The journey back to headquarters had been uneventful—until Liu Yue abruptly stopped.
"We're being followed," she said, her voice calm but certain.
Kai halted mid-step, his senses sharpening. "You sure?"
Liu Yu grinned, stretching her arms. "Oh yeah. Been trailing us for a while now. Thought it was some assassin at first, but…" she trailed off, glancing over her shoulder.
Kai's eyes narrowed. He wasn't in the mood for more surprises. "Let's catch them."
The three of them disappeared in an instant, their figures flickering as they leaped into the trees, moving swiftly and soundlessly. They weaved through the branches, circling around to cut off their pursuer.
Kai landed silently, his fingers flexing as he prepared to grab whoever it was.
Then—
A small, startled yelp broke the tension.
A girl stumbled out from behind a tree, her hands raised in surrender.
"W-Wait! Don't kill me! I—uh—please don't hurt me!"
Kai blinked.
His breath caught for a moment. He recognized her.
She was the good-looking young lady with the large, soulful eyes—the one who had been harassed by that big man back in Clearwater Village.
Kai had stepped in, helping her subdue that burly brute, and somehow that whole mess had led him into a big drinking contest with a robotic guy.
At the time, he had thought nothing of it. Just another random event in his chaotic life.
But now—she was here.
Following them.
Kai was pleasantly surprised.
They had expected an enemy, maybe a spy or rogue cultivator.
Instead, they got a completely normal, innocent girl who had somehow wandered into the chaotic world of cultivators.
Kai rubbed his temples, sighing. "You… followed us all the way from Clearwater Village?"
The girl nodded eagerly. "Yes! I saw you there, and I thought—'Wow, what an interesting group!' Then I saw you again after that huge battle, and I figured it must be fate!"
Liu Yu burst into laughter. "You think it's fate? You must be crazy."
She pouted. "I am not crazy! I just—um—" she fidgeted before blurting out, "I want to go with you! I'll take care of you!"
Kai froze. "…What?"
The girl beamed. "You're a big, important Sect Lord, right? You probably don't eat well or sleep properly! You need someone to take care of you! So… I'll be that person!"
Kai's brain short-circuited.
Liu Yue gave a small chuckle. "How… sweet."
Liu Yu smirked and elbowed Kai. "Ohhh, look at that, Master. She wants to be your personal caretaker."
Kai glared at her. "Shut it."
Meng Yao clasped her hands together. "Please let me stay in your sect! I'll cook, I'll clean, I'll—uh—do whatever normal people do for strong cultivators like you!"
Kai chuckled softly. He had never expected to see her again, much less like this.
Kai studied her for a moment before finally asking, "What's your name?"
The girl blinked, then smiled brightly. "Meng Yao!"
He sighed, shaking his head. "Meng Yao. Do you know what kind of place my sect is?"
Meng Yao tilted her head. "A big, scary sect where people fight and stuff?"
Liu Yue sighed. "She's clueless."
Kai exhaled. "Exactly. And you want to live there? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is?"
Meng Yao nodded seriously. "Yes! That's why I'll stay close both big sisters and you! You guys will protect me, right?"
Kai massaged his temples. "This girl is insane."
Kai sighed. "Look, I get it. But you can't just stay in a sect for fun. It's not a place for people like you."
Meng Yao pouted. "But—!"
Before she could argue, Liu Yu stepped in.
"She can stay."
Kai whipped around. "What?"
Liu Yue nodded in agreement. "We'll watch over her."
Kai scowled. "You're encouraging this?"
Liu Yu grinned. "Of course! It's rare to find someone so… normal. It'd be fun."
Meng Yao beamed. "See? Even they agree!"
Kai groaned.
Liu Yue smirked. "Besides, don't you think it's refreshing? A normal person who isn't trying to kill us, betray us, or manipulate us?"
Kai grumbled. "…Fine."
Meng Yao cheered. "Yay! You won't regret this!"
Liu Yu nudged Meng Yao teasingly. "Ohhh, look how happy she is. Meng Yao, are you sure you're just here to 'take care of Kai'? Or do you like him?"
Meng Yao froze.
Her face turned bright red.
"W-WHAT?! NO!! I—THAT'S NOT—"
Liu Yue chuckled softly. "Adorable."
Meng Yao flailed her arms. "You guys are horrible! I just want to be helpful!"
Kai shook his head, sighing. "This is going to be a headache…"
Returning to the Sect
When they finally returned to the Obsidian Peak Sect headquarters, the sight was almost overwhelming.
The sect disciples had already heard rumors about Kai's exploits at Ironwood Chapter. When Kai entered, they bowed deeply, a rare sight, considering many still didn't know what to make of their new Sect Lord.
Liu Yue and Liu Yu walked beside him, Meng Yao trailing behind, wide-eyed.
"Wow," Meng Yao whispered. "This place is huge…"
Kai ignored her, scanning the sect grounds. It was time.
He had already sent envoys to deliver his new law—a law forbidding cruelty against the innocent. But laws weren't enough.
He needed to change the very foundation of this sect.
He needed to rebuild it.
As his disciples bowed, Kai stood at the center of his sect, watching the people who now followed him.
This place, this den of cruelty, ambition, and power, was now in his hands.
He wanted nothing to do with it.
Yet, he couldn't walk away.
What was the next step? Reforming an evil sect won't be easy. Since he had ended up here, he would do it his way.