From what the Pig Emperor said, Mo Qi realized his mother might truly be an incredible figure.

Recalling the terrifying war from his dream, Mo Qi ran a hand through his hair in frustration. ’When will I ever reach that level?’

’It seems impossibly far away!’

"Pig Emperor, how strong do I have to be to have the right to know everything?" Mo Qi asked.

The Pig Emperor, standing on Mo Qi’s shoulder, patted his head. "Don’t get too hung up on it. That’s all still too far in the future for you. To be more practical, you first need to get out of the Mountain and Sea Empire."

After a pause, the Pig Emperor added, "The Mountain and Sea Empire is far, far too small. If you want to uncover the truth of your birth, there’s only one path for you: constantly challenge your limits, never stop getting stronger, until you’re so powerful that no one in this world can stand in your way!"

Mo Qi nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Pig Emperor."

’In the Martial Arts World, strength really is everything.’

Mo Qi wasn’t afraid of challenges, and he certainly wasn’t afraid of hardship.

’I’ve already died once. What in this world could possibly make me back down now?’

Mo Qi’s fighting spirit surged back. He glanced at Niu Kexin and Jin Sanpang in the distance, then back at the Pig Emperor.

"You’re all my family, the people closest to me. Pig Emperor, I know there’s more to you than meets the eye, that you’re not just sticking with me to satisfy your appetite. But I don’t care. I trust you, because we’re brothers!"

The Pig Emperor froze for a second, then his face filled with disgust.

"Don’t give me that crap. Are you trying to make me cringe to death so you can inherit my Celestial Fire?"

The Pig Emperor grabbed Mo Qi by the neck and growled, "You brat, you took my Celestial-level Fire Seed. You aren’t planning on keeping it, are you?"

"No, no, no! I haven’t forgotten. I’ll definitely give it back!" Mo Qi said with an apologetic smile. He knew the Pig Emperor was just trying to change the subject.

"Good." The Pig Emperor released Mo Qi and turned away. A smile touched his lips as tears welled in the corners of his eyes.

’Brothers... Silly kid. I don’t know where he learned to say such nonsense. It’s making me... get sand in my eyes.’

The Pig Emperor grumbled to himself, but on the outside, he acted nonchalant. He casually burrowed into Mo Qi’s robes, found a comfortable spot, and went back to sleep.

...

In front of the "Uncle Niu’s Kitchen God" restaurant, Liu Hui stood guard at the main entrance like a statue, his gaze fixed straight ahead, completely motionless.

He had promised to await Mo Qi’s return right here, so ever since coming back to the Void Sect, he had remained standing in this spot without leaving for even a moment.

The small square in front of the restaurant was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with disciples of the Void Sect.

"Senior Brother Liu, excuse me, but when is Master Mo coming back?"

The question came from Chen Liang. He was the Elite Disciple who had been the first to be "intimidated" into reluctantly spending one hundred contribution points on the Purple Bamboo Golden Fragrant Rice.

Now, however, he was one of Mo Qi’s most die-hard fans.

In fact, it wasn’t just him. Every disciple present, waiting with bated breath, was a die-hard fan of Mo Qi. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

A single, delicious dish of Medicinal Cuisine could allow their Cultivation to break through to the next level, saving them months of arduous training.

Such an incredible feat, such an allure, was impossible for them to resist.

The disciples who had initially disbelieved in the power of Medicinal Cuisine were now kicking themselves with regret.

After more than half a year of hard training, they discovered that fellow sect brothers they’d once considered their inferiors had easily caught up to them, all because they had eaten the Medicinal Cuisine.

People who were once their peers had suddenly surpassed them, leaving them far behind in the dust.

How could they possibly stomach that?

"That’s right, Senior Brother Liu! Please, just give us a hint. When will Master Mo be back?"

The surrounding disciples chimed in, their attitudes exceedingly respectful. Despite their inner desperation, none of them dared to raise their voices.

Liu Hui swept a cool gaze over the crowd.

’Hmph. When the restaurant first opened and the Medicinal Cuisine was plentiful, not a single one of them believed in the Master.’

