As Wu Tian was being chased away by the guards at the door, an adult white dog—over six feet long—slowly walked out from inside the room.
The moment they saw this white dog, respect immediately appeared on the guards' faces. This was the village's Dog King, the one who had led the village through countless disasters and saved innumerable clansmen.
He was highly intelligent, his wisdom comparable to that of an adult human, and he held an exalted status throughout the entire village.
"The Dog King… Yin Shuang!"
Wu Tian recognized him instantly. If the clan chief was the leader of the village, then Yin Shuang was its living totem.
Yin Shuang walked toward Wu Tian at an unhurried pace. As the imposing figure drew closer, Wu Tian instinctively felt his fur tighten all over, as if sensing danger. He lowered his body and let out a low growl.
Seeing the small Wu Tian, warmth flickered in Yin Shuang's eyes. He had lived for many years and was nearing the end of his lifespan.
To witness the birth of such a spiritually aware descendant was a rare blessing.
Yin Shuang barked a few times, and Wu Tian's unease gradually subsided.
Dogs did not communicate with the detailed language and writing of humans—only simple intentions could be conveyed.
Yet Wu Tian quickly understood.
Yin Shuang was telling him to follow along tomorrow.
"Woof, woof, woof~"
Wu Tian barked several times toward the village's Dog King, then dashed off in a flash.
Watching his departing figure, Yin Shuang looked like an elderly man gazing at a mischievous grandchild, his eyes gentle and indulgent.
Naturally, the commotion outside did not escape the clan chief and Gu Xiong Mu inside the room.
Chi Li Mu's father had once been an exceptionally brave warrior in the hunting team, widely regarded as the next leader. No one had expected him to meet such a tragic end.
Wu Tian's childhood name, Bai Long'er, had been given by the clan chief himself during the delivery. Back then, there were two other puppies in the same litter, both sent to other households.
Only Bai Long'er had been kept.
Leaning on his wooden staff, the clan chief spoke with a sigh after Yin Shuang returned inside and lay down.
"The hunting team has lost too many people. Even with temporary reinforcements, our combat strength will inevitably decline."
"Not to mention the loss of over ten white dogs. That alone greatly increases the risks facing the entire village."
"However, the hunting team is the foundation of our survival. I'll assign you five additional hunters and eight hunting dogs—along with that Bai Long'er from earlier. It should be just enough."
"You'll depart early tomorrow morning. Avoid Black Fish Lake. It may be a good hunting ground, but since a bear demon has emerged there, it's no longer a place we can touch."
Gu Xiong Mu's expression darkened.
"The areas around the village suitable for hunting were already limited. Previously, more than half of our prey came from Black Fish Lake."
"If we avoid it now, gathering enough food will be extremely difficult."
"Should I lead the men deeper into the mountains instead?"
The clan chief shook his head.
"The village has just suffered great losses. We cannot afford more casualties. If the hunting team takes heavy damage again, surviving this winter will be nearly impossible."
"Endure it for now. When spring arrives next year, envoys from Skull Mountain should come. I'll see if I can ask them to eliminate the bear demon."
Though Gu Xiong Mu wished to secure more food, he understood the clan chief's reasoning and nodded in silence.
"If that's the case… hunting will be far more difficult than before."
…
Early the next morning, before dawn had fully broken, Wu Tian carefully slipped out of Chi Li Mu's warm embrace and made his way to the ancient bronze cauldron at the village center.
The hunting team always gathered here before setting out.
When Wu Tian arrived, many were already present. They carried bows on their backs, hunting knives at their waists, and some bore bamboo baskets filled with supplies.
Alongside them were more than a dozen white dogs—mostly adults, three to four feet long, their bodies lean and agile.
Though smaller than ferocious beasts, these adult white dogs were alert and nimble, the best companions for hunting.
Wu Tian instinctively joined the group of white dogs. At only two years old and just over a foot long, he stood out among the adults.
He obediently followed behind Yin Shuang, neither showing off nor causing trouble.
As a puppy with no real experience hunting deep in the mountains, his task was simple—stay with the team and grow steadily until he had the ability to protect himself.
As time passed, everyone assembled. Including the newly added members, there were nineteen hunters in total.
Nineteen robust men capable of drawing bows and wielding blades, accompanied by more than a dozen white dogs—As long as they didn't provoke demons or sinister ghosts, even large beasts posed little threat.
The group soon departed the village. The white dogs spread out, scouting the surroundings.
Wu Tian stayed close to Yin Shuang, carefully observing and mimicking the Dog King's movements.
They advanced swiftly. Occasional snakes and poisonous insects were driven away, and before long they entered the deep forest—a place Wu Tian had never been before.
Ancient trees towered overhead, layers of branches interwoven so densely that sunlight barely reached the ground. Rotting leaves and dead branches piled thickly, and venomous creatures appeared more frequently.
Wu Tian even spotted a Green-Scaled Three-Patterned Snake coiled on a branch—over ten feet long. Its dark green scales and black markings sent chills down his spine as it slithered along the trunk.
This species was extremely venomous, usually no more than three feet long. A serpent of this size had clearly cultivated essence and grown powerful.
Fortunately, Yin Shuang led the group to detour far around it, avoiding any disturbance.
There were spiders as large as adult fists, centipedes a foot long, and foxes with crimson tails…
This was true primeval wilderness, home to countless forms of life.
At first, Wu Tian behaved himself, following Yin Shuang closely.
But soon, he couldn't contain himself any longer.
His goal wasn't to become a mere hunting dog. He wanted to hone his skills, strengthen his body, and gradually step onto the path of becoming a demon.
So whenever they encountered snakes, insects, or poisonous creatures along the way, Wu Tian began actively pouncing on them. To avoid slowing the team, his movements were swift and decisive.
He didn't seek victory—Only battle.
And if he found himself overmatched, he would immediately retreat to Yin Shuang's side.
(End of Chapter)