55: Compassion

The Cultivators who survived did not have an easy time.

Every day was spent either healing or on the way to battle.

But at the same time, there were also some exceptions.

For example, this group of Cultivators following Wang Gou.

They seemed extremely at ease, with no safety concerns whatsoever.

Yet, at the same time, the generous energy rewards meant they hadn't tasted even a hint of sweetness.

The desire to become stronger had gradually faded as time went on.

Many even started to give up.

Aside from them, everyone else's strength was rapidly improving.

At this moment,

Wang Gou had led the group to a mountain.

Originally, this mountain was home to a Dragon.

Later, the Dragon was dealt with by Wang Gou.

And because the environment here was quite good,

Wang Gou temporarily set up camp here with the others.

He even had the leisure to name the mountain, Erlong Mountain.

However, none of them wanted to continue living an easy life on Erlong Mountain.

As for the very night they set up camp,

Someone had already sought out Wang Gou.

“Grandpa, although it’s easy following you, I won’t grow if things continue like this.”

“Can you let me go out and explore tonight?”

The person spoke cautiously.

Fearing that if he said anything displeasing, he would be killed by Wang Gou.

Wang Gou's eyes narrowed upon hearing this.

Then he said indifferently,

“It seems you've been quite well-off lately. I kindly wished you all to improve and offered you shelter, and this is how you repay me?”

“Grandpa, I really have no money left.”

Upon hearing this, the Cultivator immediately knelt before Wang Gou.

Most of the Spirit Stones he had on him had already been collected by Wang Gou.

Now, he truly had no other choice but to honestly tell Wang Gou face-to-face that he wanted to leave.

If he still had even a tiny bit of savings, or if he didn't crave strength,

He might have stayed here.

But how could a Cultivator not pursue strength?

While others were progressing, he was standing still.

This in itself was a regression.

Over time, even with the best talent, he would only fall into the ranks of the most backward.

He didn't want this.

That's why he risked coming forward.

“You want to leave without Spirit Stones?”

Wang Gou's eyes instantly turned dangerous.

These people were all kept by him, to be used at any time as human baozi, fed to powerful old monsters.

Letting one go would mean a reduction in his own safety.

Who wouldn't care about their own safety?

Wang Gou snorted coldly.

He was quite displeased by this.

But no sooner had his snort fallen,

The Cultivator was startled.

He immediately threw his Storage Pouch in front of him.

“Grandpa, Wang Tianjiao, I have only 100 Spirit Stones left, and some miscellaneous items. I’m willing to offer them all to you in exchange for a chance to leave.”

“Only 100 Spirit Stones? Are you trying to bribe a beggar?”

Wang Gou grew even more displeased.

But at the same time, he reached out and picked up the Storage Pouch from the ground.

He probed inside with his Divine Sense.

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

He noticed a very special small plant.

This is? Soul Nurturing Grass?

Wang Gou's thoughts suddenly drifted.

He remembered that Wang Yan seemed to have been looking for this item.

But the Family was newly established, and its power and foundation were not yet complete.

They had never found these things.

He hadn't expected to encounter it here today.

Should he take it back for him?

Wang Gou's thoughts only wavered for a moment, then he made up his mind.

But before that, how should he deal with the person in front of him?

Wang Gou originally didn't want to let the other party go.

But at the same time, he had taken a liking to the person's item.

If he took the item and still didn't let the person go,

It would indeed be a bit too overbearing.

If it caused a rebellious psychology, leading others to turn against him as well,

Although for Wang Gou, even if this group of people ganged up, they wouldn't be enough for him to fight.

The gap between the Purple Mansion Realm and Core Formation was still too great.

Moreover, he wasn't new to the Purple Mansion Realm.

He could almost wantonly slaughter these people in front of him.

However, that's not how it's said.

And the principle cannot be stated that way either.

A strong person can certainly do as they please.

But the weak also possess the courage to shatter like jade.

Wang Gou dared not gamble how many of these people in front of him possessed such courage.

But as long as there was one instance, it would surely trigger a chain reaction.

Either they would gather to attack him, or they would do something else.

In short, it would absolutely not be as peaceful as it was now.

Wang Gou hesitated in his heart.

Then he said,

“You can leave if you want, I’m not an unreasonable person, but are you sure you’ve thought it through?”

“It will be difficult to come back once you leave.”

“I know you are eager to improve yourself. Recently, there have indeed been too many new types of Yao Beasts appearing.”

“They haven’t fallen to you, allowing you to experience generous rewards, but I can assure you that in the future, I can definitely let you have them all.”

Wang Gou's brows furrowed slightly as he spoke.

His words were certainly false.

The reason he said this was merely to stabilize morale.

Of course, because of this person in front of him who had already contributed everything he had,

Wang Gou did not intend to keep him.

The Soul Nurturing Grass was relatively more important.

And losing one person, comparatively speaking, the cost was extremely small.

If he could get this person in front of him to find someone to replace him,

Suddenly, Wang Gou's eyes lit up.

He had an idea.

“Of course, I’ve thought it through, Wang Tianjiao.”

Seeing that Wang Gou seemed to be relenting,

The person immediately continued to answer.

His voice was urgent, as if he feared Wang Gou would change his mind if he was even a little late.

But in reality, Wang Gou already had a new plan in mind.

Wang Gou nodded, then said,

“Since that’s the case, I’m not an unreasonable person either.”

“You are eager to return, and even if I force you to stay, wanting to consider your safety, I fear you would see me as a villain.”

“Forget it, you only need to find one person to replace you, and then you can leave.”

“I am a Saint, and I should have compassion for all living beings.”

Wang Gou put on a compassionate demeanor.

Immediately, the person in front of him felt his eyes almost pop out.

Is this person a monster?

He had already taken so much, wasn't that enough?

Now, he couldn't even leave without finding someone to replace him.

This Cultivator was filled with frustration.

But soon, his eyes lit up.

Shared joy is better than solitary joy.

He had indeed suffered a loss and wasted a lot of time.

If he could drag others down with him,

Wouldn't he be indirectly improving himself?

As for whether doing this counted as harming others?

It shouldn't.

Wang Tianjiao was compassionate and benevolent.

And in this Secret Realm, dangers were clearly everywhere.

By doing this, he was merely giving others a glimmer of hope to survive.