Decree

When Man Xiongmu heard the voices outside, he could not help frowning. He had never had any dealings with Wild Dog Cave, while Tong Guan was solitary and arrogant by nature. Why had he come knocking at this time?

Yet his gaze soon fell on Wu Tian. Wild Dog Cave needed dog demons to refine Beast Robes—a fact every disciple on the mountain knew.

"I'm afraid this is where the danger White Dragon mentioned came from!"

Man Xiongmu's expression turned solemn. He had long anticipated that as White Dragon's cultivation and strength grew, others would inevitably cast covetous eyes on him. Even without Wild Dog Cave, there would be others.

Of the Thirty-six Caves of Skull Mountain, which one did not need to skin and dismember fiends to refine Beast Robes? If they were refining a Hundred Beast Yin Soul Banner, they needed the flesh and souls of many fiends all the more.

With White Dragon's outstanding appearance, it would have been strange if no one had coveted him.

His eyes narrowed slightly. If he could use the matter with Master of Wild Dog Cave to cut off everyone else's designs, that would not be a bad thing. It would save him a great deal of trouble later.

Before White Dragon had successfully cultivated his qi and stepped into the Cauldron Casting stage, he might be able to enjoy a period of peace.

With this thought in mind, Man Xiongmu opened the Cave Mansion's doors and laughed. "So it's Senior Brother Tong. Please, come in!"

Tong Guan brought his son Tong Jin into the Cave Mansion. At a glance, they saw the white dog lying on the ground. Its snow-white fur, lively black eyes, and abundant vital energy made it truly extraordinary.

A fiend of such quality was a rare sight even in these vast, primeval mountains.

Tong Guan was one thing. After all, he had cultivated for decades and had long since reached the perfection of Cauldron Casting. Ordinary fiends no longer caught his eye.

But Tong Jin, who followed behind him, stared straight at Wu Tian. His mouth nearly watered. Just imagining refining such a white dog, with its pure and delicate snow-white fur, into a Beast Robe was enough to excite him...

"Jin'er, come and pay your respects to your Uncle Master Man Xiong." Tong Guan called out, bringing the somewhat discomposed Tong Jin back to his senses.

He hurriedly saluted Man Xiongmu. "This disciple pays his respects to Uncle Master Man Xiong."

"There's no need for such formalities. Senior Brother Tong, please take a seat." Man Xiongmu invited Tong Guan to sit. As for Tong Jin, he was not yet worthy of a seat and could only stand obediently beside his father.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Tong Guan came straight to the point. "Junior Brother Man Xiong, Jin'er is my only son. We cultivators already find it difficult to have children, and I never expected to have him by chance."

"Fortunately, he has proven himself. He was born with a superior-grade Immortal root and has received a bit of good fortune. Not long ago, he reached perfection in qi circulation and began condensing True Qi into form."

"You also know, Junior Brother, that our Wild Dog Cave lineage needs the hide and bones of dog demons to refine Beast Robes."

"I heard that Junior Brother has raised a white dog that has become a fiend, so I came here to ask for your help. I hope Junior Brother can grant my request."

For the sake of his son, Tong Guan had changed his usual arrogant attitude, speaking with considerably more humility and sincerity.

When Man Xiongmu heard this, he could not help frowning, and his expression turned ugly. His voice stiff, he asked, "Senior Brother, may I ask who told you this?"

Without waiting for Tong Guan to continue, he went on, "The white dog I raise in my cave is not a fiend that has cultivated Demonic Energy. Rather, it has cultivated the sect's Tongyou Qi."

"I'm raising it along the path of a Spiritual Beast, hoping that it can forge a cauldron body in the future, assume human form, and become a protector for my Qiyun Cave."

"I cannot agree to your request, Senior Brother."

Tong Guan narrowed his eyes. His pair of dark jade-green pupils left only a sliver of green, cold as blades.

"Oh? So that's how it is."

"This can hardly be considered a major matter. If Junior Brother wishes to raise a Spiritual Beast protector, I can easily find you another fiend with an exceptional bloodline, or provide you with some resources."

