The Master of Beasts-Chapter 601 - 158: The Butcher’s Redemption

Looking at the road ahead, Xiao San no longer has the desire to set fires everywhere; however, that organization is too mysterious, and just a single Candle Dragon Jiuyin gives him a suffocating feeling.

Xiao San doesn't dare confront his orders head-on, but isn't Ran Qi a perfect candidate for a plan?

During his travels, Xiao San casually destroyed several towns of varying sizes, some belonging to the Puppet Sect, others to the Five Elements Sect, and even the Thunder God Temple wasn't spared.

Since being rescued, Ran Qi has been rather silent. Observing Xiao San's actions, he neither voiced any objections nor lent a hand.

"The Valley Master is indeed a Valley Master; she is sacred, pure, she is the mother of us all," Ran Qi silently repeated to himself, trying to construct a solid defense in his mind through words.

After leaving behind ruins, Xiao San guided the blood-red river to a highly secretive location.

In the eerie cave, blood-red long worms occasionally appeared, and the moist ground emitted a profoundly heavy stench of blood.

Xiao San was quite accustomed to this, leading Ran Qi skillfully into the innermost part of the cave, a plain brimming with vitality.

Pointing to the frolicking Spiritual Beasts in the distance, a strange expression appeared on Xiao San's sinister face: "Do you see it?"

Ran Qi, eyes revealing a readiness for death, indifferently said: "It's just a place of evil born from plundering others' lives."

"Is that so?" Xiao San's eyes were enigmatic.

At this location, Xiao San seemed to transform into a regular person, his once straight posture bending slightly, and a cane supported him.

The two walked slowly like mortals, Xiao San looking at the colorful butterfly resting on his shoulder, reflecting, "Back then, I was driven by the pursuit of cultivation, compelled to slaughter countless mortals and cultivators, committing boundless massacres." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"I remember, during that time, I was only a Golden Immortal. Despite reaching the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal path, I was still hunted by the so-called Righteous Path."

"One after another, numerous righteous cultivators fell by my hand, attracting a massive encirclement of Golden Immortals. I thought I was doomed, but you know, when my own blood began to drain away, I understood, and so I broke through."

"Ah, Daluo, it's a truly mesmerizing realm, unspeakable, imperceptible, untouchable, akin to a soaring deity, witnessing vistas far beyond what a Golden Immortal can comprehend."

"You're just an executioner," Ran Qi coldly said.

"Heh, yes, I'm an executioner, but I'm also a Daluo, which brought me redemption. You witnessed it back then," Xiao San laughed heartily.

Ran Qi clenched his fists, cursing the heavens for overlooking such a beast's breakthrough.

"Grandpa, Third Grandpa is back!"

A little girl's loud shout interrupted the conversation between the two.

Moments later, Xiao San was surrounded by a horde of six- to seven-year-old children, his hands occasionally producing handfuls of candies to distribute among them.

The children's affectionate gaze, the villagers' respectful expressions, the youths' admiring stances, all muddled Ran Qi's mind.

"Alright, it's quite late, you should head back for supper!"

"Goodbye, Third Grandpa."

"Goodbye."

After watching the group of children leave, Xiao San led Ran Qi to an old courtyard, casually saying: "Feeling indignant?"

"Do people like you deserve affection?" Ran Qi mocked.

"Why not? They are all mortals, truly genuine mortals. With not a shred of Spirit Root, even in the True Realm, they would never reach Foundation Establishment."

"In the eyes of beings like us, Immortals, mortals have no value. Their life and death go unnoticed unless it's tied directly to self-interest."

"You should understand, Little Ran Qi."

Ran Qi's pupils abruptly contracted, his previously indifferent expression freezing, panic rising on his face as his secret was unravelled.

"Mother, I will try my hardest."

"Little Seventh, this cultivation technique is only suitable for males; females cannot cultivate it to perfection, though it's incredible, it's true."

Young Ran Qi's eyes deeply mirrored that noble silhouette, the childish mind holding a singular thought: I can be male.

From then forth, the lively, adorable Ran Qi transformed completely into the cold and handsome new Ran Qi, and as time passed, siblings vanished one by one, with no one aware of Ran Qi's true gender.

Yet fate is delightfully fickle; no matter how much effort Ran Qi poured into it, the outcomes remained unchanged. She was the first child chosen by the Medicine King Valley Master, but she was neither the most useful nor the most cherished.

Even now, Ran Qi has been relegated to managing trivial matters in Baofeng Town.

"I can secretly understand what you desire. You want Ran Tianhuang's approval, right? You seek her recognition, isn't that so? But why don't you leap outside Medicine King Valley and accomplish something substantial out there?"

"Shouldn't those who rival you for affection be eliminated?"

"Without Medicine King Valley, wouldn't you be able to stay with your mother forever?"

Each word pierced Ran Qi's heart like a sword, leaving him dizzy.

"Come, come, all this is waiting for you!"

As inner turmoil stirred, a strange black rune appeared on Ran Qi's brow, with the life-filled immortal power gradually darkening.