Reunion

Wu Tian slowly walked over to the hot spring and lay down, even his ears drooping, looking a bit tired.

The fight just now hadn't lasted long, but it had consumed a great deal of physical strength and energy. However, it wasn't the physical exertion that made him feel tired.

It was... killing...

In both his past and present life, this was the first time he had ever killed anyone.

During the battle, the hunting instinct originating from his soul and bloodline allowed him to remain calm, even cold, as he dealt with the fight.

He could ferociously bite through an enemy's throat, he could kill with composure, but after the fight, he felt a weariness stemming from deep within his heart.

He didn't regret killing these people, nor did he carry any mental burden.

Perhaps, it was simply because he had once been born human...

And now, he used his own sharp claws and fangs to end one living soul after another.

Perhaps, there would be many more in the future.

Wu Tian lowered his eyes. In this forbidden area, no one would disturb him casually, nor would anyone threaten his safety. He could have this rare moment of rest.

"White Dragon~"

He suddenly heard someone calling him. It felt hazy, like a dream. Was it that senior?

He slowly opened his eyes, but saw nothing. Before him was still the hot spring and the forest, all peaceful.

However, at that moment, the surface of the hot spring seemed to ripple as if a waterfall was cascading down, only to be parted in the middle.

Then, a fair and tender hand emerged...

Wu Tian was stunned. He finally smelled a familiar scent.

As the hand appeared, a corner of a light blue robe flashed, and then a delicate young lady walked out.

She had her hair styled in a double-ringed immortal bun, her black hair falling straight to her waist. She wore a light blue horse-face skirt, with a wide, long silk ribbon tied around her slender waist, making her small waist seem even more alluring.

Her upper body was adorned with a brocade cross-collared jacket, which made her already fair and delicate face appear even more charming.

"White Dragon..."

The young girl called out, a smile on her face, making the tranquil lake and mountain scenery seem to brighten.

Before her voice even faded, she began to run, her skirt fluttering like azure lake water, appearing somewhat anxious.

"White Dragon!!"

Wu Tian snapped out of his daze. He looked at the young girl who had appeared in the distance and was now running towards him. His originally weary heart felt as if it had been filled with something.

The one who appeared before him was Chili Mu, who had been gone for over a year.

"Woof woof woof~"

He suddenly leaped up, barking excitedly, and rushed forward.

With a splash, one person and one dog collided.

Wu Tian was much larger than he had been over a year ago. The young girl couldn't hold him, and they both tumbled into the hot spring.

"Hahaha, White Dragon."

"Woof woof woof~"

Chili Mu hugged Wu Tian's neck in the water, her laughter like silver bells. "Hehehe, it tickles..."

As they played, the calm hot spring churned with splashes, dripping onto the young girl's fair face. Wu Tian's snow-white fur was soaked through.

Even the blood on his fur dispersed in the lake water.

"White Dragon, I missed you so much. Did you miss me?"

"Woof woof woof~"

"Haha, I knew you missed me too."

Wu Tian was overjoyed, hugged by the young girl's neck.

After waking up in this world, the first person he saw was Chili Mu. Back then, he was just an ordinary puppy, and Chili Mu was a pitiful little girl who had lost her parents.

Every night, the young girl would groom his fur and hold him as they slept. During those uncertain days when he first arrived, it was Chili Mu who gave him a sense of home.

It was even because of Chili Mu that he was able to come to Skull Mountain.

It was also because of Chili Mu that he received the Edict from that senior.

Their bond had long been inseparable.

After playing in the spring for a while, Chili Mu brought Wu Tian to the edge of the water. The moment she stepped ashore, a crimson glow appeared on Chili Mu, like burning flames, or perhaps like a brilliant sunset.

This glow only lasted for a few breaths, but Chili Mu's soaked dress, damp hair, and the water droplets on her skin all vanished in the radiance.

Not a drop of water remained on her, and she was still the same radiant girl.

"Good boy, White Dragon, don't move."

The young girl had Wu Tian lie beside her and used the hot spring water to wash his snow-white, lustrous fur, carefully cleaning all the bloodstains and dirt from his coat.

Wu Tian's body pressed close to hers, as if returning to the days of a year ago. The slight oppression and fatigue from killing gradually dissipated under the girl's gentle touch.

"White Dragon, are you alright? Has anyone bullied you?"

"You're covered in so much blood, are you hurt?"

Chili Mu gently and meticulously cleaned his fur as she spoke slowly, "After my master brought me up the mountain, I entered her cave dwelling to cultivate."

"Master treats me very well, teaching me to recognize characters and read, imparting cultivation methods, and even preparing clothes and styling my hair for me, just like a mother..."

"It's just a bit boring staying in the cave dwelling for so long."

"Master doesn't allow me to go out."

"She said I have to wait until my Cauldron Forging is complete before I can go down the mountain."

"But it's so difficult. I only just reached Qi Nurturing, Form Condensing completion the day before yesterday, and I still don't know how to break through the Mysterious Pass."

"Just now, Master said she'd let me go out to meet an old acquaintance."

"Hehe, I really didn't expect it would be you."

"White Dragon, I'm so happy..."

Wu Tian listened to the young girl's rambling, hearing about everything that had happened over the past year, one by one, in meticulous detail.

Listening to her talk about her joys and frustrations...

However, she always had a smile on her face when she spoke of these things, indicating that the senior truly treated her very well.

Wu Tian felt a sense of relief. But just then, he suddenly felt the calm spiritual energy of heaven and earth from all directions surge towards them like a raging tide.

Endless fire element spiritual energy, like waves that blotted out the sun, or like raging flames that swept away everything, brilliant, dazzling, and scorching, instantly obscured the sky above the entire canyon.

Clang!

Wu Tian seemed to hear a clear sword cry, which was accompanied by the roar of a flood dragon, making him tremble slightly.

He instinctively turned his head to look at Chili Mu.

He saw crimson clouds soaring above Chili Mu's head, accompanied by surging spiritual energy and brilliant cloud light. An ancient sword slowly emerged from the crown of her head.

Her body was like a scabbard, and the ancient sword was being drawn out inch by inch.

When the ancient sword was fully drawn, its blade hummed, as if a flood dragon was coiled and roaring upon it.

In an instant, the wind and clouds for ten miles were stirred, crimson clouds covered the sky, sword light tore through the heavens, and the roar of a flood dragon echoed in all directions.

While chatting idly, Chili Mu broke through the Mysterious Pass in a single day.