Hidden Sword Cave

"Master, can I take White Dragon with me up the mountain?" Chili Mu hurriedly picked up Wu Tian as well, gazing at Woman in Red with pleading eyes.

She could also sense the mystery and extraordinary nature of her master, so she spoke very cautiously.

Woman in Red's gaze fell on Wu Tian, and she said indifferently, "Your vital essence is abundant, and wind spirits swirl around you. Though your bloodline is ordinary, you possess quite a bit of talent."

"Although you can't be considered some rare bird or exotic beast, since you were able to learn the Tongyou Spell and have already begun to master it, you clearly possess considerable spiritual wisdom."

"With such talent, if you can avoid sinking into greed and slaughter, you may yet have hope of becoming a Spiritual Beast..."

When Man Xiongmu heard this, his eyes flickered. "The Tongyou Spell?"

He was somewhat astonished. Back when he had taught Chili Mu, this white dog had also been nearby, but he truly had not expected the little fellow to be capable of mastering the basics of the Tongyou Spell.

This meant that White Dragon possessed talent. Whether he could Become a Demon was hard to say, but at the very least, he would have no trouble becoming an intelligent spirit.

A white dog becoming an intelligent spirit was an exceedingly rare thing.

Wu Tian was also rather tense at this moment. The decision of this Woman in Red would directly affect his future development.

"Our sect is a great orthodox sect of the Central Plains. We do not forbid accepting Spiritual Beasts, but you are not qualified yet..."

These words caused Wu Tian's heart to sink. Chili Mu hugged him even tighter, unable to bear parting with him.

Seeing this, Man Xiongmu could not help sighing. He urged, "Little Chili, be good and listen to your master. Once your cultivation succeeds, you can come back to visit him..."

He feared that Chili Mu would act rashly and offend Woman in Red.

Tears were almost spilling from Chili Mu's eyes. She bit her lip slightly, unable to bring herself to let go.

Wu Tian's heart was also torn. Should he leap down now, break free from Chili Mu, and fulfill her immortal opportunity, or rely on his feelings for her and fight for another chance?

Just as he hesitated, Woman in Red spoke again.

"Considering that you and my disciple share a bond difficult to sever, I can permit you to cultivate on Skull Mountain. I will issue a decree. Whether you can become a Spiritual Beast will depend on your own destiny and fortune."

After saying this, she looked toward Man Xiongmu. "Since it was also born in this stockade and shares some connection with you, I will leave this matter to you."

As soon as her voice fell, she waved her hand and scattered a golden rosy radiance. It swept up Chili Mu and transformed into a golden rainbow heading toward Skull Mountain.

Only Man Xiongmu remained to deal with the trivial matters that followed...

Skull Mountain was a Spirit Mountain on the outskirts of Southern Border's Hundred Thousand Mountains. The terrain here was peculiar: the south was sunny while the north was shadowed. Deep underground lay a ten-thousand-year-old Fire Vein, which, after countless years of earth-vein tremors, had transformed into a Fire Aperture within Skull Mountain.

The Fire Aperture was still inconspicuous for now. It lay among the trees halfway up the mountain, where streams gathered to form a hot spring.

But if it could not be suppressed and neutralized, sooner or later the Fire Vein would erupt, turning a thousand-li radius into scorched earth, annihilating countless living beings and leaving endless death and injury in its wake.

Woman in Red was originally an elder of the great orthodox sect Taiqing Temple in the Central Plains. Her name was Zhu Yushuang. Because she had committed excessive slaughter and violated the sect's rules, she had been punished by being sent to Southern Border to suppress the Fire Vein and accumulate merit.

She already cultivated the Way of Metal and Fire. If she could successfully suppress the Fire Vein, not only would she accumulate external merit, but it would also greatly benefit her cultivation. On the day she completed her task, she might even be able to manifest a Dharma Form and attain the realm of a Loose Immortal.

Thus, she had guarded Skull Mountain in Southern Border for sixty years. With her presence there, Skull Mountain—which had originally acted without restraint and had nearly degenerated into a Demonic Sect—had grown increasingly quiet over the years, becoming as honest as orthodox disciples. It had completely forgotten the arrogance with which it had once raised Spiritual Beasts in captivity, devoured human flesh, and ravaged the mountain forests.

Over these years, she had built a hut beside the hot spring halfway up Skull Mountain. This place had become Skull Mountain's Forbidden Area, and whether human, demon, or intelligent spirit, none dared approach it.

Man Xiongmu had barged into this Forbidden Area, which could be said to have placed his life at risk. No one could say what kind of temper this woman had. Moreover, as an existence who had already condensed a Primordial Spirit and was called a Corpse-Ascended Immortal, even if she casually killed him, no one would hold her accountable.

Zhu Yushuang had an aloof temperament and ruthless methods. She had always used thunderous means to suppress and kill evil demons and the Outer Dao. Her reputation resounded throughout the Central Plains and the Eastern Sea. She had driven countless evil demons and practitioners of the Outer Dao to gnash their teeth and hate her to the bone, yet they feared her like a tiger.

