Entering the Sect

The black wind swept across the sky, and in no time at all, it arrived at Skull Mountain.

The peaks of Skull Mountain had been managed by several generations of mountain lords. Refined with great magic power, scoured by the chilling wind and burned by ghost fire, they had long since transformed into materials that could not be shaken by even the sharpest sword or axe.

A palace stood atop the mountain, surrounded by interconnected pavilions, vaguely forming some kind of formation. Especially from a high vantage point, one could discover a massive flood dragon skeleton coiled around the entire mountain.

The flood dragon's skull faced downwards, as if ready to devour anyone who approached.

With the flood dragon's bones encircling the mountain and the palace and pavilions forming a formation, this was the place of cultivation for Skull Mountain.

Within, numerous disciples practiced their arts. Black wind howled, pháp quang (magic light) shot into the sky, and the roars of fierce beasts and the wails of Yin Ghosts sent chills down one's spine.

Man Xiongmu landed before the mountain gate with Wu Tian. The mountain gate here was actually the ferocious skull of a flood dragon, its gaping maw open, its sharp teeth taller than a man, terrifying to behold.

"Skull Mountain is the name of the mountain. Our sect originated from a disciple of the Bodhisattva of White Bones. Later, we transitioned from Buddhism to Daoism, calling ourselves the White Bone Daoist, and established our sect on Skull Mountain, passing down the Hundred Barbarian Lineage's orthodox teachings."

"When the founding ancestor established the sect, he was a Loose Immortal. He slew a flood dragon with his Dharma Form Divine Abilities and used its body to coil around the mountaintop, thus laying the foundation of our sect."

"After generations of ancestors managed it, it has been passed down to today. The current sect leader is the third generation, and the disciples under him have already reached the sixth generation."

Man Xiongmu did not rush to bring Wu Tian into the mountain gate. Instead, he stood quietly before it, looking at the flood dragon skull and saying, "The current sect leader is a True Person of Nascent Soul. His eight direct disciples are all profoundly powerful in Magic Power. Coupled with the successors of the third-generation elders, they are all pillars of our sect."

"Now, the fourth generation all hold positions as elders and deacons, opening the gates to accept disciples. They are the fifth generation. I am a fifth-generation disciple, apprenticed to Elder Yunbao, and cultivate in Qiyun Cave."

"My lineage is not a direct descendant of the sect leader, and my status on the mountain is not high. Furthermore, my master was injured in his early years, and his cultivation has stagnated. He is now advanced in age, and the end of his lifespan is not far off."

"Since I have received the decree of a senior, I will bring you into the mountain. You will then belong to my Qiyun Cave lineage. Once you cultivate into a Spiritual Beast and later transform into a human form, I can grant you a disciple position."

"However..."

He pointed at the flood dragon skull and said, "My Hundred Barbarian Mountain has two major true lineages: the Hundred Beasts Yin Soul Path and the White Bone Demon God Path."

"The White Bone Demon God Path is the direct lineage of the sect leader, while the Hundred Beasts Yin Soul Path refines magic using fierce beasts, monsters, and demons from the mountains as materials. Almost all the Mountain Spirits and Wild Monsters within a thousand-mile radius of Skull Mountain are intentionally raised by our sect."

"When disciples cultivate to a certain level, they will descend the mountain to hunt monsters and collect their souls. Those that can become demons are even more excellent cultivation resources for us."

"If you enter the mountain gate, the higher your cultivation, the more trouble you will face. It's possible that one day you will be skinned and have your soul extracted, to be refined into the Hundred Beasts Spirit Banner."

He paused slightly and said, "Since you can cultivate the Tongyou Spell, you must have attained sentience and can understand what I'm saying."

"I will ask you one last time..."

Man Xiongmu turned to stare at Wu Tian, his tone solemn. "If you change your mind now, I can take you down the mountain. With your talent, staying in the village will surely allow you to live a peaceful life."

"But if you step through this gate, you risk death."

"Therefore, are you still willing to enter?"

