Yotan and Mingzhi were traveling in a High-Level Empyrean Grade Flying Boat, looted and unmarked, of course, in full speed in the Lust Garden Lower Realm after finally crossing space between the Starfall Gaze Lower Realm and the Lust Garden Lower Realm.
They decided not to travel through spatial tunnels since they had the three year old child with them and they didn't want to place her in the life ring and treat her as some kind of transport goods since if she woke up and saw that there was no one there, she might get the wrong idea.
Traveling in spatial tunnels wasn't always one hundred percent safe. There was always the minute chance of meeting a spatial storm in between the start point and the destination, which would hurl them away somewhere else or even into the void.
Mingzhi didn't want to take that chance. The child was still in her arms. She had never let go, treating her with care as she occasionally caressed her, already starting to pour love towards her.
She was aware that her intentions were dubious, but that didn't change the fact that this child would also need a partner to improve in her cultivation. Otherwise, she may never enter the Immortal Stage. Even if let go, she would only be taken advantage of by others who wanted her physique or her body, but Mingzhi knew that didn't mean she could use her as she pleased.
She was determined to make this little girl happy.
"I promise you. If you say you don't want my Tianyu, I'll be hurt, but so be it. I'll take care of you as if you're my own daughter."
Mingzhi caressed her with a light smile.
The little child was still unconscious, breathing weakly, although Mingzhi had already administered very diluted healing pills of the lowest grade. Fortunately, she came prepared. Otherwise, she wouldn't be having something so low grade.
Yotan lightly smiled as she saw this scene.
Not many mothers would be willing to adopt, much less put their son's future aside to take care of an adopted daughter who was brought for the purpose of aiding their son's cultivation. This would be the case, especially when that said mother can just employ that little girl as a personal maid and gift the son.
Mingzhi had a weird sense of justice befitting of an executioner, cunningness worthy of a wicked path cultivator, and a short temper of a fire cultivator, but she could see she was an extremely nice person who cared about the people around her in her own way.
She was also highly smart and a temptress, causing Yotan to feel somewhat defeated in front of her, making her wonder if she could ever catch up to her sisters.
"There was a last check to be done on Levi Starchild." Mingzhi suddenly opened her mouth, "He could be possessed by that Accursed Warlock, but I found no traces in both his emotions and words. I didn't want to confront him with the child in my arms, so I didn't do anything dangerous. We'll investigate the next time we meet him."
"…"
Yotan's gaze shook. She didn't remember them at all during the interrogation, causing her heart to sink. She inwardly blamed herself for being so careless.
As expected, Mingzhi was too smart.
"Yes, I'll do better next time," Yotan responded.
"Do what?"
"Being more vigilant. As the Reaper Soul Legion's Commander, I should be aware of these threats in front of my mind at all times, but I have been careless. I apologize." Yotan confessed.
Mingzhi's lips parted, "I told you to relax, little sister. Being on the edge at all times is not good for your soul. Besides, I'm just being overcautious. Those three villains hadn't appeared for a while now, and they may never appear. Tia guessed that the Celestial Transcendent must've used a particular kind of karmic attack to defeat them, one that would attack even more vehemently if they descended to the lower realms again. In other words, they may not be able to enter this layer because they might be automatically marked or even sniped."
"Sniped?"
"I mean instantly killed." Mingzhi giggled.
Yotan's lips parted in shock, "In that case, wouldn't we might be-"
"Yeah, we are also at risk from this particular karmic attack. However, Tia said it is also based on certain conditions. For example, the target's true soul must be above the Empyrean Stage or something like that, which the third layer suppresses. Tia theorized this kind of karmic attack might be borrowing the Void Dimension's power to suppress them for a period of time. It could be a year or millions of years. Who knows?"
"How ingenious~"
Yotan heaved a breath full of awe.
Although the Celestial Transcendent was their enemy, she still couldn't help but feel some awe since he propped up the human race at the forefront. He was someone every human needed to worship for their race's betterment, but he still didn't take the Divine Exalt route. From the stories she had heard, the Supreme One was a hero in every single way she could think of.
He also behaved in such a way, giving even Davis a way out while seeing him as human and not an Anarchic Divergent fully.
Now, he was the creator of many ingenious techniques. She heard even the Transitory Beast Taming Pact that they were using was something he had made billions of years ago.
"Yeah, that old bastard is a sick foe. I couldn't imagine defeating him. Every time we reach the apex in my dreams, he's there to stop it." Mingzhi scowled with an unamused expression.
"Sick?"
"I mean too powerful."
Mingzhi shook her head, and Yotan nodded, gaining more knowledge of slangs every second she was with Mingzhi.
"Mn~"
Abruptly, the sound of breath hitching could be heard, and both Yotan and Mingzhi turned to look at the little child. She had awakened.
The little child trembled ever so lightly before continuing to sleep.
However, Mingzhi and Yotan knew she was awake. She was just scared.
Mingzhi caressed her head, "Don't worry, little one. I'm here to protect you. Open your eyes and see me, your guardian."
The little girl still pretended to sleep, even closed her eyes more heavily as though it would let her escape this situation.
Mingzhi barely held her giggle. She doubted this little child knew what a guardian is, both in terms of a foster parent or a person who will protect them. She waited for the little girl to open her eyes of her own volition, and a minute later, the little girl finally opened her eyes, her eyelids quivering.
Two crimson jewels shone mildly, her eyes possessing a beautiful luster.
Their eyes met, and the little girl looked a bit scared.
"Can you talk?" Mingzhi asked with a light smile.
The little girl slowly nodded her head.
"That's good. I won't harm you, so don't worry. My name is Mingzhi, and I rescued you from that bad place. What's your name?
"…"
The little girl blinked, "My name is… Yulai Nuxaren."
"Oh, what does it mean?"
"I… I don't know." Yulai Nuxaren shook her head and lowered her head, afraid as though she would get scolded.
"It's fine." Mingzhi comforted her, "You are Yulai Nuxaren. No one will change your roots. Is there anyone who is your relative still looking for you somewhere?"
She knew her family was massacred, but that didn't mean she might know someone else who would act as her guardian.
Unfortunately, the little girl shook her head, her crimson eyes moistening, "They're all dead…"
"Oh-dear~"
Mingzhi hugged her, placing a kiss on her forehead. For her to say that, Mingzhi knew she possibly witnessed their death with her own eyes. Her life was already traumatic, but that didn't change her intentions. Mingzhi wanted to provide the warmth that she had lost.
Yulai Nuxaren's lips quivered as she hugged Mingzhi.
Tears poured out without a sound. She silently cried for them, her thin and bony figure melting Mingzhi's heart as her eyes also moistened.
"It's fine. It's all going to be fine. From now on, I will be there for you, feed you, protect you, and do my best to create a happy environment for you."
"…"
Yulai Nuxaren didn't reply. Her little body continued to tremble in Mingzhi's embrace.