Since I messed up the schedule, I will post this chapter as an apology. See you all on saturday.

----------------------------------------

“Jiqiren. Are you saying that you can make me a cultivator?"

[ Correct. I’m a magical artifact with the capabilities to dissolve demonic embryos and directly store them within your sea of consciousness. I have the ability to remember information that I hear, and replay it any time. I’m the perfect guide 

Xiao Wen’s white teeth showed as he smiled. “Doesn’t that mean you’re like a cheat?” 

[ You could say that ]

Xiao Wen had talked with the mysterious voice in his mind for a while. He gave it the name ´Jiqiren`, which was another word for ´mechanical person´.

“If I were to fight with a demon now, how high would my chance of defeating it be?” he asked Jiqiren curiously.

[ Your chance of victory is less than 0,1%. It’s highly unlikely for you to last even ten breaths of time. When you fought the abyssal hound, you only survived due to my help, and that reckless sacrifice of yours ]

Xiao Wen’s eyes twinkled in surprise. “That was you?”

[ Yes, but I had not yet awakened, and could only unlock the most basic defense array in the collection. Since the demon’s attack was too strong, I had to use a drop of mistress blood to bolster the blood shield. You were very lucky in that encounter ]

Heaving a loud sigh, Xiao Wen pursed his mouth and asked. “Is there no way for me to defeat a demon at this point? To join the Purple Cloud Sect I need to give them one in exchange.”

[ There is a way, but you might not like it]

“Tell me.” Xiao Wen said firmly.

[ Since I have consumed the embryo of a demon and has awoken, I can evolve If you can procure one of the following ingredients; Ghost toxin flower, Triple colored orchid, or Pale faced mushroom. ]

“How hard would it be to find one of them in a few hours?”

[ Less than 0.0001% success rate without sufficient leads ]

“Dammit!” 

Xiao Wen had admittedly no idea about what to do. Should he risk it all by attacking a demon, even if Jiqiren stated that he would have less 1% chance to survive? Or, should he try to look for one of the three herbs, even though he had never even as much as heard of them before Jiqiren mentioning them?

“Is there truly no other way?” Xiao Wen asked Jiqiren.

[ There is ]

“Then why didn’t you say so earlier?”

[ Because I want to evolve ]

Upon hearing the answer, Xiao Wen fumed with anger. This voice really got on his nerves. “Oh shut up! How can a magical artifact that is supposed to be god-defying be so shameless!? Dammit, you only care about wanting to evolve!" 

* knock, knock *

Xiao Wen was interrupted in his thoughts as he heard knocking sounds on the door.

'Auntie. "He hurried over to the door, and opened it as quickly as he could. 

It was Auntie.

” W-what… what happened to you, auntie?!” Xiao Wen’s mind began to tremble as he saw Lady Mei’s current shape. Her normally well dressed attire was completely shamed. Her shirt was torn in the middle, revealing her still ample mounds. Her hair was a mess, and bruises could be seen on her face.

“Don’t look at me like this, little Xiao.” Lady Mei said and covered her bosom.

Xiao Wen turned around, his mind still reeling. He was right, something was amiss at the pub. But he didn’t feel the slightest joy from having guessed correct, just a sour sadness.

“Here. This is for you.” lady Mei hugged him from behind and put something in Xiao Wen’s hands.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Looking down at his hands, he saw something familiar to him., Xiao Wen’s eyes went wide, and his breath became ragged. The exterior of it was smooth, but was also ice cold, shining with a mysterious white light.

“Jiqiren, what is this?” Xiao Wen swallowed, quietly whispering to Jiqiren.

[ Beep! Scanning object. Sssss. Process completed.]

[ This is a demonic embryo from a Frost butterfly of rank 0. Frost butterflies are normally found around the desolate northern glaciers, where the bitter and cold temperate keeps their wings at their best. It’s rarely seen in warmer and more humid climates ]

Xiao Wen felt something crawl up on his spine and spoke with shaky voice. “Auntie… how did you get his?”

Lady Mei still hugged him tightly. Her soft, motherly figure embraced him with utmost care. Yet her eyes were filled with tears, and remnants of what she had done to get her hands on the embryo could be seen in her eyes.

“Oh my little Xiao, don’t worry about that. I only did someone a small favor. With this you can join the Purple Cloud Sect. I know you want it so badly. This is the least an old lady like me can do for you.”

Xiao Wen was quiet the whole time, and didn't respond to what Lady Mei told him.

“Jiqiren, analyze the situation. What happened to Lady Mei.”  Xiao Wen’s melodic voice was thin and raspy as he whispered under his breath.

[ Beep! Scanning target. Sssss. Process completed.]

Xiao Wen’s eyes were closed as he awaited the results.

[ Minor wounds to chest. Several cuts to thighs. Grave wounds to private parts. Judging by this, target has more or less been forced into sexual intercourse, which resulted in all of these injuries. Probably, the physical injuries are lighter, while the physiological… ]

“Auntie…” Even though Xiao Wen wasn’t the most knowledgeable about these adult matters, he could get the general idea of what happened to her. Bao Long, the Purple Cloud Disciple in the pub, who told her to follow him, had abused her cruelly.

“Why did you let him to it?” Xiao Went softly asked Lady Mei. 

“You…”  Lady Mei stumbled with her words for a while, unable to understand how Xiao Wen discovered what Bao Long did to her. 

Sighing, Lady Mei said. “I had no choice. If I didn’t comply, he would take me by force, and even hurt you…”

Xiao Wen froze when he heard the last part. Because of him, Auntie got hurt?

“But it’s alright now, Little Xiao.” Lady Mei let out a helpless smile. “We are both alive.”

Xiao Wen didn’t hear her, he only thought. Because of me, she got hurt? His head was spinning, and he felt dizzy.

“Jiqiren. If you were to evolve, and if I were to fight Bao Long after, what would my odds be?”

[ Beep! Calculating… Sssss! Running battle simulations… Ssss! Process completed ]

[ 51.3% ]

Jiqiren’s voice struck out like thunder to a clear pond. Xiao Wen's anger very quickly rose to the heavens.

Lady Mei had done everything to him, and now she had even gotten hurt because of him. 

“I will avenge her!”  Xiao Wen swore in his heart while escaping Lady Mei’s embrace.

Xiao Wen looked at Lady Mei, cupped his hands in respect. “Sorry, I must go somewhere. Thank you for everything.” 

Lady Mei saw his expression, hastily trying to grab him with her hands. “Little Xiao, please don’t! I know what you’re going to do, please don’t think of it! I beg of you! He will kill you!

“I’m sorry.” said Xiao Wen and left her hanging as he left through the door.