Starting Immortal Cultivation from a White Dog

Chapter 36
With the cave gate slamming shut, the cave returned to its tranquility.

Man Xiongmu looked at Wu Tian with a smile and said, "Do you still remember that senior once said that he would pass down a decree?"

Wu Tian immediately recalled the words that senior had once said.

"Considering that you and I are bound together by an unbreakable bond, I will allow you to cultivate on Skull Mountain. I will issue a decree, and whether you can become a spirit beast depends on your own destiny."

He initially thought the so-called decree was simply to have Man Xiongmu take him to Skull Mountain, but he never expected it would leave a mark on his body.

Wu Tian was overjoyed. With this decree protecting him, he could roam freely throughout the entire Skull Mountain.

“I didn’t tell you before because I didn’t want you to become arrogant, and I also hoped that you could stay true to yourself and not be afraid of the difficulties of cultivation.” Man Xiongmu put away his smile and said seriously, “In the end, you still have to rely on yourself on the path of cultivation.”

“If you hadn’t dared to step inside when we were outside the mountain gate, I would have sent you down the mountain anyway.”

"Do you understand?"

Wu Tian's mind immediately flashed back to all his experiences since he entered the sect. Man Xiong Mu was deliberately telling him how dangerous Skull Mountain was, so that he would be careful and not cause trouble.

He never even mentioned the decree from that senior, which instilled in him a constant sense of awe and urgency.

Even when Tong Guan came to visit today, Man Xiong Mu did not mention the imperial decree at first; he simply blocked it himself.

It wasn't until Tong Guan finally harbored murderous intent towards him that Man Xiongmu revealed the decree on his body, causing the other party to back down.

After thinking everything through, Wu Tian felt a warm feeling rise in his heart.

A teacher is one who imparts knowledge, teaches skills, and resolves doubts.
Not only did Manxiongmu impart various methods to him and answer his questions, but he also tempered his character, preventing him from becoming arrogant and conceited because of the protection he received from the decree. If he hadn't truly cared for him, he wouldn't have gone to such great lengths.

Wu Tian felt a burning sensation in his chest and immediately prostrated himself on the ground, kowtowing and saying, "Disciple thanks Master."

Seeing his expression, Man Xiongmu nodded. "As long as you understand my intention, that's enough."

“Skull Mountain is just one of the 100,000 mountains in southern Xinjiang. There is a saying in the villages at the foot of the mountain that there are 100,000 demons in the 100,000 mountains. Deep in the mountains, there are demon kings running rampant and demon saints sleeping.”

"Even so, the Southern Frontier is just a small, isolated place. In contrast, the Central Plains, with its major Buddhist and Taoist sects, is prosperous and thriving, and where immortals descend to earth. It can be said to be the center of the world."

"Beyond the Central Plains lies the vast and boundless East Sea, upon which lie countless islands, wandering immortals, the East Sea Dragon Palace, and water demons. Since ancient times, it has been a place where mortals seek immortality and enlightenment."

"As for the Western Great Swamp, it is where the Demonic Sect has taken root, with countless barren mountains and treacherous waters, filled with malevolent energy, making it a forbidden zone for living beings."

"The world is so vast. Only by cultivating the primordial spirit can one be qualified to travel the world. Only a wandering immortal can become a hero of one region."

"You are quite fortunate to have received the decree from that senior. I do not want you to limit your vision to this corner of Skull Mountain, become complacent and narrow-minded."

"If we were like chickens and dogs fighting over food in a henhouse, wouldn't that be a waste of our destiny?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Tian realized the expectations and care that Man Xiongmu had for him. A sentence suddenly flashed through his mind: "Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them."

Although Manxiongmu was not his biological parent, his kindness and care for him were no less than those of his own parents.

He bowed his head and made sure he remembered everything that Manxiong Mu had said.

"Alright, get up quickly!" Seeing his posture, Man Xiongmu knew that Wu Tian had really taken his words to heart, and he was pleased.

“With the senior’s decree protecting you, Tong Guan would never dare to lay a hand on you again.”

"However, don't think that just because you have the imperial decree protecting you, you can act recklessly. You should know that sometimes you don't have to do the killing yourself."

