Whispering Stone

Before long, a visitor arrived.

The Stone Gate opened, and a woman in a pale-blue dress, her hair arranged in cloud-like coils, came over carrying a bamboo basket. Her chest was full and round, and the curves of her waist and hips were alluring, like a fully ripened peach.

Even Wu Tian was stunned for quite a while before recognizing her as Aunt Wu. She had dressed up and freshened herself today, changed her clothes, arranged her hair, and washed away the smell of cooking smoke. Though she was somewhat older, she was still captivatingly graceful.

"Hahaha, Junior Sister Wu, it's been many years since I last saw you looking so radiant!" Man Xiongmu ushered the guest into the cave and personally served her Bitter Bamboo tea. He said with some emotion, "Back when Junior Sister first joined the sect, I don't know how many disciples fought among themselves for your favor."

"Now several decades have flashed by, and I'm already growing old, yet Junior Sister still carries herself with such charm!"

"Senior Brother is too kind." Wu Lian's expression was rather calm. She knew her Immortal root aptitude was mediocre, and that she had no hope of forging a Cauldron in this lifetime, so she had placed all her hopes in her daughter.

"Skin is merely an external thing. We all cultivate the Hundred Beasts Yin Soul Path, and transforming into birds and beasts is nothing unusual. A human skin is no different from the skin of those beasts."

"Not to mention that the Sect Master's direct disciples are said to be able to cultivate the Human Aspect. I heard that Second Senior Sister cultivates the Eighteen Beautiful Appearances, while Senior Disciple Brother has even cultivated the Twenty-Eight Aspects."

"I've cultivated Qi for decades without reaching Perfection. How could I compare with Senior Brother, who successfully forged a Cauldron and stepped into the Law Refining Realm? Your path to the Great Dao is open from here."

She spoke these words sincerely, and they reflected her true feelings. To cultivators, the flesh was merely an external thing; only pursuing higher realms was fundamental. Leaving strength aside, even lifespan alone was enough to make people yearn for it.

Once one succeeded in cultivating Qi, one could remain free of illness and disaster and live to a hundred.

Upon reaching Cauldron Forging Perfection, one could shed the mortal shell and remake the body, gaining three centuries of life.

The Law Refining Realm did not increase one's lifespan, but it allowed one to borrow the power of Heaven and Earth, summon clouds and mist, command water and fire, and control wind and thunder. Such a person could be called a mage.

If one could nourish a Dao Embryo, one would gain three hundred years of life.

As for a True Person of Nascent Soul, the longest-lived one was said to have reached eight hundred years.

Who would not yearn for such a road to immortality?

Knowing that the Great Dao of immortality existed, yet being able only to gaze toward it and sigh—this was the cruelest punishment in the world.

The dim disappointment in Wu Lian's heart flashed past. A smile returned to her face as she said, "Senior Brother, I made some osmanthus cakes in my spare time. They can't be considered any precious delicacy, but they do have the effect of nourishing the Form and Spirit."

"I brought some for you to try."

Man Xiongmu knew about osmanthus cakes. The reason this married couple had been able to remain in the Culinary Hall was precisely because of their skill in making them. The cakes required osmanthus as the main ingredient and were said to contain seventy-two other supplementary ingredients as well. Their preparation was complicated, making them quite rare.

They were highly beneficial to Qi Nourishing Realm cultivators.

But they were no longer of much use to him.

Man Xiongmu said, "It isn't easy for Junior Sister to make these osmanthus cakes. Bringing them here just for me to sample would be too wasteful."

"Besides, while I was in seclusion, Junior Sister took care of White Dragon for me. I should have been the one to visit and thank you."

Although Man Xiongmu spoke courteously, Wu Lian did not dare take his words at face value. Someone in the Law Refining Realm already had the qualifications to become an elder. Moreover, Qiyun Cave had few people, so this man was destined to become its elder.

The difference in status between them was enormous. The fact that she could establish a connection with him was already rare.

Wu Lian smiled. "Senior Brother is too polite. I'm fond of White Dragon, that little fellow. It was only an extra mouth to feed. There's no need to thank me."

As she spoke, she looked toward Wu Tian and beckoned. "You little fellow, I left some python meat for you a few days ago, yet you didn't eat it and ran off directly."

"What is it? Now that you've become a monster, you don't recognize me anymore?"

