Wu Tian focused his mind on the sound-transmission talisman embedded in his brow.
The talisman belonging to Man Xiong Mu had already been replaced twice.
As for the other talisman—at the beginning, messages had still come through from time to time. But ever since the incident at Wild Dog Cave months ago, Wu Tian had never replied.
As time passed, the messages from the other side became fewer and fewer.
The last message had arrived more than two months ago.
"White Dragon… do you hate me now?"
After that, there was nothing.
Sound-transmission talismans were consumable items, but Wu Tian had used his so rarely that it was still intact to this day.
He leapt onto the stone platform outside the cave dwelling, slowly raised his head, and gazed at the crescent moon hanging in the night sky.
Then he began circulating the Moon-Devouring Qi Circulation Art.
Half an hour later, a strand of moonlight descended from the heavens and entered his mouth.
A layer of pale cyan radiance spread across Wu Tian's body—wind-aspected natural energy.
Ever since awakening Wind Escape, wind-aspected energy naturally gathered around him, nourishing both body and spirit.
He lay quietly on the stone platform, breathing in moonlight and bathing in the azure glow.
Only when a faint glow appeared on the horizon, and a trace of scorching morning fire entered his body, did he finally stop.
Calm and unhurried, he activated the Fire Pupil Incantation, drawing in a strand of dawn essence to cleanse his pupils and spirit.
After cycling through the Fire Pupil Incantation and the Thunder Roar Incantation, he finally came to a stop.
Wu Tian suddenly felt an itch in his claws and instinctively rubbed them against the stone beneath him.
Something unexpected happened.
The original claws slowly peeled away, as if shedding a hard outer shell, revealing brand-new claws beneath.
The newly grown claws were slender and curved like silver hooks, emitting a chilling sheen that radiated sharpness.
More importantly—
With a casual motion, the sharp claws retracted back into their flesh sheaths.
"This…"
Wu Tian froze for a moment before finally understanding what had happened.
This transformation came from two sources.
One was the newly awakened Sharp Claws talent.
The other was the residual effect of bloodline fusion.
After merging with the Cloud Leopard bloodline, his body had not remained unchanged.
The evolution of his claws was the most obvious sign.
Canine claws could not retract freely and were generally thick and blunt compared to those of cats, tigers, and leopards.
But Wu Tian's claws now looked lethal at a glance—easily capable of tearing through hide and flesh.
"No wonder my claws have felt itchy ever since the bloodline fusion…"
He carefully tested the other claws as well.
Sure enough, all four limbs had shed their outer layers, revealing newly grown, razor-sharp claws.
He lightly slashed at the massive stone beside him.
The claws sank straight into the rock, carving five neat, deep fissures.
"They're no worse than ordinary blades…"
Wu Tian retracted his claws, then sent a brief message through Man Xiong Mu's sound-transmission talisman.
After that, a gentle breeze lifted his body.
He transformed into a streak of white light, running through the air and vanishing into the distance.
Before long, Wu Tian arrived once more at the dining hall.
It had been nearly half a year since he last came here.
Nothing had changed.
Outside the Teaching Hall, the morning recitation of newly admitted disciples could still be heard.
He descended from the wind and walked into the dining hall.
The first person to notice him was Huang Ren.
When Huang Ren saw the white dog, he froze.
Then his entire body stiffened.
His hair stood on end, a chill ran down his spine, and cold sweat instantly covered his forehead.
"Why did you stop? Morning lessons at the Teaching Hall are about to end—hurry and get everything ready…"
Aunt Wu raised her head as she spoke, then saw Wu Tian standing there, his fur whiter than ever.
"Oh? White Dragon, why are you here?" A smile appeared on her face. "Xia'er has been mentioning you a lot lately. Come on, I'll prepare something for you to eat."
Wu Tian did not move.
His gaze was locked firmly on Huang Ren.
Aunt Wu quickly sensed that something was wrong.
Huang Ren's reaction was far too strange—trembling, sweating profusely, as if facing a great terror.
Meanwhile, Wu Tian never once looked at her.
Like a predator in the forest, his eyes were fixed on Huang Ren as he advanced step by step.
"What's wrong with you?" Aunt Wu asked in confusion, grabbing Huang Ren's arm.
Huang Ren had kept the Wild Dog Cave matter tightly hidden.
Months had passed, and he had almost convinced himself that everything was over.
He never expected this white dog to come knocking on his door.
If the white dog was still alive, didn't that mean Wild Dog Cave had failed?
He dared pass information in secret—but he would never dare personally harm the dog and offend Man Xiong Mu.
Faced with his wife's question, he replied vaguely, "I don't know… maybe—"
"ROAR!"
A thunderous roar exploded in the air.
Wu Tian activated the Thunder Roar Incantation.
The roar struck like lightning.
Aunt Wu and Huang Ren froze instantly, their minds going blank.
Buzz!
Wu Tian transformed into a streak of white light.
At terrifying speed, he vaulted over the wall, crashed through the window, and lunged straight inside.
His jaws clamped down on Huang Ren's shoulder.
"AHHH—!"
Huang Ren's scream snapped Aunt Wu out of her daze.
She saw White Dragon pounce on Huang Ren in the kitchen, teeth sunk deep into his shoulder.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
The floor, Huang Ren's body, and the white dog's fur were all stained crimson.
"It hurts! It hurts! I'm dying!"
"Please—stop—!"
Wu Tian's movements were brutal and savage.
He bit down on Huang Ren's shoulder blade, tearing and wrenching with monstrous strength as he dragged him toward the door.
Aunt Wu's face turned deathly pale.
Terrified and furious, she shouted, "White Dragon! What are you doing?! Have you gone mad?!"
As she spoke, she grabbed the fire poker beside her.
"Let him go! Let him go!"
She was truly panicked.
In just a few breaths, Wu Tian had already dragged Huang Ren outside.
His shoulder was a mangled mess of flesh and blood—white bone clearly visible.
Seeing that Wu Tian showed no intention of stopping, Aunt Wu screamed and swung the fire poker with all her strength.
Wu Tian did not even look back.
His fangs clamped down harder on Huang Ren's shoulder.
Then he tore.
"AAAAHHHHHH—!"
With a heart-rending scream, Huang Ren's arm was ripped clean off.
Blood gushed like a fountain.
The severed bone was starkly exposed.
Huang Ren's eyes bulged as if about to burst, veins standing out on his head as he screamed in agony, his entire body soaked in sweat.
Bang!
The heavy fire poker smashed into Wu Tian's back.
He did not dodge.
He took the blow head-on.
Ever since cultivating the Moon-Devouring Qi Circulation Art, his body had grown terrifyingly tough—thick-skinned and immensely strong.
Holding the blood-dripping severed arm in his jaws, Wu Tian slowly turned his head and looked at Aunt Wu.
His gaze was terrifyingly calm.