The black wind cut across the sky.Before long, it arrived at Skull Mountain.
The summit of Skull Mountain had been tempered by successive sect masters using great arcane power. Scoured by yin winds and refined by ghostly flames, it had long since transformed into a divine material—impervious to blades and swords alike.
A grand palace stood at the mountain's peak, surrounded by interlinked pavilions and towers, faintly arranged into a formation. From above, one could clearly see a massive flood-dragon skeleton coiling around the entire mountaintop.
Its skull faced downward, jaws agape, as if ready to devour all below.
A dragon corpse encircling the mountain.Palaces and towers forming a grand array.
This was the cultivation ground of Skull Mountain.
Within it, disciples practiced various arts. Black winds howled, spell-light shot into the heavens, ferocious beasts roared, and wailing ghosts cried out—sending chills through the marrow.
Man Xiong Mu brought Wu Tian down before the mountain gate.
The gate itself was a massive flood-dragon skull.
Its jaws were spread wide, teeth taller than a grown man—savage and terrifying.
"Skull Mountain is merely the mountain's name," Man Xiong Mu said calmly."Our sect traces its lineage to a disciple of the White-Bone Bodhisattva. Later, that ancestor abandoned Buddhism for Daoism, took the title White-Bone Daoist, and established the sect here, passing down the Hundred Barbarians Dao Lineage."
"When the First Patriarch founded the sect, he was already a Loose Immortal. Using his Dharma Form, he slew a flood-dragon and coiled its corpse around the mountain, laying the foundation of our sect."
"After generations of cultivation and refinement, the sect has endured to this day. The current Sect Master is a Primordial Spirit True Person."
"Under him are eight direct disciples, each with profound cultivation. Together with the inheritors of the Third Generation Elders, they form the backbone of the sect."
"Today, the Fourth Generation serve as elders and stewards. The Fifth Generation—my generation—are those who open halls and accept disciples."
"I am a Fifth Generation disciple, under Elder Cloud Leopard, cultivating in Perched-Cloud Cave."
He paused, his tone turning heavier.
"My lineage is not part of the Sect Master's direct line. Moreover, my master was injured in his early years—his cultivation stagnated. Now, his lifespan is nearing its end."
"Since I have received a senior's decree and brought you up the mountain, you shall belong to the Perched-Cloud Cave lineage."
"When you become a spirit beast and later take human form, I may grant you a place as a disciple under my name."
"However…"
He pointed at the flood-dragon skull.
"Our Hundred Barbarians Sect has two great true inheritances."
"The Path of the White-Bone Demon God—the Sect Master's direct lineage."
"And the Path of the Hundred Beast Yin Souls."
"The latter uses mountain beasts, spirit creatures, demons, and monsters as materials for cultivation. Within a thousand li of Skull Mountain, nearly all mountain spirits and wild monsters are deliberately raised by the sect."
"When disciples reach a certain level, they descend the mountain to hunt spirit creatures and harvest beast souls."
"Those capable of becoming demons are, to us, the finest cultivation resources."
He looked directly at Wu Tian.
"If you enter the sect, the stronger your cultivation becomes, the greater your danger."
"One day, you may be flayed, your soul torn out, and refined into a Hundred-Beast Banner."
His voice slowed.
"You can cultivate the Nether-Communion Mantra. You understand human intent. You understand what I'm saying."
"I will ask you one last time."
Man Xiong Mu turned to face Wu Tian solemnly.
"If you change your mind now, I can take you back down the mountain."
"With your talent, staying in the village would grant you a peaceful life."
"But once you step through this gate—there may be no way out alive."
"So tell me."
"Do you still wish to enter?"
Only now did Wu Tian fully understand Man Xiong Mu's intent.
Without witnessing the dragon's remains firsthand—without feeling the overwhelming malice and resentment lingering from its death—one could never truly grasp Skull Mountain's hostility toward spirits, demons, and monsters.
A thousand-li forest as a hunting ground.Spirit creatures raised as livestock.Yin souls refined for cultivation.
This was no cultivation sanctuary.
It was a slaughterhouse.
If he entered Skull Mountain, he would be walking straight into a demon's den.
Wu Tian felt the chilling weight of this truth.
Man Xiong Mu was not exaggerating.
Even if Man Xiong Mu could protect him at first, as Wu Tian's cultivation grew, so too would the number of eyes coveting his hide and soul.
The words about his lineage not being a direct inheritance—and his master's impending death—were a clear warning.
Protection would not last forever.
Then a thought struck Wu Tian.
"If that senior truly wished me dead… there would be countless ways to do so."
"She wouldn't need to go through such trouble."
"Then why allow me to cultivate on Skull Mountain at all?"
Thoughts raced through his mind.
Wu Tian was no ordinary spirit beast.A second life, a system panel—his circumstances defied common sense.
Even without Skull Mountain's methods, his path was merely slower—not impossible.
So should he descend the mountain?
Suddenly—
"No. That's wrong."
He recalled one sentence spoken by the red-robed senior:
'Our sect does not forbid the acceptance of spirit beasts. You are simply not qualified yet.'
Wu Tian's mind sharpened instantly.
"If I leave now and later become a spirit beast or demon…"
"Sooner or later, Skull Mountain disciples will discover me."
"And then—who would protect me?"
"At that point, once I'm weaker than them, I would be killed on the spot and my soul harvested."
Cold sweat soaked his fur.
With the dragon corpse looming before him, he had no illusion that he could oppose Skull Mountain alone.
"Leaving the mountain now… would truly be courting death."
"Staying, while weak, the Perched-Cloud Cave lineage can still protect me."
"And if I grow strong enough…"
"If I catch that senior's eye…"
"There may yet be a slim chance of survival."
His thoughts crystallized.
"This must be her test."
"Because of my bond with Chi Li Mu, she's giving me a chance."
"If I pass… even if I'm not taken as a disciple, other opportunities will follow."
Wu Tian drew a deep breath.
Whether his deductions were fully correct or not—
He had no real choice.
Descending the mountain meant stagnation and inevitable death.
Ascending meant danger at every step—but also hope.
The choice was obvious.
"Let us pray Elder Cloud Leopard lives a long life…"
Wu Tian mocked himself inwardly.
Then he stepped forward.
His forelegs folded.His head touched the ground.
A low bark escaped him.
"Woof."
The sound was firm. Clear. Unwavering.
Man Xiong Mu smiled.
"Since you've decided, then follow me and enter the sect."
"When you shed your beast form, you may become my disciple."
"As long as I live, I will protect you."
"Come."
The black wind surged.
Man and dog passed through the dragon's gaping jaws.
Black wind crossed the threshold.A white dog entered the sect.
From this moment on—
A completely different world awaited.
(End of Chapter)