Those who have never known hunger can never truly understand the torment it brings when it strikes. In the grip of starvation, even a single piece of bread can stir immense gratitude within the heart.
A single meal is enough to stabilize hearts and begin to rally the people's will.And the cost—utterly negligible.
In Xuanhuang Town, food had become so abundant in the short term that it was practically inexhaustible. No matter how much people ate, there was no fear of scarcity. The crops planted here grew at an astonishing speed. Were it not for the chaotic times brought about by the fusion of the myriad worlds, where all manner of deaths could occur, starvation would have become a joke on the Eternal Continent.
The abundant heaven and earth essence caused all plants to grow rapidly, shortening their cycles and increasing their yields. In such conditions, starvation would be laughable—were it not for the rampant chaos and constant bloodshed.
In unstable territories, no one could grow food or vegetables. Starvation became a reality only because people were too weak to secure their environments. Without power, even if crops were planted, they would be trampled or consumed by savage beasts before harvest. Those who sowed the seeds would be long dead before seeing the fruits.
Only Xuanhuang Town had the strength to protect its people and its crops amidst the chaos, ensuring a steady food supply and eliminating hunger.
Now, most villages had focused all their energy on fending off fierce beasts, and planting crops had become an unattainable luxury. Their only option was to purchase food from Xuanhuang Town.
Perhaps they would plant again in the future, but for now, Xuanhuang remained the central hub for surrounding villages. The food alone was enough reason for them to draw near.
Whoosh!!
Just as Feng Yumo arrived and cooking fires were being lit around the town, the spatial gate shimmered with radiant light. One figure after another emerged rapidly.
At the front was a middle-aged man clad in crude leather armor made from beast hide. His rugged aura was laced with killing intent—a killing aura forged through countless battles. He held a massive weapon, more like a polished ox horn than a proper blade, still stained with dark red blood.
This was a blade tempered in real blood.
From within his body, one could sense the flow of true qi—a sign that he was a cultivator with an opened Divine Sea, though his cultivation wasn't particularly high.
"So this is Xuanhuang Town... A single portal can cross thousands of miles in an instant. Unbelievable." The man's face showed awe as he observed his new surroundings—clearly different from his home village.
"Master, this is Chief Mu. Mu Yu," Feng Yumo introduced.
"You are Lord Yi of Xuanhuang Town?"
Mu Yu looked toward Yi Tianxing and silently marveled. Though he couldn't gauge Yi Tianxing's cultivation, he could feel the aura—the bearing—of someone extraordinary.
"Chief Mu, your arrival strengthens us greatly. In Xuanhuang Town, there's no need for formality—we are all of the human race. Our common enemies are the foreign races and savage beasts," Yi Tianxing said with a smile. "Whatever came before, now that you're here, you are safe. No more fear of monster attacks or helpless struggles. Here, we are all family, working together to live better lives."
From Mu Yu's demeanor, Yi Tianxing could tell he wasn't a difficult man. Forming a connection should be straightforward.
"No matter what, I hope Lord Yi will treat the people well," Mu Yu said.
"Rest assured. Here in Xuanhuang, all are treated equally. Though absolute fairness is impossible, relative fairness will always be upheld," Yi Tianxing declared firmly. "Chief Mu will see this for yourself in time."
"Then from today on, there is no more Mu Clan Village. I'd rather be an ordinary citizen," Mu Yu nodded. In this moment, he had no other choice but to place his trust in Yi Tianxing. He had also observed the townsfolk—the hope shining in their eyes.
That kind of energy, that spiritual radiance, didn't exist in Mu Clan Village. It was what drove him to make a swift decision.
Soon, more and more people emerged from the gate, pouring into the plaza—the civilians Mu Yu had gathered and protected.
They wore tattered clothing, their faces pale and thin, clearly tormented by hunger. The larger Mu Yu's village grew, the harder it had become to feed everyone. Hunting alone could never sustain them. Many had resorted to eating wild roots and grasses.
Their lives had been filled with suffering.
Now, arriving here, they could smell the aroma of meat porridge the moment they stepped through the gate.
Gurgle!!
A chorus of stomachs rumbled. Mouths salivated.
Yet despite their hunger, order prevailed. Soldiers quickly led them to open ground, preparing for their intake.
Every breath brought more people through the portal, until thousands were gathered in the open plaza. Their eyes gleamed—not just with hunger but with hope. They stared hungrily at the giant cooking pots where meat porridge simmered.
The craving burned in their hearts.
"I failed them," Mu Yu said, his expression dim. "I gathered them, but I couldn't give them peace—not even enough food to survive. Every day, someone died of hunger or was dragged away by beasts. I knew... but I had no power to stop it. I failed them."
"Friend Mu, there's no need for self-blame," Yi Tianxing said calmly. "In times like these, sheltering people is already a blessing. Without you, many of them would've died long ago. That you brought them this far is already a great merit."
Everyone must fight for their own survival. The law of the jungle was absolute. If you couldn't survive, if you died of hunger—it was not others' fault. It meant you were too weak. If you couldn't recognize that, then you were little more than a walking corpse. In Xuanhuang Town, we don't raise the idle.
Each person must be responsible for their own fate.
The sudden arrival of so many civilians shocked the residents of the town, leaving them awed and emotional.
"That spatial gate must be connected to some large settlement. So many people all at once... Our Xuanhuang Town is growing again. We might surpass 300,000 citizens soon!"
"No idea where they're from, but if they're here now, they're family. We need to help them. Add more fire, more rice—make the porridge thicker!"
The townsfolk wore kind expressions. They too had once come from desperate circumstances. They understood the pain.
"Wow, so many people. Where did they all come from? Wait... Why does Xuanhuang Town look so different? Did I sleep for a whole year?"
Suddenly, Green Emperor appeared, waddling up beside Yi Tianxing, bleary-eyed and yawning, walking with his signature turtle strut.
"Unbelievable! Someone was thundering in my ear while I was sleeping. The whole ground shook. Good thing I'm smart and blocked my ears—slept straight through to morning. But my lovely dog-girls from my dreams... all gone!"
Green Emperor yawned again, pulling two makeshift earplugs from his ears—balls of ragged cloth. He looked up with melancholy.
So lonely... so very lonely.
Where are my dog-girls? I want beautiful dog-girls...
In his heart, he howled.
"I need to sing!"
Green Emperor suddenly howled to the sky.
"No wonder we didn't see you during the last big battle—you were off sleeping!? And dreaming of dog-girls? You dare to mention singing now? Your rations are halved!" Yi Tianxing's mouth twitched. Without hesitation, he kicked Green Emperor to the side.
Others charged money to sing. Green Emperor? His songs cost lives—the very essence of aural torture. A true killing weapon. Not only had he been sleeping—some strange slumber that seemed like a transformation—now he had the nerve to mention singing?
Bang!!
Green Emperor flew dozens of feet, rolling across the ground like a moldy green furball, radiating comic evil.
But then—
His eyes went wide.
Glowing green, he locked his gaze on someone in the crowd.
Drool began to drip down his chin.
His body tensed, trembling with excitement.
Then he howled to the sky:
"Dog-girl!! Flower girl!!"
With a crazed look, eyes glowing green, he charged straight into the crowd.