Surrounded by a group of people, Huang Ren was escorted into Wild Dog Cave.
The moment he stepped inside, his heart sank.
The cave was gloomy and damp, permeated with a thick stench of blood. White bones were scattered across the ground as if discarded without care.
Not far ahead, a black-furred wild dog with a short tail lay sprawled on the stone floor. Its eerie jade-green eyes stared straight at him.
Huang Ren shuddered.
The beast was nearly ten meters long.
Suddenly, its body rippled like water.
A slit opened along its abdomen, and a human figure crawled out from within.
The dog's hide trembled, then transformed into a black cloak that wrapped around the man's body.
The figure was tall and gaunt, wearing loose black robes. Messy hair draped over his shoulders, framing an ugly, shriveled face. His pupils were the same eerie jade-green as the dog's—one glance was enough to chill the soul.
"You said you found a spirit-transformed wild dog," the man spoke coldly."Where is it?"
By now, Huang Ren deeply regretted coming here.
But standing before the Lord of Wild Dog Cave, how could he dare utter nonsense?
Stammering, he said,"I… I saw a white dog at the Mess Hall. It looked like it had already transformed…"
His words were vague and uncertain.
The cave lord's voice turned colder."Since you dared come here, speak clearly. If you're wasting my time, you know the consequences."
Huang Ren didn't dare raise his head.
The murderous aura radiating from the man felt like a beast ready to devour him alive.
Left with no choice, Huang Ren trembled as he said,"It should be a white dog raised by Senior Brother Man Xiong of Qiyun Cave… It has already transformed into a spirit."
"Oh?" The cave lord's eyes narrowed."And what is its quality like?"
Now that he had started, Huang Ren's words flowed more easily.
"If I'm not mistaken, it comes from White Dog Village, one of the Eighteen Mountain Villages. The dogs there are known for hearing the wind, swift limbs, and snow-white fur."
"The one I saw was exceptional—fine, glossy white fur, radiant and smooth, its vital essence overflowing. Spiritual light shone through its body, and it was extremely intelligent."
At once, Tong Jin's eyes lit up.
"Father! I want that white dog!"
The surrounding disciples were instantly filled with envy.
Among those cultivating the Hundred Beasts Yin Soul Dao, nearly all disciples practiced Beast Form Transformation during the Condensation stage.
The technique required selecting a spirit beast or monster, skinning it, extracting its soul, and using flesh as ink and bone as brush to refine a Beast Skin Robe.
Once worn, the cultivator could transform into the beast—greatly increasing combat power and aiding Qi cultivation.
It was practically a mandatory technique on Skeleton Mountain.
Wild Dog Cave specialized in wild dog forms.Fire Crow Cave transformed into fire crows.Qiyun Cave used cloud leopards.
All Thirty-Six Caves followed this principle, differing only in the chosen beast.
With sufficient resources, one could even cultivate multiple beast forms.
At its core, Beast Form Transformation was akin to a spell artifact, capable of continuous refinement and advancement. The beast's raw strength mattered little—aptitude and quality were everything.
Hearing of such a superior white dog, Tong Jin couldn't help but feel excited.
This beast form could accompany him for life. Naturally, he wanted the best.
"I'm familiar with the dogs of White Dog Village," the cave lord said slowly."In the past, I tried cultivating them into spirit beasts—but all attempts failed."
"I never expected Junior Brother Man Xiong to succeed."
He chuckled darkly.
"Still, since he himself came from White Dog Village, it makes sense."
For the Thirty-Six Caves, compatible spirit beasts were critical resources.
Fire Crow Cave raised its own fire crows.Wild Dog Cave had once attempted to cultivate dog spirits as well, searching far and wide—including White Dog Village.
Though those dogs had excellent traits, their bloodlines were too weak. The cost of cultivating them into spirit beasts far outweighed the benefits.
Now, however, the cave lord was intrigued.
After a brief pause, he said,"This information is useful. I'll reward you with fifty minor merits."
Huang Ren's heart leapt.
This far exceeded his expectations.
"Thank you, Cave Lord! Thank you!" he exclaimed repeatedly.
The cave lord waved his hand dismissively.
He never once called Huang Ren "junior brother"—clearly, he didn't consider him worthy.
"Come with me," a female disciple said coldly, guiding Huang Ren out.
Once Huang Ren's merits were recorded, he noticed something was wrong.
Only thirty merits had been added.
Twenty short.
His face darkened, but he dared not protest. He clenched his teeth and left in silence.
Not long after, the Wild Dog Cave Lord emerged with Tong Jin.
A surge of black wind lifted the two into the air, carrying them toward—
Qiyun Cave.
(End of Chapter)