Man Xiong Mu rushed into the bamboo lodge and was met with a chaotic scene.
Gu Lido stood clutching his arm, blood flowing freely, while Fei Tianyun lay on the ground screaming as the white dog pinned her down.
His expression darkened instantly.
"Enough!" he barked coldly.
The moment Wu Tian saw him, he leapt away at once and returned to Chi Li Mu's embrace.
Wu Tian had acted with restraint.Since Gu Lido dared to draw his blade, punishment was deserved—but the wound was only superficial, not life-threatening.
As for Fei Tianyun, though she was willful and vicious, her background was indeed extraordinary. If she died in the village, it would likely bring catastrophic disaster upon the White Dog Village. Moreover, most of these great villages had people cultivating in Skull Mountain. Wu Tian would never act rashly—his intent had been intimidation, nothing more.
That said, given her temperament, further trouble was inevitable.
And if such a person were ever to be dealt with… it could never be done within the village.
Wu Tian was calm and calculating by nature. Hardened by years of jungle hunting, a trace of murderous intent had already taken root in his heart toward Fei Tianyun.
For people of noble birth, reputation often mattered far more than life itself. What appeared to be a small dispute now could easily become a fatal calamity for Chi Li Mu—and for himself—in the future.
As Wu Tian pondered this, Man Xiong Mu had already stepped forward. With a finger extended, spiritual light flowed out, sealing Gu Lido's wound. He then took out a bottle of medicine—thick and dark like mud. Yet once applied, the effect was immediate; the injury visibly began to heal.
Fei Tianyun scrambled to her feet, her face pale, filled with humiliation, fury, and lingering fear.
She shouted angrily,"Immortal Master! That vile girl ordered the beast to bite Gu Lido—and it even tried to kill me!"
"Immortal Master, kill her at once!"
Man Xiong Mu's face turned icy.
Without saying a word, black wind condensed into a giant palm and slapped her across the face.
Bang!
Fei Tianyun, who had just stood up, was sent flying again. Her cheek instantly swelled red as she crashed to the ground.
This time, she was completely stunned.
After a long moment, she looked up at Man Xiong Mu in disbelief.
"M-Master…?"
His expression was ruthless.
"Remember your status. You are nothing but a mortal right now. How dare you speak to me like that?"
"Are you commanding me?"
The murderous aura radiating from him finally broke her arrogance.
Fei Tianyun trembled, clutching her cheek as she sobbed softly.
"I… I wouldn't dare… Immortal Master…"
"Hmph."
Man Xiong Mu snorted.If it weren't for the sake of the White Dog Village, a mere mortal daring to offend him like this—Immortal child or not—could have been killed without consequence.
He turned to Chi Li Mu, his tone easing slightly.
"Little Chi Li, tell me exactly what happened."
Chi Li Mu was still frightened. She hugged Wu Tian tightly and softly recounted everything—how Fei Tianyun provoked her first, how Gu Lido drew his blade, and how Wu Tian acted to protect her.
She spoke clearly and logically, leaving nothing out.
After finishing, she looked up at Man Xiong Mu with watery eyes.
"Uncle Man Xiong… Bai Long'er only did it to protect me. If someone must be punished, then punish me instead."
As she spoke, she closed her eyes and lifted her pale little face, as if waiting for the black-wind palm to strike.
Man Xiong Mu looked at her—frightened yet stubborn, lips pressed tight—and couldn't help but shake his head with a chuckle.
"You did nothing wrong. Why would I punish you?"
His gaze swept over Gu Lido and Fei Tianyun.
"Tomorrow morning, I will take you back to Skull Mountain. Until then, if either of you dares stir up trouble again—don't blame me for being ruthless."
The bamboo lodge had three rooms.He arranged for Gu Lido and Fei Tianyun to share one, took one for himself, and left Chi Li Mu in her original room.
Just as this was settled, the village chief hurried over, anxiety written all over his face.
"What happened? Is Little Chi Li alright?"
"Old friend, don't worry," Man Xiong Mu said calmly. "With me here, nothing will go wrong."
He offered no further explanation and sent the chief away.
Once Gu Lido and Fei Tianyun were confined to their room and the chief had left, the lodge finally fell quiet again.
Man Xiong Mu smiled gently at Chi Li Mu.
"You did very well today, Little Chi Li. Don't be afraid. I'm from this village too—I'm your elder."
"If you're ever wronged, I'll stand up for you. Understand?"
Chi Li Mu nodded hard, relief and happiness flickering across her face.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Man Xiong Mu patted her head, then glanced at Wu Tian.
"And Bai Long'er behaved well too. You know how to protect your little master."
After comforting her, he asked,"How has your cultivation of the Nether-Communion Mantra been these days? Any problems?"
Though Chi Li Mu's progress had been astonishing, she lacked guidance. She immediately poured out all the doubts she had accumulated.
At first, Man Xiong Mu answered easily.
But gradually… his expression changed.
The questions Chi Li Mu asked were ones that only appeared when the mantra had reached a very deep level.
Shock spread across his face.
Unable to contain himself, he said,"Little Chi Li—cultivate the Nether-Communion Mantra right now."
She obediently set Wu Tian down, sat cross-legged on the bed, calmed her breathing—and began.
Soft murmurs arose, like whispers of ghosts and gods.
The surrounding天地精气 surged violently. Crimson energy boiled around her like blazing fire. From her nose and mouth, refined streams of rosy light flowed out, quickly enveloping her entire body.
Man Xiong Mu stared at the phenomenon, utterly stunned.
"This… this is…"
Even top-grade Immortal roots could not reach such depth in so short a time—let alone trigger such terrifying manifestations.
His expression shifted wildly as countless records from sect scriptures flashed through his mind.
"The highest Immortal root… is said to allow Foundation Establishment within a hundred days."
"But Chi Li Mu's display… far exceeds even that."
"…Could it be the legendary—Dao Body?!"
At that thought, his pupils shrank violently. Shock and ecstasy warred within him as he stared at Chi Li Mu, countless thoughts surging.
"No… I can't just bring her back to the mountain like this."
"If she's noticed… it could bring enormous trouble."
He paced back and forth anxiously. After a long moment, someone flashed through his mind—and he finally made his decision.
"Only she can protect Chi Li…"
(End of Chapter)