’Now they know to wait around with puppy-dog eyes? Pathetic!’

"All of you, go back. I don’t know when the Master is returning, he..."

Before he could finish his sentence, an expression of immense joy spread across Liu Hui’s face. In a flash, he vanished from sight.

The waiting disciples exchanged bewildered glances.

What could have possibly happened to make Liu Hui, a man famous for his deadpan expression, so visibly excited?

Could it be? Was Master Mo back?

At this thought, a wave of elation swept through the crowd, and they began to cheer.

They could finally eat Medicinal Cuisine again!

"Let’s go! Let’s welcome Master Mo together!"

Someone in the crowd made the suggestion, and it was met with an immediate, unanimous roar of approval.

At that moment, at the foot of the mountain, Mo Qi pointed to the land beneath them and said to Niu Kexin with a smile, "Sister Kexin, this whole mountain is our home."

Niu Kexin gave a small smile and nodded, her eyes never leaving Mo Qi.

Whatever Mo Qi said, she accepted. To her, it didn’t matter if they lived in a pigsty or a dog kennel; as long as Mo Qi was there, it was the warmest home imaginable.

"Who’s there? Show yourself!"

Just then, Jin Sanpang let out a sharp cry. He thrust a thick hand forward and grabbed, pulling a figure clumsily out of the air.

"San Pang, stop!" Mo Qi blocked Jin Sanpang’s path. "He’s one of us."

Liu Hui struggled to regain his footing. After shooting Jin Sanpang a deep, meaningful look, he approached Mo Qi and dropped to one knee.

"This subordinate respectfully welcomes the Master’s return."

Mo Qi quickly pulled Liu Hui to his feet. "What are you doing?" he said with a laugh. "How many times have I told you? We’re brothers, not master and subordinate. No more kneeling, you hear?"

"Yes, Master," Liu Hui replied respectfully.

Mo Qi was speechless. There was just no getting through to Liu Hui.

’Fine,’ he thought, ’have it your way.’

"Let me introduce you. This is Niu Kexin. She’s dearer to me than a blood sister," Mo Qi said, pulling Kexin forward.

"His name is Liu Hui," Mo Qi said, turning to Niu Kexin. "He’s my good brother. We have a life-and-death bond."

Liu Hui immediately understood and said respectfully, "This subordinate, Liu Hui, greets the Mistress!"

Mo Qi’s expression stiffened. ’Mistress? What the hell? She’s my sister!’

’What kind of logic is it to call me Master and my sister Mistress?’

Niu Kexin, however, was delighted. Her opinion of Liu Hui instantly skyrocketed.

"Liu Hui, she’s not..." Mo Qi started to correct him, but the words caught in his throat.

Niu Kexin cut in smoothly, "Liu Hui, I’m Mo Qi’s older sister, so you shouldn’t get it wrong. Since you and Little Brother Mo are brothers, you can just call me Sister like he does."

Liu Hui nodded as if in deep thought, a look of sudden understanding on his face. Then, with a perfectly straight face, he said, "Understood, Mistress Sister."

Niu Kexin was even more pleased. ’What a perceptive young man,’ she thought.

She smiled so broadly her eyes narrowed into crescents.

Mo Qi, on the other hand, was mortified. This was the first time he’d ever seen Liu Hui’s mischievous side.

To prevent the awkwardness from escalating, he quickly introduced Liu Hui and Jin Sanpang to each other.

But from the moment they opened their mouths, it was clear the two were like sworn enemies, their words thick with tension.

"Fatty, you’re strong."

"Hmph. Stronger than you. And I’m not ’Fatty.’ The name’s Jin Sanpang."

"San Pang? That doesn’t make you any less of a fatty. Your Cultivation is just a bit higher, that’s all. If you’ve got the guts, suppress your Cultivation and let’s have a one-on-one duel!"

"A duel it is! You think I’m scared? My only worry is that if I break you, Brother Mo will hold it against me."

"Break me? A toad yawning—such big talk!"

"You’re the toad! San Pang is not!"