body to handle.
A standard item on a white dog's menu.
Wu Tian suppressed his presence and crept closer. Even stepping on dry branches, his padded paws made no sound—soft as cotton.
Only ten feet separated him from the snake.
Though it was his first hunt, once he entered the hunting state, instinct flooded his body.
Ears listened to the wind.Nostrils tested the air.His body flowed forward, swift and silent.
The hunt had begun.