From the clan chief down to the ordinary villagers, everyone knelt to the ground. Even the white dogs fell silent, instinctively sensing the danger carried within the black wind.
Wu Tian watched as the black wind descended, gradually revealing a burly man who looked to be in his thirties.
The man was bare-chested. His bronze skin was covered in black tattoos—interwoven lines forming the vivid image of a black bear, lifelike and fierce, adding to his intimidating presence.
"Hahaha! Shan Man Mu, it's been a long time. Do you still remember this old acquaintance?"
The clan chief, who had been kneeling on the ground, trembled with excitement upon hearing the voice. He instinctively raised his head, staring at the rugged man before him, and cried out:
"Man Xiong Mu— is that you?!"
The burly man known as Man Xiong Mu stepped forward and helped the clan chief up from the ground, sighing with emotion.
"Old friend… you've grown old."
The clan chief's body shook as he tightly grasped Man Xiong Mu's arm.
"Yes, I'm old… yet you're still the same as before. After all these years, you haven't changed at all."
Man Xiong Mu shook his head, his tone filled with sentiment.
"How could anyone truly remain unchanged?"
He didn't dwell on it further and instead turned to the other villagers.
"Everyone, get up."
The villagers exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to move at first.
The clan chief quickly explained, "You should all know that someone from White Dog Village entered Skull Mountain. This is that very person—he was born here, in our village."
At these words, the villagers grew visibly excited. They rose to their feet, gazing at the Skull Mountain envoy with a mix of reverence and awe.
"Man Xiong Mu, why is it you this time?" the clan chief said excitedly. "For so many years, the envoy was never you. I never imagined I'd see you again."
Man Xiong Mu let out a soft sigh.
"Life on Skull Mountain isn't easy. The path of cultivation is fraught with danger at every step. I struggled for decades before finally achieving something—only then did I gain the qualification to descend the mountain."
What he didn't say was this—
Within a thousand-li radius of Skull Mountain lay eighteen villages, including White Dog Village and Red Blood Village. All were under Skull Mountain's dominion.
Each year, Skull Mountain dispatched inspection envoys to these eighteen villages.
First, to maintain the village guardian artifacts.Second, to inspect whether any new demons had been born in the mountains.
To Skull Mountain, both the villages and the mountain spirits were precious resources.
Such a task was far beyond ordinary disciples. Only those who had refined spells, cultivated magical power, and learned to ride the wind could patrol across a thousand miles.
As they spoke, the old clan chief suddenly remembered the giant python hunted just the day before and said with a smile:
"Man Xiong Mu, we just hunted a python that was on the verge of becoming a spirit yesterday. It's perfect for consumption."
Man Xiong Mu had already noticed the python meat inside the bronze cauldron. With interest, he asked,
"I noticed it as soon as I arrived. This creature is nothing special to me—but for the village to take it down must not have been easy."
The old clan chief smiled with a hint of pride.
"Man Xiong Mu, you might not believe this—but the hunting team didn't kill that python."
"It was hunted by a new Dog King born in our village."
"The giant python was slain by the Dog King alone."
Man Xiong Mu was genuinely surprised.
He swept his gaze over the white dogs. His eyes lingered briefly on Yin Shuang, then moved on—finally locking firmly onto Wu Tian.
"Well I'll be damned… such blazing vitality, such lively eyes. This one isn't far from becoming a spirit at all!"
He walked up to Wu Tian, inspecting him carefully, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"And he's still just a pup. What kind of heavenly treasure did you eat to gain such fortune? Incredible!"
"You little fellow… you truly have great karma."
Wu Tian felt as though a terrifying giant demon stood before him. His fur stood on end, and an overwhelming sense of danger surged through him—so strong that he nearly turned and fled.
Seeing Wu Tian trembling in fear, Chi Li Mu mustered her courage, gently lifting him into her arms and softly comforting him.
"Bai Long'er, don't be scared. The envoy won't hurt you."
Man Xiong Mu burst into laughter at the sight.
"Don't worry. I won't harm him."
He then turned to the clan chief.
"Old friend, let's attend to business first. We can reminisce after the formalities."
"Yes, yes, of course!" the clan chief replied hurriedly.
Each visit from a Skull Mountain envoy was a major event for the village—one that concerned its very survival.
Man Xiong Mu spoke solemnly, "Old friend, you know the rules. First, gather the older children. I'll begin by reinforcing the bronze cauldron."
The clan chief nodded repeatedly and began calling for the children aged five and above. He knew every child in the village well and had already prepared for this.
Soon, five children—including Chi Li Mu—were brought forward, standing before the bronze cauldron.
Man Xiong Mu did not address the children immediately. Instead, he took out a blood talisman made of beast hide from his robe.
He muttered incantations under his breath, then pinched the talisman between his fingers. Black flames suddenly ignited at his fingertips.
In just a few breaths, the blood talisman transformed into a streak of crimson light and sank into the bronze cauldron.
The weathered cauldron instantly looked renewed, emitting an ancient and awe-inspiring aura.
"Alright," Man Xiong Mu said, withdrawing his hands. "Inform the villagers to imprint their warding talismans with the cauldron's aura. That will ensure peace for the next year."
The villagers quickly got to work.
They did this every year and were already well-practiced.
Each household had prepared warding talismans in advance—some depicted exorcist children, others heavenly gods or mythical beasts.
But on their own, these talismans were useless.
Only after the Skull Mountain envoy empowered the bronze cauldron could these talismans absorb its aura and repel wandering spirits.
The cauldron's aura would last about one hour before retreating inward, settling at the village center to guard against the spirits of beasts at night.
While the villagers were empowering their talismans, Man Xiong Mu turned his attention to the five children.
"In a moment, I will cast a spell," he said. "Tell me what you see."
The children nodded, confused but obedient.
Man Xiong Mu gave a low shout and formed seals with both hands.
A black wind immediately rose around him, swirling endlessly.
Wu Tian lingered nearby, and as the spell was cast, he clearly felt the Essence Qi of heaven and earth grow denser.
Greenish light shimmered atop the black wind, flowing like silken ribbons—beautiful and eerie.
At that moment, Chi Li Mu lifted her tender face, staring intently at the black wind above.
"Uncle," she said in surprise, "why is there fire on that black wind? Such a big fire!"
Man Xiong Mu's expression instantly lit up.
"You see fire on the black wind?" he asked eagerly. "Besides the fire, what else do you see?"
Chi Li Mu shook her head timidly.
"I only see the fire… it's so big. Will it burn you, Uncle?"
"Good, good… what a good child," Man Xiong Mu said with unmistakable delight.
He turned to the other children.
"And you? Did any of you see anything?"
The other children stared hard at the black wind, but aside from the wind itself, they saw nothing. They could only shake their heads in confusion.
Man Xiong Mu persisted for a moment longer before dispersing the spell.
Only then did it become apparent that sweat had formed on his brow—the spell clearly took considerable effort.
"I never expected another child with an immortal root to appear in the village."
"Excellent… truly excellent."
He walked over to Chi Li Mu and asked gently,
"Good child, tell me—what is your name?"
Chi Li Mu clutched the corner of her clothes, frightened by the imposing envoy, and answered softly,
"Uncle… my name is Chi Li Mu."
(End of Chapter)