So he asked the system, “Is there no way for me to experience the pain Lin Xiang’er felt when she was forcefully infused with demonic energy to make her grow?”
[There’s really no need, Host. Anyway, it’s just incredibly, incredibly painful.]
“What’s this? Now you’re not even earning regret points when there’s a chance?”
[Fine then. Since you insist, I won’t scam you. For this self-inflicted suffering, the system will only charge you ten regret points.]
Lin Mo agreed without hesitation.
In the next instant, a pain beyond words coursed through his entire body. It felt like his whole body was repeatedly run over by a truck, the kind of pain so intense that he couldn’t even speak.
Qiqi noticed Lin Mo’s pale face and the sweat on his forehead. She couldn’t help but ask in confusion, “What’s wrong with you?”
Lin Mo called out to the system, ending the unpleasant experience. Frowning deeply, he asked, “How long was Xiang’er forcibly infused with demonic energy back then?”
“For five days straight. Every day, it lasted half a shichen (about one hour).”
The teacup in Lin Mo’s hand suddenly crumbled into powder. He had always thought his willpower was strong, but after just experiencing a brief portion of it, even he found the pain almost unbearable.
And this kind of pain—his daughter had to endure it over and over again. He couldn’t even begin to imagine how two-year-old Lin Xiang’er had managed to survive it.
Lin Mo gently stroked her little face, his expression full of heartache. “Xiang’er, you’ve suffered so much.”
In the end, although he hadn’t spent much time with her, the bond of blood ran deep. From the moment he learned that Lin Xiang’er was truly his daughter, he had accepted her into his heart.
He wanted nothing more than to tear the Meiyan Demon Lord into a thousand pieces, but reality told him—he was still too weak.
This was the second time Lin Mo felt ashamed of his lack of strength.
“Daddy, when are we going to save Mommy?”
Xiang’er rubbed her cheek against his palm, feeling close to him. To her, being with her father was a true joy.
Qiqi also hoped Lin Mo would rescue Yan Ruyu, but reason told her otherwise. “Lin Mo, I suggest you temporarily take Xiang’er away from the demon realm. Right now, it’s far too dangerous for her. Your strength has improved quickly and you’re already strong, but against demon clan members above the Divine Transformation stage, you’re still nowhere near enough.”
Lin Mo furrowed his brows tightly. Being weak—was truly the original sin. If not for needing to buy the “Dream of a Yellow Millet” ability that extracts memories, the regret points he had now might have been enough for him to break through to the Divine Transformation stage. But even if he did break through, he would still run the risk of failing miserably.
Just then, an aged voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
“From the deepest depths of the Abyssal Sea, I can resolve all your current difficulties.”
Lin Mo was shocked. Who was sending him a secret voice transmission? He had clearly set up a protective formation barrier, and yet an external voice still managed to enter his mind?
The voice came suddenly and disappeared just as quickly. If not for the system’s warning, he would’ve thought he was hallucinating.
Lin Mo looked at Qiqi and asked, “The Abyssal Sea—do you know where it is?”
Qiqi blinked in confusion. “Why are you asking about that? The Abyssal Sea lies at the far west of the demon realm, where countless demon corpses are buried. It’s also known as the demon race’s graveyard.”
Hearing that this place actually existed, Lin Mo decided to go investigate. He could sense that the owner of the voice in his mind harbored no ill intent toward him.
Since this mysterious voice knew about his predicament, it meant the person had been observing him for quite some time—clearly even overhearing his conversation with Qiqi. To see through the barrier he had set up from afar showed a strength that was likely above the Integration stage. A powerhouse of that level wouldn’t need to go to so much trouble if they wanted him dead.
Moreover, his “Dream of a Yellow Millet” ability and power to foresee life and death hadn’t been triggered when he decided to go to the Abyssal Sea, meaning the trip wouldn’t put his life in danger.
“Come with me to the Abyssal Sea,” Lin Mo said.
“Huh? Why go to a place where not even birds poop?” Qiqi asked in confusion.
“There might be a way to save your master,” Lin Mo replied. “But don’t ask me too much. Even if you do, I can’t tell you the reason.”
Qiqi was at a loss for words at his explanation, but still chose to trust him. After all, Lin Mo had broken through three major realms in just two and a half years. Perhaps he carried other secrets as well.
At the inn, Lin Mo arranged three rooms: one for Qiqi and Xiang’er, one for Mo Pao’er, and one for himself. They would rest for the day and set off again the next morning.
The next day, as Lin Mo stepped out of the inn, he saw several men chasing a woman through the street. Such things were common in the demon realm. He pulled Xiang’er behind him and stepped aside to give them room, but as luck would have it, the woman and her pursuers clashed right beside him. Without hesitation, Lin Mo lashed out, kicking a few of the demon cultivators and sending them flying.
“Soul Splitting stage…” the men muttered warily. They gave Lin Mo a glance, then said to the fleeing woman, “Consider yourself lucky—someone’s protecting you. We’re leaving.”
Once they left, the woman quickly thanked him. “Thank you, young master.”
Mo Pao’er ogled her with drool on his lips. “Brother Mo, this woman is really pretty…”
Lin Mo gave her a calm glance, then turned to leave without a word.
Qiqi narrowed her eyes slightly and teased, “Lin Mo, a girl comes knocking at your door and you don’t even entertain her? Who knows, maybe she’ll offer herself to you in gratitude?”
Mo Pao’er eagerly chimed in, “Yeah, Brother Mo, if you don’t take her, wasn’t your heroic rescue for nothing?”
Lin Mo remained expressionless and kept walking.
Seeing he was about to leave, the woman tugged at his sleeve. “Sir, for your kindness in saving me today, I have nothing to offer in return, so I can only give you myself—”
Before she could finish, Lin Mo casually kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying far away.
The onlookers were stunned, and even Mo Pao’er froze. Qiqi, however, gave Lin Mo a surprised glance.
Lin Mo said calmly, “We’re not close. Don’t cling to me.” The only reason he had acted at all was to prevent Xiang’er from being frightened. “Besides, this road is so wide, yet you just had to bump into me. Do you really think I can’t see what’s going on?”
Realizing her act had been exposed, the woman dropped the pretense. She waved her hand, and the men Lin Mo had kicked away earlier reappeared, surrounding Lin Mo and the others completely.
The woman’s face turned vicious. “You really don’t know what’s good for you. Hand over the girl beside you, and we might spare your life.”
Lin Mo’s eyes narrowed slightly, a trace of icy coldness flashing through them. Seeing that these people were all at the Soul Splitting stage, Qiqi prepared to step in and help—but Lin Mo moved faster. In a flash, he dashed forward, and the heads of the group rolled to the ground.
A trace of respect appeared in Qiqi’s gaze. Now it seemed true: Lin Mo really had repelled Granny Rong. Maybe… this man really could rescue the Saintess.
After settling the matter, Lin Mo continued toward the Abyssal Sea.
Mo Pao’er asked curiously, “Brother Mo, how did you realize those people had a problem? I didn’t notice anything wrong.”
Lin Mo replied calmly, “If your brain spent less time on women, you’d naturally be able to tell.”
Bonus Side Story
Mo Pao’er again asked curiously, “Brother Mo, how did you notice those people were suspicious? I didn’t see anything wrong.”
Swaying from side to side, Lin Mo answered, “Sigma men will never fall into a woman’s trap.”