Soul Appeasement

One night passed, and by the time the sky began to lighten on the second day, Wu Tian was already impatiently running out of his room.

He squatted by the doorway, looking at the two Exorcism Talismans hanging on the door.

These Exorcism Talismans depicted a Red-haired Boy holding a knife on the left and a Blue-haired Boy holding a steel fork on the right.

These two Exorcism Talismans were very common throughout the entire village. He had seen them before when he ran around, but he had never paid attention to them, thinking they were just ordinary exorcism paintings for peace of mind.

After witnessing what happened last night, he knew these two Exorcism Talismans were definitely not simple.

Wu Tian stared intently at the paintings, but he couldn't make out anything significant.

He then ran to the center of the village, wanting to see what kind of thing could emit a fiery red light that protected the entire village.

However, when he arrived, he only saw an ancient Bronze Cauldron.

This cauldron was covered in ancient patterns and was about six feet tall. It was the vessel used by the village to cook food during their bonfire festivals.

The cauldron was also inscribed with patterns, but these patterns were very obscure, making them impossible to understand.

"This village must have secrets I don't know about," Wu Tian stared intently at the ancient cauldron for a long time. "The highest status in the village belongs to the Chieftain, and besides him, it's the Hunting Team."

"The Hunting Team had an accident a few days ago, with many people and White Dogs dying, so they haven't gone out Hunting recently. But this situation won't last long," Wu Tian knew very well. "The Hunting Team will definitely replenish their numbers and White Dogs afterward."

"If I can join the Hunting Team, it will be much safer when we go out Hunting, and I might even learn more of the village's secrets."

He quickly figured things out. Since he knew that Malevolent Spirits and Yin Ghosts truly existed in this world, and that the village possessed something capable of fighting them, he would not give up.

If he were to live as an ordinary White Dog for twenty to thirty years, or die directly during a hunt, it would be too meaningless.

He wanted to become a demon.

After clarifying his thoughts, Wu Tian wasted no more time. He quickly slipped out again to train his Hunting and Listening to the Wind skills, while also devouring poisonous insects to hone his innate talent.

He wasn't sure if it was due to his soul and mindset from his past life or because of the system panel, but he could clearly feel that his two skills were improving rapidly.

After leaving the village, he didn't venture into dangerous territory. He roamed the forests near the village, hunting poisonous insects, snakes, and ants that he could manage.

His day of hunting yielded a good harvest, and he even found a wild rabbit in the process.

However, the rabbit living in the wild was very cunning. It spotted him before he could get close and immediately darted deep into the forest. Wu Tian didn't pursue it further.

As it was getting dark, Wu Tian returned to the village.

As Wu Tian kept running outside the village, the adult White Dogs who were initially worried about him getting into trouble no longer barked ferociously at him.

Just like that, five days passed, and Wu Tian's status panel underwent significant changes.

Name: Wu Tian
Age: 2
Bloodline: Southern Border White Dog
Talent: Poison Devour 5% (Beginner)
Skills: Hunting 20%, Listening to the Wind 18%

With his Hunting skill reaching twenty percent, Wu Tian clearly felt that his hunting ability had reached a new level compared to before, and his physical fitness had also significantly improved.

"That's right, improving the Hunting skill itself also tempers the body."

Wu Tian was comfortably lying in a wooden tub, enjoying the touch and cleaning from Chili Mu's small hands. Although there were some awkward moments, as even as a puppy, he was still male.

But after these few days, he had gotten used to being pulled into the wooden tub by the young girl to bathe, which seemed to allow him to shed the fatigue and bloodiness of the day.

After bathing, he would snuggle into Chili Mu's embrace and fall into a deep sleep.

In the evening, the yin wind howled, but it couldn't penetrate the village to harm the common people. Everything seemed so peaceful and serene.

But when he woke up the next day, Wu Tian found the atmosphere in the village somewhat somber. Almost every household had woken up early, and they gathered in the center of the village.

At some point, a huge pile of firewood had been erected here. Bodies that had been processed beforehand were wrapped in white cloth and placed on the pyre; there were seven bodies in total.

Everyone in the village surrounded the pyre, their faces filled with grief and solemnity. The Chieftain stood in the very center, holding a wooden staff, chanting words and reciting an incomprehensible incantation.

The villagers then began to chant an ancient Soul Appeasement Hymn together.

"Past deeds forgotten, the next life uncertain."

"This life is over, do not look back."

"Seven souls and three spirits, return with the wind to Miao Territory."

"..."

This ancient Soul Appeasement Hymn echoed between heaven and earth, as if possessing some inexplicable rhythm that made people feel oppressed.

Only the sound of the Soul Appeasement Hymn reverberated throughout the village; no other noises could be heard.

Even Wu Tian lay on the ground, watching cautiously.

Pfft!

Amidst everyone's low chanting, the Chieftain raised his wooden staff. A red light emanated from the staff and fell upon the pile of firewood, instantly igniting flames. Soon, the entire pile of wood was burning fiercely.

Chili Mu was held in her grandfather's arms. Having not seen her father for several days, she vaguely understood what had happened.

She knew she would never see her father again.

She was sensible and didn't want to worry the adults, not shedding a single tear. But now, looking at the raging flames and listening to the Soul Appeasement Hymn by her ear.

Chili Mu finally shed tears, covering her mouth and letting out sobs.

Besides her, many others were crying, their sobs mingling with the Soul Appeasement Hymn, making the atmosphere even more oppressive.

As the seven corpses were completely burned in the great fire, everything returned to dust, ashes to ashes, leaving nothing behind.

This seemed to be a special custom of the village, not allowing bodies to be kept. Even the burning of bodies was done during the day, not at night.

When the entire burial ceremony concluded, everything seemed to return to normal.

Just as Wu Tian had predicted, the Hunting Team began to reorganize their personnel and White Dogs, preparing to enter the mountains again for Hunting.

For the Miao people living deep in the mountains, hunting wild beasts was a crucial source of food.

The Hunting Team had lost seven people previously, which was why there had been such a long delay.

Wu Tian naturally discovered this news through some clues. He immediately became anxious, running to the Chieftain's door and growling in a low voice.

The Chieftain was discussing entering the mountains for Hunting with the leader of the Hunting Team, Guxiong Mu. Hearing the growling of the White Dog outside the door, he was immediately puzzled.

The person guarding the door saw the young puppy, Wu Tian, and fearing he might disturb those inside, quickly reprimanded him, trying to shoo him away.

However, Wu Tian refused to leave, lingering outside the door.

Although the Chieftain didn't come out, he seemed to see Wu Tian. He stroked his somewhat graying beard and couldn't help but chuckle softly, "What an intelligent White Dragon cub."

"Guxiong Mu, the next time you go out for Hunting, bring this White Dragon cub along. It's a promising one, perhaps it will become the Dog King in the future."

Guxiong Mu nodded solemnly, not just because of the Chieftain's command, but also because White Dogs were the most loyal companions of the Hunting Team.

Without the White Dogs, they would not be able to hunt in the mountains, let alone survive.

"Silver Frost," Guxiong Mu commanded. An adult White Dog, which had been lying at his feet, slowly stood up and walked towards the door.