Countless thoughts flashed through Wu Tian's mind as he looked at Man Xiongmu.
"Master," he said calmly, "please tell me—within the sect, is killing permitted?"
Man Xiongmu fell silent for a moment before answering.
"At the Qi-Nurturing and Form-Condensation stage, even if a cultivator dies, the beast soul they refined will return to the sect's Beast Soul Banner."
"When that happens, the sect will know exactly who the killer was."
"If you cannot annihilate the beast soul, you must not kill."
"If you cannot avoid the eyes and ears of fellow disciples, you must not kill."
"If you choose to kill—then you must destroy the body, extinguish the soul, and eradicate the beast soul and beast garment completely."
His gaze hardened as he stared at Wu Tian.
"And if you cannot do all of that…""Then endure it."
"I understand," Wu Tian replied quietly.
Only then did he truly grasp the foundation that allowed Skeleton Mountain to remain stable.
If disciples slaughtered one another freely within the sect, it would have collapsed long ago. No amount of authority from above could suppress such chaos.
"What about outside the sect?" Wu Tian asked.
Man Xiongmu glanced at him.
"Outside the mountain, life and death are decided by fate."
"Unless relatives, masters, or allies pursue the matter, the sect will not intervene."
"We are neither a righteous Dao sect nor a Buddhist order."
"We walk a heterodox path and lack the power—or obligation—to protect disciples who roam the outside world."
Wu Tian nodded, then spoke without hesitation.
"In that case, I ask that Master accompany me to the Food Hall tonight."
"Tonight?" Man Xiongmu frowned slightly. "Why act at night over someone like Huang Ren?"
"I want him to pass along a message," Wu Tian said coldly."The people of Wild Dog Cave think this matter can simply end here. It won't be that cheap."
Man Xiongmu narrowed his eyes.
"Explain your plan."
Wu Tian did not hide anything and laid everything out clearly.
Man Xiongmu listened carefully, then shook his head.
"Tong Guan is no fool. Old foxes like him survived decades—perhaps centuries—of bloodshed and schemes."
"Do not underestimate them."
Wu Tian bared his fangs slightly, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Master… I'm actually only interested in Wild Dog Cave's circulation diagram."
Man Xiongmu laughed helplessly.
"Very well. We'll do it your way."
Given the earlier turmoil and the night's plans, neither spoke further about spirit weapons. Instead, they returned to their daily cultivation.
Wu Tian lay on the ground and practiced his four incantations in turn.
Thunder, fire, water, and wind essence gathered one after another, surrounding his body in shimmering light—mystical and hazy.
With each refinement, the Nether Qi within him grew purer and thicker.
Thunder roared.Fire and water collided.Wild winds surged.
The turbid impurities within his body dissipated at a visible speed.
Pop!Pop!
After an unknown amount of time, two more acupoints opened.
Wu Tian slowly opened his eyes and realized night had fallen.
He stood and glanced toward the cultivation chamber behind him.
Moments later, Man Xiongmu emerged.
"Let's go."
With a sweep of his sleeve, a black wind rose, carrying both man and beast out of the cave toward the Food Hall.
Food Hall
Wu Lian was already asleep, but Huang Ren could not rest.
It felt as though a massive stone pressed against his chest, making it hard to breathe.
The humiliation at Wild Dog Cave still lingered—but he had endured worse in his years as a nobody within the sect.
Yet tonight, unease gnawed at him.
Outside, heavy clouds swallowed the moon. The wind howled. Darkness ruled.
Huang Ren stared blankly into the night.
Beside him, his wife's breathing was calm and steady.
Everything seemed peaceful.
"Perhaps I'm overthinking it," he muttered.
"At least I gained thirty merit points. With that and the materials I saved, Xia'er's spirit weapon should be within reach."
Just as the thought settled—
His pupils shrank.
A shadow appeared on the carved window covered by gauze.
"It's that white dog!"
His heart clenched violently.
Then a cold male voice sounded by his ear.
"Huang Ren. Come out alone. Do not alert anyone."
"It's Senior Brother Man Xiongmu."
Cold sweat soaked his back.
"They've come to settle accounts."
At this hour, there could be no other reason.
Panic surged—but when he glanced at his sleeping wife, he forced himself to calm down.
Grinding his teeth, he slipped from the bed.
He wore only thin underclothes and his old, worn shoes.
Creak.
He gently opened the door, glancing back to ensure his wife remained asleep.
She was exhausted and did not stir.
He stepped outside.
In the darkness stood a tall, imposing figure.
By the window, the white dog stared at him like a predator watching its prey.
Huang Ren's face drained of color.
How they discovered his betrayal no longer mattered.
This was Skeleton Mountain—proof was unnecessary.
"Senior Brother…" he said hoarsely.
Man Xiongmu's voice emerged from the darkness, icy and indifferent.
"Tomorrow morning, I will leave the mountain to travel."
"You will personally pass this message to Wild Dog Cave."
"But you must not let Tong Guan know."
Huang Ren froze.
Then his blood turned cold.
He understood immediately.
This was vengeance.
Once blood was spilled, the messenger would not survive.
The night wind cut through his thin clothes.
After a long silence, he glanced at the white dog, lowered his head, and whispered,
"…Alright."
Man Xiongmu beckoned Wu Tian.
Man and beast turned and disappeared into the darkness.
No threats.No intimidation.
Huang Ren stood there for a long time until his legs went numb.
When he finally returned to bed, Wu Lian stirred and hugged him in her sleep.
"Why are you so cold?"
"It's nothing," he said softly. "I went outside for a moment."
"Sleep… we still have work tomorrow," she murmured.
He held her tightly.
They had lived like this for decades—relying on each other to survive.
(End of Chapter)