As the stone gates of the cave slammed shut, silence once more settled over the interior.
Man Xiongmu looked at Wu Tian with a gentle smile and asked,
"Do you still remember what that senior once said—that she would leave behind a decree?"
Wu Tian's mind instantly returned to that moment.
'Since the bond between you and my disciple cannot be severed, I will permit you to cultivate within Skeleton Mountain. I shall leave behind a decree. Whether you can become a true spirit beast will depend on your own fate.'
At the time, Wu Tian had believed the so-called decree merely meant permission to enter the mountain.
He had never imagined it was an actual safeguard hidden within his body.
Realization struck like lightning.
Joy surged through his heart.
With such a decree protecting him, he could walk freely throughout Skeleton Mountain without fear.
Man Xiongmu, however, gradually withdrew his smile and spoke solemnly.
"I did not tell you earlier because I did not want you to grow arrogant because of it."
"Nor did I want you to rely on external protection and neglect your own cultivation."
"The path of cultivation must ultimately be walked by oneself."
"If, back at the mountain gates, you had lacked the courage to step forward, I would still have sent you down the mountain."
"Do you understand?"
Wu Tian's thoughts raced through everything he had experienced since entering the sect.
Man Xiongmu had deliberately shown him how dangerous Skeleton Mountain truly was—forcing him to remain cautious, restrained, and vigilant.
He had never once mentioned the decree.
Even when Tong Guan arrived earlier, Man Xiongmu had stood firm on his own, only revealing the decree at the final moment—when real killing intent had surfaced.
Only then did Wu Tian fully understand.
Warmth surged through his chest.
A master is one who transmits the path, teaches the art, and resolves doubt.
Man Xiongmu had done far more than teach techniques.
He had tempered Wu Tian's temperament and guarded his heart, ensuring he would not become reckless or arrogant.
Such care could only come from genuine concern.
Wu Tian lowered himself fully to the ground and bowed deeply.
"Disciple thanks Master."
Man Xiongmu nodded.
"As long as you understand, that is enough."
"Skeleton Mountain is but one of countless peaks in the Southern Wilds."
"Beyond it lie endless mountain ranges where demon kings roam freely, and even ancient demon sovereigns slumber."
"Yet even the Southern Wilds are only a remote corner of the world."
"To the north lies the Central Lands—where Buddhist and Daoist sects flourish, immortals descend, and true cultivation civilization thrives."
"To the east stretches the boundless Eastern Sea, filled with countless islands, wandering immortals, dragon palaces, and sea demons."
"And to the west lies the Great Marshlands—where demonic sects gather, miasma fills the air, and life itself fears to tread."
"The world is vast beyond imagination."
"Only those who cultivate a primordial soul are truly qualified to roam freely."
"I do not want your gaze confined to this single mountain, fighting like chickens and dogs over scraps."
"Would that not disgrace the fortune you've been given?"
Wu Tian finally understood the depth of his master's expectations.
A phrase surfaced in his mind:
Parents who truly love their children plan for the long term.
Though Man Xiongmu was not his blood parent, the care he showed was no less.
Wu Tian bowed again, engraving every word deeply into his heart.
Man Xiongmu waved his hand.
"Enough. Rise."
"With the decree protecting you, Tong Guan will not dare act openly again."
"But do not think this makes you untouchable."
"Sometimes, killing does not require one's own hands."
"One could borrow another's blade."
"Or sacrifice a pawn."
"Or lure you beyond the mountain and let demons finish the deed."
"There are countless ways."
"The decree only creates hesitation—not fear."
"If someone is prepared to die, no protection will save you."
"Understand this well."
Wu Tian nodded.
History had proven this countless times.
Even emperors were assassinated.
Even mortals dared spill blood within arm's reach.
Treating the decree as invincibility would only lead to ruin.
His excitement faded, replaced by calm resolve.
Man Xiongmu then asked,
"Before Tong Guan arrived, you asked whether killing was permitted within the sect."
"What did you mean by that?"
"Do you know who informed him about you?"
Wu Tian lifted his gaze.
Above him, a thin strand of dark cloud still lingered—evidence of unresolved malice.
"Master… I previously sensed killing intent from Huang Ren at the Food Hall."
Man Xiongmu frowned.
"Him? That is unsurprising."
"He appears honest, but he has always been greedy."
"Selling information for profit is entirely within his character."
He sighed softly.
"At the end of the day, any spirit beast within the sect will be coveted."
"If it were not him, it would have been someone else."
"But since he acted, this debt cannot be left unsettled."
"I will make him give you an explanation."
Wu Tian had expected this response.
Before events unfolded, nothing could be done.
After all—
He was not human.
He was a beast.
Killing a sect steward for a dog would be madness.
But killing a dog for a child's cultivation? That was considered normal.
He had long accepted this truth.
That was why he endured.
Why he waited.
Why he allowed the calamity to surface fully—so it could be crushed decisively.
Only by striking back hard enough could he silence all future predators.
Better one clean strike than endless trouble.
If all else failed, he would simply return to the mountain spring and summon that senior.
Nothing would survive her wrath.
But reality had exceeded his expectations.
The decree existed.
With it, as long as he did not court death, no one would dare touch him again.
Now—
It was time to settle accounts.
Especially with Wild Dog Cave.
Did they really think they could retreat so easily?
If he did not tear flesh and draw blood, would this decree not be wasted?
Wu Tian's eyes turned icy.
He slowly licked his paw.
(End of Chapter)