53: Even a dog wouldn't practice such a trashy technique. (Big Yellow: ?)

The night was deep and quiet, the moon dark and the wind high.

Inside the main hall of the Hidden God Sect, the lights were still brightly lit.

Li Daoxuan sat cross-legged on the ground. A huge beast-skin rug was spread out before him, piled high with a dazzling array of spoils.

These were the "legacies" he had his Disciples scavenge from various "extinct" Sects.

Cultivation Techniques, Medicinal Pills, Magic Treasures, Spirit Stones... though they were all scrap metal in his eyes, he still had to organize them in the spirit of "frugal housekeeping."

"Azure Yuan Sword Art, Low Grade Earth Rank, trash."

"Blazing Fire Palm, Medium Grade Earth Rank, trash."

"Hundred Herbs Pill Scripture. Hmm, this one's okay. I can give it to Fat Aunt to study how to make poison look more like a meal."

Li Daoxuan complained wildly in his heart as he sorted through them.

Any one of these cultivation Secret Manuals would be enough to cause a bloodbath in the outside world, but to a "cheater" like him who possessed countless Emperor Scriptures and Immortal Arts, they were truly no different from toilet paper.

Just as he was about to use this pile of "toilet paper" as firewood.

He suddenly spotted an ancient book with a cover depicting a black dog howling at the moon.

Heavenly Dog Devouring Moon Art.

Low Grade Heaven Rank.

"Eh?"

Li Daoxuan's eyes lit up as he pulled out the manual.

"A Heaven-rank Cultivation Technique, and it's exclusive to the Yao Race. This is a rare find."

He turned his head and looked at Da Huang, who was dozing by the door.

Ever since Li Daoxuan threatened him with "dog meat hotpot," Da Huang had been much better behaved. Usually, he did nothing but eat and sleep, trying his best to play the role of a qualified, useless dog.

But Li Daoxuan knew this dog was incredibly shrewd.

That ferocity he showed when he bit off half the body of a Peak Nascent Soul expert last time was nothing like a Mutt.

"As the mountain-protecting Divine Beast of my Hidden God Sect, all you do is eat and sleep every day. What kind of behavior is that?"

Li Daoxuan cleared his throat, deciding to give this lazy dog some motivation to improve.

"Da Huang, come here."

Da Huang's ears twitched. He lazily opened one eye, and seeing that Li Daoxuan was calling him, he reluctantly got up and trotted over, wagging his tail.

"Woof? (What is it? Trying to trick me into testing poison again?)"

"It's a good thing."

Li Daoxuan tossed the Heavenly Dog Devouring Moon Art in front of Da Huang with an expression that said, "I'm doing you a favor."

"I see you idling all day, and your cultivation isn't improving at all."

"I handpicked this manual for you from countless spoils. It's a Heaven-rank Cultivation Technique, perfect for canine Yao Beasts like you to Cultivate."

"Take it and practice. Strive for an early Breakthrough so you can contribute to the Sect. Stop competing with Flowery for food all day."

Li Daoxuan felt his words were sincere and deeply moving.

Any ordinary Yao Beast receiving a Heaven-rank Cultivation Technique would surely be so excited they'd kowtow and swear loyalty on the spot.

However.

Da Huang's reaction was completely unexpected.

He just lowered his head and sniffed the manual.

Then.

In those otherwise normal dog eyes, there actually appeared a trace of extremely human-like... disdain.

Yes, disdain.

Like a billionaire looking at a dime handed to him by a beggar.

"Woof. (This is it?)"

Da Huang barked, seemingly feeling that wasn't enough.

He extended a furry paw toward the Heaven-rank Cultivation Technique that would make all the Yao Kings in the Eastern Barrens fight to the death.

*Rip—*

He tore it directly in half.

Then he tore it a few more times, shredding it to pieces.

Finally, he used his paws to drag the fragments into his dog bed, using them as padding and even stomping on them twice.

The entire sequence of movements was smooth and fluid, filled with contempt for this "trash."

Li Daoxuan: "..."

The smile on his face froze.

The air in the hall seemed to solidify at that moment.

"You..."

Li Daoxuan pointed at the pile of technique fragments and then at the innocent-looking Da Huang, trembling with rage.

"You spendthrift dog!"

"That was a Heaven-rank Cultivation Technique! Heaven Rank! You actually tore it up? And used it for your bed?!"

"Do you have any idea how much that thing would sell for? Do you know how many meaty bones it could buy?!"

Facing Li Daoxuan's roar.

Instead of showing any guilt, Da Huang stood up on his hind legs, paws behind his back, looking at Li Daoxuan with an "uncoachable" gaze.

The next second.

A clear sentence in human speech, tinged with a heavy accent of disgust, came out of his mouth.

"What's all the noise about?"

"It's just a trash Cultivation Technique. Is it really necessary?"

"This Emperor Cultivates the Qilin Heaven-Suppressing Scripture, a supreme Ancient Demon Emperor Scripture passed down by the ancestor of the Yao Race."

"And you want me to practice this Heavenly Dog Devouring Moon Art that hasn't even touched the edge of the Laws?"

"It's simply an insult to this Emperor's Bloodline!"

Da Huang raised his head proudly, pointed a paw at the pile of fragments, and concluded forcefully:

"Even dogs won't practice this trash Cultivation Technique!"

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Li Daoxuan's eyes widened as he stared intently at the dog that was speaking human words and talking big.

A nameless fire surged from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head.

You damn dog!

I gave you face, didn't I?

Not only did you tear my book, but you dare to insult me?

"This Emperor"? "Ancient Demon Emperor Scripture"?

Why don't you just fly to the heavens?

"You've revolted!"

Li Daoxuan roared, leaped up from the ground, grabbed a fire poker used for the stove, and charged at Da Huang.

"If I don't stew you today, my surname isn't Li!"

"I'll give you 'This Emperor'! I'll give you 'Ancient Demon Emperor Scripture'!"

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

"Awoo—!!"

A "man-dog war" instantly broke out in the hall.

Li Daoxuan brandished the fire poker, chasing Da Huang all over the room.

Although Da Huang was arrogant with his words, his body was honest. With his tail between his legs, he scurried away with his head tucked, constantly screaming for mercy.

"Stop hitting me! Stop! Sect Master, spare my life!"

"I was wrong! I won't do it again!"

"That technique is actually pretty good! I just felt it was a bit hard for my bed..."

"Ow! Don't hit the face! I rely on my face to make a living!"

Xiao Chen and the others, who were cultivating in their respective rooms, were startled by the sudden commotion.

"What's happening? Is it an earthquake?"

"It seems Revered Master and Dog Martial Uncle are fighting..."

"Let's go see!"

The three of them rushed into the hall and witnessed the chaotic scene.

"Revered Master, please calm down!"

"Dog Martial Uncle didn't do it on purpose!"

Li Daoxuan was in the heat of the moment and couldn't listen to anything.

"Everyone, move aside!"

"No one's pleas will work today!"

"Three days! I'm punishing him by not letting him eat meaty bones for three days! He can only gnaw on Steamed Corn Buns!"

Hearing this punishment, Da Huang, who was jumping around, suddenly froze. A look of despair appeared on his dog face.

No meaty bones?

That was worse than killing him!

Just as things were in a chaotic mess.

*Ding!*

That familiar System notification sound rang out in Li Daoxuan's mind once again, at an inopportune moment.

[Detected a peerless Demon Fetus being born in the Western Demon Lands.]

[The target possesses the Lone Star of Heavenly Slaughter fate and is naturally rebellious. They share a Revered Master-Disciple destiny with the Host.]

[Host, please set off immediately to take them as a Disciple!]