Without a doubt, once a skill's progress reached one hundred percent, the system panel would allow it to awaken into a new talent—an upgrade that fundamentally strengthened him.
The three available options focused on three different aspects: strength, speed, and physique.
Wu Tian did not hesitate for long. His first decision was to eliminate Razor Claws.
Among the three choices, Razor Claws would indeed increase attack power, but for hunting and survival, it was the least critical.
Of the remaining two options, Agility was undeniably vital.
The depths of the forest were filled with dangers—many of which could not be resisted head-on. At critical moments, the ability to escape was far more important than raw power.
As long as one was fast enough, whether hunting or fleeing, the initiative would always remain in one's own hands.
The third option, Regeneration, was also extremely useful. Whether it was increased stamina or faster recovery from injuries, both were valuable traits.
Especially since talents could be further upgraded through the system, Wu Tian could even imagine that if Regeneration reached higher stages, it might grant an unbelievable ability such as regrowing severed limbs.
By contrast, talents like Agility could potentially be replaced later through other means—such as skills that enhanced speed.
Between the two, Agility offered immediate survival, while Regeneration promised immense long-term potential.
Wu Tian hesitated.
But in the end, he still chose Agility.
"Survival comes first. In the forest, getting injured often means death. Enemies will never give you time to recover."
"Besides, Wind Listening is close to reaching full mastery. I'll be able to gain another related talent soon."
Wu Tian could clearly feel that Wind Listening not only allowed him to sense danger carried by the wind, but also helped him perceive airflow while running—subtly increasing his speed.
"Wind Listening combined with Agility will let my speed surpass most ferocious beasts in the forest. As long as I don't run into true demon creatures, I'll be able to move freely through the mountains."
"I choose Agility!"
As Wu Tian made his selection, a warm current surged through his body. In just a few breaths, it spread to every corner of him.
"Whine—"
A sound escaped his throat, not from pain, but from a sensation like soaking in a hot spring—pure comfort.
Soon, the warmth faded.
Yet Wu Tian felt as if his body had grown lighter, as though he might float off the ground at any moment.
"Looks like I made the right choice."
He sprang up from the ground. With just a slight movement, he shot forward a great distance—nearly twice as fast as before.
Wu Tian opened his system panel.
Name: Wu TianAge: 2Bloodline: Southern Border White DogTalents:
Poison Devouring 52% (Beginner)
Agility 1% (Beginner)
Skills:
Hunting 100%
Wind Listening 98%
The Hunting skill had reached full mastery and had already awakened into a talent. There was no further room for improvement.
Wind Listening was also nearing completion. Once it reached one hundred percent, another talent would be unlocked.
"Mastering skills grants talents, and talents significantly enhance my strength."
"Next, aside from developing my talents, the most important thing is acquiring new skills."
Wu Tian had not merely been tagging along with the hunting team. No one in the village guarded against a white dog, and on several occasions, he had even secretly slipped into the clan chief's bamboo stilt house.
"The village has a blade technique called Snake-Slaying Blade, which all members of the hunting team know. Gu Xiong Mu has cultivated it to an extremely high level."
"Besides that, the clan chief possesses three gu arts: Insect Repelling Gu, Water Purification Gu, and Poison Devouring Gu."
"As for Gu Xiong Mu's Jade Centipede Gu, that was obtained by chance. The village doesn't possess a complete method to refine it."
Wu Tian calculated quietly.
"The clan chief may have other hidden trump cards, but unless it's a life-or-death situation, I doubt I'll ever see them."
"The Jade Centipede Gu is terrifyingly poisonous. A weasel on the verge of demonhood once ambushed the hunting team, and Gu Xiong Mu released the Jade Centipede Gu, poisoning it to death on the spot."
"But because of that extreme poison, the prey killed by it can't be eaten."
"That's why Gu Xiong Mu only uses it as a last resort during hunts."
Even Wu Tian felt chilled by the Jade Centipede Gu's toxicity. Even with his Poison Devouring talent, he dared not approach it.
"I've secretly learned the Snake-Slaying Blade during this time. But I'm still a dog—there's a huge gap between me and a human wielding a long blade."
"The technique has sixteen forms. Seven of them are completely unusable for me. However, I can imitate the remaining nine using my claws."
"Combined with the accompanying breathing method, I can barely adapt them into a Nine-Form Snake-Slaying Art suited to me."
Wu Tian had been practicing these nine forms and trying to integrate them into his hunting techniques. But the process was extremely difficult and complex. So far, the system panel had shown no changes.
"Still, it's close. I can feel that I'm about to step into the basics."
"The key to the Snake-Slaying Blade lies in its breathing method—mobilizing bodily strength in coordination with the movements."
"My breathing is different from that of humans. That's why it's taken so long."
Just as Wu Tian was deep in thought, Yin Shuang suddenly let out a furious roar.
The Dog King's roar was filled with urgency.
Wu Tian instantly sprang to action, scattering alongside the other adult white dogs.
"Woof! Woof! Woof!"
Barking quickly echoed through the forest.
Puchi! Puchi!
Suddenly, more than ten short spears shot out violently from the depths of the forest, flying straight toward the barking white dogs.
Two white dogs failed to evade in time. The sharp spears pierced straight through their bodies, pinning them to the ground as blood poured everywhere.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"Damn it—who is it?!"
Seeing two white dogs killed instantly, the hunters erupted in rage. Everyone drew their blades, some pulling bows and nocking arrows as they stared toward the direction the spears had come from.
Wu Tian was furious as well.
Moments ago, he had been immersed in awakening his talent and had lost his usual vigilance. One of the spears had nearly grazed his body before embedding itself in the ground.
If not for the Agility talent greatly boosting his reaction speed, his body would have been torn apart.
The realization sent chills down his spine.
"Woof! Woof!"
His eyes locked onto the depths of the forest. Both ears stood erect as he listened carefully to the information carried by the wind.
Very quickly, his fur stood on end.
The signals carried by the wind spoke of imminent danger.
Before long, a rough, boisterous laugh echoed from within the forest.
"Gu Xiong Mu, your White Dog Village sure has guts."
"To dare step into the hunting grounds of Red Blood Village…"
"Are you tired of living?"
(End of Chapter)