A lot of humans, magical beasts, spirits, and even other races rushed out of the cave, making Yotan speechless. They numbered in the hundreds for the upcoming auction in two weeks.
They were all caught by the underground organization ran by that fatso, Obsidian Tang. She couldn't believe he had died so easily in her hands, making them once again learn that her growth was just too fast. From a peak Immortal King to a peak Empyrean, she also didn't take more than two years.
All that was because of the unreserved support Davis gave her and the Reaper Soul Legion.
She felt very grateful to him. Thanks to that, she was able to save a lot of people with ease.
Mingzhi sighed, "Usually, freeing slaves is a difficult task since even if you manage to save them, they'll just end up being caught again or wouldn't know how to live but this time around, I suppose they'll be safe and manage to live somehow since they also looted the treasures inside."
"Indeed." Yotan nodded, "I would like to bring back the loot as the commander of the Reaper Soul Legion, but these people have suffered. I suppose letting them have whatever loot they could find would be good."
Mingzhi nodded.
A man in ragged clothes ran out, his figure full of treasures hung over him as he lacked a spatial ring to carry.
"Thank you, Yotan of the Reaper Soul Legion. I will not forget this favor."
He bowed and left, making Yotan blink.
Shouldn't he leave his name if he intended to repay it?
Mingzhi and Yotan looked at each other and smilingly shook their heads.
Even if people were saved from a life of slavery, greed was something that never left them.
"Let's go back."
"Mhm."
Mingzhi and Yotan didn't want to waste time and instantly decided. The former looked at the little child in her arms, not wanting her to be in harm's way. This child was barely awake when she saved her, and after she held her dearly, she just fainted and entered deep sleep.
She knew this child lacked warmth for the past few weeks, stuck in a cellar all alone after losing her parents to a massacre. Mingzhi's heart ached for her.
Fortunately, there seemed to be no other child trapped here, so she was able to leave in peace. Otherwise, she might've considered starting an orphanage.
After all, even she had lived and grown up in an orphanage. She wasn't aversed to taking care of children. It could also be considered as a form of good karma.
"Wait…!"
They were just about to leave when a bald man with a rugged beard walked out. His robe was torn, and he looked like a beggar, his body filled with the signs of physical abuse, as there were tons of whip marks on him.
Mingzhi's first thought was that he was a swindler, as she sensed those bruises were fake since they were too neatly arranged. As a person who knew how to torture, she was also aware that marks wouldn't appear like that unless it was intentional. She didn't bother to pay attention, thinking that it could be a person wanting to take advantage of their kindness.
However, Yotan stopped.
"What is it?" She asked politely.
"You… you said you were Yotan of the Reaper Soul Legion? Could it be that you're Yotan of 'that' Reaper Soul Legion?"
"You know of the Reaper Soul Legion?" Yotan looked taken aback.
She was a bit happy that someone knew of the Reaper Soul Legion, whose name didn't quite resonate across the realms yet. Even if they were known, they were still known as the evil incarnate's personal force.
"You don't recognize me…?" The bald man asked, his expression wry.
"What are you implying?"
Yotan narrowed her eyes. Her gaze turned cold.
"Wait, wait…" The bald man raised his hands in surrender.
"I'm the Starnova Emperor… Levi Starchild… don't you remember me?
"…!"
This time, both Yotan and Mingzhi were shocked. The latter turned to look at him, wondering if he was truly the Starnova Emperor of the Astral Light Sect, one of the three great human powers in the Grand Beginnings Continent back then.
The Starnova Emperor was the youngest to enter the Ninth Stage at that time, and he was highly popular among women. He had married Farah Lanate, one of the very few powerful and beautiful women in the entirety of the Grand Beginnings Continent. Even Lea had stood in a similar place in terms of popularity at that time.
For him to be in this sorry state, they wondered what had happened. However, their interest died as it surfaced, as they didn't really know him.
They turned around and looked like they were about to leave.
"Wait, you can't just barge in and save me and leave like nothing happened?" Levi Starchild threw his hands up, looking exhausted.
Mingzhi rolled her eyes. She was about to give him a lecture when Yotan frowned.
"Why are you dissatisfied with being saved? Besides, are you a fool? You could've just stayed hidden from us. After all, you declared yourself to be the Emperor of Death's slave back then."
"Shh~ Someone's going to hear you…!"
Levi Starchild's face went red. He hurriedly placed his fingers over his lips and begged them to be silent about this matter. He sent them a soul transmission.
"I didn't lie. I really do consider myself his slave or, at the very least, his subordinate, ready to take orders. But currently, I'm one of the candidates to inherit this Lower Realm because I awakened my bloodline and managed to acquire the Starfall Gaze Physique. But more importantly, I found out that I'm a descendant of the imperial family in this realm, so I gained the right to participate. However, the candidates who are already present see me as a threat, so I weakened myself to not only escape their gaze but also end up here and gain the Golden Pearl Starlight Fruit, which will help me in my battle, but it's now stolen by someone else, whom you let free."
"…"
Mingzhi and Yotan looked at each other.
It seemed like they may have ruined his plans. Evidently, they may have also killed the people he had here as insiders who were going to help him gain this Golden Pearl Starlight Fruit. They were aware of it. It was a Low-Level Empyrean Grade Light Attribute Law Treasure.
"We don't care. Good luck."
Mingzhi shrugged. She cared more about the child in her arms than be giving his plight a second thought.
"…"
Levi Starchild felt like crying. He had worked two months for this opportunity, finally arriving here. Indeed, he had a few insiders, and he was supposed to be released before he would go steal the treasure and escape. However, his insiders were killed and he was released later than the others, causing the treasure to disappear.
Still, Yotan pointed in a direction.
"I can sense it in that direction. If you follow this mark, you should be able to find him."
Yotan drew a tracking inscription and let it fly away, causing Levi Starchild to panic. It was fast, so without saying anything else, he followed out.