Can it kill people?

Man Xiongmu was discussing with Wu Tian what kind of curse artifact to refine for him. Most cultivators in the Qi Nurturing stage would only refine one curse artifact.

This was not only because refining a curse artifact required numerous materials, but more importantly, a curse artifact could only gradually reach perfection through personal nurturing and polishing, which consumed a great deal of time and energy.

Refining too many curse artifacts would, conversely, hinder one's own cultivation.

Man Xiongmu explained to Wu Tian, "On Skull Mountain, apart from the White Bone Demon God Path practiced by the Sect Master's lineage, all disciples cultivating the Hundred Beasts Yin Soul Path refine a Beast Robe during the Form Condensing stage to enhance their combat power."

"Having a curse artifact for protection is more than enough."

"Ideally, the curse energy and the spirit the user transforms into should complement each other, forming a relatively perfect combat system."

"Of course, this also depends on the spirit materials and refining techniques, as the curse artifacts that can be consecrated on the mountain are limited."

"Most are banners, clubs, or whips of various lengths. The magic artifact I refined is a Yin Wind Banner that I've been nurturing and polishing since the Qi Nurturing stage."

In fact, Wu Tian had been curious about beast form transformations for a long time. He couldn't help but ask, "Master, what beast form should I cultivate during the Form Condensing stage?"

Man Xiongmu fell silent for a moment. He had thought about this question many times before but had never brought it up with Wu Tian.

Since Wu Tian was originally a beast, the best choice would naturally be a human form.

Yes, the Form Transformation Curse was not the Beast Form Curse. Since the skin, flesh, bones, and blood of monsters could be used to refine Beast Robes, human skin could naturally be used to refine corresponding human skin.

In fact, many disciples on the mountain knew that the Sect Master's lineage cultivated human skin, although it was more elegantly referred to as the Human Aspect.

But fundamentally, it involved killing someone, peeling off their entire skin, and then refining it with secret methods to transform it into a Painted Skin that could change into others' appearances.

The Twenty-Eight Aspects refined by the senior disciple and the Eighteen Aspects refined by the senior disciple were, in essence, made from human skin.

Of course, in recent years, due to the influence of a certain senior, the Sect Master's direct lineage had lived in seclusion within the sect. They already had few disciples, and in recent years, they rarely appeared.

If Wu Tian could refine a Painted Skin using a human form, he wouldn't need to wait until the Cauldron Forging stage was complete to possess a human appearance. He could even condense his True Qi into a human form, which would greatly benefit his future cultivation.

Man Xiongmu was certainly not a kind-hearted person. Living deep in the mountains of Miao Territory, surrounded by snakes, insects, poisonous ants, Yin Ghosts, and Malevolent Spirits, and having to battle demons and monsters, he was hardly a saint.

However, he also had to consider the thoughts of that senior. To casually kill someone and refine their skin right under that senior's nose would be suicidal.

Hearing Wu Tian's question, Man Xiongmu pondered for a moment, deliberately ignoring the option of human skin, and then said, "For you, the best choice is naturally the Cloud Leopard from our Qiyun Cave lineage."

"You were originally a White Dog, which is quite compatible. There are also advancement methods, and it's not impossible to develop into a winged leopard one day."

"Of course, the inheritance of the Wild Dog Cave lineage is also very suitable for you. Since you were originally a White Dog, obtaining the Wild Dog Cave's inheritance would allow you to maximize your potential and bloodline."

"However, we cannot afford to offend that lineage. The ancestor of the Wild Dog Cave was originally a direct disciple of the Sect Master and was a Corpse-Ascended Immortal who cultivated a Primordial Spirit. Their foundation is profound, and even though they have declined in recent years, they are not someone we can contend with."

Man Xiongmu had heard some reasons for the decline of the Wild Dog Cave lineage from his master. It was likely related to that senior.

When that senior first arrived at Skull Mountain, their sword had been stained with the blood of many people. Their reputation was earned through sheer killing. Otherwise, Skull Mountain would not have the peace it enjoyed today.

An inheritance that could refine skin by hunting humans and monsters, and forge magic artifacts by extracting souls and hooking spirits, how could it be considered righteous?

In those days, in this wild jungle, it was a force that caused rivers of blood to flow, made demons flee, Yin Ghosts wail, and all people prostrate themselves.

Wu Tian was unaware of the matter of human skin. He was simply thinking that if he could transform into other flying birds or beasts, such as those that could fly in the sky or swim in the water, he could broaden his survival capabilities.

Hearing Man Xiongmu's words at this moment, he felt a bit regretful. However, he quickly thought that as a cultivator, he would eventually be able to cultivate spells. At that time, whether it was ascending to heaven or diving into the earth, or stirring up the seas, there would be corresponding methods. This dispelled his thoughts.

He considered that most of his current talents were related to survival and cultivation. He had not a single spell or talent that directly possessed killing power.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask, "Master, I heard that Steward Liu from the Law Transmission Hall possesses a Soul Severing Hook, which is said to be indestructible and capable of killing Yin Ghosts. Can our Qiyun Cave refine such a thing?"

Man Xiongmu's expression stiffened slightly, and he said somewhat awkwardly, "Weapons like this, which are used for killing, are the most precious and the most difficult to refine among all protective artifacts."

"Our entire Skull Mountain only has the Sect Master's lineage possessing the refining methods and materials for weapons of slaughter."

"That brat Liu Tong was incredibly lucky to obtain a piece of high-quality Yin Soul Iron. You must know that this is a top-grade spirit material."

"Even spirit materials of the same grade have inferior, good, excellent, and premium qualities. More importantly, he coincidentally met an expert during his travels who forged this Soul Severing Hook for him."

"Even he himself probably couldn't forge a second one."

Hearing this, Wu Tian felt even more regretful. If he could have such a blade of slaughter to protect himself, combined with his speed, he would be able to dominate among those of the same level.

He thought about it. The flag-type curse artifacts were the mainstream in the sect, but they were mainly for nurturing Yin Souls, which he disliked.

If he were to refine club-type artifacts, it would be a waste of Qiyun Cave's Yin Soul Silk inheritance, and he would also have to rack his brains to find other spirit materials.

It would be better to refine a whip, or...

A thought suddenly flashed through Wu Tian's mind. If he could forge an incredibly tough and sharp silk thread, it could both restrain opponents and kill them.

"If it can truly be refined, it would be best if it were transparent and colorless, just like the Soul Hooking Rope. A touch would wound, and a constriction would kill."

"Others have the Soul Severing Hook, and I have the Soul Hooking Rope. It's not much worse..."

Of course, this was just his own idea, and he had no idea if it could be realized. As Wu Tian was thinking this and was about to communicate with Man Xiongmu, his heart suddenly sank, and a sense of crisis surged. His Talent for Seeking Auspiciousness and Avoiding Calamity activated on its own.

He suddenly looked up at the sky. The originally overcast clouds had become dark and oppressive, even emitting a hint of blood-red light.

As the saying goes, blood-red light signifies disaster, and this was a life-threatening situation.

Wu Tian's expression changed drastically. His heart was filled with killing intent. He suddenly turned to look at Man Xiongmu and transmitted his voice, asking, "Master, is it possible to kill people within the sect?"

Man Xiongmu was stunned by the question. Before he could answer, a hoarse and dry laugh echoed from outside the cave dwelling: "Junior Brother Man Xiong, are you there? Tong Guan of the Wild Dog Cave has come to visit. I request Junior Brother to show yourself."