Time passed swiftly. More than three months had gone by since Wu Tian awakened the Spirit of the Wind, and a harsh winter had descended upon the land.
Ever since that awakening, hunting had become much easier for the village. Through the wind, Wu Tian could sense information from extremely far away, allowing the hunting team to avoid danger and locate suitable prey.
As a result, the village quickly accumulated enough food reserves.
When a heavy snowfall arrived, the hunting team stopped going out altogether. In such weather, there was little to gain from hunting.
At this moment, Wu Tian was perched atop the tallest ancient tree in the village.
His entire body glowed white, every strand of fur lustrous and jade-like, carrying an indescribable aura.
His eyes were gently closed as he breathed in a steady rhythm. In the freezing air, warm vapor streamed from his nostrils like spirit serpents before quickly dissipating.
Inhale.Exhale.
Each breath carried profound mystery.
He was cultivating the Nine Forms of the Snake-Slaying Art—a blade technique he had finally comprehended and entered more than two months ago.
The Snake-Slaying Art was completely different from the Hunting skill.
Hunting was the most natural killing technique for white dogs, while the core of the Snake-Slaying Art lay in breathing.
Through breath, one mobilized the body's strength, twisting it into a single strand. When the blade struck, power condensed into a line—enough to sever even a tough and supple snake in one strike.
Breathing allowed for refined and precise control over one's own strength.That was the foundation of the Snake-Slaying Art.
The techniques themselves merely complemented the breathing—inner and outer working together to temper one's mastery of power.
With all his other skills already at full mastery, Wu Tian devoted nearly all his effort to this art.
A month ago, whether walking, sitting, or lying down, he never stopped circulating the breathing method. It had become woven into every movement of his body.
After yesterday's heavy snowfall, he hadn't returned at all.
It was as if he had entered a state of enlightenment, remaining atop this ancient tree—breathing in and out, as though he were about to dissolve into the wind itself.
At some point, the wind rose.
Cold gusts swept the snow from the branches, brushing against his fur as a chill passed through.
Yet Wu Tian felt no cold.
Instead, he slowly opened his eyes, joy shining within his pupils.
Ding! System Notification:Your skill Nine Forms of the Snake-Slaying Art has reached full mastery and can awaken into a talent.Please choose one of the following talents:
Option One: Razor ClawsYour claws become sharper, granting an increase in strength.
Option Two: Iron LungsYour breathing becomes deeper and more enduring, greatly enhancing stamina and increasing vitality.
Option Three: Consuming QiThrough breathing, you can ingest the extremely rare Essence Qi of Heaven and Earth.
The first talent had already been unlocked once before through the Hunting skill—clearly, some skills could awaken the same talents.
The second talent bore some resemblance to Regeneration, focusing more on endurance and stamina.
As for the third option…
This time, Wu Tian did not hesitate in the slightest.
He chose Consuming Qi.
Whether in myths or folk tales, whether immortals or demon spirits, they all shared one defining trait—
They consumed qi.
Immortals consumed qi and abandoned grain.Demon spirits absorbed the essence of the sun and moon to become demons.
In all legends, Consuming Qi marked the beginning of transcendence.
Wu Tian never imagined that cultivating the Snake-Slaying Art would awaken such a talent—one that allowed him to step onto the path of the extraordinary.
With a thought, the system panel appeared before his eyes.
Name: Wu TianAge: 2Bloodline: Southern Border White Dog
Talents:
Poison Devouring 60% (Beginner)
Agility 30% (Beginner)
Spirit of the Wind 30%
Consuming Qi 1% (Beginner)
Skills:
Hunting 100%
Wind Listening 100%
Nine Forms of the Snake-Slaying Art 100%
Four beginner talents, combined with three fully mastered skills—
Wu Tian's strength had already caught up to Yin Shuang.
"Yin Shuang likely awakened Razor Claws and Agility, gained basic intelligence, and fully mastered Hunting and Wind Listening."