"I imagine this white dog has only recently become a fiend. It won't delay Junior Brother for long."

"I ask Junior Brother to do me this favor. I can pay an appropriate price."

He genuinely thought Man Xiongmu was raising the price on the spot, and displeasure had already risen in his heart. Yet for the sake of his son, he still swallowed his anger.

Man Xiongmu cut him off directly. "Senior Brother, I've already said that I'm raising this white dog as a protector. I have no intention of exchanging it. I'm afraid I'll disappoint you."

Tong Guan did not speak again. The atmosphere inside the entire Cave Mansion instantly became oppressive and deathly silent. Even breathing grew difficult.

Wu Tian felt the naked malice from the side. It was as though a ferocious beast had opened its bloody maw and was about to swallow him whole. The sensation made every hair on his body stand on end.

Seeing that his father had remained silent for so long, Tong Jin could no longer hold back. He called out from behind him, "Dad!!"

The savage, icy aura around Tong Guan receded slightly. His voice was flat as he said, "Man Xiongmu, you know my temper. I want this white dog. Name whatever you want in return. As long as it isn't too excessive, I'll agree to it."

"If it weren't for my son, hmph!"

Going by his temper in his younger days, he would have long since struck the white dog dead with a single palm before turning around and leaving with his sleeves flung wide.

What could a mere Qiyun Cave possibly do to him?

Man Xiongmu had only just entered the Law Refining Realm. He probably had not even condensed a Law Seed yet. What qualifications did he have to put on airs before him?

Man Xiongmu's expression also turned cold. "Tong Guan, I've already said it. I will not sell this white dog."

"I still have to meditate and cultivate, so I'm unable to receive outside guests."

"Everyone, please!"

The doors of the Cave Mansion burst open. Sunlight spilled inside, causing the dust that rose into the air to glimmer with specks of gold.

"Good. Very good." Tong Guan rose to his feet, his expression once again as still as an ancient well. "Jin'er, let's go."

Tong Jin was furious and aggrieved as well. He actually pointed at Man Xiongmu and cursed, "Old thing, you actually dare refuse my father's face! Believe it or not..."

"Presumptuous!" Man Xiongmu was thoroughly enraged. His pupils instantly turned dark gold, while a strange, sinister wind erupted behind him. In an instant, it swept through the entire Cave Mansion, making it seem as though the place had fallen into the netherworld. The icy chill pierced straight into the bones.

Tong Guan pulled Tong Jin behind him. His broad black robe billowed in the sinister wind, and the cape transformed from Beast Robe seemed to carry the savage howls of vicious hounds.

"No one gets to teach my son a lesson."

"What? Man Xiongmu, do you want to exchange a few moves with me?"

He grinned, revealing a row of sinister, freezing teeth. "You're an ingrate who doesn't know how to appreciate kindness. I'm determined to have this white dog. If I can't have it alive, dead will do just as well."

"Heh heh, there has never been anything I wanted that I failed to obtain."

Man Xiongmu laughed in the face of his fury. By this point, he had instead calmed down. Seven parts of his anger had been feigned from the beginning. He had long anticipated this situation, for Wild Dog Cave's domineering ways had not begun only yesterday.

He slowly sat back down and said mildly, "Tong Guan, it's not that I look down on you. But with your abilities, you're not worthy of touching this white dog."

"Now, take a look at this."

With that, he swept out his sleeve. His right hand struck out a streak of magical light, which fell directly onto Wu Tian.

In an instant, golden light surged from Wu Tian's body. It then condensed into six ancient characters as a clear, cool woman's voice echoed through the Cave Mansion:

"Permitted to enter the mountain and cultivate."

Tong Guan froze for a moment. Then he quickly recalled a certain existence, and his expression changed on the spot. Without saying a word, he grabbed Tong Jin and turned to leave.

Even Wu Tian was dumbfounded. He himself had not known that this golden light existed on his body.

Only after the figures of Tong Guan and his son had disappeared did he ask in surprise and delight, "Master, what was that just now?"