"Since our paths have crossed, it must be fate."

Mo Qi raised his hand, and with a wave, a number of Medicinal Pills appeared, floating before the crowd.

He then activated the Heart of the Dragon Vein, connected to the world Within the Pass, drew upon the Array Power, and constructed a Transmission Channel.

The women were stunned by Mo Qi’s display. They didn’t know it was a Transmission Channel; they just thought Mo Qi had shattered the void with a single wave of his hand.

Even as mortals, they knew that shattering the void was something no ordinary Immortal could do. He had to be one of the most outstanding Immortals.

"I know you have all just experienced a great tragedy. I won’t waste time with unnecessary words. You now have two choices."

"One, stay here and continue your lives. Two, consume the pills before you." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Mo Qi pointed at the Transmission Channel. "Then, jump in. I will give you the strength and the opportunity to take revenge with your own hands."

"You have fifteen minutes to consider."

After speaking, Mo Qi walked to the side and paid them no further mind.

This was all he could do.

He wasn’t a Saint. He couldn’t single-handedly arrange for these women to live happy lives.

He had given them a chance; the choice was in their own hands.

The women were astonished by Mo Qi’s words and didn’t react for a long time.

After surviving the Wuji Sect’s massacre, they didn’t know if they should trust Mo Qi.

If Mo Qi also harbored ill intentions like the Wuji Sect, what would they do?

This worry did not last long before it vanished.

"My parents, my family, my fiancé... they’re all dead. I have nothing left but myself. What more can I possibly lose? I am willing to follow the Immortal Master!"

The first woman to take a Medicinal Pill stepped forward. As Mo Qi had instructed, she swallowed the pill and jumped into the Transmission Channel.

With the first, a second, a third, and then many more quickly followed suit.

"There is no one left in this world for me to care about. My home is gone. If I can truly set foot on the path of an Immortal, I’m willing to try!"

"The Immortal Master is so powerful, why would he need to lie to us? I am also willing to follow the Immortal Master."

"Me too!"

Fifteen minutes later, more than ninety percent of the women had chosen to take the Medicinal Pills and jump into the Transmission Channel.

「Within the Pass.」

Old Tomb Digger and the others received a message from Mo Qi: "These women are all pitiful souls. Be attentive, take good care of them, guide their spirits, and lead them onto the path of the Martial Dao."

"As you command!"

And so, the first seeds of the Demon Chef’s Secret Guard and its Phoenix Division were planted.

Mo Qi could not have imagined what a powerful and loyal force this act of kindness would bring him in the future.

The remaining less than ten percent of the women, though tempted, seemed to have lingering attachments and did not choose to take the Medicinal Pills.

Mo Qi did not force them. Everyone has their own path to walk.

He didn’t linger for long. After dismissing the Transmission Channel, he prepared to leave.

At that moment, the little girl in the purple dress opened her palm. Inside was a Medicinal Pill.

She hesitated for only a moment before popping it into her mouth.

The next second, her eyes widened, and she began to chew rapidly.

Her expression slowly shifted from shock to enjoyment.

’An interesting pill. Not only does it contain Energy that excites this King, but its flavor is also surprisingly delicious.’

Reluctantly swallowing, the little girl in the purple dress licked her full, moist lips. The sight, combined with her tender pink tongue, was full of allure.

She hopped down from the rock, wiggled her crystal-like bare toes, and watched the departing backs of Mo Qi and his two companions.

’But this kid is a bit too soft-hearted. A goody-two-shoes who loves to meddle in other people’s business. With a personality like that, he’s bound to suffer for it sooner or later.’

The little girl in the purple dress pouted, thinking Mo Qi was foolish and naive, not at all fitting the supremely self-centered style of a Cultivator.

Mo Qi, who hadn’t gone far, sensed something and looked back, just in time to see this scene.

The little girl’s complaining and disdainful expression was interpreted completely differently in his eyes.

Amidst the ruins, by a broken stone, a frail little girl stood barefoot on the cold ground. Clad in melancholic purple, she looked so lost and helpless.

A pang of sorrow struck Mo Qi’s heart. It reminded him of his past self.

After being separated from his mother, during the early days of his adoption by Uncle Niu, he would often stand on the highest peak of the Servant Area and gaze into the distance.

Back then, he wore the very same expression.

’Damn that Wuji Sect! They didn’t even spare a child so young!’

At this thought, Mo Qi turned and walked back, stopping in front of the little girl in the purple dress.

He crouched down, looped one arm around her, and lifted her up as one would a small child.

The little girl in the purple dress never expected Mo Qi to make such a move. In all her countless years, no member of the opposite sex had ever dared to do something so outrageous to her.

A flash of cold light appeared in her eyes. High above in the ninth heaven, violet lightning roiled and flashed like a great dragon emerging from the sea, carrying with it an endless, destructive might.

’How dare you profane this King! Unforgivable!’

"Little girl, the ground is cold. Why aren’t you wearing any shoes?"

Mo Qi extended his other hand and, without a hint of disgust, wiped the grime from the bottom of her feet. He then tucked her small feet into his robes, warming them with his body heat.

The little girl’s expression froze. The warmth spreading from her feet caused the coldness in her eyes to recede, and a faint blush appeared on her face. The lightning in the ninth heaven also subsided, gradually returning to calm.

It was a sensation she had never experienced before.

Indescribable, ineffable.

It was foreign and very strange, yet she did not reject it.

"Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you hungry?" Mo Qi asked with concern.

Faced with Mo Qi’s gaze, which held nothing but pure, unadulterated concern, the little girl’s heart stirred, and she lowered her head.

She didn’t know why she lowered her head; she just did it subconsciously.

A few more Medicinal Pills materialized in front of her.

The little girl didn’t stand on ceremony. She swiftly and decisively snatched the Medicinal Pills and stuffed them into her mouth, gobbling them down.

Her little mouth was stuffed full, and Mo Qi was amused.

He reached out, ruffled her hair, and said with a smile, "Little girl, what’s your name?

The little girl’s body trembled almost imperceptibly.

’Damn it all! This kid dares to touch my noble hair! I will have his Divine Soul annihilated, never to be reincarnated!’

Despite the torrent of thoughts, when the words reached her lips, only one came out: "Yan."

"Yan?" Mo Qi was taken aback. ’A one-word name?’

"Then I’ll call you Xiaoyan from now on."

The little girl rolled her eyes and continued to eat her Medicinal Pills, ignoring him.

"It’s settled then! Xiaoyan, where are your parents?"

The little girl blinked blankly.

’Parents? Does this King have parents?’

Mo Qi thought he had touched a painful spot and quickly apologized.

"I’m sorry, Xiaoyan. If you have nowhere else to go, why don’t you stick with big brother? Don’t worry, as long as I’m here, no one will bully you."

The little girl was rendered speechless. ’Big brother?’

’Do you have any idea how old this King is?’

’Even your ancestor from eighteen hundred generations ago would have to bow to this King as a junior!’

Despite this, as if by some supernatural compulsion, the little girl nodded in agreement.

Even she couldn’t understand why.