"But now… I've already begun to surpass him."
Wu Tian calmly assessed his strength. The gap between him and Yin Shuang was small, but the Spirit of the Wind gave him an overwhelming advantage in forest survival.
"We're roughly at the same level—like creatures on the verge of becoming demon spirits."
"Though I still can't compare to that bear demon, I've already surpassed ordinary ferocious beasts."
Through the Spirit of the Wind, Wu Tian had been observing the surroundings of the village.
Aside from the bear demon at Black Fish Lake to the east, there was also a python that had become a spirit, a purple-tailed marten spirit, and more than a dozen beasts close to transformation.
"The villagers classify creatures of the wilderness into three levels: ferocious beasts, spirit creatures, and demons."
"Ferocious beasts are dangerous, but with preparation, they can be hunted."
"Creatures close to becoming spirits are avoided by the hunting team. Even if they could be killed, blood would be shed, and lives might be lost."
"As for true spirit creatures, the hunting team avoids them entirely. Even the Jade Centipede Gu can only make them wary."
"And demons…"
"Demons can slaughter ordinary people with ease. Even the Jade Centipede Gu is useless against them."
"My current strength is close to that of a spirit creature—but I'm still standing outside the threshold."
"In other words, I haven't truly become a spirit yet."
As he thought, Wu Tian activated his newly awakened Consuming Qi talent.
With the talent in motion, white mist swirled around his mouth and nose as he breathed.
After about fifteen minutes, a strand of cool, refreshing energy entered through his breath, passed his throat, and merged into his body.
The sensation was indescribably blissful.
Every strand of fur vibrated with joy born from his bloodline.
"So this is Consuming Qi…"
"That strand of clear energy must be the Essence Qi of Heaven and Earth described by the system."
Wu Tian continued breathing, his heart immersed in boundless joy.
"As long as I continue consuming qi, one day I'll surely become a spirit creature—and step by step, a true demon…"
Unwilling to waste even a moment, he continued.
But after about half an hour, pain flared in his brow, forcing him to stop.
"So Consuming Qi isn't just breathing—it consumes mental energy. I need rest before continuing."
Just then, a voice drifted in on the wind.
"Bai Long'er… Bai Long'er, where are you?"
"That's Chi Li Mu's voice!"
Wu Tian immediately leapt from the ancient tree. Just before hitting the ground, his supple paws absorbed the impact, landing lightly.
"Woof! Woof!"
He barked a few times and sprinted toward the source of her voice.
In this world, only Chi Li Mu truly cared for him—treating him as a companion, not a pet.
He hadn't returned all night. She must have been worried sick.
Thinking of the little girl's tender face, something soft stirred in Wu Tian's heart.
He raced through the snow like a streak of white light, unbelievably fast.
Soon, he found her.
With a light leap, he landed precisely in her arms.
"Bai Long'er, where did you go? Do you know how worried I was?"
"Ah—so cold, you little rascal…"
"Ehehe!"
Wu Tian's snow-covered fur brushed against her pale neck. The icy touch combined with the softness of his fur made her laugh like ringing bells.
"Bai Long'er, don't be naughty. It's so cold—come home with me."
Chi Li Mu hugged him tightly, afraid he might catch a chill, while her own small hands and nose were already red from the cold.
"Let's go home."
Wu Tian casually draped his tail over her hand, sharing a bit of his warmth through his fur.
"Bai Long'er, Grandpa Clan Chief said that in a few days, once the snow melts, an envoy from Skull Mountain will come to the village."
"The envoy will test everyone's aptitude. Those chosen can become immortal attendants."
"Grandpa taught me many rules. Do you think I'll be chosen?"
"But… I don't want to leave the village. I don't want to leave Grandpa—or you…"
The cold wind howled, sweeping snow across the ground.
A girl and a dog slowly disappeared into the vast white expanse.
(End of Chapter)