"If it were me, whether it was using someone else to do the dirty work, or choosing a scapegoat to do the dirty work, secretly pushing things along, and then killing the murderer after you're dead."

"Or we could try to lure you down the mountain and kill you in the mouth of demons. There are so many ways and schemes involved."

"The senior's decree only makes some people wary, but if we really tear off the mask, there are plenty of people who are not afraid of death."

"If a person is not even afraid of death, no matter what kind of protective charm they have, it will be of no use, do you understand?"

Wu Tian naturally understood that throughout history, even during the imperial era, there were many who dared to plot against the crown prince or even the emperor.

Even a commoner dares to cause bloodshed within five steps.

If you treat this decree as an invincible treasure, you'll eventually suffer a crushing defeat.

His previously agitated and restless heart immediately calmed down. At this moment, Man Xiongmu spoke again and asked, "Before Tong Guan came, you asked me if it was permissible to kill within the sect?"

"What do you mean by that? Do you know who informed Tong Guan of your information?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Tian first looked up at the sky above. There was still a wisp of dark cloud that had not dissipated. He had already noticed it earlier; it was because Tong Jin, the son of the Wild Dog Cave Master, still harbored ill will towards him.

“Master, I sensed evil intentions in Huang Ren from the Dining Hall before.”

Upon hearing this, Man Xiongmu frowned. "It's him? That's not surprising. Although he's kind-hearted, he's always been greedy for small gains."

"It's normal to report your information to Wild Dog Cave in exchange for some benefits."

He sighed slightly as he said this, "In the end, the spirits kept in the gate will be coveted by people and regarded as cultivation materials."

“If not Huang Ren, then someone else would have done it.”

"However, since he has run into the line of fire, this grudge cannot go unavenged."

"Don't worry, I will definitely make him give you an explanation."

What Manxiong Mu said was not unexpected to Wu Tian.

He didn't tell Manxiong Mu before because he knew it wouldn't have any effect.

Before anything happens, at most Man Xiongmu will issue a warning or punishment; he can't possibly go to Huang Pangzi's door and kill him because something hasn't happened yet.

This is a sect, and it has its own rules.

More importantly, Wu Tian is not a human being, but a dog!

If someone were to kill a fellow disciple for a dog, that would be madness.

But if someone like Tong Guan kills a dog for his son, people would hardly find it strange.

How can we treat those who are not of our kind equally?
Wu Tian had long realized that he was a spirit, a demon, not a human.

Even if many people are kind to him and give him opportunities, it is impossible to change everyone's views and stances.

A demon is a demon; it is something that countless humans have slaughtered and regarded as resources for cultivation.

That's why he endured the hardship and stayed in the cave, waiting for the calamity to strike before informing Manxiong Mu and resolving the disaster in one fell swoop.

Once the disaster has passed, it will be justifiable to hold someone accountable.

Retreat first, then advance, and achieve victory in one battle.

Disasters must always be addressed at their root, not avoided.

The reason he suffered misfortune was ultimately because of his demonic nature.

Even without Fatty Huang, there would be others. So many people on this mountain cultivate the Path of the Hundred Beasts and Yin Souls. If he becomes a spirit, he will inevitably be targeted. Such trouble is unavoidable.

Only by launching a strong counterattack after the fact, making all those who are watching tremble with fear, can one strike a blow to avoid being struck a hundred times.

Of course, Wu Tian had the worst-case scenario in mind for all of this. If even the barbarian bear wood couldn't withstand it, he would run to the hot spring halfway up the mountain to cry and complain, which would provoke that senior, and all the demons and monsters would vanish into thin air.

However, he really didn't expect that the senior would leave a decree on him; everything was even better than he had anticipated.

With the law protecting him, as long as he doesn't do anything reckless, no one will dare to cause him trouble.

"So the next step is the liquidation."

"Especially over at Wild Dog Cave, they'd run away if things went wrong. Where would you find such a good deal?"

"If we don't peel off a layer of their skin and tear out a piece of their blood, wouldn't we be wasting this imperial decree?"

Wu Tian's eyes were cold as he gently licked his paw.

(End of this chapter)