After returning to Qiyun Cave, Wu Tian noticed that the dark cloud hanging above his head had thinned somewhat—but it had not disappeared.
He frowned slightly.
"Don't tell me that fat bastard dares to make a move on me directly?"
Suppressing his irritation, he steadied his mind.
"Forget it. I'll remain in seclusion for now. As long as I don't leave the cave, nothing should happen."
With that thought, Wu Tian calmed his breathing and began his cultivation routine.
He circulated Thunder Sound Mantra, Fire Eye Mantra, Cloud Water Mantra, and Gather Wind Mantra in sequence.
After completing one full cycle, he used the agitation of Qi to wash away impurities and open apertures, fully immersing himself in cultivation.
Mess Hall – Night
By nightfall, Wu Xia'er had already fallen asleep.
Wu Lian and Huang Ren, exhausted after a full day of work, finally lay down to rest.
"Xia'er's spirit root is Wind-Fire," Wu Lian murmured thoughtfully.
"The best choice for her would be Fire Crow Cave. Senior Sister Yao there is already in the Refining Law Realm. She's kind-hearted and gentle—and she and I have some history."
"But to enter Fire Crow Cave, we'll still need to visit the Transmission Hall and give that steward some… consideration."
She continued calculating softly.
"And once Xia'er reaches the Shaping Stage of the Nurturing Qi Realm, she'll need a spirit beast."
"She'll have to skin it to refine a beast form, extract its yin soul to forge her true form…"
"Fire Crow Cave raises its own fire crows, so that part shouldn't be a problem. When the time comes, I'll send Sister Yao some Jade Beauty Fruits and ask her to arrange one with good quality."
"And we still need to prepare a defensive mantra weapon. The Wind-Fire Whip suits her well."
"We have most of the materials, but we're still short on Yin Soul Silk…"
"I'm thinking of asking Senior Brother Man Xiong if he has any extra. Even if not, it's still good to keep in touch."
"If all else fails, we'll have to exchange merit points… which is another expense."
Hearing his wife's quiet calculations, Huang Ren held her close, remaining silent.
Guilt weighed on his heart.
For all these years, Wu Lian had endured hardship with him—never enjoying comfort, always tied to the stove.
The once fiery, beautiful young woman now had wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.
Her clothes smelled of smoke and oil. She rarely wore anything new.
And now, she worried endlessly for their daughter.
Lost in thought, Huang Ren realized that at some point, Wu Lian had already fallen asleep.
She was simply too tired.
He turned his head slightly, looking at her face.
Though aged, traces of her former beauty remained.
Thanks to cultivation, her figure was still graceful—slender waist, full curves.
He sighed softly.
The last trace of hesitation in his heart finally vanished.
"In a few days, when I go to transport supplies… I'll stop by Wild Dog Cave."
"Don't blame me," he thought coldly.
"No spirit creature survives long on Skull Mountain anyway."
"They all end up skinned and their souls refined sooner or later."
With that thought, the guilt buried deep in his heart faded further.
Huang Ren tightened his arms around his wife, gently kissed her forehead, and closed his eyes.
Wu Tian, of course, knew nothing of Huang the Fatty's plans.
Though he could sense impending calamity, he couldn't simply rush over and bite the man to death.
Huang Ren had been in the Nurturing Qi Realm for decades—Wu Tian was no match for him.
Telling Wu Xia'er would be pointless.
"Your father has malicious intent toward me."
"When?"
"How?"
"With what proof?"
A dog accusing a human father—no one would believe it.
Yet the looming cloud of calamity weighed heavily on Wu Tian's heart.
Even hiding in the cave failed to dispel it.
Days passed.
Wu Tian opened five more apertures, and his Nether Qi grew thicker and purer.
With true Qi supporting them, Thunder Sound Mantra and Fire Eye Mantra progressed far faster than before.
Each day was filled to the brim:
Mantras.
Aperture opening.
Qi refinement.
When hungry, he ate bitter bamboo leaves.
He used Cloud Water and Gather Wind to nourish the spirit bamboo, helping it grow stronger.
During this time, Wu Xia'er frequently sent messages through the Sound Transmission Talisman.
Wu Tian mostly listened, replying only rarely.
"White Dragon! I was assigned to Fire Crow Cave!"
"My master is so pretty and gentle! Do you think I'll be that beautiful when I grow up?"
"I started learning new mantras today—Fire Smoke Mantra and Riding the Wind Mantra. They're so hard…"
"Mom came to visit me today! She said she's coming to Qiyun Cave tomorrow, but she wouldn't bring me no matter how much I begged…"
"I miss you so much…"
Listening to her cheerful, frustrated, and lonely chatter brought warmth to Wu Tian's otherwise lonely cultivation.
But the dark cloud above his head remained.
"This can't go on," he thought.
"I don't know what Huang the Fatty is planning."
"And why is Wu Aunt coming tomorrow?"
Unable to reach a conclusion, Wu Tian pushed aside his thoughts and continued cultivating.
At dawn, after finishing Fire Eye Mantra and absorbing a strand of Morning Sun Violet Qi, Wu Tian suddenly heard movement behind the cave.
Man Xiong emerged from his seclusion chamber.
Seeing Wu Tian, he laughed.
"Who planted that transmission rune on your head?"
"I never thought of using such a method to talk with you."
Chuckling, he returned briefly to his chamber and came back with another talisman.
With practiced ease, he planted it on Wu Tian's forehead.
The two runes intertwined, forming a far more complex pattern.
Azure light flowed, making Wu Tian appear even more divine.
"White Dragon, can you hear me?"
Wu Tian activated the rune and replied respectfully.
"Yes, Master Man Xiong. I can hear you."
He had chosen the title carefully.
Calling him "Master" outright felt inappropriate—Wu Tian was still a spirit creature, not a formal disciple.
"Master Man Xiong" was both respectful and fitting.
Man Xiong smiled warmly.
"Junior Sister Wu Lian sent me a transmission yesterday. She said she'd come by—probably has something to discuss."
"I'm planning to take on some tasks and head down the mountain. Earn some merit points and look for Refining Law materials."
"After meeting her, I'll visit the Patrol Hall."
"You stay here and cultivate diligently."
Wu Tian replied,
"Understood, Master Man Xiong."
As he finished speaking, he looked up.
The dark cloud above his head had grown even thicker.
His eyes turned icy.
(End of Chapter)