There was a trace of reproach in her voice. Remembering how she had cared for him in the past, Wu Tian still walked over.

Wu Lian pulled him into her arms, and a wave of softness and warmth immediately enveloped him. Indeed, her bosom was broad and full, far beyond what a young girl could possess.

Holding Wu Tian with one hand, she took a thumb-sized piece of bluestone from her sleeve pouch with the other and said, "This is a Windcry Stone from Fire Crow Cave. It can gather a small amount of the essence of wind. Xia'er knew I was coming and specifically asked me to bring it to you."

Wu Tian looked at the Windcry Stone and fell silent.

After the pleasantries, Wu Lian stroked Wu Tian's snow-white fur. She did not continue circling around the subject, but said directly, "Senior Brother, aside from coming to see White Dragon, I also wanted to ask whether you have any Yin Soul Silk left."

"I'm preparing to refine a Wind Fire Whip for Xia'er, and I'm still short of some Yin Soul Silk."

She and Man Xiongmu did not have a particularly deep relationship. Continuing to beat around the bush would only make him dislike her.

Man Xiongmu asked, "How much more does Junior Sister need?"

"Two more three-foot lengths of Yin Soul Silk will be enough." Wu Lian smoothed her hair with her left hand. "I can exchange Merit points for them."

Man Xiongmu thought for a moment before saying, "The Yin Soul Silk I refined previously was all used to forge magical artifacts. I don't have much left."

"Does Junior Sister need it urgently?"

Wu Lian hurriedly waved her hand. "It's only something I'm preparing for that girl Xia'er. She just entered the Qi Nourishing Realm and hasn't opened her apertures yet. It will be fine as long as it's refined by the time she begins circulating her Qi, so collecting everything within a year or two will be enough."

Hearing this, Man Xiongmu smiled. "If that's the case, I have an idea. I was already planning to pass the Qiyun Cave method on to White Dragon. Why not have him draw the silk for that girl Xia'er? It would temper his spellcraft, and he could help at the same time."

"As for the Merit points, forget them. If you and your husband get along well with him, just take a little extra care of him for me."

He was clearly making plans for Wu Tian. Wu Xia'er had reached Foundation Establishment in three years and entered Fire Crow Cave, which counted as excellent aptitude. If he could establish a relationship with her, Wu Tian would have someone to look after him within the sect.

At this, a flicker moved through Wu Lian's eyes. She had originally thought that Man Xiongmu kept White Dragon merely as the other sect disciples did—as cultivation material—and that once the time came, he would skin him and extract his soul.

She had not expected Man Xiongmu to actually pass a cultivation method on to him. That changed everything...

She could not help stroking Wu Tian's head as she smiled. "You doggy really are blessed. You actually earned Senior Brother's regard and had a cultivation method passed on to you. If you can shed your beast body in the future, perhaps you might even become Qiyun Cave's guardian."

"What do you say? Are you willing to refine some Yin Soul Silk for Xia'er?"

After a brief silence, Wu Tian still nodded in agreement.

He had no grudge against Aunt Wu or Wu Xia'er. A little Yin Soul Silk would settle their ties, and they could have no further dealings afterward.

As for his entanglement with Fatty Huang, there would inevitably be a reckoning in the future.

"Then it's settled." Man Xiongmu also smiled.

"Speaking of which, Xia'er is only eight this year, right? She reached Foundation Establishment Perfection and cultivated True Qi in just three short years. In the future, she may even have hope of entering the Law Refining Realm!"

"Hahaha, I'll accept Senior Brother's auspicious words. I hope that little girl can cultivate as diligently and tirelessly as Senior Brother, and that her path to the Great Dao will be open..."

After chatting a while longer, Wu Lian rose and took her leave.

After she departed, Wu Tian circulated his True Qi and spoke to Man Xiongmu through a Sound Transmission Talisman. "Master Man Xiong, could I ask you to stay in the cave for a few more days before going down the mountain?"

"These past two days, I've sensed some dangerous presence drawing near. Especially today, when Master said he was leaving, my heart began pounding as if some great disaster were about to descend."

Man Xiongmu's expression turned solemn at his words. The white dogs in the stronghold had always been able to foresee danger, and now that White Dragon had become a monster, his talent in this area was likely even more exceptional.

If he said danger was approaching, it was probably no empty warning.