Only then did Wu Tian understand Man Xiongmu's intentions. Without personally seeing the flood dragon's remains, without feeling the impact of this colossal creature, and without experiencing the malevolent and resentful aura left after the flood dragon's demise, he would not understand Skull Mountain's malice towards demons and monsters.

Using a thousand-mile radius of forests as a hunting ground, raising monsters as resources, and cultivating Yin souls for practice – this was fundamentally a demon forbidden zone.

If he entered Skull Mountain, he would essentially be a Yin soul delivering itself to their doorstep.

Wu Tian felt a deep sense of malice at this moment. He understood that Man Xiongmu's words were by no means empty threats. Even if Man Xiongmu could protect him initially, the higher his cultivation became, the more people would covet him.

Man Xiongmu specifically pointed out that his lineage was not a direct descendant of the sect leader, and coupled with his master's limited lifespan, this was a clear indication that he could not protect him...

"If that's the case, why did that senior ask me to cultivate at Skull Mountain?"

Various thoughts flashed through Wu Tian's mind. He was not a truly spiritual White Dog. Having been reborn twice, his experiences were too extraordinary for ordinary beings to imagine.

He understood everything Man Xiongmu said and grasped the deeper meaning behind each word.

For him, Skull Mountain was undoubtedly a perilous place, not a cultivation ground, but a slaughterhouse where everyone coveted his fur and Yin soul.

Yet, a sliver of doubt remained in his heart.

"If that senior wanted me dead, there would be countless ways to achieve it; they wouldn't need to go through such elaborate measures."

"Then why did she have me cultivate at Skull Mountain?"

Thoughts flashed by. Wu Tian knew very well that he was different from other monsters. He possessed a System Panel. Even without the cultivation methods of Skull Mountain, his cultivation would only be slower, not impossible.

But should he really descend the mountain like this?

"No!"

Wu Tian suddenly remembered a sentence the senior had said at the time.

"My sect does not forbid the admission of Spiritual Beasts, you are just not qualified yet."

His gaze shifted, his thoughts racing. "If I descend the mountain now, not only will my cultivation stagnate, but once I become a Spiritual Beast or a monster, I'm afraid I'll be discovered by Skull Mountain disciples sooner or later."

"At that time, who will protect me outside the mountain? If my strength is inferior, I will surely be hunted and have my Yin soul extracted on the spot."

Thinking of this, Wu Tian couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat. With the flood dragon's remains before him, he didn't believe he could truly confront the entire Skull Mountain by himself.

"Descending the mountain now is the true path to death."

"Conversely, staying on the mountain while I am weak, the Qiyun Cave lineage can protect me."

"Once my cultivation becomes strong, if I can gain the favor of that senior, there might be a glimmer of hope."

"So, the crucial point is whether I can gain that senior's approval before the elder of Qiyun Cave perishes."

Wu Tian instantly clarified his thoughts. "This is probably a test given to me by that senior. As she said, Chili Mu and I have some connection, so she is giving me an opportunity."

"If I can pass the test, even if I cannot be taken in as a disciple by that senior, there should be other opportunities."

He took a deep breath. Although he didn't know how much truth there was to his reasoning and guesses, he knew he didn't have many options.

If he went down the mountain to cultivate, he would not only lack a path for advancement but would also become a target for the disciples of Skull Mountain.

If he went up the mountain to cultivate, danger would be imminent, but there would be a sliver of hope.

The choice was self-evident!

"I can only hope that Elder from Qiyun Cave will live a long and prosperous life," Wu Tian thought to himself with a hint of self-deprecation. Then, he approached Man Xiongmu, lowering his front paws and placing his head on the ground, letting out a faint bark.

"Woof woof~"

The sound was firm and clear, echoing through the mountain forest.

Seeing Wu Tian's remarkably human-like action, Man Xiongmu's face broke into a smile. "Since you've made your decision, come with me into the sect. Once you shed your monstrous form, you can become my disciple. Don't worry, as long as I'm here, I will protect you."

"Come with me!"

He waved his Black wind, sweeping Wu Tian through the giant mouth of the Flood Dragon.

The Black wind passed, and the White Dog entered the sect.

From then on, it was a completely different world.