She had originally been meditating in seclusion while suppressing the Fire Vein. Naturally, she disliked outsiders approaching. However, in recent years of suppressing the Fire Vein, her Primordial Spirit had merged with heaven and earth. Having comprehended the Great Dao and gradually gained insight, her temperament had also become somewhat more restrained and steady.

That was why she had used a manifestation of her Primordial Spirit to draw Man Xiongmu before her and question his purpose.

When she heard Man Xiongmu say that a girl with an astonishing Immortal root had appeared in the stockade below, she had scoffed. The Eighteen Villages of Miao Territory had a population of more than a hundred thousand, and they were located in such a remote place—what kind of world-shaking genius could possibly emerge there?

Yet after hearing Man Xiongmu's description, she became somewhat uncertain and suspicious, thinking of a certain possibility. Unfortunately, she was in the midst of closed-door meditation, her true body suppressing the Fire Vein and her Primordial Spirit merged with heaven and earth, so she could not free herself.

This delayed her for some time. Once the underground Fire Vein had been slightly reorganized and she could draw out a little power, her Primordial Spirit eagerly left her body, and she rode a ritual sword down the mountain.

After handling the affairs in White Dog Stockade, she immediately drove her Sword Light back to the Fire Aperture in the mountains.

The Sword Light descended from the heavens, revealing the figures of Zhu Yushuang and Chili Mu.

Chili Mu was somewhat dazed. She only saw a flash of golden light before her eyes, and before she could react, she had already left the stockade and arrived in this unfamiliar mountain forest.

Zhu Yushuang gently took her hand, allowing the flustered and apprehensive girl to gradually calm down.

Chili Mu looked around and found the trees here lush, but birds and beasts extremely scarce. She could not see even a trace of Poisonous Insects, snakes, or ants. In particular, not far ahead was a hot spring. In the chilly early-spring season, steam rose from it, making one's eyes brighten involuntarily.

Zhu Yushuang said nothing. She pulled Chili Mu forward, and when they reached the hot spring, she took one step.

Chili Mu did not know what her master intended, but she did not dare resist. Besides, the slight warmth transmitted from that hand made her feel at ease, so she followed with a step of her own.

The next moment, the heavens spun and the earth whirled. The hot spring she had just seen had transformed into an ancient cave wreathed in rosy radiance. A Stone Gate sealed the entrance, with three ancient characters carved upon it: Hidden Sword Cave.

Though Chili Mu did not understand calligraphy, the instant she saw those three characters, her body suddenly tensed. The strokes looked like bone seams cleaved by knives and axes, sending a chill through her entire body, as if someone were about to split her in two with a single sword strike.

"This is where your master enters seclusion to refine swords. Once you achieve Foundation Establishment and nourish your qi, then begin forging your Cauldron, I will teach you the method of entering and leaving. At that time, you may travel outside."

Chili Mu nodded. Led by Zhu Yushuang, she entered the Cave Mansion. The Stone Gate of the Cave Mansion opened with a thunderous roar. Fiery clouds surged out, accompanied by explosive thunder, furious dragon roars, and rumbling sounds that made people afraid to approach.

Seeing this, Chili Mu immediately pressed her lips together slightly, feeling somewhat nervous.

Zhu Yushuang did not stop. She merely said indifferently, "It is only that the fierce nature of the sword I refined has not yet been subdued. Its fiery qi burst out of the Cauldron. It is nothing worth mentioning."

"You possess the Li Fire Dao Body. Cultivating here will benefit you greatly."

"Let's go!"

The master and disciple entered the Cave Mansion hand in hand. Their one large and one small silhouettes vanished as the Stone Gate slammed shut.

Meanwhile, down at White Dog Stockade, Wu Tian's heart also felt somewhat hollow and forlorn. Although he had wanted to rely on his feelings for Chili Mu to enter Skull Mountain, his feelings for the little girl were genuine as well.

During this time, the two of them had depended on each other for survival. One was utterly alone and miserable, while the other was a lonely soul from another world. They had long since become companions who relied on each other.

Every night, Chili Mu would use a wooden tub to wash his fur, then hold him in her arms as she slept.

Now that the little girl had suddenly left, Wu Tian felt as if his heart had been emptied.

Fortunately, his temperament was steady, and he soon came back to his senses.

"Whatever happens, I've at least entered Skull Mountain. Since we're on the same mountain, there will always be a chance to meet again."

He raised his head and looked at Man Xiongmu, acting very obediently without barking.

From now on, the person who had depended on him for survival was gone. He could only rely on himself.

Man Xiongmu looked at him and let out a sigh. "Whether following me up the mountain is a blessing or a calamity for you, I truly cannot say..."

He shook his head and said no more, merely lifting himself and Wu Tian with a black wind.

"Forget it. What happens in the future will depend on your own destiny!"

With that, the black wind swept up one man and one dog and carried them toward Skull Mountain.

Something came up today and delayed me, so this was posted a little late. I hope everyone will continue to support the read-through. Thank you!